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The majority of connected devices (about 184 million) are still plain ol' desktop and laptop computers, and smartphones are in second place with about 133 million devices. Video game consoles come in third, right above tablets (31.8 million) and connected HDTVs (16 million), which means there's a significant number of game-oriented devices out there plugged into the Internet.
The NPD says it expects these devices to start connecting to each other more in 2013, with smartphones and tablets doing more sharing to larger television screens. Video game consoles serve plenty of functions outside of pure gaming already, including video streaming, networking, and Internet browsing. NPD's report says that if smartphones and tablets can provide those services in a combination that appeals to customers, those categories will continue to grow this year, possibly even leaving dedicated game consoles behind.
MCV runs through the biggest releases and events that will grow the industry over the next 12 months. 1. Grand Theft Auto V
Watch out Call of Duty, the previous ‘biggest entertainment launch of all time’ wants its crown back. Rockstar has drip fed information about its next game to the media, with a mere screenshot able to send Twitter into meltdown. Expect the hotly anticipated open world action game to break records when it launches in the spring. 2. The next PlayStation and Xbox
Nintendo may have kicked off the next generation with Wii U, but this year will all be about Sony and Microsoft. Expect major reveals from the two platform holders of their next home gaming machines – most likely around E3 in June – and who knows, maybe we’ll get at least one in time for Christmas. Just what the High Street needs. 3. Kickstarter projects come good
It can’t have escaped anyone’s notice that the number of crowdfunded video game projects skyrocketed in 2012. So far, pledgers have only been given the promise. This year, we will finally see the first projects come to life that have been funded by crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Expect a few failures, too.
4. Destiny
The development team behind the Halo franchise is back with a new multimedia behemoth, Destiny. Little is known about Bungie’s multi-game project, which sees Activision on publishing duties. 5. Tearaway
LittleBigPlanet developers Media Molecule are working on the most intriguing Vita game so far. Tearaway looks fantastic and utilises all of the handheld’s control schemes. 6. Beyond: Two Souls
The team behind the critically acclaimed Heavy Rain returns with this PS3-exclusive story-driven adventure starring Ellen Page. 7. The Last of Us
Uncharted developer Naughty Dog delivers something new in this cinematic post-apocalyptic survival action game.
8. Watch Dogs
It wowed critics at E3 and Ubi is billing this as their next big franchise. The game is from Assassin’s Creed studio Ubisoft Montreal. 9. Fuse
EA is releasing this four-player co-op shooter from Ratchet & Clank and Resistance developer Insomniac. It’s due in March. 10. Remember Me
French developer Dontnod is playing with memories in its cyberpunk, third-person action game. It’s due in May.
To see the full list of 50 Things to Look Forward to in 2013 check out the latest issue of MCV magazine. To subscribe to MCV magazine (physical) click here, to subscribe to the online versionclick here or to check out the iPad version click here.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II was 2012's biggest selling game of the year at UK retail.
The latest report from GfK Chart-Track reveals that the shooter pipped FIFA 13 to the No.1 spot. The two blockbusters are streaks ahead of the rest of the charts. Assassin's Creed III made third place, Halo 4 made No.4 while Hitman: Absolution rounds off the Top Five.
All five games were released in the last two months of the year. The Top 20 Games of 2012:
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops II - Activision
2. FIFA 13 - Electronic Arts
3. Assassin's Creed III - Ubisoft
4. Halo 4 - Microsoft
5. Hitman Absolution - Square Enix
6. Just Dance 4 - Ubisoft
7. Far Cry 3 - Ubisoft
8. FIFA 12 - Electronic Arts
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Bethesda
10. Borderlands 2 - 2K Games
11. Mass Effect 3 - Electronic Arts
12. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes - Warner Bros
13. Need for Speed: Most Wanted - Electronic Arts
14. FIFA Street - Electronic Arts
15. Mario & Sonic: London 2012 Olympic Games
16. Skylanders Giants - Activision
17. Battlefield 3 - Electronic Arts
18. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Activision
19. Max Payne 3 - Rockstar
20. Sleeping Dogs - Square Enix
An irritated father of a 23-year-old gamer hired 'In-game assassins' to attempt to make his son quit playing video games and have him get a job. 'Feng's idea was that his son would get bored of playing games if he was killed every time he logged on, and that he would start putting more effort into getting a job.' While the son recently had a job at a software development company he quit because he decided he didn't like the work.
