Now that you've calmed down somewhat, I recently read an article in a magazine about Microsoft and it's gaming division. The magazine pretty much says that Microsoft's gaming division made roughly 90% of it's money from game sales, licensing, and XBL. That's a huge percentage, and I feel if it's true Microsoft should get out of the console manufacturing business and become a publisher/developer.
1. Hardware vs. Software
Microsoft has never really had any success developing hardware, simply because they are a software company. No one will argue that the Xbox 360 is the most technical piece of hardware out there. Software is what they're good at and what they should stick with. XBL is the best online gaming service available on consoles. PSN is great and free, but XBL is the better service because of 3 simple things missing from PSN. A Party System, Cross Game Chat, and a mic with every system.
These 3 things make XBL a more lively place then PSN. The PS3 has these features in some games, but leaving it up to the developer to add, instead of having it integrated into the network isn't the best way to do it, unless they can't this gen. Which brings me to the point that MS should sell their service to another platform, and make royalties off of the sell. Who am I kidding sell to Sony, Wii needs it more but oh well.
2. These Bots know how to hype and sell a game.
Microsoft has shown itself to be a capable publisher/developer. As a publisher MS knows what it takes to make itself stand out among the competition. They nabbed up 3rd party devs. to make exclusives for them and many of those games have become financial hits, have garnered critical acclaim, or both. Microsoft is willing to spend money to make money. As a developer the company hasn't been the best we've seen, but they've managed to hold their own against the big boys.
Now for my next point. Microsoft should turn into a video games publisher again straying away from the hardware. MS has the money to bring big developers like Rockstar, Epic, and once Bioware their way to make exclusives titles under their name. Not to mention MS is by far the best at hyping (and sometimes over hyping their games), and as a publisher they'll be able to put on a real show of games at E3 rather than the fiasco we saw at the Kinect party.
3. Kinect
To be honest Kinect has pissed me off. Looking at the line-up for 2011 for Microsoft makes me angry. I love Gears, but dammit that's not enough. So far we have to rely on the 3rd parties to carry us through the beginning of 2011, and hopefully E3 will bring something worth talking about for the hardcore.
Kinect seems to be Microsoft's new bread and butter, and that's fine for a publisher or developer, but as a console manufacture and for your hardcore audience that got you where you are, that's a slap in the face. You could get away with it if you were just a publisher/developer like I previously stated, but as of now you aren't. Kinect could have been something you made for Nintendo as a publisher/developer and made billions on during their next venture, but instead you tried to beat them at their own game, and unfortunately it's not going to happen this gen.
4. Made in the USA
Japan hates you. End of story. There's nothing you can do about it. You should almost 1.5 million consoles there in 5 years. Not a pretty sight. The rest of the world has been more generous, but with the PS3 overtaking you in all other territories while coming out in those markets over a year after you (PS3 didn't hit Europe until March the following year) they proved who they love more.
Again MS games sell great at least in Europe, but hardware while doing good in Europe is another story in Japan. And thanks the the Red Ring of Death crisis you may never get another chance with Japan. But again as a publisher/developer you don't need them.
5. Financially it's a big "NO DUH"
You make most of your money on games and on XBL. Consoles were making money, but the RROD replacement plan cut into that, along with maintenance from keeping XBL running. If you sell XBL maintenance is no longer your problem, you just sit back and collect, and make updates, and a better version to sell to them next time. Games bring you pure revenue, consoles are a risk plus they unnecessarily split the market cutting into your sales. As it's been stated over and over again, multiplat titles sell more thanks to a larger audience if there's only one hardcore system you don't have to worry about it, so you can make money off of that system.
So as you can see I don't want Microsoft to go anywhere. I just want them to stop making consoles, so my money can go to the best part of their business, the games and services. I think Microsoft is a much better Publisher/Developer than it is a console maker. I don't think they have hardware down just yet. Don't get me wrong they've done an excellent job keeping the 360 afloat, but that ship needs more than a flotation device, and MS unlike Sony and even Nintendo aren't willing to take that chance to try something bold and new. MS can also continue to make money selling some peripherals since a lot of people like the Xbox controller (keep the shape and size, just relabel the buttons). MS came into this business with the hope of taking over, or getting it's fair share, but their venture has been so up and down, I can't see the execs. being too happy with the way things are going, but if they became a publisher/developer then it would all be smooth sailing for EVERYONE (MS and gamers).
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