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Ubisoft Wants New Consoles

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by Matthew Kato on April 11, 2011 at 09:13 AM
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Although both Microsoft and Sony say that they're comfortable with their current consoles, Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot begs to differ.

In an interview with MCV, Guillemot says that at this time in the current home platforms' life cycles, innovation begins to wane. "Consumers like the current formats, but there is not enough creativity at the end of a cycle to really spark the business."

The cure, according to him, is new systems, which will apparently allow for more innovation through new franchises. "If we look at the industry’s history we see that there are times when it is right to introduce new IP and times when it is harder. At this stage in the consoles’ life cycles it is possible to do new IP, but it will be more attractive when new consoles come along. That’s when consumers are more open to trying new things."

Not only are consumers excited when new consoles come out, Guillemot adds, but its the development teams too. "Each time there is new hardware it gives our creative teams more freedom and they don’t have to follow the same rules. They can try new things because the consumer expects and wants new things."

While Guillemot's right that new systems are exciting, we all know that the early period for those consoles are usually a mixed bag, and it's not always filled with great new IP. Old franchises are often relied upon for the sake of familiarity and to help sell the system, and almost all the games for a new platform – whether old or new IP – don't maximize the system enough. So, I'm not sure that new systems are going to be the renaissance that Guillemot hopes they will be.

Of course, third-party publishers are always outspoken when it comes to trying to nudge console makers in certain directions. Ubisoft is a huge partner for both Sony and Microsoft, and Guillemot and co. hope that these kinds of public comments from a major CEO partner get Sony and Microsoft thinking.

If anything, here's hoping that there are new systems with new franchises, if only so Guillemot and Ubisoft don't run Assassin's Creed into the ground on the current platforms...

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Comments
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  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:53 AM
    Yeah, I'm ready too. Bring on the new consoles.
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:53 AM
    Nintendo seems to be just fine in the creativity department considering they have the weakest console. I think creativity is derived more from being able to do more with less. Not saying I wouldn't want new consoles, but I think there's still a lot of creative things happening, especially in 2011, WiiDare just isn't one of them... :P
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:54 AM
    Indeed. I don't mind more Assassins Creed, but I don't want them to turn the fiction into a complete train wreck.
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:55 AM

    I would certainly say he has a point, especially today with 3D, move, and kinect.  Give us upgrades to these systems and we might see innovation instead of E3 illusions demo'd by Peter Mol. (no hate, I respect him very much.  Just saying.)  I'd like to see Camera integration without it being the main interface.  Hand signals for squads, voice commands even recognition for locked doors.  This is all possible with Kinect now and would help break the 4th barrier like Kojima did with MGS1 back in the day.  But lets face it, the Tech just isn't up to snuff at this point.

    I think 2012 is the perfect time to launch the NextBOX.  Only time will tell.  Wii2 is long over due, Pachter was right to criticize Ninty IMO.  Who knows how long the PS4 will take with Sony's attitude.

  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:55 AM

    Well, if the publishers are saying they want new consoles, then Microsoft/Sony haven't even approached them yet with new hardware (i.e. given them dev kits for future gen consoles). So it looks like we're still a few years away from seeing any new hardware. I can see why Microsoft is expanding their DVD capacity in the meantime. You can only  fit so many textures and compressed video on to a DL-DVD. Games are looking better and better, so they need more space. Just look at Mass Effect 2, and Dead Space 2. They came on two discs for the 360. Fortunately, the PS3 has a blue ray drive. But both the 360 and the PS3 have 512MB RAM. Talk about ancient specs.

  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:57 AM
    No thank you. I am perfectly fine with the current generation of consoles at this point. I can wait a couple more years before the next generation hits the market.
  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:57 AM
    really? lol. Maybe they should see what indie artists like Ska Studios are doing just with the XNA platform. I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1 anyone? That game alone has over 300,000 downloads. I think what he means is "we've run out of ideas and we need new hardware to help us out"
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:58 AM
    If Ubisoft wants new consoles, they can make one themselves. This generation can last at least until 2013.
  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:58 AM
    I think it'd be a little silly to push for a new console right now, it might even start a trend of occasional console releases that barely improve upon the previous system.

    A ten year life is good enough if the maker comes out with the top-of-line technology, probably release a new console about 2 years before the ten-year mark though.

    I really don't know what Ubisoft is talking about since games are still selling fine on all three systems and all three systems are selling just fine. If Ubisoft wants to make things more exciting, then they should release more exciting games and try to push the limits of individual systems. It's up to the game developers to keep things entertaining. The system is there to be used, use it.

    Maybe try something different and go to the community for some help, they know what they want. I could give a few good ideas for games and I'm sure many others could as well.

    If you feel like there's nothing much for you to do, Ubisoft, you've failed at your job. There are limitless worlds that can be made.

    :|
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 09:58 AM

    I'll say what I always say when talk of new consoles comes up. I'm just not ready.

  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:01 AM
    I would be fine with these consoles for another 5 years. Everything looks great, games are becoming more and more unique and dlc cannot be beat. So im just wondering what would they even bring to the table besides new graphics?
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    No thank you. I am very happy with my current set up. Give me the consoles in 2014, and no sooner.

  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:03 AM
    Sit down, shut up and make something compelling to play in this generation. The last 2 years have been among the best 2 years (for gamers) with one awesome game right after another releasing on all consoles. I only play PS3 and 360 and I literally can't keep up. With games like Brink, LA Noire and Portal 2 on the horizon, it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon.
  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:07 AM
    I disagree. I mean Ubisoft's business strategies haven't always been the best. There is nothing they could do with new consoles that they can't do now.
  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    I'm on my third 360. So I'm not ready to have to go out and buy a new console.

  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    We don't need new consoles right now.

  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:25 AM
    You're just mad because no one liked ur 3ds launch titles
  • by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:27 AM
    Well Mr. Guillemot, I would suggest you quit living in the status quo and do what this industry requires in such a time, innovate to innovate if you will. Sony and Microsoft are more than welcome to make new consoles all they want, the fact of the matter is everyone knows that the next consoles will be *significantly* different which will hinder the current development market, likely lead games into a whole new level of interactivity, and cost significantly more than the exceedingly expensive consoles from this generation. The truth is Mr. Guillemot, everyone wants new consoles to innovate with, but there arent many people (even hardcore gamers) who can or will pay $700+ for a new console right now. Its just not logical at this point. So rather than beg for new toys, push the limits, and do what hasn't been done before, isn't that what this industry is about anyway?
  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    We still got a few years here, I hope. These systems are just starting to reach their true potential... and we all know that launch titles don't innately breed future success, the notion is half-baked -_-

  •
    by Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:29 AM
    wwwhhhaaat, what about the 3ds almost all the games ubisoft came out with are crap for the 3ds.
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