It's impossible to predict how a year will turn out. That's particularly true in video games, where projects are often shrouded in secrecy until they're revealed at various trade shows throughout the year. There's a basic outline for how the year may play out, but in an industry where poor sales can immediately sink a developer, guessing basic narratives is almost impossible.
That being said, there are a few central chords that seem like inevitable hot button topics sure to emerge throughout the year. I'll slap on my sloppy soothsaying hat and see what comes of it.
The biggest story of this year is Nintendo's place in the console space. While their handheld continues to sell like gangbusters, the Wii U has been a colossal failure so far. Consumers continue to be baffled by what the product even is. Assuredly, most of the widespread market they captured with the Wii is unaware of its existence or assumes it to be a more expensive iteration of their current console.
Their advertisements thus far have mostly been showing off "Wii Sports." That's ridiculously hare-brained! No average consumer believes that is even a new product. Show off the additional functionality with the gamepad. Demonstrate how intuitive it is to interact with the two screen experience. Film a child switching his game from the television to his pad so his parents can watch CBS or something. I can't remember the last time such a promising product has been marketed so horrendously.
I'll stop rambling on about Nintendo though because they're still far from dire straits financially. It's simply frustrating to see them continue to rest on their laurels in the face of such obvious marketing failings. They have the finest console exclusives of 2014 in my opinion; let's hope they capitalize on it.
In other news, expect indie games to continue their rapid ascent this year. The most innovative portion of the industry right now has more influence than it ever has before. With Sony throwing their full weight behind indies, it's hard to imagine Microsoft and Nintendo continuing to be such dicks to these smaller developers.
Numerous reports have shown that both of these companies, particularly Nintendo, have completely floundered potentially prosperous relationships. It's one of the main reason I'm choosing PS4 over Xbox, and with the game market essentially becoming a divergent industry devoid of any prosperous middle tier titles, indies should become a larger player in the console space.
Our modern ideas of the console battle have centered around the trifecta of Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. I think rumblings about the Steam Box should surface even more this year. With the Ouya becoming more of a laughing stock than legitimate alternative, Valve's mysterious new creation might step in as the actual contender.
That being said, Valve hasn't revealed much information for their box, but the key sticking point will still be pricey. They've said there will be several variations on price and size, but convincing consumers that an external device separate from their already pricey computers will be tough sledding. Still, if Valve decides they want to make their titles exclusive on the console, their product will become immediately relevant in the market.
In terms of long delayed games, I'm going out on a limb and saying Rockstar's "Agent," announced back in 2007, will finally make an appearance this year. With no known games currently in development and the ridiculous sales of "Grand Theft Auto V," I'm guessing this is the year a new E3 trailer comes out. Of course, I fully expect to read this next year and feel like an idiot for thinking anywhere along these lines.
Well, that seems like enough probably incorrect predictions to tide me over until next year. The early part of a year is always my favorite as we usually haven't hit the inevitable backlash to the backlash that sure to brighten future columns this semester. For now, let's just enjoy the cockeyed optimism that can only come with the endless possibilities of a new year.
