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[sonycowboy]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/29/news_6134645.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6134645

Microsoft's chief Xbox officer predicts huge jump in online users following next-gen console launch; hints at original MMORPG.

In an interview in this week's Famitsu, Microsoft chief Xbox officer and senior vice president Robert "Robbie" Bach discussed the Xbox 360 at length, covering everything from the console's launch to plans for expanding the reach of Xbox Live.


Bach confirmed that currently, only 10 percent of Xbox owners--some 2 million users--subscribe to Xbox Live. With the addition of the free "Silver" version of Xbox Live, Bach believes that about 50 percent of the console's owners will go online via the 360. However, they will still have to pay to play games online via the new Xbox Live Gold.

In terms of games, Bach confirmed that Microsoft will be announcing its launch titles for Europe in the "very near future." He told Famitsu that he is also feeling confident about the Japanese and American launch lineups for the console. Bach also said there is a "clear vision" for the release schedule for the 18 months after launch, which will include many third-party games that haven't been announced yet.

Famitsu also asked Bach about the beta test for Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox 360. Bach revealed that Microsoft and Square Enix are planning an extremely large-scale beta test for FFXI. It will be so large, in fact, that Bach said anyone that buys an Xbox 360 should be able to participate. Of course, gamers will need to pick up the Xbox 360 package bundled with a hard drive, since FFXI requires it to be played.

Famitsu also asked Bach about whether the public can expect Microsoft to develop an original massively multiplayer role-playing game for the Xbox 360. He said developing a MMORPG requires a complicated infrastructure, so releasing one soon after the launch of a new console is not realistic. However, he hinted that gamers can look forward to a "new MMO" two to three years after the Xbox 360's launch. It was unclear if he was referring to any of the previously announced 360 MMOs, which include Huxley and APB.

By Staff -- GameSpot

 

[pcostabel]

So he thinks X360 will only sell ~ 5Mn?

 

[GaimeGuy]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/29/news_6134645.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6134645

Microsoft's chief Xbox officer predicts huge jump in online users following next-gen console launch; hints at original MMORPG.

In an interview in this week's Famitsu, Microsoft chief Xbox officer and senior vice president Robert "Robbie" Bach discussed the Xbox 360 at length, covering everything from the console's launch to plans for expanding the reach of Xbox Live.


Bach confirmed that currently, only 10 percent of Xbox owners--some 2 million users--subscribe to Xbox Live. With the addition of the free "Silver" version of Xbox Live, Bach believes that about 50 percent of the console's owners will go online via the 360. However, they will still have to pay to play games online via the new Xbox Live Gold.

In terms of games, Bach confirmed that Microsoft will be announcing its launch titles for Europe in the "very near future." He told Famitsu that he is also feeling confident about the Japanese and American launch lineups for the console. Bach also said there is a "clear vision" for the release schedule for the 18 months after launch, which will include many third-party games that haven't been announced yet.

Famitsu also asked Bach about the beta test for Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox 360. Bach revealed that Microsoft and Square Enix are planning an extremely large-scale beta test for FFXI. It will be so large, in fact, that Bach said anyone that buys an Xbox 360 should be able to participate. Of course, gamers will need to pick up the Xbox 360 package bundled with a hard drive, since FFXI requires it to be played.

Famitsu also asked Bach about whether the public can expect Microsoft to develop an original massively multiplayer role-playing game for the Xbox 360. He said developing a MMORPG requires a complicated infrastructure, so releasing one soon after the launch of a new console is not realistic. However, he hinted that gamers can look forward to a "new MMO" two to three years after the Xbox 360's launch. It was unclear if he was referring to any of the previously announced 360 MMOs, which include Huxley and APB.

By Staff -- GameSpot

That's the problem.

 

[GitarooMan]

Hard to believe. I wonder if half of X360 users will even have broadband, let alone use Xbox Live, at least in the next year or two. I thought broadband usage, while growing, was still fairly limited.

 

[Suikoguy]

I expect 20% TOPS

 

[Wario64]

so basically he's saying 50% of X360 users will have broadband...nice way to spin it though

 

[sonycowboy]

Hard to believe. I wonder if half of X360 users will even have broadband, let alone buy Xbox Live, at least in the next year or two. I thought broadband usage, while growing, was still fairly limited.

He's clearly including Live Silver in that number.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Sounds like they'll be announcing launch titles at X05

 

[Jeff-DSA]

50% is an extremely high estimate. I don't think they'll break the 25% barrier.

 

[bitwise]

Hard to believe. I wonder if half of X360 users will even have broadband, let alone buy Xbox Live, at least in the next year or two. I thought broadband usage, while growing, was still fairly limited.

well he is including the free Silver XBOX LIVE in his estimate, not just those who buy it

still a bold claim, however everyone makes bold claims in this industry. Its more likely to me that this amount of LIVE penetration is their 'target'.

 

[GitarooMan]

He's clearly including Live Silver in that number.

