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[Neander]

Insofar as "console wars" is the silly videogame term for competition for marketshare, I certainly hope he cares.

He definitely cares about the business side of the "war". But in the interview he specifically mentioned avoiding taking "pot shots" at the competition during the conference. I think he's referring to that part of the console war. That's for the fanboys to carry out.

 

[CoG]

I think there is a difference between caring about "the console wars" and caring about "His job".

His job is to sell as many Xbox Ones as possible so that they can sell as much Xbox One software and services as possible. He may not care about the sophomoric banter that is console warz but it's in his best interests to sell more units than Sony or Nintendo.

The humility is the product of not being on top. Not a lot of humble Xbox execs last gen and guess what? Spencer has been there since the start.

 

[Sydle]

I like Phil. And when you've got guys like that Yusuf bloke flapping his gums about how he was right all along just makes you appreciate him that little bit more.



That's a bit OTT, isn't it?

Maybe? I have a hard time imagining an adult getting really worked up over this stuff. Granted, I don't know more than handful of adult gamers.

 

[Varjet]

Wars are one thing, getting slaughtered in sales is different. Xbox has always won the US, so this is a change for them.

Always, huh?

 

[theWB27]

You think Phil Spencer is happy Sony ultimately outsold Xbox last gen or this gen for that matter?

Spencer saying he doesn't care about the console wars is a load of shit especially since his compensation, bonuses and job is tied to how well the xbox division performs. Get real GAF



It doesn't. Strawman much?

I think you should know the difference between outselling and making a profit.

If we both had 20 pieces of product and you sold all 20 while I managed to sell 15, but I took home more money then you I wouldn't care about your total. I made more money.

Same thing applies here....yeah Sony PS3 outsold, but look at what happened to them in the process and look at what to Micro in the process. Stark differences.

The Xbox bosses...based on what businesses care about, MONEY n PROFIT, performed better than the Playstation bosses.

 

[Fried Food]

The problem we have in this thread is the differing definitions of "console war"

To me, "console war" refers to soley the fanboy garbage part. Which console sells more in the marketplace is something altogether different.

Phil is obviously referring the fanboy BS part. Also, Phil never said "console war" he mentioned he didn't want to take jabs at the competition. He doesn't care about that aspect.

 

[TrueGrime]

Caring about xbox division and caring about his job are mutually inclusive. He can pretend this shit doesn't matter to him but at the end of the day if xbox performs poorly they will replace his ass. GAF seems to be delusional about this fact based on the replies to me in this thread.

You sound really angry about Phil not caring about the business of console wars.

 

[Zakalwe]

He cares a bout the real console wars: keeping up in terms of output and profit, and probably (as he seems quite genuine) the push and the pull the contest gives each company.

All the petty quabbling isn't war, it's petty squabbling.

 

[Kanokare]

There was also Gears of War talk in the video if anyone cares Phil is meeting up with BT next week to look at early concepts and such. I'm hoping for a late 2015 or later release.

 

[UberTag]

Xbox being successful and profitable is mutually exclusive from "beating" Sony in some imaginary contest. Stockholders will be happy with the brand if it does well. And thus far, the Xbox One is doing better than the Xbox 360 DESPITE losing market share to Sony.

If Microsoft makes more money finishing 2nd than they ever did finishing 1st last time around, I doubt they'll be too upset.

Granted, is this a large pill to swallow when it's coming from the same Microsoft that boasted about being the top-selling console in the North American market for 27 consecutive months or whatever it was? Sure. That's a valid argument.

But that's clearly not their mentality now and so long as Phil doesn't revert back to the old shenanigans if the Xbox One re-establishes a leadership position in North America then I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. (Not enough of a benefit that I'll be buying an Xbox One any time soon, mind you. It will take time to rebuild that trust.)

 

[fvng]

You sound really angry about Phil not caring about the business of console wars.

Nah. Just think it's bullshit

 

[solarus]

I really like Phil, he was great on giant bomb's E3 stuff too. Great choice to represent Xbox.

 

[erawsd]

Of course he cares, its his job to care.

Its a noble thing to say but the reality is that the vast majority of the market will pick one console and its his job to make sure that one is the Xbox 1. If he didn't care they wouldn't be trying to force the "parity clause" on indies, locking down Titanfall exclusivity, or convincing 3rd parties to give them exclusive/first DLC, betas, and other junk that give them the competitive edge.

