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UPDATE:

In a Twitter post, we mentioned that Pete Hines and Bethesda were "not so keen on next-gen consoles." However, Mr. Hines was quick to notify us that that is not his sentiment. Here's what his response was:

"Odd headline. Nowhere in my comments do I say I'm not keen on next-gen consoles."

Perhaps the use of the words "not so keen" and "apathy" toward the next generation of consoles are misleading. It seems Mr. Hines simply wanted to point out the challenges developers and publishers face heading into a new hardware cycle.

What are your thoughts? Are you ready for next-gen consoles? Does the current generation have a lot left in the tank? Looking forward to making new friends but keeping the old? Let us know.

Source: @DCDeacon

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ORIGINAL STORY: 

While some developers have voiced their support of the Wii U, there have been others who are not yet convinced of its potential. One of these developers is Bethesda Softworks, according to PR and marketing VP Pete Hines.

Speaking with MCV, Hines said that the studio has traditionally been one to "put our games out on all of the platforms that will support them." As things stand now, the Wii U "hasn't fitted into that. Whether Wii U does down the road is TBD."

This apathy for the Wii U reflects Hines' view of the next generation of consoles as a whole. Unlike others in the industry who think that the current generation has gone on way too long (like Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot), Hines believes that "there is still plenty [it is] able to do".

"I don't think the current generation of consoles are holding us back," Hines stated. "There is still plenty that we are able to do visually, technically and from a story-telling standpoint. And there's this huge built-in audience now".

This, Hines believes, would result in a few "problems" with the arrival of next-gen systems. "For me the problems with new consoles are two-fold," he said. "The developers are trying to hit a moving technical target, because the platforms are being built. A new console doesn't just show up a year before launch and is exactly what it will be when it comes out. It moves and iterates along the way. And introducing something like that to games that are in development is always a bit tricky. And that is obviously an element of risk." 

Another thing that has Hines nervous about the next generation is the relatively small amount of people who initially jump on the new console bandwagon. "The second point is that your install base always starts at zero. Then it comes out and suddenly a certain number of people buy it but it won't be the same number as the current gen. So you have divided your audience."

"It's then a case of: Are we just making it for the next gen? Or next gen and current gen? And how many people from the current gen that I'm targeting have moved over to the next gen? It does complicate things a little bit," he added.

"Obviously the changes they are going to make technologically, in terms of the things we will be able to do, are exciting," Hines concluded. "But it comes at a price."

What do you guys think? Is Hines being overly cautious about the next generation, or does he have a good reason to be worried. Let us know what you think in the comment box below.

Source: MCV Magazine

Via: Videogamer

Link: Ubisoft CEO says the current generation of consoles has gone on too long

Peter Grimm A writer, journalist, and aspiring storyteller, Peter Grimm has been gaming since the days of the Nintendo 64, and reporting on the goings-on in the World of Gaming since late 2011. His base of writing operations is located within the void between Here and There, or so he would have you think.

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