Microsoft’s Regional Director Rips Blu-Ray Questions Sony's Strategy

[Titanio]

I've always wondered what the whole point of Gran Turismo HD, if it's not a launch title.

How different will GT HD look from GT4 in backwards compatibility mode on a ps3?

GTHD isn't an actual product at all.

 

[drpepper]

...

So essentially, there's nothing that MS can do to counter the PS3 launch. Nothing MS can do is going to lower demand for the PS3. They can only increase demand for the 360, but because supply will be limited of the PS3, it's still going to sell even in the face of increased demand for the 360.

It really is a stupid question when you think about.

Then why didn't he say that? There's nothing wrong with that response in face of that question. Instead, he takes the opportunity to go on a rant about how poor the PS3 launch is.

It's like watching a political debate where the questions given are constantly not being answered, why bother have a debate/interview when the questions aren't answered?

He could have easily said,"oh we have gears of war planned for that season, or new xbox live arcade offerings", or even a "i can't comment on that now" would suffice. why he didn't take the high road is beyond me.

It's the choice of answer that bugs the hell out of me.

 

[TheChefO]

It was not a major franchise. It was born at Xbox's launch. You never know with these games how they will turn out until you launch. This is true of every game, actually, and true of all the "unknowns" at PS3's launch. I agree it can be difficult to know what to expect with original games that are of an unknown quantity, but ultimately that they are new would not prevent them from going on to establish a launch as excellent if the quality is there. We'll have a better idea of the new games by the time launch arrives also.

Agreed - as I said I'm not saying they are bad games or a bad lineup just that the anticipation isn't very strong from what I can tell. That's the difference with Halo as it was highly anticipated years prior.

 

[Bad_Boy]

I've always wondered what the whole point of Gran Turismo HD, if it's not a launch title.

How different will GT HD look from GT4 in backwards compatibility mode on a ps3?

To be honest, I never really was sure what the point to GTHD was. I was actually hoping to see more of the GT5 they had shown at TGS last year. (atleast i think it was TGS, it definately was in 2005)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yEE1fgxn_dA&search=gt5

Seems like GTHD was just a filler to show what was possible, mentioned before in other threads; polyphony was very apologetic at the conference and mentioned that the next GT would look much better. Almost if they werent even serious about GTHD, maybe they will just offer it as a download or somthing. Then again, they did have a 15 minute showing of it so it couldnt of just been snuff, who knows what they are planning. Gah, dont you love speculation?

edit:
as for the GT4 vs GTHD part. seems there are comparisons on the website that seem to point out that there is more content.
http://www.gran-turismo.com/jp/sp/detail.do?article_id=165

GT4:

GTHD:

edit2:

GTHD isn't an actual product at all.

I figured something like that was the case, do you have a link?

 

[TheChefO]

For him or anyone else to say that about Halo3 at this point would mean only one thing: it's being rushed, ET style!

That's the last thing you should want to hear!

not necessarily - It's not like Halo2 just got finished yesterday. They've had what 2 years at this point. Also some have thought it possible that they started work on H3 before H2 was finished which would be an even longer timeframe. Not that 2 years is an eternity but to think it would be impossible for them to finish it by then and have a quality product isn't out of the question.

 

[Hardknock]

'The thing that we learned with the first generation of Xbox is that when you put all of this extra technology in the box on day one, consumers don’t necessarily value all of that on day one. That’s why we built the Xbox 360 in a way in which we can scale up to any new technology that consumers want. The thing that is fundamentally going to change this business isn’t going to be the hardware, it’s going to be what the software does for them. It takes quite a few iterations of games to get to the true power that these systems have. By the time we get to that point, we’ll have a scaleable business where we’re offering people whatever choices they want in whatever ways they want.'

----------------------------

I really agree with what he's saying here, next-gen is quickly being defined more by the software and services provided over the hardware advances. Especially with what XBL has offered so far. even if the PS3 had twice the visuals of the 360 I don't think I'd be able to give the 360 up unless they could match the user experience.

