Microsoft's Shane Kim: Sales Race is 'Tight'
But he does comment on rumour and speculation.
Shane Kim: Does comment on rumour and speculation
Yesterday's Microsoft Gamers Day in California saw the corporate vice president, Microsoft Game Studios, Shane Kim, speaking about all things, well, gamey. Among much on-message blahing, Shane did something shocking - he did comment on rumour and speculation!
On Motion Controllers
"We don't comment on rumour or speculation..."
But then...
"But I've never heard of a motion sensing controller... I don't know what you are talking about..."
That's a comment if we ever saw one - and on rumour and speculation! On that bombshell, let's see what else he had to say about games and gaming (of the video variety that is).
Sales vs PS3
"With respect to the sales, the race is very tight so you are talking about 10,000 units here and there. That's not going to reverse the install base we already have. With regards to the European numbers, I think we've got to look at the data and see what it says, because everyone likes to quote their own numbers."
They certainly do, Shane. Still, it's interesting that there are only ten thousand units in it.
Blu-ray
"I think there's the potential for more multi-disc titles, we've already shipped a few of those. But I don't think this is so drastic that people will start saying that Microsoft made a mistake not using Blu-ray. I just don't believe that. What we've been able to see with the vast majority of titles on Xbox 360, is really great experiences are not really constrained with the lack of a hard drive or a larger capacity disc."
No, come on! Xbox 360 owners, tell us in the Forum if you don't have a hard disk drive.
Tails
"We said from the beginning that we expect the Xbox 360 to have a long tail. Clearly we didn't do that with the original xbox, which was a strategic decision we made. Admittedly, we don't have any experience doing this, but we're pretty confident (that the) 360 will have a long tail."
'We don't have any experience'? You are Microsoft, surely you can buy experience?
Remember Alan Wake?
"When you can announce a game and get people really excited about it, the last thing you want to do is show it before it's ready. Alan Wake is pretty ambitious, in terms of what it's trying to do. It's taking a very different approach to storytelling and game-play and it's taking a lot of work to get it right."
Remember Halo Wars?
" I'm excited with the progress we've made - Halo Wars is a lot of fun to play - but it's not ready to show yet."
On other controllers
"We're going to continue to look at new ways we can introduce different things - the third parties are doing this as well with the music controllers. So there are opportunities for us there too. We're an R&D company at heart."
Don't tell Steve Balmer that, he thinks you're a profit making company.
On the Wii
"It's not turned out to be a great third-party eco-system."
We think that means that third-parties don't like developing for the Wii - not that the Wii is a hard place to grow fresh developers.
By the way, why doesn't Microsoft let Robbie Bach talk about games any more?
You can read the full interview, minus our smart-arsed comments and corrections at CVG
On Motion Controllers
"We don't comment on rumour or speculation..."
But then...
"But I've never heard of a motion sensing controller... I don't know what you are talking about..."
That's a comment if we ever saw one - and on rumour and speculation! On that bombshell, let's see what else he had to say about games and gaming (of the video variety that is).
Sales vs PS3
"With respect to the sales, the race is very tight so you are talking about 10,000 units here and there. That's not going to reverse the install base we already have. With regards to the European numbers, I think we've got to look at the data and see what it says, because everyone likes to quote their own numbers."
They certainly do, Shane. Still, it's interesting that there are only ten thousand units in it.
Blu-ray
"I think there's the potential for more multi-disc titles, we've already shipped a few of those. But I don't think this is so drastic that people will start saying that Microsoft made a mistake not using Blu-ray. I just don't believe that. What we've been able to see with the vast majority of titles on Xbox 360, is really great experiences are not really constrained with the lack of a hard drive or a larger capacity disc."
No, come on! Xbox 360 owners, tell us in the Forum if you don't have a hard disk drive.
Tails
"We said from the beginning that we expect the Xbox 360 to have a long tail. Clearly we didn't do that with the original xbox, which was a strategic decision we made. Admittedly, we don't have any experience doing this, but we're pretty confident (that the) 360 will have a long tail."
'We don't have any experience'? You are Microsoft, surely you can buy experience?
Remember Alan Wake?
"When you can announce a game and get people really excited about it, the last thing you want to do is show it before it's ready. Alan Wake is pretty ambitious, in terms of what it's trying to do. It's taking a very different approach to storytelling and game-play and it's taking a lot of work to get it right."
Remember Halo Wars?
" I'm excited with the progress we've made - Halo Wars is a lot of fun to play - but it's not ready to show yet."
