Gamespot: What Microsoft Must Do To Win Next Gen

With Nintendo's Wii follow-up, the Wii U, due at the end of this year, the talk of next-generation consoles is already crackling. Soon we'll be overcome with rumors, leaks, and speculation about the eighth generation of game systems, which includes the next hardware from Microsoft and Sony.

But what are at least 10 things each console manufacturer needs to do to find success in the next iteration of the system wars? Let's kick things off by examining Microsoft, but be sure to check back in the following weeks for an assessment on Sony, Nintendo, and the next crop of mobile devices.Gamespot

The article goes on to list ten important things that Microsoft needs to do, including making sure that its lower end base model isn't so stripped down as to limit developers (the lack of hard drives in Xbox 360 Arcade/Core really hurt the prospect of game development on the system in the long term, since developers had to develop for the lowest common denominator), embrace Blu Ray, evolve Xbox Live, invest in more first party franchises, and more. You can read the full article here.

The next Xbox will be crucial to Microsoft. As the final part in its three pronged strategy to gain entry into the living room, it is instrumental that Microsoft do it right.
What do you want from the next Xbox?

While the GS writer Hilary is stating the obvious in the OP (Many of these "must do's" many of us already have spoken about in SW,industry analysts have spoken about it as well), I'm sure we won't see all those things come to fruition.

Also, I don't agree with HD Kinect 2 being force bundled in the 720, that just would drive the price of the 720 up. I also don't agree in forcing Kinect 2 into every game. Some multiplatform games will just be wasting money trying to think of ways to waggle gamers around. Waste of time.

However, I have suggested since Kinect's release that is exactly what is going to happen. So, while I have predicted that outcome of a built in Kinect, I actually have always hoped against it. We all should know that peripheral support wanes eventually compared to an install bases game support. Built in always allows for devs to explore, like the Sixaxis or Wiimotes. Sure, it won't always impress, but the option is there. Don't FORCE KINECT to be required on developers though...that's a terrible idea. A lot of these ideas though are wishful phone ins we've discussed many times in SW.

The author seems to want it all...but doesn't realize Timed Exclusives /Timed DLC costs money...the very same kind of money that creating 1st Party games/new IP's cost. It's no coincidence that M$ shut down, sold off, and downsized it's 1st Party division while we saw cheapy Kinect/XBLA/Timed Exclusive deals take off. These things go hand in hand. The writer wants more 1st Party games and more Timed DLC. It seems like wanting their cake and eat it too kind of situation.

An imaginary wish list. Most of it is fine though, it sure would be nice if we could have it all...some of it will happen and it's VERY Obvious, like continued Timed content, Xbox Live new deals, and Kinect 2, and some of it won't like STEAM being allowed on the 720.

It looks like IGN fired Hilary Goldstein, the writer of this new Gamespot.com piece.

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Make more decent 1st party games and cut the Kinect crap.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.
• Stop the ridiculous timed-exclusives and DLC.

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.

GamerwillzPS

I would also say, go the way of building up 1st Party teams focusing on hardcore games, moving away from timed DLC/exclusives. Take that money going to Activision or whoever, and channel it into more games for gamers. :P

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.

SolidTy

I would also say, go the way of building up 1st Party teams focusing on hardcore games, moving away from timed DLC/exclusives. Take that money going to Activision or whoever, and channel it into more games for gamers. :P

Yes, this as well. I edited my post to add 1st party games.

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Make more decent 1st party games and cut the Kinect crap.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.
• Stop the ridiculous timed-exclusives and DLC.

GamerwillzPS

So in short you say , do exactly like the Company that sold the worst and lost lost all their money .

Top idea !

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Make more decent 1st party games and cut the Kinect crap.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.
• Stop the ridiculous timed-exclusives and DLC.

Caseytappy

So in short you say , do exactly like the Company that sold the worst and lost lost all their money .

Top idea !

I'm sorry but people suck if they like Kinect and Nintendo. I don't want any gimmicks that appeals casual gamers. They suck. PS3 is the PERFECT console in my point of view, it's just perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

If majority of people think the PS3 is a bad console, then this is an awful planet to live in and I do hope this world will end.

[QUOTE="Caseytappy"]

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Make more decent 1st party games and cut the Kinect crap.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.
• Stop the ridiculous timed-exclusives and DLC.

GamerwillzPS

So in short you say , do exactly like the Company that sold the worst and lost lost all their money .

Top idea !

I'm sorry but people suck if they like Kinect and Nintendo. I don't want any gimmicks that appeals casual gamers. They suck. PS3 is the PERFECT console in my point of view, it's just perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

If majority of people think the PS3 is a bad console, then this is an awful planet to live in and I do hope this world will end.

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

[QUOTE="Caseytappy"]

So in short you say , do exactly like the Company that sold the worst and lost lost all their money .

