Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Games Exec Calls for Single Platform Gaming
With a new gaming console appearing on the market every few months, it seems impossible to keep up with them. However, if Electronic Arts (EA) executive Gerhard Florin gets his way, the future of gaming could become far more streamlined.
Electronic Arts currently produce games for more than 14 different computers and consoles. However, Florin believes that producing one open single gaming platform will satisfy gamers and game development companies alike. He said: “An open, standard platform is much easier than having five, which are not compatible.”
Florin thinks the key to this single platform lies in digital set-top box technology and, of course, the Internet. Server-based games could be streamed directly to one single system, which would rule out any need for another console or computer. Indeed, the potential of this new technology means that traditional consoles and hand held devices would eventually be rendered obsolete. As Florian said, “I’m not sure how long we will have dedicated consoles.” Nick Parker, a games analyst, also agrees with Florian’s vision. “Games will be provided over the net,” he claims, “There might not be a need for a PS4 or dedicated consoles.”
Open single gaming platforms are certainly not a new idea. Back in the 1980s, Microsoft managed to persuade their rivals Philips and Sony to join them in the creation of MSX. MSX became a popular games platform in Japan, but it died out due to the increasing popularity of games consoles and PCs. Fortunately, the rise of the Internet and the sophistication of digital set-top technology mean that this time, the platform should prove to be more successful.
Ultimately, the future of the single games platform lies with the producers of gaming systems. If they can put their rivalries aside and start working together, Gerhard Florian might just see his fantasy become a reality.
Source:
BBC
Guardian
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