On other controllers
"We're going to continue to look at new ways we can introduce different things - the third parties are doing this as well with the music controllers. So there are opportunities for us there too. We're an R&D company at heart."
Don't tell Steve Balmer that, he thinks you're a profit making company.
On the Wii
"It's not turned out to be a great third-party eco-system."
We think that means that third-parties don't like developing for the Wii - not that the Wii is a hard place to grow fresh developers.
By the way, why doesn't Microsoft let Robbie Bach talk about games any more?
You can read the full interview, minus our smart-arsed comments and corrections at CVG
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Comments
SuperSaiyan4 14 May 2008 11:29
1/11
I personally feel Peter Moore was the best spokesperson for Microsoft Xbox 360.
The only good thing is with Microsoft is that with huge titles like gears of war 2 and when Halo 3 was announced it was given a release date of 'This year' for example.
3rd party games get announced too early and then delayed forever, I mean where on earth is Huxely for example???
Also if Alan Wake and Halo wars is not finished then how about showing us some footage on its progress??
I have a feeling Microsoft is going to announce some sort of new controller but personally I dont think the Xbox 360 is suited to a controller like that of the Wiimote.
Lastly I do want to say that even though it was a shame Microsoft did not include a HD-DVD drive in the 360 its appaulling that they had to release a 'Core' console with no hard drive.
Since Microsoft are adament on using PC parts its amazing that considering how cheap hard drives are they charge extorniate prices...They could have brought out a premium and an Elite and thats it that way you got 2 great models with a hard drive - they messed around by then adding hdmi later on but I suppose its no where as bad as what Sony did with the PS3.
All in all for me as a 360 gamer its going to be a great year.
Oh and Spong apparently Kotaku has a leaked list for the Spring update for the 360.
The only good thing is with Microsoft is that with huge titles like gears of war 2 and when Halo 3 was announced it was given a release date of 'This year' for example.
3rd party games get announced too early and then delayed forever, I mean where on earth is Huxely for example???
Also if Alan Wake and Halo wars is not finished then how about showing us some footage on its progress??
I have a feeling Microsoft is going to announce some sort of new controller but personally I dont think the Xbox 360 is suited to a controller like that of the Wiimote.
Lastly I do want to say that even though it was a shame Microsoft did not include a HD-DVD drive in the 360 its appaulling that they had to release a 'Core' console with no hard drive.
Since Microsoft are adament on using PC parts its amazing that considering how cheap hard drives are they charge extorniate prices...They could have brought out a premium and an Elite and thats it that way you got 2 great models with a hard drive - they messed around by then adding hdmi later on but I suppose its no where as bad as what Sony did with the PS3.
All in all for me as a 360 gamer its going to be a great year.
Oh and Spong apparently Kotaku has a leaked list for the Spring update for the 360.
schnide 14 May 2008 12:16
2/11
As some forum members might tell you, I speak a little bullshit now and then. And so:
..in fact translates as:
"Sony's going to overtake us this year, and we know it."
With respect to the sales, the race is very tight so you are talking about 1,0000 units here and there. That's not going to reverse the install base we already have.
..in fact translates as:
"Sony's going to overtake us this year, and we know it."
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SuperSaiyan4 14 May 2008 12:30
3/11
Microsoft are around 8million ahead of Sony on sales, if Sony does manage to catch up who cares? It could very well translate to what you have said because for many its the best option when you want to go blu-ray.
If many already own a 360 they might want a PS3 as well, you cannot stop the consumer from purchasing what they want its all about the choice hell I will eventually get one again I reckon when they bring back the proper PS3.
But Microsoft's 360 userbase will continue to grow and if by 2012 when the new one launches their userbase is say around 50million or more depending on the next Xbox and what it can do and offer I still think the market is still always going to be there for Microsoft.
If many already own a 360 they might want a PS3 as well, you cannot stop the consumer from purchasing what they want its all about the choice hell I will eventually get one again I reckon when they bring back the proper PS3.
But Microsoft's 360 userbase will continue to grow and if by 2012 when the new one launches their userbase is say around 50million or more depending on the next Xbox and what it can do and offer I still think the market is still always going to be there for Microsoft.
schnide 14 May 2008 14:13
4/11
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
Microsoft are around 8million ahead of Sony on sales, if Sony does manage to catch up who cares?
Pretty much everyone, much as they pretend not to admit it.
tyrion 14 May 2008 14:25
5/11
schnide wrote:
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
Microsoft are around 8million ahead of Sony on sales, if Sony does manage to catch up who cares?
