While the future of gaming is unknown, one thing is for sure \u2013 it\u2019s growing substantially.<\/p>\n
Besides looking to flying cars and robotic assistants, the International Data Corporation (IDC) published a forecast which looks to the prospects of the gaming industry through to 2016.<\/p>\n
The gaming forecast,<\/a> explains that console manufacturers are under increased pressure by alternative platforms, as products are expected to be more than one-dimensional gaming consoles, and instead offer more digital and media usages.<\/p>\n “The console ecosystem is in a state of flux since these platforms need to support an ever-growing array of non-gaming features and services at the same time that game distribution and monetization is moving in a digital direction,” said Lewis Ward, research manager of IDC’s Gaming service.<\/p>\n “At the same time, it doesn’t appear that alternative platforms \u2014 set-top boxes from cable companies, Web-connected smart TVs, and so on \u2014 are positioned to materially disrupt the trajectory of the ‘big 3’ console OEMs in 2013 or 2014. Discs will remain the console game revenue mainstay for years to come.”<\/p>\n When looking to the demand for Sony and Microsoft\u2019s next-gen consoles, the forecast is that demand will be approximately 25% lower than the current-gen was. This is said to be due to the effects of digital distribution taking its toll on traditional consoles.<\/p>\n Key takeaways from the new forecast include:<\/p>\n Xbox 720 specs leaked, rumour has it<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Xbox Surface tablet in the works?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n PS4 developer console powered by AMD<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n PS4\u2032s specs similar to that of Xbox 720: reports<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n
More next-gen gaming news:<\/h3>\n