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#Post#: 335--------------------------------------------------
Developers Will Propel the X-Box One to Victory, and Here's Why
DIR By: Admin
Date: June 20, 2013, 12:56 am
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Gotta love the political spectrum of modern gaming. As I
observed the social chaos surrounding Microsoft's upcoming
console, I thought to myself "Why aren't gamers asking enough
questions and how could they be so narrow minded?", but I came
to realize. It's not the gamers' fault. They're just
misinformed. I had to remember that public opinion is almost
always based on the questions asked by the media and the media's
following judgement based on the answers given. And the media
likes to tip the scale dramatically in one direction, regardless
of objectionable matters. Here's an example: no one, not one
soul has asked how the Xbox One's new policies are to benefit
Microsoft and publishers, and even us gamers for that matter.
Yes, there are some cons, but surely no company would make a
bold business decision if there were no important benefits. With
that being said, I understand why gamers are asking only half
the questions they need to ask. They're waiting for a good chunk
of the media to ask the other questions first. And therein lies
a problem that leads to misconceptions. Those who haven't taken
the time to read the personal interviews with Microsoft's heads
that explain the specifics of Xbox One's hardware and policies
are missing out on understanding what a brilliant concept it
really is. And I'll explain why I think it will pull ahead.
After swallowing Microsoft's plan for marketing their next
console, I was less than impressed at Sony's E3 announcement on
network specifics and used games policies. Why? Because there
were none. And seeing as how the PS4, much like the X1, will
usher in a new era of high-cost PC level software production and
essential network innovations like cloud gaming, it wouldn't be
realistic to expect success by doing business the same old way.
I was hoping for Sony to announce specifics on their cloud
gaming structure and a strategy for managing the impending
expenses of PS4 software production. While people cheered at
Sony's lack of new direction, publishers didn't. And that's a
problem.
What a number of gamers don't understand because of a (possibly
intentional) lack of assessment by the media is that Microsoft's
stance on the upcoming Xbox's policies is not really about
making profit, but about securing profit along with securing
user functionality, and securing stability. The DRM policy and
connection policy is there for nothing more than to protect the
user's account and the performance of essential cloud based
feaures. And as stated in an (not widely distributed for typical
reasons) interview, the used games policy pertains to royalties
for outside publishers. Those royalties which would surely
attract publishers and developers alike would create a secure
financial foundation for companies being effected by the almost
inevitably rising costs of software production. A lot of gamers
should realize that these flashy new engines being shown off by
developers cost millions just to develop, and aside from that a
low budget game built for the core market currently runs at a
minimum of 1-1.5 million dollars. Add to that that these
companies have to make a sizable profit after paying for
distribution while charging a less than agreeable price at
retailers and you'll get where I am going with this. And here's
an unmentioned fact that will knock your socks off, that same
used games policy which would probably raise the cost of used
games can in parallel reduce the cost of newly packaged games.
This has already been proven in the PC market where a similar
system of policies to the Xbox One's has kept unopened software
cheaper for the consumer, much cheaper in fact. And in
considering once again that the two upcoming consoles are going
to be going for a balanced structure of cloud enhancements and
high-end PC components, it looks like Microsoft is taking some
initial steps to make a good start and prevent the potential
disaster that the tremendously costly PC market avoided by
outlining clear online components and creating financially
secure software policies. The PS4 does have its appeal, but from
a point of view of proper business knowledge one can predict
that the Xbox One will hold more value on the market to software
investors (already evident in the X1's more robust software
lineup), who will see it as less likely to contribute to an
industry crisis. Just my two cents. Oh, and picture me confused
when I heard some gamers say about the ending to Sony's
conference "Thank you, Sony, for not bending to the will of
publishers" ...You mean the publishers that make your games, you
idiots! And I use the term "idiots" with respect. Game on,
gamers. I'm going to sleep now.
Note: I would have included Wiiu in this column if it wasn't for
Nintendo's unique ability to thrive without third parties.
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