Andrew2 said:
Show me some statistical proof that show a sign of console online gaming growing? Every statistic I've seen peg PC online gaming with a huge majority of the online gamers than console.
Xbox live is great, but its obviously someting aimed at the hardcore gamers whereas the casual aren't going to care.
First of all, I hate statistics and never use them in my arguments.
Secondly, my post was only a personal prediction for the future generation. Online has been minimal to say the least this gen.
But I will entertain this anyway. the only official stat I have is the recent DS one - about 50% of gamers going online with Mario Kart.
I reckon its even higher with Animal Crossing - but we can only wait and see on that one. Maybe checking out the nintendowifi page would shine some light on the online usage for that game? I would say alot of casual gamers are going online with this also - I've played with them. Mothers, businessmen, 10 year olds, students - all going online. Hell of alot of girls too
Of course PC gaming is going to have the majority of online gaming, this is without question. But console online is only just beginning. PES5 is having a succesful stint online, thousands od Europeans play it everyday, there must be a few hundred thousand players registered on there in total.
Xbox Live is very popular with xbox fans. These examples alone show a growth in console online gaming simply because it was non-existent before. When you consider Sony and Nintendo practically ignored it this gen, thats not so bad. But next gen it will be an important factor, wifi is builti into both their machines and their online strategies are being developed. This is going to explode.
Alongside this is my belief that wifi and really fast broadband will eventually become more and more standardised around much of the world. It may take awhile but I think its going to happen.
These things together, I believe console gaming can definately start to show some PC-levels of online gamers.