 

[Quotient]

His job is to sell as many Xbox Ones as possible so that they can sell as much Xbox One software and services as possible. He may not care about the sophomoric banter that is console warz but it's in his best interests to sell more units than Sony or Nintendo.

The humility is the product of not being on top. Not a lot of humble Xbox execs last gen and guess what? Spencer has been there since the start.

Perfectly said.

His tone would be a lot different if they were on top.

 

[keit4]

The people saying that he has to care about the console wars should watch the interview. He specifies what he means with "console wars".

 

[KaiserBecks]

I think you should know the difference between outselling and making a profit.

Yes. And that's exactly what Spencer is referring to. Ironically, the guy talking about profits, happy shareholders and Sony beating MS doesn't understand that. Must be "bullshit" then.

 

[TrueGrime]

The people saying that he has to care about the console wars should watch the interview. He specifies what he means with "console wars".

Exactly. People are spinning it the wrong way.

 

[C4Lukins]

The stockholders care

They care about making money. This can be done without the other consoles failing.

 

[watership]

Perfectly said.

His tone would be a lot different if they were on top.

I'm trying to remember Phil ever talking shit about the competition or being super smug.

 

[Biker19]

Perfectly said.

His tone would be a lot different if they were on top.

No doubt. Plus didn't Microsoft gloat about how they had better hardware than Sony in the Original Xbox & Xbox 360 years?

 

[apana]

Stockholders generally don't care about console wars, they just care about their money and they don't all have the same opinions. Many of Nintendo's stockholders want them to put their games on phones and some who invest in MS want them to get out of consoles altogether. Certain people do care about the console war aspect, people like the late great Hiroshi Yamauchi had a vested interest in seeing Nintendo as a strong leader in the console space since Nintendo was his legacy.

 

[On Demand]

Agreed.

Did Sony make a comment on Xbox on their conference? I can't really remember.

The Destiny "will look and play better" and the "we offered a camera by choice."

 

[TsuWave]

Xbox has always won the US.

no they haven't

 

[Kelsey]

You guys might want to check which one of those companies actually makes a profit.

I think the meaning behind my words wasn't well communicated. My point was Sony sold more consoles and lost a shit ton of money and their stock holders were definitely not happy.

 

[Mokubba]

You best start caring about console wars, Phil Spencer

You're in one

 

[artist]

Right, they don't care if the companies they are invested in do better than the competition. /sarcasm

What fantasy world are you guys living in?

12 year olds care about the console wars out of brand loyalty. Investors care because they want their investments to grow. What the fuck GAF.

Sshhhh, stop making sense.

Phil doesn't, stockholders doesn't. WE DONT!

 

[klodeckel]

People should watch this interview with Phil. For me personally, Phil is really very confident answering even tough questions.

He is the Head of Xbox for only about 2 months now - and it feels like he already is making a huge impact. His "real influence" will be there in a year or so. And I think it will become even better.

 

[BananaSprinkles]

Wars are one thing, getting slaughtered in sales is different. Xbox has always won the US, so this is a change for them.

That being said, the Xbone IS having healthy sales so I guess there isn't much to worry about for him. Halo collection will absolutely help things.

I'm pretty sure the winners of the past 2 generations of consoles in the US are Sony (PS2) and Nintendo (Wii).

 

[KaiserBecks]

I think the meaning behind my words wasn't well communicated. My point was Sony sold more consoles and lost a shit ton of money and their stock holders were definitely not happy.

You are right of course, my mistake.

Sshhhh, stop making sense.

How can he stop making sense? Do you think Sony shareholders are happy right now?

 

[Neander]

I'm pretty sure the winners of the past 2 generations of consoles in the US are Sony (PS2) and Nintendo (Wii).

The 360 is on the verge of outselling the Wii in NA, if it hasn't done so already.

 

[Sundown]

Phil not caring about console wars ≠ Phil not caring about being number one.

He clearly said they're in it to win. He just doesn't give two shits about immature consumers having at it over their console of choice. Phil likes the fact the industry is growing because it means more opportunity for Xbox as a platform, which is why he supports various business models in the industry like F2P and indies to go along with retail.

 

[SOLIDDDD]

Watch out Phil, Ballmer said the same thing before Bill Gates killed him to take his rightful place as leader of the great console war.

 

[Biker19]

I always had the feeling that Sega and Sony have been the most invested in consolewar-PR. Microsoft seems pretty chill in that regard.

LOL. Have you ever read their tweets?

