Game Industry 2010

Game Industry 2010
	2010 has started. Let's talk about this year's game industry briefly.
	Briefly huh. Anything we can know at present?
	Firstly, a big move for PS3 and Xbox 360. Although naming are different, both will launch motion sensing controllers. Using no gamepad or joystick, but play with a stick or direct body motion.
	PS3 has Motion Controller, and Xbox 360 has Project Natal.
	Just like the Wii Remote, but more advance.
	So these 2 will be topical subject of 2010 huh.
	Become a topical subject doesn't mean the products can become popular also.
	Oh...
	At the end, software is the point. Wii's case, the Big N made games by itself and succeeded. But can PS3 and Xbox 360 do the same thing? Also, Wii Remote is bundled with Wii, but PS3 and Xbox 360 need to buy new controller. This make them can't succeed as easy as Wii.
	They need to launch supporting software to catch gamers' attention.
	How about Wii?
	Rumor saying a HD Wii is coming. Be honest, the old game machines cause screen burn-in on plasma TV, so please launch HD version as soon as possible.
	Your plasma get burnt huh.
	......
	Jesus...
	This may be a conspiracy by Nintendo and Panasonic.
	Impossible...
	Panasonic is a Japanese electronics producer. It has the largest share in Japan's plasma TV market. An old friend of Nintendo, it had made a DVD-supported GameCube.
	Japan will stop analog television broadcast on July 24, 2011, HD Wii may launch before that. Considering next term's balance sheet, it may launch after April 2010. Pay attention on this year's E3.
	So the Big N won't launch a next-gen console?
	I don't think so. At least for now, Wii is still selling good. I think a next-gen announcement will be made 1 year later.
	So how about portable machine then?
	As for Nintendo, NDS can still go on. Of course the Big N is planning a next-gen, but NDS is still expanding overseas. But after NDSi LL, there is little space for further evolution, so it is reasonable to see some actions about next-gen.
	NDS already sold for 5 years, really look forward on a new machine.
	As for PSP?
	PSP is quite difficult if there is no new move.
	You mean a new model?
	Not really. PSPgo is not hot at all, and further model change will just be confusing. May be they should open a new brand in stead of PSP. Keep on to the present strategy would only let iPhone conquer its oversea share. Seems they want to do something, but not clear enough to talk about that now.
	iPhone is really HOT, so Sony really need to think some new steps.
	As you can see, there is no big move except new controller. Some are expecting 3D TV, but it is impossible to launch supporting software this year. That need to wait 3D TV become popular, so game companies would only study the technology at present.
	How about software makers?
	After the Lehman Shock, they used to limit the number of games, and this will be obvious in this year. In other words, lack of games.
	Lack of games!?
	Of course popular series will continue to make sequel, so old users have nothing to worry. The point is, there will be less minor games and minority will be boring. Those games' sales is not great at all so this won't affect the whole industry immediately. However, middle-class developer would worry about the decrease in job offer.
	Economic downturn is scary.
	This year should be like that. Some companies may do well, but overall the industry is not as funny as last year. We had DRAGON QUEST and FINAL FANTASY to stur up the market last year, but be honest the overall result of the industry is not good. At the end of 2009 only Nintendo could show its power. How can those new motion controllers catch the heart of gamers will be the point of 2010.