Tag: electronic arts

EA claims mobile games will not kill consoles

| April 4, 2013

EA mobile games and console gamesMobile games are unlikely to dethrone consoles in the game industry

Mobile games are quickly becoming a formidable force in the game industry. Millions of consumers around the world play mobile games for the sake of entertainment and because these games are simply more convenient than those that are played on consoles. For decades, console games have dominated the game industry, but the advent of mobile technology has taken consumers out of their homes and given them a new way to play games while on the go. Indeed, many within the game industry believes that mobile games could eventually dethrone consoles as the staple of the industry.

Peter Moore champions console gaming

The downfall of console gaming is not something the industry has to worry about, according to Electronic Arts COO Peter Moore. While mobile games have certainly cut into the sales of consoles and other gaming hardware, Moore suggests that console gaming will continue to be the most prominent form of gaming in the world. Moore claims that the suggestion of the demise of console gaming is “very premature,” especially as a new generation of consoles is about to dawn.

Next generation consoles will find success with consumers

Moore notes that there are thousands of people at Electronic Arts alone that are focused on developing games for current generation consoles. Many of these developers will continue this focus well into the future, but many more will come to focus on new consoles like the Playstation 4 and the rumored Xbox 720. While Moore holds out hope for consoles, the executive does note that the sale of physical games is likely to become a thing of the past, especially as digital distribution becomes more capable of meeting the needs of consumers.

Mobile games may be more formidable than Moore anticipates

Though Moore may be a champion for console games, Electronic Arts is beginning to focus more heavily on mobile games. The publisher has recently been backing developers that focus solely on the mobile space. Electronic Arts has even launched its own publishing division devoted entirely to mobile games. Moore, who is likely to become the next CEO of Electronic Arts, claims that console games provide a more immersive experience for consumers. Mobile games, however, may actually provide more value to consumers.

Mobile games may soon dominate the game industry

| March 19, 2013

Mobile games versus consolesMobile games picking up the slack of conventional consoles

The game industry in the U.S. is facing a slump, according to a study from the NPD Group. According to the market research and analysis firm, the trend of declining hardware, software, and accessories sales in the U.S. persists, sending ripples throughout the game industry. The study suggests that consumers are beginning to move away from conventional gaming systems, such as consoles, and have been more inclined to participate in mobile games. Much of the money that seems to be exiting the game industry, on the consumer level, seems to making its way to these mobile games rather than traditional gaming media.

Console and software sales are down in the US

NPD Group notes that total sales of hardware, software, and accessories in the U.S. game market were $810 million in February of this year. This is a decline from the $1.09 billion that the game industry had seen in the U.S. market only a year previous. Hardware sales, in particular, have dropped 36% over the past 12 months, despite the launch of new gaming systems, such as the Nintendo Wii and the Playstation Vita. Where consumers are no longer purchasing physical products, they are spending money on mobile games.

Mobile games and digital distribution eclipse hardware sales

Mobile games have come to account for a significant portion of the revenue being generated within the game industry. According to the NPD Group, mobile games, as well as digital distribution platforms and subscription services, now account for $1.2 billion in sales within the game industry. Several large publishers, like Electronic Arts, have seen significant success through digital distribution, as is the case with Dead Space 3. Mobile games, in particular, continue to generate a great deal of revenue for their developers and the publishers of these games.

Game industry begins to take mobile more seriously

Mobile games are expected to continue playing a large role in the U.S. game industry. They may one day come to dominate the industry as consumers continue to favor digital distribution and mobile gaming applications over conventional consoles and physical products. Many companies within the game industry have taken note of this trend and have been focusing much of their efforts on supporting mobile games so as to solidify their continued presence in their given market.