This sort of thing doesn't happen just because he wants to move to San Francisco. That is stupid. The billion-dollar-hit on the warranty issue and Moore's leaving can not be looked at as two independent events. MS needs new leadership in the gaming division in order to get beyond this mess.
I'm a huge 360 GAMES fan. I didn't mind it when I had to send in my 360 for refurbishment (8 total days - wow, now that was tough :roll: ), but for MS to continually deny that there was a problem in the hardware and then turn around with this is just embarassing.
That being said - what is next for MS? Personally, I think they need to pull-back a bit from their statement that they will be profitable in 2008. Ever since that statement, it seems like there has been a shift in the decision making coming from MS. EVERYTHING has been money-making oriented and not done with the sole purpose of promoting gaming or rewarding their users. Prior to the launch of the 360 and shortly thereafter, there was a ton of free content on Live, tons of promotions/giveaways/etc. Since that "profitable in 2008" statement, we've seen unheard of milkage in the Marketplace (Guitar Hero, Gears Map Pack, etc.), charging $120 for a Hard Drive, the Elite, more high-priced add-ons, ZERO user based content on Live, trying to justify the $50 a year for Live, etc.
I think this focus on making a profit in the gaming division MAY spell the fall of MS in the gaming business. If they continue to overcharge for content on the Marketplace with ZERO laxing of these things (I think the COD2 map pack is STILL 800 points after a year of being released).
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