Ubisoft Is Ready for a New Console Generation

by David Sanchez on July 23, 2012 @ 1:30 pm

This console generation has been pretty lengthy, hasn’t it? Just a bit, right? While I personally don’t mind that at all, it seems other folks are jonesing for a new batch of consoles. One such person is Ubisoft’s Yves Guillemot. Speaking to Gamasutra, the CEO stated that new hardware helps out developers in a big way because it allows for new franchises to be introduced.

“What we missed was a new console every five years,” said Guillemot. “We have been penalized by the lack of new consoles on the market. I understand the manufacturers don’t want them too often because it’s expensive, but it’s important for the entire industry to have new consoles because it helps creativity.”

While some may argue that prettier graphics have absolutely nothing to do with creativity (an argument that has some substance, by the way), what Guillemot is referring to is the creativity behind developing and launching new IPs. According to the Ubisoft co-founder, it’s a lot easier to introduce a new franchise at the start of a console generation and having that franchise succeed.

“It’s a lot less risky for us to create new IPs and new products when we’re in the beginning of a new generation,” continued Guillemot. “Our customers are very open to new things. Our customers are reopening their minds — and they are really going after what’s best. At the end of a console generation, they want new stuff, but they don’t buy new stuff as much.”

Is Guillemot spot-on with his worries about an ongoing console generation? Do people care more about new franchises when there’s new hardware to play those games on?

Follow this author on .

Read more: EA Has No Active Wii U Titles in Development, Gran Turismo 6 Announced, Ubisoft Working on a ZombiU Sequel Prototype, Microsoft Nixes Next Xbox “Always” On, Ubisoft: ‘We Want Watch Dogs to Use All of the Capabilities of the PS4′

Comments
x3sphere says:

I'm not really sure I agree with him. The Last of Us is a new IP and it received tons of attention at E3. So did Ubisoft's own Watch_Dogs. Both titles will likely sell extremely well, so it's hard to see what he's getting at exactly.

I guess launching during the beginning of a new console cycle does guarantee more attention regardless of the product quality, simply because less comparisons can be made. In that sense, maybe taking a risk is easier.

But overall, I think a new IP - unless it is really niche - has just as good of a shot at succeeding on a proven platform.
July 24, 2012, 2:48 am
slicer4ever says:

I think that's exactly what he's saying, instead of saying: "we like new consoles, because people have a bright and new console, and will want games, regardless if we sell you shitty product or not." he simply sugar coated it.

it'd be a pretty ingenious(although very short term) move to push out a crap ton of moderate quality next-gen games on day 1. people are going to buy them regardless of their quality, as they have no other options.

not saying it's right, just some company could make potentially a boat load of money, all be it, at the expense of alot of potential fans.
July 24, 2012, 3:08 am
you say:

Login with your username and password below. New User?