News

CTIA 2012: 'Mobile gaming will not kill the console,' claims EA CEO John Riccitiello

YouTube didn't destroy TV

CTIA 2012: 'Mobile gaming will not kill the console,' claims EA CEO John Riccitiello
While some look to define the supposed battle between console and mobile as a black and white affair, industry luminaries are increasingly moving towards a more balanced view.

EA CEO John Riccitiello, for instance, used his keynote at CTIA 2012 in New Orleans to claim that, rather than killing games on more traditional platforms, the success of titles on smartphones is instead changing them.

Alive and kicking

According to Riccitiello, the rise of mobile is akin to that of YouTube over the course of the last decade.

The fact YouTube hasn't killed the television – indeed, thanks to internet enabled TVs and consoles, it's become part of it – is evidence that mobile won't rid the world of console gaming, either, he claimed.

"YouTube didn't destroy television and mobile gaming will not kill the console," detailed Riccitiello, claiming both platforms will be victors in the long run as business models evolve.

Freemium fiesta

Focusing in further on the mobile scene, the EA man concluded that his firm is "probably" the number one publisher on Android now, following up its success on iOS. However, he did note that its performance on Google's platform is harder to gauge.

On freemium, Riccitiello noted that the model is currently "taking the world by storm", with "ten times the number of mobile platforms than there are gaming consoles" ensuring it's a lucrative market.

His comments follow an interview given just days before, where he criticised mobile publishers for acquiring one hit wonder studios for little more than short term success.

[source: Slashgear]

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.