| 30th April 2004 - Long the sole territory
of Nintendo's Game Boy line, the handheld gaming
market has suddenly become crowded with competition,
reports In-Stat/MDR. However, the high-tech market
research firm finds that, with three new handheld
consoles coming to market, Nintendo is not intending
to rest on its laurels, offering new product lines
and accessories in an effort to maintain its hold
on this market. As a result, Nintendo will enjoy
continued success in the market segment that it
pioneered with both its Game Boy and its new DS
platform. While the Nokia N-Gage, Tapwave Zodiac
and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) focus on gaming,
they do offer other features, ranging from digital
audio players to Bluetooth capability to mobile
phone functionality that make them new types of
consumer convergence devices. |
 |
However, Nintendo is the most successful company in
the history of handheld games. While all three of these
new platforms have higher prices, and are targeting
an older demographic than the incumbent Game Boy platform,
none will be able to escape Nintendo's long shadow.
In-Stat/MDR has also found that:
- Sony will also be successful in this market as it
should be able to draw on its PlayStation experience
and substantial software library to succeed in the
handheld market. The PSP is scheduled to make its
debut in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2004.
- Nokia, though it may struggle at times, has initially
shown the resources and determination to succeed in
this market. Nokia will face substantial challenges
in establishing the platform and assuring the availability
of sufficient software to entice consumer interest.
- A start-up company founded by ex-Palm executives,
Tapwave may be the odd man out, as it has difficulty
competing with the heavyweights in this market. Tapwave
has the most difficult task of the three competitors
in establishing its platform. It is currently available
only on the web and does not have the deep pockets
of its competitors. As a result, it will be challenged
in attracting third-party publishers to develop game
software, the lifeblood of any game platform.
This Market Alert is drawn from the In-Stat/MDR report,
"Emerging
Handheld Game Platforms: It's Not Just Game Boy Anymore
", which includes in-depth analysis and forecasts
for the emerging handheld platforms, as well as for
Nintendo's platforms. Shipment and revenue forecasts
through 2008 are provided for the Nokia N-Gage, Sony
PSP, Tapwave Zodiac, Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP, next-generation
Nintendo Game Boy, and the Nintendo DS. Analysis of
mobile gaming markets are also provided. Results from
In-Stat/MDR's technology panel survey on emerging handheld
platforms are provided as well.
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