Rare's New Boss Reveals His Vision

I actually never did play Killer Instinct. I know. Ken Lobb [Microsoft Game Studios] would be yelling in my ear right now, 'What are you talking about?' Killer Instinct's one of his favourite games. I know Killer Instinct is very high in the fan list and one we need to continue to keep our eye on.

Here's where I say, 'The chances of us innovating and focusing on Kinect are really high.' We will continue to look at things like Killer Instinct.

You asked personal, right? I've mostly talked about professional, but I'll bring it to me as a dad and a husband. I have two little girls. I have a 10-year-old and a seven-year-old. My motivation, really, at a personal level, is that everyone is invited to come in and play.

I very much have been over the last, I'd say, if you think about the last 10 years as Xbox has grown up, very motivated by creating experiences the entire family can play.

Now don't get me wrong – we've played lots of Kameo together. We've completed Kameo four times playing co-op together with a controller. Seriously. Lots and lots of Kameo time. But, there is this visceralness and simple approachable fun about getting up off the couch using your full body and playing sports the way you play sports.

My two girls play football – or soccer, as we call it in the United States...

That's right. Notice that's where I started. Personally, I want to continue to build experiences like that so that everyone in the family is invited to jump in and play. Professionally, the innovation and pushing the boundaries of innovation is unparalleled. There's nothing like it. That's why I think it's the perfect opportunity at the perfect time.

Just pretend for a second that Kinect was not here. I know it's here, it's big, bold, bright, loud and proud, right? But let's assume it wasn't here. Look at the incredible portfolio that is there for the core gamer. From Halo: Reach to Black Ops to Gears of War to Fable III... Oh my gosh, the list just goes on and on and on and on. There are lots of great games to go play on Xbox 360.

Now, put Kinect back into the picture, it complements that perfectly. Here is a bunch of easy, simple, approachable pick-up-and-play games, and, oh by the way, look at what we just did at TGS and look at the kind of experiences we're going to bring for the core gamer, and you're going to continue to see us innovate and bring new experiences on the Kinect platform.

This is just the beginning. There is a whole host of experiences that are game-focused and entertainment-focused, that people can enjoy with or without Kinect.

I'll probably play it through for a fifth time with my family. I'll just start with that. Anything beyond that, we'll continue to evaluate and look at.

To invite people in who never thought about playing games before. At the same time, delighting people that think of themselves as gamers. It's an 'and', right? I grew up on games. I see the value and power of games, both socially and intellectually. There is an incredible opportunity with Kinect and building on the success of Kinect Sports to do exactly that.