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CVG: Microsoft's next-Xbox silence at GDC a "disastrous mistake"

"...the doors have swung open at GDC - easily the most important event of the year for the games development community."

GDC, contrary to the thoughts of this angry journalist, is not an event about announcing systems. Its at its heart an event about Game Developers sharring information, networking and learning new tricks here and there. Its about game development period. In the past some have chosen to make it a show about announcing a new game, etc... but in the end it really is a show less about the flash and more about the substance of those attending.

I am glad MS chose not to try and make GDC about their announcement.

They're not saying to announce the actual console at GDC. They're talking about maybe touching upon some of the technology and philosophy behind it, or what devs will be able to do with it, etc.
 
There will be a bunch of talks led by SCEA staffers for third party developers interested in the PS4. Microsoft has a bunch of Windows Mobile and Windows 8 talks.

But they have an obvious reason for not showing stuff at this particular point in time. What I mean is, it's not unusual for first parties to be relatively thin on the ground at GDC is it?
 
Many of my friends who game have had no idea the ps4 was revealed. Most people who game outside of the core will not know about these consoles till they release or a couple months before. So far the ps4 is getting overlooked. I expect that to change sometime after e3. Outside the gaf bubble people don't know or care much yet.

Millions of people know about PS4.

Except in the UK
 
is there anybody who wants to play AAA games with kinect? Friday evening when you come home tired from work I sure as hell dont want to stand up and flap my arms. I want to game on a comfy couch.

There is more to kinect than "flapping your arms", and you can already use it from your comfy couch.
(and physical exercise isn't a bad way to end a tiring day actually... endorphins and all).
 
*cue 'developers developers developers' clip.

I do think it is getting pretty exciting waiting to see what the next xbox will be.
 
Right now I don't think it's a big deal since most 3rd parties are going to release their titles on both next-gen consoles anyway. But Microsoft is not doing themselves any favors by not by not having a presence or giving devs reasons to be excited to develop for their system, especially when they won't have same advantages in this generation.
 
LMAO. People are really getting upset that MS hasnt revealed yet.

Thats the exact vibe I get from this article TBH.

"Waaaaah, show it to us now!"

The idea of a non appearance at GDC being the major dealbreaking straw that collapses the camels back on Microsofts soon to be revealed next gen console is absurd. I understand their frustration and desire to see whats next from MS, but they are reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaally stretching the gravity of this.
 
That was going to be my question. Is MTV still relevant? They'd probably get more viewers if they just announced it on their own 360 Events App.

It isn't 2005 anymore, people don't huddle around their TV or check the computer for news. Microsoft could send invitations to major gaming/tech sites a week or two prior to the event à la Apple and bank on those companies to spread the word. Twitter, Facebook, etc..
 
is there anybody who wants to play AAA games with kinect? Friday evening when you come home tired from work I sure as hell dont want to stand up and flap my arms. I want to game on a comfy couch.

Hybrid games more than likely wouldn't require a person to get up and "flap his arms".

On top of that, the kinect features will more than likely be optional in those games. I can't see them making big budget AAA games in which people are forced to not play with a traditional controller.
 
same was said this current gen.

Who cares.

The current gen systems are vastly different in architecture and component make-up. You had Cell vs Xenos, Blu-Ray (making up a huge chunk of the cost) etc.

The new systems have essentially the same architecture. The have the same CPU, the same Blu-Ray drive, and the only difference really is the PS4's extra GPU muscle and faster memory. The GPU's are even based on the same architecture. This is an apples to apples comparison for the first time. Comparing to what people said about PS3/360 is lol-worthy because those comparisons were lol-worthy to begin with. Welcome to the Mark Cerny era, son.
 
It isn't 2005 anymore, people don't huddle around their TV or check the computer for news. Microsoft could send invitations to major gaming/tech sites a week or two prior to the event à la Apple and bank on those companies to spread the word. Twitter, Facebook, etc..

um people check their computer for news all the time...
 
I agree that it's a mistake not showing it but I also think if they did announce it there, it'd also be a mistake. They need to have an event like Sony did and they need to announce it weeks/a month before to build up hype and excitement. They need to announce it soon or they will definitely be in trouble.
 
There is more to kinect than "flapping your arms", and you can already use it from your comfy couch.
(and physical exercise isn't a bad way to end a tiring day actually... endorphins and all).

i go to the gym when i want physical exercise.
 
Developers are probably frustrated they can't just speak openly about next generation when it comes to the next xbox but overall I doubt it's making any difference.
 
Hybrid games more than likely wouldn't require a person to get up an "flap his arms".

On top of that, the kinect features will more than likely be optional in those games. I can't see them making big budget AAA games in which people are forced to not play with a traditional controller.

Could you imagine the backlash if they tried to make COD or Halo Kinect only lol, even Microsoft are not that dumb!.
 
