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Ballmer: "We're going to sniff some Sony butt!"

R

Rhindle

Member
Gotta love this dude. :D

Ballmer: Xbox 2 'amazing'

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today became the latest Microsoft executive to say some vague but intriguing things about company's plans for the next-generation Xbox console. His comments came in response to questions from the audience during an event for minority high-school students this morning on the company's Redmond campus. Here's what he said in response to the first one:

"When you see the new Xbox, you're going to think it's un -- well, let me say it politely -- unbelievable. Just unbelievable. The graphics, what it can do, the way things look, huge innovation. Rumors are that we'll see that product sometime soon. I couldn't comment, of course, on those rumors. But it's an amazing, amazing innovation."
Later, one of the students asked if the company had a chance for holding up in the long run against the better-established Nintendo and Sony in the video game business. Here's what Ballmer said about that:

"I think we’re going to blow by Sony with our next box. I absolutely think we’re going to kick their backsides, so to speak. I think Xbox 1 has been a fantastic product. We’re not market leaders yet. There’s Sony, there’s us, there’s Nintendo. When we get Xbox 2 in the market, there’s going to be Xbox and the other guys." His voice escalated to a crescendo as the audience laughed and applauded. "I'm feeling a little frisky on this topic right now!" he added.

I went back and listened to my recording a few times, and Ballmer did, in fact, say "next box" at the beginning of that response. Was that merely his own verbal shorthand, or does it give away something about what the company will call the next console? Perhaps the former, since he went on to use the name "Xbox 2."

At any rate, the audience member then followed up with another question, asking what would make the next Xbox stand out over other game systems.

"Why do people buy one game console over another? As we say around here, 'Duh, it's the games.' ... Partly they're great games because they have great graphics, they have great processing, they have great this, they've got great that, but it's about getting great games. So, there's two parts to that: Number one, we have to make sure we have a great environment, software environment for people to write games, games that connect to one another, games that are social, games that are hard-core. We've got to make sure we let people write great games. But then, number two, we, Microsoft, have to write a number of really great games to show it off. What is 'Halo 2?' It's the greatest video game ever written. It shows off Xbox 1, and we’ve got some more games coming that will be the greatest video games ever written, and they’ll show off Xbox 2.' " He concluded, with a grin, "There’s probably a more humble way to say what I just said, but I’m all worked up."

Posted by Todd Bishop at February 11, 2005 04:25 PM
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Edit: Someone fix my thread title, please :)
 
I went to see which mod edited the title but it said it hasn't been edited by anyone.

Good job on the pro-xbox propoganda there, buddy.

"WE'RE GOING TO THEIR ASS!!"
 
Ballmer's a pretty amusing guy. I worked at a financial services company back in the 90s that was a hardcore Unix shop being forced onto Microsoft tools by the new CIO. Ballmer came to give a presentation, and did a good job selling MS to a very unforgiving crowd. He was sweating profusely by the end, not as extreme as that "developers, developers, developers" joke video, but still pretty bad :) Actually, back when Howard Dean had his famous meltdown the first thing I thought of was Ballmer :lol
 
CVXFREAK said:
Man, they really can't expect to be the market leader without Japan, can they?
Click to expand...


Sure they can. But it would take gargantuan effort in NA and Europe. PS3 isn't going to fade away in these two territories like MS is hoping.
 
PREDICTION: PS3 and X2 will be neck and neck for most of the next generation, but PS3 will pull away in the end, much likes the SNES did to the Genesis. Nintendo will be off doing it's own thing.
 
"Don't you need to be behind someone to do that?"

:lol True.

This guy blows things out of proportion big time, but as one salesperson to another, he is a damn good one. You gotta lie to yourself, and believe it, before you can make others believe. Not saying he's lying, but this guy can single handedly match Sony's hype train if he puts his mind to it. Just give him a mike.
 
Steve Ballmer said:
When we get Xbox 2 in the market, there’s going to be Xbox and the other guys.
Click to expand...

What are the chances this prediction survives E3-2005? After seeing the amount of broadbased 'interest' focused on something that normally is as esoteric as ISSCC, I think not. Party like it's 1999.
 
PREDICTION: PS3 and X2 will be neck and neck for most of the next generation, but PS3 will pull away in the end, much likes the SNES did to the Genesis. Nintendo will be off doing it's own thing.
Click to expand...

That could be a proper view in U.S.A. But I am still waiting about what Microsoft thinks to do with Japan. You can´t kick nobody without the support of so a important part of the industry and having a 0 presence in one of the main markets.

