While some publishers like THQ feel a new console generation would be “horrible”, others like Ubisoft are ready and waiting for the next generation. In an interview with MCV, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot explained that the industry is in a slump because consumers and developers are waiting for the next big thing.
“That’s part of the reason why the industry is in depression,” said Guillemot when asked about the lack of a new home console. “Consumers like the current formats, but there is not enough creativity at the end of a cycle to really spark the business.”
“The accessories and handhelds are really good, but I think it would be great for the industry to take advantage of technological advancements. Processors are more and more powerful, graphics cards have moved on, there are many technologies that would help us deliver a better experience and help the industry to grow,” he continued.
A number of publishers and developers are afraid of a future generation due to the certainty of rising development costs for triple-A titles. Ubisoft sees a new console as a chance to prove itself on a brand-new arena.
“When a new format launches, we look to use the new technology to bring new games and new ideas to our consumers. We would always hope to be more successful on new formats than our competitors,” he added. “It is part of the DNA of the company. Each time there is new hardware it gives our creative teams more freedom and they don’t have to follow the same rules. They can try new things because the consumer expects and wants new things.”
4 Comments
April 12, 2011
"but there is not enough creativity at the end of a cycle to really spark the business."
Are you kidding me? Better graphics and sound will spark more creativity again? I'm not sure that I can believe what I'm reading here.
April 12, 2011
There's plenty left in these platforms. The Xbox 360 and PS3 can both be squeezed for more. Look how great God of War 1 & 2 looked on PS2 late in its life. New consoles aren't needed just yet. Creativity is possible - Ubi's just got to be willing to push it.
April 12, 2011
Of course he thinks new consoles are needed. He's rich and even if his country was in a recession it wouldn't bother his bank account one bit.
For those really wanting a "next gen" right now, I suggest them to get a high grade pc for gaming. Like James already said, theres a good 2-5 years left in this console gen. That doesn't mean that a new one won't launch until the end of those 5 years but it means that theres nothing that would come out within the next two years that would be a better play experience than what I am already experiencing on my 360, PS3 and to a much lesser degree, my Wii. Better graphics+better sound do NOT automatically make a better play experience.
April 17, 2011
I'm always for better graphics, and sounds, I'm also always for better frame rates. More Gimmicks, Come on if you guys dont like them who is buying Kinect, MOVE, wiichucks, sixaxis. I'm also for cleaner 3d ( attention killzone3!). Better larger halo's. Remember if your not spending months squeezing performance out of a old generation you can instead be using that time to tune the actual game play. Not to get up to 30fps, or to make the ps3 have textures that look as good as the xbox360 or have the sound on the xbox360 as entertaining as the PS3's sound. I see PLENTY of room for graphical improvement. It may not be as big a jump as from ps2 to xbox360 but it will be a big jump!
I wish I could see a graphics that look as good as the introduction graphics! Now that is what I want to see! It will make me go out and buy it! Isn't that what PS3 promised? Mapping the human genome, Cure cancer more powerful than the biggest supper computer STUMPING anything the PC can do. TWO simultaneous 1080P feeds (even though the system didnt end up with two simultaneous outputs!)