Sony exec hints Microsoft may be right about future predictions of downloadable media |
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| BY Se Ajala Apr. 11th, 2008 | More on: |
Well here’s one that is sure to cause quite a debate. While speaking at an ELSPA press conference recently, Sony Computer Entertainment UK’s Ray Maguire offered his insight on where he sees the direction of gaming media going, saying that within the next 10 years 90% of game sales will be online.
Maguire elaborated on his beliefs, saying: “We have a situation that if you’re a retailer you’re currently responsible for the goods that come through your chain,” he continues “But that’s not true with ISPs in the future. This isn’t merely a games industry issue. It’s an issue for every industry with companies that have a website, and when we look at user generated content it’s a people issue.”
Hmm… Well considering Microsoft has said all along they feel they “backed the right horse” and claimed that Sony knows downloadable media is the next big thing, which is why they are implementing it into their plans, do we look at Microsoft trailblazing and say that they are indeed on the right path? In a recent interview ex Microsoft exec Sandy Duncan told us that “dedicated games devices i.e. consoles (and handhelds) will die [out] in the next 5 to 10 years,” he has since gone on to launch his own blog devoted to the discussion.
April 11th, 2008
at 11:25 pm
This is a story? Anyone in any form of media knows the ‘future’ will bring more online content sales than retail. Why is MicroSoft getting points for relaying the obvious frame of mind with companies that actullay own media, like Sony? Look, MicroSoft may have a lead in the download area but only in select markets. Once media companies get their act together things will change dratically. But even with this occuring, it will be 10 - 20 years before we get a global 90% online sales presence. I think hunger will outlast the need for high def movie downloads in many parts of the world.
April 11th, 2008
at 11:37 pm
I think alot of people are realising all of a sudden what a no brainer this all is. After this little hububble has died down everyone will carry on as though nothing happened and we knew this was where it was headed all along.
April 12th, 2008
at 12:30 am
I personally feel that this hasn’t really been made relevant until fairly recently. I especially for people that aren’t avid followers of technology. Case and point Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD the fact that people support either format.
To say that this is generally where things are headed is a bit off of the mark too, considering that not every house hold owns a computer, or has a cable box. But I do agree with services like Comcast On Demand, XBOX LIVE, the PSN Store, and even Netflix offering downloadable movies, and streaming. This is where it’s at, or where it’s going.
Also brand recognition is key, which is why I believe Microsoft with LIVE has a bigger advantage over others going forth because, they have built their brand up and have established it thus far. Moving forward that’s going to pay off in positive dividends for them I believe.
But in the end the net is so vast that everyone is going to be able to ge a slice of the pie, which is the point really. It’s just going to come down to reliability and offerings.
April 12th, 2008
at 8:01 am
Consoles and handhelds aren’t going to die out in a long long time…
Rather, computers and notebooks will die out and be replaced with games consoles with their own word processors, etc. and bluray drives.
And I would have thought that by now at least one ISP would have tried to get onto the Grid.
The Grid is the end of incompetent bandwidths and download speeds.
April 12th, 2008
at 11:06 am
Well, thats pretty much old news. Ken Kutaragi, the “Father of Playstation” himself said the PS3 will probably be the last to have an optical drive (even though I think the next one will still have a BR-Drive)
April 12th, 2008
at 1:07 pm
Sales of game software going to mostly online yes, that’s not too hard to buy. Valve has been doing this with the Steam network for a few years already.
Sales of full HD movies and entire game consoles disappearing in favor of online content (as has been suggested before), I don’t buy…not within 10 years.
April 13th, 2008
at 5:08 am
The rate of technological innovation may be increasing, but its adoption into mainstream society doesn’t seem to be all that affected. Mr. Duncan is probably right about the whole convergence thing. But the reality is probably a quarter century away.