Ubisoft CEO ready for new consoles

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot claims the relatively long lifespan of the current console generation has stifled creativity and made the industry risk-averse. "We have been penalized by the lack of new consoles on the market," Guillemot told Gamasutra. "I understand the manufacturers don't want them too often because it's expensive, but it's important for the entire industry to have new consoles because it helps creativity."

New console launches make it easier for publishers to release new IP, Guillemot said. "Our customers are very open to new things. Our customers are reopening their minds -- and they are really going after what's best." In contrast, toward the end of an established console generation, "... they want new stuff, but they don't buy new stuff as much. They know their friends will play Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed so they go for that. So the end of a cycle is very difficult."

Ubisoft's already got one new IP in mind for this year's Wii U: ZombiU, and one new game series based on established IP: Avengers: Battle for Earth. There are also lots of sequels, like Just Dance 4, Assassin's Creed 3 and Rayman Legends.