Microsoft: Xbox isn't a gaming console

"For over five years millions of gamers have enjoyed the Xbox 360 as a games console. But, according to the man who runs Microsoft, it's not a games console at all.

It is, instead, a "family entertainment centre" – according to CEO Steve Ballmer.

"Xbox isn't a gaming console," he declared to theUSA Today. "Xbox is a family entertainment centre. It's a place to socialise. It's a place to watch TV. We have Hulu coming. It's the only system where you are the controller. Your voice, your gestures, your body."

Ballmer said Xbox and the eight million selling motion-sensing add-on Kinect are where the "consumer heat" is.

"I think about my own family," he said. "My wife used to say, 'No, no, that's the machine the boys use,' and now she says, 'Yeah, I want to go watch movies. Let's go play the dance game.'

"It opens up accessibility to family entertainment because with the Kinect, you control these systems with your body, with your voice. We've opened up the world of content in TV, movies. You just sit there and say 'Xbox' or 'play movie'."

He added: "You go to your average 15-year-old boy, and he will say, 'I'll take an Xbox.' I want that average 15-year-old girl as excited about the Kinect, and we haven't done as good a job drawing in that broader set of demographics."

Microsoft has in recent years attempted to broaden the appeal of the Xbox 360 console with applications focused on non-gaming activities. In the UK, the Xbox 360 features the Sky Player, Last.fm, Facebook and Twitter integration and film and music streaming."

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-17-microsoft-xbox-isnt-a-gaming-console

It's a hardcore family entertainment centre

further proof that ms have lost sight of what the xbox is really about.

Had a good run almost 9 nine years of xbox gaming but it might be time for me to "Jump out"

That explains why they don't make games for it.

The Xbox was a gaming console and MS has always aimed for it's next gen console to be a entertainment hub hence the name 360 so, just sayin.

yeah i dont think il be buying the next xbox tbh my entertainment center is my pc, i dont need a piece of casual crap

Why wouldnt girls like Kinect? Dance Central is a girls game after all

pitiful attempt at marketing to the casual crowd.

what on earth will you do with if not play games? slap a BR-player in it and that statement has even a hint of credibility.

Reminds me of Sony earlier this gen.vashkey

MS is like Sony now. They can't make their minds up what the 360 is.

I feel very insulted that he says that "15 year old boys" are the ones that own this console. Really ticks me off... They don't know crap.

I bought so many games for 360... That I cover over 12 people for the average of 8 games per console. You think 15 year boys got money for that or for XBL for that matter?

MS is really ticking me off. Way to dump on the people who made your console successful.

Not a bad thing. I don't know why people are getting offended and "betrayed" (lol)LastRambo341

I dont think people need to get all whirled up by this. Its just a company thinking they are a huge hub of entertainment. Sounds like typical bossman talk.

Quote from IGN: "Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that the Xbox 360 isn't a gaming console – and that's what helps differentiate it from its competition..."

Well, there is a competition, and it is Sony PS3... They always target the same demographics.

It's a gaming console, it's not the center-point of peoples lives, jesus...GeneralShowzer

Old news. They've been saying the same thing from the start. And so has Sony. Both are aiming to be the central of living room. Only pure gaming console from the three is Wii.

Quote from IGN: "Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that the Xbox 360 isn't a gaming console – and that's what helps differentiate it from its competition..."

Well, there is a competition, and it is Sony PS3... They always target the same demographics.

Maybe once they add the rumored cable channels it will be come an entertainment center for me. Right now it's a gaming console I can watch videos and listen to music on. I'm still at a loss of why they didn't add a blu-ray drive to the new 360s model.

Maybe once they add the rumored cable channels it will be come an entertainment center for me. Right now it's a gaming console I can watch videos and listen to music on. I'm still at a loss of why they didn't add a blu-ray drive to the new 360s model.

coasterguy65

MS is like Sony now. They can't make their minds up what the 360 is.

I feel very insulted that he says that "15 year old boys" are the ones that own this console. Really ticks me off... They don't know crap.

I bought so many games for 360... That I cover over 12 people for the average of 8 games per console. You think 15 year boys got money for that or for XBL for that matter?

MS is really ticking me off. Way to dump on the people who made your console successful.

Truth_Hurts_U

that's not even what he said. it was just an example. :|

Why wouldnt girls like Kinect? Dance Central is a girls game after all

dachase

It is?

Ballmer also wants the Xbox 360 to appeal to young girls, and believe the rise of Kinect will be key to this.MCV UK

[QUOTE="Khoo1992"]

Quote from IGN: "Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that the Xbox 360 isn't a gaming console – and that's what helps differentiate it from its competition..."

Well, there is a competition, and it is Sony PS3... They always target the same demographics.

WilliamRLBaker

Last I checked, 90% party games is better than 100% party games. ;)

To 360 only owners: I apologize on Microsoft's behalf. They know not what they do. :P

that's not even what he said. it was just an example. :|

CaseyWegner

Maybe it's because I read a totally diff artical.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=283736

"The exec told USA Today that the Xbox platform now appeals to a wider audience than just 15-year-old boys"

So it's not called an Xbox 360.....It's really called the Microsoft Entertainment System, right?

idk but for some reason i now have the urge to listen to the song "its's all downhill from here" by new found glory.

no, it's a toaster and with a couple of modifications it could be a heater.

Old news, consoles have been about kids and families for most of the last 5 years.

isn't this the way sony advertises their system? "it only does everything". but of course this is microsoft we're talking about here, and in SW that just doesn't fly...

I hate this, we don't need another bad PR stunt....look at the image the PS3 has been given. When will consoles just be about the simplicity of gaming? Games and games...***** the rest. soapandbubbles

Maybe once they add the rumored cable channels it will be come an entertainment center for me. Right now it's a gaming console I can watch videos and listen to music on. I'm still at a loss of why they didn't add a blu-ray drive to the new 360s model.

coasterguy65

[QUOTE="soapandbubbles"]I hate this, we don't need another bad PR stunt....look at the image the PS3 has been given. When will consoles just be about the simplicity of gaming? Games and games...***** the rest. LastRambo341

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"][QUOTE="Khoo1992"]

Quote from IGN: "Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that the Xbox 360 isn't a gaming console – and that's what helps differentiate it from its competition..."

Well, there is a competition, and it is Sony PS3... They always target the same demographics.

Last I checked, 90% party games is better than 100% party games. ;)

To 360 only owners: I apologize on Microsoft's behalf. They know not what they do. :P

Well, i use it only for games.

meh, i disagree. it has games, i play games on it. seems like a gaming console to me.

Maybe once they add the rumored cable channels it will be come an entertainment center for me. Right now it's a gaming console I can watch videos and listen to music on. I'm still at a loss of why they didn't add a blu-ray drive to the new 360s model.

tyring to market your console as an entertainment system with its direct competition being the ps3 (arguably the best entertainment system under 400) is a bit foolish.dvalo9

Call it whatever you want, just bring me some great exclusives. After all, that is what tells the tale at the end of the day. So far, MS has not shown me squat for 2011. We shall see.