Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, reckons that the next generation of console hardware will be the last.

Speaking at the company's annual showcase, Wester made his traditional predictions about the games industry, foreseeing a further rise in more digital-focused platforms and distribution:

"The next generation of console hardware will probably be the last. I'd be surprised if we see another generation after that."

In addition, he predicted the further decline of boxed products, and the continual rise of 'open' platforms such as PC, mobile and even social networks.

Paradox have personally seen their digital revenue increase from 1.5% in 2006, to 97% in 2011. That year also saw them beating their 2010 statistics, with a 75% growth in revenue, and a 250% growth in profit.

http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/16205/paradox-next-console-generation-will-probably-be-the-last-generation

Ah context less quotes always informative, 250% profit increase off 75% revenue increase is very impressive tho.

Hmmmmm, not sure about it!

We want to play consoles, not mobile phones!

Well, I cant see how the death of consoles wouldnt also be the death of PC gaming. So, his logic is flawed and probably biased since Paradox is a pc focused developer.

Such is the tragedy of the industry, i suppose. The only thing we can hope for is that Nintendo doesn't get too fixated on this social networking/dlc/online play/multimedia malarkey as well, or else we'll all have to pour out a sacrificial libation for the utter annihilation of a once-proud industry

Nah it's way too early. Look at music cds - they are still here despite mp3 revolutionizing the market.

This was the best selling generation hardware-wise, so far. I highly doubt any of the big three console manufacturers would dare to leave their current business model; there's way too much to lose.

Kowen is right, dedicated gaming consoles are a thing of the past, they now have to do something else extra to be viable.

Because while there's no problem to incorporate functions of cd/dvd/br player , pvr device and netflix receiver into a gaming machine - same cannot be done with a classic Hi-fi set.

Cost of hardware needed for core gaming experience is too high to incorporate them into whole mass market.

I agree and disagree at the same time ...

The technology behind high detailed graphics has advanced far faster than our ability to produce games that take advantage of it in a cost effective manner; and we're hitting a point where there is no real reason to put any (real) effort in pushing graphics to be dramatically better. If the only reason to release a new console was to get prettier graphics and everyone was just going to follow the XBox 360/PS3 model over and over again, there would probably be no reason to release a system after the PS4/"XBox 720" are released.


Fortunately, as the Wii demonstrated, there is more to videogames than simply visuals; and, while it could be argued that these improvements could be handled as addons, many improvements that I can think of would (probably) require substantial increases in processing power. Although I have several examples of ideals I think have value, being that it is beyond the capabilities of any hardware (we could produce in a cost effective way) to generate high quality graphics at 1080p while rendering to 4 Wii U like controllers I doubt that next generation consoles will be able to handle a lot of the theoritical UI devices that could be produced 8 to 10 years from now.

Well I guess he'll be surprised because, like someone else said, last gen. was the best selling gen. ever. Nintendo I seriously will drop out because I think the Wii U will actually do really well. And if the NextBox or PS4 at least keep up what they did last gen. then no one is leaving.