How does the Interactive Entertainment Market look like in the future?

• Who are the main players in the console market today?

The mainplayers in todays market (2005) are Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

• What are differences between these mainplayers?

1. Sony PlayStation: Populair, family and party oriented console

Strengths:

• DVD compatibility
• Backwards compatibility
• Firewire/USB compatibility
• PlayStation reputation
• Currently in bed with SquareSoft
• Eye-toy camera for interactive gaming

Weaknesses

• Expensive when compared to competition
• Allegedly hard to develop for
• Needs more A-list titles

2. Microsoft: Primary target market, gamers who want high performance

Strengths:

• Backed by Microsoft
• Embraced by PC development community
• Includes modem/hard drive for online connectivity out of the box
• Based on spec sheets, the most technologically advanced console in history
• Massive advertising budget for launch ($500 million)
• Easy to port games from PC

Weaknesses:

• Japanese developer support fairly small
• Unknown price point
• Microsoft relatively unknown outside of PC circles
• Abundance of PC-styled games may turn off typical console gamers

3. Nintendo: Primary target market childeren

Strengths:

• Easy to develop for
• Exclusive Nintendo 1st party titles
• Inexpensive ($99-$149?)
• Portable gaming

Weaknesses:

• Nintendo often labeled as a "kiddie" company
• Range of 3rd party support unknown
• Heavy reliance on existing Nintendo properties (Mario, Zelda, etc)

• What are the software revenues by platform?

• What are the advantages & disadvantages of a game console?
• How will each game consoles brand develop in the future?
• Who are the secondary competitors or substitutes for the next generation game consoles?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the secondary competitors?
• What are consumers looking for in the future? (integrated, portable or separate game console)
• How do consumers choose for a game device?