Gaucho420

Handhelds: The Next Console Generation

I agree with Bruce's assertions here, but I will say that the Wii/360/PS3 business will still be important in the long run, for headlines and publicity alone. Everyone's knows the Wii in the public...but not everyone in the public knows of the DS, it has not had the same cross-generation appeal, at least from what I've seen.

As far as Nokia and Apple, while I don't doubt they can put together a fine machine (although gaming controls are a big question mark for both), will they be able to secure games? Meaning, can they convince publishers upfront to produce games in advance? I'm not so sure...even the Wii had doubters at first and only its success changed the mind of publishes. Being a life long gamer, and I respect both Apple and Nokia, I own non-gaming products from both firsm...as a gamer, I don't trust either, especially as Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony all do a tremendous job. Why switch?

And that in itself is the problem for Apple and Nokia, convincing gamers to switch...which I don't see happening at all, as they'll need to have 1) better hardware 2) great games and 3) a lower price point to convince existing gamers to try a new company. I'm not sure this perfect storm of marketing and design can happen without the support of a major game company and at that, most of them.