Support NeoGAF

[Uno Venova]

I love how gamers treat consoles like a faucet that should always be flowing with new games to be worth having.

Honestly it's insulting they feel this way about consoles they bought.

But what are those studios actually doing? Are they preparing for the 720 or are they just pumping out Kinect shovelware?

We've seen an unprecendented target audience shift from MS and it will be very interesting to see how it works for them next gen.

Yeah it's nice to see them building a portfolio, but as you said it doesn't mean much to us until we can see what they are actually putting out.

 

[Pakkidis]

Strategically it makes sense. The current generation of consoles are coming to an end and gamers tend to buy less games because they are saving up for next generation so a shift in focus makes sense.

From an E3 standpoint it is a disaster. E3 is and has always been about games, and if you go in without many games to show well..... remember last year

 

[corporate cheerleader]

I love how gamers treat consoles like a faucet that should always be flowing with new games to be worth having.

Yeah, fucking imbeciles buying games. Sheeeit.

*uses PS3 as a foot stool*

 

[Sentenza]

It's a bad idea imo, because E3 is about games.

No, it's not. And that's why I don't care much about it.
GamesCom is about games.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Yeah, fucking imbeciles buying games. Sheeeit.

*uses PS3 as a foot stool*

PS3 has many of the same games the 360 does plus an extensive exclusive library. If you didn't want PS3 games you didn't want the PS3.

 

[KageMaru]

I didn't game on consoles much before this gen, so I don't really care what they did in years past, but I like their plan now. They invest in studios to make games I like. The better question is why are there not more pissed off 360 owners, the same ones that loved the 2007 meme "ps3 has no games".

lol could you sound any more bitter?

I think people aren't pissed because they will have plenty to play on their 360. So what's there to be pissed about?

If Nintendo told Pachter such a statement, he wouldn't waste a minute stringing them up by the neck, and declaring, "DOOMED!"

Oh please....

 

[mj1108]

If it keeps going in this direction, I can see the XBox 720 now:

"With the XBox 720 you can watch Netflix, Hulu, video conference with Kinect, post on Facebook, Twitter and many other social network sites! Oh yeah, it'll even play games too."

It sure sounds like games are becoming an afterthought almost...

 

[corporate cheerleader]

PS3 has many of the same games the 360 does. If you didn't want PS3 games you didn't want the PS3.

Dude I'm agreeing with you. You just lose money when you're buying games.

 

[ElNino]

I didn't game on consoles much before this gen, so I don't really care what they did in years past, but I like their plan now. They invest in studios to make games I like. The better question is why are there not more pissed off 360 owners, the same ones that loved the 2007 meme "ps3 has no games".

Because the 360 still has more games than I have time to even think of playing... even if you don't use Kinect (I do though).

I like my PS3 (and Wii) as well, but the 360 has always (and still does) have more games that I am interested in buying and playing. In fact, I currently have more games for my Vita than I do PS3 and I don't really see that changing based on games coming out this year.

 

[sleepykyo]

1.) This is a good idea because this late in the generation, they aren't likely to attract many new hardware buyers (who weren't going to buy the system anyway) with new games, as they already have content for the vast majority of target demographics that their device is applicable to. As such, trying to sell the system as a set top box is their best option to increase sales, and also gives the Xbox 360 a renewed purpose after the Xbox 3 comes out and most of the major games start migrating off of it. Since the Xbox 360 has such a strong line up of game support even with a relatively small amount of first party titles, there is no fear of the brand not being strongly associated with playing video games in addition to being a great multimedia device.

2.) This is a bad idea because there are still untapped demographics such as (insert example here) that they could very feasibly attract to the Xbox 360 with the right content. Also, demand for set top boxes is more limited than focusing on these new demographics, and ultimately, they want people to associate the Xbox brand with games as they have to try and sell a new Xbox primarily as a games console starting at the end of 2013. If people view the Xbox brand as a multimedia brand instead, they may be more inclined to buy one of the competing systems they associate more with having a robust selection of games.

