Apple presents biggest threat to home consoles, say game luminaries

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Chris Morris

The iPhone has already had a sizable impact on the traditional portable video game industry, but two video game VIPs are cautioning that the company could have a much larger — and potentially devastating — impact on the home console market.

Valve Software co-founder Gabe Newell and Nat Brown, who was one of the first engineers on Microsoft’s Xbox project, have issued warnings about Apple’s potential threat. The alerts come amid analyst speculation that Apple may hold an Apple TV-related special event next month.

PS4: What Sony needs to win next-gen

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Chris Morris

Columnist Chris Morris looks at opportunities and potential pitfalls for Sony in the upcoming console battle.

In just under two weeks, we’ll know a lot more about the PlayStation 4 than we do right now- well, in theory.

The truth is: The leaks about the PS4 have been coming fast and furious lately. And people with knowledge of the system (but who are still abiding by the NDA) indicate that there’s a lot of accuracy in the recent reports. For the sake of argument, let’s assume for the moment that the whispers are right. Given what we think we know, what things about the PS4 can put it in a leadership position in the next generation – and what things could turn it into the next Vita?

Why China Allowing Gaming Consoles Won’t Help Game Makers

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Chris Morris

Reports this week that China was considering lifting its 13-year ban on video game consoles sent shares of companies like Sony and Nintendo soaring.

But as the euphoria wears off and the waiting period for the country’s government to take action (if, indeed, it plans to) sets in, analysts say the potential impact on major U.S. video game publishers will likely be minimal.

Sony to unveil PlayStation 4 this month

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Chris Morris

Rumors about the PlayStation 4 have been floating around for over a year now, but on February 20, we’ll finally get a glimpse at the real thing. That’s the day Sony will hold an event in New York where it reportedly plans to unveil its long-awaited next-generation console.

The company got the hype machine rolling Thursday evening with a mysterious teaser video. To amp things up further, the company posted a Twitter update reading simply “see the future.” Within minutes, news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, confirmed through sources that this would, in fact, be the company’s launch party for the PS4.

Emerging gaming biz upends playbook

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Chris Morris

It’s easier than ever for gamers to get their fix, whether playing “Words With Friends” on a plane, “League of Legends” for free online or the latest “Call of Duty” on Xbox or PlayStation consoles.

Figuring out how to maximize revenue on these platforms is a lot more challenging. Last year, the overall videogame market declined again, despite blockbuster launches of “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” and “Halo 4,” surging digital sales and the arrival of Nintendo’s next-generation Wii console for the holidays. Microsoft and Sony are expected to follow suit with new consoles before the end of the year, potentially splintering the market further.

CES: Sony Network Entertainment expands reach

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Chris Morris

While music streaming service Spotify commands the spotlight for its growth over the years, a giant looms in its shadow: Sony.

As Sony rebrands its online offerings, Sony Network Entertainment could prove an important platform for delivering music to consumers through a host of devices.

Hunting for big game: Consoles evolve into streaming platforms

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Chris Morris

The transition of videogame consoles into something more than just game machines started in 2000. Sony, in one of its most prescient moves, included a DVD player in the PlayStation 2 — at a time when the technology was still relatively new and expensive. And consumers couldn’t buy the system fast enough.

The speed of consoles’ evolution has increased dramatically in this generation, and the dawn (and explosion) of streaming media has been a large part of that. As Nintendo launches its next generation system — and Microsoft and Sony prepare for theirs, non-gaming elements are shaping up to be a critical part of the landscape.

Sony files patent application to block used games

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Chris Morris

You might be a fan of buying used games, but Sony isn’t.

The company has filed a patent application for technology that would prevent video game consoles from playing used games. That, mixed with rumors about the next-generation systems banning used games, was enough to get gamers (and investors) panicking.

Looking back on what video game CEOs said about violence

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Chris Morris

The tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT has once again revived the debate about the impact of violent video games in the media. Senators are calling for hearings. Groups like the NRA are pointing a finger of blame at the industry. And parents are confused and scared.

Aside from a couple of statements from the Entertainment Software Association and Entertainment Consumers Association, the industry has kept its mouth shut about the shooting — and it’s likely to do so for some time. There is, after all, no upside in walking into the fray.

But December wasn’t the first time the issue of video game violence came up. At E3 in June, show goers debated whether the level of violence in demos was over the top. I had a chance to discuss the issue with several CEOs of major publishers.

Valve: Biggest threat to the next generation?

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Chris Morris

Chris Morris argues that a Steam Box could make life difficult for Microsoft and Sony in the next couple years

With Nintendo having launched its next generation system and Microsoft and Sony waiting in the wings, plenty of analysts, observers and thumb-suckers are rubbing their worry beads about the impact of mobile and tablet gaming.

The PC is mentioned in passing, though few believe it will be a viable threat, due to the challenges that come with different hardware specifications. They also note that things like driver updates and the perception of more frequent component updates can be intimidating for the mass audience. But if the recent whispers of Valve’s plans to launch a game hardware system prove true, that could upend the playing field.

Chris Morris: Journalist

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