 Q&A: Matthew Grose
Nintendo GM, South Africa
Q: What do you think about Microsoft’s Kinetic?
A: It is an interesting technology, but I believe that the ease of use of the traditional controller still trumps that of gesture controls.
Q: You recently attended E3. What would you rate as the top technology/highlight at the expo?
A: I must admit that 3D was big at this year's E3 and so was the Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console. We had about 150 people every 20 minutes on the stand to experience the new device.
Q: Where is the gaming market going? Is it still console-oriented, or is the computer making a comeback? What about handheld devices?
A: The focus and growth, I believe, is squarely on handheld consoles, such as the DS, which is also still number one. South Africa has not as yet embraced mobile and handheld gaming as the US and European countries have and online gaming, due to our bandwidth issues, is limited.
Q: Mobile phones are becoming more and more powerful and capable. Will we, as a result, see a drop in handheld gaming devices and a surge in mobile phones as handheld device for gaming?
A: I don’t think cellphones will take over handheld gaming consoles. The games available for cellphones are not really for gamers and are simple games. I do think that the cellphone or mobile games are an introduction to gaming for the youth, which will spur them on to get a dedicated gaming device.
Q: Do you have any future predictions for trends in the gaming industry?
A: I believe the gaming industry will continue to grow and, in future, gaming will not only be for geeks. It will become a form of entertainment for the whole family, of various ages and both genders. |
