Think Forward

Analyze This: Wrapping Up the Year in Gaming

Original Article:http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061219/wen_01.shtml

2006 overall was a great year; [game] sales of Xbox 360, PS2, DS and even PC platforms showed that the industry is still growing strong. It was interesting that the PS2 competed monthly with the Xbox 360 on a regular basis. I also found it very interesting that Nintendo seems to now target an older demographic on the back of the success of Brain Age. I think you will continue to see Nintendo explore what the DS can mean to a bigger demographic.

I am looking forward to next year with continued innovation to the platforms, both in hardware and software and exciting, new immersive game experiences as developers expand their knowledge of developing for the next-gen consoles. The industry is learning what really matters to gamers in next-gen consoles and next-gen games. I am hoping that some real solid game titles start to evolve and that developers begin to really focus on new innovations in game play and game design. I hope we do not oversaturate any particular genre, thus making choosing a game like an FPS difficult for consumers.

What will be Hot at CES

A few key things will be interesting trends to look for at CES

1. Wireless HD video- I am hearing a lot of buzz around devices/routers that can move high defintion video around your home wirelessly. Companies to see in this regard are T-Zero who has a very impressive demo, Metalink showing HD over 802.11n and checking out the HANA standards body.

2. Intelligent Displays- It is going to be very interesting to see the CE companies showing TV's that have intelligence in them and run an OS like Linux. These TV's will have internet browsing capabilities and the ability to go to the internet to get content like YouTube video etc. Companies of Interest are Samsung, Panasonic and Pioneer.

3. New innovations in the Desktop PC category: Desktop sales have been relatively flat for some time now. With the laptop to desktop ratio in families growing we still see value for a stationary desktop PC that has more family functions then simply personal ones. Look for new innovations from HP and Dell around family PC's.

4. Smart Phones- Look for more phones with increasing intelligence and more entertainment features as standard applications. We see the role of these phones playing an important role in the digital ecosystem around social communication and entertainment.

5. Whole home DVR- Look for a bigger splash of devices that share DVR content around the home. This will be sparked by Apple's iTV and retailers looking for an answer.

That is it for now, I will be taking photos of the CES Gems I find and posting a piece on the gems I find at CES.

Who researches online before they buy

So the question is who researches online before they buy? The answer is 70% of all consumers according to a recent survey. This doesn't mean 70% actually buy a product online but it does mean they do all their research and find which product to buy.

I find this shocking that so many companies still have such poor online presences and experiences around their products. It seems to me fairly logical that if I was a company selling a product or service to consumers that top of my priority list should be my online presence about that product or service. The Internet is an amazing tool that gives companies the ability to educate and market to consumers in the way THEY want to showcase that product. In the online world we are not subject to the confusion that is the retail experience today.

For example if I am a company that makes products in the digital home/digital ecosystem then I would want my online experience around that ecosystem to showcase my products working together and providing a lifestyle solution. This is something no retail outlet other then my own would allow.

As the number of consumers educating and deciding on product decisions from the Internet companies had better adapt before their competition does.

Analyze This: Handicapping the 2006 Holiday Gift-Buying Season

Original article location: http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061127/wen_04.shtml

On the next-generation consoles: Sony has proven that it knows a thing or two about the gaming industry and what its consumers want. This was evident by the crowds of people who lined up more than a week in advance to wait in line to buy a PS3.

The Wii has very strong appeal to a particular demographic. I think the Wii will do even better once word gets out about the revolutionary gaming experiences it provides.

The Xbox 360 will remain this holiday season the easiest next-gen console to get your hands on. They will do well as demand is still high.

Other thoughts: On the PS3, Resistance: Fall of Man will be a driver. On the Xbox 360, Gears of War will be a holiday driver. On the Wii, look for games that really take advantage of the console's unique capabilities.

Simply due to all the new console launches and exciting game titles, this holiday season will be quite productive for the electronic games industry.