GameStop expects only one new console launch in 2013

September 5th, 2012, 01:16 Posted By: wraggster

The boss of global games retailer GameStop doesn’t believe that both the Xbox 720 and PS4 will launch in 2013.
"The Wii U, we expect it at holiday," CEO Paul Raines toldPolygon. "This week, I'm getting a lot of rumours that are very interesting about 2013.
“We have not been expecting two more consoles in 2013. We're expecting Wii U this holiday, another one next year, and another one in '14. These rumours change every week, but we're hearing more about next year.”
Of course, it should be reiterated that no one knows precisely when the next-gen machines will arrive.
What we do know is that Xbox 720 is further along the production line than PS4. However, we also know that elements within the Sony hierarchy are determined not to allow the Next Xbox to enjoy the same sort of head start on the market that 360 had over PS3.
MCV is of the understanding that both companies plan to launch their new hardware by the end of 2013. But, as we’ve learned, plans are always subject to change.
Raines also claimed that his company has a direct line with platform holders and is actively advising them on how best to deal with the current generation of machines which, in light of their impending successors, should in theory be in line for a price drop.
"We're constantly in dialog with them, we're certainly going to offer opinions about what we think is the right thing to do," executive marketing VP Mike Hogan added.
"We're not opposed to price cuts. There's a point in time where you'd look at a console and say, 'We support the idea of you taking a price cut, because we'll sell a lot more units.' You have to look at the whole thing as an ecosystem. You might be selling the console for less money, but you're putting it in the hands of more people, and will sell more games. I would say actually, our interests are pretty well aligned with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo when it comes to that.
"The main thing is just communication. What we want to know is when it's going to happen and let people know so they can get the right value. Obviously the person who may have paid full price two weeks ago doesn't feel good if the price cut comes right after."
Of course, don’t forget that Sony currently plans to launch a second revision of its PS3 console before Christmas that will retail for less than the current machine.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/games...n-2013/0102290

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