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[Punchpudding]

Eh, not a popular opinion here but when you step back, I can see why the mainstream press (especially tech sites) came away with a positive impression. I mean, put aside your expectations and all the rumours preceding the reveal. MS showed off novelty-- I'm not saying that it's empty novelty or that it's "innovation" yet... it's just stuff most people haven't seen before... and novelty gets attention. Voice controlling your TV, switching instantly between media, multitasking, facial recognition, skeleton and muscle tracking, sensing heart rates... it' pretty impressive stuff when you're not looking for something else.

 

[Herb Alpert]

just read something in Libération, a French Newspaper. The title is "Microsoft put the games behind". They laughed at the fact that the first interaction with the console was "XBOX, watch TV".

 

[liquidtmd]

The mainstream media only gave a couple of column inches to the RROD saga, which involved MS earmarking nigh on a billion dollars for massive technological screw ups.

The mainstream media will say whatever MS want them to.

 

[Arkos]

just read something in Libération, a French Newspaper. The title is "Microsoft put the games behind". They laughed at the fact that the first interaction with the console was "XBOX, watch TV".

Haha wow that's a pretty interesting (and IMO well-informed) take for a news outlet that doesnt focus on gaming or tech, cool beans.

 

[Toparaman]

The mainstream media only gave a couple of column inches to the RROD saga, which involved MS earmarking nigh on a billion dollars for massive technological screw ups.

The mainstream media will say whatever MS want them to.

Oh please. The mainstream media gives MS plenty of shit. The RROD epidemic didn't affect more casual users of the 360, hence it wasn't reported in great detail.

Let's really not try to pretend that MS payed for this positive press. GAF is not even remotely representative of the wider gaming audience.

 

[Skyzard]

I'll believe the camera sensing heartrate when I see it.

Sounds like pure marketing bs to me.

 

[scytheavatar]

ATM all Microsoft has revealed is their non-gaming plans, and the mainstream media just likes what they heard. The honeymoon from the mainstream media isn't going to last once the implication of always online, no used games gets confirmed by Microsoft, and even worse when the price gets released and it turns out to be more than expected.

 

[DrSlek]

I saw a tiny segment on a breakfast show this morning. Basically parroting info we already know with a somewhat indifferent tone. Microsoft is releasing a new video games console with a bunch of features for television.

 

[Officerrob]

I'll believe the camera sensing heartrate when I see it.

Sounds like pure marketing bs to me.

Is it marketing when people actually saw/experienced it today?

Edit: Never mind, I just realized I responded to the "This is why we love Sony" thread guy

 

[speculawyer]

Generic talking points regurgitated from MS press release.

 

[Skyzard]

Is it marketing when people actually saw/experienced it today?

Edit: Never mind, I just realized I responded to the "This is why we love Sony" thread guy

I didn't see it, where did they show it?

Explain to me how it could work. Do they have a laser scanning the rate of artery expansion in your neck or retina vessels from above the tv?

Or are they guessing heartrate from respiration rate (and user inputted details). Which would be terrible, but still a tiny bit impressive, but also then a lie. And sounds like it would only work when staying still. This just seems iffy, not sure why you'd think otherwise, oh, nvm.

And that thread makes perfect logical sense giving what Sony is doing these days for gamers compared to everyone else. But I'll still read your response lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi5kMNfgDS4 3:50

Looks ok but hardly reliable. Would that even work with black people? Reminds me of the light sensors in better off ted.

 

[MetatronM]

The Xbox One presentation was centered around selling to the lowest common denominator.

The mainstream news media IS the lowest common denominator. This is no surprise.

The people who are paid to write these things aren't there to put in critical thinking or actually investigate the things they're reporting on. They're little more than corporate mouthpieces for pretty much any tech announcement.

 

[Akira]

If I remember correctly, the mainstream media's reactions to the PS4 unveiling were lukewarm. Some were asking: "That's it? Does it offer something new?"

We're living in opposite worlds. The Xbox One will be a huge hit, as much as many on GAF would hate that.

 

[Jeux]

These presentations mean very little in the long run as so many other factors are more important.

Based on Sony's E3 2005 presentation of prerendered videos and outlandish power claims, many thought that the 360 was going to be dead in the water. The general takeaway message in the media AND on places like GAF was that the PS3 had already won.

Of course, the systems turned out to be about the same in terms of power, the 360 had better online for all/most of the generation, Sony's exclusives kept misfiring for a few years, and Sony's pricing was ridiculous.

E3 should provide more clarity.

 

[artist]

These presentations mean very little in the long run as so many other factors are more important.

Based on Sony's E3 2005 presentation of prerendered videos and outlandish power claims, many thought that the 360 was going to be dead in the water. The general takeaway message in the media AND on places like GAF was that the PS3 had already won.

Of course, the systems turned out to be about the same in terms of power, the 360 had better online for all/most of the generation, Sony's exclusives kept misfiring for a few years, and Sony's pricing was ridiculous.

E3 should provide more clarity.

Umm, no. Did you forget $599? It sure got a fair bit of play on GAF (deservedly).

