In a guest editorial at . First, he argued that Sony and Microsoft must blow gamers away with the features and services of their next-generation platforms.

"I believe that console gaming is going to explode on the scene of consumer electronics with this next generation of consoles. Sony and Microsoft absolutely need to deliver new boxes that really impress us," Riccitiello said. "They need to deliver platforms that enable game experiences that are not possible on current consoles. It is not just about graphics, although it is partly about graphics. It is also about recognizing that a lot has changed with online devices and the cloud since the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were originally introduced."

Riccitiello then highlighted four scenarios he said Microsoft and Sony must avoid if their respective next-generation platforms are to succeed.

"The first and most obvious of these pitfalls is if Sony or Microsoft forgets who brought them to the dance in the first place: Gamers," Riccitiello said. I certainly see the temptation to emphasize all sorts of experiences that these boxes might bring to the living room. These new machines can do a lot. The risk is that either or both of the new platforms emphasize these 'value-add' experiences too much, both in the user interface on the consoles themselves, or in the story they tell consumers when they unleash their avalanche of advertising. To paraphrase a political slogan, it's about the games, stupid."

He further explained that the idea of "reinventing the living room" may sound like a "big and sexy" proposition that will read well in mainstream media, but said Microsoft and Sony should instead double down on games and on building game-focused user interfaces.

"The risk of complexity in the new console UI (User Interface) is real," he said. "Give us too much on the screen, and we'll never find our games. The risk is that too many choices and a UI design to appeal to too many audiences, means nothing stands out."

Another pitfall Riccitiello said he believes could bring down the PS4 and next Xbox is that of supply. He said that consumers today expect to be able to get what they want when they want it and if they can't, then sales could suffer.

"Past console launches have been severely hampered by a lack of supply. A new console launch with only a few million units available will simply frustrate all of us," Riccitiello said. "Limited supply means the new consoles will launch with a whimper and whine, not the cry of attack. If Sony and Microsoft want to see the next generation of consoles take high ground in the consumer electronics war this year, they are going to have to invest to make sure there are enough of the new consoles out there."

Riccitello's third potential pitfall is that of price. He claimed getting the price right will be "very important" to the prosperity of the PS4 and next Xbox.

"The stakes are enormous," he said.

The fourth and final potential problem for the PS4 and next Xbox, according to Riccitiello, has to do with what he described as third-rail topics, such as always-online requirements and DRM schemes.

"The question of the always-on connection is one that causes some gamers#146; blood to boil," he said. "Gamers will want, and learn to love, the good parts of consoles being more connected to our digital lives than was possible with the machines launched eight years ago."

"At launch, Sony and Microsoft must avoid putting up new and alarming DRM schemes, and focus on enabling the cool new game experiences that seamlessly connected consoles allow," he added.

Riccitiello . The Battlefield and FIFA publisher is currently reviewing internal and external candidates for his replacement, though a successor has not yet been named.

From: www.gamespot.com

"We have no games in development for the Wii U currently," company spokesperson Jeff Brown said, noting that this could change in the future.

As Kotaku points out, during Nintendo's 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo media briefing, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata welcomed then-EA CEO John Riccitiello to speak, where he talked up the console.

"What Nintendo's new console delivers speaks directly to the players of EA Sports and EA Games," Riccitiello said at the time. "Nintendo's new console will produce brilliant high-definition graphics and new gameplay opportunities. We look forward to seeing great EA content on this new platform."

EA launched several titles for the Wii U early during the platform's life cycle, including Mass Effect 3, Need for Speed Most Wanted, and new installments in the Madden and FIFA franchises. Brown told Kotaku that these offerings were indicative of EA making good on its E3 2011 partnership.

The original Wii saw steady support from EA, as the publisher launched 78 total titles for the platform, according to the games for the Wii U.

The Wii U has .

Nintendo plans to spark system sales by launching key first-party titles on a more regular basis moving forward, beginning with in August. The company also aims to reduce manufacturing costs to make the Wii U profitable.

