So I just did a series on the possibility of a games crash. Now this is a read and do to user requests over the years I will only post a brief outline and leave it up to you whether or not to read the wall of words that is this series.

The first entry in the series explores the history of The Games Crash of 1977 and the Great Games Crash of 1983. Lets see if we have learnt from our past http://wp.me/p2ozZL-7b

the second entry in my series on the possible games crash of 2013. A look at the safe guards the industry put in place to ensure another games crash never occurs again. Are these fail safes still in place? http://wp.me/p2ozZL-7f

Their are many warning signs that are impossible to miss. What red flags and alarm bells are being ignored? http://wp.me/p2ozZL-7n

So how bad could a games crash in 2013 be? I predict it will be along the lines of 2001. What kind of casualties should we expect http://wp.me/p2ozZL-7z

Well that wraps up the series, what are your thoughts how bad do you think a games crash in 2013 could be. Am I being optimistic could it end way worse or am I over exaggerating the possible fallout? Discuss

lol all three companies releasing tablets would only make things way worse. Also NextBox and PS4 are not coming out this year. Maybe I should start actually posting the full articles in my threads again. Because obviously your missing what I was getting at. Also yes Nintendo is taking action, but if we believe rumors then Nintendo is allowing way to many games. Also Nintendo is not able to control Sony or Microsoft. 20 games from Sony alone this fiscal year, Microsoft's biggest E3 to date with claims of one of the biggest software lineups in 360 history. Software sales at an all time low with the highest selling game last month compared to last year would have only been number 7. Sadly a games crash is already occurring, you cant avert something that is already occurring. The highest selling game launched only a month ago and is already 39.99$ at BestBuy. That's right the best selling game in the industry is already on sale at this time of year. Sorry the games crash is under way right now, the real question is will people suddenly increase their game spending by about 5x within a few months we are going to see a crash completed this year.

P.S - If you read my article and OP you would see I'm not predicting a 1977 or 1983 level crash rather a 2001 level crash.

There is chance for the market to dynamically change in a radical way in the coming years, but it will not be so fast and it will not be a crash as much as an earthquake and change of landscape. :P

You have me worried.

Totally called this in the NPD thread!

However it must be noted that retail is the worrying sector, not digital.

I read your first article and it was really good. Keep up the good work!

Thankfully, I don't see anything like what happened in 1983 since the gaming industry is overall much stronger than it was in those days. That being said, I thinking that a lot of developers are going and will go belly up soon.

The games crash of 83 was precipitated by a flood of very poor titles. That is not the case on any console as the games are fairly well vetted and poor games are the exception. The crash only really affected Atari and direct competitor, 83 was a time when the c64 and Vic20 were going great guns and selling millions.

The combination of outdated tech, cheap computers with better games and bad management destroyed Atari at a time when the market was still immature. There are no parallels in today's mature market. At worst the chaff will be culled which really has been happening for some time.

Very good read on all articles, especially the warning signs related to software and hardware sales.

However, there is nothing game companies can do about it, its simply down to the market. People just are not buying games in the numbers like they used to. The only games that sell more than ever are Call of Duty, FIFA and flash games (ios)

If we see a gaming crash I suspect it'll be in the "casual" scene. Too many developers seem to equate casual with poor games. Then their are all the cheap knock-offs/copies that are flooding the market. This isn't just in the retail space; how many very similar tower defence games are available for download on iOS/Android?

Between online passes, charged online play, $60 games, expensive dlc that contains content that used to come standard (costumes, cheats, etc...) and digital prices way too expensive, I wouldn't be surprised yo see it happen.

If it did happen it would probably be for the best.