Microsoft: 'We have a lot planned for 2009'
Has 'absolutely' not shared what its 2009 Xbox 360 line-up looks like.
Speaking at CES last week, Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft's Group Product Manager for Xbox 360, said Microsoft's policy with the Xbox 360 has always been to under promise and over deliver and that we should expect a lot of titles for the Xbox 360 this year that we aren't currently aware of.
"Yes, it's a big year for Halo fans starting with Halo Wars and then Halo 3: ODST, but if you look back at January 2008 when we started the year you'll see that as a company, our philosophy is that we try to under promise and over deliver," Greenberg told G4.
"We tend to save things until they're much closer to being ready to be brought to market, and I think that that is a little different than traditionally how this industry has worked."
He added: "Take the NXE for example. We showed it at E3 and a few months later we launched. We announced a lot of games at E3 that came at holiday - Lips, You're in the Movies, Scene It. We have a lot planned for 2009, but we absolutely have not shared what our line-up looks like."
Regarding the lifespan of the Xbox 360, Greenberg also spoke very positively, highlighting the fact Microsoft has revamped the Xbox 360 through software.
"I think we absolutely have a very long life ahead of us. I think what we're seeing this generation is that we have a console that is no longer limited by hardware," said Greenberg.
"When we designed the Xbox 360 the strategy was, "What if we could make a console that we could continuously update over time?" Last generation we couldn't do that because we only had 10 percent of our owners connected to Live. But now the majority of people that own a console are connected. We've got 17 million people connected," he added. "We can always add new features and new functionality and so we'll continue to do that without requiring them to buy new hardware."
Are you concerned by the lack of titles in the pipe-line for the Xbox 360? Do you believe Greenberg when he says they have a lot planned for 2009? Let us know in the comments section below.
User Comments
Triggerhappytel@ pblive
There's nothing wrong with these games, they're just not console sellers, are they? They're second-rate games which you might pick up cheap if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket or want something untaxing and throwaway. Not that there's anything wrong with this (I have three SingStar games myself), but he's talking about their line-up as though there will be some AAA console sellers in there, and I don't believe that's what we'll get.
Except perhaps Forza 3: I feel that must be due soon, and they may announce it at this E3.
Quote:
I played Lights, Camera, Action and wasn't particularly impressed. It's a little uninteresting and some parts were really hard. One for proper movie aficionados only, I think.
Marink@ pblive
I didn't buy it anyway, so I have no regrets. :p
pblive
Not to convinced by what I've seen of Scene it! though, but I've yet to play it.
Marink@ Triggerhappytel
What's wrong with Lips and Scene It? I played Lips just yesterday at my cousin's house and I thought it was a good laugh. Scene It is also a nice little party game to play with others, especially if (unlike me) you don't happen to own a Nintendo Wii.
Anywhooo, I don't think Microsoft will top last year very easily. It is entirely possible (and I hope they do) but 2008 was probably the best year for the 360 since it was released, in my opinion.
Woffls
PS3Owner
By holding on to all their titles until E3 they could just be wanting to drum up a francy of spin to take the spotlight off Sony. One way of ensuring at least something at E3 steals the headlines is to announce nothing at all until E3!!!
Sony can make a very strong play this year if they cut the PS3's price and couple it with their many already announced exclusive titles like - KillZone 2, InFamous, Heavy Rain, God of War III, Uncharted 2, MAG, The Agency, possibly even Gran Turismo 5 and Final Fantasy Vs XIII etc etc. Plus Sony have made a similar announcement about yet unannounced titles too.
With both showing no intention of moving onto the next generation for a while yet it could be the most interesting "Console War" so far...
Karlius
FantasyMeister@ Triggerhappytel
Yup. I'd care, and Microsoft would feel my wrath and the wrath of others who bought their console for hardcore gaming. Not sure the casual market would care either to be honest although I'd forsee some nice sales figures for Lips 2 if Lips keeps on getting the good word of mouth it seems to be.
Personally I'm looking forward to E3, this isn't the first time Microsoft have pointed out that they've got something up their sleeve. Can't see them topping 2007 and 2008 but you never know. Me is quietly confident that my wallet will be empty again at the end of the year.
Triggerhappytel
Dringo
So plenty to look forward too.