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

It's the choice of answer that bugs the hell out of me.

As I agreed with in the first two of my responses on the issue.

He didn't answer the question which is irritating.

But it's also an incredibly stupid question based upon a false premise. Attempting to answer the question only validates it.

However, that would have been an appropriate response. That the question itself proposes a false notion: that any can be done to counter the PS3 launch.

 

[Tap In]

...
It's the choice of answer that bugs the hell out of me.

by concluding that it's a non-issue (by not addressing that point directly) he made his point.

Perhaps irking Sony and its supporters was just the intention that he had.

Again, there is no need to mount a defense when a competing product will not even by on the shelf. The early Sony adopters will no doubt, snap up ANY product. Any marketing strategy beyond just being sure you have good games and hardware on the shelf during the launch is unnecessary. He's right the game line-up, even if Sony has 25 launch games can't compete with 160 titles including arcade (some already discounted).

Did sony even think twice with PS2 when Xbox 1 was released? no need.

 

[TheChefO]

'It takes quite a few iterations of games to get to the true power that these systems have. By the time we get to that point, we’ll have a scaleable business where we’re offering people whatever choices they want in whatever ways they want.'

Anyone else catch this part? Are they infering a similar hardware philosophy to what Sony is targeting? Upgradeable etc?

In this case I'll take 1080p w/8xaa standard please, oh and give me uhh ... 16x Af on the side and ... hmm ... a large coke "thank you come again"

 

[drpepper]

As I agreed with in the first two of my responses on the issue.

He didn't answer the question which is irritating.

But it's also an incredibly stupid question based upon a false premise. Attempting to answer the question only validates it.

However, that would have been an appropriate response. That the question itself proposes a false notion: that any can be done to counter the PS3 launch.

Agreed, it is a stupid question.

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

I really agree with what he's saying here, next-gen is quickly being defined more by the software and services provided over the hardware advances. Especially with what XBL has offered so far. even if the PS3 had twice the visuals of the 360 I don't think I'd be able to give the 360 up unless they could match the user experience.

I actually found those statements the most interesting of all, but not for the same reason as you. I found them more oriented towards development tools and being able to more quickly utilize the full power of the console as opposed to interface and XBL related.

They are aimed at the belief that consoles are never used to their fullest capacity because people stop developing for them and go to the next generation before the current generation is maxed out.

I don't think he was saying that even if the PS3 has twice the visuals, the 360 will offer a better experience because of MS's software expertise.

I think he was saying that the 360 will have better visuals sooner because MS's software expertise will allow developers to use the full power of the 360. So while the PS3 might actually be more powerful, it doesn't matter because it will take developers too long to figure out how to make the power represented in game play.

 

[TheChefO]

I think he was saying that the 360 will have better visuals sooner because MS's software expertise will allow developers to use the full power of the 360. So while the PS3 might actually be more powerful, it doesn't matter because it will take developers too long to figure out how to make the power represented in game play.

Isn't that what Carmack's been saying? Although I'd like to see a bit more action and not hear about how great their software will help. Tiling on UE3 to enable AA would be a great start. "Get to it Ninjas!"

 

[melfster]

They way I look at things, I just don't see people who who do not have an hdtv set buying the PS3 for sd TV set. Those people are more likely to buy a wii. Those with HDTV set are going to be split between 360 and PS3. By the time PS3 hits the market xbox360 should have pretty good library of games including Gears of Wars, Splinter Cell Double Agent and Too Human. I firmly expect Gears of War to be first system seller on this Gen. The PS3 on otherhand may not have the greatest of games on launch, the only game that could be AAA title is Heavenly Sword. The other variable is Blue-Ray Movie content and well there is demand for Blue-Ray It does have some great upcomming games MGS 4 all the usual sequels for PS3. I am imagine Most of early adopters will pickup The PS3 at its high price and PS3 should be a sell-out. But I doubt 6 months from launch there will be a high demand.

