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terabytes of information every day. Microsoft and Xbox are one of the few businesses that can really deliver on the promise of the cloud today.
Just as a small example, we’ve served over two billion hours of Halo gaming since launch and in the last three years more than 100 million songs have been downloaded for music games via Xbox Live. That’s not including any other multiplayer, digital game downloads, DLC for other games, HD video and TV. I’m confident we are ready.
Do you believe future generations of hardware will be solely digital, or was the PSPgo’s struggle a warning that core games consumers aren’t ready for that?
The move to the cloud will mean that more and more content, games and entertainment will be delivered digitally. That’s not to say that we will see packaged products disappearing anytime soon, but I think the ‘buy once, play anywhere’ offering is compelling for consumers and Microsoft is in a position to offer that across Xbox, PC and phone. Personally I still value having something tangible when spending money on a product, but I also recognise the role of digital distribution of content as it becomes a parallel and complimentary way of consuming digital experiences. As we get more comfortable with our content living in the cloud where we can access it easily, when, where and on whatever device we choose, then I think trust will improve and the convenience factor will drive digital adoption.
What can E3 attendees look forward to from Microsoft? This E3 will be unlike any E3 we’ve ever had before. As you may have heard, our traditional news briefing is on the morning of Monday, June 14th where you can expect to hear more about Project Natal. Additionally, we will be hosting a can’t-miss exclusive Project Natal World Premiere Experience, inspired and produced by Cirque du Soleil, on Sunday evening which is designed for all ages.
Project Natal is a focal point for Microsoft. How do you expect it to extend the Xbox 360’s life span? The best games are at the heart of any great console experience and we are
committed to delivering on that promise, but Project Natal enables not just great gaming, but a whole new entertainment experience. I’m confident that our 30 million current owners will be as excited about it as we are. There is nothing like Project Natal currently available in games and entertainment, and the scope for development is enormous.
Are you concerned you’ve arrived late to the motion-sensing party? Project Natal is a completely new way to control your games and entertainment, making you the controller. This isn’t just motion sensing, this is an interface that will recognise you when you are in the room, it will respond to your voice and
gestures and enable experiences that just haven’t been possible before. It’s difficult to describe how natural and immersive an experience Project Natal is, and this is just the very beginning of the development journey.
PlayStation and Nintendo are placing emphasis on 3D. What are your thoughts on this technology? 3D games are available today on Xbox and will continue to evolve. You can buy a 3DTV and wear glasses to play games like Avatar and Batman: Arkham Asylum. Of course, as 3D adoption grows, we’ll support more 3D games and entertainment, but the spotlight for Xbox 360 is focused on creating breakthrough social experiences that everyone can enjoy and play together.
MOVING FORWARDS: Lewis says there is more to Natal than motion-sensing, with an interface that will recognise players when they enter the room
OPINION: MICROSOFT’S NEXT STEP
Leading video game publishers share their views on Microsoft’s plans and their expectations in years to come…
Sarah Seaby European marketing & PR director, Bethesda
“I think we’ll see a lot over the next couple of years with trusted
and proven franchises getting new releases such as Gears of War, Halo, Crackdown and Fable. I wouldn’t be surprised if we also saw some new IP exclusives which will really wow people.”
Ben Feder CEO, Take-Two
“It seems to me they are doing exactly the right thing. Delivering constant innovation through things like
the new services on Xbox Live, plus Natal, which brings the promise of a potential revolution in how we interact with games in the future. This sets Microsoft up for a continued growth curve.”
Murray Pannel UK marketing director, Ubisoft
“The introduction of Natal, a strong lineup of gaming experiences and
digital content offerings on Xbox Live should enable Microsoft to continue to grow their audience.”
E3 SPECIAL
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