Thursday May 11, 2006
E3: Microsoft
I want to start my E3 thoughts with the 3 console players, and today
that means Microsoft.
In a lot of ways Microsoft has figured out the right approach.
Their whole model is shifting to a community based approach. They
have had tremendous success with XBox Live and are now expanding the
capabilities of that service. They are really starting to build
up their XBox Live Arcade offering - which provides for "casual" type
games. Often many of these games are the same ones found at the
casual game sites like Pogo.
Bill Gates made an appearance to announce Microsoft's new
Anywhere" initiative where players can play games between PC, XBox
360, and mobile devices. I wonder where
have heard that before. :^) Even the motif for
Microsoft's booth was all about community gaming.
As for the games, Microsoft was showcasing all of their platforms - PC,
XBox, XBox 360, and even mobile. Lot's of good looking games, but
almost all looked like clones of something else. The only new
game type was Viva Pinata. Microsoft was definitely in the mode
where they were launching a new round of games to make their new
console compelling. They are racing to get as many different
games and as many 360's as possible into the market before the PS3
launch. Some titles include: F.E.A.R, Prey, Shadowrun, Too Human,
and Madden NFL 07. Gamespot
has a pretty good rundown of the games. They also had on display some
of the new 360 add-ons, including the HD-DVD player.
In the meeting rooms, apparently Halo 3 was making it's
appearances. This is funny because a couple of months ago at a
conference, Bill Gates made a slip reference to Halo 3 which made all
the internet sites go crazy. Well, now it is official.
There isn't too much to argue with about Microsofts strategy.
They are trying to control all of your devices, and are finding
compelling reasons to do so. I think the community approach is
the right one. They aren't going to be as powerful as the PS3 and
not as innovative as the Nintendo Wii, but they are hitting consumers
in a sweet spot. It's even got me seriously thinking about
picking up a 360.
Posted at 01:56PM May 11, 2006 by dtwilleager in General |
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