Next Gen: The Generation of Casuals and Blockbusters

As you've noticed on this blog, my posts are starting to focus on the next generation of console's. Looking back, this gen has seen some new trends. The casual market has really picked up with the Wii and Kinect. However, there has been question marks regarding the longevity of the casual market. Wii's sales quickly took a nosedive while Kinect and Move have been criticised for the lack of games that really utilise the technology. We have seen the rise of blockbuster titles that have smashed records and put video games's on par with movies. This article looks at why the next generation of consoles will focus on blockbuster titles and improving the casual market.

Companies investing in blockbusters

As is seemingly the case with every new generation, costs rise as developers invest more in graphics, sound, research and marketing. Publishers are looking for the next big thing, an existing franchise or a new IP that can last a whole console generation. The risks are high but the rewards can be huge. It will mean that we will see a lower number of games coming out, with a focus on a few big budget, blockbuster titles. In the first couple of years of the next console cycle, expect to see new IP's look to quickly establish themselves.











Next-gen game Watch Dogs has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster title.

Along with the new IP's, the successful current franchises will continue to sell incredibly well. The next Assassins Creed trilogy will continue on next-gen consoles and so will Call of Duty. These are cash cows that don't look like dwindling.

Of course, expect Activision to invest heavily in the COD franchise

Simply put. Publishers will be less inclined to invest in lots of different games. Instead they will hedge their bets on a fewer number of blockbuster titles.

The Casuals are here to stay


Disney Infinity was announced a few days ago and is set to combat the extremely  popular, Activision owned, Skylanders series. The concept sees video games crossed over with real action figures. Unlike Activision, Disney have access to a wide range of Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters. The casual market will eat this game up. Although the game is set to be released on current-gen consoles, expect it to be on next-gen consoles when they are announced.

Disney Infinity will capture the casual markets attention for years to come.

Developers and publishers will continue to find concepts like this that look to keep the casual market engaged. The problem with party games such as 'Just-Dance' and 'Wii Sports' is that the casual market got bored of these titles quickly and therefore, there wasn't longevity when it came to usage. Just Dance rolled out the sequels to great success but eventually people will get sick of it, the market for these types of games are already saturated. Games like Disney Infinity will add DLC and extras to maintain sales and interest of the casual market for years.


What new trends do you think will arise from the next generation of consoles? Let me know in the comments below.

Bridging the gap between Video Games and Movies

Its hard to say that video games can catch the audience's attention the same that movies do. Sure they can be more addictive and can last longer but ask yourself when was the last time you cried or even felt emotional through a Video Game? Personally, despite playing through some of the most interesting engaging stories in a video game I have yet to feel a tiny bit emotional. Your main ally dies? so what. Video games however much they try just can not match Movies when it comes to emotional attachment to the story or the characters.

LA Noire's Facial Animation.

Video games have massive potential to appeal to the audience who see video games as a waste of time. This is mainly because there has yet to be a video game that can capture the audiences attention the same way movies do. All that is about to change. New technology ushered in by Rockstar studios has allowed full facial animation of a characters face which means every little facial movement can be captured and put in the game. The first game to use this is LA Noire, a crime thriller. Sure, the animations might not be ultra realistic and the characters faces might seem a bit odd but this is just the start. This game has the potential to bridge the gap between video games and movies in terms of story and audience engagement . As the technology develops and more studios start using it video games stories might become as enthralling as a Hollywood blockbuster instead of a mediocre B movie.

The video game industry have realised the need to have a good story in almost every genre, most recently the sports genre. The next Fight Night game from EA has a significant story element to it which has never been done before. You can tell by the level of excitement for this game that incorporating the story element into sports games is a new and highly popular idea. Why stop at boxing though? the next Fifa game should have a story that pits you as a young and upcoming youngster who overcomes problems to play football professionally. I believe Fifa's 'be a pro mode' which lets you create a player and play him throughout his career  is the first step to this. If the Fight Night game sells well, who knows it may just catch on.

Fight Night Champion

I do not think it will be a long time until we see A-list actors not only providing voice overs for video games but actually acting in them by capturing their facial animations. Imagine if Natalie Portman can give the same performance she did in Black Swan with a video game. Okay, so that might be a long way off but it is possible. When that happens I truly believe Video games will match Movies.