Video games in 2014: 5 key questions15 games to look at in 2014

Video games in 2014: 5 key questions15 games to look at in 2014

The launches of Sony's PlayStation four and Microsoft's Xbox One last year have generated contemporary buzz for the computer game business. thus what experiences will computer game players expect in 2014? Here square measure fifteen games to look at.Although last year marked the arrival of 2 new computer game consoles, 2014 may prove a lot of exciting.

This year marks the primary year players can see a full slate of video games for the industry's latest devices: Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation four. there is conjointly Nintendo's Wii U, that continues to struggle coming into its second year however might get a lift from many key video games incoming in 2014.

So, what will computer game players expect in 2014? however can the newest wave of consoles fare currently that they've launched? Here square measure 5 queries that bit on key problems which will doubtless dominate the computer game business this year:

1. will the PS4 and Xbox One maintain momentum?

Both computer game consoles square measure off to sturdy starts since launching in November. Through 2013, Sony has sold  four.2 million PS4s worldwide, whereas Microsoft according international Xbox One sales of three million.

The combined seven.2 million consoles sold  screw-topped analyst forecasts of half dozen million.

"They've exceeded everyone's expectations in terms of the number of demand that actually existed for these next generation computer game consoles," says Jesse Divnich, analyst with Electronic diversion style and analysis (EEDAR).

But the important check starts currently, as each consoles move off from the initial packaging close their launches and get to draw in a lot of computer game players still sitting on the fence.

"While seven million may be a pretty respectable variety for the console business, it's tiny compared to the kind of sales Microsoft or Sony might expect over the lifetime of that product," says Gartner analyst Brian Blau.

2. World Health Organization has the advantage heading into 2014?

By numbers, it's Sony, with a 1.2 million come near console sales.

The big reasons for Sony's success embody targeting core computer game players, Associate in Nursing audience possibly to rush to stores and get new hardware on day one, says Geoff Keighley, host and government producer of Spike show GameTrailers TV.

Also serving to PS4 is that the $399 value. "The PS4 is $100 cheaper, and Xbox did not do a awfully sensible job at showing an additional $100 in price with the Kinect for Xbox One," says Keighley.

Earlier this month, Sony stoked even a lot of interest in PS4 with the announcement of PlayStation currently, a streaming game service that gives access to older PlayStation games. Players will either rent individual games or sign in for a Netflix-style subscription for larger access.

"What the currently service will is produce a extremely sturdy differentiating service that's reaching to be troublesome for Microsoft to stay up with," says Divnich.

3. however will the Xbox One catch up?

The Xbox One was the top-selling console within the U.S. in December, with Microsoft mercantilism 908,000 devices. However, the PS4 remains before once scrutiny each consoles' two-month launch windows, says NPD analyst Liam Callahan.

Microsoft has positioned Xbox One as a lot of of Associate in Nursing all-in-one diversion device, combining newest video games with distinctive diversion experiences like increased voice controls and an oversized choice of apps from the NFL, Verizon FiOS and Netflix.

Now it is time for Microsoft to point out however impactful the Xbox One expertise may be for shoppers, says Blau. "They've been promoting the Xbox One as a true game amendmentr in terms of however shoppers square measure reaching to change their TV viewing habits," he says. "If they cannot live up thereto, if they cannot get their developers to satisfy those expectations, then i feel they will do fine, however this may not be a runaway success."

Exclusive video games ought to facilitate the Xbox One further, beginning in March with the arrival of the highly-anticipated shooter Titanfall from Respawn diversion, based by a number of the event team that helped produce the juggernaut decision of Duty.

"It's the primary huge exclusive game for any next-gen system which will move the sales needle," says Keighley.

4. Is it game over for the Wii U?

Unfortunately, the dangerous news worsens each passing week. Last month, Nintendo slashed twelvemonth forecasts for Wii U sales from nine million to two.8 million.

Then, last week, Nintendo according a half-hour drop by net profit, selling 1.95 million Wii U consoles worldwide between Oct and December. Senior Nintendo execs have gone as so much as cutting their salaries for 5 months to catch up on the Wii U's struggles.

The company is hoping the Wii U can follow the trail of the 3DS, that started off slowly before memorizing momentum following a price cutting and inflow of latest games.

Last Sept, Nintendo cut the value of the Wii U in North America, followed by the December launch of Super Mario 3D World. Anticipated titles like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. can build their debuts in 2014.

But it would not be enough. "Nintendo must do one thing unquiet," says Keighley. "If not, it's reaching to still struggle within the home console house this year."

Baird analyst Colin Sebastian predicts Nintendo might launch a "refreshed" Wii U console that gets eliminate the device's GamePad pill controller.

The device combines a standard computer game controller with an oversized touchpad within the middle, however Wedbush financial analyst archangel Pachter says the controller has did not capture consumers' interests. "The Gamepad is cumbersome and folks don't love it," he says.

Originally, Nintendo marketed the Wii U as a tool for all players, together with hard-core players with games like Batman: Arkham town and decision of Duty. over a year later, expect the Wii U to court a lot of families, says Divnich.

"I assume they've understood that {they will't|they can not|they cannot} fulfill an equivalent form of expertise that you just can get on a PlayStation four or Xbox One."

5. What video games can generate the foremost buzz?

The beauty of a shift in console generations is that it usually trigger off a wave of bran-new franchises. 2 especially stand out among the 2014 crowd.

First is that the same Titanfall, that boasts fast action on foot and aboard huge mechanized assault vehicles.

The second game, Destiny, spawns from a multi-year deal between Activision and Halo creators Bungie. it is a shared-world shooter wherever players complete variable styles of missions -- cooperative and competitive battles, for example -- seamlessly while not having to prevent the sport and switch between game modes as is often needed.

Both parties have lots of expertise within the blockbuster business. The launch of Activision's decision of Duty has changed into Associate in Nursing annual event, whereas Halo helped build the Xbox name common.