Microsoft changes to Wii strategy

Microsoft changes to Wii strategy
Microsoft's Peter Moore has revealed in an interview by Game Informer that they are going to reshape their Xbox 360 strategy. The idea behind this is the success of fun-oriented competitor Wii, even Microsoft has noticed and accepted the simple and effective approach of Wii, which appeals to a wide range of customers with its easy and fun to play games.

"From a first-party point of view, it's not just about E-rated games, it's going to be about the experience that, quite frankly, Nintendo has done a tremendous job in capturing, in bringing back fun - if you will - to the gaming platforms," Moore said in the interview.



It's not all Wii, Microsoft has made a few family games such as Viva Pinata before, and Peter Moore said that their "strategy has been laid out for us years in advance." However, he also hints that the solution doesn't necessarily involve games but "more experiential" updates. This is where motion-sensing comes in. Currently Xbox 360 is the only next-gen console not to feature a motion-sensing controller, question remains how long?

Speculations aside, according to Moore, Microsoft is going to rely more in downloadable content in the future, "Digital distribution is coming. All three consoles have some form of it as you know. Xbox Live Arcade is, I think, the premiere way we're looking at digital distribution, which is, if you will, more snack-sized games rather than full downloads of multi-gigabyte gaming experiences."

Source:
CVG


Written by: Matti Robinson @ 27 Feb 2007 1:25
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  • 30 comments
  • borhan9

    To me this just makes the Wii stronger, cause Microsoft can not come up with a original idea.

    I don't like the fact that we have to go to a downloading Microsoft site to get stuff. See if it was for free i understand but the make you get a subscription. Go figure.

    27.2.2007 01:52 #1

  • gabsta69

    I don't think it will be long before MS realease a motion sensitve controller, jump on the bandwagon so to speak. Looking at the line up of games coming out this year, the XBOX 360 is not really aimed at parents and kids all coming together to use the console.

    Bring it features such as downloading movies and tv programs, then you have the whole family using the 360. I don't think it will take off properly though - not for a couple of years when the costs start to fall.

    27.2.2007 01:55 #2

  • BobbyBlu

    Tell me i just didn't hear that...LMAO one word come to mind when i hear this...COPYCAT.So much for 360 being nex-gen like the M$ fanboys say.Thats a slap to every 360 owner face,brand new console only been out for a year and they running low on idea's.

    27.2.2007 02:25 #3

  • sebast1an

    Personally I dont see Microsoft going for a motion sensitive controller as it would be hard to justify the business sense. In saying that though, wouldn't be a first time that they've thrown money at a situation just to keep up...

    Each Wii comes with a Wiimote so the developers know that they will not be cutting down target audience by developing a game which uses that functionality. If it was to be developed for the 360, then the max install base will not be every owner, but only those that have this 'new' controller / whatever it is...

    Nintendo has been really smart and followed through on its aims - all the fanboys say its kiddy, its not capable of producing out standing graphics. They know that, they've developed it as a fun, easy to use system, with a lot of pick up and play games, that the new era of casual games love. Not the ones who pick up EA games each 3 months they are released, but the new gamers, who are just looking to have a little entertainment.

    Playing to their advantages leaves Nintendo in a much stronger position, and stereo-typically Microsoft's machine will always be for the graphics fans, Sony will be, well somewhere with its super computer, while the Nintendo brand will drive the fun aspect of gaming that the others just wouldn't be associated with...

    27.2.2007 02:57 #4

  • mrtoast2

    I think it is great the big N is doing so well this time out! They were the ones that really got most of us going with our first games (or the Atari 2600 that I had first) and they deserve it.

    Has M$ ever come up with an original idea? The just profit from thier economy of scale and so it looks like they innovate. Windows, Office, all of it was "borrowed" from someone else wasn't it?

    I have a 360 and I love it, but the download movies and tv are too expensive. I do however like the XBLA games, I just wish I knew when Castlevania was going to be there!!!

    I hope Nintendo continues to re-define the industry, and I hope they stomp SONY into the dirt!

    27.2.2007 03:54 #5

  • chubbyInc

    Originally posted by BobbyBlu:Tell me i just didn't hear that...LMAO one word come to mind when i hear this...COPYCAT.So much for 360 being nex-gen like the M$ fanboys say.Thats a slap to every 360 owner face,brand new console only been out for a year and they running low on idea's.Isn't that what we should say about the PS3, at least Xbox admits to the Wii's Success and doesn't hide behind false figures and millions in pointless advertising. The PS3's motion sensing garbage controller is copied from the Wii so why can't Xbox do the same. I don't want to come off to mad but almost everyday you go on about how the PS3 is so great and then with this comment of yours all you can do is mention xbox and copycat in the same sentence, listen to yourself you don't make any sense! So much for 360 being nex-gen?? Ummmmmmm it is! they just realized Wii has created a huge fan base around their controller and wants a little slice of the cake. PS3 ran out of ideas in a couple months, they all scratching their heads wondering why no one wants to buy their system.

