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[flyinpiranha]

What a great interview. I don't feel those were softball questions or answers. I feel that until Albert says "PS4 is so fucking great, so awesome, XB1 doesn't stand a chance" that a lot people on this board are going to discount everything he says or just call him a PR shill. He WORKS for MS, if anybody asked me about my company in public there are a tons of stuff I don't agree with but I won't comment on them or I will give a generic answer. You just can't ask that of somebody. He mentions the 180, he mentions that they expected some backlash just not to the amount.

I look at the PS3 launch and how incredibly cocky Sony was and how much they didn't care about gamers in general (we don't even need games and people will buy it), they didn't give a shit about a unified system or online, and I see how companies change with their market and how Sony has recovered from that and now is a bastion for gamers around the world. I think MS can do the same and I think their DRM policies will be ironed out more until they are acceptable much like Steam is.

But, only time will tell. I just think that their policies weren't communicated well enough in the beginning. Their DRM was a bit Draconian and needs to be levied with legitimate customer's needs and such.

It will be an interesting generation indeed.

 

[Leb]

Summary:
*If we could redo one thing, it would be giving the system's features a better translation. I think with time that people are/we continue to understand what we are trying to do. We want to give people a better digital experience in comparison to iOS & Steam. There's a certain point though in which you have to listen to the consumers and give them what they want. We'll see if the features we introduced pre-180 (e.g.: family sharing) will come back...

I really don't understand this sentiment. It seems that either:

1.) The policies were so complex that virtually no one could understand them.

Conclusion: These policies were unsuitable for the average consumer.

Or:

2.) People understood the policies and did not like them.

Conclusion: The policies were unsuitable for the average consumer.

Either way, it seems rather obvious that the policies were, surprisingly enough, unsuitable for the average consumer.

But the best of luck reintroducing them in the years to come.

 

[Joeki11a]

Sessler a shill? Nah. But a bit MS bias, or trying to do anything to absolutely make it seem like that both consoles aren't that different (so that he doesn't get in trouble), I could see that.

Seen it in 3 different instances where when he was doing a price comparison, he would go PS4 + PS+ = $460, and Xbox One is $500, so the prices of both consoles are pretty much the same.

Xbox Live is not free,$ 560

 

[Guymelef]

*"(Sony's) doing things in their hardware to make it best that they can. We're doing things to our hardware to make it the best that we can. I don't believe the difference between these systems will be as significant as comparing individual components. How is it that a 400 HP Porsche can be faster than a 700 HP Corvette?" -- Overall it's balance and trade offs and it'll come down to the games.

And that's is why you are working so hard for another 20 HP in your Porsche?

 

[The Living Tribunal]

Sessler? Shilling the Xbox? Surprise, surprise.

Jesus.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

Almost. He still needs information about the benefits package, 401K company matching, and a start date.

Funny, all you seem to be doing here is trolling on Sessler. Do you have any intelligent things to add to this discussion?

 

[Curufinwe]

Seen it in 3 different instances where when he was doing a price comparison, he would go PS4 + PS+ = $460, and Xbox One is $500, so the prices of both consoles are pretty much the same.

Were those the actual numbers he used when he did that? Because PS+ only costs $50.

The real MSRP comparison for the cost of a year of next gen multiplayer gaming is $450 versus $560.

 

[Gowans]

Great interview, Albert is a really great and honest voice or xbox.

He comes across as honest, unrehearsed and not just spitting out the PR message.

Xbox need to give this man a raise.

 

[soul creator]

But who decided discs all had to install? They did. They could have just handled discs how they are now. They install but require the disc to be played.

However, they could have offered that all digital Steam like experience for digital download customers, and still not required a 24 hour check in.

To me that's the obvious answer, but I guess they thought they needed to make it more complicated than that.