Yeah, I noticed that mistake. I still don't think half of the owners will have broadband

 

[fart]

Bach: 2 x 20,000 users will use xbox 360

 

[Excelion]

I thought broadband usage, while growing, was still fairly limited.

60% of internet users is ... fairly limited ?

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Verizon DSL now offers their low end 768kb/128kb for $15 a month!!! Get into freakin' gear people!! I can't believe AOL still charge like $24 a month for their crappy 56k internet and people still buy it?!!

 

[GitarooMan]

60% of internet users is ... fairly limited ?

Is it that high already? Damn, it's growing fast..well, maybe there is hope after all..I had thought that broadband usage was much lower.

 

[Of All Trades]

Yeah, I noticed that mistake. I still don't think half of the owners will have broadband

By 2010? Hell, I'd expect most major cities to have free wifi-varient umbrellas.

 

[----]

I think it's a pretty big deal that they removed the subscription barrier to downloading content, Live Arcade, and using voice chat. Also the fact that you don't need a credit card anymore will be a big deal for a lot of people. Plus Live is built into the OS and you don't even have to be playing the same game as the person you are voice chating with and every single game and function of the console will support Live chat. Basically Live chat has become like a full fledged instant messenger client on your PC that supports voice chat/video chat/music & pic sharing. I could see 50% of the people using Live now. I'm sure they haven't even revealed everything you will be able to do with Live yet.

 

[GaimeGuy]

I think it's a pretty big deal that they removed the subscription barrier to downloading content, Live Arcade, and using voice chat. Also the fact that you don't need a credit card anymore will be a big deal for a lot of people. Plus Live is built into the OS and you don't even have to be playing the same game as the person you are voice chating with and every single game and function of the console will support Live chat. Basically Live chat has become like a full fledged instant messenger client on your PC that supports voice chat/video chat/music & pic sharing. I could see 50% of the people using Live now. I'm sure they haven't even revealed everything you will be able to do with Live yet.

don't forget MICROTRANSACTIONS.

 

[DarienA]

50% divided at some percentage between Silver and Gold? That's not a stretch... it's free.
50% on Gold alone? No f'n way.

 

[vatstep]

Also the fact that you don't need a credit card anymore will be a big deal for a lot of people.

If you're talking about XBL Gold, where has this been confirmed? Because I hear a lot of people saying this but I don't think it's true. Just like with XBL now, you can go and buy a subscription card at a store with cash, but you still need a credit card linked to the account. I don't think this'll change. And if it DOES, that sucks, because the only people this will benefit are obnoxious little kids whose parents wouldn't let them use their card.

 

[civilstrife]

Bach: Half of 360 users will use Xbox Live

Bach?

 

[Liquid]

I don't think this'll change. And if it DOES, that sucks, because the only people this will benefit are obnoxious little kids whose parents wouldn't let them use their card.

WTF are you smoking? america IS NOT debt free. You'd be suprised how many people dont have credit cards or even bank accounts no less.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

No credit cards for Xbox Live? That would be great for me. I wanted to just buy a subsciption card and get it over with. No credit cards for me, have serious problems with it in my family.

 

[----]

If you're talking about XBL Gold, where has this been confirmed? Because I hear a lot of people saying this but I don't think it's true. Just like with XBL now, you can go and buy a subscription card at a store with cash, but you still need a credit card linked to the account. I don't think this'll change. And if it DOES, that sucks, because the only people this will benefit are obnoxious little kids whose parents wouldn't let them use their card.

It's true. Peter Moore said that the main reason they wanted to get rid of the credit card requirement was that credit cards are not as widely used in Europe as they are in America and so that has been one of the main stopping blocks for Xbox Live in Europe.

don't forget MICROTRANSACTIONS.

Downloadable content is microtransactions.

 

[KINGMOKU]

My big question is how Microsoft is going to respond to Nintendo's free online service when it hits.

Do they slash the cost to subscibers, or make it free?

 

[raYne]

50% divided at some percentage between Silver and Gold? That's not a stretch... it's free.
50% on Gold alone? No f'n way.

As sonycowboy explained... I'd gather that's what he meant since he said:

With the addition of the free "Silver" version of Xbox Live, Bach believes that about 50 percent of the console's owners will go online via the 360. However, they will still have to pay to play games online via the new Xbox Live Gold.

My big question is how Microsoft is going to respond to Nintendo's free online service when it hits.

Do they slash the cost to subscibers, or make it free?

You mean just like how they responded to Sony's this gen.

 

[..pakbeka..]

"60% of the time, it works everytime"
"that doesn't make any sense"

 

[Joe]

in the US there broadband is at about 55%, it finally took over dial-up i believe in early 2005 might have been late 2004. im not sure what its like in the rest of the world though.

 

[border]

It's not just broadband that's the barrier.....home networking is a barrier too. Most people don't wanna set all that shit up and buy a router and run wires through their house.

Of course they could try out wireless but whoops, $100 wireless adapter!