I would like Nintendo start the hype machine as well. I would like to know if Revolution it´s going to left completely the high technology competition or not.
 
Ballmer: Xbox 2 'amazing'

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today became the latest Microsoft executive to say some vague but intriguing things about company's plans for the next-generation Xbox console. His comments came in response to questions from the audience during an event for minority high-school students this morning on the company's Redmond campus. Here's what he said in response to the first one:

"When you see the new Xbox, you're going to think it's un -- well, let me say it politely -- unbelievable. Just unbelievable. The graphics, what it can do, the way things look, huge innovation. Rumors are that we'll see that product sometime soon. I couldn't comment, of course, on those rumors. But it's an amazing, amazing innovation."
Later, one of the students asked if the company had a chance for holding up in the long run against the better-established Nintendo and Sony in the video game business. Here's what Ballmer said about that:

"I think we’re going to blow by Sony with our next box. I absolutely think we’re going to kick their backsides, so to speak. I think Xbox 1 has been a fantastic product. We’re not market leaders yet. There’s Sony, there’s us, there’s Nintendo. When we get Xbox 2 in the market, there’s going to be Xbox and the other guys." His voice escalated to a crescendo as the audience laughed and applauded. "I'm feeling a little frisky on this topic right now!" he added.

I went back and listened to my recording a few times, and Ballmer did, in fact, say "next box" at the beginning of that response. Was that merely his own verbal shorthand, or does it give away something about what the company will call the next console? Perhaps the former, since he went on to use the name "Xbox 2."

At any rate, the audience member then followed up with another question, asking what would make the next Xbox stand out over other game systems.

"Why do people buy one game console over another? As we say around here, 'Duh, it's the games.' ... Partly they're great games because they have great graphics, they have great processing, they have great this, they've got great that, but it's about getting great games. So, there's two parts to that: Number one, we have to make sure we have a great environment, software environment for people to write games, games that connect to one another, games that are social, games that are hard-core. We've got to make sure we let people write great games. But then, number two, we, Microsoft, have to write a number of really great games to show it off. What is 'Halo 2?' It's the greatest video game ever written. It shows off Xbox 1, and we’ve got some more games coming that will be the greatest video games ever written, and they’ll show off Xbox 2.' " He concluded, with a grin, "There’s probably a more humble way to say what I just said, but I’m all worked up."
Click to expand...
He's a microsoft-moron, so what else should he say?
PS3 will kick Xenons/MS ass and he/they will say "Yeah, but with Xbox 3 we will......."
Yawn, Ballmer sucks as always!
 
I think North American and European publishers and developers are sick of the Japanese control. More and more publishers are moving to Xbox and Microsoft due to the support and tools. That Halo 2 sold millions of copies on a console not Sony's didn't escape anyone and that the ratio is around 3 to 1 and closing in console sales is quite impressive. Developers are now feeling confident about positioning their product on the Xbox and Xenon and recieving good sales as opposed to jamming it on the PS2 and getting ignored.
 
Gaijin To Ronin said:
That could be a proper view in U.S.A. But I am still waiting about what Microsoft thinks to do with Japan. You can´t kick nobody without the support of so a important part of the industry and having a 0 presence in one of the main markets.

I would like Nintendo start the hype machine as well. I would like to know if Revolution it´s going to left completely the high technology competition or not.
Click to expand...

I think it is accepted that Japan doesn't matter anymore to them. The Xbox or anything Microsoft will never sell there and the games made in NA and Europe won't sell there. It is just a loss trying to enter a market that seems so bent on snubbing their product.
 
His comments came in response to questions from the audience during an event for minority high-school students this morning on the company's Redmond campus.
Click to expand...
Maybe tomorrow Nintendo could have Reggie talk to the white kids?
 
I think it is accepted that Japan doesn't matter anymore to them. The Xbox or anything Microsoft will never sell there and the games made in NA and Europe won't sell there. It is just a loss trying to enter a market that seems so bent on snubbing their product.
Click to expand...

That would be a terrible mistake. If Xbox hasn´t suited in Japan is not for other thing that the most terrible decissions about marketing a console ever. Microsoft has been a complete disaster in Japan: from horrible to terrible publicity campaigns, a wrong design of the system itself for that market, absolut unknowledge to get a proper japanese support.

GTA sold more that 200.000 copies there, EA has some respectable number for some of his games. They are not huge success, but at least it shows that they can sell there. It´s just a matter of understanding what the japanese player want and how they want it, just as the same way Microsoft understand what the USA consumer want, that is something MS has got right this gen.