Well yeah, which is obviously what they're doing now. They thought that more people wanted the convenience of being able to buy a disc from any retailer so they didn't have to worry about bandwidth limits and what not, install the game, but still be able do all the instant game switching stuff that people can do with digital downloads.

Obviously, more people seem to value selling and loaning their discs freely without restriction, over the instant game switching stuff with discs and "limited resale to selected retailers with a periodic check-in to make sure you don't install a disc and sell it back and keep the game forever", so they did the 180.

All I'm saying is that the 24hr check had a purpose, (though obviously that purpose was deemed by customers as not worth it) and it wasn't just MS being evil for the sake of being evil (which is weirdly how the discussion seems to be framed at times)

 

[jet1911]

I'm glad to see Sessler didn't do a fluff interview. He did ask some serious questions.

Albert isn't being totally honest when he says "we looked at what Steam was doing". No, you didn't. Steam does not have a 24 hour DRM check. That was the single biggest reason people got upset about your plans.

If Steam allowed disc based Steamwork games to be reselled you'd need to have a online check-in too. MS tried it, the consumer were pissed off.

 

[Ristlager]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi5kMNfgDS4

Still not showing how it works on the interface. I want a real demo of someone turning on the xbox and doing all the talking to see how fast it is. Penello said that there was videos showing that on the web. Anyone know where?

 

[fi3rypho3nix]

Great interview, Albert is a really great and honest voice or xbox.

He comes across as honest, unrehearsed and not just spitting out the PR message.

Xbox need to give this man a raise.

I agree.

 

[BruiserBear]

To me, it isn't just that. It's that on top of the exclusive games.

I mean, if these kinect features are going to give me more of an instant/fast experience when using my system in comparison to the competition then I wouldn't mind paying for that since I pretty much use a gaming console every day.

I see it similar to how iOS products are more expensive than the competition. iOS is know for being fast and quick and I want that in my everyday experience when I use a tech device. Therefore I don't mind paying more for an iOS device in comparison to a similar device that's say $100-200 cheaper but doesn't give me the same instant/fast experience.

But like I said, there's more than just kinect that makes the Xbox One different from the competition. All of that stuff plus kinect will be how MS will try and justify the extra $100.

Are you talking about exclusive Kinect games? Also, Sony has already said the PS4 is going to be an instant on system as well, so saying "Xbox On" is not going to be that much quicker than pressing a button on the dual shock 4.

 

[Derrick01]

Xbox Live is not free,$ 560

We know. That's what makes what Sessler keeps saying so ridiculous. When you constantly get something so simple wrong so many times I can't blame anyone for thinking he's a shill. His constant defense of them during all their awful pre-reversal policies didn't win him any favors either.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

To me, it isn't just that. It's that on top of the exclusive games.

I mean, if these kinect features are going to give me more of an instant/fast experience when using my system in comparison to the competition then I wouldn't mind paying for that since I pretty much use a gaming console every day.

I see it similar to how iOS products are more expensive than the competition. iOS is know for being fast and quick and I want that in my everyday experience when I use a tech device. Therefore I don't mind paying more for an iOS device in comparison to a similar device that's say $100-200 cheaper but doesn't give me the same instant/fast experience.

But like I said, there's more than just kinect that makes the Xbox One different from the competition. All of that stuff plus kinect will be how MS will try and justify the extra $100.

You may be somewhat right but when it comes to games, Xbox is severely lacking. That isn't enough to compensate for the extra 100. Some had no problem even while the whole DRM effect was on and Sony had many more games announced. It's obviously easier to back them now because they've reversed course but you cannot dismiss the competition because you don't know everything they're doing. When it comes to games, Xbox is outclassed right now. This should be the ultimate deciding factor.

You're reasoning is fair enough but is reaching to try and justify the extra 100. I don't see it and many others don't. Your opinions are respected though, even if I disagree.

 

[iMax]

Sessler is all xbox all the time still wow

Sessler? Shilling the Xbox? Surprise, surprise.

