With regard to COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus), there are more important issues to worry about. Apparently, death. To date, more than 3,300 people have died worldwide, compared to video game console delays which seem to be a minor annoyance.
But here, in a year when the gaming industry is crucial. This industry is passionate about eyewear, scale and craftsmanship. Make you believe that every day is a grand party with cardboard checks. Often see large events and exposure of expensive toys. Fans have a chance to be the first to buy $ 500 hardware, which is a privilege. We traveled the world and worshipped their corporate suits because they were going to pick up their clothes from the black box, and when tens of thousands of crying fans were flogged in front of the new gods, they echoed rumors about teraflops on the chaotic stage.
However, COVID-19 poured a large bucket of cold water on it. With the release of two new consoles, 2020 should become Party Central, a very strong year for the industry. Instead, we see the consumerism industry's obsession with reality, frustrated with things it has absolutely no control over.
If you haven't noticed, it has already started. All parties have been cancelled. GDC should provide an opportunity for the creative and business communities to meet, sell, shake hands, make friendships, and conclude deals. But this has been postponed, and it is impossible to happen this year. Large publishers are frightened and drop out, and Indian independents are upset. No one is shaking hands; at best, they can only be paranoid about what is under their nails like a porn star. The industry is in a shrinking mode.
The fans were also kicked out. The gate of the Taipei Games was closed by 320,000 spectators, crowd-dependent esports activities were being shifted or postponed, and even niche events like the Chinese Communist Party's EVE Fanfest were politely cut off this year. And it's only early March.
Even before the spread of the coronavirus in California, this year's E3 2020 looked less optimistic. Now that the annual event is in a state of emergency, another serious problem is piled on top of the already besieged show. The media, and even its own production partners, have refused to support it, and the doors are likely to fail to open in June. Entered the largest industry stage this year. The spotlight is off.
This is not just an impact on public events and spaces. The game was postponed and the hardware was postponed. As the coronavirus shut down factories and manufacturing processes, Valve's Index and Nintendo's Switch have already suffered. This is the hardware that has been put into production, already on the shelf and established the supply chain. So, about the new technology, the guts of those new game consoles for Xbox and PlayStation are currently in a semi-packaged state and have not yet been fully put into production? Both PS5 and Xbox Series X will be available before the end of this year, but due to production difficulties after coronavirus, we should not really expect them to be completed before the deadline. At this stage, I doubt whether Sony or Microsoft has a clear production model, nor do I doubt those companies that are doing hard manufacturing work. And, because the coronavirus is spreading so fast, we are unlikely to reach a peak disruption.
There is a saying that if people can't leave home, then home entertainment has a chance to flourish. But the market is collapsing, most likely to accelerate the upcoming recession. As the manufacturing industry is hit, even if there is only one new game console in 2020, will anyone have the money to buy it? It is best to postpone it in advance, hoping that if the shadow of the coronavirus disappears behind us, consumer confidence will be even higher in early 2021.
The positive point is that even without a new console this year, some incredible and powerful games will be released in 2020. From this month's "Animal Crossing and Destruction Eternity", April's "Final Fantasy 7: Remake" to June's "Ghost Horse", to the much-hyped Cyberpunk 2077 at the end of this year, Microsoft plans Push all its games to the Xbox One and the new SeriesX. It may be very prescient-even if the new Series X is delayed, it can still release Halo Infinite on old consoles.
The far-reaching effects of coronaviruses may be a catalyst for the industry's stubborn refusal. Moving expensive live broadcasts to the web makes business and fans more inclusive. When we already support existing formats very well, do not implement new formats. Maybe we just don't need the next big thing. Perhaps this industry needs a year of calm and reflection, to be humble and realize that it does not exist in a perpetual glory.
