Activision-Blizzard insists that the game industry can still grow despite the global economic gloom – just as long as the market sees more hardware price cuts.

Speaking at Activision-Blizzard’s earnings call, Blizzard president Michael Morhaime said that the more affordable consoles were key to improving the industry’s health.

“If you look at consoles, I think you are going to need to see hardware price declines given the economic uncertainties that we have,” he said.

Morhaime added that game studios need to take advantage of the potential presented in both Sony and Microsoft’s motion controllers.

“You are going to need to see product innovations,” he said. “And as you look at some of the new user interfaces that are coming out, I think those are certainly going to deliver some interesting product innovation.”

The Blizzard president went on to talk up digital product, saying it offers higher margin opportunities, adding that natural growth will occur naturally from expanding demographics.

Activision-Blizzard beat city expectations last night, reporting $4.28 billion GAAP net revenues for the 2009 calendar.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/37524/Activision-Industry-needs-console-price-cuts

Sorry if already posted.

Well, they may say what they want, but I think Activision should('ve) consider(ed) cutting the price of their overpriced crappy shooter. The publisher who publish the most expensive game this generation, tells the companies that make the consoles their games sell on to cut the price on their consoles. Please, shut it Activision. You are really not needed in the business with all you average games. I wish Blizzard separated themselves from Activision...

Ok but you first cut your prices. :p

It's never enough for Kotick. He was saying the same thing only a few months ago. What, the $100 PS3 price cut wasn't enough for you?

The Industry needs cheaper games

Weird how they believe that games should become more expensive. They even uttered 100 dollars as something that should be acceptable...

If you want others to do something, do something as well.

I. Fucking. Hate. Kotick.

its really not the systems that are too expensive(now) its the price of a new video game. there are very few games that i am willing to pay almost $80 for.

And they want to increase that price even further :s

It's real easy for Activision to call for price cuts when Call of Duty 4 is still full price, and their rhythm games cost as much as the Wii. And I refer to them as Activision because Blizzard has no place in this crap.