Monday, June 10, 2013

Console Wars

A few weeks ago, Microsoft finally revealed the plans for its long-awaited successor to the Xbox 360 - the awfully named Xbox One  

and fanboy's heads everywhere exploded.

The event was broadcasted live and was a clear indication that the next generation console wars are upon us (Sony released some juicy tidbits about their pending -and numerically logically named system- a few weeks ago).If you get nerdwood about polygons and framerate counts then you may be able to appreciate the specifications chart that IGN posted shortly after the reveal.
Currently, I have all three systems - a PlayStation, a Wii (what was I thinking!?), and a Xbox - and they are all adept at different things. If I want a triple-A exclusive title, more often than not I choose the PlayStation. The Xbox is home for all of my co-op or competitive multiplayer interaction (seriously great idea packing a microphone with your system; thought that would have been a no-brainer, Sony), and the Wii is most useful for keeping important papers from blowing away (newsflash Nintendo: There are only so many Dance Dance knockoffs and craptastic "exclusives" one can swallow before one loses faith in your brand). When the consoles were first revealed, I had no idea that I would prefer one over the other. I like to think I am objective and can make a clear and rational choice in all matters. Initially, I was impressed by the sheer amount that Xbox could do. Between Skype, "snap" mode, and the reward-me-I'm-lazy! availability of voice commands, I had very little doubt that Xbox would slowly ascend to the top of the crap heap that is my TV stand Lord of the Flies style. I was, however, dismayed by their approach to used games even if I was buoyed by the sheer number of exclusives they have. The PlayStation, which is my usual bastion for Triple A rated titles, seemed to have a dearth of exclusivity, instead offering add-ons or DLC that very few people should actually care about. However, PlayStation seemed to recognize the gamers and wanted to reward the gamers for being loyal. They took a very friendly approach to lending and buying second-hand games. I think Microsoft should think long and hard about alienating their main constituents in order to appeal more widely to the masses. I understand the merits of the Blue ocean Strategy, but shouldn't that strategy be adopted in conjunction with the strategy of keeping your core constituents happy as well? I wonder if Microsoft should take some notes from Nintendo about how well alienating "hardcore" gamers to engage casual gamers works as a business model?