Hi guys! I'm writing a video game consoles market study for Business classes on my college, but can't find information on why new consoles are launched in cycles. I have my own ideas about that but would like to find sources to confirm or dismiss those ideas. Some info I'd like to know are: 1. Why is a console current life-span of about 4-5 years? Has it always been like that ? If not, why has it changed? 2. What are the reasons for console makers to usually launch consoles all at the same time? 3. What are the advantages and disadvantages, for both game developers and consumers, of this console cycle system? If anyone could help me, I'd be thankful. Carol

Probably the best article you can find on console from a competition point-of-view is this one:

Quote:

Gallagher, S. & Park, S.H., "Innovation and Competition in Standard-Based Industries: A Historical Analysis of the U.S. Home Video Game Market", IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, vol. 49,no. 1, pp. 67-82, 2002.

The articles touches all the points you mention and does a good job at explaining the competitive environment in the video game console market. You should be able to find it easily at your local university's engineering dept.

-cb