Top idea !

charizard1605

I'm sorry but people suck if they like Kinect and Nintendo. I don't want any gimmicks that appeals casual gamers. They suck. PS3 is the PERFECT console in my point of view, it's just perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

If majority of people think the PS3 is a bad console, then this is an awful planet to live in and I do hope this world will end.

Go on, tell me what you think in words instead of a smiley face.

I would like to see Microsoft pull back from console gaming. Still think they should market Windows 8 as a gaming platform like they did with Windows 98.

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

I'm sorry but people suck if they like Kinect and Nintendo. I don't want any gimmicks that appeals casual gamers. They suck. PS3 is the PERFECT console in my point of view, it's just perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

If majority of people think the PS3 is a bad console, then this is an awful planet to live in and I do hope this world will end.

GamerwillzPS

Go on, tell me what you think in words instead of a smiley face.

• Get rid of Kinect and go hardcore.
• Make more decent 1st party games and cut the Kinect crap.
• Get rid of DVD drive and use Blu-ray.
• Get rid of that ridiculously huge power supply brick, and build it inside the console like the PS3.
• Build the Wi-Fi in the console.
• Use decent hardware like the PS3.
• Change the controller.
• Cut that battery bollocks off the controller and build rechargeable ones inside like DS3.
• Make Xbox Live free.
• Change the dashboard back to blades and make it HD.
• Stop the ridiculous timed-exclusives and DLC.

GamerwillzPS

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

Go on, tell me what you think in words instead of a smiley face.

GamerwillzPS

Man, just look at the gaming industry. Look at the Kinect sales. Look at the Wii sales. This world is screwed. Yes, I'm serious and it's a fact that people are fvcking retarded. They literally ruined PlayStation.

oh noes the competition surpassed the playstation, whathever shall we do? :cry:

oh noes the competition surpassed the playstation, whathever shall we do? :cry:

rilpas

Enjoy playing such top notch titles such as "Cooking Mama Cook off" and "Kenectimals," I guess.

[QUOTE="rilpas"]

oh noes the competition surpassed the playstation, whathever shall we do? :cry:

Vraeth

Enjoy playing such top notch titles such as "Cooking Mama Cook off" and "Kenectimals," I guess.

don't own either of them, but seeing as how you're recommending them I'm guessing you love them

don't own either of them, but seeing as how you're recommending them I'm guessing you love them

rilpas

*Whooooooooooosh*

That was the point going over your head.

[QUOTE="rilpas"]

don't own either of them, but seeing as how you're recommending them I'm guessing you love them

Vraeth

*Whooooooooooosh*

That was the point going over your head.

Oh no, I got your point, I just thought it was stupid so I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt, my mistake, next time I'll just assume you're not very smart :)

[QUOTE="Vraeth"]

[QUOTE="rilpas"]

don't own either of them, but seeing as how you're recommending them I'm guessing you love them

rilpas

*Whooooooooooosh*

That was the point going over your head.

Oh no, I got your point, I just thought it was stupid so I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt, my mistake, next time I'll just assume you're not very smart :)

Wow, compelling argument you have there buddy. You really fielded some well thought out facts.

You really just don't get the point. Look at the majority of Wii games. Look at the majority of Kinect games. It's pretty self explanatory--those types of casual games are what drove the sales of Wii and Kinect, and if that's the future of money makers, that's what we're all stuck with.

Flail about with your insults like the tool you are, but the fact is I'm right, you're wrong. You're the one coming off as an idiot.

Alert. Alert. Self absorbed young person who thinks everything in gaming should cater only to their taste.

Alert. Alert. Self absorbed young person who thinks everything in gaming should cater only to their taste.

SUD123456

Oh wow, you went straight to the "ur a kid" card. Very compelling. Or, you could take the more honest approach and say "Wow, I don't have an argument, so I'm just going to call you a kid."

It has nothing to do with being self-absorbed and it has everything to do with the industry is completely going in a direction which alienates a lot of gamers because the market is simply bigger. But I guess seeing a hobby I like slowly dying due to the mainstreaming just makes me self-absorbed. Enjoy your Kinectimals.

Alert. Alert. Self absorbed young person who thinks everything in gaming should cater only to their taste.

SUD123456

so I'll just reiterate my original point:

"oh noes the competition surpassed the playstation, whathever shall we do? "

[QUOTE="SUD123456"]

Alert. Alert. Self absorbed young person who thinks everything in gaming should cater only to their taste.

Vraeth

Oh wow, you went straight to the "ur a kid" card. Very compelling. Or, you could take the more honest approach and say "Wow, I don't have an argument, so I'm just going to call you a kid."

It has nothing to do with being self-absorbed and it has everything to do with the industry is completely going in a direction which alienates a lot of gamers because the market is simply bigger. But I guess seeing a hobby I like slowly dying due to the mainstreaming just makes me self-absorbed. Enjoy your Kinectimals.

