Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios has told Edge it is "pretty sure" that at least one new console from Microsoft or Sony will be on shelves in 2014.
Last week the developer announced that it was setting up a new studio in New York City, saying in a press release that the studio's first project would be a triple-A title "targeted for release on next-generation platforms in 2014." David Grijns, newly appointed managing director of Avalanche Studios New York, explained in an interview why the firm has cause to believe new platforms are less than three years away.
"We obviously talk to everybody, and everybody talks to us," he said. "We have some intelligence to go on that, by early 2014, we're pretty sure there'll be at least one next-generation console on the market.
"When we say 'next-gen' in the press release, it's really a reference to what we think the market will look like then," he added. "Anyone who says they know what the market is going to look like three years from now is just blowing smoke. Whatever happens, we feel very confident that we'll be ready for it."
Avalanche's proprietary engine means developing for new hardware would pose it few problems, but those expecting the developer of the visually arresting Just Cause 2 to use a new generation of hardware for graphical improvements may be disappointed: co-founder Christofer Sundberg has other priorities.
"I don't think the industry needs better-looking games: I think it needs better games," he said. "If there is a way to push the bar in a few years then that's fine, but the looks of games these days are so good that they don't need to look better.
"What is more interesting is the ways that developers and publishers can find new ways of designing games - and more interesting gameplay and distribution models - rather than better-looking games."
Our full interview with Grijns and Sundberg - in which they explain the decision to set up in New York, give their thoughts on Wii U and explain how Edge magazine brought them together in the first place - will be published later this week.
Comments
2I fint it interesting that Sundberg advocates new ways of designing gameplay without the traditional focus in graphics, yet (as of today) they focus on "next-gen"-games on Sony and Microsofts consoles. Do they know something we don't?
With this in mind, I'm looking forward to read how he feels about the Wii U.
I'm guessing that higher-higher-highest definition graphics aren't cost effective. Building better worlds and playsets (for want of a better word) are surely where developers need to go. Hopefully the new consoles wont just give Users something shiney and faster but a more developer friendly enviroment for these guys to create their games in.