With today’s news that Microsoft’s Shane Kim and Phil Spencer have been promoted in the wake of marketing VP Jeff Bell’s departure, Next-Gen has an interview with the two about the future of the Xbox 360. Spencer and Kim make some upbeat promises for the system — Gears of War 2 will be “huge.” Fable 2 will be “huge.” Surpassing the success of Halo 3 is just “another benchmark, another milestone to exceed in the future.” It’s far from unusual for game executives to talk up their consoles and software, but we at GameCyte got to thinking: How many grains of salt should we be taking these with? What sort of a track record do Microsoft and others have when it comes to delivering on their promises? In this, our first look at the promises — and results — surrounding our game systems, GameCyte takes a look back at what the Xbox 360 claimed it would do, and analyze where Microsoft execs have led us astray.
PROMISE: “At launch, Xbox 360 will be backward compatible with the top Xbox games. Our goal is to have every Xbox game work on Xbox 360. You will NOT need to purchase a new ‘version’ — your original games will work on Xbox 360.” (Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, Xbox Live Director of Programming, 5/19/05) Comforting words for those who had sunk a major investment into their game libraries for the original Xbox. The goal of ensuring the full library would be functional definitely helped soothe some folks, who noted the seemingly odd choices for titles that were in the BC list at launch.
DELIVERY: At present, there are 464 Xbox games that are officially backwards-compatible, though quite a few suffer from poor performance or outright errors. Also, don’t bother waiting for your particular favorite to make the list, since there’s a good chance it’s not getting any longer. “At some point we’re going to focus less on it. When you get to the end of this year there will be a reduced focus on backwards compatibility. There are so many 360 games out there. I don’t know if it’s important anymore.” (Chris Satchell, Head of Microsoft’s Game Development Group, 3/8/07)
“I don’t know if we have plans to do any more releases. It feels like we kind of hit the point of diminishing returns there. I know with the Xbox Originals, there are still things happening there, but in terms of a lot of engineering work around bringing out new titles, I think they’re winding that down… I know it’s not exactly the answer everyone wants to hear, but I feel like it’s time.” (Albert Penello, Group Marketing Manager for the Xbox 360, 1/9/08) Oh, and those Xbox Originals that Penello is referring to? Those are 360-based versions of old Xbox games which are available for purchase, though, to Microsoft’s credit, they are also all on the BC list. So you don’t have to buy them.
PROMISE: “The return rate [of the Xbox 360] is significantly lower than the CE industry average of 3-5 percent.” (Unspecified MS Spokesperson, 2/14/07) The reports of the Red Ring of Death were greatly exaggerated, or so we were promised.
DELIVERY: “Suffice it to say that with a billion-dollar charge and the focus we’re putting on this that it’s a meaningful number.” (Robbie Bach, President, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, 7/6/07) Okay, maybe there was a failure rate as high as 33%, big deal. Y’know, promises break.
PROMISE: “We’ve made a pretty bold step today… and we’re going to take care of you whether you bought one on launch day or yesterday and protect you against those problems that are indicated by the three red rings on the console.” (Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, 7/5/2007) In July, Microsoft extended the Xbox 360’s warranty to three years where it concerned the infamous Red Ring of Death.
DELIVERY: Microsoft takes very good care of broken Xboxes, and very good care of the consumers who send them in for repair. You might almost say they have top men working on it.
Top men… who lovingly wipe each console to give it that fresh ivory sheen.
PROMISE: “By opening the Xbox Live entertainment network to the entire universe of Windows and mobile gamers, we’re creating unparalleled gameplay opportunities that will drive incredible growth of the online community. Our vision is to deliver consistent, compelling experiences that make it easy for consumers to jump in and play, from any device at any time. It’s a vision that only Microsoft can deliver.” (Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation, 5/9/2006)
Check out friends’ Xbox LIVE status on my mobile phone? Where do I sign up?
DELIVERY: “Live Anywhere is not abandoned; it’s just not easy to do.” (Jeff Bell, Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business, 5/20/08) Ooooh… hope Bill didn’t hear that — you just might have to find a new line of work.
PROMISE: “This marks the first of many games to come which will support the Games for Windows – LIVE service, connecting six million Xbox LIVE® members and hundreds of millions Windows gamers.” (Press release, “Shadowrun” and “Halo 2″ Mark the Launch of Games for Windows - LIVE,” 5/31/07)
DELIVERY: May I direct your attention, please, to the right three columns of this lovely Wikipedia article.
Please note how many GFW titles Microsoft has approved.
Please note how many of those GFW titles have no GFW LIVE functionality.
Class dismissed.
Think we’ve been recruited by the Sony Defense Force? Think again. Perhaps we worship at the altar of Nintendo? Find out next week…
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