    27.2.2007 05:26 #6

  • georgeluv

    wii's success = cheap price tag

    THATS IT!

    27.2.2007 05:48 #7

  • duckNrun

    Cheap price tag AND the physical interaction with the game world.

    Yeah I got my HTPC and not yet outdated gaming machine, currently building my new bleeding edge high end gaming pc but the last console I owned was a ps2 that I traded off in fall of '05 for a semester of no pay commuting to school (lol).

    But I have to admit I have been thinking of getting a Wii for the above reasons.

    27.2.2007 06:07 #8

  • psyantist

    Chubby.....you just have to ignore Bobbyblu, the guy is an utter moron.

    As far as Microsoft giving kudos to Nintendo and acknowledging the motion sensing aspect of gaming is straight up respect. I guess some people have never heard the phrase "imitation is the best form flattery". Now for the people who say MS can't come up with an orignal idea....shut up. Original idea. Business is made from taking one idea and making it better, cheaper and more accessible. Hell, just listen to any 3m commercial....they tell you straight up!

    27.2.2007 06:57 #9

  • hughjars

    If you're going to be genuinely responsive to the market and fully competitive then of course the companies will end up either simply copying what works or 'developing' each other's ideas and products.......

    .....and when you consider 3rd party games it's hardly a matter of copying so much as opening up your machine to that particular product.

    It has always happened in all of the business world - and it always will (even patents are limited & can't give 100% 'protection').

    .....but for the Sony fanboy(s) to try and bash other companies for doing exactly what Sony themselves have done (and only so recently)?

    Well, it's just the typically laughable, brass necked, rather childish and blind worship......but surely no surprise to anyone?

    27.2.2007 07:36 #10

  • ZippyDSM

    DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



    "sigh"
    To a little to late you come in with a hodge podge of a console raised undead from the computer underworld and now you think you are missing something.......WAKE FCKING UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

    Games are abotu fun and untill you short term bastards start looking at games as projects that can gain money over a 5+ year time span and maybe invok sub culture worship if they are good enough (dues ex,System shock,Undying,Dungoen keeper,ect) you will fail to get anywhere.


    Let me restate that without the ranting

    You the suits and CEOs who focus is on the sheeple gamer they are easily lead but have a very short attention span , you have to come back to them yearly with new stuff to wow them or they will wonder else where because focus on them you will always be on the knifes edge of success and any change in the wind and you will bleed if not die,you need to get back to gaming with systems under 330$ world wide get back to fun with innovative control schemes and lower prices on the consoles.

    What I am getting at MS/Sony you have to reinvent yourself every 4-6 years to try and keep up you make overpriced systems take huge losses on them and hope that game sales will fix things if you did things right from the start there would be no fixing only profit......

    Now if MS would release its new 360 at 350$ or less that would be a start however both MS and Sony have stated we don't support games anymore.............

    27.2.2007 07:37 #11

  • oofRome

    Wow a lot of agression today.


    I figured that if the Wii was successful, there would be a lot of motion sensing accessories flooding the market. Microsoft would have to make some quality games to really put a dent in the Wii demographic.

    I wonder when MS will announce the products relating to the Moore interview. My guess is at the new e3.

    27.2.2007 08:45 #12

  • ZippyDSM

    Originally posted by oofRome:Wow a lot of agression today.


    I figured that if the Wii was successful, there would be a lot of motion sensing accessories flooding the market. Microsoft would have to make some quality games to really put a dent in the Wii demographic.

    I wonder when MS will announce the products relating to the Moore interview. My guess is at the new e3.
    Not been feeling to well of late my point is the 360 from the start was never about "fun".

    27.2.2007 08:53 #13

  • spydah

    OK let me first start off by saying what others have already said M$ has never came up with a orginal idea. Bill is the greats pirate of all pirates but doesnt want another person or group to beat him at his own game for 160+ billion reasons. Now as for M$ coping the Wii and Sony with motion sensor Sony had to use that because they were sued by a company that had the dual shock patent and so was M$ but M$ settled out of court Sony fought and lost. They took on the motion sensor control before the Wii mention they was using a control with some similar but different features. If M$ jumps on that bandwagon they will be doing what everybody has already known for years which is stealing some more shiznit that they couldnt think of first. Just like them updating the 360 to HDMI and placing a larger hard drive like the PS3 which M$ will be using a 120gb drive instead of 60 like PS3. Also making their newer 360 a black or smoke black looking color which again Sony has done before them. The funny thing is so many people on here want to bash PS3 for its price when M$ will be getting you for more money with their new unit i know this off the subject but it was something that needed to be said.