Alert. Alert. Self absorbed young person who thinks everything in gaming should cater only to their taste AND who has no grasp of capitalism.

Hint: Capitalism is not a zero sum game.

The only thing anybody needs to do to win next-gen is to be open to all distribution models, methods, and pricing.

Just look at the game industry when it comes to PC and tablets/smartphones. Both have been seeing record growth each year, and have been rapidly increasing since 2008.

Meanwhile the console industry has been on the decline since that same time period, and just this year alone (for one example) the NPD has posted year-over-year decline every month.

It's simple! There are millions of gamers who can't afford to drop $60 on each game they want. Not only that, but some can't even afford the $10-$15 arcade titles either.

As it stands the tablet/smartphone and PC industries are the only industries that allow gamers of all budgets to play. Even people with no money can still game on the PC.

-Use monthly payment plan tied to super low hardware price.
-Kinect "2" based.
-Ingame advertisements.
-Pay for exclusive deals. "I don't create, I own."
-Focus on USA so they can take these to more extremes.
-Blueray and more aps/services.
-Partner more with Activision.
-In the meantime wait for more media services to distribute worldwide.
-Gain control of media outlets around games (review sites etc.).

I don't think the Xbox will be that crucial to MS next gen. Like always, Windows will be their bread and butter that allows them to even try anything else.

It's a pretty solid setup they have with Windows.

Create an operating system that, with updates, chugs more and more on the hardware it used to run great on. This helps drive PC sales, which come with new copies of Windows, which makes PC manufacturers love MS and allows MS to make the deals for PC developers to shut out any possible competition.

The only thing anybody needs to do to win next-gen is to be open to all distribution models, methods, and pricing.

Just look at the game industry when it comes to PC and tablets/smartphones. Both have been seeing record growth each year, and have been rapidly increasing since 2008.

Meanwhile the console industry has been on the decline since that same time period, and just this year alone (for one example) the NPD has posted year-over-year decline every month.

It's simple! There are millions of gamers who can't afford to drop $60 on each game they want. Not only that, but some can't even afford the $10-$15 arcade titles either.

As it stands the tablet/smartphone and PC industries are the only industries that allow gamers of all budgets to play. Even people with no money can still game on the PC.

Raymundo_Manuel

-Use monthly payment plan tied to super low hardware price.
-Kinect "2" based.
-Ingame advertisements.
-Pay for exclusive deals. "I don't create, I own."
-Focus on USA so they can take these to more extremes.
-Blueray and more aps/services.
-Partner more with Activision.
-In the meantime wait for more media services to distribute worldwide.

KungfuKitten

Well done for making some of the worst decisions ever made. Apart from Blu-ray.

People like you are part of the problem. The gaming industry is dying.

here is my two cents:

- Make Kinect 2 optional

- Buy Epic

- Buy Rockstar (sell Skype if you have to)

- Spend a lot on the X720 GPU

- Make all retail games downloadable on XBL day 1

- Use BD

- Don't be afraid of having an expensive hardware, just do like what Apple does, and subsidize the hardware via 2 years contracts (similar to the $99 X360 plan)

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

Go on, tell me what you think in words instead of a smiley face.

GamerwillzPS

Man, just look at the gaming industry. Look at the Kinect sales. Look at the Wii sales. This world is screwed. Yes, I'm serious and it's a fact that people are fvcking retarded. They literally ruined PlayStation.

1# stop appealing to casuals.

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] I think you're ridiculous if you were being serious. dotWithShoes

Man, just look at the gaming industry. Look at the Kinect sales. Look at the Wii sales. This world is screwed. Yes, I'm serious and it's a fact that people are fvcking retarded. They literally ruined PlayStation.

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"][QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

Man, just look at the gaming industry. Look at the Kinect sales. Look at the Wii sales. This world is screwed. Yes, I'm serious and it's a fact that people are fvcking retarded. They literally ruined PlayStation.

wewantdoom4now

go look at sony e3 1995 conference.

ps1 was aimed at 19 year old hardcore gamers what they said.

go look at sony e3 1995 conference.

ps1 was aimed at 19 year old hardcore gamers what they said.

wewantdoom4now

[QUOTE="wewantdoom4now"]

go look at sony e3 1995 conference.

ps1 was aimed at 19 year old hardcore gamers what they said.

dotWithShoes

ps2 outsold ps1 because of the casuals buying it for a dvd player.

Built-in Kinect seems to ignore the reality that Kinect needs to be positions on top of/underneath/next to you TV to work. Unless the whole console is going to fit on a mantlepiece, built-in Kinect is a dumb idea. Ninja-Hippo

ps2 outsold ps1 because of the casuals buying it for a dvd player.

wewantdoom4now

They need more reliable and powerful hardware, better exclusives, less focus on Kinect, and free online gaming.

Basically they need to make a PS3.