Xbox 360 Doesn't Want To Be Hardcore 157
An anonymous reader writes "CNET.com.au has just posted an interview with Microsoft Game Studio head Shane Kim. The head games exec for the Xbox 360 admits he wants the console to be more family friendly (read: more like Nintendo and Sony). From the article: 'The positioning of the platform is very different now. We were so paranoid that people knew the Xbox was a hardcore gaming machine in the first generation that we really alienated, or closed off, a lot of our opportunity.'"
No Problem! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:No Problem! (Score:2)
Price? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Price? (Score:2)
Having a family doesn't mean not having disposable income and not having one doesn't automatically give you it.
Re:Price? (Score:2)
Kids break $100 GCN, bad news.
Kids break $400 XBX, stroke time.
Re:Price? (Score:2)
Unless something really wierd happesn to the console-industry, the pricetag will soon drop.
The pricetag on the games will not...
If you buy a console for yourself, you'd be buying games that appeal to you.
In my own case that would probably mean between zero and two games per year. (I'm picky. Most games are crap.)
Even if you're a big-spender in games, you're only buying games for one person.
In a family, the kids probably won't want the same g
No kidding (Score:5, Insightful)
-- .sig in every post!
Now with a full
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Re:No kidding (Score:3, Informative)
Why wait, how about the GameCube? Or the N64? Or a PacMan game-in-a-joystick?
Seriously, 6-year-olds don't really care that much about the latest thing. They like video games, but if left to themselves I think it's about as likely they'd go for the PacMan as the revolu
Re:No kidding (Score:1)
3 Words for you: Revolution Download Service.
You/he/she can play lots of classic games for a cheap price.
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
They seen 3d and they don't want to go back. I have shown a 6 year old Pac Man, about 2 months ago. And all I heard was, "this is boring...can I jump? "
Re:No kidding (Score:3, Informative)
I'd say Nintendo is the way to go if you want games for kids. Mario games appeal to players of any age, and kids tend to love Mario games. Mario games also tend to be excellent games.
Re:No kidding (Score:1)
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
As for what's made for what console, here's the roundup for the PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox. You can find these at http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp [esrb.org] where there's a rather nice search engine.
PS2 EC: 1 game
PS2 E: 567 games
Xbox EC: 0 games
Xbox E:
Re:No kidding (Score:4, Informative)
Katamari Damacy.
Not to mention, if you're looking to go old skool, your PS2 will still play spyro.
Plus... Jak and dexter. They may not be games for 6 year olds, but I don't remember anything in Jak II that a 3rd or 4th grader couldn't handle. Nothing that I hadn't seen in Battletoads or Ninja Gaiden or Bionic Commando. Well, except boobs, but they're clothed, and they're going to see worse than that on the 6 o'clock news.
Oh, and that brings me to things like Tony Hawk (which is admittedly also available on the gamecube). THPS is kid friendly.
So, yeah, there are good games for kids on playstation.
Re:No kidding (Score:1)
What's the big deal with boobs? (Score:2)
I'm pretty sure most people don't care about boobs in any way until after puberty. Considering that people are still breastfed as kids anyway, what's the big deal? Boobs are boobs. They're not going to fly planes into buildings, or shoot your mother.
Re:What's the big deal with boobs? (Score:2)
Re:No kidding (Score:4, Insightful)
Yeah, but did Jak have Hitler's head exploding at the end of the game?
Best NES game evar.
Re:No kidding (Score:1)
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Jeez, you mean to tell me you weren't seeing blood or at least something resembling it in video games? When I was 11, the SNES came out, and street fighter shortly thereafter. That had like a mist that sort of looked like blood, and we were always looking for a game genie code or some other hax to turn it red so that it was more realistic. SNES Mortal Kombat, that actually had blood, i think. I must have been in 4th-ish grade, and I haven't killed anyone yet.
~Will
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
I've always assumed it was a language issue.
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
I was brestfed so I saw a pair quite often when I was very young.
I'd say it's the ones obsesed with hiding them that have a problem. It doesn't have to be a sexual reference all the time.
