With the Swap 2 set to usher the following huge console launch this June, EA founder Journey Hawkins has commented on the way forward for gaming consoles.
In a blog post, Hawkins stated he predicts cloud-enabled applied sciences to dominate going ahead, predicting that the times of a “standard” console promoting 150 million models are over.
“As for the following technology of consoles, we’re now in a glide airplane the place the cloud is every part and will probably be much more handy to have rack-mounted GPUs in information facilities than to attempt to persuade the general public to purchase extra consoles, at larger costs, than they’ve previously,” he stated. “We are going to by no means see one other standard console promote 150 million models, just like the PlayStation 2 did.”
Hawkins went on to say the “technical prowess” of PCs, together with current current-generation consoles and newer smartphones, could be “ok” for individuals.
“Even for Sony and Microsoft it’s going to quickly make extra sense to deal with their game-streaming subscription companies as a substitute of dropping cash on {hardware} manufacturing and advertising,” he stated. “Manufacturers like PlayStation and Xbox may be maintained but may also be extra simply out there on PCs and billions of sensible units, for a win-win among the many cloud suppliers, sport manufacturers and gamers.”
The unique Swap has sold more than 150 million units, and that quantity goes to climb larger when Nintendo releases its subsequent earnings report this month.
As for the Swap 2, Hawkins stated he expects it to clear 100 million lifetime gross sales, however given his earlier feedback, he does not anticipate it reaching the heights of the unique Swap.
Microsoft is engaged on a next-generation console that would additionally included a handheld, whereas Sony is believed to be engaged on the PS6. Launch dates for each, nonetheless, stay unknown.
For its half, Microsoft is already closely invested in game-streaming applied sciences, whereas Sony permits customers to stream video games as effectively. Microsoft has stated that game-streaming is only one potential manner ahead; it’s going to proceed to launch devoted gaming consoles, too.
Hawkins left EA all the way in which again in 1991. Amongst different issues, he was instrumental at EA in signing John Madden to a improvement deal for what would grow to be the juggernaut Madden soccer sequence. A Madden film is within the works, with John Mulaney set to play Hawkins. The veteran govt lately mentioned the movie, saying director David O. Russell declined to work with him.
After EA, Hawkins based 3DO to create a brand new gaming console, but it surely by no means took off.