Ubisoft Blames Industry Downturn on Lack of New Consoles

[mjc0961]

No, Ubisoft. You do not need a new console generation just so you can boost sales by rushing out unpolished games that some people will buy just to fill their need to play SOMETHING on their new console that doesn't have many games out yet. Fugg off.

Games like Heavy Rain and Mass Effect already show we're pretty damn close to the uncanny valley if we get any more real.

Hell, I'd say Heavy Rain already is in the uncanny valley. And after seeing the ME3 version of Ashley, I'd say that Mass Effect 3 jumped in too.

 

[matthudson]

I've been saying all along that the current gen consoles have stifled progress in gaming. But that's only in the engine department, and there's no reason why we couldn't have had some new IP instead of constantly rehashed sequels of boring series.

 

[Sanglyon]

Hey people, you realize that the Guillemots have been running ubisoft for 25 years? I don't think a moron could make a company survive, while other bigger names where sold and are now only brand name in a corporate portfolio (like Atari).

Anyway:
Yes, it's true that a bad workman blames his tools, but his words have some truth, even if not exactly what he intended. Whoever walks into a game shop will see only big sellers like COD, Madden or FIFA,etc... RUSE was pretty original, but who bought it instead of COD (even after they removed their crappy DRM)?

A new generation of console might be needed, not because Ubisoft could then be the first to innovate on the new support, but because it will free the current generation of the Big Names who will move on.

Some of the best games on the PS2 where after the launch of PS3, when smaller innovative publisher didn't have to compete with Activision and EA anymore. Give a new toy to the big money makers, and let the smaller one enjoy the lasting userbase of the older ones.

The PC is a particular case, but it works there ,too. Not everyone can rebuild a machine every six month to enjoy the latest top-notch FPS. Those who can't run the latest AAA games turn to game with smaller budget, or indie, that don't require a powerhouse of a CPU.
If everyone had the exact same PC capable of running Crysis 2, would as many people even bothered to try Minecraft?

 

[Liquidus_Hime]

PS4, Xbox 720 = $1000
Games for these consoles= $80-$200

Games are already breaking my wallet, I wouldn't be able to afford the new systems, and I still know people that still don't have a PS3. I also think that ubisoft shouldn't blame the console developers for their lack of innovation. If every company wasn't focused on making the next "COD Killer" then the gaming world couldn't thrive more. Ubisoft is a company that is milking money out of certain franchises as well...

 

[MGlBlaze]

Publishers innovating?

Excuse me while I go and try to repair my sides.

Publishers don't do shit with innovation - all that work is done by the developers. The publisher funds the development, sends it out to the market and is the group that hopes to make the biggest profit. Some of the money may go to the developers after the fact by way of some agreement but most of it makes its way to the publisher - that's how business works, from my understanding.

Shut the fuck up, Ubisoft. The only part publishers have in innovation is funding people who are doing the innovating. We all know how little that happens. It's an important step, yes, and some publishers are pretty cool with it, but it's Ubisoft's own fault that they're apparently failing right now.

You know what might help? Not being douchebags to your customers and not seeming to deliberately try to piss off your consumers. That would probably work to your favor.

 

[Devon Dent]

Has anyone ever stopped to tell him that there is also no new games. You can talk consoles all you want, but Infinity ward/the other company that make games like MW2 and black ops, don't try to get new and innovative. Graphics and sound are really all that push new consoles, and for now i feel that we are pretty set for those. Gimmicks like 'Move' and the 'Kinect' are great gimmicks and I am glad they exist, however they really did not take off the way they could have and that's okay too.

The new consoles would only be making remake games at this point, for example if Microsoft was to release a new Xbox (for this example we can call it the Xbox 540) the first game released on/with the Xbox 540 would be a remake of Halo: combat evolved featuring full multiplayer and cleaner high def graphics. That would be okay but the second big time release would be Gears of War 4 and then for Christmas we could see perhaps a crackdown 3 and Mass effect 4 : more effective. If Sony followed suit we could have the PS4 and it would be the size of a small dog, and come with a small dolly to move it about the house. Of course the first release on the PS4 would be MGS 5, and kill zone 4. Do you see where I am going?

What it is going to take to drive a new console at this point is better then the graphics we have, and that is not going to happen, 3D is stupid, it strains the eyes, and is not really all that worth it, anyone here get dumb like me and bought a 3DS? I think I speak for 90% of the people who did when I say 'Why did I buy this, this is stupid'. The gaming industry has placed all of it's faith in the developers at this point, and that was a bad idea. Games that had a chance were Homefront, and that game was so short it made me sad, but i get the feeling that I can spend around 40 to 50 dollars for DLC soon for a game that took me 3.4 hours to beat.

The next problem the gaming industry has is DLC, a good side is that games can be improved and expanded upon after retail, that is good, however on the turn around it means that a company can release a game that is half done for full price, and charge an additional 80+ dollars for all the DLC for the game to get up to par with other games. I am looking forward to the next elder scrolls game and hope it is as fun as it looks, but I fear that it is going to be short and all the good parts of the game will come as DLC.

