Ballmer: Xbox 2 'amazing'!
Interesting read...
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today became the latest Microsoft executive to say some vague but intriguing things about company's plans for the next-generation Xbox console. (See this earlier post and the second item in this article.) His comments came in response to questions from the audience during an event for minority high-school students this morning on the company's Redmond campus. Here's what he said in response to the first one:
"When you see the new Xbox, you're going to think it's un -- well, let me say it politely -- unbelievable. Just unbelievable. The graphics, what it can do, the way things look, huge innovation. Rumors are that we'll see that product sometime soon. I couldn't comment, of course, on those rumors. But it's an amazing, amazing innovation."
Later, one of the students asked if the company had a chance for holding up in the long run against the better-established Nintendo and Sony in the video game business. Here's what Ballmer said about that:
"I think we’re going to blow by Sony with our next box. I absolutely think we’re going to kick their backsides, so to speak. I think Xbox 1 has been a fantastic product. We’re not market leaders yet. There’s Sony, there’s us, there’s Nintendo. When we get Xbox 2 in the market, there’s going to be Xbox and the other guys." His voice escalated to a crescendo as the audience laughed and applauded. "I'm feeling a little frisky on this topic right now!" he added.
I went back and listened to my recording a few times, and Ballmer did, in fact, say "next box" at the beginning of that response. Was that merely his own verbal shorthand, or does it give away something about what the company will call the next console? Perhaps the former, since he went on to use the name "Xbox 2."
At any rate, the audience member then followed up with another question, asking what would make the next Xbox stand out over other game systems.
"Why do people buy one game console over another? As we say around here, 'Duh, it's the games.' ... Partly they're great games because they have great graphics, they have great processing, they have great this, they've got great that, but it's about getting great games. So, there's two parts to that: Number one, we have to make sure we have a great environment, software environment for people to write games, games that connect to one another, games that are social, games that are hard-core. We've got to make sure we let people write great games. But then, number two, we, Microsoft, have to write a number of really great games to show it off. What is 'Halo 2?' It's the greatest video game ever written. It shows off Xbox 1, and we’ve got some more games coming that will be the greatest video games ever written, and they’ll show off Xbox 2.' " He concluded, with a grin, "There’s probably a more humble way to say what I just said, but I’m all worked up."
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Originally Posted by Reclaimer-XBA
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