Anybody outside the retail sector fans of the Christmas rush? You're not. We're not. And Microsoft may just be coming around to our way of thinking.
Speaking with trade site MCV, Microsoft Europe's David Gosen has questioned the gaming industry's reliance on selling games at Christmas time, saying:
We still have a very seasonally-focussed business. You only need look at last Christmas, when nearly 200 titles were released in the space of three or four weeks. There was that crazy week, third week of November.
The big brands reached the top and everything else was left by the wayside. It's becoming harder and harder to establish new IP in that environment. You have to ask if that's sustainable.
No, it's not, and he points to some sane, logical examples that prove his/our/your point: Grand Theft Auto IV & Resident Evil 5, both of which were released in the first half of the year and both of which have been big sellers Then there's Smash Bros Brawl, Wii Fit and Metal Gear Solid 4, all of which were also released well outside the holiday season and...well, you get the idea.