Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg

By Ellie Gibson Published 13 January, 2009

On the console war and what's next for Xbox 360.

The name Aaron Greenberg has become increasingly familiar in recent months. Officially, he's the director of product management for Xbox 360 and Live. In practice he's Microsoft's most vocal spokesperson, hitting the headlines for everything from having a go at Home and taking a pop at Blu-ray to predicting who would win the battle for Christmas cash.

Seeing as he's got so much to say for himself, we thought it would be a good idea to catch up with Greenberg for a longer chat. Read on to find out his views on the console war, how important Europe is to Microsoft and what's next for Xbox Live.

Eurogamer: Sony recently put out a press release attacking you for "putting a burden on the wallet" with Xbox 360. What was your reaction?

Aaron Greenberg: [Laughs]

Eurogamer: Apart from laughter.

Aaron Greenberg: I don't think we had much of a reaction, to be honest. We need to focus on delivering as much value as we can to consumers. Today, Xbox 360 delivers more value out of the box than any other device connected to the TV. We're the ultimate entertainment system, delivering movies, music, pictures, games - all together. Doing that starting at GBP 129 makes us unique.

When you go into the store, you walk up to the cash register, they ring up your system, and one system is half the price of the other. I don't think consumers really bring these grids and charts into the store with them.

Eurogamer: Yes, the sticker price for your machine is cheaper, but Sony would argue you then have to buy a lot of add-ons to get the full value of Xbox 360.

Aaron Greenberg: Our philosophy for this generation was that we didn't believe the marketplace was about a one-size-fits-all solution any longer. That's why we designed a variety of different console offerings, in the belief there are different sets of consumers who want different levels of experience at different price points.

A big part of that is having a console on the market that's at a mass-market price-point. Consumers who are new to the experience, or who want a more casual experience, don't have to pay a premium for features they would probably never use.

'Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg' Screenshot 1

"This is the first full year where we're at a mass-market price-point. We saw a lot of momentum coming out of holiday, but now we need to deliver and build on that."

Eurogamer: But the best-selling console in the world right now is not the one that's the cheapest. Nor does it have any pretentions of being an "entertainment centre" - it's a machine for playing games on. Isn't it really Nintendo who has cracked the formula?

Aaron Greenberg: Consumers are being much more cautious about how they're spending their entertainment dollars. As a result, the two consoles that are at mass-market price-points are, frankly, the only two really seeing success.

It proves consumers are looking for new types of experience. We've focused on delivering an all-purpose device and I think it's a different strategy to what Nintendo's done. Their device is much more single-purposed and focused on just gaming.

Eurogamer: Their strategy's proving to be the most effective one though, isn't it? You've sold 28 million consoles, but back in September Nintendo was talking about having sold 35 million. Plus it's only taken them two years to hit that figure, rather than three. Do you expect to close the gap this year?

Aaron Greenberg: I don't think we're really comparing how we think our hardware will sell this year relative to the Wii. The nature of this business means that typically, you sell your hardware at little-to-no profit, and you make your money on the games. That's where third-party publishers make their money.

Xbox 360 is the system where the most games are being sold. We now have an attach rate of over eight games per system. We're clearly the platform that's driving the majority of all third-party profits, and that's before you even get to online. Nintendo may benefit when they sell hardware, but if third-party publishers aren't selling games the whole ecosystem doesn't benefit.

Eurogamer: But does that really matter to Nintendo when they've got properties such as Mario Kart, Zelda and Wii Sports to shift anyway? Doesn't it benefit them if their first-party titles are doing better than third-party games?

Aaron Greenberg: I don't know. You'd have to ask EA, Ubisoft, Capcom and all those guys. They would say that for the most part they're selling and making most of their money on the Xbox 360... From their standpoint, we're the platform driving the majority of their revenues.

Eurogamer: What about Microsoft's first-party line-up? In 2008 you published 11 boxed first-party games in Europe. At present, the only titles on the schedule for 2009 are Halo Wars, Halo 3: ODST and Ninja Blade. Will there be more out before Christmas, or did investment peak last year?

Aaron Greenberg: We don't share all our news at the beginning of the year. You saw that last year - we waited until July and E3 to announce things like the New Xbox Experience, You're in the Movies, Lips...

We sure have not announced our line-up for the full year, and we'll probably wait till later to do that. We typically take the under-promise and over-deliver approach; we like to talk about products a little bit closer to when they're ready to share with consumers.

Eurogamer: So there are games in the pipeline for this Christmas that we just don't know about yet?

Aaron Greenberg: Absolutely, without a doubt. I wouldn't even isolate it to games. I would also remind you that we have a massive team focused on innovation. The same team that built the New Xbox Experience is bringing in all types of new experiences to consumers in 2009.

'Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg' Screenshot 2

"LittleBigPlanet is definitely one of the games on the top of my list, I look forward to checking it out."

I can safely say that if you're an Xbox 360 owner today, you will end 2009 with a whole slew of new features, new content, new partners, new games that today you don't know about.

Eurogamer: Speaking of stuff that's on the way, you recently announced game-creating game Kodu. It sounds similar, at least in principle, to LittleBigPlanet - do you think that's a fair reading?

Aaron Greenberg: I think everyone is looking for different ways to allow consumers to participate in the creative process. We've given away the XNA software tools for free and we're not just letting people create their own games, but allowing them to sell their games and actually make a business out of it.

There's new, up-and-coming talent in this industry. Music and movies have an indie scene where people are able to create unique types of experience and get discovered. Videogames have never really had that because it's been so cost prohibitive. We're excited to have that in place.

With Kodu we're building a creative extension on top of that, and allowing people of all ages to have fun, to create and share content. So everyone takes a different approach, but at the end of the day we've seen it work in other products, so we're all looking at ways to allow consumers to participate.

Eurogamer: Have you played LittleBigPlanet?

Aaron Greenberg: Sony very nicely sent me a copy, and I haven't played it yet. It's on my list. It was one of those holidays where there were just so many games to play in such a short period of time, and I'm still catching up now. LittleBigPlanet is definitely one of the games on the top of my list, I look forward to checking it out.

Eurogamer: Kaz Hirai recently announced 1.3 million copies of the game have now been sold, a figure he seems happy with - but some have suggested that's got to be below Sony's expectations. If LittleBigPlanet was your product, would you be pleased with sales of 1.3 million?

Aaron Greenberg: It's hard for me to say. It's not my title. The game seemed to be loved by the critics but yeah, I don't think it had the type of commercial success people were anticipating. Even with the buzz it had among the hardcore circle, it didn't sell like Gears of War or Call of Duty or Fable, or anything near a blockbuster title.

I don't know if that's a reflection of the PS3's much smaller installed base, or the fact the game might not have appealed to the broader audience they were hoping for. It's hard for me to speculate.

