We all know the current console cycle has gone on for far too long, with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 hitting store shelves way back in 2005.
Frankly, I think it’s a rather embarrassing situation for console stalwarts, as PC gamers are light-years ahead right now, both in terms of graphics and raw processing power. To make matters worse, it seems as if smartphone capabilities are rapidly approaching those of current-gen consoles.
“[Yes], the CPU and GPU capabilities of mobile devices will reach Xbox 360 levels of graphical fidelity and processing power within the next generation,” Activision exec Greg Canessa told CVG.
“[We] will be creating a mix of casual and immersive gaming experiences on mobile, but as I say smartphones are more and more allowing for us to create those kinds of experiences. The games that Activision publishes on console, the games it publishes on PC, pretty soon we’ll be publishing those kinds of experiences on tablets and smartphones.”
According to Canessa, Activision is currently looking at its entire thirty-year portfolio of more than 350 brands and licenses to consider which to bring to mobile devices.
“Mobile is an emerging business for the company and it’s something we’re taking very seriously. We are taking a thoughtful approach to it. Console and PC are still the major focus, but we feel that mobile is an important segment for our brands going forward,” he reiterated.
“I know there’s another company that paid crazy money for mobile companies and spent a lot of time trying to mesh them together. That’s not our approach. We are taking an organic approach, building things from the ground-up.”
Meanwhile, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli recently went on record as stating that the next generation of consoles from industry heavyweights such as Microsoft (Xbox 720) and Sony (PS4) was long overdue.
“The current generations are drying out and the longer we wait for the next generation of consoles, the higher the likelihood that they could fall behind tablets in terms of being the first thing people reach for when the time comes to play games,” he opined.
“Tablets are putting pressure on the gaming industry, and taking over in some ways, so that should be kept in mind.”