Right now I don't think it's a big deal since most 3rd parties are going to release their titles on both next-gen consoles anyway. But Microsoft is not doing themselves any favors by not by not having a presence or giving devs reasons to be excited to develop for their system, especially when they won't have same advantages in this generation.
Ms will let them know what they need to know. I am convinced they are so tighter lipped because they probably have things they don't want their competition to know about.
 
Who cares.

The current gen systems are vastly different in architecture and component make-up. You had Cell vs Xenos, Blu-Ray (making up a huge chunk of the cost) etc.

The new systems have essentially the same architecture. The have the same CPU, the same Blu-Ray drive, and the only difference really is the PS4's extra GPU muscle and faster memory. The GPU's are even based on the same architecture. This is an apples to apples comparison for the first time. Comparing to what people said about PS3/360 is lol-worthy because those comparisons were lol-worthy to begin with. Welcome to the Mark Cerny era, son.

We'll see.
 
A scintillating rejoinder.

I'm sorry, I just found your commitment humorous. Let me guess though, the public don't give a crap about GDC, but E3 is all the rave? Right?

There will be several thousand attendee's at GDC, and all the gaming and even a lot of the non gaming media there. GDC is HUGE. At one point it was even pipped to being the new E3 (when E3 decided to downscale and started getting too costly, obviously in recent years that reversed somewhat). You only have to look at some of the massive conferences, shows, reveals, demo's etc coined at GDC events over the years to recognise how poignant the event is.

Youtube game video's of new releases and often they're categorised by "GDC 2011 trailer" or "E3 2011 trailer". GDC is massive, and you thinking consumers don't give a crap about it is impressively naive.
 
Hybrid games more than likely wouldn't require a person to get up an "flap his arms".

On top of that, the kinect features will more than likely be optional in those games. I can't see them making big budget AAA games in which people are forced to not play with a traditional controller.

It amuses me that people think Microsoft will make Kinect motion controls a mandatory thing. As if they didn't witness first-hand what happened to Nintendo and the Wii. They best way to chase off the third parties is to force a gimmicky control scheme on them. They're not going to do that, despite the number of people wishing they'd be dumb enough to do it. And if they are that dumb, they deserve all the pain that will follow.

I'm sorry, I just found your commitment humorous. Let me guess though, the public don't give a crap about GDC, but E3 is all the rave? Right?

No, they don't give a shit about E3 either. If they did, they'd have known the Vita was a thing. They'd have known the Wii U wasn't a controller add-on for the Wii. Know why they didn't know? Because they didn't care. They care when its released.
 
Even hybrid Kinect integration is going to be a failure. Most hardcore gamers showed that they hated the Kinect and that's who picks up consoles first.
 
um people check their computer for news all the time...

What I mean is that in 2005, if you were out somewhere, chances are you most likely didn't have a smartphone, let alone Internet access on your phone. How would you know Microsoft unveiled a new console? Nowadays, you can check Twitter or whatever social network you prefer no matter where you are and see what the 720/Durango/8/Infinity is.

I should have clarified the original post better.
 
ROFL at people getting mad that MS won't reveal their next system at GDC.

I don't think its about being able to see it. Its a conference for developers. Not touting your new hardware at the biggest developer conference when release is ~9 months away seems like a bad idea. Support is more important than trying to announce "at the right time".
 
Yeah i have said the same for a while now although both consoles will be close in power anyway regardless of which console has the edge.
If they release in the same year I bet they will be capable of the same graphics or very very close. People who are convinced that the Xbox will suck on the hardware end are engaging in wishful thinking I believe.
 
Why does this matter if they're already talking to devs and allowing them to converse behind the scenes like they likely have for months now?
 
I agree that it's a mistake not showing it but I also think if they did announce it there, it'd also be a mistake. They need to have an event like Sony did and they need to announce it weeks/a month before to build up hype and excitement. They need to announce it soon or they will definitely be in trouble.

Read the article again, they're not saying Microsoft should announce it at GDC.
 
It amuses me that people think Microsoft will make Kinect motion controls a mandatory thing. As if they didn't witness first-hand what happened to Nintendo and the Wii. They best way to chase off the third parties is to force a gimmicky control scheme on them. They're not going to do that, despite the number of people wishing they'd be dumb enough to do it. And if they are that dumb, they deserve all the pain that will follow.



No, they don't give a shit about E3 either. If they did, they'd have known the Vita was a thing. They'd have known the Wii U wasn't a controller add-on for the Wii. Know why they didn't know? Because they didn't care. They care when its released.

The mistake you're making is thinking simply announcing something at E3/GDC automatically means good sales or coverage. It doesn't. It can have as much negative coverage as it can positive. Ultimately it's up to media and consumers to decide if what was announced has value proposition. THAT is where the Vita failed. Many people (including myself) just aren't interested.
 
