Joystiq

Wada emphasizes online delivery, advises devs to shift focus

Xav de Matos — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

Square Enix president Yoichi Wada estimates digital distribution and server-based gaming is poised for "exponential growth" within the next decade, advising developers to prepare for the shift. "In the past the platform was hardware, but it has switched to the network. A time will come when the hardware isn't even needed anymore," he said in an interview with MCV.

According to Wada, consoles as we know them will change dramatically, as "any kind of terminal becomes a potential platform on which games can be played." Wada believes platform holders have been preparing for the shift to network-based games and delivery systems since 2005, forcing his company to respond by increasing production of social and browser games. Square Enix is also preparing a beta release for the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV in 2010.

While the Square Enix boss believes this shift has a greater global impact, especially in regions which do not have large console markets, our major fear is having to download an entire single-player Final Fantasy. Seriously, that's a lot of gigs.

Wada emphasizes online delivery, advises devs to shift focus originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamestop's digital plan: Sell DLC in stores

Justin McElroy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

We've known for a while that Gamestop is anxious to fend off irrelevance by getting into the digital game. The company has laid out a plan (with points and everything) and hired someone to head up the effort, but we're not sure this latest step is entirely positive. As reported by The Cut Scene, GameStop COO Paul Raines told attendees of the BMO Capital Markets conference how the company planned to put DLC kiosks in its stores next year, allowing people to buy additional content as they buy the full game.

We understand why the company is scrambling to be involved with digital delivery. Honestly, we do. But the first time some well-meaning Gamestop employee asks us if, in addition to buying the game, we'd also like to purchase the rest of the game, we're going to up-sell his name tag into his nostril.

Gamestop's digital plan: Sell DLC in stores originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst: GameStop sales safe from digital delivery until 2017

Xav de Matos — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST

Even though GameStop seems to be accepting the inevitable digital future, one analyst says the major gaming retailer won't feel the pinch from online game delivery services until 2017. According to Broadpoint AmTech analyst Ben Schachter, limited storage capacity and bandwidth limitations mean it is "unlikely" that digital services will have a "meaningful impact" on GameStop's sales within this console cycle. Schachter doesn't anticipate the next console cycle to kick off until some time in 2014 and, even if future formats are completely digital, believes it will still take a number of years for market penetration to reach a threatening level to the retail business.

For an example of "proof" to his claims, Schachter points to the "very disappointing sales" of the digital download exclusive, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned. Confusing, considering all previous accounts have pointed to the downloadable expansion as seeing strong sales since release.

"The bottom line is that retail still matters," Schachter told IndustryGamers. While some analysts are keen on throwing the brick-and-motar chain under the bus during the increasing digital age, Schachter claims Gamestop "continues to defy the naysayers." He went on to ask if we wanted to pre-order any future games industry analysis.

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Analyst: GameStop sales safe from digital delivery until 2017 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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