• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Microsoft; "We're the thought leader in [the current] generation"

R

Rahul

Member
(original interview here:http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/16/news_6122399.html)

http://eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=58674 said:
When asked if the decision to show off Xbox 360 the week before E3 was part of a cat-and-mouse game with Sony, Moore replied: "Not really."

"A number of people have asked me: "Was this in response to Sony moving their press conference and getting first place for the unveil?" I don't know.

"Regardless of what our competition wants to do, we had a very clear plan in mind that goes back a year now."

But Moore made it clear that Microsoft will fight Sony all the way in the battle for next-gen supremacy. "We're the thought leader in [the current] generation," he said.

"We need to turn that into market leadership in the next generation and this is just one small example of how we will do that."
Click to expand...

With Sony bringing EyeToy, Nintendo being synonymous to "innovation" even in marketing alone (whether you agree or not), and MS ... fronting the "HDTV" line for next-gen, is such a statement even in any way significant? Discuss.

There you have it - Microsoft bigwig in "I'm just an old fuddy duddy, I don't understand all this new-fangled Inter-Net Web Paging nonsense" shocker. Anyone would think he was bluffing...
Click to expand...
:lol
 
eh I wouldn't say that at all, but they 're clearly the leader in online, and certainly have brought more innovation this gen than nintendo.
 
The "thought leader"? Jesus Christ.

Microsoft streamlined console Internet gaming and made it more popular than it was, I'll give them that. You might even be able to give them the hard drive, since that allowed for custom soundtracks.

Still, though, overall it's a retarded thing to say, as when Reggie claimed that Nintendo was driving growth in the industry.
 
Are they sure he didnt mean the thought leader in the next generation? 'cause that actually makes sense.
 
thorns said:
eh I wouldn't say that at all, but they 're clearly the leader in online, and certainly have brought more innovation this gen than nintendo.
Click to expand...
I don't know...some of Nintendo's connectivity stuff (like Pac-Man VS. for example) was pretty innovative, even if it was irritating to actually play due to all the requirements. I think games like DK:JB also fall loosely under that category.

Really, aside from improving console online play (not inventing, just improving) and the addition of the hard drive I can't really think of anything Microsoft has done to innovate.
 
Whatever their faults, MS has done a lot of different things with the Xbox then the other two were doing and that in and of itself means they're a valuable competitive force.

I think I'll wait and see till the end of this gen to see who would be the 'thought leader' though.

I really think Xbox Live in and of itself is enough to give MS that tile for this generation. Custom soundtracks are good too (since it was completely out of left field and certainly not being done by either Sony or Nintendo), but it didn't have much of an effect on gameplay though.
 
Ghost said:
Are they sure he didnt mean the thought leader in the next generation? 'cause that actually makes sense.
Click to expand...

In the following quote he says they need to turn that into being the leader next gen too. This guy is even more delusional than Reggie.
 
This guy really needs to think outside of the box and embrace rappidly approaching paradigm shifts before he can honestly consider himself a thought leader in the current generation.
 
SolidSnakex said:
In the following quote he says they need to turn that into being the leader next gen too. This guy is even more delusional than Reggie.
Click to expand...
What the hey? How is that quote being delusional in ANY way?
 
Azih said:
What the hey? How is that quote being delusional in ANY way?
Click to expand...

Saying they're the "thought leader" of the current gen? That's not delusional considering they're 60m units behind the current leader?
 
SolidSnakex said:
Saying they're the "thought leader" of the current gen? That's not delusional considering they're 60m units behind the current leader?
Click to expand...

You don't think they're the more forward-thinking of the three, at least this generation?
 
SolidSnakex said:
Saying they're the "thought leader" of the current gen? That's not delusional considering they're 60m units behind the current leader?
Click to expand...
Two things

1) the bit you quoted was him saying that they wanted to become MARKET leader in the NEXT generation.

2) What the hell's the connection between 'thought leadership' and 'market leadership'?

I mean if you want to dispute his claims of thought leadership then hey that's great (good discussion IMO). But that has nothing to do with what you were going on about.
 
SolidSnakex said:
In the following quote he says they need to turn that into being the leader next gen too. This guy is even more delusional than Reggie.
Click to expand...


