"Drowning in the Blue Ocean" 

 http://www.infendo.com/industry/drowning-in-the-blue-ocean-guest-article-by-sean-malstrom/#more-3573

The first new article in months from the best videogame journo out there, Sean Malstrom. The man who predicted the current state of affairs in the home console market (something no analyst did--none-- http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=16280 ), and spelled out exactly why with a complete 35 year analysis of the videogame industry at the Wiikly ( http://thewiikly.zogdog.com/index.php ), in this article explains why the console warriors, mainstream journos and analysts are STILL wrong (by debunking their inaccurate understanding of "the blue ocean"), and more importantly, presents a thesis on what truly constitutes a "generation."

Worth a read for anyone interested in the history and future of the games industry.

One interesting reference in the article that was so funny I have to mention it here: 

“Nintendo Revolution to be console winner this generation” –Gamespot’s 2006 April Fool’s Joke.

I didn't believe this until I looked it up in Gamespot archives...
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146958.html?tag=result;title;0

Can Gamespot sink any lower? They make jokes that backfire. The irony is that they wrote in the article everything they found ridiculous or impossible at the time and that is a like a analysis of all the factors that made the "Revolution" so successful.

Sean Malstrom deserve some kind of medal, especially for teling that us that the whole console wars discussion is some kind of "retarded rodeo".

http://thewiikly.zogdog.com/article.php?article=51&ed=5

Erik,

Thanks for the heads up on this bro.

I'm glad to hear that Sean Malstrom is still vocal about some things. I hope he remains that way too, especially if he is on the mark this well! 

Does my man have a job in the business?! If not, one of these hack-online gamer magazines really needs to add him the to payroll. 

What a cool quote:

"There are only two explanations as to why the analysts and commentators, the jesters of the industry, keep marching on two dumb feet of clay. "

Made my day :) 

It's really a great article. I know that some (most?) of those who frequent the Internet see anything longer than a paragraph and refuse to read it, but this is well worth your time. Although there's plenty of room to disagree with Malstrom, this should be required reading for anyone with a serious interest in the video game market.

This is the best summary of the seventh generation that will ever be written:

When people play for the first time the Wii versus the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, the difference in reactions is remarkable. After swinging the racket in Wii Sports, they are often amazed. The Wii was creating feelings they never got from games before. Many decided, “I must have this immediately! It is so much fun!” Meanwhile, with the HD consoles, if interested the reaction is more like, “Meh. I will wait.” Analysts have misinterpreted that response of “Meh. I will wait” to mean that once price cuts and a better game library come out the HD consoles will explode in popularity. What it really means is “This is not fresh”. The proof of this comes that the Playstation 2 still outsells the HD consoles in all markets.

1-I've surprised if Wii surpass the 21millions Gamecube solds...

2-If Wii is a tremend succes it SHOULD be ruins the videogame japanese industry, in the 80' they might allow whit consoles such NES meanwhile the japanese arcade operators are developing 2D games new capabilities. Imagine that PS3 is out in Japan and all japane industry developing only for Wii.

Great to see Sean Malstrom is back. Unfortunately for me he is basically saying everything I was saying so he's not quite new or fresh to me. Well except for his navy to video game analysis. The video game part wasn't off, it was his understanding of naval history that was a bit off. It's forgiveable since he's a video game writer and not too serious since the basic video game points were spot on. Anyways, still a good read.

Thanks for the link, that was a superb read and I've missed Maelstrom!

This guy is definitely 'the boss' when it comes to industry analysis. He comes with a Nintendo slant but he really is the most intelligent, informed, business savvy and passionate analysist out there.

Hopefully this will see a series of articles now.

Great reading.
Thanks for the link.