View Full Version : Original Xbox Future In Doubt?
Industry must pull together over Xbox, says Vivendi VP
Executive VP highlights need for quality over quantity
Adam Roberts, executive VP of Vivendi Europe, has told GamesIndustry.biz that while the PS2 is not yet nearing the end of its life cycle, Microsoft must work with publishers to restore retail confidence in the Xbox.
In an exclusive interview, Roberts said: "I think Xbox probably needs help at the moment. We're in discussions with Microsoft to help generate some impetus."
"I think it's going to be a retail-led decision - if retailers lose confidence in a format, then it's very difficult to get that confidence back," he continued.
"A retailer is there to sell what people will buy, and there's no benefit to anyone to have product on the shelves that doesn't sell. Really it's up to us, in conjunction with other publishers and Microsoft, to keep the retailers' confidence in the Xbox as a business opportunity."
"It's not just the responsibility of the retailer... It's a partnership between the publisher, Microsoft and the retailer, not any one of those in isolation."
Roberts was more confident when it came to the future of the PS2, stating: "I'm a great believer in Sony and Sony's knowledge - they know where they are in the life cycle of the PS2, and they're not near the end of it."
"Having lived through the PSone to PS2 transition, it wasn't an overnight phenomenon - people are not going to stop buying PS2 games on the day PS3 comes out."
Roberts also highlighted the importance of reducing the number of filler titles on the market, reiterating Vivendi's strategy of focusing on quality over quantity: "We've made no secret in saying that we've spent the last year and a half refocusing our attention - we've really concentrated our efforts on fewer titles with bigger budgets, and ultimately with higher potential, and that will carry on."
According to Roberts, Vivendi's strategy is to produce "fewer, bigger, better games," since "There is nothing to be gained by having filler titles or just releasing products for the sake of it, just to fill a hole in the schedule."
"The games business is built around content, and you have to sometimes be speculative in the creative process to create something which people want to play, but that's no excuse for churning out filler titles," Roberts concluded.
Source (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=15658)
MS really shouldnt treat the xbox1 like dirt just because they got x360 out. For starters they could lover the price back to $150. It would also not kill you to have a first or second party game for xbox either. Not everyone is able to get a x360 and this is not how you repay people that supported you for the whole time.
guyver2077
03-28-2006, 01:56 PM
I dont think the original xbox has the lasting power that ps2 wil have but i hope they dont give up on it...
Besides theres still a few games that are coming to current gen systems
neocisco
03-28-2006, 02:38 PM
I dont think the original xbox has the lasting power that ps2 wil have but i hope they dont give up on it...
I disagree w/that primarily because of Xbox Live. As long as the publishers keep the servers running the replay value of some games will be extended by as much as a couple of years. XBL is just so well organized that it should be considered a major plus.
I disagree w/that primarily because of Xbox Live. As long as the publishers keep the servers running the replay value of some games will be extended by as much as a couple of years. XBL is just so well organized that it should be considered a major plus.
true, but for many older or less popular games it is very hard to find a good match.
Mookyjooky
03-28-2006, 03:02 PM
I really dont think they should invest the effort in the Beta Xbox. Its going to be a nightmare to go against the PS3 juggernaut, and if they bust ass, play their cards right and get the licenses they need.. they could possibly come out on top next gen.
The Nintendo has the crazy controller, and the PS3 has blue ray... both awesome trend setting evolutions, but both could be death disguised as innovation.
They need to scrap the Xbox, and fix backwards compatiblity, and get XBL to the point where the next gen consoles shouldnt even bother making their systems online. Then drop the system to around $250 and brace themselves for impact.
Worlds of Warcraft packed in with a wireless keyboard would help too... but thats just being greedy.
Indiana
03-29-2006, 02:34 PM
Well they could make Xbox Live Free for the original Xbox. That would bring back life to the Xbox. I know that I would play it more if I could play on Live for free.
The reality is that Microsoft wants you to go out and buy a 360. They are not going to encourage people to keep playing the Xbox.
terribledeli
03-29-2006, 02:44 PM
Why anyone want listen to anyone at VU is beyond me. If it weren't for Blizzard, the company would fold.
As I've stated for a while - there's little value left on xbox. Their remaining titles fall into two catergories: Major releases that'll be available on the 360 or niche titles.
Is it really worthwhile for Microsoft to support the console so folks can buy KoF: Neowave?
Microsoft was forward enough to tell fans that after Conker, they were finished with the console. If people wanted to continue to buy games, more power to them. I knew after Christmas, I'd be lucky to get another 10 games before I dumped it in favor of the 360.
A focus towards backwards compatibility would fix this, but I doubt thats going to happen.
coltyhuxx
03-29-2006, 03:02 PM
I don't have any games that I care about left on Xbox. I sold most of them off. Yea, I liked the first KOTOR.. and back in the day I liked Halo 1 but aside from some game comps (Midway stuff) there's nothing I am compelled to play on it. If I am going to game online, I generally do PC stuff since the audience, generally, seems to be more mature (although that is not an absolute statement by any means).