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Depending on the games you play, Nintendo systems may be better for the more casual gamer who doesn't want to spend hours and hours grinding away, or play FPS games, or any of the things that aren't fun about gaming. (Or, at least not fun to me.)
What I want out of games is nice simple interface, the ability to pick it up every
Re:No kidding (Score:1)
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
I've actually been thinking that maybe after the PS3 comes out it'll be time for me to look at used PS2s... Between Kingdom Hearts 1&2, Katamari Damancy, and Guitar Hero, there's actually stuff that appeals to me that I can't get for Nintendo.
That said, I'd certainly go for Nintendo first for kids, but a PS2 would be a go
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Re:No kidding (Score:1)
Re:No kidding (Score:3, Informative)
Why not get the Nintendo DS?
Pretty much all the games are rated Teen or less and are pretty simple for any kid (or adult) to pickup and learn to play in less than 5 minutes.
I'm having a blast with mine. Tetris DS is way too fun!
Re:No kidding (Score:1, Funny)
Wife?
Kid?
XBox 360?
And you claim that your a
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
Then knowing that I have not one, but two wives will really blow your mind. Well, one is the EX model, but, it still counts right? ;)
--
Sig monde
Re:No kidding (Score:2, Informative)
Re:No kidding (Score:2)
No, but I believe her brother has an, ummm, open mind.
--
I keed! I keed!
Two ACs answered in one! (Score:3)
I'm not a 'sports nut' kind of guy. I can expound endlessly on the minutiae of s
Re:Two ACs answered in one! (Score:2)
Even better! (Score:2)
Then tell him he has to ride back every hour to check in.
Hmmm. OK, wait til he's 9 or 10.
Wierd (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Wierd (Score:2, Troll)
Re:Wierd (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Wierd (Score:1)
Re:Wierd (Score:2)
All it means is, they will shortly launch a new marketing campaign to try a gain some significant sales and to fend off the idea that a lot of potential customers are waiting for the playstation 3 work & play console coming out for the Christmas sales period.
They might not want to buy the Sony console but they certainly want to wait and compare the two b
Re:Wierd (Score:3, Interesting)
Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:4, Interesting)
It really did many things right; I think the controllers were the best from that generation, or at least after the "giant hands" oopsie got fixed.
And it was a terifically powerful system, and I'm so glad that they're landbreaking moves into online multiplayer didn't stop them from giving full-hearted 4 player support...Sony dropped the ball on both of those, with ad hoc per-game network support, and only 2 controller ports w/o a multitap.
On the other hand, even from the outset...the form factor was terrible. The sucker was a beast...one of the reasons why the GC is my "travel" system. The original controllers, though some people dig 'em, were also beastly, and didn't you need to buy a remote if you wanted to watch DVDs? That kind of sucked.
Despite generally having somewhat superior ports of the mainstream games, Xbox relied on its "Killer App" Halo more than the other systems. I enoyed odd PC ports like Crimson Skies and oddball one offs like Fuzion Frenzy...
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:1)
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:2)
Perfect Dark?
The only thing I can think of are the upcoming X-Men and Justice League games.
I really think that co-op games (especially 4 way) deserve a lot more attention than they get. Playing with other people in the same room, all at the same time, is more fun to me than playing online. It's a shame that only shooters get that treatment, because not everyone I know likes shooter games. What's worse to me is the apparent disregard for 4 player racing in recent games
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:2)
I might eat my words someday but I don't think LANing will ever be a major factor in console gaming. Too much lugging of TVs. Handhelds might have more of it though.
One of the reasons I first bought a large (for the time) 36" TV and now have a video projector is so that each player get s a nice healthy view. Sure, there's no "privacy", and some games struggle w/ the rendering, but it's very social.
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:2)
I'm not much of a high-rez wonk; I'm sure they make HD projectors, but for me SVGA is fine, even blown up. I find a bigger picture more appealing than a super duper highrez one.
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:2)
Crimson Skies ain't a FPS, really.
KungFu whatever isn't saying so much.
Plus there have been some arcade retro packs.
