While companies in the entertainment market are busy focusing on bringing out the latest in 3D tech to consumers, EA is more interested in the benefits of TV-based Internet. Speaking on a conference call last night, EA CEO John Riccitiello discussed the possibilities of Internet-enabled TV, and why it is going to do more than 3D ever will.
"If I had to pick between IPTV and 3D and which one would be more important for gaming - not necessarily for installed base for homes, because I'm sure that people are definitely going to want to watch Shrek in 3D at home - but for us, I actually think it's probably more potential in terms of new revenue and business model for us," he said.
"What derives from the IPTV side, we're watching that very carefully. So it's a priority that's high for us."
"There's absolutely no question that Internet TV is here to stay. It's a big story," he added. "And with CPU prices as reasonable as they are for powerful CPUs and hard drives priced as cheap as they are, you're going to see the equivalent of the mini computer under the TV in the form of a device from Apple or Google or Samsung built in.”
"I think the long-term opportunity there is significant. I think we'll ultimately move to be more-than-just-casual games. And I think it bodes well as we go from a world where, if you think about it, a minority of consumers around the world have got a game-ready device connected to their plasma or high-definition television to that being sort of a universal standard."
EA has already shown that they are serious about online streaming technologies; they were the first publishing company to sign up to the Gaikai service, offering all of their major PC franchises. Gaikai represents a step in the right direction, but there are challenges ahead. Developing a direct-to-consumer business model is going to take some time to really develop, and EA’s interactive division is working diligently everyday to come up with a solution.
"It's likely to promote more direct-to-consumer digital models, which, as we've indicated up until now, leave more of the money in our pockets of business than they do of various folks taking a piece out of the middle," said Riccitiello.
"So I think it's a long-term positive. I think it supports both core and more casual offerings. I think it's a growth driver, and I think navigating the specifics is going to be tricky and interesting to watch."
[Thanks GI.biz]
