EA hates console wars, wants one universal system
- October 19, 2007 11:31 AM PST
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Rival game consoles made by Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo should embrace a single "open gaming platform" says one Electronics Arts executive.
One generic console to rule them all
"We want an open, standard platform which is much easier than having five which are not compatible," EA's Gerhard Florin told BBC News in an article published on Friday. "We definitely don't want to have [one monopolized] platform."
Florin believes that a single console would make life easier for both publishers and consumers so long as current hardware makers have the opportunity to stream exclusive content to designated channels.
"You don't need an Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii - the consumer won't even realize the platform it is being played on," he said.
Games analyst Nick Parker agrees with the single set-top, internet-enabled box. "There could be a Nintendo channel, a PlayStation channel and an Xbox channel on your set-top box," he predicted. "There might not be a need for a PS4 or dedicated consoles."
Just how long before competing consoles take the big dirt nap then? "I am not sure," the senior EA executive replied. "We could be talking up to 15 years."
I hate to say it, but "meh." More choices, including hardware ones, are always a good thing for consumers. Sounds like EA just wants a lighter workload since they currently have to make and port games for 14 different platforms.