The most alarming aspect of the so-called "death of the games console" is the number of articulate and intelligent industry professionals who subscribe to this viewpoint. Some say that the imminent arrival of next generation home systems will not turn the tide for console companies. They suggest that the success of the current cycle will not be matched and this aspect of the business is in an inescapable downward spiral.It reminds me of those revered philosophers and poets, from Homer to Thales, who in the most articulate and convincing fashion had told their peers that the earth was flat.
The impending demise of home systems is, ultimately, an industry myth stirred in a pool of short-term statistics and trends.
Take a look at today's latest figures, for example. The UK games market value fell 17 per cent in 2012, at a time when the mobile gaming sector recorded significant growth for the fifth year straight.
It sounds bad for the likes of Microsoft and Sony, and throughout 2012 we have been subjected to such statistics - in fact, NPD physical sales continue to fall on a monthly basis - but there is a danger that those who debate these trends don't see the wood for the trees.
Sales declines are an inescapable tradition of the end-console cycle, and in fact were even more acute in the last generation. In 2004, for example, the UK console market fell by 30 per cent as the industry awaited new systems from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.
A total 17 per cent decline at the end of a seven-year console cycle is not a dead canary in the mine. Some could argue it's quite a success, all things considered.
"Clearly the industry is desperate for new systems to stimulate innovation"
Longer-term statistics paint a different picture: some 240 million games consoles have been sold worldwide already this generation, compared to the 210 million consoles in the last cycle and the 150 million the year prior. This generation's numbers will only increase as Xbox 360s and PS3s are discounted further.
But clearly, the industry is desperate for new systems to stimulate innovation, new IP, new business models and partnerships. It's why everyone who has faith in consoles should be looking forward to 2013; the year that both Microsoft and Sony reveal their long-awaited new systems.
There is no doubt that the console industry is not evolving fast enough. It must embrace new models - and yes, especially free-to-play and cloud gaming - instead of continually pretending these don't exist.
But let's not forget how suddenly this industry moves, and how fast business picked up the last time a trio of new consoles arrived.
Southington, CT group says giving up gory games is "an action of responsible citizenship"
A community group established in the wake of last month's Newtown, Connecticut shooting has established a Violent Video Games Return Program, hoping to collect and destroy violent games, movies, and CDs.
As reported by Polygon, SouthingtonSOS, a community group from Southington, CT (a little more than 30 miles from Newtown) is holding a trade-in event January 12 where people can turn in violent games and other media in exchange for gift certificates provided by a Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce member "as a token of appreciation for their action of responsible citizenship." The games will be destroyed and collected in a dumpster "for appropriate permanent disposal."
While SouthingtonSOS was established in the wake of the Newtown tragedy to create "a greater proactive public awareness response" to such events, the group insists that the collection drive is not saying violent games were the cause of the Newtown shooting.
"The group's action is not intended to be construed as statement declaring that violent video games were the cause of the shocking violence in Newtown on December 14th," according to a SouthingtonSOS statement. "Rather, SouthingtonSOS is saying is that there is ample evidence that violent video games, along with violent media of all kinds, including TV and movies portraying story after story showing a continuous stream of violence and killing, has contributed to increasing aggressiveness, fear, anxiety and is desensitizing our children to acts of violence including bullying. Social and political commentators, as well as elected officials including the president, are attributing violent crime to many factors including inadequate gun control laws, a culture of violence and a recreational culture of violence."
Southington School superintendent Joe Erardi, a member of SouthingtonSOS, told Polygon the move was intended to create a dialogue between parents and children.
"There are youngsters who appear to be consumed with violent video games," Erardi told the site. "I'm not certain if that's a good thing. If this encourages one courageous conversation with a parent and their child, then it's a success. We're suggesting that for parents who have a child or children who play violent video games, to first of all view the games. We're asking parents to better understand what their child is doing. Have a conversation about next steps."