No doubt. I'm confused as to who is interviewing who here. Did Sessler bring his resumé?

Yep from day 1.

Quite bizarre right lol

He got the dress Code down, looks like he raided Phil Spec's Closet.

 

[DrZeus]

Great interview Albert! They should let you talk more as you are the kind of representation that gamers align with.

 

[FeiRR]

He says that switching to Netflix or live TV will be cool because it'll allow you to fill in the time during loadings. Then he goes on to say that developers will get rid of loadings because of huge pools of RAM. Well...

He claims that putting an Ethernet cable in the box with 360 proved they wanted users to go online. Yet we know that the adoption rate of XBL on 360 is 60-70% while with PS3 it's around 80%. I'd say that putting most of the free services behind the paywall and lack of WiFi in early 360 models played a more important part than a €1 piece of cord.

I'm criticizing but, all in all, he's a much better PR person than all those MS execs with crooked smiles.

The DRM program is "paused". Well, again...

 

[Wishmaster92]

Mandatory installs?

Hey as long as games load faster and texture loading goes away(or loads instantly) everyone should be happy.

 

[Curufinwe]

We know. That's what makes what Sessler keeps saying so ridiculous. When you constantly get something so simple wrong so many times I can't blame anyone for thinking he's a shill. His constant defense of them during all their awful pre-reversal policies didn't win him any favors either.

Maybe he thinks everyone has a desk drawer full of unused Xbox Live 12 month cards.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Hey as long as games load faster and texture loading goes away(or loads instantly) everyone should be happy.

Yes. I'm all for that. These new platforms will benefit a lot from the updated HW.

 

[Bgamer90]

I really don't understand this sentiment. It seems that either:

1.) The policies were so complex that virtually no one could understand them.

Conclusion: These policies were unsuitable for the average consumer.

Or:

2.) People understood the policies and did not like them.

Conclusion: The policies were unsuitable for the average consumer.

Either way, it seems rather obvious that the policies were, surprisingly enough, unsuitable for the average consumer.

But the best of luck reintroducing them in the years to come.

He's saying that if he could do one thing over that it would be to give a better description of the features of the system. He's not saying that that's the reason why people were against what they were trying to do though.

Also he wants to see if the digital advantages pre-180 can come back; Not the overall restrictions of the system pre-180 (at least that isn't what he said).

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Some great questions asked by Adam

 

[Steverulez]

Thought that was a great interview. Sessler asked some good questions and Albert answered them.

I felt a lot better about some of his analogies, seems like ms got the message and they gave people what they wanted.

Albert should be in charge of all Xbox one pr…!

 

[BajiRav]

But who decided discs all had to install permanently? They did. They could have just handled discs how they are now. They install but require the disc to be played.

Then they could have also offered that all digital Steam like experience for digital download customers, and still not required a 24 hour check in.

To me that's the obvious answer, but I guess they thought they needed to make it more complicated than that.

If you require discs in the drive, you can't instant switch to a different game.
There was a legitimate reason for every restriction.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

...

Take mine out, I was being sarcastic.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Sessler didn't even mention an Xbox game in his best of PAX episode. Not the best shill, I guess...

 

[iMax]

But who decided discs all had to install permanently? They did. They could have just handled discs how they are now. They install but require the disc to be played.

Then they could have also offered that all digital Steam like experience for digital download customers, and still not required a 24 hour check in.

To me that's the obvious answer, but I guess they thought they needed to make it more complicated than that.

Tell me how an 'offline mode' works with physical discs.

 

[Bgamer90]

He says that switching to Netflix or live TV will be cool because it'll allow you to fill in the time during loadings. Then he goes on to say that developers will get rid of loadings because of huge pools of RAM. Well...

No, he stated watching Netflix or live TV while a game is installing if someone wanted to.

He claims that putting an Ethernet cable in the box with 360 proved they wanted users to go online....

He was actually talking about the original Xbox.

