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"Microsoft slate Nintendo strategy"

"Connectivity and handheld gaming dismissed as Microsoft corporate VP for retail sales and marketing, Peter Moore, talks tough

19:24 The console war of words upped a couple of notches this week, as top brass from all sides took to the stage to give their own rallying cries at the first Annual ELSPA Games Summit in London.
Microsoft was represented by corporate VP for retail sales and marketing Peter Moore, who gave a keynote address earlier today, outlining Microsoft's longterm direction for Xbox.

And comments made by former Sega of America President Moore to us recently provide a crystal clear account of why the company believes its strategy is the best way forward. Asked if Microsoft was planning its own entry into handheld gaming, following the revelation of the PlayStation Portable at E3, Moore told us: "We're not in that business and there are no plans to be in that business right now."

Explaining this stance, he added: "If I believe, which I do, in the social aspects of gaming, at the furthest end of the gaming spectrum against that is handheld gaming, because that's a very solitary, time-killing activity.

"It's not something you share - we believe that the future is the social element of gaming, and that's going to be done through a console, not through a handheld gaming device."

And on the subject of connectivity, Moore launched into a stinging attack on Nintendo's key E3 focus, stating: "When I was at Sega we did that [GC/GBA connectivity] with Sonic Advance - and the consumer went [shrugs shoulders] big deal! Someone's yet to explain to me the value of hooking up your handheld device to your console."

Seemingly throwing the gauntlet down to his competitors he added: "If somebody can tell me what the value of [connectivity] is, I'm all for it." We're assuming Nintendo might have something to say on that matter...

Microsoft's position is clear: it believes wholeheartedly in the future of gaming as a social activity revolving around the myriad possibilities offered by its hardware and Xbox Live. So don't go holding your breath for that handheld Xbox anytime soon."

Taken from C&V.

Discuss.

At this point Yamauchi and Shigsy jumped out of the crowd and all three went into slow-mo matrix-style stances. They all slowly approach one another then the action degrades into hissy fit girl slaps from all parties.

If only........ :D

On the original topic..

This guy's a bit of an idiot. But it's his job to do that. They have people like him working for Nintendo and Sony. It's called PR - and it's vital to persuade those impressionable people, or give some justification to new console owners or fanboys.

I like the connectivity. First of all, it means that Nintendo are giving people more reason to buy both a GBA and GameCube - and I'll bet it's managed to persuade a few. Secondly, for a multi console owner, it gives them something to get GameCube version for. This, therefore, pleases the third parties. It's also a free extra, which Nintendo aren't *really* pushing.

TGMbloke wrote:

> Still - Please, Please, Please do not have a got about me on this post
> too! Its not even funny anymore and im sure we are gettig on other
> forum members nerves now, so even if you do hate me THAT much, do it
> for them, OK?

What are you talking about now?

Either we've been in totally different conversations or you're just misinterpreting quite a few of my posts. I only have a go at you when there's reason to have a go at you. You seem to take a lot my comments either too seriously or in totally the wrong context.

Admitedly in the past I have had a go at you, probably been a little harsh at times but there's always been a reason for me getting annoyed.

It isn't 'that' special, it good and all but I wouldn't call it 'that' special.

That's an opinion TGM, so don't complain that I'm trying to force my opinions or any of that other crap that you tend moan about for no good reason.

If sound doesn't do it for you then thats fair enough. To say 5.1 isn't that special though is a bit silly :)

Not all PC games simulate 5.1, some are programmed to use it properly.

I have a 2.1 thingy for my consoles too, and it doesn't do much for me. I usually turn the in-game music off, leaving only the SFX (footsteps, gunfire etc), then put a CD on repeat and listen to that while I play.

Sound in games just isn't very important to me.

PC games simulate 5.1 providing you have a 5.1 sound card. However the Xbox games are actually programmed for 5.1 so they can take as much or as little advantage of it as they want. Some games don't use it well at all and then you have the likes of Halo, Project Gotham Racing, Amped, NBA Sreet 2 etc which maximise the Dolby Digital capabilities. The results are amazing when used properly.

For example in NBA Street 2 phones ring from different speakers, when you go for a Gamebreaker you can hear the ball going through the speakers and when dunkes the Sub drops to a low frequency which sends a rumble through the floor. Its a delight to listen to at times :)

As far as I am aware the majority of PC game developers don't bother with the Dolby Digital chip so you system simulates its own mix to make up for it and simulated Dolby Digital mixes are pretty poor. Hook it up to an Xbox and you will see what its all about. Oh and we read it the first time...

Memorandum wrote:
> I've played games in 5.1 Dolby Digital on my PC and to be honest it
> never really made any difference.

Nintendo's strategy is flawed. They don't have a definite focus. When the Game Boy was more of a sideline Nintendo did better. Now the GBA is thought of as an integral part of Nintendos line up.

If more effort was spent on the GC instead of the GBA then Nintendo would be doing better. As it is, the Xbox is the second console in Britain anyway, and it is only going to get stronger.

The only time link ups have ever been used for anything much was in Pokemon Stadium.