Right now I don't think it's a big deal since most 3rd parties are going to release their titles on both next-gen consoles anyway. But Microsoft is not doing themselves any favors by not by not having a presence or giving devs reasons to be excited to develop for their system, especially when they won't have same advantages in this generation.
Great post.
Ultimately though I still think it all comes down to that first killer app for next Christmas (2k14) and that will likely be the leader of this generation.
 
Why does this matter if they're already talking to devs and allowing them to converse behind the scenes like they likely have for months now?

It doesn't matter. The only thing it's doing right now is keeping devs from speaking publicly about what they're working on. You saw lots of that from devs after the PS4 announcement. "Phewww we can finally talk about our game(s)". Not, "Phewww we can finally start working on a next gen game!". There were some key absentees though, like Bethesda who hinted that they still cant talk about what's next. The implication being that it's tied closely to whatever Microsoft is doing.
 
I don't think its about being able to see it. Its a conference for developers. Not touting your new hardware at the biggest developer conference when release is ~9 months away seems like a bad idea. Support is more important than trying to announce "at the right time".
Ms can give devs the info they need to get excited about without being at the conference. People just want leaks.
 
And you need a dose of reading comprehension. I said that Sony would love for Microsoft to match them specs-wise because it would raise the price of the next Xbox. It would effectively not give Microsoft a price advantage. And I said nothing about them undercuting Microsoft hardware wise. They certainly will software wise given their biggest software companies weren't even at the PS4 unveil.

Most of that was a joke obviously. Software and OS implementation is really the only thing subject to major change at this point (and in Sony and MS' case they won't even be final until years after launch). I'm just laughing because you apparently think everything has gone according to some grand scheme at Sony. Chances are that MS had plans made 6 months ago and didn't feel like they needed to react (or they weren't ready to push things forward).
 
I agree the longer MS doesn't comment on speculation of anti used/always online the more me and all my friends resolve ourselves to be PC/PS4 only next gen even if before those rumors we likely would have all likely been there day 1 for nextbox.
 
I agree the longer MS doesn't comment on speculation of anti used/always online the more me and all my friends resolve ourselves to be PC/PS4 only next gen even if before those rumors we likely would have all likely been there day 1 for nextbox.
Has little bearing on launch sales. Whatever the truth is will definitely matter, but price is the biggest launch barrier
 
Most of that was a joke obviously. Software and OS implementation is really the only thing subject to major change at this point (and in Sony and MS' case they won't even be final until years after launch). I'm just laughing because you apparently think everything has gone according to some grand scheme at Sony. Chances are that MS had plans made 6 months ago and didn't feel like they needed to react (or they weren't ready to push things forward).

That can go both ways. I don't work for Microsoft so I don't know what is going on there. Apparently the Sony unveil surprised some people at Microsoft. I remember reading that somewhere. It could be simply that they're not ready to show their console. I don't know. But it's funny how Sony and Microsoft have switched places from six months ago. Six months ago people were speculating that the PS4 might not come out in 2013 and they would be unveiling last because of their PS3 software line up. The exact opposite has happened.
 
It doesn't matter. The only thing it's doing right now is keeping devs from speaking publicly about what they're working on. You saw lots of that from devs after the PS4 announcement. "Phewww we can finally talk about our game(s)". Not, "Phewww we can finally start working on a next gen game!". There were some key absentees though, like Bethesda who hinted that they still cant talk about what's next. The implication being that it's tied closely to whatever Microsoft is doing.
Good point, but I wonder how much of a difference in the course of their marketing campaign a month makes. Devs probably want that, but I also bet they could use all the time in the world to prep their public demos for use at both the reveal and E3 so they look as good as can be.
 
Perhaps it has dawned on MS that the choices they made could have been better.

Windows 8 and Surface are a disaster.
Wii U a catastrophic bomb.

If the digital dna and philosophy of Durango is somewhat inspired by these things MS is putting itself behind the 8-ball.
 
It doesn't matter. The only thing it's doing right now is keeping devs from speaking publicly about what they're working on. You saw lots of that from devs after the PS4 announcement. "Phewww we can finally talk about our game(s)". Not, "Phewww we can finally start working on a next gen game!". There were some key absentees though, like Bethesda who hinted that they still cant talk about what's next. The implication being that it's tied closely to whatever Microsoft is doing.

Those devs that are already engaged with MS, sure.

But there are hundreds of smaller devs that find GDC invaluable for discussions about platforms and programming approaches. MS are basically saying those guys can wait
 
Why does this matter if they're already talking to devs and allowing them to converse behind the scenes like they likely have for months now?

It doesn't. At all. Many journalists are game fans as well and thus frustrated that they can't report real news yet.
 
Terrible article anyone who is interested in developing for next xbox (and is relevant) already has devkits and documentation

To suggest that you need to fly half way round the world to somehow 'reveal' somethng to developers who already know about it is laughable

Typical article from press who are attending a games developers conference looking for news
 
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