 

[jet1911]

When it comes to games, Xbox is outclassed right now. This should be the ultimate deciding factor.

That's very subjective.

 

[D'ultimate]

I'm glad to see Sessler didn't do a fluff interview. He did ask some serious questions.

Albert isn't being totally honest when he says "we looked at what Steam was doing". No, you didn't. Steam does not have a 24 hour DRM check. That was the single biggest reason people got upset about your plans.

I also don't think Albert is being totally honest when he says things like "people got it in their heads we were being anti consumer, etc". You created the 24 hour check in, and we've already seen examples of how digital games can be handled without such arbitrary controls being put in place, so that leaves us one conclusion. Microsoft wanted total control, and that was what the consumers rejected. A power grab with minor upside for the customer.

The same story with Kinect. You've got some cute and small improvements for UI related stuff, controller recognition, etc. And THAT justifies an extra $100 cost? No, and frankly it only leads me to believe there are bigger reasons Microsoft wants that device included and plugged in at ALL times, because we clearly see no real gaming related reasons for it, and the UI stuff is minor. I won't use the word "evil" regarding your intentions, but there is clearly more to this than "we think the UI experience is so much better we want to make our console $100 more expensive than the competition". Data gathering/marketing purposes clearly played a part in the entire Kinect decision.

Why's it that he you would think he's being dishonest? Because they weren't emulating Steam exactly?

They looked at various things and tried to come up with their own. As they should. Same thing with the anti-consumer comment. That may be how he sees it. No need to think he's lying on what he thinks. It's not as if they gave out all the details ("bad messaging") and with the details they gave people thought they were being anti-consumer when in reality had we known all the details perhaps we wouldn't have thought that.

The stuff about Kinect is just conjecture on your part. You disagree with Albert doesn't mean he's being dishonest.

 

[ekim]

And that's is why you are working so hard for another 20 HP in your Porsche?

What's your point? Why not up the clocks if you can?

 

[timlot]

Cool interview. Albert answered the questions straight up.
Leave Adam alone...

 

[BruiserBear]

All I'm saying is that the 24hr check had a purpose, (though obviously that purpose was deemed by customers as not worth it) and it wasn't just MS being evil for the sake of being evil (which is weirdly how the discussion seems to be framed at times)

It just so happened the only way to make instant switching work meant doing something game publishers have been wanting to do for a decade now. Kill the used game market. What a coincidence.

If you require discs in the drive, you can't instant switch to a different game.
There was a legitimate reason for every restriction.

So because we all need to experience the awesomeness of instant switching games, we all need to give up our rights as consumers to resell the things we own? That sounds like a reasonable and fair offer.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Xbox is outclassed right now. This should be the ultimate deciding factor.

That's very subjective.

However it's fair to say Microsoft have a more impressive (than was expected) launch line-up.

@iMax cheers

 

[biRdy]

Nice Interview, and wow at the people saying Sessler is defending MS based off of one video, you all have clearly not seen any of his other videos.

 

[iMax]

So because we all need to experience the awesomeness of instant switching games, we all need to give up our rights as consumers to resell the things we own? That sounds like a reasonable and fair offer.

Nobody was taking this away. Why does everyone think this?

 

[Mik_Pad]

No, he stated watching Netflix or live TV while a game is installing if someone wanted to.



He was actually talking about the original Xbox.

Aren't games going install while you play now?

 

[LiquidMetal14]

That's very subjective.

I can count at least 20 games that aren't announced for Xbone. This isn't the thread for that. Unless you consider indies less than the big awesome games which overshadow them such as CoD Ghosts. Yes, that was sarcasm. There are only so many games I can look at then I start noticing. I lost count of how many games PS4 has coming and we haven't even seen all their big games. There is nothing subjective about the avalanche of games coming to PS4 that are not coming to Xbone as of now. That can and will change a little though with their new policy so I look forward to that.