From: www.gamespot.com

The exact number of cuts was not divulged, though The Journal said it understands the figure is under 20. A spokesperson for IDA Ireland, the group responsible for attracting foreign investment in the country, told the publication it "has a longstanding relationship with EA--the company continues to employ significant numbers in the Galway area."

EA's customer support center in Galway , when EA said the facility would also provide multilingual support and services for its major games.

EA's Galway outfit is just one of the company's studios to be hit with layoffs of late. Last Thursday, the publisher reports this figure includes 60 to 70 permanent employees and over 100 contract workers, mostly quality assurance testers.

Layoff news at EA comes a month after former CEO John Riccitiello admitted that EA would miss its financial projections for the full-year ended March 31.

"This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability," Riccitiello said in his last month. "The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I'm extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA's shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss."

From: www.gamespot.com

The exact number of cuts was not divulged, though The Journal said it understands the figure is under 20. A spokesperson for IDA Ireland, the group responsible for attracting foreign investment in the country, told the publication it "has a longstanding relationship with EA--the company continues to employ significant numbers in the Galway area."

EA's customer support center in Galway , when EA said the facility would also provide multilingual support and services for its major games.

EA's Galway outfit is just one of the company's studios to be hit with layoffs of late. Last Thursday, the publisher reports this figure includes 60 to 70 permanent employees and over 100 contract workers, mostly quality assurance testers.

Layoff news at EA comes a month after former CEO John Riccitiello admitted that EA would miss its financial projections for the full-year ended March 31.

"This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability," Riccitiello said in his last month. "The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I'm extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA's shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss."

From: www.gamespot.com

The exact number of cuts was not divulged, though The Journal said it understands the figure is under 20. A spokesperson for IDA Ireland--the group responsible for attracting foreign investment in the country--told the publication it "has a longstanding relationship with EA--the company continues to employ significant numbers in the Galway area."

EA's customer support center in Galway , when EA said the facility would also provide multilingual support and services for its major games.

EA's Galway outfit is just one of the company's studios to be hit with layoffs of late. Last Thursday, the publisher reports this figure includes 60-70 permanent employees and over 100 contract workers, mostly quality assurance testers.

Layoff news at EA comes a month after former CEO John Riccitiello admitted that EA would miss its financial projections for the full-year ended March 31.

"This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability," Riccitiello said in his last month. "The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I#146;m extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA#146;s shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss."

From: www.gamespot.com

"EA is sharpening its focus to provide games for new platforms and mobile. In some cases, this involves reducing team sizes as we evolve into a more efficient organization," EA senior director of corporate communications told GameSpot today in a statement.

Reseburg declined to say which specific EA teams were impacted by today's cuts.

"These are difficult decisions to let go of good people who have made important contributions to EA, and whenever possible we retrain or relocate employees to new roles," he added. "Streamlining our operations will help ensure EA is bringing the best next-generation games to players around the world."

Today's layoffs come a month after former CEO John Riccitiello admitted that EA would miss its financial projections for the full-year ended March 31.

"This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability," Riccitiello said in his last month. "The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I#146;m extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA#146;s shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss."

From: www.gamespot.com

"EA is sharpening its focus to provide games for new platforms and mobile. In some cases, this involves reducing team sizes as we evolve into a more efficient organization," EA senior director of corporate communications told GameSpot today in a statement.

Reseburg declined to say which specific EA teams were impacted by today's cuts.

"These are difficult decisions to let go of good people who have made important contributions to EA, and whenever possible we retrain or relocate employees to new roles," he added. "Streamlining our operations will help ensure EA is bringing the best next-generation games to players around the world."

Today's layoffs come a month after former CEO John Riccitiello admitted that EA would miss its financial projections for the full-year ended March 31.

"This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability," Riccitiello said in his last month. "The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I#146;m extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA#146;s shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss."

From: www.gamespot.com