EDGE review MS-Conf: "One of the most contemptuous press conferences in E3 history"
- Thread starter Mama Robotnik
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Fourth Stooge
Banned
The article sounds like it was written by a 15-year-old expecting a life-changing epiphany from an E3 press conference. The author seems genuinely offended that hockey was shown on the "giant screen" when he doesn't like hockey. Really? The speakers were "equally insane?" Really?
It's one thing for people on message boards to root for "megatons" and "surprises" but to see it from Edge is surprising. It's like Edge does not know what the purpose of a press conference is (or the meaning of "contemptuous").
There were journalists from the New York Times and Time magazine there. There were buyers from WalMart, Amazon, and Gamestop. Not one of those folks was offended by the hockey or was amazed Halo still has fans who are "very much in control" (whatever that means). All those folks saw were the exclusive games people BUY (Halo, Gears, Fable, Forza, Dance Central) will have releases in the next year and that the entertainment apps which appeal to different segments will expand. It's not that hard to understand. It's a trade show. Micrsoft showed what they believe will sell in the next year (and they're very, very right and we all know it).
If you're watching a Microsoft press conference and are somehow disappointed by the prospect of Halo, Gears, Fable, Forza and Dance Central releasing in the next year, you probably should have stayed in bed. There's nothing Micrsoft could possible do to please you.
It's one thing for people on message boards to root for "megatons" and "surprises" but to see it from Edge is surprising. It's like Edge does not know what the purpose of a press conference is (or the meaning of "contemptuous").
There were journalists from the New York Times and Time magazine there. There were buyers from WalMart, Amazon, and Gamestop. Not one of those folks was offended by the hockey or was amazed Halo still has fans who are "very much in control" (whatever that means). All those folks saw were the exclusive games people BUY (Halo, Gears, Fable, Forza, Dance Central) will have releases in the next year and that the entertainment apps which appeal to different segments will expand. It's not that hard to understand. It's a trade show. Micrsoft showed what they believe will sell in the next year (and they're very, very right and we all know it).
If you're watching a Microsoft press conference and are somehow disappointed by the prospect of Halo, Gears, Fable, Forza and Dance Central releasing in the next year, you probably should have stayed in bed. There's nothing Micrsoft could possible do to please you.
I really hate how MS pushes this "entertaiment", "entertaiment" i cannot see for i'm Europe and even if i could see it, i'd have to pay Gold for it. Actually, i might actually be fine with paying for Gold if i'd actually get something for it, other than online MP.
I wonder what shit they tell us next year, when MS will introduce the next Xbox (they will do that, very likely anyway).
I wonder what shit they tell us next year, when MS will introduce the next Xbox (they will do that, very likely anyway).
velvet_nitemare
Member
Can't disagree with them there. Utter wank.
Elginer
Member
Smart glass seemed fucking pointless to me but I'm sure someone out there will dig it. I don't know what the hell people were expecting. This is the last year for the 360 as a top tier console and they're just getting out a few retail games to help the transition. Halo 4 looked fucking incredible and I'm sure that Gears of War Judgement will be a nice swan song to the 360 mid next year before Microsoft starts amping up for the Durango launch.
If you went in expecting tons of new IPs then you're out of your damn mind. I think everyone should have known what to expect by now. MS is investing heavily in next-gen with several studios but now is now the time to show them. Sony on the other hand will no doubt show more games but they also have more platforms to support and more internal studios to support them. A mistake MS this generation which they're looking to fix for Durango.
Every major third party game is still coming to 360 and will odds are perform better on the system and there will still be great XBLA titles. For as much as I hear that Sony has tons of great first party games it sure as hell doesn't seem to be helping them sell software. Which is a damn shame but they seem to put too much out there at one time and not give it the attention it deserves so customers know about it. Hell, I had to remind a friend that Starhawk was already out. Anecdotal at best I know but still a reminder that Sony needs to give some more love to their software.
But I'm getting off my point. Both Sony and MS are on cruise control, MS clearly more than Sony as Sony has a new platform it needs to support and heavily. Xbox fans looking for new IPs and big investments need to wait for next year and if 343s production values on Halo 4 is any indication I think that gamers looking towards the next Xbox may be happy.
It's really on Nintendo and Sony this year to show tons of software, MS really didn't have to but what was there looked great. Even if some of it was third-party.
If you went in expecting tons of new IPs then you're out of your damn mind. I think everyone should have known what to expect by now. MS is investing heavily in next-gen with several studios but now is now the time to show them. Sony on the other hand will no doubt show more games but they also have more platforms to support and more internal studios to support them. A mistake MS this generation which they're looking to fix for Durango.
