MARCH 6, 2013 • Technology is an inherently disruptive undertaking. At the very least that disruption is relentlessly incremental, and at most, seriously transformative. The iPhone, for example, made its debut back in 2007, elevated smartphones up to a must-have status with consumers, and as a result, permitted Apple to muscle itself into the games business.
Looking forward, DFC thought it would be useful to take a hard look at the major players in the games industry and determine the strengths and weaknesses of each company. While divining which firm will deliver the next disruptive product is far more speculative than we feel comfortable in attempting, everyone can benefit from a better understanding of what challenges and assets each of these consumer electronics companies brings to the table.
Business Strength Analysis
In the graphic below we rate each of the major firms in the business in the following categories:
Hardware – How good they are at developing exclusive hardware
Software/Services – How good they are at developing exclusive entertainment software and how strong is their proprietary entertainment content and services
Physical Wholesale Distribution Capabilities – How good they are at getting product to physical retail channels
Control of Online Network – How well do they control the digital services delivered to consumers
Financial Strength – How much room they have to expand/take risks versus the competition
Cross Platform Reach – How good they are across multiple platforms including mobile, PC and television
International Reach – The ability to reach all core markets as well as emerging markets
Brand Strength – How strong is their current brand
Position in Mobile – How strong they are at delivering products and services to mobile devices
Position in PC – How strong they are at delivering products and services to the PC
Position in Living Room – How strong they are in the living room
Strength & Weakness Analysis By Company
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