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As the Credit-Crunch scare mongering machine continues to gather momentum, a plucky Kazuro Hirai (Sony Computer Entertainment) suggests that videogaming will ‘weather the storm’ *.
Could it be true that this once fledgling industry [see Retrospective Futures Spring] has not only risen to leading entertainment giant with world record breaking sales** (GTA IV), but has actually become recession proof? Is there no end to the meteoric rise in its popularity? Certainly, highstreet retailer Game seem to think there’s a buoyant future ahead; having already seen half-year sales boosted 54%***. And with rumoured shortages of Nintendo’s Wii (again) this Xmas one could easily be mistaken for thinking that gaming is realising a definite renaissance.
I guess it comes down to this - if living becomes more expensive as job security becomes less, would you not turn to an alternative form of social entertainment free of risk and expenditure? Now consider that over the next 3 months gaming across the three main platforms (XBOX, PS3, Wii) will witness some of the greatest developments in modern gaming. Mass user generated content (Little Big Planet), full voice-controlled gaming (EndWar), expansive open worlds and revolutionary map editors (FarCry2)… balance board snowboarding anyone (Shaun White)?
Rumours, often met with scoffs and disbelief, have already surfaced of next generation consoles and their ability to be played using just your mind!**** Nobody knows what the future holds but some thing’s are certain; Nintendo will continue to push the boundaries with their innovative product design, gaming will continue to evolve into our everyday lives with products able to help us cook, dance and even give up smoking, and core gaming will continue to spur debate between those who support it, and those who accuse it.
Either way the future is very much in favour of gaming as it continues to dominate our spare time and share-of-wallet.
Source:
* http://www.mcvuk.com/news/32008/Hirai-Gaming-will-be-less-affected-by-credit-crunch
** http://www.mcvuk.com/news/30484/GTA-IV-Biggest-entertainment-launch-of-all-time
*** http://news.icm.ac.uk/business/retail/grand-theft-auto-helps-boost-sales-54-at-game/545/
**** http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/mind-control-coming-to-ps3-xbox-and-wii-432822
October 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Definately, If anything the recession could even help turn people on to gaming as an entertainment medium, it has to be the best value for money in terms of being a time sink. As an example and, at the risk of sounding like an old man, cinema tickets cost the best part of a tenner (unless you can still get away with your old student ID) and that film lasts a couple of hours max. GTAIV has absorbed 30+ hours of my life and I haven’t even started looking for those sodding pidgeons.
October 18th, 2008 at 7:04 am
I think gaming is recession proof and there are arguments to suggest, that in hard times, beer, eating out and cinema are the first things to go. Many games offer 50+ hours of entertainment for circa £30 and that is GREAT value for money. Look at the growing standard of video games ( Assassins Creed, Lich King, Farcry,GTA) and they are so visually appealling that consumers desire to be part of it. Until beer prices cone down to £2 and fags £4 then it’s gaming all the way!!!!
October 18th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Sales figures of recent games releases seem to agree with this. There’s no sign currently that people are willing to curtail their games’ buying, and with some of the AAA line up this quarter, it’s hard to see a games slowdown on the horizon yet. Most gamers would rather miss out on food than the next big release.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Yes gaming!