Since the Newtown shooting, violent video games have been a subject of much criticism from politicians, pundits, and parents. In the days after the shooting, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced a bill that would have multiple government agencies investigating the effects violent games have on children. That was followed by the National Rifle Association pinning blame for the shooting on "a callous, corrupt, and corrupting shadow industry that sells and sows violence against own people, through vicious violent video games."
Significantly fewer games received an average review score of 90 per cent or above in 2012 than they did in the preceding three years.
That’s according to review aggregation site Metacritic, which says that just 18 games (14 of which were on console) achieved the higher score bracket last year. By comparison, 32 games (23 on console) achieved that feat the year before.
In fact, it’s the worst industry review performance since Metacritic started compiling annual reports in 2009.
Telltale’s The Walking Dead was named as the site’s game of the year, receiving the highest average review score – 95 per cent on Xbox 360. The site notes that the number is for the retail version and is only based on nine reviews – none of the five digital releases that comprised the titles scored over 89 per cent.
In fact, The Walking Dead is the lowest scoring Game of the Year since 2003’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on PC, which scored 94 per cent.
Other star performers include Persona 4 Golden (94%), Mass Effect 3 (93%), Journey (92%), Xenoblade Chronicles (92%), Dishonored (PC%), Mark of the Ninja (91%), Borderlands 2 (91%) and Far Cry 3 (91%).
The biggest flops of the year include Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse (39%), Steel Batallion: Heavy Armour (38%), 007 Legends (41%), Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock (39%), Funky Barn (51%) and Tank! Tank! Tank! (45%).
Today Canonical announced Ubuntu for phones. The new operating system is designed to provide easier access to apps and content than is provided by current mobile OSes. They do this by relying on swipe gestures from the edges of the phone's screen. "Every edge of the phone is used, letting you move faster between apps, settings and content. A short swipe from the left edge of the screen is all it takes to reveal your favourite apps. Page either left or right from the home screen to see the content you use most. A full left-to-right swipe reveals a screen showing all your open apps, while a swipe from the right brings you instantly to the last app you were using. ... A swipe from the right edge takes you back to the last app you were using; another swipe takes you back to the app you used before that. It’s natural to keep many apps open at once, which is why Ubuntu was designed for multi-tasking. ... Swiping up from the bottom edge of the phone reveals app controls." The Ubuntu phone OS is built to work well on low-powered devices. Canonical will be at CES next week working on raising interest from manufacturers. As far as software goes, they have this to say: "Web apps are first class citizens on Ubuntu, with APIs that provide deep integration into the interface. HTML5 apps written for other platforms can be adapted to Ubuntu with ease, and we’re targeting standard cross-platform web app development frameworks like PhoneGap to make Ubuntu ‘just work’ for apps that use them." (In the attached video, the phone OS discussion starts at about 6:37.)
Ubisoft has finished 2012 on a high after claiming a double win in the UKIE GfK Chart-Track All Formats Top 40.
Continued price activity on shooter Far Cry 3 sees the critically applauded title claim No.1, knocking Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 off the top for the first time since its release.
It's Ubisoft's first Week 52 No.1 since Assassin's Creed in 2007.
Ubisoft also has more Top Ten games this week than any other publisher with Just Dance 4 in sixth and Assassin's Creed III in eighth.
Here's the the final UK Top 20 of 2012 in full:
1. Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)
2. FIFA 13 (EA)
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Activision)
4. Hitman Absolution (Square Enix)
5. Need for Speed Most Wanted (EA)
6. Just Dance 4 (Ubisoft)
7. Halo 4 (Microsoft)
8. Assassin's Creed III (Ubisoft)
9. LEGO Lord of the Rings (Warner Bros)
10. Forza Horizon (Microsoft)
11. WWE '13 (THQ)
12. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
13. Football Manager 2013 (Sega)
14. Dishonored (Bethesda)
15. Medal of Honor: Warfighter (EA)
16. Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed (Sega)
17. Skylanders Giants (Activision)
18. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (Warner Bros)
19. Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (Disney)
20. Forza Motorsport 4 (Microsoft)
It has been a brutal year for nearly everyone working in the video games business.
