There was a time when the majority of games were played on dedicated consoles like the Xbox or PlayStation but, as they say, “those times are a’changin.” Speaking to IndustryGamers, EA CEO John Riccitiello said consoles are no longer the dominant force in gaming. Up and coming devices like the iPad are:
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.
Riccitiello does admit that consoles can offer better graphics, but he doesn’t see those graphics benefits lasting forever. Sooner rather than later a mobile device like the iPad will be able able to offer the same graphics as the Xbox. And he believes graphics won’t be the driving power in console adoption in the future. “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.”
EA current has 32 games for the iPad with many more to come judging from Riccitiello’s statements.
EA: our fastest growing platform is the iPad originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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