 

[Madness]

Please, and I really don't want to thread whine, does everything this guy says have to be made into a thread? I mean some random thing he says on Twitter is a thread, some comment in an interview.

You can literally make threads every day of things that someone says in an interview that way. Just what I think. I like Phil Spencer and he's good for the brand, but in the end he's just another executive who's end goal is profit no?

 

[shinnn]

Agreed.

Did Sony make a comment on Xbox on their conference? I can't really remember.

I dont think they ever did. Even on interviews, they barely talk openly about competition if they are not asked to.

Nintendo and MS seem more confortable to do this.

Also If I heard correctly in the gamespot stage demo interview of Driveclub, the producer said they will "completely blow away the competition". I was... "wtf".. such unprofessionalism and smug for a game that seems to be in a problematic development.

 

[BananaSprinkles]

The 360 is on the verge of outselling the Wii in NA, if it hasn't done so already.

I don't know about that. As of April's NPD, the 360 has sold approximately 41.4~ million consoles and the Wii has shipped around 48.5~ million.

 

[Chobel]

I dont think they ever did. Even on interviews, they barely talk openly about competition if they are not asked to.

Nintendo and MS seem more confortable to do this.

Also If I heard correctly in the gamespot stage demo interview of Driveclub, the producer said they will "completely blow away the competition". I was... "wtf".. such unprofessionalism and smug for a game that seems to be in a problematic development.

Really? Do you have a link?

 

[TsuWave]

I dont think they ever did. Even on interviews, they barely talk openly about competition if they are not asked to.

Nintendo and MS seem more confortable to do this.

yoshida has praised the competition several times even going as far as saying sony and microsoft NEED nintendo to be successful

 

[fvng]

They care about making money. This can be done without the other consoles failing.

Ask Sony stockholders if they care about the TV division doing poorly. You want the company as a whole to be profitable, but you also care about if there are divisions holding back profits.

As for Spencer, since his job is directly tied to the performance of xbox division I assure you he cares whether or not xbox is a profitable division. It's gotta be discomforting to a stockholder to hear Spencer say that shit. Can you imagine the guy who heads Bing saying he doesn't care if they do better than Google? Lol the fuck.

 

[PAULINK]

The hero we deserve.

 

[lmbotiva]

i have to tell you that this guy made a seriously good impression on me at E3, im definitely picking up and X1 later in the year, is good to know that a person who cares about about games and put them up front of everything else is on charge of the xbox division

 

[rrc1594]

yoshida has praised the competition several times even going as far as saying sony and microsoft NEED nintendo to be successful

Not House he was taking shots this E3 at MS

 

[Chobel]

Not House he was taking shots this E3 at MS

What did he say?

 

[Mr.Marston]

But he is fighting it.

I agree gamers didn't needs to care about (some part they care) but the soldiers fighting the console war needs to care about (MS, Sony, Nintendo).

Sweet Jesus

/dead

 

[hawk2025]

What did he say?

While talking about the PS camera, he mentioned that they offered it as a choice.

 

[TsuWave]

Not House he was taking shots this E3 at MS

the post i quoted was talking about the companies in general, not individual personalities,
for what is worth though, i think "praise" and "shots" go hand in hand when you have competitors, its the nature of the beast

 

[Ivan]

It's so refreshing to see him lead xbox division...

 

[rrc1594]

What did he say?

When talking about the PS4 camera and how we always given you the CHOICE from the beginning. He said it with a little smile. I usually don't care for things like this, but it was kinda of a Dick move IMO

the post i quoted was talking about the companies in general, not individual personalities,
for what is worth though, i think "praise" and "shots" go hand in hand when you have competitors, its the nature of the beast

Yeah he just happen talk about CHOICE, when they were talking about PS4 camera. It was cheap shot point blank.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

I'd be concerned over any adult that did care about console wars.

 

[Bumhead]

I quite like the pot shots, but only under very specific conditions. Last year Sony's were a good fit and got a great reaction, with good reason. This years dig by Andrew House about the camera felt a little more out of place and unnecessary.

There's nothing wrong with friendly competition. If Sony's absolute slamming of the Xbox One last year contributed even a tiny bit to the reversal of the Xbox brand since then then it's worth it.

All that said, I also really enjoyed Spencer's shout out to Sony and Nintendo at the start of their gig this year. He seems a likeable guy and I appears passionate about delivering a good product. Him acknowledging that their competitors can help him do that is a good thing.