Be you a publisher struggling to keep out of the red, a developer facing project cancellations or a retailer trying to sell games in a dramatically contracting market, it’s been one of the toughest.
But that’s why we should be proud. The boom days of 2008 may seem like a distant memory, but despite the many obstacles and challenges our industry has made 2012 a vintage. I reckon we can safely call 2012 the best year for gamers that there ever has been.
Well done us! What, you don’t agree? Well check out this list of WIN and see what you think then.
But where to begin? I’ll start with FIFA 13. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I know, but for my money it’s not just easily the best football game ever made, but arguably one of THE greatest games ever made. I could play it forever.
But there are plenty of other Game of the Year contenders, too. Latecomer Far Cry 3 is rightfully being praised from every corner of the games industry, offering as it does the best sandbox FPS experience ever crafted. Expect some to plump for the magnificent Dishonored too, which amazingly redefines the stealth experience and wraps it up in a thoroughly original and utterly compelling world.
And what about XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the game that took many of us by surprise? What a cracking title that was. On the sci-fi tip, a hearty round of applause for Mass Effect 3, please, which is probably the best RPG I’ve ever played outside of Skyrim and Panzer Dragoon Saga. A fitting end to a magnificent saga.
And we’ve barely begun, either. Diablo III, Borderlands 2, LEGO Batman 2, Halo 4, Saints Row: The Third, Forza Horizon, Max Payne 3, Sleeping Dogs, F1 2012 – all fantastic releases.
Then there are some personal additions. EA did a good job rebooting the SSX brand and, despite what you may say, I really like Syndicate’s washed white view of the future. There’s the though provoking Spec Ops: The Line, the sleeper hit Dragon’s Dogma and – yes, I’m going to say it –Hitman: Absolution, which I thought was fecking wonderful.
Despite being thoroughly underwhelmed by War for Cybertron, the Transformers fan in me was completely won over by Fall of Cybertron’s Epic single player campaign (“Metroplex heeds the call of the last Prime”!). I also enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man, whilst the shmup devotee in me thought Akai Katana was simply glorious. And rock hard. Hell, even PES 2013 was really good this year. And I still want to play Asura’s Wrath.
If there’s one thing that struck me when compiling this list it was the number of digital releases that have impacted on me in 2012.
I’m yet to play through some of the chapters in The Walking Dead, but what I’ve played so far suggests it’s a very special game. I’ve put a load of time into FTL: Faster Than Light (without ever getting to the end, even on easy, I might add) while Hotline Miami is the sort of experience that stays with you for hours after you’ve finished playing. Trials Evolution, Spelunky, Fez, Mark of the Ninja and Papo & Yo are all must-plays, as isSlender: Eight Pages if you think you’re ’ard enough. I Am Alive was another under-recognised outing, I’d argue, while DayZ was rightfully recognised by the press.
Add to these lot the commercial powerhouse that is Minecraft on Xbox 360. Oh, and I keep forgetting to play Dear Esther.
There’s a Game of the Year contender in this digital list, too – Journey. What an incredible title. Ambitious, beautiful, evocative and moving, it’s everything that a bite-sized download title should be and much more than most triple-A games achieve. The Unfinished Swan was another big favourite.
Even the iPhone has some seriously brilliant releases throughout the year. Super Hexagon (which is equally as amazing on PC, it should be said) is, in my opinion, the best small game ever made. And forget the haters – Curiosity: What’s Inside the Cube is one of the most incredible gaming projects ever embarked upon. Fluid Football is also thoroughly deserving of its success.
It was a good year for shmups, too, with Cave releasing the incredible Bug Princess 2 (known to fans of the genre as Mushihimesama Futuari) and former Windows Phone exclusive DoDonPachi Maximum. Angry Birds Star Wars and Rayman Jungle Run both proved that big IP can thrive on a smartphone when done correctly, while Punch Quest, Plague Inc, Letterpress and Super Crate Box proved that tiny devs with new IP can fare just as well.
Look at that list. What other creative industry can lay claim to so much quality output? And if the industry can do all of this while in the grips of a ferocious downturn, imagine what it can do when things improve.
Merry Christmas!
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