Ubisoft predicts Apple will become bigger player in gaming

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told investors during the company's full-year financial call today that Apple is set to be a bigger name in gaming and not because of iPhone, but in gaming hardware.

"There's also a new entrant in the business," he said. "[That entrant is] Apple, with the iPhone. And we don't think they will stop there."

It's worth noting that Guillemot's older brother, Michel, runs GameLoft, a huge player in the development of games for iPhone. So he may just know of what he speaks.

Elaborating on his April prediction of new handhelds and consoles, Guillemot spoke more about his thoughts on gaming hardware when prompted by an analyst's question.

"We will see more customers coming to the video game industry... They will start also to come under the boxes you see under the TV because those TV boxes will be more powerful... We will see more consoles on which we will be able to put products," he said.

"As for the next generation of consoles we can't give you a date but from what we see there is a lot of energy to improve the consoles [that are out now]. We are already working on some of the elements that will appeal in the next generation.

"You saw new interfaces with the Wiimote and also with the DS with the stylus. What we see for the future is they will also be big announcement in interfaces. It will not only happen in consoles but also happen on those TV boxes as well."

Thanks, Kotaku.