Summary
To me gaming is a new form of telecom content that is making its way into the cellular handset.
Analysis
Nintendo is facing enormous competition from Sony and Microsoft. Games have increased in technical complexity and storyline substance in the last 2 years. For someone who cut his teeth on Pong, then became obsessed with Asteroids and finally Pac Man, today’s games are an engineer’s dream come true. I am always impressed with today’s system interactivity, game complexity, and graphics.
Games have been on cellular devices for about 20 years. I recognize I am preaching to the choir. However, when devices like Nintendo’s DS are now being marketed directly to adults, you understand that one thing is happening: the original market Nintendo sold to is changing and getting older. Any weakness in Nintendo’s market share should be occurring and expected. Remember “nothing lasts forever”.
What is important is that Nintendo is changing hits marketing strategy.
As a telecom technologist I have said for years that cellular handsets were evolving into full blown information and entertainment devices. I now believe the wireless handsets need to evolve into full blown gaming devices. Consideration needs to be given to turning handsets into their own gaming platforms. Companies like Nintendo need to give this consideration. We already see gaming software companies moving into the cellular space.
However, to fully realize the potential for cellular based gaming, the telecom industry needs to integrate gaming device manufacturers into the development process.