I'm going to go with 1. The 360 has always been the gaming console in the US and nothing will change that. Might as well take the Roku/iTV crowd now.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

They want to create a Netflix/movie box. Which lets them expand the market.

They always wanted a set top box in every home. That's been their stated goal since the original xbox. It's progressing well, but they can't throw the people that got them their success under the bus and marginalize them with the assumption that they'll stick around no matter what.

E3 is all about the heavy hitting games. No one that pays attention to E3 gives a shit about new movies or a new 15$/month subscription model. The vast majority of people that buy an xbox get it for games. Microsoft shouldn't ever ever forget or forsake that fact.

 

[Sentenza]

Because the 360 still has more games than I have time to even think of playing... even if you don't use Kinect (I do though).

Which is probably true for any platform even existed.
The actual question is: "how many of these games are worthy purchases?".
Or even killer applications?

I can look at any modern console at the moment and I can spot at least five games i would buy for it.
I have a hard time doing the same thing for a 360.
Almost everything it offers is available on PC (which I own), on PS3 (which i don't) or totally unappealing to me (Gears of War? Ewww).

 

[Ramblin]

E3 can't come soon enough.

 

[J-Rzez]

If you don't like this plan, then don't buy the next-box at launch, or until they start buying up devs, focusing on games that you want. Only way they'll listen. It's evident MS knows for a fact that they'll get all their "core" userbase regardless if they have games or not, since many are that loyal to them.

This is why I'll buy the PS4, as Sony is as of now, still focusing on games.

I have a feeling PC gaming is going to get a boost via next gen if say MS goes the services route, especially if you're not that into Sony 1st party. This coming from a majority PC gamer these days.

 

[Slappers Only]

As long as they serve some good games, that's cool.

 

[MrGreencastle]

If you don't like this plan, then don't buy the next-box at launch, or until they start buying up devs, focusing on games that you want. Only way they'll listen. It's evident MS knows for a fact that they'll get all their "core" userbase regardless if they have games or not, since many are that loyal to them.

This is why I'll buy the PS4, as Sony is as of now, still focusing on games.

I have a feeling PC gaming is going to get a boost via next gen if say MS goes the services route, especially if you're not that into Sony 1st party. This coming from a majority PC gamer these days.

Aren't they re-launching all the Xbox-branded services on PC with Windows 8? I've also read that it's quite easy to port a 360 game over to 8, too.

That could be interesting.

 

[TheOddOne]

If you don't like this plan, then don't buy the next-box at launch, or until they start buying up devs, focusing on games that you want. Only way they'll listen. It's evident MS knows for a fact that they'll get all their "core" userbase regardless if they have games or not, since many are that loyal to them.

This is why I'll buy the PS4, as Sony is as of now, still focusing on games.

I have a feeling PC gaming is going to get a boost via next gen if say MS goes the services route, especially if you're not that into Sony 1st party. This coming from a majority PC gamer these days.

This sounds more bitter then it should.

People still act that game development has stopped completely, what are the people that like Halo, Forza or even Gears? Loyalist or gamers? Same logic could be applied to your stance on only buying the PS4.

 

[venne]

If you don't like this plan, then don't buy the next-box at launch, or until they start buying up devs, focusing on games that you want. Only way they'll listen. It's evident MS knows for a fact that they'll get all their "core" userbase regardless if they have games or not, since many are that loyal to them.

This is why I'll buy the PS4, as Sony is as of now, still focusing on games.

I have a feeling PC gaming is going to get a boost via next gen if say MS goes the services route, especially if you're not that into Sony 1st party. This coming from a majority PC gamer these days.

PC gaming is the pinnacle of a platform where gaming isn't the primary focus.

 

[elcranky]

They always wanted a set top box in every home. That's been their stated goal since the original xbox. It's progressing well, but they can't throw the people that got them their success under the bus and marginalize them with the assumption that they'll stick around no matter what.

E3 is all about the heavy hitting games. No one that pays attention to E3 gives a shit about new movies or a new 15$/month subscription model. The vast majority of people that buy an xbox get it for games. Microsoft shouldn't ever ever forget or forsake that fact.

