Microsoft: ‘Home feels like 2005 tech in 2008,’ dealing with economic humbug during holidays
Ah yes, it’s the Christmas season indeed. The spirit of joy and cheer is all around us: angry shoppers, traffic jams, and the occasional cross-platform bashing between Microsoft and Sony.
Xbox 360 product manager Aaron Greenberg talks about how Microsoft is dealing with the holidays, especially in these times of economic turmoil. Meanwhile, he also takes a potshot at every Sony fanboy’s favorite Christmas present: PlayStation Home.
Ah yes, it’s the Christmas season indeed. The spirit of joy and cheer is all around us: angry shoppers, traffic jams, and the occasional cross-platform bashing between Sony and Microsoft.
Xbox 360 product manager Aaron Greenberg talks about how Microsoft is dealing with the holidays, especially in these times of economic turmoil. Meanwhile, he also takes a potshot at every Sony fanboy’s favorite Christmas present: PlayStation Home.
I don’t want to touch this with a 50-foot pole if given the choice. And since I’d rather not comment on this sensitive a matter, let’s just pull in some direct quotes, shall we? Says Greenberg:
I don’t think anyone anticipated the current economic situation. We are fortunate to be able to lower our price on our products, offer a great value at a time when consumers are being much more picky. People are staying home more, people are making more family purchases than the past, devices that can deliver a variety of entertainment.
I think that’s benefited us tremendously, the fact that the Arcade (Xbox 360) is even cheaper than the Wii has helped us. We will continue to take our great price and add more value to it.
I think we have seen people are willing to pay for the premium experience. When they compare Live, even to Home, there is still a huge gap.
What Home to me feels like is Second Life for hardcore gamers. It doesnÂ’t feel like it broadens the experience and invites people in. When they unveiled it, it seemed innovative. I think what’s happened is now here we are a couple of years later and we feel beyond that.
It feels like 2005 tech in 2008. I’m not sure thatÂ’s what people want.
Right-o. Well, after EA’s founder confides that he doesn’t see the point of Home, I suppose everyone’s also still entitled to their own opinion, yes?
Merry Christmas, guys!
Related articles:
- EA founder on PlayStation Home: what’s the point?
- Xbox director: Sony has a history of under-delivering on promises
- PlayStation Home open beta day: last-minute reminders, patch 1.03, how to download
Via Kotaku
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