 

[flc]

The Xbox One presentation was centered around selling to the lowest common denominator.

The mainstream news media IS the lowest common denominator. This is no surprise

Unfortunately, the lowest common denominator is the largest market, so these kinds of presentations aren't going away any time soon. A bit of gimmickry and some cool-looking sci-fi tech and we have people doing backflips in their living rooms because look at how cool my Xbox is.

 

[conman]

The only "story" for the mainstream media is whatever XB1 is doing that seems new. So of course their coverage is going to look positive. But that doesn't mean that that momentum will last. It just means that their lead coverage will be things like "the new MS hotness," etc. But I wouldn't mistake that for true positivity.

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

Here in the Netherlands

Xbox One
Looks great
None of the TV and entertainment is going to work and almost no games.
See more at E3

sooo No buy at the moment

 

[Windu]

Most people don't give a shit about used games, don't lug around their console on vacation, like voice and motion control over buttons, watch tv and live sports through cable, play ea sports games and cod and will watch a halo tv series. So a positive reaction? not surprised at all.

 

[Phonomezer]

The only "story" for the mainstream media is whatever XB1 is doing that seems new. So of course their coverage is going to look positive. But that doesn't mean that that momentum will last. It just means that their lead coverage will be things like "the new MS hotness," etc. But I wouldn't mistake that for true positivity.

You're as good as your last article, XBO launch is going to be massive amongst the mainstream, or so I think.

 

[Surfheart]

Poll on a popular mainstream Australian newspaper; The Sydney Morning Herald.

Wii U

 

[China Dont Care]

Mainstream Media always wants something tangible. They saw the console, they want it.

 

[Phonomezer]

Poll on a popular mainstream Australian newspaper; The Sydney Morning Herald.

Wii U

But Gamespot!

 

[NemesisPrime]

Pretty positive in general TBH.

One of my friends works for a very technical electronics magazine and they were very excited about features that I, as a gamer, don't find so important. I expect massive media coverage for X1 and I fear that PS4 will be "just a games console" in the eyes of the mainstream media.

 

[Eusis]

Most people don't give a shit about used games, don't lug around their console on vacation, like voice and motion control over buttons, watch tv and live sports through cable, play ea sports games and cod and will watch a halo tv series. So a positive reaction? not surprised at all.

If most people didn't give a shit about used games then we'd never have seen the online pass. The mass populace probably doesn't care, but then they don't care much about games period and are likely more fascinated by the TV interactions bit.

 

[Hunter S.]

Speculation upon speculation in here. All based on bias.

 

[Phonomezer]

Speculation upon speculation in here. All based on bias.

You can just google Xbox One and see for yourself.

 

[Hunter S.]

You can just google Xbox One and see for yourself.

I did, but I see people saying very different things based on their bias. I saw nothing overwhelmingly good or bad.

 

[LiquidSolid]

But Gamespot!

Seeing as the PS3 is the most popular current gen system in Aus, I wouldn't exactly take that at face value.

 

[Jamie OD]

If I remember correctly, the mainstream media's reactions to the PS4 unveiling were lukewarm. Some were asking: "That's it? Does it offer something new?"

We're living in opposite worlds. The Xbox One will be a huge hit, as much as many on GAF would hate that.

From what I can tell, Microsoft did a good job escaping the trap of "Is this console needed in a world of tablets and smartphones?" that the PS4 and Wii U announcements fell into. In fact, Microsoft was able to show off to the press how the Xbox One can work alongside the tablets with their Smartglass stuff so they got a lot of points for that.

 

[Sorral]

Holy shit, why does Kotaku AUS look so much better than normal Kotaku?!

That explains why the site looked pleasant and read pleasant.... I never go there until I just clicked that link.

From what I can tell, Microsoft did a good job escaping the trap of "Is this console needed in a world of tablets and smartphones?" that the PS4 and Wii U announcements fell into. In fact, Microsoft was able to show off to the press how the Xbox One can work alongside the tablets with their Smartglass stuff so they got a lot of points for that.

The touchpad on the DS4 is not that significant to have 'PS4 fall into a trap' like the Wii U Pad. That just reads as hyperbole.

 

[shink]

Holy shit, why does Kotaku AUS look so much better than normal Kotaku?!

AU staff and articles are actually quite decent, well comparatively anyway. The US site design is just trying to fit in with the quality journalism that Kotaku US puts out =p

 

[yarden24]

Well the posts here about Kinect leading up to it's launch weren't: "I'm not going to buy this." The posts were how much of a failure it would be. How stupid MS was for thinking they were going to sell X many Kinects when they ended up selling way more than that.

And not to pick on NeoGAF. Listening to Stephen Totilo and friends at Kotaku they were constantly talking about how bad Kinect was and how much better Move was going to be. So somebody has definitely lost the plot.




Google TV had CoD? Madden? Forza? FIFA?