Alright, not that much in all. But I'm still glad it's 4 ports
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:1)
what are you talking about? i really dont understand why most people think the original controllers were too big... im 16 now (must have been 13 at least when the xbox was released) and i find the "huge" controllers are perfectly comfortable to use, they fit great into my hands, and I have no trouble reaching any buttons.... and never have
What is with all the smaller-is-better rubbish concerning controllers, the 360 pads are really small and fiddl
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:2)
yes, some people found 'em great, but you gotta admit that there was a wide perception that they were oversized.
Re:Starting w/ the Formfactor in retrospective (Score:1)
The problem most people had with the original controller was that it fit into their hands too well and left little in terms of manouverability. I noticed the same thing with the Atari Jaguar, which was an otherwise good console at the time. As a result, I greatly preferred the PS2 controller. Most people ("most" being the operative term) like to be able to shift their hands and fingers around a b
Doesn't make sense... (Score:2, Redundant)
Considering that Microsoft has generally made the XBox quite a bit about online play also furthers the distance from what's being said here.
Most parents don't want their younger kids doing things online without their supervision or at all, due to much media attention, so trying to make online play the main attraction of it (and making it cost money to do so) would see
Re:Doesn't make sense... (Score:1)
"head games" exec (Score:3, Funny)
Re:"head games" exec (Score:1)
Really... (Score:2, Interesting)
I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:5, Insightful)
And yet - they have a $400 console, the games for the system so far are a lot of FPS games, then there's Condemned, and Dead or Alive 4 - all interesting games, but nothing that makes me want to sit down with my 4 year old son and 7 year old daughter and say "Hey, let's play some DOA4, kids! Watch Kasumi's bounce physics!"
We have started up a game of "Kingdom Heart 2", which we can all enjoy, or Mario 64 DS, or my daughter really likes "Animal Crossing" and wants her own DS someday for "Nintendogs" (which she can only get if she keeps her grades up and does well in her chess club), and my non-gamer wife likes Tetris on the new DS.
So far, I'd say that if Microsoft intends for the 360 to be a "non-hardcore" system, then so far they're doing a crappy job of it. Right now, it *defines* the hardcore console gamer.
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:1)
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:2)
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:2)
Ever tried introducing the kids to old NES ROMs? Or would that be engaging in unabashed parental nostalgia?
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:1)
Eh? First off, Condemned == FPS. But that's not my point. Let's look at some games, shall we? Let's start with the current Recent Top Games [gamerankings.com] for 360 from GameRankings (this list may change, of course):
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:2)
"I'd consider non-hardcore to be more about targetting casual gamers rather than getting the 6-year-old crowd."
I think a lot of casual gamers play with their families, which means the games need to be appropriate for 6-year-olds.
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:1)
I deal with that all day long
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:1)
The XBox live arcade is great, and it does have a lot of games non-hardcore gamers would love, but without a mainstream title to convince them to buy the system in the first place, it won't matter what's on the live arcade.
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:1)
Non FPS 360 games:
- Amped 3
- Astropop
- Bankshot Billiards
- Bejeweled
- Blazing Angels
- Burnout Revenge
- College Hoops 2k6
- Condemned
- Crystal Quest
- DOA4
- Fight Night 3
- Feeding Frenzy
- FIFA 06
- Full Auto
- Gauntlet
- Geometry Wars
- Hardwood Backgammon
- Hardwood Hearts
- Hardwood Spades
- Hexic
- Jewel Quest
- Joust
- Kameo
- Tomb Raider
- Madden 06
- MLB 06
- Marble Blast Ultra
- Mutant Storm Reloaded
- NBA 2k6
- NBA Live 06
- Need For Speed MW
- Outpost Kaloki X
- PGR3
- Ridge Racer 6
- Robotron: 208
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:2)
School grades I can understand. But letting the decision on wether or not to buy her a DS based on how she does in chess is a little too much. Lighten up, its only a game.
Re:I heard an interesting discussion about this (Score:2)
"Does well" in this family equals "Try hard and don't be a whiner". Thanks for reminding me I have to include these definitions for the 1% of the population without a clue.
Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:1)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:1)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2)
Re:Xbox 360 is not expensive (Score:2)
It doesn't matter how many juice boxes or burritos consumers could buy with their video game money; if they have money to spend on a console, they're already full up on the necessities. The question is, how do they feel about the price of the product - does it inflict sticker shock? That's something that gradual inflation won't affect. Especial
Other Features Important... (Score:4, Informative)
I enjoyed playing games on my 8088 PC back in the day, so no matter what the difference between the next gen consoles are, they are gonna all have fun games to play. The question will be who offers the best secondary features. Xbox 360 is offering integration with your PC, and has Xbox Live Arcade (I enjoy the classic arcade games)... Sony is offering Blue-Ray, so audio/video buffs will be excited for that... It will all depend on secondary features to see who really is the winner, though.
Mod parent up (Score:1)
Honestly, when I bought my 360 I wasn't too excited about it because of the launch titles (though I do enjoy a few of them) but I was blown away at the sheer amount of extra things that I didn't think I cared about.
It's come to the point that Someone Who Isn't Me pirated a copy of Windows Media Centre just to get the streaming video to round out the features on his Furnace 360.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Other Features Important... (Score:2)
All of this "media center" crap will probably eventually be included either
1. as part of the tv
2. (more likely) as part of the PVR device your cable company will be renting you
If you think about it, its pretty stupid that right now you have to buy a 400-500 dollar device (computer or xbox360...or modded *original* xbox, although that's cheaper) to get acces
Microsoft Seems Adrift In The Console Market? (Score:4, Interesting)
They are now the only company where you have to pay to play online. There entire online service as a revenue generating machine pretty much looks like a joke now that Sony and Nintendo are providing the same types of services for free.
They rushed the 360 hardware out the door but clearly still haven't nailed down the manufacturing process with the massive defect problems people are having.
They talked up the HD era but have no way of outputting 1080p.
They talked up what a safe long term bet the 360 is but managed to include disc storage that is actually smaller than the first Xbox.
They talked up the graphic power of the machine but those claims have become a joke.
And they talk about expanding out of their old demographic and their library of games is almost exactly the same as the first Xbox.
It's almost like they are actively trying to fuck up across the board in every area of console hardware and software. Every single thing they talk about looks to be the complete opposite in reality. Maybe E3 will turn things around.
Re:Microsoft Seems Adrift In The Console Market? (Score:1)
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is great, but it's far behind Xbox Live in features.
Sony online, I'll believe it when I see it (they promised the exact same thing for PS2, how did that turn out?) Sony doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt because of their history of hype
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:1)
Bingo! : p
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:5, Funny)
Nope, that was Sony. The character design in FFX2 was crass and Square...though I'm not sure if "ugly" applies.
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:2)
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:3, Insightful)
not even remotely ass much as the XBox is/was, first person shooters and sports games seem to make up over half of the library for the XBox.
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:1)
PS2 has its RPGs and Nintendo has its first party long-running franchise games (Zelda, Metroid, Mariokart, etc).
While just about every game available on Xbox is also available on PS2 the big difference is Xbox Live.
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:5, Funny)
Darling, don't forget that after the polo match, we have dinner with the Addisons, then cocktails on the veranda, followed by the fundraiser at the Museum of Modern Art, and then the Pokemon tournament. Don't forget to bring a couple bottles of Dom and the DS.
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Xbox is for fratboys...? (Score:2)
Wait. How are you supposed to have a beer when playing, when you need both hands? I think the Revolution with it's controller will be the perfect fit if you want your beer while playing
Mod parent up (Score:1)
-Eric
Oh Dear Lord (Score:1)
Re:Oh Dear Lord (Score:2)
What I loved about the Xbox was that while it had it's share of high profile releases, it had so many forgotten gems just waiting to be discovered. And aside from the Xbox Live Arc
Re:Open Letter to Microsoft (Score:2)
Re:Weird (Score:2)
Re:Missed the point, and even the barn (Score:1)
X360 *is* the next-generation of gaming, and they *have* defined it, because no other next-gen consoles are out yet. So who exactly are they iplaying catch-up in the next generation with?
"Microsoft deciding to be more family friendly now means they completely missed their mark"
No, it means that they are concerned with Nintendo, who has an actual functioning product and is ready to hit the market soon a
Re:Missed the point, and even the barn (Score:1)
So let's break dow