TUAW reports that EA’s CEO, John Riccitiello, said in a public presentation that:
EA: our fastest growing platform is the iPad
Console gaming marketshare has gone from 80% in 2000 to 40% today. The fastest growing gaming platform is, I think to no one’s surprise, the iPad according to Riccitiello.
And, it looks like house bound game consoles are not the only ones feeling the iPad’s gaming marketshare impact. Nintendo, who Gameboy and DS product lines ruled mobile gaming for years, dropped the price of its 3DS 3D gaming device from $249 to $169.
Nintendo 3DS price drops to $169.99, as great value and new 3D games come together
Nintendo does not give a reason for this price drop. But, you have to guess it has something to do with the popularity of gaming on phones and the iPad. Of course, it is not merely the cost of the 3DS that is an issue. While the least expensive iPad is $499, games for it tend to be in the 99 cen to $4.99 range. As I wrote back in March, the premiere games for the 3DS are in the $30 to $40 range. Buying a half dozen high-end games for the 3DS puts its total cost near the more general purpose iPad.
Nintendo 3DS Available in U.S.-Will $40 Game Prices Be Its Limiting Factor?
Nintendo is being pressed from all sides. Serious gamers will remain with the Xbox 360 and PS3 while casual gamers will use the smartphone or iPad they already carry.
Via Engadget: Nintendo posts earnings, drops 3DS from $249 to $169 August 12th, current owners get 20 free games