A.) Google TV interface and setup sucked compared to this HDMI & Wi-Fi pairing.
B.) Google TV gigantic remotes with keyboards sucked compared to Kinect.
C.) Google TV didn't have AAA exclusive games or any high end 3D games for that matter.
D.) Google TV didn't have SmartGlass to let you use any tablet/phone control your TV.
E.) Google didn't create LA production studios, hire Spielberg/Abrams to create content, sign exclusive deals with the NFL, etc.

If you really think that Xbox One has the same overall appeal as Google TV had then you are detached from reality.

eh i don't mean to offend, but by god you sound like you're a Microsoft employee

 

[2+2=5]

Gamers!=mainstream, imo there's a good chance for the xb1 to sell like hotcakes like a new (american)wii.

 

[nacimento]

In germany (for example Der Spiegel), they're writing about kinect corporate spying your living room

 

[TheDrowningMan]

Surface got a hell of a lot of press pre-launch. A great many people were speculating that it could be the convergence which puts paid to notebooks / compete with iPad.

So it really comes down to price, and I really think it will be dirt cheap ($200 ceiling) because Microsoft want to push this thing to a particular market.

If, like Surface, this mainstream courting box has a 'non-mainstream' price, it will barely enter the consciousness of that extended audience, who'll at best glance and return to Angry Birds. They can already do the other stuff on their phones & tablets.

 

[Killing_Joke]

Not really surprised. They showed a good looking system, some fluffy motion controls, and good looking games. Even with the avalanche of bad news it will most likely have a successful launch even at a high price. The true test is post holiday season.

 

[kizmah]

What could go wrong with the mainstream media when you have TV, Sports, and Call of Duty. Targeting non-gamers may actually be the correct move in the long run as the large user base may generate interest in creating new IPs for it and thus draw in gamers eventually.

Nintendo tried that with the Wii U-presentation, focusing on Tvii and "unprescendented partnership". They targeted non-gamers (while trowing in a couple of hardcore hooks) AND they are coming off a console that did extremely well with the mainstream. Look how that's gone so far.

Of course mainstream media will re-report PR-fluff and of course your average media consumer is impressed with a multifunctional gadget. But that does not equal sales and success. Those initial glowing impressions tend to cool down and what a console is left with then are it's games and a need for gamers to drive the initial sales.

Come this E3 I guess we will see what the three consoles will actually have to offer.

 

[Starwolf_UK]

So, even with press releases which are pretty much "please write the following in some of your own words", the mainstream media can still create some interesting myths? Are there any on the level of Wii U is a Wii controller wrong yet...though I guess it being a set-top box rather than a pass-trough is close.

Umm, no. Did you forget $599? It sure got a fair bit of play on GAF (deservedly).

Wasn't that 2006 though (which got picked apart form all angles on GAF; enemy crabs, riiiiidge racer etc), not 2005 the poster was mentioning. The point was first impressions are made to look good (unless its Nintendo in which case they'll mess up) and as final details emerge it can all come crumbling apart.

 

[NemesisPrime]

In germany (for example Der Spiegel), they're writing about kinect corporate spying your living room

Typical German nonsense.

 

[Knux-Future]

The actual features of the system seems cool. It's the other stuff that we hate that they won't.

Sucks but true

This is gonna sell and the bad stuff will become standard and accepted.

We aren't the majority

 

[verbum]

The Washington Post just basically repeated the talking points and gave some background on the reasons MS was focusing on the TV/cable aspect.

The television, he noted, still commands users’ attention for more than four hours every day.

“You have to try for the TV,” McQuivey said.

I'm wondering how the Live subscription price will be worked out for non gamers. MS is asking folks who already pay a cable/Netflix/Hulu/etc subscription to add more cost on top. I wonder if MS will come out with a cheaper non-gaming box later.

 

[StayDead]

Typical German nonsense.

Nonsense? The device is always "listening" to everything you say.

 

[Acorn]

Ha even The Sun's console coverage lies and obscures. Consistency.

 

[The Bookerman]

I'm not surprised tech sites and other bullshit media came away impressed. That stuff was targeted to them. Either way, the verge doesn't seem impressed by the TV stuff:

The Verge: Live TV on the Xbox One: Microsoft learns nothing from Google TV's mistakes

 

[Jucksalbe]

Typical German nonsense.

With what MS has shown, it's a very valid concern.

 

[Hindle]

My brother is basically a casual gamer, the only two games he buys are Cod and Fifa. He's said he'll be getting the Xbox one after yesterday's reveal, so are all his friends who buy the same two games.

So id say where the mainstream are concerned, MS were smart.

Edit. Misread the OT. Comment is off topic.

 

[IrishNinja]

some of ya'll are speaking from some excellent sample groups

 

[KemoSabe]

With what MS has shown, it's a very valid concern.

"This game is da bomb!"
FBI rushes into your home

 

[crusadernm]

My favourite thing about that Kotaku article is that it's essentially complaining that not everybody reacted negatively.

EDIT: That being said, I think it just highlights how small a demographic the core gamer seems to be and how important the mainstream is to Microsoft and their marketing targets.

I've been saying this for quite a while. This unveil was for the mainstream and the world. E3 will be for us.