Eurogamer: Sony aren't the only ones banging their own drum, of course. Last year, Microsoft put out a press release comparing the launch of New Xbox Experience to the introduction of colour television in 1954. You've also personally been quite vocal in recent weeks. Do you ever worry that all this bravado could alienate some people - particularly in Europe, where there's a different mentality to the US?

Aaron Greenberg: Xbox has really focused on the European marketplace as our top priority this year. You've seen that from how aggressive we've been on price, what we've done with New Xbox Experience and our games line-up. We had a lot of content and games that were really designed for the European market, and we're continuing to invest there. Europe has become a hotbed for great ideas, content and design, and I think we've just started to tap that potential.

At the same time, we realise it's a different market with different tastes. You can't just create a global solution. We'll continue to think about each country specifically. The UK is obviously very different than Southern Europe, et cetera. We'll take unique approaches.

Eurogamer: Now the New Xbox Experience has launched, can we expect a familiar spring dashboard update that introduces further changes?

Aaron Greenberg: The team is focused on launching the Primetime channel for the spring. New Xbox Experience allows us to provide new features on a more regular basis, so you'll see us deliver smaller updates throughout the year.

'Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg' Screenshot 3

"You can't just create a global solution. We'll continue to think about each country specifically. The UK is obviously very different than Southern Europe, et cetera."

We will definitely package some things together, but we haven't specifically committed to doing just two big updates. We want to add new features when they're ready. Then, for holiday perhaps, we'll do something big. But exactly how that will work remains to be seen.

Eurogamer: So you're saying smaller features will be added frequently, with the possibility of another big overhaul in time for Christmas?

Aaron Greenberg: Yeah, I think that's a fair assessment. Primetime's going to be a significant update, and others will be coming in the spring, but we won't necessarily have a day when the switch gets flipped.

The great benefit of the design is that we're able to add new features, new channels and things like that pretty quickly. So yeah, you'll see us do more regular updates throughout the year.

Eurogamer: Speaking of Primetime, hardcore gamers comprise a large part of your audience. They want to play games like Gears and Call of Duty. Do they really want games like 1 vs. 100?

Aaron Greenberg: Primetime has great potential to appeal across both hardcore gamers and more mainstream users... We've seen great examples of things like Uno becoming a big hit with hardcore gamers and more casual users, and I think Primetime has the potential to do that.

The types of content we can bring to that infrastructure can range quite a bit, and you can have hardcore feature segments. So at eight o'clock it may be videogame trivia, and then pop culture trivia at nine o'clock. There are ways to appeal to different segments with the same product.

Eurogamer: Both the US and the UK economies are in trouble at the moment. What do you think the ramifications of that will be for the Xbox business, and how will your rivals be affected?

Aaron Greenberg: As you saw this holiday, consumers are being much more cautious. We have all types of research showing people stayed in more for entertainment this year, and they were looking for ways to be entertained at home. As an industry, videogames saw the benefit of that.

'Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg' Screenshot 4

"Primetime's going to be a significant update, and others will be coming in the spring, but we won't necessarily have a day when the switch gets flipped."

The silent phenomenon that's happening now for us is that consumers are starting the transition to digital distribution. We're seeing record revenues, particularly in the UK, of consumers spending money on digital content... It's quickly become the fastest-growing portion of our business. I think that will continue to accelerate at a rapid pace.

Eurogamer: David Reeves recently stated that Sony's top priority for 2009 is to "start making money". What's Microsoft's top priority?

Aaron Greenberg: We have been fortunate to build a profitable business for some time. We sustained profitability through our entire previous last fiscal year. That's partly due to being first to market, being able to cost-reduce our console, and being able to get to mass market price points.

We're focused on delivering great games and entertainment throughout the year. This is the first full year where we're at a mass-market price-point. We saw a lot of momentum coming out of holiday, but now we need to deliver and build on that.

I think we're fortunate to be half the price of the PS3, and even price-competitive with the Wii. So we expect to drive record console sales and software sales in the coming year, and continue to grow our online business at the same time.

Aaron Greenberg is the director of product management for Xbox 360 and Live.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (108) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Fab4 #1 3 years ago

    He's no Holly Valance.

  • ecureuil #2 3 years ago

    He looks like Rafa Benitez.

  • mcbi4kh2 #3 3 years ago

    We sustained profitability through our entire previous last fiscal year. That's partly due to being first to market, being able to cost-reduce our console, and being able to get to mass market price points.

    and partly due to writing off $1billion+ repair bill in 2007.

  • Widge #4 3 years ago

    "He looks like Rafa Benitez. "

    lol! I thought that! I'm trading my PS3 in for a red 360 stat!

    Good interview btw. Good questions and the guy didn't come across knobbish like some I've read.

  • StooMonster #5 3 years ago

    Nintendo are a insult to gamers this gen and don't deserve 1 sale of that piece of shit Wii

    Brought plenty of family and friends who were previously non-gamers into the fold, which can only be a good thing.

    Plus, it's not all terrible ... 'World of Goo' on the Wii is great for one example.

    Edit: darn that brought and bought schoolboy error :(
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 12:03

  • jonsaan #6 3 years ago

    But Coin-op. Nintendo have never released game after game for any of their systems. Surely you knew what you were getting into?

  • Widge #7 3 years ago

    Also I'd say that Nintendo have gone back to their roots with the Wii, its the new Famicom innit?

  • LHH #8 3 years ago

    Eurogamer: Sony recently put out a press release attacking you for "putting a burden on the wallet" with Xbox 360. What was your reaction?

    Aaron: LOL

    Made me chuckle.

  • Xerx3s #9 3 years ago

    "Brought plenty of family and friends who were previously non-gamers into the fold, which can only be a good thing."

    No, it means more shovelware and shit games selling bonkers. Introduction of mainstream into a niche means that everything will be dumbed down so it appeals to everybody.

  • Gradius #10 3 years ago

    "I'd say that Nintendo have gone back to their roots with the Wii, its the new Famicom innit? "

    To be fair, the Famicom was actually good though ;)

  • brainbird #11 3 years ago

    I wish Microsoft stopped talking about NXE. Yes, thank you for the party function, it's nice, but apart from that, NXE is just another dashboard (and not even really a good one) with shitty me-too Avatars.

  • andywilkie35 #12 3 years ago

    Eurogamer: Sony recently put out a press release attacking you for "putting a burden on the wallet" with Xbox 360. What was your reaction?

    Aaron: LOL

    haha made me laugh too! the only burden that it puts on my wallet is the amount of good games available for it, which therefore means I must buy them. Once Sony release more games to the quality of MGS4, then I'll start buying more for the PS3

  • kangarootoo #13 3 years ago

    I'm confused over the NXE rhetoric as well. It has barely changed my 360 "experience". The install to HDD option is probably the best card in its hand, plus party forming is pretty cool. The avatar stuff is just fluff in my eyes though.

  • Gradius #14 3 years ago

    "plus this whole "we are price competitive with the Wii" thing has to stop, you are only competitive if you buy nothing to go with the console, which would be pointless. "

    Nah, My Wii setup cost me more than my 360 set up, so what you've said is not accurate.