That isnt what the next quote says. It says "We need to turn that into market leadership in the next generation and this is just one small example of how we will do that."



The actual gamespot interview, does make things a bit clearer.


GS: Is there an area you feel Xbox excels at?

PM: We're the thought leader in this generation. We need to turn that into market leadership in the next generation, and this is just one small example of how we will do that, and do that in a very aggressive manner, globally.
Click to expand...

So i guess he is just dilusional, or his poll consisted mainly of MGS employees.


I'll link it because Eurogamer didnt.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/16/news_6122399.html
 
LMAO PM loves Hot Fuss!

GS: What's the connection with The Killers, the musical group in attendance on the May 12 MTV broadcast?

PM: A: We love them; B: They've been on Game with Fame, on Xbox Live. They are hard core Xbox gamers--and very good gamers. I can't think of a hotter band right now. I've been listening to their album Hot Fuss for about six, seven weeks on my MP3 player as I run. I love Mr. Brightside. I think they have the right attitude.
Click to expand...


On the MTV show:

GS: You called the MTV program a "first look." What are you going to talk about?

PM: We'll talk name. We'll show the hardware--as much as you can do in a television show. You'll get a little glimpse of games, but we're saving most of that for you guys at E3.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it'll be mighty dull for the MTV crowd...or as Moore calls them..

PM: PM: I think that they [MTV Viewers] are a major part of the generation that is part of Xbox nation
Click to expand...


GO XBN!
 
You don't think they're the more forward-thinking of the three, at least this generation?
Click to expand...
Hellz no. I think MS/Xbox is as stuck in some kind of pattern as Nintendo, it's just a wholly different kind of pattern. In both cases it's not allowing them to expand their mindshare nearly as much as I'm sure they'd like to, and that translates to (missing) sales. I think that just as much Nintendo can't expand enough beyond the colorful, nostalgic and "kiddy" crowd, MS can't expand enough beyond the "xtrrrmz dude" and "young American jocks" crowd. I think they will be making a better attempt to do that with Xbox 2 though, with it's new apparent "optimistic, more lighthearted" vibe. Although Xbox 360 still does sound a lot like some kind of xtreem sk8r talk (even though I know it's probably not it's intended meaning) and they went on talking about it being something car modder generation would like.

Peter Moore is a story in itself though...
But Moore made it clear that Microsoft will fight Sony all the way in the battle for next-gen supremacy. "We're the thought leader in [the current] generation," he said.
Click to expand...

then he says few paragraphs later:

"Don't know," said Moore. "Have to keep watching... I'm not quite sure about that thing. It's difficult for me to follow. I'm from a different generation. It's way too complex."
Click to expand...
There's your true trustworthy leader right there :P
 
Marconelly said:
Hellz no. I think MS/Xbox is as stuck in some kind of pattern as Nintendo, it's just a wholly different kind of pattern. In both cases it's not allowing them to expand nearly as much as I'm sure they'd like to. I think that just as much Nintendo can't expand enough beyond the colorful, nostalgic and "kiddy" crowd, MS can't expand enough beyond the "xtrrrmz dude" and "young American jocks" crowd. I think they will be making a better attempt to do that with Xbox 2 though, with it's new apparent "optimistic, more lighthearted" vibe. Although Xbox 360 still does sound a lot like some kind of xtreem skt8 talk (even though I know it's probably not it's intended meaning) and they went on talking about it being something car modder generation would like.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's really what he's talking about.

The Live network (broadband only, standard voice comm, friends list, invites/voice messaging), built-in ethernet, built-in HDD (of course, you could say that by not having one next gen it's more like backward thinking), advertising and marketing (ilovebees and now ourcolony, MTV console debut, turning Halo2's launch into a national event)...

Despite who was more successful this gen (hence the separation of thought leader and market leader) Sony and Nintendo are playing catch-up in these respects, as far as consoles go.
 
Sporsk:-
i think he means that the public opinion of the xbox right now is pretty high.
Click to expand...

