• 17Sep 08

  Are Microsoft coasting through the industry?

  Unlike Nintendo, and to a slightly lesser extent Sony, Microsoft's gaming division is something of a side project in the grand scheme of things. While Sony would be in serious trouble as a company if their gaming division were to collapse, and Nintendo's entire business is gaming, Microsoft could decide to pack up and withdraw from the gaming industry entirely without any serious long term consequence for the mega-corporation.

  I think when considering the current batch of consoles and games on our store shelves, and the companies behind them, it's very important to remember this little fact. Why? Because it explains so many of the common frustrations gamers may experience with Microsoft's gaming strategy.

  This is all just my opinion, of course, but i doubt i'm alone as a 360 owner in being frustrated by some of microsoft's actions (or inactions, rather) in relation to their broader strategy in this industry. What am i talking about?

  Well, it all comes down to the basic fact that, of all the companies involved in the gaming industry, microsoft is in by far the best position to do truly great and innovative things. But more recently, they have become arguably one of the more stagnant and "safe" companies of the bunch. And it's not just in their xbox space.

  Below is something of a report card for microsoft's strategy and efforts so far in the gaming industry. I wonder how many people share my sentiments?

  a) Microsoft are rich. Duh. But as a company they're also somewhat miserly in respect to their gaming division. That is, they certainly have the money, but they simply dont want to use it. Take Valve for example, an absolute gold mine.

  Valve actually want to be bought by a larger company for some reason. I would assume because they need a larger platform from which to achieve their goals with Steam, and expand onto console. Does that not sound like a dream position for Microsoft? Apparently not. Valve have gone unsold for months now, and current rumors say Google are snapping them up; one of microsoft's biggest rivals (outside of the games biz).

  b) PC gaming. An independent developer like Valve has managed to revolutionise the way we find, buy and play games and the way we interact with other players through Steam. Microsoft are an epic company who's goal is to make gaming on the PC popular and successful; the best they could come up with was a half-assed version of XBox Live on the PC.

  Think of what they could achieve! They could partner with Valve to make a Steam-like service which incorporates the entire Games for Windows catalogue, rather than the admittedly small number of titles available through Valve's service. They could have a real stab at unifying online gaming on the PC. They could make PC the gamer's dream, but they simply dont want to.

  c) They dont invest in big projects. Every E3 they focus on the games released that holiday; while good for gamers, it shows that microsoft basically dont do epic, boundary-breaking projects which they show off over three or four years. While Sony show off Home, LBP and ideas like MAG, Microsoft will show off Gears 2 and a new idea for a Halo game.

  When was the last time an xbox owner was promised a new, revolutionary or ground-breaking game? It seems to be something Microsoft just dont "do".

  It's frustrating really, that the company with the most potential and the most ability to do something amazing simpy doesnt want to. Is it maybe that microsoft are simply so successful and so confident as a company that they dont see the need to do anything like this?

  Like that one student you know in high school who seems to be able to pass any test without needing to work hard or study, but if he bothered to put in just a little effort he could be a genius.

  
  

  • Posted Sep 17, 2008 10:35 am GMT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 12Sep 08

  Death Magnetic - need i say more?

  

  I picked up Metallica's new album, "Death Magnetic", this morning, and boy could i be any more pleased with it. I dont think it's possible for them to have done a better job.

  It may sound strange, but i'm not actually a metal fan at all. But i love metallica. Like many fans, i found St.Anger to be incredibly disappointing, but the new album is everything i was hoping for and more. It's like the Dark Knight of albums; it just leaves you so satisfied.

  Everything they lost is back; the awesome drums (without the flat snare), the fast-paced thrash tempo, and what seems like two albums worth of guitar solos on one disc after guitarist Kirk Hammet was told "guitar solos are dated" while working on the previous album.

  I couldnt be happier. That is all.

  • Posted Sep 12, 2008 7:39 am GMT
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• 15Aug 08

  3rd time's a charm

  My parts came in yesterday to start the modding i talked about a few weeks ago, but while playing a little GTAIV, i got into an epic police chase and bam:

  

  3rd time. 4th if you count my first 'box.

  • Posted Aug 15, 2008 5:39 pm GMT
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