Another industry exec predicts the death of the console

Ngmoco’s Ben Cousins has become the latest high-profile games exec to predict the death of the console.

Gamasutra reports that speaking at GDC Taipai the former EA, Sony and Lionhead, Cousins stated: "There’s a potential for mobile gaming to kill console gaming. I’m talking about a significant reduction of market share with no chance of return.

"I believe that sometime during the next console generation, globally, both the revenue and the market share for games will be larger in mobile than it is for console.

I believe Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo won’t produce dedicated hardware past the next generation. Further, I believe traditional game companies like EA will be purchased by existing digital companies, or close entirely."

Cousins believes that the decline seen in other dedicated hardware sectors – such as camcorders, GPS devices and MP3 players – is evidence of his belief. And that consoles will be next.

"I believe consoles will be the next hardware to have a major reduction."