  • penguin_overlord #15 3 years ago

    A good interview.

    The way I see this generation going is that the Wii will win but sales will slow as the market becomes saturated and those families who bought one at a novelty start to lose interest in it. I think the Wii survives because it's innovative and games like Mario Kart remind some people of their youth (I've seen evidence of this with people I know). The Wii Fit board, although unpopular with true gamers like those of us on this site, was nevertheless a great business move. However, there's no mistaking that people do often look like utter prats when using it and Nintendo will find it hard to convince people to buy any future upgrade to it, just as I suspect they'll have a hard time convincing people to go for the new Wii Motion Plus peripherals.

    The PS3 and 360 will fight for second place and monthly sales will swap round a lot during this year. Killzone will help shift some PS3s and help the PS3 to outsell the 360 by a month or two but probably not by much. Resident Evil 5 will sell better on the PS3 in Japan, better on the 360 in the US but probably fairly equally in Europe. I don't think the DLC for either Halo 3 or GTA4 having much impact on 360 sales. But if the PS3 does get a worldwide launch for God of War 3 this Christmas, as well as a Japanese launch for FFXIII, together with the almost inevitable price drop for the PS3 down to £199 or close to it, I think the PS3 will outsell the 360 this year, especially as the 360 does seem a bit devoid of must-have exclusives coming out.

    I do see the PS3 outselling the 360 in the long-term. Good exclusive games for the 360 have helped it a lot but it's real weapon has been constant price drops which just can't continue. A £199 PS3 will be very tempting this Christmas for many people, especially with so many not yet having Blu-Ray players by then. I think there's little Microsoft can do to prevent the 360 finishing in third.

  • miiiguel #16 3 years ago

    Excellent interview! Great questions, objective answers. Good job.

    "you are only competitive if you buy nothing to go with the console, which would be pointless."
    Who decides that? I'm the boss at my place...

    "I do see the PS3 outselling the 360 in the long-term."
    I bet he doesn't care much about that, if that ever happens. I think he digs profit more than a virtual silver trophy. He should be allowed some "bravado", as the xbox 180 was crushed by PS2. How things changed...
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 12:30

  • HardCoreGamer999 #17 3 years ago

    the most difficult thing to achieve : "continue the momentum"
    they had there peak last year.
    Sony will lower the price (suppose march-april) AND have a ton of exclusives !
    Nintendo will sell like pancakes. Maybe lower ?
    how will ms counter this ? if ms can somewhat lower the price it will not be enough.
    I don't know what there previsions are ? Prevision towards competition ? No real statements here...
    As we look now , this year they will end in last position.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 12:29

  • Gradius #18 3 years ago

    Yes I have a 360 with a HDD and a second pad, I have a Wii with a second wii-mote. The Wii was more expensive.

  • superted #19 3 years ago

    Finally, this Ellie character actually does a good interview.


  • metalangel #20 3 years ago

    Nintendo are now officially a joke. The dog-euthanising and pony-grooming and COOKING SIMULATORS were bad enough... but nobody except total f'ing c's would buy that ridiculous "100 Classic Books" travesty.

  • Farzlepot #21 3 years ago

    "There's new, up-and-coming talent in this industry. Music and movies have an indie scene where people are able to create unique types of experience and get discovered. Videogames have never really had that because it's been so cost prohibitive. We're excited to have that in place."

    Erm... isn't that how it started? Isn't that the sort of thing that's continued on the PC, particularly in the wake of Steam? Isn't that a dumb statement?

  • DFawkes #22 3 years ago

    Unless you, god forbid, want to read. I realise you could read the books, but try buying them all, in a format that is easily portable. Pricey.

  • EzyRyder #23 3 years ago

    I paid £169 for my 60GB premium with 2 controllers + lego indi + kung fu panda + dead space before Xmas from Amazon. As good or even better packages are there for the taking if you are patient!!!

  • threepy #24 3 years ago

    Good interview, some interesting questions there that I didn't expect to be asked.

  • Spooke #25 3 years ago

    That article told us nothing. I don't know why you bother with these people. You might as well have talked to the accountant.

  • DrDamn #26 3 years ago

    "Kaz Hirai recently announced 1.3 million copies of the game have now been sold ..."

    /pantomime
    Oh no he didn't.

  • miiiguel #27 3 years ago

    @Spooke : you can't just look at the pictures (they're conceptual...), you must *read* (note: it's an interview, not an article, btw).

  • dirk_aircool #28 3 years ago

    I think COIN-OP is about right . the Wii is a bit of a joke . the best game (bowling ) came with the console . its got grafix that are not Hi res and it appears that Nintendo are selling a controller add on this year that may or may not make it work properly .
    Yes , its nice that at xmas grandma got to play Wii bowling with the kids ( after 73 minutes of tuition ) but Who really cares that Grandma Hilda can play a game console ? . I assume that we are mostly avid/hardcore gamers and in my opinion making games accessable to ' Grandma ' takes the focus away from ' real ' games .
    Its all about the games , not the hardware . I dont care what system I play games on ( Had them all except PS3 ) I'm a game whore , pure and simple .

  • tomnol #29 3 years ago

    Our philosophy for this generation was that we didn't believe the marketplace was about a one-size-fits-all solution any longer. That's why we designed a variety of different console offerings, in the belief there are different sets of consumers who want different levels of experience at different price points.

    Blah, blah, blah. I wonder how that level of experience 'differs' when it comes to overly loud ventilation systems, cheap drives that scratch your disc when you barely move the thing and having to throw in another healthy amount of dough for a battery recharger because you are tired of having to swap them every two weeks in the middle of a game. And I am not even talking about that luxurious feature called WiFi which will cost you the equivalent of another half 360.

  • Farfarer #30 3 years ago

    You gotta love PR folk.

    They can say so much without actually saying anything of interest, meaning or relevance.

  • Rash' #31 3 years ago

    i wish people would let go of this idea that wii has no "proper" games for us gamers. it's quite an old theory, that's getting disproved with each passing month.

    my highlights for this year on the console are: Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Madworld, Monster Hunter tri (needs euro date) and Sin and Punishment 2. That's a more varied and interesting list than what's been announced for 360 so far.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 13:14

  • JohnnyWashnGo #32 3 years ago

    I like to think of games consoles as, erm, women of the night.

    Wii: Fun and flirty, always eager to please even if she looks a little old these days. Backwards compatible and good at waggling your wand.

    XBox360: Cheap and dirty, always desparate for your attention and willing to do anything cheaper than the others. Nothing is impossible for this one, however, you have to pay for extras.

    PS3: High class and pricey. Can do anything you want as everything is inclusive. Sure the price is high, but you get what you pay for.

    I could really use a fourth console right now so that I could compare it to a nasty ladyboy hooker :)

  • DanWhitehead #33 3 years ago

    Introduction of mainstream into a niche means that everything will be dumbed down so it appeals to everybody.