And to further my "you will not be terribly missed" sentiment, it's positively the butt-ugliest console I own (and I think own about 12 or so dating back to 1978). The Jaguar is better looking than the XBOX. ZING! 15 pounds of bad art direction, my amigos.
Green and black.. together at last. Ghey.
guyver2077
03-29-2006, 03:12 PM
well xbox was definitely my most used and favorite current generation console...
i have about 100 games for the system... one of the main reasons i chose to get 360 was so these games would not go to waste.. that and that my current xbox's drive is a lil messed up. Works when it wants to.
They need to keep updating that compatibility list. I wonder if they are even working on it
radjago
03-29-2006, 04:24 PM
The reality is that Microsoft wants you to go out and buy a 360. They are not going to encourage people to keep playing the Xbox.
I think it was Peter Moore who basically said that they won't support the Xbox beyond 2006.
But there's always the Funbox (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5972168744208895243)!
FriskyTanuki
03-29-2006, 06:08 PM
Well they could make Xbox Live Free for the original Xbox. That would bring back life to the Xbox. I know that I would play it more if I could play on Live for free.
That would be great, though I'd like it for the older content downloads to be free, as well. I noticed that PGR2 still has a couple of $5 car packs that just seems pointless to even charge for with a sequel out on the 360.
Indiana
03-30-2006, 09:23 AM
That would be great, though I'd like it for the older content downloads to be free, as well. I noticed that PGR2 still has a couple of $5 car packs that just seems pointless to even charge for with a sequel out on the 360.
I agree. I have not purchased those and at this point why would anyone pay for that content. I would love to download it for free it would get me to play pgr 2 again.
manofpeace20
03-31-2006, 01:38 AM
The problem right now is that Microsoft released the 360 with half BC and apparently some games are unplayable. This creates the need to play the original XBOX since the 360 library is still weak. But by Microsoft ditching the XBOX that makes people want to say screw Microsoft and move to another brand. They need to either:
1) Continue supporting the XBOX in the short term with solid titles, which is unlikely.
2) Patch up BC so some people will make the jump.
If they did #2 I would sell my XBOX and by the 360 right now....as I'm still very interested in original XBOX titles.
redline
03-31-2006, 09:01 AM
well xbox was definitely my most used and favorite current generation console...
i have about 100 games for the system... one of the main reasons i chose to get 360 was so these games would not go to waste.. that and that my current xbox's drive is a lil messed up. Works when it wants to.
They need to keep updating that compatibility list. I wonder if they are even working on it
Agreed, it's my most used current gen console too. I'd go one further though and say it's my favorite console of all time (have owned Atari 2600, NES, SNES, Xbox, and GCN).
Backwards compability with the 360 is pretty lacking IMO. Especially for people like you who have over 100 Xbox games (I've got around 65). It's one of the reasons I bought a new backup Xbox last year when they were $150 to put away in the closet until my current one gives up and dies.
Indiana
03-31-2006, 01:41 PM
Agreed, it's my most used current gen console too. I'd go one further though and say it's my favorite console of all time (have owned Atari 2600, NES, SNES, Xbox, and GCN).
Backwards compability with the 360 is pretty lacking IMO. Especially for people like you who have over 100 Xbox games (I've got around 65). It's one of the reasons I bought a new backup Xbox last year when they were $150 to put away in the closet until my current one gives up and dies.
Well they better fix BC because I don't want to buy anther Xbox when mine dies. I've got about 85 games and I don't want to have to sell off all my games when my dvd drive dies. Both of the options suck. When my Xbox dies I want to purchase a 360 premium for under $299 and have it play all my old games.
Spoon_si
04-14-2006, 11:07 PM
True.. BC lists is crap, and about 20 games that I have, won't play on 360... I will always have my halo edition xbox... even tho, we lost Microsoft support...
as long as we have Live and some 3rd party support, the ole xbox will still be around and kicking for the next 3 yr.
hcamacho
04-14-2006, 11:18 PM
the original xbox, kill it!
GTmaster39
04-15-2006, 12:04 AM
I didnt get an xbox till about 4 months ago. Never played anything outside of Halo Multiplayer with friends.No w I've got about 18 games now, and I am just the happiest person on the planet. I have a new gaming system and the whole xbox library to choose from. I have no rush at all to get a 360.
hcamacho
04-15-2006, 12:46 AM
I didnt get an xbox till about 4 months ago. Never played anything outside of Halo Multiplayer with friends.No w I've got about 18 games now, and I am just the happiest person on the planet. I have a new gaming system and the whole xbox library to choose from. I have no rush at all to get a 360.
u did just like i did with my ps2 and cube, got em in december,got over 40 games in total, but ill get the rev,360,andps3......!
akilshohen
04-24-2006, 01:16 AM
I'm really nervous about getting a 360, because I want my SNK games to be compatitble. I really see no reason why no 2-d games haven't been made compatitble. Wouldn't 2-d be the easiest to make BC?