I tried to copy down tidbits about the highlights of the interview. Some good news in here. I am sure much is up to possible changes, but he provides a TON of details. Definately a contrast compared to past interviews. You definately get the sense MS is heading full steam for a fall launch and knows what their goals/plans are.
2:30
Gold = Current Live.
Silver New level under Gold.
3:15
Silver does not include multiplayer gaming.
Gold for gaming and same price as Xbox Live now.
3:45
Paid tournaments.
4:00
Approachability... basically non-expert gamers will have the game dumb down automatically, supposedly will crank up for expert gamers.
4:30
Camera and video chat go hand and hand with gaming.
Music plays a MORE important role now.
5:00
6 EA launch games, 25 EA games in development
5:30
160 games in development
5:45
Launch windows = Calander 2005
15 day 1 titles (+/-)
More titles will trickle in after day 1
7:00
No 1st party Xbox 1 titles left (although lists a slew of front line 3rd party games)
7:20
MS needs to lead the charge on the 360 platform.
7:30
Live is central to the 360.
Silver members will get to SAMPLE/TRY Gold level
8:00
Media center access through 360. 360 is extender/client -- out of box. Can access TV shows, music, etc... from your PC (Media Center?), hook up Digital Camera, etc...
8:45
Consoles pricing question... question about NOTHING above $299 has succeeded. Answer: MS understands price points, history, and customer preference and will factor all those in on their pricing front.
No final decision yet. Still doing consumer research.
9:45
Big support on wireless...
If you want a wireless controller they will sell you one.
Wired controller will work on PC and 360.
10:15
Asked about Xbox adapter... he says good Q, but does not have the answer to that.
10:45
Not merging PC platform and 360 platform, just trying to leverage the controller pluses so developers easily have a standard on the PC.
11:15
Will there be KB support for the 360? Technically possible, no decision on that as of yet.
11:30
When questioner asks about Square-Enix comment about SE saying "First game for 360" he asks if that means there will be more... Bach says you will need to ask SE, but notes "that is what he said"
12:00
Remote... Live TV button. The button is not for TiVo... Media Center button for Media Center Interface.
To be used as an extender. Basically a unification of access/uniformity.
14:45
2 ports like the PS2 for wired
But base skew has 4 wireless also, plus you can have multitap like adapters. They believe most will go wireless.
15:20
PACKING IS WIRELESS
15:30
HDD is removable. No news on SKU front.
15:45
Headset, remote, wireless controller, and HDD are in base SKU.
17:15
Bungie guys manage the Halo franchise.
MS's approach to 1st party software... has gone from a "bulk" producer to a company desiring to push content that drives the platform, meaning LESS titles, carefully timed and planned to offer features what they are doing with their platform.
Basically more strategic / development time on their titles.
18:30
1st party studios will do less games, but more quality AAA games.
3rd parties are doing a good job of covering genres, that MS is looking to use 1st party for AAA titles.
20:20
"Magic" 25% performance number of Alphas...
20:45
Spends a lot of time, yet again, praising not only MS games but ALSO 3rd party games. Bach seems to mention a LOT of 3rd party games.
21:30
Gives some time to Japanese developers.
22:00
Pricing appropriate for each market. They do not do math based on exchange rates. MS prices for local currency and expectations.
23:30
Always a shortage of consoles... question about redirecting units... notes how PSP [at the intervierw time] was not in Europe; their goal is to launch so people in every territory can have some access and then ship more units every week just keep ship more units, every week to every area, until demand is met.
24:45
In 5 years MS sees themselves as the leader in the video game space.
10-15 years out is very hard to project because MS expects the market to be VERY VERY different from today. Expects an evolution, social and community aspects will be more important. Content for more than just gamers. Music, Movies, and Games are now thought in different ways NOW but wont be true in 10-15 years in the future.
Bach's Favorite Word: "sure"
