We're essentially onto semantics now. To me they're very similar statements and both equally true.
I assure you if we really get down to messaging, we're not debating semantics. I'm not even a copywriter and I know this comes across miles apart.
Here's my honest technical breakdown.
What you wrote:
simply won't be able to run games to the same standard
Is a very specific statement: this configuration 'SIMPLY' will not be able to run games at the same standard as this other configuration.
Technically speaking you're using technical terms to relate to technical terms. There is no bias at this point in time. You've stated: it cannot SIMPLY perform at the standard of the other configuration - the reason is it it is not as powerful. This has no biased tones, you're comparing things that CAN be compared. But more importantly form a marketing POV you've used the words simply will not perform, which means you've left open the possibility that it MAY perform at that level with a mammoth effort.
Let's compare it to this:
"
No amount of consumer trust can change that it's just an inferior horse in the horsepower category."
Everyone's argument here is that this is not a false statement.
But He's talking about no amount of consumer trust. This is his absolute phrase.
I'm not going to read into his words, but you have to read it as it is which is what in marketing we do.
There is no amount of consumer trust [in microsoft's spin] that can change that it's just an inferior horse in the horsepower category. (is what he's really written)
The target of this statement is actually directed
towards the fans, you know the people that buy MS products.
He follows up with:
As I meant to say: Xbone will always be behind the PS4 this generation because it isn't as powerful. Stupid typo.
This is no longer a statement of horsepower. It is a statement of purchasing behaviour, or in this case, it's a statement of the position of the two consoles in sales rankings.
He follows up the reasoning that MS will be always behind PS4 is due to the different in their power.
This isn't fact. I'm sure power has a reason why PS4 is ahead of Xbox, but it isn't the whole reason.
But once again, this is directed towards fans of MS products. You know the people that buy MS products.
He ends with:
But just like last gen, when enough exclusives pile up and the price drops it'll be a worthy purchase.
It's an unworthy purchase. "Like last gen" is not specific at all. He could be referring to any platform, if you didn't know last gen, this is a worthless statement. But it's clear that in his second phrase he's speaking about Xbox One. It's not a worthy purchase unless they have exclusives pile up and the price drops further - this is definitely subjective. That would pretty much indicate that it's current offerings for exclusives are crap, and the console should be priced even cheaper than it is today to be of any value.
So overall when I talk about marketing and communications, this man went after the target audience that ultimately funds Microsoft. One of few brands that Microsoft owns that people are legitimately excited for. If I was Microsoft I'd be pissed. Alan Kertz just officially told the community to buy PS4 over Xbox. I don't care if what he writes is accurate or not, or whether you agree with his opinion. Because that's not what is at debate. You just spent a lot of cash marketing BF4 and Hardline on Xbox One at launch, and this is what you get back. Wouldn't be happy at all with this at all.
It is unprofessional to give 1 vendor of yours a substantial vote of confidence and the other a negative vote of confidence. They are
your vendors. You know the ones who spend millions marketing YOUR product.
) folks I know, heh. But that's the point: you do this in the proper context and take up the issues directly with the relevant folks. There's nothing to be gained by bringing such a discussion to the general public particularly on issues like this that are both hot-button topics, and generally misunderstood.