This is where everyone misses the mark. New movies and subscription models are EXACTLY the type of thing that people that pay attention to E3 care about. Those people are your CNNs, USA today, Time, etc. The point of E3 is to generate buzz about your product or platform. For the platform holders that is general media outlets. For the EAs and Activisions it is general media and enthusiast media. For smaller pubs and developers it is Enthusiast media. People should judge the success of an E3 showing based on the target audience, not their fanboy fantasies.

 

[NullPointer]

Just wanted to repeat this post because I honestly believe it cuts to the crux of the issue:

Would anybody here honestly suggest an Xbox over the alternatives, to their friends, family and acquaintances who aren't looking first and foremost for multiplayer gaming?

I mean, honestly, why would anybody recommend an Xbox?

 

[venne]

Just wanted to repeat this post because I honestly believe it cuts to the crux of the issue:

I mean, honestly, why would anybody recommend an Xbox?

Kinect is what my friends and family like best about the Xbox.

It's great for the iOSed masses.

 

[fluffydelusions]

I have a feeling PC gaming is going to get a boost via next gen if say MS goes the services route, especially if you're not that into Sony 1st party. This coming from a majority PC gamer these days.

Well you also have to remember XBox Live will be integrated into Windows 8 so there is also that. I just wonder to what extent. Would be really awesome if we can get some XBL arcade games on PC through the service. They usually end up coming to Steam but not till much later. Would be nice to get them day 1.

 

[NullPointer]

Kinect is what my friends and family like best about the Xbox.

It's great for the iOSed masses.

So if somebody had neither apple hardware or a console were to ask you the best device to get for media/entertainment and apps you'd recommend an Xbox? I can't fathom it, especially with a Gold fee needed for the main media apps.

 

[venne]

So if somebody had neither apple hardware or a console were to ask you the best device to get for media/entertainment and apps you'd recommend an Xbox? I can't fathom it, especially with a Gold fee needed for the main media apps.

You asked for a reason to recommend an Xbox other than multiplayer.

Kinect is a good reason.

 

[RedNumberFive]

So if somebody had neither apple hardware or a console were to ask you the best device to get for media/entertainment and apps you'd recommend an Xbox? I can't fathom it, especially with a Gold fee needed for the main media apps.

Agreed. My wife gets confused enough with the current 360 interface. I couldn't imagine my mother trying to navigate it. The Apple TV is clear and concise, with content and functionality first. Apple's offering seems built with users in mind, while Microsoft's seems to focus on the wants of advertisers.

 

[NullPointer]

You asked for a reason to recommend an Xbox.

Kinect is a good reason.

No, read the question again. I actually asked if you would recommend one to non-gaming friends, family or acquaintances over the competition. I don't know of anybody who would.

 

[Neko Mimi Mode]

You asked for a reason to recommend an Xbox other than multiplayer.

Kinect is a good reason.

Throw in superior multiplatform gaming, XBLA titles and it's popular exclusive franchises too.

For non-gaming, yeah I dunno why (but then I live in Europe).

 

[Dave Long]

I like you. Can we be friends? =D

Sure!

I love how gamers treat consoles like a faucet that should always be flowing with new games to be worth having.

Wait... what? You know that game consoles were always built specifically to play videogames, right? I mean, that's why you buy the machine, so you can buy lots of games!

This is the problem with the current generation and the potential future. Games are going to get marginalized by other sources of "game console" revenue. That will mean less or less interesting games from fewer publishers. Thus gamers will begin to either A) Migrate to the console that focuses on games or B) just sit back and get marginalized right along with the games (more likely).

I'd love to see a modern console with 8/16-bit sensibility. Insert game, push start, play immediately with no disruption from achievements, friends, etc. AKA cut out the bullshit!

 

[Unity2012]

I am not surprised they are focusing on media rather than games. A new generation is in the works and their efforts are to make sure that it comes out with a Bang!!

These days when I'm online most of my friends are either on Netflix, Hulu, watching a movie on Zune; hooked on Iheart radio, etc., and a few are playing online or working on a SP campaign.

