More PS3, Xbox 360 studios to close in 2009?
We are currently in the full swing of the holiday season and sales for the video game sector looks stellar so far. Many predicted that with the economic downturn, the video game industry would not be immune as once thought to be.
According to Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian, the video game sector is on track towards a 20 percent growth for 2008. Although there have been signs of a slight slowdown, for the most part performance has been stable. Sebastian said, “Our latest channel checks indicate that video game sales overall remain stable through mid-December, consistent with historical industry performance through economic downturns.”
This analysis has come only after looking into the sales performance of video games during the holiday season. Originally near the beginning of the year, analysts predicted that sales would not see much growth this year due to the state of the economy. Despite signs of growth this year, many are now speculating that sales will become stagnant in 2009.
This year, we have already witnessed a plethora of studios that have shutdown, due to the economic downturn. Sebastian predicts that sales will drop down to single digit growth in 2009. Many analysts are already predicating that the worst is far from over and many companies may not come out of 2009 alive.
Publishers like Activision have already announced that they will make less hardcore games in 2009. Microsoft has also indicated that the company will focus more on scalable ventures (a la casual market) in 2009. It is probably the best policy to tighten the belt in 2009 and hope that the economy will improve.
If the economy does not turn itself around quickly, we could be in for a video game ice age during the next several years. If you are not a big fan of the Wii, it might be a good idea to get ready to be snuggly with it for a very long time.
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19 Responses to “More PS3, Xbox 360 studios to close in 2009?”
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December 26th, 2008
Merry Christmas, and happy holidays!
December 26th, 2008
sigh… see you in my dreams Ensemble… I will always remember the cheat codes… that super car in age of empires 2…
rest in peace my fwend… :’(
December 26th, 2008
Ensemble were awesome. Age of empires series were my favourite. Will be sadly missed.
On a lighter note, what (gaming related) presents did everyone get? For me i got a new Dualshock 3 controller and LBP. I’d ask for more but I’m off to Uni next year, so i need to spend money on clothes.
December 26th, 2008
Bourne, when you go Uni you should be spending that money on booze, not clothes…..
I got the DS3 earlier in the year and it feels too weak. DS2 defo had the better rumble.
I still can’t see many Sony owned studios getting closed; they need them open to get people on the PS3; and next years PS3 games from Sony studios look A-mazing.
So if you have a PS3, the news is good.
If you have a 360 or Wii however…
December 26th, 2008
the news is better
December 26th, 2008
ho ho ho
December 26th, 2008
Lol lock_down i meant BEFORE I go to Uni I need clothes, not while I’m there lmao, how random would that be?
December 26th, 2008
I got my first Dual Shock 3 for Christmas too (with a copy of PoP). I like the weight of it, feels more comfortable and substantial. Mostly got animation and cinema choreography books (I had asked for them though) and a few Blu Rays. And an electric shaver. And 2 metres of Jaffa Cakes.
What you going to do at Uni Bourne? I didn’t think I’d drink at Uni, but Fresher’s Fortnight ruined that plan.
The economic ‘turndown’ means very little down here in Cornwall, because we have such a shitty time with it anyway. House prices are high? Boo hoo, try buy one down here, the locals can’t.
December 26th, 2008
Hopefully going to Reading to study English language, but i have Portsmouth down as well. I wanna go into journalism ironically or writing in general. Did you go to Plymouth? I should’ve gone last year, but i’ve taken this year out to work.
December 26th, 2008
Hopefully going to Reading to study English language, but i have Portsmouth down as well. I wanna go into journalism ironically or writing in general. Did you go to Plymouth? I should’ve gone last year, but i’ve taken this year out to work.
December 26th, 2008
Plymouth was an option for me, but Falmouth (where I am now) was my first choice.
OooOoo, English Language and writing. You should start blogging then, great writing practice and now one of the best ways to gain exposure.
December 26th, 2008
wow bourne… youre a wee lad… hahahaha…
I didnt get anything for christmas
doesnt help the fact that Im not christian… still
next year… I ll get a 360… muahahahahaha…
December 26th, 2008
If Bourne is wee, then so be I.
You didn’t get anything because your not Christian? Neither am I though – wasn’t aware it was exclusive to them any more.
December 26th, 2008
didnt have much money to buy anything good… been playing warhammer though… awesome awesome game…
will buy LBP or WoW or R2… cant decide…
December 26th, 2008
World Of Warcraft? Out of LBP or R2…. Gotta say you should have both, but if I was going to choose which to get first… I’d say get LBP, unless you are short of fps shooters at the minute. The MGS level pack for LBP is pretty cool. Using the paintgun is fun.
Anyone played the MGS DLC? I reckon the future DLC for LBP has a lot of scope. Just adding a gun (there is a heap of other stuff too with the MGS DLC) really changes the game.
I want them to add liquid. I want to make a deep sea diving level with sharks and submarines.
December 27th, 2008
yeah WoW… played warhammer and I love MMos…
yeah ID get LBP… after watching that cute MGS dlc pack… sigh… they’re so cute I want to cut them to pieces… sigh…
December 27th, 2008
Wait, Xmas is a religious celebration?! Just joking, im Athiest, I’m apparently supposed to be catholic (Irish roots) But i still get presents. DWH I’m 18 not 10.
December 27th, 2008
Yeh it is apparently Bourne, who’d of thought it! Father Christmas died on the cross for the sins of Coca Cola or something like that.
December 27th, 2008
youre goin to hell bourne… santa claus is goan keeel you… I think I may buy World of warcraft tommorow as a christmas present…
Im apatheist… I just dont give a shit…
I KNOW!! LETS CREATE AN ONLINE PETITION!!!