CEO Yves Guillemot says new console cycle will be watershed moment for the industry; next-gen console installed base could double previous generation.

The upcoming console transition will be a “pivotal moment” for the game industry, according to Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. The executive laid out the importance of the new console transition today as part of an announcement of the publisher’s plans for next month’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.

“This is a pivotal moment for the video game industry, and E3 is the opportunity for us to share our vision for the future,” Guillemot said. “We have many incredible games in development, and we’re especially excited to share more on our next-gen titles, which will deliver more connected, immersive, and interactive experiences to our fans.”

Ubisoft also said that based on past market trends and its own internal estimates, within two years, next-generation consoles’ installed base could be double that of the previous generation over the same time period. The publisher said it is prepared to capitalize on this proliferation thanks to its “cross-studio collaboration structure.”

Microsoft is also bullish on next-generation console sales, predicting total lifetime sales could surpass 1 billion units.

The current generation of consoles have totaled around 250 million units, with the Wii leading the pack with 99 million systems, followed by the Xbox 360 at 77 million, and the PlayStation 3 at around 74 million.

Ubisoft titles on display at E3 2013 will include Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Rayman Legends, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, and Watch Dogs. The company also plans to announce new next-generation titles at the event.

Ubisoft’s E3 2013 briefing takes place Monday, June 10 at 3 p.m. PDT.

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