 

[RobertR1]

To me, the PS3 isn't a good buy until Holiday 2007+. The game library is quite weak until then. I rather buy some 360 games and upgrade my PC for Vista.

 

[TheChefO]

They way I look at things, I just don't see people who who do not have an hdtv set buying the PS3 for sd TV set. Those people are more likely to buy a wii. Those with HDTV set are going to be split between 360 and PS3. By the time PS3 hits the market xbox360 should have pretty good library of games including Gears of Wars, Splinter Cell Double Agent and Too Human. I firmly expect Gears of War to be first system seller on this Gen. The PS3 on otherhand may not have the greatest of games on launch, the only game that could be AAA title is Heavenly Sword. The other variable is Blue-Ray Movie content and well there is demand for Blue-Ray It does have some great upcomming games MGS 4 all the usual sequels for PS3. I am imagine Most of early adopters will pickup The PS3 at its high price and PS3 should be a sell-out. But I doubt 6 months from launch there will be a high demand.

Not sure about the argument of hdtv-less people buying Wii over ps3 or 360 for the reason of not owning an hdtv at the moment. I think a lot of people buy based on what they could do with the product especially if the price points are close. True this is only one facet of the decision but based solely on this point I don't think it will sway SDTV people to Wii based on SDTV resolution alone.

Otherwise agreed.

 

[scooby_dooby]

To me, the PS3 isn't a good buy until Holiday 2007+. The game library is quite weak until then. I rather buy some 360 games and upgrade my PC for Vista.

Agreed, and I like it that way. There's just very little reason to even worry about getting my hands on a PS3 until the latter half of 2k7, basically just Heavenly Sword and we don't even know how that will turn out. Going into 2008 when the games really start rolling out, that'll be the time to buy for me.

In 2008, we should have a handle on the format wars, which will make me feel more comfortable about investing in a PS3 as well, or not .

 

[TheChefO]

Agreed, and I like it that way. There's just very little reason to even worry about getting my hands on a PS3 until the latter half of 2k7, basically just Heavenly Sword and we don't even know how that will turn out. Going into 2008 when the games really start rolling out, that'll be the time to buy for me.

In 2008, we should have a handle on the format wars, which will make me feel more comfortable about investing in a PS3 as well, or not .

I agree as well - aside from the pc part - That's why I got a 360 in the first place to avoid having to upgrade and deal with all the issues of drm embedded os. Count me out on Vista for now. Ps3 will have to be a LOT cheaper with better software for me to consider.

 

[Farid]

Warning: No source, no link?

Ben-Nice, where's the link to the original source? And, if it's not from an online source, state where it's from.

I'll remind you guys that starting a thread about an interview/article without including the source, on the Console Forum, equals to a lock of the thread and a temporary ban...

Also, what's the point of posting PR interviews of execs talking about other manufacturer's products?
I can see the point for the sites to run these type of write ups, since, albeit being without substence, they're sensationalistic. And sensationalism sells papers, as they say, but what is there for us Beyond3D members to discuss exactly?

 

[rabidrabbit]

soooo, Microsoft, what happened to the "HD-Era"?
Or did it mean just the games?
And why did you even announce the HD-DVD addon if you feel there's really no need for a high definition movie disc format?
Why even include DVD playback if nothing else matters than games, and why even include Windows Media Center streaming if nothing matters but gaming.
Why even include downloadable music and (HD) videos in Live if games are all that are needed.
Why are you forcing us to pay for the "Live" service? Why can't we choose from the services we want??
Why even talk about "Live Anywhere" and all the content included that is not games.
Why are Microsoft forcing us all that???
WHY CAN´T I MAKE UP MY OWN MIND? WHY CAN'T I THINK FOR MYSELF?!?! WHY ARE YOU THINKING FOR ME IN FOR OF ALL THIS PR TALK????!?!?!?
WHYYYY?!?

 

[Mmmkay]

The interview is from Spong...
http://spong.com/feature/10109380

Not sure if that's beneficial to this thread or not, maybe it was omitted from the OP for a reason