Ubisoft has discussed the viability and profitability of next-generation video game consoles, saying that online/social revenue possibilities would offset the escalating costs of new hardware.
Company CEO, Yves Guillemot, said in an investors call that the next round of console will present a "significant opportunity" for the France-based publisher and developer.
Mr Guillemot is confident of a "major boost" for the console market in the coming years, saying that future hardware will allow publishers to "bring the social revolution" to gamers.
He was pressed about the rising costs of hardware and game development, to which he replied that games for new hardware are only marginally dearer than games made in the proceeding generation.
Furthermore, while game development costs increase as projects get bigger, Mr Guillemot pressed that those increases would be offset by online and social revenue, as well as more free-to-play experiences.
As for 2013 and the forthcoming release of Nintendo's new console, Wii U, Mr Guillemot said that it would be a "turning point" for Ubisoft, with more titles for "core gamers".
The publisher is also planning to reveal an "announced major franchise" at E3, which will be released in the fiscal fourth quarter.
By Gaetano Prestia - Bio