    27.2.2007 10:21 #14

  • ZippyDSM

    spydah

    And to think Sony is learning from MS 0_o

    27.2.2007 10:33 #15

  • spydah

    Well yeah and no yeah they both are kind of coping each other but if you think about it PS2 had hard drive support but didnt include it with their system but a year later M$ did have Hard support. Sony had the idea first but got to greedy put the price to high and didnt market it right. M$ capitalized on that by adding it in the cost of the system. So yeah Sony is learning from them but M$ again stole what they had already attempted to do but made out better in the end.

    27.2.2007 10:47 #16

  • hughjars

    I don't think anyone can claim 'rights' on a colour - especially black for a/v gear.

    Personally I'm glad black is coming back, I hated the silver fad and I'm not keen on white for my CE stuff.

    The move to black (for this new 'media XBox 360') makes sense as a means of clearly defining it whilst at the same time the same overall shape will show it to be the same 'brand'.

    It's just a real pity the can't ditch all the bl**dy silly shapes and make stacking the a/v gear under or around my TV a lot easier.

    Same with a built-in HDD, it's a PC thing, no mere console owns the idea.
    Of course consoles were always going to go down this route......and with the advent of high def of course there is going to be a demand for larger and larger sizes.

    HDMI?
    Frankly I think it's (like 1080p) grossly over-done.
    It'll be a handy connection point (if it's going spare) but until a decent range of a/v receivers appear with a settled spec
    (is it HDMI 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.3a or 2?) it's of little use to me or too many others
    (besides some rather pointless & dumb juvenile spec bragging rights).

    But for all that the point still has to be faced that the market either seems to like these things or has been led to expect these things and so the manufacturers respond.

    It's perfectly clear that the Wii has turned people on to the idea of the motion sensor, the challenge now is to refine, improve and innovate on that idea.......or do nothing & be left behind.
    No serious business is just going to do nothing & accept that
    (and Microsoft did not get to where they are today without having a keen eye for this kind of thing)

    Rather silly complaints of them 'copying' really are besides the point.

    But moaning about one company doing this (and ignoring the long history of the exact same behaviour of the others) really is, frankly, just too weird.

    Whatever next, eh?
    Making deranged claims of strong human emotions like 'love' or 'hate' for a faceless multinational CE company? :P

    27.2.2007 13:13 #17

  • h8xor

    Frankly I hope the Wii winds the console wars, and makes massive profits. I loved playstation, and the xbox was great, but put things in perspective. I have to work and deal with my life, and as much as I would love to game, there just isn't a whole lot of time in my life for it. I love making the cheap investment of the Wii, and even better, I love the memories it brings back of when I played on all the other Nintendo consoles. Nintendo is, quite frankly, a trooper, and unlike both Sony and Microsoft who really just want my money, I actually can look back on Nintendo fondly and say, "Hey, they really delivered". Can you ever think of one time Nintendo has shafted their customers? I can't. For the time I have, I enjoy having fun with my friends and when I'm alone on the Wii.

    27.2.2007 16:38 #18

  • SGSeries2

    Quote: if you will If I want to, I'll do it on my own, Mr. Moore. I'll call it whatever I want to call it. I don't need your permission, and will disregard your use of "for the time being - figuratively speaking" phrasing. I'm sure, if this was spoken, he most likely was doing the whole double-quotes gestures while he was at it. You're dismissed, Mr. Moore. You may, nay, shall leave.

    My apologies for my rant.

    27.2.2007 17:14 #19

  • chamonofx

    Stop flaming and be objective. I (read well, I) enjoy the x360 a lot. I had ps2, xbox, and gamecube for last generation. The console I played the most was the xbox, then gamecube, then ps2. So I went and purchased a 360 this time without blinking, and I (read well again, I) am very happy with my purchase. I haven't tried wii and ps3 ENOUGH to be discussing this and that, what I can say is that PS3 games so far are not that good but the console has great potential so I'll wait and Wii started good, it's fun, but I'm a hardcore gamer who likes graphics a lot and the ones I've seen from Wii are not enough for me so far from what I've seen. All 3 consoles seem to have their pros and cons so depending on what you like you might be very happy with any of those.
    EDIT: oh yeah, Wii controller is fun, but I wouldn't trade my x360 for a Wii now. I don't see anything bad about what MS said.