The third and largest problem games have is forced multiplayer. It seems that all games are going to need it to even get noticed now, I don't code or develop games, but I can guess that the servers and stuff like that are not cheep, and I can also guess that it takes a good amount of disk space. I may be wrong about that second part, but I know the servers are expensive. Also with a multiplayer aspect comes the MLG community, and all of the whining and balance issues that come with them. I can take a guess that changing the game aspects for them is not easy either. My heart goes out to the people at bungie that can deal with them, it really does.

In closing, what the gaming world needs is new developers and producers for games, companies that can take the flag of battle and fight for the change that the industry needs, a company that would look at 6 days in Flesua(Typo i know but I can't for the life of me get it right) and go 'Ok we will make this, and weather the media outcry with intelligent well thought conversation and not just back off'.

 

[Uber Waddles]

We dont need a new console. There has been very little except polish when it comes to games pushing the limits of the hardware: and pushing it further would be a waste of time and money.

Not to mention the fact that some of us dont want to drop $300-500 every 4 years for a new console when the one we currently have is not out of date, has plenty of life in it, and functions correctly.

Dont need a Wii60, Xbox 720 or PS4 (or whatever they plan to be called), wouldnt buy them.

 

[BloodSquirrel]

He may have a point, it is getting to be that time where we start hearing news of new consoles in the works. You got to figure a console generation only lasts like 5-6 years, and the 360 launched in late 2005 and it's now 2011.

It's pretty obvious Kinect and the Move are plays by Microsoft and Sony to extend the lifespans of their consoles, that may be what's holding up the next generation.

I don't mind, I like having my consoles around for a while before they need to be upgraded.

It's not so much that Move and Kinect are holding up the next generation as it is that the recession made everyone hold off on putting out a new, expensive console and went for selling something cheaper instead.

 

[Frizzle]

I was curious so I did a little research. Quoting Wikipedia, the American release dates of some popular consoles (not an exhaustive list by any means):
- NES: 1985
- Genesis: 1989
- SNES: 1991
- Playstation: 1995
- Nintendo: 1996
- PS2: 2000
- GameCube: 2001
- Xbox: 2001
- Xbox 360: 2005
- PS3: 2006
- Wii: 2006


I suppose we are a little past due for the next generation. However, I am perfectly fine waiting. I have no desire for an upgraded system.

In addition, my favorite games tend to come at the end of a generation when developers have finally learned the intricacies of a system and can utilize the hardware to its maximum potential.

You also have to keep in mind, that technology was growing at a rediculous rate from 1985-2000. Things have slowed down now, and we're pretty much hit the 'realism' mark.

I'd like to ask him what a new console would bring to the industry, that we can't do with what we have. Everything in the past (save the Wii) has just been a big graphics upgrade. When's the last time the PS3 controller even changed? I hope the *stagnation* of console development forces game makers to focus more on story and mechanics, other than graphics and big firey explosions. Not that I don't like fire, or explosions, but sometimes I just don't feel like reading, and want to play a story.

 

[ryo02]

I dont think we need to go much further than where we are that said I wouldnt mind the 360 getting a slight upgrade to the ps3 level (bit more power add blue ray) not that big a deal though.
Id like to see the flapp buttons on the ps3 controller replaced with the old ones or true triggers like the 360 abd both could use an improved d-pad.

3d bleh dont care motion controls dont want them.

 

[Hopposai]

I just got a PS3 six months ago and now they want new stuff. There is a reason why I stopped playing PC games because I can't afford a new comp every year to play a $60 game. Fuck You Ubisoft. But I do like the games you make for my shitty out of data consoles.

 

[Sean Strife]

If you want a new console out now, build your own. Otherwise, just wait until the new ones come out. Luxury goods like video games are getting traded, and traded in more often, the dollar is getting more and more elastic. Now, I'm going to pocket this handfull of napkins and get a free refill.

I was literally about to say that when I saw your comment... oh god, can you imagine a Ubisoft console?

 

[Magnalian]

I hope there won't be a new generation for awhile, my money's tight as it is.

 

[Wicky_42]

Considering PCs are on a constant upgrade scale rather than a 4-5 year new model cycle, then we ought to be seeing the big companies constantly bringing out innovative stuff on PC because it doesn't hold them back like the consoles do.

Except we don't; the most innovative games of recent years have been indie PC games, not triple A titles.

So fucking true. If he's so concerned about outdated hardware and old IPs then why doesn't he develop some new, interesting and innovative titles for the PC? Assassins Creed was a good example, but if he's actually finding consoles to be dragging his development cycle back, well, maybe a PC exclusive wouldn't hurt? Just to show he's not just talking the talk? Heck, if indie devs can make a killing through cheap PC-only titles, why can't Ubi?

Of course, in the much more likely event that he's just shooting the wind pondering the surprising reduction in luxury purchases during an economic downturn, perhaps what he really wants is catch-all solution to make everyone have to buy a new console ¬_¬

 

[S3Cs4uN 8]

So if new consoles were to be made, will Ubisoft stop making lame games?

Impossible tbe only good game of theirs i have played was endwar

 

[Zyxzy]

The consoles are also becoming a bit out of date, tech-wise. "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."

Does development really need to be even more expensive and time-consuming for minimal gain?