How does the Interactive Entertainment Market look like in the future?
Revision as of 19:29, 23 March 2005 by Marnixeedens (talk | contribs)
Who are the main players in the console market today?
The mainplayers in todays market (2005) are Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
What are differences between these mainplayers?
1. Sony PlayStation: Populair, family and party oriented console
Strengths:
- DVD compatibility
- Backwards compatibility
- Firewire/USB compatibility
- PlayStation reputation
- Currently in bed with SquareSoft
- Eye-toy camera for interactive gaming
Weaknesses
- Expensive when compared to competition
- Allegedly hard to develop for
- Needs more A-list titles
2. Microsoft: Primary target market, gamers who want high performance
Strengths:
- Backed by Microsoft
- Embraced by PC development community
- Includes modem/hard drive for online connectivity out of the box
- Based on spec sheets, the most technologically advanced console in history
- Massive advertising budget for launch ($500 million)
- Easy to port games from PC
Weaknesses:
- Japanese developer support fairly small
- Unknown price point
- Microsoft relatively unknown outside of PC circles
- Abundance of PC-styled games may turn off typical console gamers
3. Nintendo: Primary target market childeren
Strengths:
- Easy to develop for
- Exclusive Nintendo 1st party titles
- Inexpensive ($99-$149?)
- Portable gaming
Weaknesses:
- Nintendo often labeled as a "kiddie" company
- Range of 3rd party support unknown
- Heavy reliance on existing Nintendo properties (Mario, Zelda, etc)
- What are the software revenues by platform?
- What are the advantages & disadvantages of a game console?
- How will each game consoles brand develop in the future?
- Who are the secondary competitors or substitutes for the next generation game consoles?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the secondary competitors?
- What are consumers looking for in the future? (integrated, portable or separate game console)
- How do consumers choose for a game device?