Bingo! :D

:lol Thought-Leadership = Momentum :lol

It could also be:-

"We THOUGHT we would sell 100 million consoles but maybe next time!" :lol
 
But will Xbox 360 continue the innovation factor? Sure, playing games on HDTV is nice but it's a logical next step... I wouldn't call the original Xbox very innovative, it had a lot of things that were obvious (at least to me) - harddrive, streamlined online service with buddy lists, built in ethernet. And I hope that "micropayments" will never take off and isn't all Xbox 360 has to show for it, innovation-wise.
 
I don't think that's really what he's talking about.
Click to expand...
For every thing you mentioned there, there's more things one can say where Sony already matched or outgunned them. PS2 launch was bigger/more talked about event than anything MS accomplished with Xbox, the 3rd place marketing was again more memorable than anything. Their worldwide marketing in general was (and still is) just ahead of competition when it came to consoles. As far as hardware goes, there was DVD playback, backwards compatibility, non toy-like industrial design, and the whole PR shabang about tech specs (love it or hate it, fact is MS adopted the same talk a year later),

Don't get me wrong, MS have been forward thinking in some things with Xbox, but so was their competition, and in case of Sony even more so, and in more market-relevant aspects, which again translated to bigger mindshare and sales.
 
Redbeard said:
I don't think that's really what he's talking about.

The Live network (broadband only, standard voice comm, friends list, invites/voice messaging), built-in ethernet, built-in HDD (of course, you could say that by not having one next gen it's more like backward thinking), advertising and marketing (ilovebees and now ourcolony, MTV console debut, turning Halo2's launch into a national event)...

Despite who was more successful this gen (hence the separation of thought leader and market leader) Sony and Nintendo are playing catch-up in these respects, as far as consoles go.
Click to expand...
Good points.
 
Redbeard said:
I don't think that's really what he's talking about.

The Live network (broadband only, standard voice comm, friends list, invites/voice messaging), built-in ethernet, built-in HDD (of course, you could say that by not having one next gen it's more like backward thinking), advertising and marketing (ilovebees and now ourcolony, MTV console debut, turning Halo2's launch into a national event)...

Despite who was more successful this gen (hence the separation of thought leader and market leader) Sony and Nintendo are playing catch-up in these respects, as far as consoles go.
Click to expand...

Wait, wait.... the actual equipment and LIVE stuff definitely good... but when you start referencing MS as some leader in terms of advertising and marketing I have to wonder what the hell you're talking about... MS hasn't done anything innovative in terms of marketing IMO (unless you count abstract website clues as witting and daring), besides this upcoming MTV console debut(which is a cool/good idea even if MTV is a has been.)... and as for Halo2 being a national launch event... national launch events aren't even new to this generation of consoles.
 
I think functionality should be the only factor included in determing who had the most 'thought leadership'; Marketing tactics are great and all, but that should be a part of 'market leadership'.

Off the top of my head in terms of features, the PS2 had DVD playback out of the box and backwards compatibility as brand new features. While the Xbox had ethernet out of the box, Xbox Live stuff (including voice only communication), hard drive out of the box, and custom soundtracks.

Am I missing anything?
 
Nintendo is the thought leader of this generation. They thought about connectivity, bongos, touch screens, and water packs. I would tell you what they're thinking of next, but someone might steal the idea.
 
Speevy said:
Nintendo is the thought leader of this generation. They thought about connectivity, bongos, touch screens, and water packs. I would tell you what they're thinking of next, but someone might steal the idea.
Click to expand...

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

They also thought about lots of other stuff... they just didn't DO. ;)
 
I think functionality should be the only factor included in determing who had the most 'thought leadership'; Marketing tactics are great and all, but that should be a part of 'market leadership'.
Click to expand...
That's highly arguable, and in fact I don't see why the hardware functionality would be the only thing to look at. Why not software for example? I think it's the whole thing really, but unless there's a quote where Moore clarifies what exactly he's thinking of, we can only speculate.

Off the top of my head in terms of features, the PS2 had DVD playback out of the box and backwards compatibility as brand new features. While the Xbox had ethernet out of the box, Xbox Live stuff (including voice only communication), hard drive out of the box, and custom soundtracks.
Click to expand...
If you want to go into these details, PS2 had analog buttons as a pretty major addition, for example, as well as Eyetoy (not out of the box, but so wasn't the Xbox live service). I don't think these things alone are all that relevant though. As spevvy posted above, you could keep adding stuff like bongos and dance mats to these lists all day long. It's the whole thing that matters: Software, hardware, marketing, pricing, etc.
 