    27.2.2007 17:27 #20

  • xSAVANTx

    ...Is the art of critical thinking dead? If you anti-Microsoft people would stop with your sophmoric assertions, you'd see that anything done would likely be on the software side.

    HELLO! What's been announced for this holiday?IPTV...software.What was actually discussed in the interview and not entirely left up to the imagination?Software (games). What is Microsoft's strong point?Software...Get it?Microsoft will rely on software, not peripherals. Since when has Microsoft valued hardware over software?

    Free your minds from the binds of bias, and you shall see the argument I have presented as valid and likely correct.

    On an unrelated note, I find that Wii fanboys think that Nintendo has done everything right,and anything the others do right is stolen from Nintendo. The Wiimote isn't all that great. "But it gives you a workout!"...Riiiight...I have another idea-go to the gym. Do you think waving that remote around is gonna get you buff?Come on...its just a bit of cardio done in a poorly coordinated way. Go lift something heavy.THAT'S how you get stronger. Furthermore, I disagree with Nintendo's take on things. " Gameplay is suffering!Let's stop advancing graphics so that we can advance gameplay!"...So...advancing BOTH graphics AND gameplay is out of the question?Maybe, if you build hardware that could compete with 360 and PS3, you wouldn't make such a huge profit on the console itself?I suppose that would be alright, considering that Nintendo's every dollar comes from games.

    That said, Nintendo obviously does things right. I don't see why Microsoft should be criticized for taking note of brilliance and focusing that inspiration toward implementing things that benefit the industry.

    TO CONCLUDE:

    To each, his own. I love my Xbox 360.

    Be exceptional.

    27.2.2007 17:39 #21

  • xSAVANTx

    Originally posted by psyantist:Chubby.....you just have to ignore Bobbyblu, the guy is an utter moron.

    As far as Microsoft giving kudos to Nintendo and acknowledging the motion sensing aspect of gaming is straight up respect. I guess some people have never heard the phrase "imitation is the best [of] form flattery". Now for the people who say MS can't come up with an orignal idea....shut up. Original idea. Business is made from taking one idea and making it better, cheaper and more accessible. Hell, just listen to any 3m commercial....they tell you straight up!
    ...Damn right!

    Ever heard of product differentation?Everyone has the same basic ideas, but each business must adapt the ideas to achieve their goals.

    27.2.2007 18:04 #22

  • oofRome

    I love xSAVANTx's post. He starts out saying Nintendo didn't do everything right, then ends the post saying nintendo did things right.

    Aside from that, I think the 360 is doing fine the way it is.

    27.2.2007 21:51 #23

  • BobbyBlu

    Quote:As far as Microsoft giving kudos to Nintendo and acknowledging the motion sensing aspect of gaming is straight up respect. I guess some people have never heard the phrase "imitation is the best form flattery". Now for the people who say MS can't come up with an orignal idea....shut up. Original idea. Business is made from taking one idea and making it better, cheaper and more accessible. Hell, just listen to any 3m commercial....they tell you straight up!Okay we got some hypocrites in here because some people in here, you know who you was complaining about how Sony sixaxis was a stolen idea from Nintendo & saying that all Sony do is steal idea's from people.But now M$ come out and say they going to steal from Nintendo there nothing wrong with that.This make me wonder what side of the fence some of you really sit on.

    Far as Sony stealing from Nintendo can someone show me what the spec's was on the boomrang controller before they got rid of it.You can't because Sony didn't release any info on that controller so how could we know if it did or didn't have sixaxis in it? Just because they got rid of it don't mean they scraped it for a idea from Wii which is the same idea they had like 10 year ago power glove & powerpad.Plus if some of you remember Sony & Microsoft got sue for rumble.So don't you think that might have played a part of why there controller changed.

    Quote:Chubby.....you just have to ignore Bobbyblu, the guy is an utter moron. Let me know went you bring any creditable info to any tread here at AD.

    28.2.2007 03:16 #24

  • chubbyInc

    psyantist has a point. And their is no fence these are game systems.

    Quote: Quote:Chubby.....you just have to ignore Bobbyblu, the guy is an utter moron.

    Let me know went you bring any creditable info to any tread here at AD.

    Whether thats to me or Psyantist it's kinda hard to tell, but I think you should be asking yourself that question.

    I think you messed up on your sixaxis and nintendo glove talk, of course Sony partially would have copied Nintendo from the 10+ year old glove, If thats what you meant, It's hard understanding you. Where's your credibility? You don't make any sense!

