The things MS has done to remain a very good competitor in the Gaming industry this gen. Seriously though, they have taken the Gaming industry by storm especially in NA. This gen will be probably remembered the Gen. that MS truly unleashed their gaming how-to. Also its very intresting how good the games on 360 are even though they are on a 9gb disc compared to a say 25gb or 50gb BR disc. Gears 2 can rival games like MGS4 in graphic capabilities while there is a huge difference in space required for both games. Basically I am just saying that even PS3 owners should give props to MS for what have they have done in the gaming industry.

So leading to my question...

Do you think it was good that MS joined the Gaming Industry?

killa4lyfe

When Microsoft marketed Halo Wars by showing only computer-generated graphics and nothing to suggest it is a strategy game, I realize how much perception matters to the company.They seem to give themselves a lot of moral room to mislead their consumers, all in the name of business.And when I really think about it, I have come to believe that Microsoft's business strategy is to keep creating/maintaining false perceptions.

Every company tries to create a perception of their products. It knows what is real and what it wants their customers to perceive. What you see or what you hear is not what you thought. Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft all have had their dirty hands on trying to mislead you. Such is the nature of business. However, in this generation, Microsoft stands out like a sore thumb when it comes to creating/maintaining false perceptions. It is my belief that Microsoft has been feeding on these false perceptions since the birth of Xbox 360. And they will pay dearly for it. Below are what I think are false perceptions:

False perception #1: Xbox 360's reliability is within market standards. Only after more than a year of lies, denials, and misleading statements did Microsoft finally own up to their shady actions.

False perception #2: By offering the 3 yr warranty, a few weeks wait time for repair, and one month of free LIVE,Microsoft should be forgiven for their insistence on selling unreliable hardware.How about no extended warranty for E-74, or other hardware issues?E-74 is becoming a bigger and bigger issue? Link

False perception #3: Xbox 360 was an excellent choice for watching disk-based HD movies, the best versions on the market. Remember Microsoft trying to lure you into buying HD-DVD?

False perception #4: Blu-ray is not an advantage for HD gaming. Having that extra space definitely gives PS3 exclusive developers an advantage. Games like MGS4, LittleBigPlanet, and Killzone 2 definitely give PS3 exclusives an edge when it comes to the quantity AND quality of sights AND sounds.

False perception #5:Motion control is just a gimmick on the PS3.Flower alone proves it is not. There is no game on the market right now that can sooth or relax you as Flower can while you play.Honorable mentions include Warhawk and Killzone 2 as well. More games will continue to use motion control on the PS3.

False perception #6: Xbox 360 is as powerful as the PS3. No Xbox game has surpassed Metal Gears Solid 4, let alone Killzone 2.

False perception #7: Xbox LIVE—you get what pay for.No you don't.Because for $50 a year, you don't get what PSN gives (according to overall reviews):

a.The best multiplayer graphics (MGS4 and Killzone 2)

b.The best multiplayer sounds (MGS4 and Killzone 2)

c.The best user-generated contents (LittleBigPlanet)

d.The largest players vs. players battles, all in HD graphics (Resistance 2, Killzone 2)

e.The most soothing/relaxing game ever created (Flower).

f.The best place to socialize in the console world (HOME).It is a place where you can hang out with fellow gamers before adding them to your friend's list. You can chat, play games, look at movie and game trailers, enter theme-based spaces like Resident Evil, Uncharted, Far Cry, etc. and meet other gamers interested in the same games, etc.Soon EA will have a very impressive space in HOME as well for you to play free games with other gamers.

g.Internet browsing.When you don't have a working computer nearby, you can quickly access the web for the latest news, videos, weather reports, etc.

h.The ability to rent AND buy standard AND HD movies from ALL major studios.

i.Keyboard and mouse support.

j.The full benefits of PSP connectivity

False perception #8: Xbox 360 is a cheaper console. It is--in the beginning. Microsoft is happy to market their console as the cheapest (the Arcade version), but they don't want to discuss the cost of ownership. If you want a decent HD gaming experience, Xbox 360 actually costs more to own. Buying add-ons like hard disks drives, Wi-Fi costs you way, way more than fair market price. You want to play online? Make that another $50 a year. After 3 years of ownership, Xbox 360 owners are paying more for repairs, $100 per RROD, only to get back another unreliable console. Paying for repairs not covered by the 3 yr warranty, E-74 for example, must also be considered as part of the risks of buying Xbox 360. The process of paying Microsoft for repairs can be perpetual as you keep getting back another unreliable console.

False perception #9: Xbox 360 will have a larger install base in the long run.Most analysts still think the PS3, despite trailing the 360 by 7 million or so, will surpass Xbox 360 in install base. Why? My reasons:

a)The perceptions Microsoft has been trying to create or maintain have been turning out false.

b)The PS3 is more future-proof and will thus have a longer lifespan.

c)Because of Sony's heavy investments in first and second party games that take advantage of the PS3's hardware strengths, gamers can expect the PS3 to continue to have the most impressive games this generation.

d)By being the most powerful console AND by being a top-tier Blu-ray player—all gamers (PC, Xbox 360, Wii, and PS2 owners) have reasons to own the Playstation 3.

e)Xbox 360 games will continue to feel more and more outdated compared with PS3 games.

f)Xbox LIVE is becoming more and more of a rip-off.

g)Sony will have price cuts. I would recommend Sony market PSN as the destination for premium entertainment before or around the time of the price cuts. With each price cut, the PS3 becomes a cheaper console AND a cheaper Blu-ray player.

Why so many false perceptions?I believe Microsoft is really afraid of people buying the PS3.It is willing to lie, deny, and mislead gamers into buying Xbox 360 first.You see, PS3 owners are not likely to buy Xbox 360.It is human nature.Once you experience something really advanced you don't want to go back to something less advanced.Once you experience Blu-ray, you don't want to go back to DVD. Once you own the most powerful console (PS3), you don't want to own Xbox 360.

And so, despite Xbox 360 currently leading in sales, I see fear in Microsoft.They know what is real and what perceptions they want to create.Unfortunately for Microsoft, the perceptions they created have portrayed the company in a negative light.A future based on false perceptions is bound to disappoint.

teemany

Killzone 2 is the greatest creation ever made by humankind. So good, it may have not even been made by humans. That is the question...Prydes