Fascinating Microsoft Interview

[NovaXpress]

This is the transcript of J Allard's interview about the future of the XBox and Microsoft's plans to do for video games what they did for operating software. Be afraid, be very afraid. Microsodt has some pretty strong ideas in the works.

 

Eurogamer Transcript

[Ze_ro]

Reminds me of the Nuon... except applied on a larger scale by a more powerful company.

 

On the other hand... didn't they try something like this back in the 80's with the MSX computers? Worked in Japan, but that's about it.

 

--Zero

[PuddWakkr]

Sounds good to me. A Sony made box that plays PS3 games but also uses XNA to play Xbox Next games as well. Sign me up right now.

[HawgWyld]

This is the transcript of J Allard's interview about the future of the XBox and Microsoft's plans to do for video games what they did for operating software.

 

Beautiful! So, my damned computer doesn't work right, and MS wants to bring that same level of quality to my gaming console, does it?

[Adrian M]

 

Beautiful! So, my damned computer doesn't work right, and MS wants to bring that same level of quality to my gaming console, does it?

 

It's not the computer you blame, but rather, the USER!

[oesii]

It's not the computer you blame, but rather, the USER!  

 

 

 

Exactly! Blame the user for not getting a Mac.

[liveinabin]

I'm not surprised at the whole XNA thing. After all, what major multinational DOESN'T want to be a monopoly? Not keen on the idea though. While it will undoubtedly make games development easier if there is a single tool set, a single platform (of sorts), I'm sure it'll lessen the fierce competition that has always existed amongst console manufacturers, the same competition that pushes gaming to newer and better heights.

Would the US have got to the moon when they did if the USSR hadn't been trying as well? No way. Same principle here.

[pmpddytim]

I agree with liveinabin. I don't want to see this happen. Unfortunatly, I think the people who don't think about games as much as we do (most people) wont think twice about it and swallow it hook line and sinker.

 

-Tim

[NovaXpress]

I can think of two companies that might not go for this: Sony and Nintendo.

 

Remember that Gates tried to get Sony to use DirectX, but Sony saw the writing on the wall (perhaps learning from IBM's old mistake) and rejected the idea.

[somePUNK]

i'm hoping sony tells gates where to stick it, compitation makes greatness!

[Adrian M]

i'm hoping sony tells gates where to stick it, compitation makes greatness!

 

Competition certainly does make greatness. In fact, had Microsoft not come into the current hardware race, Sony would very well have ended up a virtual monopoly in this generation seeing as how Sega dropped out and Nintendo would have faltered on its own.

[figgler]

I can think of two companies that might not go for this:  Sony and Nintendo.

 

You're right, Nintendo will never go for this, ever. If they are not making games that work exclusively on their hardware, they won't be making games at all.

[NintendoDieScreaming]

 

Eurogamer Transcript

 

:o

 

 

And I supported this company's system?!?!?!

 

 

I would certainly love to see Sony's reaction to this. It just wont do, and without that many companies in the race, they look like the best suited to retaliate, if Microsoft tries this.

 

Im not going to comment on the OTHER COMPANY...

[HawgWyld]

 

Beautiful! So, my damned computer doesn't work right, and MS wants to bring that same level of quality to my gaming console, does it?

 

It's not the computer you blame, but rather, the USER!

 

Err, right. The typical brain-dead response from a Microsoftie. Had you come around a few years ago with that crap when my Win 95 box disintegrated and took my files with it (thank God for backups), you would have probably gotten a face full of fist.

[Adrian M]

 

Beautiful! So, my damned computer doesn't work right, and MS wants to bring that same level of quality to my gaming console, does it?

 

It's not the computer you blame, but rather, the USER!

 

Err, right. The typical brain-dead response from a Microsoftie. Had you come around a few years ago with that crap when my Win 95 box disintegrated and took my files with it (thank God for backups), you would have probably gotten a face full of fist.

 

Oh dear! Violent aren't we?

[HawgWyld]

Nope. I just have little patience for idiots.

[figgler]

Nice one.

[Adrian M]

Nope. I just have little patience for idiots.  

 

Wow! A brilliant response!

[Ze_ro]

After all, what major multinational DOESN'T want to be a monopoly?

 

The funny part (or rather, one of the funny parts, for there are many) is that it's very obvious that their whole plan here hinges on becoming a monopoly. This whole XNA thing will never work unless Microsoft can get it on LOTS of platforms, and then they immediately have control over pretty much a whole industry. Not that I'm surprised by Microsoft's monopolistic plans... it's just that usually they're not so thinly veiled.

 

At least they have experience with anti-trust suits

 

--Zero

[HawgWyld]

Nope. I just have little patience for idiots.  

 

Wow! A brilliant response!

 

It was what we call a measured response. It's never good to talk above the head of the other party to a conversation, after all.

 

Idiot.

[Fretwobbler]

I dont like the sound of it but I would not bet against it happening.

 

Bigger development cost's and longer development times are becoming a problem. Production cost is rising at a faster rate than revenue apparantly these days.

 

This will lead to further consolidation in s/w developers and publishers, these fewer companies will want to use a massively 'bigger' game to hit hundreds of millions more users to net a return on the Titantic-beating budget super-game.

 

In 10-20 years time when there are very few, but huge game production companies they will jump on this bandwaggon with unequivacal support without a second thought, as will any big electrical vendors that arent in the industry currently.

 

In 2015, when the 10 remaining, but huge, publishers all say to the hardware vendors, "This is the way we are going to do things from now on" sony and nintendo will bend over backwards and say "Yes sir!", or pull out.

 

Phillips make money on every CD Player you buy which I can stomach - they did invent it after all. Looks like we have to get used to Microsoft making a cut on every XNA system that gets bought, thats about the size of it as far as I can tell.

[HawgWyld]

Ah, but another company might come in and consolidate everything. Microsoft, after all, is the "known evil" in the equation, but what if Sony, Nintendo or a party-to-be-named-later decides that an "industry standard" is needed?

 

Frankly, I like the chaotic nature of the gaming industry. If you hate Sony, go with Microsoft or Nintendo. There's plenty of choice involved, and that's good. It doesn't matter to me if Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Nestle Entertainment or whoever else wants to enforce an "industry standard," such a move is horrible for innovation.

 

Want proof? Just take a look at the computer industry. It's damn near stagnant, except for Apple and the Linux crowd.

[Adrian M]

Nope. I just have little patience for idiots.  

 

Wow! A brilliant response!

 

It was what we call a measured response. It's never good to talk above the head of the other party to a conversation, after all.

 

Idiot.

 

Ah yes! Again resorting to name-calling and personal insults. Shame.

[HawgWyld]

Uh, Adrian. You're the one who started off with the "personal insults" and "name-calling."

 

What's good for the goose...

[Stingray]

When I read that interview the Imperial March from Star Wars started playing in my head for some reason.

 

-S