WildTangent Orb - A Pretender To The Console Throne
August 19th 2008 01:00
Firstly, I would like to give my congratulations to Alex St. John for his boldness is stating that this generation of consoles will be the last. It is such questioning of the current state of the gaming industry that continues to push it forward. And so, with respect, I would like to present the alternative argument, that his theory is actually complete and utter bollocks.
The UK Telegraph recently reported St. John as saying "I think we're looking at the last generation of consoles. There's not going to be an Xbox 720 or a PS4, I'll make that bet, not going to happen." This statement came with a double purpose, a well executed piece of media advertising to promote his gaming delivery serving WildTangent Orb. The service has been described as offering "enthusiast" games (BioShock and Assassin's Creed are two "possible" examples) for free on an ad-driven, session-by-session basis. In theory, this kind of digital platform could one day replace disc-based consoles, as it offers "free" gaming through an advertising model that consumers have accepted in other markets and cuts out the huge economic losses that console manufacturers can't seem to avoid. Ironically, he followed up with "I'll take the heat if I'm wrong and don't mind being mocked in the future with people going 'Wow, was he wrong.'"
"The success of the system will
depend on developers adopting Orb as their own."
This brings us to the crux of the matter. St. John is proposing a third party solution for first party systems. For Orb to replace future consoles, he is asking that Microsoft and Sony give up their own proprietary gaming delivery system (where they control the type, amount and price of content) to add a middle man, increasing operating costs and losing a proportion of control. St. John has cited the inability to make a profit on console units, but recent history has shown that Microsoft and Nintendo have managed to get into the black comfortably. We have profitable, stable, upgradable home systems. Third party support is where the matter becomes interesting. So far, only Sierra and THQ have officially signed up. In the light of the problems facing Sierra, namely Activision cutting support for upcoming titles and the possible closure of the studio , WildTangent Orb looks to now hold an ageing back catalogue with no opportunity to gain new AAA titles. The success of the system will depend on developers adopting Orb as their own.
"there are still too many worldwide PC users who do not have fast enough internet or the desire to give their details out through it"
There is also the matters of payment and the internet. There is no retail plan mentioned, so customers can only use credit cards and the internet to access the product. Perhaps this will not be an issue in ten years time when the current consoles are predicted to survive until, but there are still too many worldwide PC users who do not have fast enough internet or the desire to give their details out through it. This will limit the market, a market that consoles can and have already saturated.
Unlike the PC. In the press statement released through the WildTangent Orb Website, St. John claims that "The WildTangent Orb turns any modern PC into a full-featured game console more powerful than any next generation game console including the Microsoft XBOX 360, Sony PS3 or Nintendo Wii," although in the Support area potential players are warned that "For newer games (Orb) cannot support Windows ME or 98". With the well publicised failure of Vista to gain mainstream acceptance, this alienates many "modern" home users. These experiments need to gain support quickly, otherwise they face a barrage of bad press that kills the idea completely.
"in the end there are realities and market forces that cannot be denied"
WildTangent Orb has garnered impressive media coverage in its time. There is support from major PC manufacturers where the software "will come pre-installed on every major-brand consumer PC in the U.S., including HP, Gateway and Toshiba", the headline of the death of consoles, and an audience with the world through the Casual Connect conference and others, but in the end there are realities and market forces that cannot be denied. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony first party titles will never use Orb. Third party studios are large enough to develop their own digital distribution or partner with already established parties.
PREDICTION: See WildTangent Orb purchased by a major publisher within 12 months. The system will be modified and planned as a re-release to combat Steam. But never will.
Thank you, the negative rests.
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