Many Train2Game students are waiting in anticipating to hear news of the next generation of games consoles, but EA’s John Riccitiello believes the traditional console cycle is over.

While speaking to investors, the EA CEO argued that the games industry has “fundamentally changed” in recent years.

“Most of us recognize that the industry has radically changed and the pace of change has accelerated dramatically,” he said “Gone forever is the four-to-five year console cadence that gave developers ample time to invest and retool for the next big wave.

“Consider that just 18 months ago, there was no iPad, Google was just experimenting with Android and most big games were limited to a single revenue opportunity at launch. Consider that each of the major consoles now has a controller that encourages users to get off the couch and get into the action.

“On smartphones and tablets like the iPhone and iPad, the top paid apps are all games. Recognize that the fastest-growing revenue streams for console, PC, smartphones and tablets are all digital, and that EA is partnering with its retail and platform partners to help jointly grow these digital revenue streams.

“While the game industry has fundamentally changed, games are reaching a far larger audience base than ever before.

The Train2Game blog has previously reported that EA are committed to digital games, with John Riccitiello stating at the start of the year that digital distribution is set to overtake traditional retail this year.

Last month, the Train2Game blog also reported that Riccitiello believes the future of the games industry is already here

Train2Game students will surely agree with the EA CEO in that the games industry has fundamentally changed in the last couple of years, but has the traditional console development cycle come to an end?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: MCV]