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Mobile gaming seems to be marching faster and faster. But will it eclipse old-favourite console gaming?
Mobile gaming seems to be marching faster and faster. But will it eclipse old-favourite console gaming?
Alok Kejriwal, chief executive officer, Games2Win.com
Demographics like women and older folks who are not the console 'types' will learn gaming on their cell phones, and then if a Nintendo Wii title like Yoga Game comes out, they will convert to consoles also. But if gaming starts on this screen, it does impact the potential of consoles. In the West, the Apple iTouch and iPhone have taken away a bit of the console market.
The console experience is completely different and it costs money, like buying an iPod versus listening to the radio (which is free). There is a certain set of consumer that values that experience and pays for it.
Jaspreet Bindra, regional director, EDD, Microsoft India
For us, it is great if a person gets introduced to gaming through a mobile or a PC, since he eventually does aspire to move to the console, which offers the richest and most complete gaming experience.
The differentiator is going to be the concept of connected entertainment. This means that a multifunctional device should be able to let you play, watch movies, music, share photos or connect with anyone across the world for a game of Halo 3. Console gaming continues to have an edge by providing a better experience with graphics, game play and user interface.
Raghav Anand, segment champion, gaming, Ernst & Young
A first-time user can experience gaming on any of these platforms, mobile or PC. This experience could later evolve into casual or hardcore gaming depending on the gamers' socio-economic status with adoption of console or mobile or both. The keys to sustain growth are quality of content and compatibility. If a first time user pays for a game and realises that the quality is not good or is not compatible with his hardware, he may never take up gaming again. Hence any platform or game, which is substandard will kill the budding gaming culture.
Manish Malik, general manager, Gaming, Hungama
Mobile gaming is growing at an aggressive pace and will lead to creating more entry-level gamers. But over the next five years, I see the gamer owning a mobile phone that supports gaming, PC/Online gaming and console.
The DTH and IPTV environment will also play an important role in driving gaming consumption. Console gaming is for the evolved gamer who wants an experience and has tasted gaming across other platforms. The main medium, however, to watch out for is 'online'. With broadband penetration on the increase, this will have a positive effect on the content consumption on consoles as well. Console gaming is also getting affected due to availability of pirated content.