EA CEO Discusses What Comes After HD?
Posted on July 19 2011 by Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
In a new interview with Industry Gamer, Electronic Artis CEO, John Riccitiello, was asked if the the Wii U, despite technically being a next-generation console, really is a next-generation gaming machine, in response to criticisms saying that the Wii U is a current-generation console launching late. According to Riccitiello, it doesn’t really matter since consoles don’t hold the majority of the gaming industry.
 
I would argue that one of the least interesting things about the games industry was that every 5 years you’d see a new console or platform from everybody at about the same time with about the same or similar upgrades or services. You’d sort of harvest it and then it’d cycle back. We got used to it. It’s what seemed normal. But it’s not a particularly smart way to run an industry… bulges in technology investment followed by harvest. And let’s be realistic. Consoles used to be 80% of the industry as recently as 2000. Consoles today are 40% of the game industry, so what do we really have? 
We have a new hardware platform and we’re putting out software every 90 days. Our fastest growing platform is the iPad right now and that didn’t exist 18 months ago. So the idea that we’re categorizing the industry as being [cyclical]… Nintendo is off cycle with what? I mean, the point of reference is gone. And so Nintendo is bringing out a new platform that brings together some of what we’re learning from new media and new platforms like the iPad and then integrating that with a console. It’s the perfect time for that in the industry.
 
The man has a point. While I like the idea as a consumer of investing for a in one piece of hardware, without constantly having to go out and buy an upgrade, I understand that from an industry perspective that it’s very limiting. It’d be great to have up-to-date technology, but the industry needs to figure out a way to do so that isn’t harsh on consumers. I don’t own and iPhone or iPad, so I don’t know how gaming works in that spectrum of the gaming world, but I do know that Apple never stops with their releases. There’s always a rush to go out and buy the newest over-priced toy.
 
Riccitiello continued his mini rant, by discussing what will happen to the Gaming “Arms” Race once all the consoles are running at at 1080p:
 
I think there’s going to be an interesting debate when you get to processing power beyond what you can push up with a 1080p or a 720p [system]. Most people squint between 1080p and 720p, because what’s the difference, seriously? I would argue that there’s more to be provided in terms of value for the consumer in micro-transactions and social experiences and driving those better in cross-platform gameplay between a console and a PC and a handheld device and a social network than there is supercharging graphics,” Riccitiello remarked. 
So I think that the pattern against which Nintendo is no longer resonating is over anyway. The idea that we’re going to see the need for step function growth in graphic performance as the pace setting aspect of the sector is no longer the most important thing. But I think it’s important. You’ve seen the Battlefield demos. Look how much better they have to look. Look at Need for Speed. There was a point in time where we were talking about the uncanny valley – we’re on the other side of realism now. And after a certain point it’s like – I do not need to see my LA news announcer’s oversized pores when I’m watching the news. There’s a point where it just gets to be [too much]. I always liked the power, but I don’t know if it’s the story anymore.
 
A similar thing happened with the film industry. Heck, it’s still happening. Once CG technology became more widely available, movies became all about cool special effects and who had the best and the most. While there have been some great visuals that have come from that, there have been a lot of crappy movies too. Things are slowly starting to smooth out now, but you can still see it happening with big summer blockbusters.
 
Eventually this causes creators to go back to their roots and figure out what made them want to do film or video games in the first place. That’s why I think the next generation of gaming is going to be so great. I think we’re finally going to go back to the heart of video games: gameplay and story. Nintendo lives and breathes that, and that’s why they will succeed.
 
Source: Industry Gamers
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