14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts believes that the PS4 and Xbox One next-gen consoles will soon face stiff competition in the living room from other companies and products, like Apple, Google, or Roku.
The PS4 and Xbox One are finally available for purchase in plenty of countries worldwide, bringing not just great games and features but also support for all sorts of entertainment options, particularly when it comes to Microsoft's device, which can support input from set-top boxes.
According to EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who talked about the new devices at the Credit Suisse 2013 Technology Conference, via GamesIndustry, both consoles will become quite popular in the following years.
"Our market is evolving at a very, very, very rapid rate," the CEO said. "I think that Microsoft and Sony have a real opportunity to build a strong following and a strong install base while they continue to be the single best way to get high fidelity, high definition interactive entertainment to your 80-inch television."
While both consoles also emphasize entertainment, the EA boss believes fierce competition will soon appear from companies like Apple, Google, or Roku.
"If you think about Microsoft's strategy--and I think Sony shares some of this in their long-term view, of being a broader entertainment device in your living room--I think they have that time," he added.
"I think that three years from now, four years from now, they're going to be under some fairly stiff competition for the living room, from mobile providers, from Apple, from Google, from Roku, from Comcast, to try and own that living room experience."
Besides the new consoles and other devices, the living room will soon be attacked by Valve and PC hardware manufacturers, who will deliver Steam Machines mini PCs, the first of which coming in 2014 on the market.