Pretty much everyone, much as they pretend not to admit it.
The people saying "who cares" now are the ones who were saying "360 pwns PS3 ass" this time last year.
Those saying "who cares" last year are those saying "PS3 pwns 360 ass" this year.
Remember: It's not proper fanboy-ism unless you ignore the "facts" from the other side! :-)
mscene256 14 May 2008 18:53
6/11
The Market is definitely harder for Microsoft at this point, and very much in favor of Sony right now. It is inevitable that PS3 will catch and beat the 360 in installed base (sooner than later), the PS3's year to date sales worldwide have always been better than the 360's. They are only 6 million units behind, about 13 million PS3s to 19 million 360s, and the 360 has been on sale about twice as long. The big gap is in the US where the 360 had been outselling the PS3 consistently but as of 2008 the PS3 sold more units every month except March and was only down by 5000 then, with the fact that the PS3 will most likely have outsold the 360 in April I feel this trend will continue or at least stay incredibly close in US sales from this point forward.
Sony made a huge misstep in the price range of the PS3 but the fact remains at this point in time it is in the best position of all 3 companies. You need two main things to be successful in the video game industry, a way to drive hardware sales, mainly exclusives, and software sales, mainly 3rd party, to generate future revenue. The days of 3rd party exclusive games seem about over and can no longer be relied on; Nintendo and Sony have huge 1st party exclusive lists and both will for the foreseeable future. With Halo Makers Bungie leaving MS, they are left with only Forza's Turn 10 really, so MS is the only company without any real hardware driving method now.
Conversely while PS3 and 360 have huge 3rd party support, the 3rd support for Nintendo isn't that great and dropping off every month, meaning Sony's PS3 is the only system that has both parts down and working for them at this very point in time. And yes Nintendo's 1st party exclusive WIi Sports is destroying hardware sales, that is just one half of what is needed, which I am sure they are very aware of. However I assume Nintendo as well as Microsoft are making some sort of plans to sew things up, at the very least I would think they are going to change a few things in the not so distant future.
The bottom line is while the PS3 stumbled at the beginning with their launch, it is turning out to be exactly what was needed to make this one of the most balanced console generations in history. If the only thing you changed, back in 06 was that the PS3 launched at $200 less than it did, the PS3 would have most likely dominated the market by now. No matter what you may think don't be fooled the ball is in Sony's court, we'll see what they do with it and how the others counter. Hopefully things will continue to stay this balances since it forces these companies to make better quality products and benefits us as the consumers.
Sony made a huge misstep in the price range of the PS3 but the fact remains at this point in time it is in the best position of all 3 companies. You need two main things to be successful in the video game industry, a way to drive hardware sales, mainly exclusives, and software sales, mainly 3rd party, to generate future revenue. The days of 3rd party exclusive games seem about over and can no longer be relied on; Nintendo and Sony have huge 1st party exclusive lists and both will for the foreseeable future. With Halo Makers Bungie leaving MS, they are left with only Forza's Turn 10 really, so MS is the only company without any real hardware driving method now.
Conversely while PS3 and 360 have huge 3rd party support, the 3rd support for Nintendo isn't that great and dropping off every month, meaning Sony's PS3 is the only system that has both parts down and working for them at this very point in time. And yes Nintendo's 1st party exclusive WIi Sports is destroying hardware sales, that is just one half of what is needed, which I am sure they are very aware of. However I assume Nintendo as well as Microsoft are making some sort of plans to sew things up, at the very least I would think they are going to change a few things in the not so distant future.
The bottom line is while the PS3 stumbled at the beginning with their launch, it is turning out to be exactly what was needed to make this one of the most balanced console generations in history. If the only thing you changed, back in 06 was that the PS3 launched at $200 less than it did, the PS3 would have most likely dominated the market by now. No matter what you may think don't be fooled the ball is in Sony's court, we'll see what they do with it and how the others counter. Hopefully things will continue to stay this balances since it forces these companies to make better quality products and benefits us as the consumers.
PreciousRoi 15 May 2008 07:43
7/11
How about the people who are saying who cares because the Wii is pwnz00ring both PS3 and 360...not that I'm one of those people...I'm the person who says Sony cares that they ever got in this big of a hole in the first place, who said that a 30% share (however you want to calculate it) would qualify as a win condition for MS. This generation was Sony's to lose, and despite having made some good decisions, they also made enough bad ones, and to give credit where its due, MS did make some hay while the sun shone, despite their own share of debacles. I still see MS having an edge in the software arena, but improvements to PSN and time could shrink that.