Speevy said:
Nintendo is the thought leader of this generation. They thought about connectivity, bongos, touch screens, and water packs. I would tell you what they're thinking of next, but someone might steal the idea.
Click to expand...


why yes, you are sooo right. and online was such a revolutionizing experience right? oh wait, psp now has connectivity!! OMFG!! and like wow a DANCE PAD that you can dance on!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW I'm like soooo blown away. Oh lookie an eye toy, this stuff is soooooooo innovative, kind of like the web cam games.

/sarcasm off
 
I will give Microsoft that much. When I think about the console that 'opened things up' this generation, I do think of the Xbox. Online, graphically, and raping the box to turn it into a mame center or media center - the Xbox is just unmatched.
 
/sarcasm off
Click to expand...
I think your sarcasm detector was off all the time if you couldn't see it the post you quoted :lol

and raping the box to turn it into a mame center or media center
Click to expand...
Can you really thank MS's "forward thought leading" for this? Or is it simply their neglecting of better protecting schemes? I think friendly hacking community is to credit there for "opening those things up".
 
DarienA said:
Wait, wait.... the actual equipment and LIVE stuff definitely good... but when you start referencing MS as some leader in terms of advertising and marketing I have to wonder what the hell you're talking about... MS hasn't done anything innovative in terms of marketing IMO (unless you count abstract website clues as witting and daring), besides this upcoming MTV console debut(which is a cool/good idea even if MTV is a has been.)... and as for Halo2 being a national launch event... national launch events aren't even new to this generation of consoles.
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't you count that stuff? Unveiling a new console on MTV is exactly what he was talking about.
 
Rocket9 said:
Dumb 13 years old girls are the target consumers in Xbox Nation?
Click to expand...

:lol :lol :lol

Seriously though, if they aren't showing much games-wise on the show (as mentioned above), it won't be that exciting. Still exciting.. but not as much as it could be..
 
Redbeard said:
Why wouldn't you count that stuff? Unveiling a new console on MTV is exactly what he was talking about.
Click to expand...

Doing one original thing doesn't automatically make MS innovative and edgey. Vague marketing via website, slogan, etc is not new.
 
I cna see how Xbox would at least think that of themselves. The new and innovative things they have under their belt are: the hardrive in the console, extensive online player management (though $$), and then marketing like the ilovebees campaign. Not too far-fetched but its not like they are always the best.
 
DopeyFish said:
Thank god you're not the thought leader of these boards.
Click to expand...

You're right. A PC-centric software company creating a game system that's basically a mini-PC, courting Western game developers to produce titles for it based on its similarity to the PC's they're familiar with, then cribbing the concept of online matchmaking services from the PC world and marketing it to console gamers as 'Xbox Live' is tremendously innovative. :p Give me a break. All Microsoft's really done so far is to repackage tried-and-true concepts from the PC world for a console audience. Oh, and now they're going to push HDTV next gen. Whee! Innovation! :p I expect a little better from the so-called 'thought leader' in the industry.
 
big_brother.jpg
 
I love how Moore specifies this generation only as MS being the "thought leader", lol.

He knows in about one month he's going to have to run damage control about why Sony has the stronger hardware and real HD capability with Blu-Ray.
 
MS is the "thought they could beat Sony" leader

You're right. A PC-centric software company creating a game system that's basically a mini-PC, courting Western game developers to produce titles for it based on its similarity to the PC's they're familiar with, then cribbing the concept of online matchmaking services from the PC world and marketing it to console gamers as 'Xbox Live' is tremendously innovative
Click to expand...

:lol .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

  • Locked
Division 1 got a current generation update for PS5/Pro
6
153
Bonfires Down replied
Microsoft - 2025 In Review: How we elevated the Microsoft Store experience
2
56
142
RCX replied
The Problem With The Steam Machine: Its Current Gen
6 7 8 9 10
474
2K
nnytk replied
  • Poll
We're now almost halfway through August, what is your current frontrunner for GOTY?
2 3 4 5
206
3K
Here replied
Microsoft invites Youtuber who made the Xbox Prototype
22
274
ChoosableOne replied
Top Bottom