The next generation of video-games consoles appears to present few opportunities to operators beyond driving plain broadband subscriptions, despite the central role internet connectivity will play for the devices. Indeed, the potential of the PS3 from Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Microsoft's Xbox 360 to play more than just games could partially undermine operators' own video, music and even telephony services. The current generation of video-games machines from Microsoft, Nintendo and SCE offer limited internet capabilities centred around gaming, which operators have sought to capitalise on largely by bundling their broadband services with the consoles and certain games. For the next generation, however, broadband connectivity will be as essential to gaming as 3D graphics, say the companies, as well as opening up an array of new revenue- generating features (see fig.).
展开▼
