Video Game Console Industry

Paper Summary:

This paper describes and explains the video game console industry. It provides a brief history of the industry and sets out to examine what the drivers of the industry are, and what is the level of competition.

From the Paper:

"The video game console industry is a global industry, dominated by three major players - Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. The industry has a history of technological leaps, so consoles are currently in what is known as the seventh generation. Since the first launch of a seventh generation console in 2005 (the Xbox 360), over 64 million units of seventh generation consoles have been sold by the three leading manufacturers. As the industry moves towards an eighth generation (possible in 2010), it is worth examining what the drivers of the industry are, and what is the level of competition.
"There are several strategy-shaping business and economic characteristics of the console segment. These include the intensity of competition, the relationship between console manufacturers and game producers, and global economic health. The major business characteristic that shapes strategy is the competition, combined with the large size of the industry. The market is dominated by three global firms - Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. They are all locked into the same technology cycle, and the dawn of each cycle provides an opportunity for tremendous gains or losses in market share. The strategies of each of these firms are heavily influenced by the competition and the technology cycle."

Sample of Sources Used:

• No author. (2008). 2008: Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry. Entertainment Software Association. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2008.pdf
• Pham, Alex. (2008). Games for the Rest of Us. LA Times. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/21/business/fi-games21
• Mainelli, Tony & Aquino, Grace. (2001). Let the Games Console Wars Begin. PC World. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://www.pcworld.com/article/50330/let_the_game_console_wars_begin.html
• Eran, Daniel. (2006). The Next Generation Game Consoles. Roughly Drafted. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Q4.06/5B47C6B2-0191-4825-80C9-F6EBCA0E3B23.html
• Shaw, Anne. (2008). The Gaming Console War is Still Undecided, Wii to Take Lead. eFluxMedia. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_The_Gaming_Console_War_is_Still_Undecided_Wii_to_Take_Lead_14062.html

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