EA says: Europe will determine next-gen winner
by Nick Doerr 
{ May 18th 2007 at 9:00PM }
While we're not one to hang on every word coming out of Electronic Arts' collective mouth, we still think this statement is worth taking heed of. The Executive VP of EA, Gerhard Florin, sees Europe as the main battleground in the fight for supremacy this console generation. Quoth Florin: "I believe the biggest fight will be in Europe... Whoever wins the hardware war in Europe, most likely will be the overall winner."During a speech given in France at the Reuters Technology, Media and Telecoms summit, Florin also expressed the ideal of a future where hardware isn't the driving factor for consumers and games: "Everybody gets carried away with the technology. When the technology gets more usable ... then the story tellers get more to the forefront. My hope is, but I can't tell you when it will be, that we reach the peak in perfection so that the consumer doesn't see the difference in technology anymore - then it is a pure race for entertainment."
Sounds like an idealist notion to me. Hardware directly impacts the amount of entertainment garnered by the hardcore gamer. Unless the world slips into casual gaming, the hardware is always going to be a point to consider when tossing some heavy change at a new console. I want the AI to get smarter, the graphics to look better than myself in the mirror (pah, fat chance of that!), more complex modes of gameplay (because linear switches are so PS2), and whatever else hardware will assist with. Anyone else out there in accord?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
thatpspkid @ May 18th 2007 10:57PM
"I believe the biggest fight will be Chuck Norris... Whoever sells their hardware to Chuck Norris, most likely will be the overall winner."
Next-Gen-Gamer @ May 18th 2007 11:06PM
I have a hard time believing anyone can pin the success of consoles on a single country. If a console were to blow-out the competition globally, then I doubt we'd consider it the loser if it failed in Europe.
Europe just wants to be important. They definitely are important, but at the same time, they seem to be looked at as the third world country of the gaming industry.
Honestly, I think they should stop worrying about it. They're already getting a few games I want, long before I'll ever get ahold of them.
Andir3.0 @ May 18th 2007 11:58PM
Just FYI:
1. Europe is not a country.
2. It includes Australia and other PAL countries.
Andir3.0 @ May 18th 2007 11:59PM
Err, the European console market usually includes Australia, and other PAL countries. Sorry for the confusion on that. I know Australia isn't in Europe!
P @ May 19th 2007 1:23AM
Yeah, Sony should pin their hope on a nation that has folk that think the continent of Europe is a single country! As for 'Third world country of gaming' your really excelling yourself and fellow countrymen, its morons like this which gives Americans a bad name outside of the USA.
I dont think I need to say anything further, the validity of your opinions speak volumes by its own contents.
Personally i wouldnt read too much the comments stating the importance of XY&Z when they're being made in a speech in X, its the whole 'you play a big part' speech used by politians to make everyone think they're hugely important and play a key role, and next week it'll be the same line just a different audience.
Europe will play a huge part, as will every single country/continent a unit gets shipped to, but im pretty sure that in 12 months time Europe will have out sold the North America territory for units sold, both consoles and software titles. You'd have to be a complete idiot to under-estimate its buying power, and while it wont be won or lost there, it'll play as much of a role in its success as any other region.
Harold @ May 19th 2007 1:24AM
Good news for the PS3 if this is true. The PS3 is doing quite well in Europe.
naruto007 @ May 19th 2007 6:19AM
" that we reach the peak in perfection so that the consumer doesn't see the difference in technology anymore"
there's allways gonna be difference between wii/ps360 unless they port games from the wii...
REP96st @ May 19th 2007 1:53PM
Doing quite well?? if thats the case, its not doing better than the Wii or 360. So how is it doing "well"?? You should be taking that as not so good news.
Next-Gen-Gamer @ May 19th 2007 2:46PM
If I said Tiger Woods was the Michael Jordan of golf, would you say "OMG How can Tiger be two people"? No. Saying Europe is the "third world country of the gaming industry" is different that saying "Europe is a third world country".
Did you ever learn about analogies in school?
Next-Gen-Gamer @ May 19th 2007 2:47PM
Edit: than**