November 17, 2005

XBOX 360 LAUNCH

Well here we are a few days before Microsoft launches its next gen console. Beating Sony and Nintendo to the punch. Let me take you back to E3 2001, I was working with Tanis, that's right we both worked together at one time. We were excited about E3 and the revealing of Halo and the Xbox. He sat in my office as we downloaded the video of Halo. We were instantly blown away at the level of detail and atmosphere of that opening sequence landing on the beach of the ring world of Halo, watching Master Chief kick alien butt. Tanis being a big Nintendo fan was also impressed with Microsoft first attempt into the gaming world. I could not wait until November to get a hold of an xbox. Fast forward to E3 2005. This time around Microsoft chooses to release a sneak peak of the 360 at an X Gen MTV event. Which ended up being a huge bust for Microsoft. Perfect Dark supposedly the Halo for the xbox360 launch, was a total failure. I won't go back over the history, we all know what happened. E3 05 for Microsoft left gamers with more questions than answers. Compared to the 2001 launch, Microsoft instead of improving upon there 2001 launch fell very short of their goal. People were all raving about Playstation 3 and the famous Killzone video. Since that time Sony has yet to capitalize or create further momentum for the Play Station 3. With no in game video for any of its games and rumors of an 2007 launch, this has given Microsoft the advantage it was hoping for. The bottom line is, has all this competition and posturing from Sony and Microsoft been helpful in creating games that we gamers have been longing for. So far I have to say the answer is no, not yet. Tanis has mentioned this before and I agree, Microsoft launching a year before Sony and Nintendo should not even be attempted if they are not ready. Clearly Microsoft is not ready, the current reviews of launch games should make Ballard wince. The 360 games revealed at E3 proves this point most of those that wowed us Gears of War etc. will not be released until 2006. Mean while Microsoft will still sell millions of consoles before Sony and Nintendo because they have both been no shows. With a launch dates of some where in late 2006 or even 2007 gamers are no longer willing to wait. With quality games 360 games in the middle of development, and being released prior to Nintendo and Sony console launches, it appears Microsoft has accomplished exactly what it set out to do. But, then why do I feel like we gamers have been royally given the shaft? If we want these companies to take notice and realize we the consumers are in control, they we need to stand up and put our money where our mouths are and not purchase mediocre launch games, we deserve better we have made xbox what it is today because of high quality games like Halo. I certainly hope Sony and Nintendo have taken notice of the mistakes made by Microsoft and get back to the business of making great games.

1 comment:

Tanis said...

Ah yes, I remember sitting in your office watching streaming E3 press conferences. Good times man, good times.

Microsoft certainly looks like they are going to have that big head-start in the next gen war, but it hasn't been pretty. Late dev kits and rushed launch titles, these are not the signs of a well planned, sucessful launch.