Xbox Microsoft boss Peter Moore has hinted at a change in strategy for Xbox 360 going into 2007, to compete with the mainstream appeal of Nintendo's fun-focused Wii.
"From a first-party point of view, it's not just about E-rated games, it's going to be about the experience that, quite frankly, Nintendo has done a tremendous job in capturing, in bringing back fun - if you will - to the gaming platforms", said Moore in an interview with Game Informer.
"But we've got a few tricks up our sleeve as well to be able to do that. It's not something that we're going to be shy about, and it's not something that we're not painfully aware of that needs to be changed by this holiday. That has been the strategy all along, and we'll be making some more announcements in the coming month or two."
Could Microsoft, the only company in the console war without a motion-sensing controller, be cooking up some sort of motion-controlled trickery?
It certainly could be, as Moore goes on to hint: "It's actually not games. It's more experiential than that. And again, since the day I saw Iwata-san pull the Nunchuk controller out from under his podium a few years ago at TGS, I've always realized that was the right thing for Nintendo ... to be successful in this next generation.
"And it was always going to be a challenge for us. So, we have plans. This does not come as a surprise. Our strategy has been laid out for us years in advance, and you're going to see some of that this next holiday and beyond."
So if it is a motion controller, Microsoft isn't ripping off Nintendo because the strategy was in place "years in advance"? But it could also mean that we'll be seeing more Viva Pinata-style family games from Microsoft Games Studios.
Moore also discussed the growing importance of downloadable games. "Digital distribution is coming. All three consoles have some form of it as you know. Xbox Live Arcade is, I think, the premiere way we're looking at digital distribution, which is, if you will, more snack-sized games rather than full downloads of multi-gigabyte gaming experiences."
I think it's a great idea for the 360, the console already has a huge amount of titles lined up for the older market (Shooters, Action/Adventure, driving etc.).
Adding more titles for a younger audience just makes perfect sense, guitar hero & Viva pinata are a good start, but with the Vision Camera being able to use motion control, you may as well use it.
I'm well up for this. Yes, it will be "ripping off" Nintendo, but I think we all knew that Nintendo were defining the future when the Wiimote was unveiled. Anything to make FPS and RTS games less clunky will be welcome. Anyone remember the rumours of a new FPS-centered controller?
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
If people didn't 'rip off' Pong, we wouldn't have a games industry. It's flattering to Nintendo if nothing else.
I've always thought about the weakness in Ninty's strategy. As the Wiimote is just a controller, anyone can implement their own version, and then bang - no more USP.
To be fair, Microsoft did come up with the tilt controller first, since it was in a decade old sidewinder But it was inevitable that if the Wii was successful, alot of its innovation would be copied, but that's the way the industry works, everyone copying off each other.
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
If people didn't 'rip off' Pong, we wouldn't have a games industry. It's flattering to Nintendo if nothing else.
I've always thought about the weakness in Ninty's strategy. As the Wiimote is just a controller, anyone can implement their own version, and then bang - no more USP.
I think it's a good thing. But for the next generation. Nintendo deserve to hoarde the success of their innovation this time around.
I'm sure they will have patented whatever they can. I'd imagine it would be very hard for MS to make something that takes advantage of motion control to the extent that the Wii does.
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
You mean like the Hard Drive they implemented along with LIVE and downloadable content now being copied by Sony and Nintendo?
Well Sony don't seem to have an original thought between them, and even Nintendo aren't above copying. I suppose the point I'm making is MS haven't really taken any risks this time around. The 360 is basically an incremental update with unimaginative improvments. Nintendo have taken a risk and it's paying off. For MS to come along NOW (like Sony have tried to do) and basically jump on the bandwagon would be pathetic and would show a lack of confidence in their own product.
In the next generation of consoles, sure, anything goes. But for this generation, Nintendo have walked the minefield and deserve to reap the rewards for emerging unscathed. Any sudden moves by MS to release motion control hardware should be treated with a great deal of cynicism (if that is even what they're doing - the article was pretty vague).
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
You mean like the Hard Drive they implemented along with LIVE and downloadable content now being copied by Sony and Nintendo?
No i think he means this (Bill Gates) "Oh look Sony are making a killing with the Playstation!!! Lets bring out our own console and call it something really cheesey like 'Xbox' and get even more money and screw the public even more!!!" or "WOW look at how many ipods are being sold! lets bring out our own Mp3 player just so i can have more money than god"
Yeah Xbox is cheesy & calling it a "Playstation" isn't cheesy at all or naming a console after a bodily function...
If people want to be picky you could say that others ripped MS sidewinder controller on PC as it had a tilt function long before Ninty or Sony released theirs?
