Tag: sony

Mobile games may spell the fall of consoles

| February 6, 2013

Mobile games versus consolesMobile games gain momentum while consoles begin to lose traction

A storm is brewing in the game industry and everything may come down to a fight between mobile games and consoles. Mobile games have become one of the most favored pastimes that consumers around the world can universally agree upon. The market for mobile games is massive and growing seemingly every day, whereas consoles are beginning to feel the sting of being confined to old technology and their lack of mobility. As the next generation of console gaming approaches, whether consoles will be able to compete with mobile games over the next decade is uncertain.m

Consoles may need to compete with mobile platforms in the future

The future of consoles looks relatively promising, despite the lack of concrete information being released by console titans Microsoft and Sony. Last year, Nintendo releases its highly anticipated WiiU, which features mobile gaming elements and some NFC technology support. Despite some criticisms, the WiiU was generally well received, but consumers have continued to show their preference for mobile games. Both Microsoft and Sony has plans to incorporate mobile gaming elements into their upcoming Xbox 720 and Playstation 4 consoles respectively.

Analysis suggests that 67% of all time spent on mobile devices is devoted to gaming

According to analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center, as well as other groups, approximately 60% of all smart phone and tablet users participate in mobile games. The firm also suggests that 67% of all time spend using a mobile device is devoted to playing mobile games. The traction that these games seem to have among consumers is somewhat higher than that seen with traditional consoles. Many of the tablets on the market today also boast of capabilities that verge on those seen in consoles. While consoles still hold the advantage in terms of technology, tablets are quickly catching up.

Next generation consoles may provide more stability in the game industry

The future of console gaming may hinge on the performance of the Xbox 720 and Playstation 4. That future is somewhat uncertain at present due to the fact that both Microsoft and Sony have very strong interests in the realm of mobile games. Next generation consoles are expected to be well received by gamers around the world, but these same gamers have yet to show any inclination in abandoning mobile games in favor of consoles.

Mobile gaming thrives in China amidst ban on consoles

| January 30, 2013

Mobile Gaming ChinaConsole ban may soon be lifted due to performance of mobile gaming

For over a decade, China has been a very poor market for the game industry. Ten years ago, the Central Government issues a ban on the manufacture, sale, and import of game consoles. While this has not stopped gaming from being an influential force in China, the market has been relatively stagnate since the ban was introduced. This ban may soon be abolished, however, due in no small part to the influence China has had on the mobile gaming space.

Mobile gaming unabashed by console ban

While consoles have been banned in China for several years, mobile gaming is not restricted to traditional systems. Instead, mobile games are entirely based on devices like smart phones and tablets. Because these devices cannot be considered gaming consoles, they are not susceptible to the ban instituted by the Central Government. The clout that the country holds in the mobile gaming market has become massive, accounting for some $6.38 billion during the fourth quarter of 2012. Apple held the majority of the Chinese market in thrall during this period.

China may become a very promising market for game industry

If China decides to rescind its ban on consoles, the game industry may be in for a major shift. Game developers and publishers have been itching for an opportunity to enter into the market, which is considered an untapped field of massive promise. The world’s largest console makers, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, are eager to enter into the market for t he same reasons. While lifting the ban could be good news for the game industry, it may also open the way for a new force to emerge therein.

Lifting the ban could allow Chinese companies to reshape the industry

If the Central Government does lift the ban, Chinese companies will be able to develop and produce their own consoles. Given the fact that two of China’s largest smart phone developers have produced devices that rivaled the iPhone and Android devices in the fourth quarter of 2012, such companies may be able to introduce a console that could dethrone the industry’s traditional heavyweights. A more accommodating atmosphere for gaming could also attribute a major amount of momentum to the country’s mobile gaming market.