My hopes for MS are for the next generation. Halo 4 is my only big interest this year. Truth be told, I have enough games right now to keep me busy for a while; and a lot others to get before the year ends.

 

[venne]

No, read the question again. I actually asked if you would recommend one to non-gaming friends, family or acquaintances over the competition. I don't know of anybody who would.

okay . . .

I mean, honestly, why would anybody recommend an Xbox?

 

[NullPointer]

okay . . .

Ok. Lets consider this in two parts:
1. Would you personally recommend it over the competition for non-gamers?
2. If so, why?

Please forgive me if I was unclear.

 

[Zeal]

This sounds so fucking bad it's not even funny.

My body has never been more ready for the next-gen. I feel deprived.

 

[szaromir]

Guys I don't want to be anal about it but Pachter said he's supposed to not expect too much game related during MS's E3 preview for analysts/journalists, they might make actual game announcements during E3 that they don't want to reveal to anyone before that.

Overall I expect the same mix as in the previous years. Well they might not have too many announcements because most of their internal development might be switching to next-gen already, which I think is a good thing.

 

[Jackl]

As I said in a older E3 thread:

CONTRARIAN INDICATOR IS IN PLAY.

Seriously though I've noticed E3 becoming slowly more like an shareholder meeting.

Good morning everyone I'd like to introduce this poorly thought out gimmick which appeals to this previously untapped demographics allowing us greater marketshare and convincing you not to drop our stock!

 

[fluffydelusions]

This sounds so fucking bad it's not even funny.

My body has never been more ready for the next-gen. I feel deprived.

Probably why MS has nothing to announce. All efforts towards next gen games. Services are easy and will carry over.

 

[Punchpudding]

I manage to play around 10 games a year and I tend to pick stuff that interests me. Increasing the raw number of games available doesn't do much for me. Maybe extra features would. Kinect + custom apps would actually be really cool but I'm weary of MS tendency to nickel and dime customers... In other words I'll wait to pass judgment.

 

[JaggedSac]

Ok. Lets consider this in two parts:
1. Would you personally recommend it over the competition for non-gamers?
2. If so, why?

Please forgive me if I was unclear.

1. Nope. There are other devices that offer the non-gaming services better than the XBox. Especially given that it is more expensive than other devices that offer those services, not even taking Gold into account.

They would need to make more things available to non-Gold subscribers or make Gold much more attractive for me to recommend it.

 

[xbhaskarx]

No no no no no no no no.


This is what they've done the past 2 years and it's been awful.

The last two years have been "awful" for MS/X360 in what way... should they care more about satisfying the tiny audience who watches E3 and rates the various companies based on hype, or actual sales?

If it keeps going in this direction, I can see the XBox 720 now:

"With the XBox 720 you can watch Netflix, Hulu, video conference with Kinect, post on Facebook, Twitter and many other social network sites! Oh yeah, it'll even play games too."

It sure sounds like games are becoming an afterthought almost...

So the future you predict for the Xbox 720 is... a list of things the Xbox 360 can do already?

 

[Dave Long]

So the future you predict for the Xbox 720 is... a list of things the Xbox 360 can do already?

That, and games you can't sell used.

 

[Tookay]

As I said in a older E3 thread:

CONTRARIAN INDICATOR IS IN PLAY.

Seriously though I've noticed E3 becoming slowly more like an shareholder meeting.

Good morning everyone I'd like to introduce this poorly thought out gimmick which appeals to this previously untapped demographics allowing us greater marketshare and convincing you not to drop our stock!

But it's not. They wouldn't be blowing this much money on spectacle to wow shareholders when there are other, more direct means of accomplishing that.

Is that a part of it? Yes. But it's more about hitting three groups: mainstream journalists (USA Today, that crowd), developers, and enthusiasts (to build PR hype).

 

[Satchel]

It's funny reading some of the reactions in here while realizing how little it all means in the real world.

In reality, most people don't buy more than 10 games for a console. If joe blow can't find 10 games worth buying on his or her 360 I'll eat my hat.