Every major third party game is still coming to 360 and will odds are perform better on the system and there will still be great XBLA titles. For as much as I hear that Sony has tons of great first party games it sure as hell doesn't seem to be helping them sell software. Which is a damn shame but they seem to put too much out there at one time and not give it the attention it deserves so customers know about it. Hell, I had to remind a friend that Starhawk was already out. Anecdotal at best I know but still a reminder that Sony needs to give some more love to their software.
But I'm getting off my point. Both Sony and MS are on cruise control, MS clearly more than Sony as Sony has a new platform it needs to support and heavily. Xbox fans looking for new IPs and big investments need to wait for next year and if 343s production values on Halo 4 is any indication I think that gamers looking towards the next Xbox may be happy.
It's really on Nintendo and Sony this year to show tons of software, MS really didn't have to but what was there looked great. Even if some of it was third-party.
There's no doubt that MS will be very happy with their show this year. Xbox is selling well and all of those reveals show that their franchises are still healthy but for me it's a lot worse.
I have zero interest in having my xbox become a fitness trainer or something to listen to music and watch films, I also refuse to buy windows8 tablet or phone.
As has been said, they are no longer a global company.
I have zero interest in having my xbox become a fitness trainer or something to listen to music and watch films, I also refuse to buy windows8 tablet or phone.
As has been said, they are no longer a global company.
MS will partner with airlines, and you'll be able to use your gamer score points as air miles. Then you can fly over the US once a year and hook your Xbox3 up to the airport wi-fi and stream some US services.
Nealand Liquor
Member
Fucking fanboys with their overdramatic, obtuse posts, make this place damned near intolerable during e3.
Photolysis
Banned
For all MS' talk about making the 360 a media hub they still have a bunch of really shitty limitations on what you can stream to it.
And when they talk about all the content providers they might as well just hold up a giant middle finger to anywhere outside North America. It's no wonder they do so badly outside of the UK in Europe.
And when they talk about all the content providers they might as well just hold up a giant middle finger to anywhere outside North America. It's no wonder they do so badly outside of the UK in Europe.
I tuned in when Halo4 was being demoed. I didn't know what game it was, but immediately thought it looked like Metroid Prime. Then the visors came up and i was laughing to myself... just to be amazed moments later that the game was H4.
To be fair, i've only once played Halo and Halo2, years ago, so i'm not very familliar with the Halo universe. So no flames plz.
To be fair, i've only once played Halo and Halo2, years ago, so i'm not very familliar with the Halo universe. So no flames plz.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
This was to be expected at the last E3 of this current gen of consoles.
It sucks, but it's sooo to be expected, I'm amazed so many sound remotely surprised. Not only is it late in the generation, and they're saving their games for the 720, but this has been their E3 for the past 2 years. If they fuck up next year they deserve major stick, for this year I say if you expected more, more fool you!
Actually no, they could of made the Xbox 360 go out with a bang with this E3 conference but it didn't. Sure they had Halo, Gears and Forza, but it wasn't enough and everyone knows it.
SouSouRocket
Member
Not quite. They've gotten more than the deserved ribbing for what was, at best, a 'safe' conference. People decrying it as the worst ever, really, have absolutely no sense of perspective or history it seems, because past shows have been far, far worse. Can you really compare usher screwing up a few dance steps to Mr Caffeine, or the Wii Music conference? They showed Halo, Gears, Resident Evil, Splinter Cell, Forza, Tomb Raider, some EA stuff...and a bunch of kinect and non-game related fluff. Was it exciting? Not beyond a few notable trailers. But it's not the unmitigated disaster more than a few fanboys are making it out to be.
Jive Turkey
Unconfirmed Member
EDGE said:
This is the way I felt too. The most interesting looking stuff shown at the conference were nothing more than teasers that were just kind of mashed together. I'm sure there's a good chance that we only saw so little because there really isn't much to show but still someone could have at least said the titles/developers.
Nealand Liquor
Member
I sure do hope this isn't directed at me due to my opinions on fanboys. If so, you aren't exacty disproving my statement.
disappeared
Banned
Didn't see the conference but I saw Matt and Trey's appearance. Loved the connectivity jab.
