14 DAY TRIAL // Console life cycles have always been the preferred target for rumors or speculations, as they can't be determined exactly. In time we've seen people say that the PlayStation 2 would barely break even for Sony, but now, after over 50 million units sold in North America alone, things aren't looking so bad for the Japanese company.
Even though we've seen statements made by the current top console manufacturers, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, about how they think this life cycle will be the longest ever recorded, it seems that things aren't the same with game developers, who are already looking forward to what the next generation will bring in terms of hardware and user interaction.
Such is the case with French game developer and publisher Ubisoft, which has just stated, through the voice of its CEO, Yves Guillemot, that it expects new devices from the top console producers in just a few years, estimating that in 2011 or 2012 we will all buy new consoles and forget about the ones that are currently on the market.
“We want to take advantage of a company that could bring more technology to us, or new brands,” said Guillemot. “So we have now enough to help us to grow the company for not only next year but to get ready for the coming of the next generation consoles that are probably going to happen 2011, 2012... We have to be ready for that, we are already hiring people and buying some technology and looking at some brands as well.”
So there you have it, even though the financial situation of a lot of companies, like Electronic Arts or Sony, looks quite severe and has pushed them to employ layoffs, the French company is seeking new employees. This is also tied to the success the company had with the Shaun White Snowboarding title, which brought a lot of profit.
The executive also says that we could expect his company to move into the sports game genre soon, by making a few acquisitions of several studios in the near future. All that's left for us to do is wait and see if Guillemot's prediction comes true.