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?