When the 360 withers on the vine due to lack of a BluRay drive I'll concede MS' defeat...until then I'm sticking by my original thesis, with later modifications based on Nintendo's position and future actions. Sony is just lucky they still have as much goodwill and user loyalty as they do...its not as powerful as I think they counted on it being, fanboys being ultimately a fickle lot...but I still see it driving much of the PS3's sales.
Next move should be Nintendo's and as I've said before will shape the "next-next-gen", at least insofar as it can be imagined currently.
mebbe not entirely objective...but when I read it I had to think of that one thread...
When the 360 withers on the vine due to lack of a BluRay drive I'll concede MS' defeat...until then I'm sticking by my original thesis, with later modifications based on Nintendo's position and future actions. Sony is just lucky they still have as much goodwill and user loyalty as they do...its not as powerful as I think they counted on it being, fanboys being ultimately a fickle lot...but I still see it driving much of the PS3's sales.
Next move should be Nintendo's and as I've said before will shape the "next-next-gen", at least insofar as it can be imagined currently.
MS press release wrote:
Xbox 360 leads with the industry's highest software attach rate, more than any other console this generation, and is home to the best-selling games. With the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV in April, Xbox 360 is now the home to more than 16 platinum titles that have sold through one million units or more including hits like "Halo 3," "Madden NFL 07" and "Madden NFL 08," "Gears of War," "Guitar Hero II" and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" and "Call of Duty®2, Call of Duty®3 and Call of Duty®4: Modern Warfare™," giving Xbox 360 two times more platinum-selling titles than the Wii and a 16:2 lead over the PlayStation 3 in game titles topping one million in sales.Games not only sell better on the Xbox 360, they play better, too: Xbox 360 has 91 titles with a Metacritic review score of 80 or higher, compared with just 22 titles for Wii and 50 titles for PlayStation 3.
mebbe not entirely objective...but when I read it I had to think of that one thread...
schnide 15 May 2008 09:38
8/11
PreciousRoi wrote:
30% share (however you want to calculate it) would qualify as a win condition for MS.
An economist would agree with you. I'm sure it's not the market share they'd have liked to have but nevertheless it's still a sizeable figure, assuming that's how it ends up.
PreciousRoi wrote:
This generation was Sony's to lose, and despite having made some good decisions, they also made enough bad ones, and to give credit where its due, MS did make some hay while the sun shone, despite their own share of debacles. I still see MS having an edge in the software arena, but improvements to PSN and time could shrink that.
I think a slightly more accurate metaphor would be that they bundled together the first pieces of hay they could find as soon as the sun came out and made sure the price was as low as it could possibly be, because Microsoft have a massive amount of fund reserves they knew they could fall back on. My main resentment for the Xbox in this whole shebang is that they bought their way in, claimed it was all about the games and then inevitably have started trying to strongarm their media hub into the living room. They were so willing to do that this time around that they shipped a machine without a current-gen storage solution and with a horrifically high failure rate. Sony on the other hand produced a big, clunking warhorse and didn't whore it out straight away as cheaply as they could and now it's paying off.
Nintendo, as I have said for the last three generations now, will suffer for a lack of third party titles. Combined with an underpowered machine, I really would like to know what they can come up with to stop 'n' million Wii's being left in the cupboard by 2009.
PreciousRoi 15 May 2008 10:11
9/11
that 30% figure was something I came up with back when we were still talking about the NextBox and the Revolution.
attempt to "spin" noted.
you don't like MS, we get it.
as for Nintendo, we've discussed the probability of a next gen (this gen?) Wii and Nintendo's overarching plan vis-a-vis the Wii relatively recently..
attempt to "spin" noted.
you don't like MS, we get it.
as for Nintendo, we've discussed the probability of a next gen (this gen?) Wii and Nintendo's overarching plan vis-a-vis the Wii relatively recently..
schnide 15 May 2008 11:38
10/11
When you're a mod, you can comment on what I can and can't say and what has and hasn't been already.
Until then you can carry on being a pompous little geek mistaking obscurity for relevance like the rest of us. Don't you have some hentai to go look at?
Until then you can carry on being a pompous little geek mistaking obscurity for relevance like the rest of us. Don't you have some hentai to go look at?
PreciousRoi 15 May 2008 22:49
11/11
When you're a god you can tell me what I can and can't do, until then stuff your permissions up your arse.
Of course I will magnainimously proffer my assent to your remaining a douche.
Of course I will magnainimously proffer my assent to your remaining a douche.