    28.2.2007 05:38 #25

  • BobbyBlu

    Please if your going to talk about someone use the spell check and write complete sentence.

    Quote:I think you messed up on your sixaxis and nintendo glove talk, of course Sony partially would have copied Nintendo from the 10+ year old glove, If thats what you meant, It's hard understanding you. Where's your credibility? You don't make any sense!Show us proof that you are right because i know what im talking about please give us a link that Sony stole Nintendo idea im waiting.




    Microsoft: Ps3 cant do 60fps on 1080p. Guess what they were WRONG!!!!!
    (11/19/05 - 9/19/06) Microsoft: Sony's 1080p support on PS3 is all Hype and Not Needed.
    (9/20/06) Microsoft: Xbox 360 to add 1080p support.

    28.2.2007 10:24 #26

  • xSAVANTx

    As far as I know, Sony didn't steal motion sensing from Nintendo. For one thing, Nintendo didn't invent motion sensing technology. For another, if they DID copy Wiimote, I don't think SIXAXIS' capabilities would be so inferior in comparison. Most importantly, no one has presented any proof to the contrary.

    Why is Sony being discussed anyway? This is about MS and Nintendo.

    Microsoft complimented Nintendo's approach, and said that MS would be taking steps towards a similar approach. As usual, the anti-MS people rip MS apart for no good reason, simply because hating Microsoft is so "cool" or standard. Did anyone bother to mention that he says that they've had these plans since before Wiimote was revealed? like I've said, most anything MS will implement in regards to a Wii-like approach will be software based. It's just how Microsoft works. Software is their thing.Sony and Nintendo do hardware. Microsoft does software.

    Businesses share ideas all the time. Ever notice how all the consoles have developed online services that aren't COMPLETE crap? I guess, if the logic used by some persists, Nintendo and Sony stole (quality) online functionality from MS. Luckily, it doesn't.

    28.2.2007 13:49 #27

  • psyantist

    Thanks Chubbs.....I rest my case.

    Psyantist

    28.2.2007 13:56 #28

  • oofRome

    Originally posted by xSAVANTx:
    Businesses share ideas all the time. Ever notice how all the consoles have developed online services that aren't COMPLETE crap? I guess, if the logic used by some persists, Nintendo and Sony stole (quality) online functionality from MS. Luckily, it doesn't.
    Although to be fair, I doubt online play would be as advanced as it is right now were it not for Xbox Live.

    The only difference I'm seeing so far to the whole Sony stealing microsoft is not stealing is this:
    Microsoft has given Nintendo credit. They have said Nintendo has done a great job delivering, and they might be doing something just as innovative. As for them saying that this was laid in the groundwork, I'd disagree. I remember an interview with Gates, I think, in which he said he didn't see any motion sensing coming to the 360 games, citing that "Microsoft tried that once" (refering to one of the sidewinder pc controllers).

    (I found the article after a little digging)
    http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151882.html
    So, Microsoft tried to do both. I caught them in one lie, but on the other side at least Moore is giving Nintendo credit.

    Sony didn't give credit to anyone, and, as I understand it, was just following game evolution, oblivious to what Nintendo was doing. I personally thought it was a last minute move (and at e3 the warhawk demo was the only game that utilized the function), but it would be hard to prove it as it would be to disprove it.

    28.2.2007 18:20 #29

  • xSAVANTx

    Quote:Originally posted by xSAVANTx:
    Businesses share ideas all the time. Ever notice how all the consoles have developed online services that aren't COMPLETE crap? I guess, if the logic used by some persists, Nintendo and Sony stole (quality) online functionality from MS. Luckily, it doesn't.
    Although to be fair, I doubt online play would be as advanced as it is right now were it not for Xbox Live.

    The only difference I'm seeing so far to the whole Sony stealing microsoft is not stealing is this:
    Microsoft has given Nintendo credit. They have said Nintendo has done a great job delivering, and they might be doing something just as innovative. As for them saying that this was laid in the groundwork, I'd disagree. I remember an interview with Gates, I think, in which he said he didn't see any motion sensing coming to the 360 games, citing that "Microsoft tried that once" (refering to one of the sidewinder pc controllers).

    (I found the article after a little digging)
    http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151882.html
    So, Microsoft tried to do both. I caught them in one lie, but on the other side at least Moore is giving Nintendo credit.
    You have to remember that Microsoft never actually said that they were going the motion sensing route. People are just infering that. Personally, I REALLY doubt it. If MS wants to do gesture gaming, they can use the Vision camera. They've always talked about how players could possible do things such as make gestures in tactical shooters, as oposed to voice control.

    1.3.2007 03:56 #30

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