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View Full Version : Microsoft's Greenberg - You are a 9 year old if you own a Wii?


Mikewarrior
07-04-2008, 07:54 PM
Talking to Gamasutra as part of a larger interview to be posted in the near future, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, has been commenting on Microsoft's attempts to attract casual gamers, suggesting that Wii customers are "going to want to graduate to an Xbox 360 experience" over time.

When asked about Microsoft's initiative to bring more casual gamers to the Xbox 360, and whether it's possible to appeal to 'core' and 'casual' game players in the same box, Greenberg commented specifically:

"Yeah, absolutely. I think that there's a difference in the type of customer that is buying the Wii. When you think about it, there's a difference between trying to be the number one console with nine year old gamers, and being the console that offers the most experiences from 13 to 33.

I think for us, we don't really see the Wii as a direct competitor, we actually very much complement the Wii experience. It's obviously clear that we're going head-to-head with the PS3 in this generation. I think what Xbox will be able to do as well as the Wii is grow the market.

In this generation we're seeing record revenues for the U.S. and globally for the business, and we're seeing more people buying and playing games than ever before, and the Wii is definitely part of that. And as they grow that pie, that benefits us too, because those customers are eventually going to want to graduate to an Xbox 360 experience."

When asked about Nintendo's de-emphasizing of hardware power with the Wii, with Gamasutra's interviewer suggesting that "...if they keep going down this path, they don't really need to make a Wii 2", Microsoft's Greenberg pointedly suggested:

"Everyone says that eventually the novelty will wear off, right? I think that a lot of the people that are buying that console today are not people that have generally bought consoles in the past, right?

You see they're not buying games on it, right? They're buying it, it's like something they break out when people come over, and it's maybe a fun thing, but it's almost like the same people that buy a karaoke machine, you know? They're not really buying it for games, they're just buying it as a novelty."

A lot of dislike for Microsoft after all these stupid comments... The guy even looks as dumb as fudge...

http://www.sonydefenseforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/greenberg.jpg

Keep up the good work :coolguy:

ReaperHybrid
07-04-2008, 10:07 PM
Ouch! I love Microsofts products, but they have a LOT to learn from Nintendo! How often do you hear about a Wii red ringing? How about console sales numbers?

Dreaded Dragon
07-04-2008, 10:25 PM
Well I kind of agree with him. Most people that I know that have a Wii never ever play it. I have 2 brothers that have them and a lot of people I know have them. The Wii obviously attracts casual gamers which, in the long run leads to more sales for everyone. However, he is retarded for dismissing nintendo like that. They had balls to do what they did and it obviously paid off for them. They are taking MS to school.

Microsoft has been relying on it's too patient rabid fanbase to stay on the ship. Honestly I don't know how MS has survived this generation. I love mine, but that's only because Best Buy convinced me to get a warranty when I bought it. If I was on my third failed console and had to go through the repair process, I would've left Microsoft long ago. Best Buy has kept me as an MS customer. XBL ftw, hardware failure ftl.

Burton0873
07-04-2008, 11:28 PM
I actually agree with him on almost all of his points. Sure his 9-year-old thing was inacurrate, but I'm sure he knew he was over exageratting it. Smart man. :) :lol:

Assassin 10k
07-04-2008, 11:28 PM
Ouch! I love Microsofts products, but they have a LOT to learn from Nintendo! How often do you hear about a Wii red ringing? How about console sales numbers?

My Wii has disc read issues. I sent it in twice to support and they fixed nothing. It still only plays games half the time. Its going to be on its 3rd trip to the service center and I'll continue to send it over and over until they get the damn hint!

TXPaladin
07-05-2008, 09:11 AM
The Novelty thing could be correct in a lot of levels, but saying its fun only for 9 year olds is crazy. I had a blast when I tried out my in-laws. I've got two kids and can see them enjoying it a lot and expect us to be a two console family soon. As for demographics, its funny when they mention brackets like this and seeing I'm hitting 40 soon 8) , I've seen people older them me having a blast playing the Wii and I never would have pictured them playing games. So do you reach an age when your much older and your about the same as a kid again. Crap like that makes me think they don't plan to make games for people my age or perhaps I don't act my age anymore. Just make games that people like, make games that families will enjoy and we'll buy them.

Mikewarrior
07-05-2008, 11:27 AM
He is actually wrong on all his points... The Wii has been selling games just as good if not better than the 360. So if games are selling better on the Wii, that has the good possibility that people are playing it more than the 360. - Unless 360 gamers are just playing old games over & over again = I'm sure that's what Microsoft wants, right?

Burton0873
07-05-2008, 11:47 AM
He is actually wrong on all his points... The Wii has been selling games just as good if not better than the 360. So if games are selling better on the Wii, that has the good possibility that people are playing it more than the 360. - Unless 360 gamers are just playing old games over & over again = I'm sure that's what Microsoft wants, right?
Some games maybe, but in general... no.

Mikewarrior
07-05-2008, 11:50 AM
Some games maybe, but in general... no.

No to what?

It's a fact that the Wii is selling games better than the 360 as of late.

AeroHudson
07-05-2008, 07:00 PM
I agree with him on all points except for the 9 year old comment. I own a Wii and for what it does I am happy with my purchase and experience.

As far as sales goes, 1st party does sell extremely well. 3rd party software doesn't sell well at all and if take away the Wii Play with the pack in Wiimote, 360 software sales and attach rate is much greater than that of the Wii. It's all in the way you want to interpret the numbers. You can paint any story you want with the same set of numbers.

Burton0873
07-06-2008, 03:54 PM
No to what?

It's a fact that the Wii is selling games better than the 360 as of late.

What games are you comparing? Do you have a link to support your fact? I would gladly accept it if I saw an article from a credible source.

I know that Wii's First party games are selling like mad, but what about the other titles?

Now... one last thing... Are we comparing Japanese sales or American? lol

Mikewarrior
07-06-2008, 05:30 PM
What games are you comparing? Do you have a link to support your fact? I would gladly accept it if I saw an article from a credible source.

I guess you didn't look at May's NPD... Read this - http://www.unscripted360.com/forums/showpost.php?p=47237&postcount=3

Mikewarrior
07-06-2008, 06:03 PM
Yeah, so that Gangrene guy is wrong on all accounts... If the Wii actually had an influence in people to want to upgrade in a 360, then why are 360 sales so low?

Is he dumber than he looks? = Must be.

AeroHudson
07-06-2008, 06:12 PM
They'll see a boost with their next price drop. Also, he already stated they are not directly competing with Nintendo. I'm sure Sony isn't worried about them either. Both Sony and MS would do well just to do their thing and let Nintendo do theirs and not go after the me too syndrome.

Burton0873
07-07-2008, 12:01 AM
I guess you didn't look at May's NPD... Read this - http://www.unscripted360.com/forums/showpost.php?p=47237&postcount=3

Ok, but if a game is released on both platforms... it will generally sell better on 360. You're right though, Wii has been dominating the 3rd party stuff.

Burton0873
07-07-2008, 12:01 AM
Ugh... double posted.

DJSteel
07-07-2008, 07:48 AM
so I'm 9.. blah...

Camera Vixen
07-07-2008, 04:42 PM
Lil Rhymescheme,who is 9,had us trade in his 360 for a Wii.He had it two weeks and traded it back in LOL

DeaconBlade
07-08-2008, 10:30 AM
^nice lol

Dreaded Dragon
07-08-2008, 03:49 PM
I played my bro's wii over the weekend. It was more fun than I thought it would be. I wouldn't even think about buying one though.