Next-Gen Consoles Are Overdue According To Ubisoft Head

The next generation of consoles is overdue according to Ubisoft CEO and co-founder, Yves Guillemot. This current generation, which includes the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii; has been around for eight years. As a result of the stagnant hardware, game software has been on a steady decline for the past seven months, according to Guillemot.

Guillemot says Ubisoft still has plenty of games to offer this current generation, but they're ready for new hardware.

"What we missed was a new console every five years," he says. "We have been penalized by the lack of new consoles on the market. I understand the manufacturers don't want them too often because it's expensive, but it's important for the entire industry to have new consoles because it helps creativity."

Guillemot added old hardware means it's harder to be creative. This is the reason we're seeing so many sequels in the latter half of the cycle.

"It's a lot less risky for us to create new IPs and new products when we're in the beginning of a new generation," he adds. "Our customers are very open to new things. Our customers are reopening their minds -- and they are really going after what's best. ... At the end of a console generation, they want new stuff, but they don't buy new stuff as much. They know their friends will play Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed so they go for that. So the end of a cycle is very difficult."

Ubisoft has previously mentioned they hope to release Beyond Good & Evil 2 as a next gen title, and many believe Watch Dogs will be held back for the next cycle as well. The Wii U, which is kind of next-generation, will have Ubisoft launch titles like ZombiU.

Next-gen consoles could be released as soon as next fall, but they could take another two years. Do you think we'll see the PS4 and Xbox 720 next year? If we don't, will see any new IPs?

Source: Gamasutra