    How is a global hi-tec billion dollar industry a niche? Gaming has ALWAYS been mainstream, going all the way back to Space Invaders and the Atari 2600.

  • HermitArcader #34 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • Xerx3s #35 3 years ago

    No, it really isn't.

  • Bitkari #36 3 years ago

    You've also personally been quite vocal in recent weeks. Do you ever worry that all this bravado could alienate some people - particularly in Europe, where there's a different mentality to the US?

    Great question! Really gets down to the massive cultural chasms between both nations and game platforms.

    Pity that Greenberg didn't really understand the question (or opted to not answer it)!

  • dmt2 #37 3 years ago

    So... stuff will come out this year. Insightful stuff.

    NXE - install to hard drive is great and I do like the interface but the avatar thing is rubbish. Its also really hard to find the currently downloading screen.

    360 - it does have good value for money. Ok the fan is a bit noisy even when running from the hard drive. As for the extra bits - they don't have to be first hand and they don't have to be first party. Extra bits have always been pricey.

    Nintendo - Only Nintendo I had was the 64. Games were £50-£60 and hardly any were released.

  • JonFE #38 3 years ago

    Of course the Wii is a joke; Nintendo execs admit so themselves, laughing out loud all the way to the bank ;-P

    On the other hand, the fierce battle for second place goes on and on... A lot of people predict that the x360 will end up third - in fact they have been doing that for over a year now and MS keeps disappointing them. However, even if it does end up third, it probably won't be a *distant* third, which can only be viewed as Microsoft's small victory over Sony, given the undisputed dominance of the PS2 in the previous generation.

  • Thunderbolt #39 3 years ago

    JohnnyWashnGo,

    How about the PSP - good for a quickie?

    retibra,

    Agreed. But it would be great in Lovefilm did a service similar to Netflix imo

  • BadBoyBonner #40 3 years ago

    Penguin_Overlord

    I think you would be right - if the 360 remained stagnant.

    Fact is - as already mentioned in the interview - M$ are very happy to maintain the Half price point.

    If PS3 hits £199 (which is likely this year) then no doubt the 360 will hit £99 - and we will see a repeat of this Xmas - 360 will win (edit - against the PS3 by a slim margin).

    All this PS3 talk of it being the second coming at some point just seems misguided - it's been happening every year since before the 360's launch - the talking I mean, not the actual event - which still hasn't happened. Then Nintendo went on to show everyone was talking out of their own arse.

    Unless Wii drops in price - i'd predict the 360 hitting the magical £99 price point to have very strong impact and finally start to challenge the Wii.

    If Wii hits £99 - the other two are in big trouble.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 13:30

  • Widge #41 3 years ago

    Doesn't matter how cheap the 360 gets versus the Wii if it is not offering people the experience they want from it versus the Wii. You're assuming that it'll hit £99 and suddenly there will be this mass recognition of "oh my word, I can finally play Halo 3, Gears of War and Mass Effect for such a cheap price!" where in fact those people would probably rather tear out their eyeballs than play any of those titles. Regardless of what we or some Metacritic average might say.

  • DrDamn #42 3 years ago

    @dmt2
    Active downloads is easy through the mini-guide. Press guide button one or two lefts and it's there. Lots of stuff is very quick through the mini-guide. I tend not to use the main interface at all as it's too cluttered with adds and stuff I don't want to look at. Would be nice if you could disable channels.

  • TheComedian #43 3 years ago

    Great interview.

    I think the only way MS can stay in the lead is if they buy some really high profile exclusives. PS3 is coming into its own this year, and they're going to do a price drop. Pretty much the only things going for the X360 (in my view) are it's superb online functionality and how impressive the games are on the system. Now that developers are getting their heads around the PS3, low quality PS3 ports are happening less and less, and MS are going to need to have a fantastic roster of exlusives in order to prise prospective buyers away from the blu-ray appeal of the PS3.

    Parity of games won't work either. C'mon Gatesy, you've got enough money to buy most development houses, buy some more bloody exclusives if you want to win.

  • TheComedian #44 3 years ago

    I bet he was referring to the new Xbox you know. 5 year cycle and all that.

    Looking forward to E3!

  • Rash' #45 3 years ago

    Thunderbolt, Netflix is the big selling point for NXE in US so it is disappointing that something similar isn't available here, but considering the diversity of markets in Europe compared to the US it isn't surprising. I said it before and I'll say it again, Microsoft's amibition in it's online business is starting to affect it's first party content. The interview didn't give the impression they were solely concerned with game announcements for E3, which, considering the lack of their first party devs, isn't a promising sign. And as retibra points out those amibitions are multiplied ten-fold when you consider the global market. At the moment what's kept them strong is price cuts, but this year could be pivotal in deciding the company's fortunes.

  • andromeda #46 3 years ago

    screw this, how about some deux ex 3 news. Even specualtion...

  • BadBoyBonner #47 3 years ago

    Widge

    No I qualified that by mentioning the Wii - if it hit £99 - the other two would suffer massively - and clearly the thing I didn't state (as it's obvious) is that even at £179 it's stomping on the other two.

    At £99 - the 360 now becomes a second purchase (probably it is at £129 for many) as oppossed to the Wii for early adopters - and also the £99 moves the 360 into the realms of what little Jonny can save up himself with Birthday/Xmas money and weekly allowance.

    Plus the general apathy that falls upon any young gamer who begins to mature in taste and realises many of the big hitters are on PS3/360 - and so they buy whichever is the cheapest to experience those games - plus the odd exclusive.

    I have to admit to pitching Banjo N&B to all my young nephews resulting in 3 360 purchases - doing my lil' bit for Rare and showing them there are things other than Drive and Shoot (although ironically that's what you spend most of your time doing in Banjo N&B but at least you build the stuff you do it in)! ;-)

  • dmt2 #48 3 years ago

    Thanks for the info on the guide button!

  • Domovoi #49 3 years ago

    Excellent interview.

    Stuff like primetime sounds interesting, but no doubt it'll be US only at first, and then extended to only the UK. I still have no video marketplace over here, despite Microsoft constantly claiming that their console is such an all round media machine. No, it isn't, Microsoft. A machine that allows me to play games and watch a trailer of Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl is not an all-round media machine.

  • peterfll #50 3 years ago

    Good line of questioning in there Ellie. Typical contradictory responses from the exec level bosses:

    "There's only two best selling consoles" followed by "we don't make comparisons against the Wii".

    Until and unless it suits you that is. Still, he didn't do too bad considering the pap people at his level can generate.

    (comapring NXE to the launch of colour TV would be an adequate example)

  • Rash' #51 3 years ago

    BadBoyBonner, I'm not convinced another price drop for 360 to £99 will have as much of an impact as you believe. I think the console is at it's optimum price now for mass market consumption. The consumer that buys a console for £99 isn't the type of consumer that walks into Game a month or two later to buy a new release for practically half the price of the console (or even a yearly online subscription for 1/3). I think MS will be aware of this and so will hold off making such a drastic move unless it was the very last thing on their list of things to boast hardware sells.

