Console games? Big time and resources sink, especially since these games are only getting bigger. Ubisoft doesn't think they'll be making as many come this new console gen, according to an interview with The Guardian.
With next gen consoles, it's going toward bigger games, and yes, we will make less of them. But with free-to-play games, the teams aren't as big so we can try different things and find subjects that are of interest to consumers. We announced Mighty Quest for Epic Loot last week, and we are announcing new types of games. This new environment is actually giving us the chance – because we're reaching new consumers – to develop new types of game brand and experience. What I like about the FTP model is that you are with your consumers all the time – you can spend six months refining the gameplay and then put it in another environment, another title, because you automatically know it works well.
Makes you wonder: will this mean that triple-A titles will just get that much safer and samey? I hope not. Will we see some of the more innovative games in the mobile and F2P scene? That, I'm not so fearful of. That would be a GOOD thing, and already, most of the interesting stuff in this industry isn't being found on consoles.
The times, they are a' changing.