When the XBox One was revealed a few weeks ago, there was quite a bit of online outrage from the gaming community. The complaint, among other things, was that Microsoft seemed to have shoved the gaming capabilities of the console as a minor footnote. Instead, they spent most of almost two hours on how TV and online connectivity works together with the hardware to provide a great living room experience.
To say the more vocal of the gaming community was pissed is an understatement. Why isn't this XBox focused on gaming? The 360 was great because Microsoft had a commitment on making a great gaming experience, why didn't they do the same here? Where is my dedicated gaming console?
To this, I bring the argument that the gaming capabilities are right there. But gamers were not the target of the announcement.
Let's face it, gamers are not as prolific as we would like to think. Sure, a lot of people play games, but a good number of those use games just to pass the time. Not every gamer would be into the Call of Duty(s) or Skyrims or World of Warcrafts. Arguably, more would just play the Angry Birds or Bejeweleds or Sodukus during the commute to/from work or waiting for a friend to show up.
We should also not be surprised about this. Just looking at what XBox Live has been offering over the past few years gives us a hint at Microsoft's direction with the platform.
Microsoft has the unenviable position of having such a diverse portfolio that they are fighting aggressive competetion on multiple fronts. Apple, Google, Sony, and Nintendo (*snicker*) are just the big players that are fighting on different markets.
To this end, Microsoft has taken the huge risk of most of their proverbial eggs into one basket. The XBox One and XBox Live is their answer to Apple TV, iTunes, Google play, the PS4, the Wii U, and television DVRs. I can't really say they are competing with Smart TVs. I have tried a Smart TV, and I find my XBox 360 works a whole lot better. Heck, I'd rather use my PS3 than struggle with the Smart TV controls.
It is the fact that the XBox One has such diverse features that they needed their announcement to hit the right notes with as many people as possible. To be rather honest, I was really impressed by it. Sure, the gaming demos were pretty generic (ooooh...better wrinkles), but the capabilities are there. They have a chance to focus on gaming at E3 in a few days and I do hope they capitalize on that opportunity to win gamers over.
Am I being apologetic for Microsoft? Not really. They do not need my help in defending themselves nor will any of my words really matter. I am not in agreement with some of their policies (always online for example). But this does not mean I should be outraged. As a consumer of other services the XBox One offers, I find the device, as a whole, very interesting.
But will I actually buy one on release? As it is, not likely. My 360 is fairly new and, frankly, does everything I need at the moment. I also have a PS3 which is older and that won't be replaced either. The only thing i'd watch out for is if it will be worth buying a Kinect.
As for us gamers and gamers at heart, lets all just calm down and see what Microsoft has in store for us at E3. While I still expect a lot of TV and XBox Live talk, they should have ample opportunity to reel us in with what we want to hear.
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