    I reckon before that MS will do away with the Arcade and bring the Premium down to £129.
    Edited by 3 at 13/01/09 @ 14:05

  • Widge #52 3 years ago

    Its not just the youngsters... there are people my age (30) who fell out of gaming post Megadrive era and for whatever reason have had their interest perked by the Wii.

    For our age, 360 and PS3 cater wonderfully to people like us because they are the results of evolution over the years, for people who have missed out that progression find whats on offer a total turn off regardless of it being deemed a big hitter.

  • Eighthours #53 3 years ago

    Pretty much the only things going for the X360 (in my view) are it's superb online functionality and how impressive the games are on the system.

    Damn. Xbox Live and amazing games are the only things going for an online games console? MS is doomed! ;)

  • Dizzy #54 3 years ago

    TBH I think for MS the 360 is now on cruise control. It will continue to sell well and bring in a good amount of money. They will probably focus now on how to get more mainstream people onboard. Price wise they are in a good position and can go much lower if wanted. And everybody and his dog is supporting the console games wise they are in a much better position than last gen.

  • Subquest #55 3 years ago

    Pretty much the only things going for the X360 (in my view) are it's superb online functionality and how impressive the games are on the system.

    MS is fucked then. Official. Even with all the media streaming stuff I use it for, they're dead in the water.

  • BadBoyBonner #56 3 years ago

    Dizzy

    Agreed - think the only thing M$ are really surprised at is just how bad the PS3 (relative to PS2) is faring.

    M$ apparent lack of effort this year does seem to indicate that they are moving more towards the Next Xbox - but that they have realised that PS3 wasn't doing so well so slowed launch down significantly.

    I think it is also fair to say that MS could quite easily include a Wiimote style controller with the 360 at the same price as the Wii's - heck they could even band a Gyroscope in it a la Wii motion plus.

    Think the big questions over the next machines launch is if 3D TV is going to take off - Sky and the BBC are filming in it, most new high end TV's are supporting it, the film industry is embracing it - would be a real boon for backwards compatibility - "now play old 360 games in 3D at a higher frame rate and resolution in most cases" - apart from Crackdown no doubt.

    Bang in something like a TrackIR device as standard - and viola head tracking in 3D for the masses - and as the 360 leads in Gun & drive gameplay it would seem the obvious choice.

    If the Wii has shown one thing - it's that it isn't always the graphics that win the war but how you interact with the machine.

    Note - anyone who isn't sure what head tracking could bring check out this Grid video using it - [link url=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JBWLb3Ac-HQ&feature=relat ed
    ]http://uk .youtube.com/watch?v=JBWLb3Ac-H...[/link]


  • Apologie #57 3 years ago

    The Xbox 360 is outdated and completely unattractive when compared to the PS3 nowday's... Microsoft is Legitimately scared.

    I alway's knew the PS3 was the best product by far...

  • Widge #58 3 years ago

    You've misread what I've said

  • Dizzy #59 3 years ago

    >You are talking shit Apologie

    Just pop him on ignore like 99% of us and be done with it, just like Vorlon or whatever his new name is.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 14:54

  • Chalee #60 3 years ago

    WIll this 'Wii has no games' bullshit ever stop? It's just not true.

  • Frandroid #61 3 years ago

    I have to say that I feel the PS3 will end up outselling the 360 in the end. It seems the Playstation brand is still just too powerful.
    Microsoft have done a fantastic job in staying on top of the PS3 so far, but despite the year's head start and the massive price difference, they're only a few million ahead. In fact, if we look at only Europe (which is what I suppose we should be concerned with here) they're maybe only a million or less ahead - depending on how exactly you define Europe. :o)

    Both companies will continue to cut prices, that's inevitable, but the price difference will be cut too. I think the difference between a Premium 360 and PS3 is about £100 on the High Street at the moment. That'll be down to may £50-70 by the end of the year and even less by next year. I can't see the 360 going below £99 - it begins to look too cheap. If the PS3 is at £130 or even £150, that difference is no longer a massive stumbling block.

    I don't think there's massive amounts of people out there wanting a 360 but holding off for a lower price point. However, I think Sony still have a large number of sales to pick up with the next price cut or two.

    That said, I also think that Microsoft have every right to be happy with this generation. They got their foot in the door with the XBox, but the 360 brought them fully into the room. Financially, I suspect they'll be happier than Sony at the moment and will probably be happy to make the jump to a new console sooner Sony. I'm actually wondering if we might not see more than a 1 year gap between the consoles next generation and how this will affect the market.

  • onyxbox #62 3 years ago

    Coin-Op wrote:I own all three consoles this gen, and the way I see it is pretty simple. MS and Sony are delivering the goods. MS more so than Sony up to last summer, Sony have got their act together and PS3 now has the games and the credibility.

    Yup... I agree completely with that opinion.

  • merkdot #63 3 years ago

    Hmm, I can't see Sony finding £150 to shave off the PS3 price in the next 18 months, especially given the relative currency stuff happening right now.

  • Widge #64 3 years ago

    Post lunch ranting is part and parcel of EG in the afternoon, I missed it over xmas so feel free to carry on!

  • siro #65 3 years ago

    I wish you would have asked about some Movie Streaming feature. I'm so envious of Netflix integration on US Marketplace... That's the one feature I'd really want.

    Also, all of Europe is in recession, you britgamers!:)

  • ronuds #66 3 years ago

    Decent interview...wasn't too much of a snob or any of that.

    I know MS likes to keep their cards close to their chest regarding new games and such, but how about a morsel of information - because '09 is looking very slim! People buy the console because of the games they can play on it and it would be nice if MS made it known what games we'll be playing down the line. Now, I'm not asking for them to be like Sony and announce stuff 27 years in advance, but COME ON NOW!

  • Apologie #67 3 years ago

    kILLZONE 2, GOD OF WAR 3, UNCHARTED 2, GT5, SOCOM ETC... on top of everything else that have been released alredy like LBP, REsistance 1 and 2, Warhawk, Bioshok, Uncharted1, Motorstorm 1, 2, MGS4 etc... and you still have the nerve to say that the XboX 360 have a better library??? that's at least debatable.

    Plus, better on-line features (for free) with Home, better reliability, better longevity in terms of supporting software and continuous investment from the manufaturer, true HD, Blu-Ray player... well, i can go on and on and on...

    By the way, february cant come soon enough, Killzone 2 is the most impressive game i've ever seen... true next-gen.

    dont get me wrong, the Xbox is cool, i even bought 2 because my 1st one got broke... but the Ps3 is here for the win, and is shaping up big time...
    Edited by 2 at 13/01/09 @ 15:12

  • Apologie #68 3 years ago

    ronuds

    lol... your scared, relax men, im sure the Xbox will have good games in 2009, just dont expect anything as impressive as God of war 3, killzone 2 or even Uncharted, for example, i cant wait for Forza 3.