Even on GAF, the majority complain about massive backlogs, yet you complain there aren't enough new games coming?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. For a 360 only owner, there's Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, BLOPS 2 and Bioshock Infinite all coming within a month of each other. What, that's not enough? You need more games to buy and sit on a shelf?

 

[Uno Venova]

I never got that when most people on a forum aren't happy about a lack of exclusive games to their console some have to point out that the average joe might not care about lack of exclusives like it's new information. Trying to find a reason or rationalizing it isn't going to stop people from being disappointed.

 

[Garjon]

I don't like to see any of the big 3 drone on about oh so amazing upcoming features that are already available on just about any sort of media device; the reason why I haven't rebought a 360 is because I am simply not interested in any of their exclusive games, apart from a handful of XBLA titles, most of which show their faces on Steam sooner or later anyway. It probably doesn't matter one tiny bit in the grand scheme of things but for me, exclusive titles are what sell a console for me, as long as the console has adequate online functionality. Party chat is the only thing in the past few years to make me remotely interested in getting a 360 and every year they fail to announce a significant update to their online feature set, my apathy grows.

I know a lot of people are saying MS makes more money from casual shit these days, but how many of those 'casual' gamers will ever read a gaming blog or even give any article with the term E3 in it a look? If MS are going to spend so much money and time in organising these big events, then why not dedicate the content to what will appeal to the ones who actually watch these shows?

 

[Elginer]

It's funny reading some of the reactions in here while realizing how little it all means in the real world.

In reality, most people don't buy more than 10 games for a console. If joe blow can't find 10 games worth buying on his or her 360 I'll eat my hat.

Even on GAF, the majority complain about massive backlogs, yet you complain there aren't enough new games coming?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. For a 360 only owner, there's Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, BLOPS 2 and Bioshock Infinite all coming within a month of each other. What, that's not enough? You need more games to buy and sit on a shelf?

BINGO.

 

[USC-fan]

I just want the x720.

GO BIG OR GO HOME MS!

16 core cpu w/ dual gpu!! Day one!

 

[SCHUEY F1]

It's funny reading some of the reactions in here while realizing how little it all means in the real world.

In reality, most people don't buy more than 10 games for a console. If joe blow can't find 10 games worth buying on his or her 360 I'll eat my hat.

Even on GAF, the majority complain about massive backlogs, yet you complain there aren't enough new games coming?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. For a 360 only owner, there's Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, BLOPS 2 and Bioshock Infinite all coming within a month of each other. What, that's not enough? You need more games to buy and sit on a shelf?

I like this post.

 

[Tookay]

It's funny reading some of the reactions in here while realizing how little it all means in the real world.

In reality, most people don't buy more than 10 games for a console. If joe blow can't find 10 games worth buying on his or her 360 I'll eat my hat.

Even on GAF, the majority complain about massive backlogs, yet you complain there aren't enough new games coming?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. For a 360 only owner, there's Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, BLOPS 2 and Bioshock Infinite all coming within a month of each other. What, that's not enough? You need more games to buy and sit on a shelf?

BINGO.

I like this post.

I don't. It's horrible logic. I thought we stopped equating something some posters say with all of GAF a long time ago. Some people have backlogs, some don't. Doesn't mean people don't want new games to play or that they don't want choices. Microsoft's first-party output has slowed to a crawl; maybe it's because it's shifting gears for next-gen, maybe not, but it doesn't make a dry spell any easier and ridiculous pretzel logic isn't helping either.

Now we've got people barging in this thread on an enthusiast gaming forum telling gamers they're entitled for wanting more games.

Really?

 

[gaming_noob]

Honestly, just give me Halo 4 and Black Ops 2 and I think I'm about done with this gen. Bring on Nextgen please!

 

[Coxy]

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. For a 360 only owner, there's Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, BLOPS 2 and Bioshock Infinite all coming within a month of each other. What, that's not enough?

I dont want any of those games, what then? people arent bitching because they want an endless stream of games, they want a wide selection

 

[SCHUEY F1]

I have a PS3 and the only games I play on it are Uncharted titles and the That Game Company games. Almost every other genre or franchise I like is on the 360.