I like the idea of more Fun family based titles on 360 though it needs a broader range of titles.
& at least if this "new" controller or innovation is a rip off as long as its done well & not tacked on *cough sixaxis* then it could be worth a shot with the right software supporting it.
This is evolution and is inevitable in any industry. If it's a good idea and works then the idea will evolve with other manufacturers. That's the way of the world.
What about when Mr Ford built his first car ? Everyone copied his steering wheel idea. Is every car manufacturer supposed to come up with a new control method just so they're not accused of copying ?
Regardless of the control mechanism consoles live and die by the software developed for them. Sony, Microsoft, whoever can copy any idea but if it's implemented badly it'll be their downfall.
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
AND the rest of them including Ninty but it would be nice if a company comes up with something original they and they alone make the profit from it.
But why dont they all make a console say call it MSN lol Micrsoft Sony Nintendo and say have it at areasonable price £250 with a game and a controller and a 5 year future so after every 5 years a new one comes out.
So have Ninty design it for gameplay, Microsoft do the online side, and Sony erm make the parts
So imagine a console that has Mario, Master Chief, GT on the one console.
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
AND the rest of them including Ninty but it would be nice if a company comes up with something original they and they alone make the profit from it.
But why dont they all make a console say call it MSN lol Micrsoft Sony Nintendo and say have it at areasonable price £250 with a game and a controller and a 5 year future so after every 5 years a new one comes out.
So have Ninty design it for gameplay, Microsoft do the online side, and Sony erm make the parts
So imagine a console that has Mario, Master Chief, GT on the one console.
We could only wish
I wonder what a ps3/360/wii would look like
what'd that be... a ... pee-es-six-twii?
Anywho, i'm pretty certain it won't be a motion sensitive thing. i just got me a feelin...
Well Sony don't seem to have an original thought between them, and even Nintendo aren't above copying. I suppose the point I'm making is MS haven't really taken any risks this time around. The 360 is basically an incremental update with unimaginative improvments. Nintendo have taken a risk and it's paying off. For MS to come along NOW (like Sony have tried to do) and basically jump on the bandwagon would be pathetic and would show a lack of confidence in their own product.
The original thoughts were eventually every gamer household would have either a 360 or a PS3 and a wii but if this is true then it will probably be more like this
...eventually every gamer household would have either a 360 or a wii and a PS3
"]The original thoughts were eventually every gamer household would have either a 360 or a PS3 and a wii but if this is true then it will probably be more like this
...eventually every gamer household would have either a 360 or a wii and a PS3
I plan on owning all 3, 360 (owned almost a year) wii as soon as i've payed for my holiday and then PS3 when there's some good exclusives out and the price is a bit cheaper
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
You mean like the Hard Drive they implemented along with LIVE and downloadable content now being copied by Sony and Nintendo?
actually nintendo was doing download content back in the days of the snes in japan, but then nintendo being so innovative they probably have a time machine and went back in time to steal the xbox's thunder
It wont be a remote and it wont work in the same way as nintendo's motion sensor as it will require nintendo to launch a Law Suit but im hoping that Microsoft are gonna do somthing new not just rip-off nintendo cos its afraid of Wii's success!
actually nintendo was doing download content back in the days of the snes in japan, but then nintendo being so innovative they probably have a time machine and went back in time to steal the xbox's thunder
i find that incredibly hard to beleive, for a start, how would you download content on to a cartidge based platform?
If something is successful, Mircrosoft will rip it off. It's inevitable.
You mean like the Hard Drive they implemented along with LIVE and downloadable content now being copied by Sony and Nintendo?
Well Sony don't seem to have an original thought between them, and even Nintendo aren't above copying. I suppose the point I'm making is MS haven't really taken any risks this time around. The 360 is basically an incremental update with unimaginative improvments. Nintendo have taken a risk and it's paying off. For MS to come along NOW (like Sony have tried to do) and basically jump on the bandwagon would be pathetic and would show a lack of confidence in their own product.
In the next generation of consoles, sure, anything goes. But for this generation, Nintendo have walked the minefield and deserve to reap the rewards for emerging unscathed. Any sudden moves by MS to release motion control hardware should be treated with a great deal of cynicism (if that is even what they're doing - the article was pretty vague).
Completely agree. Nintendo took the risk and did something new. And now that Microsoft have seen how popular the wii is, they want to have their own motion technology.
Whilst all companies copy ideas from each other, there's a difference between taking an idea from another company whilst the console is being developed and taking an idea from a company and using it after you've already released it.
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But it was inevitable that if the Wii was successful, alot of its innovation would be copied, but that's the way the industry works, everyone copying off each other.