  • ryohazuki1983 #69 3 years ago

    I also use the main interface very little, find it annoying to navigate, as someone else said, for viewing active downloads I use the guide or mini-blades (whatever you wanna call it!)

    NXE wasn't a complete waste as i've now got some games installed to HDD , so hopefully will help keep the DVD-drive going a little longer, also cuts out the noise of reading the disc.

    My mate bought a 360 off somebody at his work for bugger all a while back because the guy thought the machine was faultly as it was loud!
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 15:17

  • ronuds #70 3 years ago

    @ apologie

    Killzone 2 looks good enough, but the 360 has it's fair share of shooters atm. GoW3 and Uncharted don't really interest me. I'm more into RPG's, shooters and sports games.

    I'm not scared so much as I am anxious.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 15:19

  • Dizzy #71 3 years ago

    "I know MS likes to keep their cards close to their chest regarding new games and such, but how about a morsel of information - because '09 is looking very slim!"

    You can find plenty of 2009 "lists". Check NeoGAF or maybe even *gasp* VGChartz. They do this feature every year.

  • Apologie #72 3 years ago

    farticusmaximus

    lol men, your really are something... so, the Xbox have better reliability then the ps3 now??? ps3 fail at an alarming rate??? very funny dude, really :)

    "Blu-Ray player"

    Non-gaming related"

    tell that to killzone dev's, mgs4 dev's 4 etc... im sure you know a miracle form that they dont, to make thouse games in a simple dvd... and i love my blu-ray's.

    better longevity in terms of supporting software and continuous investment from the manufaturer"

    yes, for how long have the Ps2 been around??? and the 1st Xbox??? well... keep prayin because as soon as they launch the xbox 720, your hardware will be outdated in the minute... while my Ps3 will be around for years and years to come.

    ohhh, and there is nothing remotely close to killzone 2 and the upcoming big titles for the ps3 in terms of graphical and production values goodness... or you dont admit that too??? :)

    keep rejecting facts like that men... lie to yourself all the time, and be happy with your xbox, yes, the ps3 is a failure, total waste of time lol
    Edited by 2 at 13/01/09 @ 15:36

  • Calgon #73 3 years ago

    Im not so sure Sony can manage to steal 2nd place anymore... if you'd have asked me in the first year of PS3's life Id have said its pretty likely but not by much, even though things werent looking that good at all for Sony... for one reason only: brand recognition.(360 is the better games console in the majority of traditional gamers eyes but that doesnt matter to the casual or the "in crowd" who make choices based on what they think their peers would approve of but even thats changing for the better now... Xbox as a brand has become alot more accepted accross the board IMO attitudes are changing)

    The reason is, MS have actually increased their lead over Sony, now its funny how some are keen to point out that even a lower price point doesnt matter if the consumer isnt attracted to whats on offer in the first place when it comes to Wii and quickly forget that 360 easily has more of what their consumers want than PS3(see software and DLC sales data).

    Sony's strategy of announcing titles far in advance(so far that some never even got fully underway in development and were scrapped) has been LESS successfull than MS' who have for the last two years sprung their must haves closer to the time. That has even had their gamers complaining that they have too many good games to buy(this is a fact and one of the best complaints a platform holder can recieve)

    Sony's 2009 release list doesnt seem all that appealing to me, I know this is subjective but for the sake of sales and critical acclaim:

    Lets get the biggest one out of the way... Ive got to ask is anyone else actually bored of hearing about Killzone2 too? I have an inkling that it might be one of those games that suffers over its own hype in conjuction the length of the wait(I can see a lot of "3 years for this?" type reactions).

    I really will feel sorry for Penguin Overlord if Sony dont ever come near enough to even claim they are second place, he's been prophecising the time of Sony will be soon for so long that if it never happens, with the amount of times he's claimed it; I wouldnt be suprised if he had to change his EG account to hide the shame(yet even he must have doubts because that post was alot less self assured and alot more subtle than a year or more back).

    GT5 should be one to watch but they are taking the biscuit for the wait involved already, it could be too little too late, maybe they actually need the install base to grow to recoupe what theyve spent now.
    Edited by 6 at 13/01/09 @ 16:22

  • ronuds #74 3 years ago

    @ apologie

    "yes, for how long have the Ps2 been around??? and the 1st Xbox???"

    Is it really in your best interests to talk about "support" when Sony ditched backwards compatibility on the PS3 to make more of a profit? Once they stop selling the PS2, that's it. Not that the 360's BC support is the greatest, but at least it's there.

  • ronuds #75 3 years ago

    @ Calgon

    My prediction for Killzone 2 is that it will sell similarly to Resistance 2 - good, but not spectacular. The game looks good and all that, but it doesn't seem to offer anything that we haven't seen already, nor is it riding on the success of a previous installment. It's PS3 gamers "great hope" so to speak, and they want it to be the greatest shooter ever, but the reality is that it will end up in the "good but not what we had hoped for" bin. I think hopes are WAY too lofty for them to be met. PS3 gamers and even journalists have to stop marking every PS3 game as the next great hope because it just doesn't work like that.

  • Weezer #76 3 years ago

    Why do people keep banging on about the Wii's so-called price competitiveness? Go buy a Wii - then add on three controllers (for your family members) - plus nunchucks - then maybe buy a decent cable so the picture looks a bit less shit on a HD screen. Then go and buy a classic controller so you can play some of the old GC games on download. Oh and don't forget a decent sized SD card so you can actually store the fucking things. Oh, and you'd better buy a Wii Fit balance board so you can play some of the latest games. And a Wii Zapper for the nipper.

    Not spent enough? That's okay - Nintendo has the new Motion Plus gadget which you'll need to buy four of. Oh, and you might want to buy shares in EverReady while you're on... You could easily drop over £450 on hardware if you want the full 'Wii' experience.

    (And why is a Wii nearly £50 more expensive from Amazon? I just checked and the standard unit is £233!!)

  • ryohazuki1983 #77 3 years ago

    "(And why is a Wii nearly £50 more expensive from Amazon? I just checked and the standard unit is £233!!) "

    That's because it's being sold by somebody on amazons marketplace or whatever you wanna call it.

    The site is confusing...