Commanche Raisin Toast
Member
microsoft ran the show with a "we got games in the bag, no need to worry about that. we've already conquered that frontier and have nothing to fear" mentality.
exclusive dlc is only going to keep your heads above the water for so long before people don't have much reason other than "but my gamerscore and xbl account..." to keep them buying it on your system. same goes for sony though.
regardless of their *lead* with unit sales, it's still way too damn close to PS3 for them to be high and mighty about. not a good idea to be arrogant in the home stretch. it's like the gif of the bike ride that tried to no-hands celebrate his win, and then fell off his bike before the finish line.
exclusive dlc is only going to keep your heads above the water for so long before people don't have much reason other than "but my gamerscore and xbl account..." to keep them buying it on your system. same goes for sony though.
regardless of their *lead* with unit sales, it's still way too damn close to PS3 for them to be high and mighty about. not a good idea to be arrogant in the home stretch. it's like the gif of the bike ride that tried to no-hands celebrate his win, and then fell off his bike before the finish line.
The conference was awful. The stage time allocated didn't make much sense.
More time for COD than Halo 4 the biggest MS owned franchise. More time to Nike than Halo 4? And then back slapping for introducing a web browser to a console? And honestly MS I really don't give a fuck about yet more content providers. There is only so much time in the week to watch tv/movies & play games.
Its pretty obvious that MS are flapping on the deck. I hope that is down to waiting for the arrival of their new machine.
More time for COD than Halo 4 the biggest MS owned franchise. More time to Nike than Halo 4? And then back slapping for introducing a web browser to a console? And honestly MS I really don't give a fuck about yet more content providers. There is only so much time in the week to watch tv/movies & play games.
Its pretty obvious that MS are flapping on the deck. I hope that is down to waiting for the arrival of their new machine.
Synth_floyd
Banned
What do people expect from these conferences? They show off the new games and features for the console. I give it a solid B. Nothing amazing but nothing bad either.
mdtauk
Member
I'm sure Microsoft would have hoped to have more games to announce, but several delays, and managing the decline of the Xbox 360 before they are ready to announce their new hardware.
Contemptuous was the type of language you would hear from a fan who is feeling butt hurt their favourite title was not announced, not a professional journalistic outfit!
Microsoft was trying to play up their strengths, announce the deals and apps/software they have ready, and include as many game announcements as they can. What more can you expect them to do?
Contemptuous was the type of language you would hear from a fan who is feeling butt hurt their favourite title was not announced, not a professional journalistic outfit!
Microsoft was trying to play up their strengths, announce the deals and apps/software they have ready, and include as many game announcements as they can. What more can you expect them to do?
Gaz Pwnage
Member
Great article and i agree with it 100%. After this and CES i am seriously worried about MSs direction and they should be comdemned for that shitter of a conf. that mostly core gamers watch.
Microsoft showed nothing to excite gamers. We already knew about all of the sequels they talked about. Yes Halo 4 will be good. Forza will probably be pretty good. COD will break sales records but not push any boundaries. Fable will continue to disappoint year after year. Kinect is ok for party games but it is no more fun than the Wii was in 2006.
The media box features are nice, but I would rather use my HTPC which has no limitations.
The media box features are nice, but I would rather use my HTPC which has no limitations.
gaming_noob
Member
It's always black and white on Neogaf.
D
Deleted member 81567
Unconfirmed Member
I don't get what people are saying. Sure they excel with the entertainment box model, but that doesn't mean I approve of it. The xbox should have started out that way, not take a complete 180 and take a shit on anyone that supported Microsoft from the beginning. Not even Halo and Gears can keep them at bay anymore.
Barry Burton
Member
Honestly, the best moment of the show was when Trey Parker & Matt Stone trolled the company putting on the show.
It was terrible.
It was terrible.
MS owns NA, Sony's nowhere close. Even when PS3 outsells Xbox 360 worldwide nobody will care except fanboys - MS already won over publishers and content providers, which will no doubt carry over to the next system. No matter what happens, MS was successful tripling their install base over the original Xbox and set themselves up for a strong showing next gen.
This is so dramatic. Microsoft haven't lost any core games and they made the Xbox more valuable through added services that don't get in anyone's way. More than that, they've stated this was their goal all along.
I don't think Halo 4 will be the biggest exclusive this year.
cartoon_soldier
Member
I know love it
OldJadedGamer
Banned
They are releasing games based on their best selling IP's and moving teams over to next gen dev. That's what they should be doing.
This gen is over and has been since last year.
What other exclusive you think will outsell it?
It bored me to tears and I am a huge fan of my iPad, you can't pry it out of my hands.
Since the OG Xbox they stated this was their plan, they are using the same strategy that they have for the last 4 years at least. Halo and heavy reliance on third party titles with timed exclusives while focusing their energy on increasing the services of the box itself (to make revenu off of live.video ect) to bring in more people
Why do people always act like this is some huge about face?