They want to take Sony leadership? hope they are ready to have an Halo every month. You just have to check numbers. Xbox is not even in the same sales category that PS2 (don´t misunderstand me, it´s a fantasic achievement to reach the level Microsoft has arrived with just one system). You can´t say that you are going to take leadership if you are not ready to provide a similar content that your main competitor. PS2 has almost all of the euopean/american/japanese industry support. If Microsoft want the leadership, better be ready to provide something like that.
 
I'm gonna reserve judgement until I know the specs and battle plan for Xenon. At least he wasn't promising some new level of gaming not seen by man - and momentum! Can you feel it?!?!
 
Yeah the 200,000 copies of GTA is impressive for a Euro/NA title but compared to its sales in other territories it is an absolute embarassment. I wouldn't be surprised if those sales are more curiosity than actual interest or appreciation of the game concept. This especially when the amount of PS2s sold in Japan is near that of North America.

Japan is just so irrelevant to the West. I think the populace is too far gone to ever purchase a North American product unless it is guised or pushed in some way much like Crash Bandicoot was.

I've seen the original push that Microsoft had for the Xbox in Japan. It was huge. Having 5.1 demo stations in stores was amazing. What does it take? The great games are released there just as they are here and they all get ignored. The poor sales just shows how alienating they want to be.

Now come back to North America. What Japanese games have really been lighting up the charts here. I know sales remain good but the top games other than the once in awhile release from Square or a Pokemon title are almost all NA/Euro titles.
 
xb2 and ps3 kneck and kneck in US and Europe is fine by me.

xb2 in Japan.........I don't give a rats ars!


Listen, if xbox2 is even with ps3 in 2 of the 3 markets, how will it hurt any of us here in north america, or those in europe?

You'll all own both anyway, so play the japanese games on the ps3 and western titles on the console of your choice. There's plenty of room for both consoles....room for all 3 if nintendo stays with a family/younger market plan.


Did the failure of xbox in Japan hurt any of us? Only those that own just an xbox. I doubt any of us in this forum only owns an xbox if we are huge japanese game fans. Lets give it a rest.

Did gamecubes success in Japan help it at all? It may have helped nintendo financially, but if you really wanted the loads of japanese games you all scream for.....you had to own a ps2.
 
think of it this way

those japanese titles are the ones that fill out the roster on the PS2, and ensure that there are at least "B" games coming out every month.


Also, RE4 and MGS3.
 
Rhindle said:
Gotta love this dude. :D

Edit: Someone fix my thread title, please :)
Click to expand...

I am not touching it...I can see him saying that
 
Warm Machine said:
I think North American and European publishers and developers are sick of the Japanese control. More and more publishers are moving to Xbox and Microsoft due to the support and tools. That Halo 2 sold millions of copies on a console not Sony's didn't escape anyone and that the ratio is around 3 to 1 and closing in console sales is quite impressive. Developers are now feeling confident about positioning their product on the Xbox and Xenon and recieving good sales as opposed to jamming it on the PS2 and getting ignored.
Click to expand...

no - its only about lazyness of developers. look at the xbox line-up. 80% are pc games downgraded to that system. the ps3 will also be able (thanks to nvidia) to do that games. but on tha other hand, the ps3 will do other original games too. dont you think sony learned from the mistakes, the made with the ps2 launch? and lastly, the ps3 hype has already started - who cares about xenon? even the gfx whores know that the playstation 3 will kick microsofts ass.
 
GhaleonEB said:
I'm gonna reserve judgement until I know the specs and battle plan for Xenon. At least he wasn't promising some new level of gaming not seen by man - and momentum! Can you feel it?!?!
Click to expand...
He might not of said those words but he was layin it on pretty damn thick that Xenon will be unbelievably new and teh 1nn0vativ3!1 but wouldn't say just how. Thats just as bad as what Nintendo is doing with Revolution if u ask me.
 
His boss was much more guarded at CES.

Bill fully expects the PS3 to uber competitive in all areas. I'm not sure there'll be too much technical ass kicked next gen.
 
Nintendo has proven with the DS that they can do something innovative from a gameplay point of view, so I still have hope in Revolution.

Microsoft probably are more oriented toward the technology innovation, like they did by putting a HDD in the xbox.
 
Japan is just so irrelevant to the West. I think the populace is too far gone to ever purchase a North American product unless it is guised or pushed in some way much like Crash Bandicoot was.
Click to expand...

Japan is not irrelevant to the west, people who like Xbox just want to think it is so they can ignore it.

As it was already mentioned, if you want leadership in the industry, you can't not have Japan. Conceding Japan = conceding any chances of winning, whatever that means.
 
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