That's very subjective.

However it's fair to say Microsoft have a more impressive (than was expected) launch line-up.

@iMax cheers

I don't disagree but the verdict isn't out yet on the launch games. I have no trepidation's when I say PS4 has a large games advantage. That doesn't necessarily mean just launch games. That means the entirety of games we know are coming to PS4 and Xbone.

 

[travisbickle]

When he mentioned the HardDrive in every 360. I thought 360s were sold without HDs and that actually ended up being a larger burden for developers than the extra space of BluRay?

 

[cmgfender]

I know he's talking about graphics, but really, did he see Infamous:SS?

SS looks amazing, but to me nothing on PS4 at launch thats exclusive looks anywhere near as good as the exclusives MS has for launch on the one.

Right now, im incredibly excited about the one at launch. The kinect actually appeals to me (if it works as advertised, i think itll be amazing) and i think it has a much better launch line up of exclusives.

But down the line, i think im more pumped for the ps4 and whats coming down the pipe

 

[iMax]

When he mentioned the HardDrive in every 360. I thought 360s were sold without HDs and that actually ended up being a larger burden for developers than the extra space of BluRay?

No, he said in every original Xbox. Some Xbox 360 consoles did come without a hard drive.

 

[Gowans]

Albert should show the youtube comments and his next role review

 

[Curufinwe]

That's very subjective.

However it's fair to say Microsoft have a more impressive (than was expected) launch line-up.

That's also subjective. The only guaranteed quality exclusive launch game I see on their list is Forza.

When he mentioned the HardDrive in every 360. I thought 360s were sold without HDs and that actually ended up being a larger burden for developers than the extra space of BluRay?

Yes, a significant portion of all the 360s sold have been without hard drives. The original Core SKU came with no built in storage, much like a PS2.

 

[Fyrebrand]

He says that switching to Netflix or live TV will be cool because it'll allow you to fill in the time during loadings. Then he goes on to say that developers will get rid of loadings because of huge pools of RAM. Well...

He claims that putting an Ethernet cable in the box with 360 proved they wanted users to go online. Yet we know that the adoption rate of XBL on 360 is 60-70% while with PS3 it's around 80%. I'd say that putting most of the free services behind the paywall and lack of WiFi in early 360 models played a more important part than a €1 piece of cord.

I'm criticizing but, all in all, he's a much better PR person than all those MS execs with crooked smiles.

The DRM program is "paused". Well, again...

you should probably watch it again i am pretty sure you misheard 90% of that. The ethernet cable was a big deal because it was on the Original xbox not the 360 back then everyone had dial up. He specifically says Installs not loading and also says that he is sure there will be loading screens but it would be up to the developer on how they want to make their game. He also said that the things people liked like Family sharing are on pause.

 

[statham]

Xbox Live is not free,$ 560

at that point in time rumors on the internet was that Xbox day one editions had 1 year of live.

 

[Bgamer90]

Aren't games going install while you play now?

Yes they are. It seems like Albert was just saying that if you want a game to fully install, you don't have to sit there look at a menu (a la Xbox 360).

 

[PG2G]

It just so happened the only way to make instant switching work meant doing something game publishers have been wanting to do for a decade now. Kill the used game market. What a coincidence.



So because we all need to experience the awesomeness of instant switching games, we all need to give up our rights as consumers to resell the things we own? That sounds like a reasonable and fair offer.

Actually the whole reason the 24 hour check in was there so that users could keep their ability to resell.

They took Steam, attempted to improve it by adding capabilities that console gamers are used to and we got what we got as a result.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Great interview and great point about people not doing due diligence before rage bashing lol.

 

[ekim]

Still not showing how it works on the interface. I want a real demo of someone turning on the xbox and doing all the talking to see how fast it is. Penello said that there was videos showing that on the web. Anyone know where?

I guess he was talking about this video I linked. Maybe Albert can clarify which video he meant.