I just wish Microsoft would come out and say something to the effect of, "Yeah, our machine wasn't designed around having the best graphics. We didn't create a video game console, we created a media box that plays video games. There are trade offs to that. *Shrug* What are you gonna do?"
Yes, it would be stupid of them to do so...but that's kind of my point. During the reveal and the couple of months after it leading up to E3, this was essentially their message; they didn't create a box that solely focuses on video games, but encompasses all media and entertainment. One would assume, or should at least greatly expect, that with the focus shifted away from just games, the games would not be completely up to par with a box that was built with gaming as the primary focus. Microsoft *could have* created a killer video game console, but they instead chose to market to a broader audience.
Which is fine. Nothing wrong with that per say. Different business strategy. But here's the problem we're running into now: they want it both ways. They come into forums like this, and they give interviews with gaming media, and say things like, "There's no way we are giving a 50 percent advantage to Sony." and "There will be no difference in the games". They talk up their ESRAM and talk down the GDDR5 approach. They don't outright say, "Sony's console is a piece of trash", but they hint and wink and infer very strongly to it. I mean, what were they honestly expecting? They can't have it both ways. They should have quit talking about system specs and graphic capabilities a long time ago, and focused on their media offerings and partnerships.
