This generation is home to the largest installbase that developers have ever had access to. Past generations have always included just one console achieving major marketshare, therefore, developers had only one major console to sell to. Look at this generation and it's much different. All three consoles sold major numbers, and developers have a super installbase. Unfortunately, the Wii is often ignored when most developers decide which platforms to release their games on. But the PS3 and 360 have still proved to be a great oppurtunity for developers.
The PS3 & 360 may not be anything new individually, but collectively, they give third parties an extremely large amount of potential customers for their products. Because they're so similar in power, developers can make one game and can easily & efficiently release it across the PS3 and the 360 for potential doubled that of a single console. Some even believe that Microsoft and Sony actually complemented each other as the opposing console stimulated releasing games on the HD installbase, thus improving them both. Some even say Microsoft and Sony saved each other from being run out of business by Nintendo. Is that true? who knows?
But next generation, Nintendo wants the Wii U to become a platform for third-parties too . They've made it quite clear that third-parties are a major priority, and many third-parties have already invested in the WIi U. The question is: Will the Wii U successfully join unite the PS4 and the 720 to form one Mega installbase? And if so, can we expect developers to have an even larger installbase than this generation?
