Console guys are running scared - Will Wright

by Ben Salter Featured 7 Comments 24 Votes 1188 Views 10/07/2012 Back to News

Will Wright, the creator of The Sims, SimCity and Spore, says "console guys" are running scared with the rise of new business models on PC and mobile devices.

"I think all the console guys are running scared," Wright told GamesIndustry.biz. "Not so much because of the hardware, but because of the business models, free-to-play and that kind of thing, have shifted underneath them."

That's not a bad thing. New business models have allowed more interesting games due to lower development costs.

"I think before the only thing people were willing to bet on were sequels; that was really the only predictable genre. Now the fact that you can do a game for an extremely low cost, put it out there and see if it gets any traction is going to encourage more diversity," he said.

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Kudos: 297,579

Tano

Obviously, right? Why else aren't we seeing new IP?

Kind of goes back to what Mr Douchypants David Cage was saying yesterday, about how developers need to "innovate". This is a guy living in fairy land that thinks developers have some moral obligation to society to create emotional and deep stories, even if they cost millions and make developers/publisher bankrupt.

Thankfully, Cage ISN'T the voice of reason in the industry.

We're seeing innovation in the mobile and PC fields. Once the console platform holders find a way to monetize that audience, consoles will be relevant again. For all the criticism Activision gets for Elite, that's ultimate where gaming is going: community, sharing and interaction.

10/07/2012

"Niko! Cousin!"

Kudos: 49,906

SevenII

The consoles need to drop all their extra services if they want to compete. Make them completely peripheral. Not lumped in with an over-all service.

At the moment, the it is the subscribers that are paying for this sort of 'innovation', which is, more often than not, unwanted. I don't pay for gold anymore for that exact reason. I have no use for it.

In comparison: If Foxtel had this sort of 'all-or-nothing' thing going on with their service, I doubt there'd be half as many subscribers.

10/07/2012

Far side of the world... (Sydney)

Kudos: 10,254

punk

well pc gaming had to evolve somehow considering the strong emergence of console gaming in the last couple of years and with mobile gaming coming a long way its only natural for people to spell doom to the traditional way of gaming on consoles.

It's a perfect time to write about how there's a big surge toward indie, pc gaming because its not that the consoles are suffering but we're seeing a move towards a new console generation. There's going to be dips and highs in different industries.

Like Beta said, it's just another opportunity for a consoles to monetise this new audience.

There's no reason why this type of business model can't be applied on consoles alongside the traditional way of delivering games and benefiting from the rise of portable devices and using the console as a entertainment/gaming hub.

10/07/2012

Kudos: 206,533

M@ndyz

PC- free very good online service
PS3- free "ok" online service but pay more and we give you stuff
xbox- $45 a year for very good online service but not free..

10/07/2012

Add me on steam........... bootie [mmgn] Or raptr.......... bootie101 Or wiiu. Also bootie101

Kudos: 10,254

punk

are we going to hear from John Carmack, David Jaffe or even Sid Meir tomorrow about their views on the death of traditional gaming and how the console is doomed because angry birds wins blah blah.

in all seriousness its an interesting take and it seems to show that creators/devs aren't just turning to traditional publishers for help but the views are a little more alarmist then usual. Good timing to knock consoles over I guess.

10/07/2012

Kudos: 297,579

Tano

punk said: are we going to hear from John Carmack, David Jaffe or even Sid Meir tomorrow about their views on the death of traditional gaming and how the console is doomed because angry birds wins blah blah.
in all seriousness its an interesting take and it seems to show that creators/devs aren't just turning to traditional publishers for help but the views are a little more alarmist then usual. Good timing to knock consoles over I guess.

It's basically hostility towards current business models, which literally make millions. Developers are blaming CoD for a lack of innovation, which is a weak, chicken feed argument.

SevenII said: The consoles need to drop all their extra services if they want to compete. Make them completely peripheral. Not lumped in with an over-all service.
At the moment, the it is the subscribers that are paying for this sort of 'innovation', which is, more often than not, unwanted. I don't pay for gold anymore for that exact reason. I have no use for it.
In comparison: If Foxtel had this sort of 'all-or-nothing' thing going on with their service, I doubt there'd be half as many subscribers.

What extra service? Do you mean like the movie rental services on Xbox Live/PSN? Elaborate as to how they should be implemented. Do you mean with a completely separate fee for these services, as opposed to one fee?

10/07/2012

"Niko! Cousin!"