    Edit: Look at the pictures (which is displayed on the MAIN page for the Wii console) http://g- ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/... has some old shitty carpet. lol. Amazon need to change their website. No harm on linking products to sellers on the marketplace but the way it's implemented is just shit.
    Edited by 2 at 13/01/09 @ 16:31

  • Apologie #78 3 years ago

    @farticusmaximus

    "Rather than having to wait, 360 owners already have such games. Gears 2 is absolutely every bit as good looking and polished as what we've seen of Killzone 2"

    no comments... its just sad that you are retardedly faithfull "retardedly blind is more aporpriate", to a brand to the point of sayin something as stupid as that, dude your not even qualified as gamer after sayin something like that...

    the 1st lvl in killzone alone its 2Gb... as the dev said, they dont know how it would be possible to put that amount of data in a single DVD withought cutting the product quality, and a lot.. (i'm only refering to blu-ray as somthing relevant to games and gamers)... ohhh, and by the way, no installation is needed to play that monster game...;)

  • mkreku #79 3 years ago

    Uh, I did a few google searches, Farty, and I can't find any reports on the PS3 failing? All I could find was that it had a less-than-one-percent failure rate.

    Feel free to provide a link to your research!

  • Skurmedel #80 3 years ago

    The things he say in the first 3 - 5 paragraphs is only true for america and a few other regions. My XBox 360 is nearly useless for anything but playing games on or watching DVDs so I don't quite agree in his comparison with the Wii.

    The day Microsoft rolls out a movie rental service in Scandinavia or add better codec support, the machine might have other uses.

  • ronuds #81 3 years ago

    @ apologie

    Killzone 2 looks good, I won't take that away from it. But if the single player is only 8 hours long (as reports have suggested, which I tend to believe), why is the 1st level alone 2gb and what about it taking up a lot of space has made it better or better looking than any other game? It's nice to say "well, this is a big level at 2 gb and couldn't be done on a DVD!!!" But what benefit is it being that many gb's? How am I, as a gamer, benefitting from the level being that large, or the total game being however-many gb's? It's an 8-hour long game, with visuals that are about at the same level as today's best games. It hasn't improved the game or the experience whatsoever, so who cares?

  • Shyvah #82 3 years ago

    @ Skurmedel

    What codecs do you want? Everything I want to play seems to.

  • Thunderbolt #83 3 years ago

    Taking Apologies comments on face value

    'the 1st lvl in killzone alone its 2Gb... as the dev said, they dont know how it would be possible to put that amount of data in a single DVD withought cutting the product quality, and a lot.. (i'm only refering to blu-ray as somthing relevant to games and gamers)... ohhh, and by the way, no installation is needed to play that monster game...;)'

    If the first level is 2gb and it requires no installation then could it be that the information is uncompressed whereas it would be compressed on a DVD. Therefore its possible it could run on a 360. Just my random thoughts no basis on reality

    Edit- Damn spelling
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 17:05

  • Apologie #84 3 years ago

    ronuds

    GG DEV: would say impossible. We literally can't do this stuff on any machine other than the PS3. If you're developing a multiplatform game, and looking at your budgets, you have to find a common denominator between the systems and say: that's what I'm developing for. Whereas someone focused on a single platform can really take advantage of everything it has to offer.
    "If you're not willing to make that investment then you're going to lose out on some options. To make it simple, the Xbox 360 doesn't have SixAxis or Blu-ray. PlayStation 3 does. And for us that's a really big thing. The level you've just seen is 2GB. We really need Blu-ray to make the game. I don't know how you could fit it on Xbox 360 without taking some shortcuts."
    "Blu-ray isn't important for watching movies; we need it for making games.

    ... more storage means they can bring more geometry, better textures, more hd audio etc... its obviously better for gamers.

    I'm refering only to the advantage's of BluRay because the PS3 have a revlutionary architechture that bring much more innovative things, even bigger then the subject in discussion... yes, the CELL is a beast starting now to be explored.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 17:24

  • DrDamn #85 3 years ago

    @Thunderbolt
    The compressed / uncompressed argument doesn't really hold that well - think about your limiting factors (disc read speed) - you need the data compressed on the disc as it is quicker to uncompress once loaded. A more appropriate argument would be that there is maybe a lot of data replication on the disc to reduce seek time - bluray's bigger issue.

  • ronuds #86 3 years ago

    @ apologie

    Yeah, but devs are supposed to say that kind of stuff - especially a Sony-owned one. Sony really wants people to believe their system is best and they'll say whatever they can to get everyone on board with that. It means nothing and, imo, just makes them look foolish because we all know it's a crock of shit.

    "... more storage means they can bring more geometry, better textures, more hd audio etc... its obviously better for gamers."

    This isn't true. They can only do what the system will allow, no matter how much storage. More audio, sure - better textures and more geometry - no. So I ask again, what about being on a blu-ray disc has made KZ2 better than any 360 game, or any game not made on a blu-ray disc for that matter?

  • Skurmedel #87 3 years ago

    @Shyvah: OGG Vorbis amongst others, and I can't get much of my XViD-stuff to play.

  • Vic #88 3 years ago

    Does this guy do anything other than chat shit?!

  • GamerG #89 3 years ago

    @vic

    if you read carefully you will see he was responding to the questions asked

  • Vic #90 3 years ago

    What a load of bollocks. He's so pleased with himself, why didnt EG mention RROD? That problem sure as hell hasnt disappeared.

  • GamerG #91 3 years ago

    Its been sorted on new machines for over a year, I think EG would better spend their time asking questions about more recent events than issues resolved in 2007 with a 3 year warranty and a hardware update.

  • busboy33 #92 3 years ago

    @apologie:

    "Plus, better on-line features (for free) with Home,"

    Normally I'd just ignore your crap, but this made me spit coffee all over my laptop I was laughing so hard. If you're going to verge off of fanboy-psychosis-ranting into improv comedy, at least give a fella a break and make a note at the beginning of the post -- I feel ambushed.

    You do have a point though . . . here in the States you normally have to pay a premium to get Quincyed, and you lucky PS3 owners get it for free while waiting in line at the virtual arcade machine. Lucky, lucky bastards you.

    "To make it simple, the Xbox 360 doesn't have SixAxis or Blu-ray. PlayStation 3 does. And for us that's a really big thing. "
    Poor 360 owners. To turn a virtual wheel they need to either twirl the thumbstick or bush a button -- you PS3 owners get to twist your controller somewhat. I feel so last-gen.

    you've been on about the glory of BR and Teh CELL for years now. why doesn't it look any better than 360? I know . . . once developers learn the glory of Teh CELL it'll look better than anything on 360. Just wait for LAIR . . . no, waitaminute, . . . I mean wait for UNCHARTED . . . whoops, sorry, I meant MOTORSTORM . . . no, that's not it . . . what's the next gmae-not-yet-out-that's-so-cool-I-need-to-capitalize-the-nam e-for-effect? I forget . . .

    Agreed though that MGS4 can't be done on a DVD . . . since its a FUCKING 10+ HOUR MOVIE THAT MAKES NO SENSE. Lucky you.
    Edited by 1 at 13/01/09 @ 19:59

  • TRUTH #93 3 years ago

    2 yrs later and PS3 still sucks!

