E3 2012: EA says E3’12 "is the opening act of next-gen cycle shift"

EA Labels president Frank Gibeau has said that E3 2012 is the first chapter in the next-gen story.

The sentiments precisely echo those published by MCV earlier this week, which itself was a reaction to the strongly negative response to this year’s platform holder presentations.

"It’s fairly natural, like with the PS2 to PS3 transition, and PSOne to PS2, that year before the big change,” Gibeau told CVG.” And the Wii U is really just the first opening act of the next-gen cycle shift.

"You’re only really getting half a show this year. You’re getting Wii U but you’re not getting the other half of the story so it’s a bit awkward.

"Within that context I think a lot of the third parties definitely stand out and command more of the spotlight because it’s a clear and more broad-based message."

And amidst rumours that many publishers have already begun showcasing their next-gen titles – specifically LucasArts’ Star Wars 1313 and Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs – Gibeau added that he "didn’t think it was the right time" to debut the company’s next-gen software slate this year.

"It’s better to show something of substance. Gamers are smart and they’ll figure out if what you’re showing is a pre-rendered movie, they’ll be able to diagnose and pick it apart.”