Visualante2
Member
It's pretty funny Edge acts all serious and mature all year. Until E3 comes around and they're the cool British writers who have all the credibility and hate everything. It's high school changing room behaviour. I can see their audible sighs while the US peers woop and holler at the explosions in Battlefield. Sensationalism at its finest.
Still pretty fun read, and many of their points stand.
Still pretty fun read, and many of their points stand.
professor_t
Member
I wasn't blown away by the conference, but there's a ton of unfair hyperbole here.
All of the following games come from strong franchises and almost certainly will be well-received by normal people. Taken together, it's not a great showing, but it's hardly the most contemptuous press conference in history.
"Hardcore" gamers will bitch and moan and create breathless posts about returning to the Godhand party, but that's not where the money is, and they're a disloyal, hard to please bunch.
Halo 4
Splinter Cell
Gears of War
Forza Horizon
Call of Duty
I'm NOT sticking up for MS, but people need to get a grip. Just because a conference doesn't have a FFXIII magnitude megaton or a billion new IPs doesn't mean it's the worst thing since the Nazi holocaust.
All of the following games come from strong franchises and almost certainly will be well-received by normal people. Taken together, it's not a great showing, but it's hardly the most contemptuous press conference in history.
"Hardcore" gamers will bitch and moan and create breathless posts about returning to the Godhand party, but that's not where the money is, and they're a disloyal, hard to please bunch.
Halo 4
Splinter Cell
Gears of War
Forza Horizon
Call of Duty
I'm NOT sticking up for MS, but people need to get a grip. Just because a conference doesn't have a FFXIII magnitude megaton or a billion new IPs doesn't mean it's the worst thing since the Nazi holocaust.
IdreamofHIME
Member
Usually I love all the conferences from the big 3. I always find most of what's shown to be excited about and can get passed the bad stuff like ravi drums or kinect kids.
but..
Outside of Halo, TR and South Park MS's was super bad this year.
The tablet stuff was pretty cool at 1st, but then they just kept going on and on and on and killed it. The Nike stuff and Usher was misjudged too.
Bringing out Montana to play 20 secs? The guy looked seriously confused when he was being pushed off the stage.
Those 3 XBLA teasers? What the hell were they selling? The twisted pixel one about the bike was insane. Why even show something like that?
Then that long drawn out COD demo that showed cool little features, but nothing jawdropping that should end a show... oh and dipping the sound during the COD demo to avoid cussing? Damn!
EA's in comparison was a little stale in that there were no big surprises. Everything was an expansion of something we already knew, but none of it was outright awful or boring.
but..
Outside of Halo, TR and South Park MS's was super bad this year.
The tablet stuff was pretty cool at 1st, but then they just kept going on and on and on and killed it. The Nike stuff and Usher was misjudged too.
Bringing out Montana to play 20 secs? The guy looked seriously confused when he was being pushed off the stage.
Those 3 XBLA teasers? What the hell were they selling? The twisted pixel one about the bike was insane. Why even show something like that?
Then that long drawn out COD demo that showed cool little features, but nothing jawdropping that should end a show... oh and dipping the sound during the COD demo to avoid cussing? Damn!
EA's in comparison was a little stale in that there were no big surprises. Everything was an expansion of something we already knew, but none of it was outright awful or boring.
JunkYardSubs
Banned
It was just mediocre because it's the end of a consoles life cycle. At least they showed off some first party titles and LIVE features. It wasn't super Kinect focused and the majority of the conference was about games, whether it appealed to you or not. It's the 3rd parties I'm disappointed in (Resident Evil 6, Splinter Cell = what is that shit)
bigdaddygamebot
Member
Their conference was enough to make me go do yard work instead of watching the rest of the conferences today.
You mean Nintendo owns NA. If Nintendo include non-gaming services with the Wii U, MS will lose their USP in one fell swoop, and they'll no longer have the gaming backbone to drive sales. And you never know what Sony will do to claw back market share.
MS's push to focus on services first, with gaming waaaaaaay down in their priority list isn't commercial suicide at all, as the Xbox brand can certainly be repositioned into a media hub that also plays hosts to gaming. This was MS's goal all along, anyway. It just means they lose relevance to core gamers.
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
Granted, not entirely their fault.
Visualante2
Member
It's not so one sided. I mean XBOX Live in the UK has lots of good digital platforms, including iPlayer and Sky Player exclusively. They are second class citizens but I think Edge is just insulted that they were invited to an event to cover games and they're constantly being fed stuff they can't write about in the magazine.