  • Spekingur #94 3 years ago

    NXE - I see comments from people complaining that "it didn't really do anything". I believe it has done alot since quite a few systems underneath the surface of it have changed and made it easier to add things (think of it like a car with a new engine and a new paintjob - you see the paintjob, not the engine, it is still the same car). It also introduced Community Games, which is something I would like to believe Microsoft will focus on this year.
    The gaming industry today is a difficult one - it's not that creating games is more difficult, it's creating good games and getting the attention/advertisement to get people to play it that has become difficult. This is something that XNA (and Community Games) is doing for small time game developers, opening up the market. Plus the console game market has always been more closed off than the PC one.

    [Also, someone mentioned Bioshock in the same line as many PS3 exclusives. Seriously. Bioshock was a timed exclusive for XBox360. It has no home among PS3 exclusive titles.
    Sony NEEDS to deliver God of War 3 this year to sell consoles. Yet, I have some doubts about a release this year. And I have a nasty feeling that GT5 will not make it this year either - that or it will not live up to its expectations.]

  • onyxbox #95 3 years ago

    I own all three systems and IMO PS3 had better games last year. 360 had better games the year before.

    Last year I played more games on PS3 and used it for a boat load of other things too. I played Gears of War 2 and thought it was ok (bit easy and boring) and Fable 2 is next on my list after I finish Dead Space and I might give Mass Effect another go (got tired of lifts).

    The way I see it is that most of the best games on 360 are available on PS3 anyway but most of the best PS3 games aren't on any other system.

    Anyone who thinks the PS3 has an inferior library of games need to move on and pick a different argument to champion the 360... like online party system and cross game chat.

    And for what it's woth I think both 360 and PS3 deliver on the graphics front.

  • mk-1601 #96 3 years ago

    "Stupid Sony, people don't want non-gaming features in a console."

    "Stupid Nintendo, our console has loads more non-gaming features than theirs."

    Confusing!

    And games have never had an "indie scene"? Wow, massive revisionism there, unless he just means console games.

  • Spekingur #97 3 years ago

    onyxbox: I believe that the game library for X360 is quite a bit larger. I think that the original comment was that the PS3 game library was better than X360's. Which isn't true. That said, the PS3 game library isn't inferior to X360, just smaller.

    mk-1601: The games indie scene has been around since the start of the first computer. I'm guessing he knows this (hopefully) and is mentioning this in relation with XNA studios and the support MS is giving (or trying to give) to those who want to develop games for consoles.

  • Amoebalove #98 3 years ago

    apolo may be a certified loon but by god he’s amusing! Keep it up you crazy freak!!

    I do feel that the ps3 had good year in 08 and 09 looks like it could be as good if not better but the 360 is still my number 1 console and I can't see that changing for the time being.*

    That is until the cell explodes like the beast it is!!! Men that beast is amazing and when combined with the power of blue-ray it have limitless potential. men farticus you wait, just you wait. K I L L Z O N E 2!!!! K I L L Z O N E 2!!!! Ha apolo you crazy fool!!

    *I’m being serious with this sentence!

  • Vic #99 3 years ago

    Sorted...of course it has.

  • 3william56 #100 3 years ago

    Unusually aggressive questioning from Ellie. Well done - keep it up.

    Bl**dy hell farticus and apologie. Don't you guys get bored trolling out the same tired old cr*p? Do you really think anyone gives a sh*t? Or that the other is suddenly going to roll over and say "Gee! You're right! My console actually does suck."

    I saw a study recently that a google search costs 12g of carbon or something. Those two twerps wittering on must have melted half of greenland.

    Give it a f**king rest.

  • gandhimaster #101 3 years ago

    regards verical stand, a while ago but i only just read this article...

    the difference between wii and PS2 being dominant is that gamers bought the PS2 but families are buying the wii. So wii may have the largest user base by some margin but they're not the consumers that are gonna be buying software.

    Nintendo franchises are always amazing and sell well, but the third party publishers have no chance to make much money, as so few real games actually sell. Unless its a mini game collection that mum/nan/the cat can all sit together and play.

    I know i sound like i hate the wii, and i do, but seriously, being the biggest seller and attracting all these new gamers does not instantly mean the industry grows, software has to grow aswell and its only the 360 thats doing that it seems.

    I'm no fanboy by the way, i only own a PS3 and thats mainly for blu-ray now (used to own all 3 machines but couldn't afford too anymore) so i'm definately one of the those console owners that is not helping to grow the industry! ; )

  • alan1302 #102 3 years ago

    The developer for Killzone 2 is owned by Sony...and they say the game could only be done on the PS3...hhhmmm...there's a surprise!

    Alan

  • tufty #103 3 years ago

    I think the console wars took a break with this generation... there will be three winners:

    - Wii - OMG Can't believe we were THIS successful
    - 360 - wow, we actually held off Sony this gen, really established our brand
    - PS3 - damn, didn't dominate, but we got to profit in the end

    The trouble for Sony is perhaps that the corporation as a whole has relied on the PS brand to drive a large chunk of their profits. The PS2 and PSP have been saving their asses while the PS3 has languished a bit. So three winners, but Sony will be hurting because they won't necessarily have the same overhang into the NEXT generation that they had with this one.

  • TRUTH #104 3 years ago

    2 yrs on the 360/PS3 games still look better on 360 - Some of the best games: The Orange Box, Bioshock, GTA IV, Fallout 3, Dead Space (texture & lighting is better on 360), Call Of Duty 4 (Very overrated game!)...all look better, have better framerates and usually extra content then PS3 versions, also cheaper too!

    Even the latest gen of PS3 games like Resistance 2 (very overrated and very liner with simple AI), MGS 4...still have not surpassed 360 games - just look at GOW 2.

    Halo Wars, Alan Wake, Forza 3, Ninja Blade, Splinter Cell Convection...with MS not mentioning it's own 2009 exclusives until later this year (remember they did that with GOW 2 etc)- with strong rumors & hints for Killer Instinct 3, Blast Corps coming.
    Edited by 2 at 14/01/09 @ 18:09

  • captain-future #105 3 years ago

    didn't think too well about this chap, but he looks like a OK guy. even mentioned that Sony was nice to him ;)

  • bloodflowers #106 3 years ago

    Funny, MS seem to really think NXE is good. I find it a horrible ugly mess with disasterous navigation, even now I struggle to find what I want, the ild interface was so much better, faster too.

  • Spekingur #107 3 years ago

    @Zero_Cool: What line-up? They haven't really announced a line-up yet.

    Sony announces things 2 years in advance, of course. And Nintendo will probably announce yet another strange perpherial in the middle of the year, probably Wii Book or something as strange.

  • bonker #108 3 years ago

    "I like to think of games consoles as, erm, women of the night.

    Wii: Fun and flirty, always eager to please even if she looks a little old these days. Backwards compatible and good at waggling your wand.

    XBox360: Cheap and dirty, always desparate for your attention and willing to do anything cheaper than the others. Nothing is impossible for this one, however, you have to pay for extras. "

    The 360 ho is noisy as hell too tho :)

    /votes