[Irregardless]

Why? They just alienated gamers while showing non-gamers that they've been overpaying for a glorified Netflix machine.

I've been a diehard Xbox fan since I first got my hands on the original, but this makes me want to switch back to Playstation.

[sreyaNotfilc]

The way I see it is that every new gaming console is going to do gaming better than the generation before it. Shouldn't that be a given?

Microsoft's job, as far as the Xbox, is the following... 1) Go lobby for components from various manufactures to meet the next-gen specs (whatever that may be) 2) Create tools and APIs for developers to understand the platform for which they are building 3) Improve existing services so that gamers have a consistent and enhanced experience

Its a lot of work, but its no rocket science either. Every console does this. Which goes to my point... When it comes to the games, these consoles are basically the same thing (especially the ps4 and xboxOne). Sure, some platforms may have an exclusive here and a different game there. Overall, the ps4 and the xboxOne will be matching one-for-one the basic gameplay mechanics.

What Microsoft did was say "alright, lets not focus on the redundant, but lets take a look at what separates this console from the other one (ps4)".

This is just an unveiling of what the console is. Don't worry, the games are still here. They will always be here. They could've made a presentation with nothing but demos. Sure, gamers would be delighted. But, if you think of it, it doesn't make sense to do so. Especially that E3 will be coming in only a couple of weeks. There will be plenty of games there.

[nightski]

It is not really a given at all. What matters are the games, not the technology behind the console. Showing off a new COD and Madden is pretty sigh worthy at best.

My limited circle of friends who game have moved back to PC gaming and given up on consoles. We all own them, but they became glorified Netflix boxes. That was until MS decided to charge $59.99 a year for Xbox Live. Then we all bought Roku devices instead.

[jonny_eh]

MS has always required you to have Xbox Live Gold to access Netflix, no? I only first got Netflix when it came to Canada, so maybe they changed it by then.

[nightski]

You are probably right, but I could of sworn there was a period where Netflix did not require a Gold subscription. Maybe I just had a Gold subscription at the time for playing games online and did not think twice about it...

[path411]

What more do you want them to tell you as a gamer about the new system? They released specs and talked about the cloud gaming capabilities. Having more 3rd party game makers demo games for the system doesn't really improve my appeal to the console.

I already knew the new xbox would be the next gaming console. It seems like they went for the non-obvious, and wanted to talk about the other features. The games are going to be the draw for gamers, and I'm sure those will be just fine.

[simba-hiiipower]

agreed. people make it sound like they removed some essential features, just because they didn't emphasize them enough (or because they emphasized others more).

from what i've seen this appears to match the ps4 in every way - even down to the architecture. the only difference is they glossed-over all that and decided to focus on the ways its differentiated..

[jonny_eh]

They removed the ability to buy, sell, and lend games. You have to pay an undisclosed fee to "install" a game that has already been installed, which is mandatory.

[simba-hiiipower]

the rumor you're basing that on doesn't appear to be entirely accurate [1]. either way, i don't think its fair to draw judgment one way or another until they actually explain how that will be handled..

also, this issue is nothing new and is certainty not unique to microsoft or the xbox. i think its fairly well understood that there's going to be a change in this area as the way content is distributed continues to evolve..

whatever the actual implementation is, i'm pretty sure it wont be as bad as you're implying (... removed the ability to buy, sell, and lend games) and will probably be standard across the industry - and structured in a manner as not to totally decimate the second-hand market..

[1] http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/21/4348916/xbox-used-games

[sreyaNotfilc]

Should've read your post before I wrote mine. You wrote it better.

[Caskman]

How did they alienate gamers? Gamers know first and foremost that XBox is a gaming console. They should especially know that after being shown the demo of CoD Ghost. This really is a great move for them, as gamers see the benefit of additional functionality and non-gamers see an intriguing entertainment platform.

I'm a diehard PC fan though so I probably won't get a console anyways

[benbeltran]

The event's games presentations were oriented to what is usually called the "Bro gamer" demographic (e.g. Madden/FIFA/CoD) ... It focused on TV, for which many of the core gamers don't care. Contrast this to the PS4 announcement, which had many developers and a lot of talk about how the platform is going to be more "open" for the small guys, and it felt really passionate about the "for-gamers" features. As a gamer, I feel like the PS4 is where the real passion for games is, where someone actually cared to provide tools for the "indie" crowd (who, arguably, are doing the good games these days) ... Meanwhile, microsoft is showing a TV machine, has forgotten the indie channel and has killed XNA. If you don't understand why this was dissapointing for gamers, it's most probably because you are not a gamer yourself I guess. Honestly it felt passionless, pointless and underwhelming. It wasn't a blunder or anything, of course. It was just meh.

[eclipxe]

"what is usually called the 'bro gamer' demographic"?

Just because I like Madden, I'm a "bro gamer" now? Get over yourself.

[benbeltran]

Chill out dude. I didn't say you were a bro gamer, I didn't say I agreed with the term. I tried to answer Caskain's question on "how did they alienate gamers", and yes, part of it is the sentiment of catering to bro gamers. But notice the usage of quotes. Follow your own advice.

[eclipxe]

Okay "hipster gamer". Notice the usage of quotes.

The point you're making is essentially that people that might enjoy popular franchises or particular genres of games aren't "real gamers" but a lower, subclass of gamers.

The point I'm making is that just because someone enjoys playing Madden (or football) does not mean that they don't also enjoy smaller, independent games ('yeah, most people have never heard of it'). We can be "gamers" too you know...

[nightski]

No your logic is just incorrect. This is simple propositional logic. If P -> Q does not imply If Q -> P. Bro gamers tend to like games like Madden & CoD. Because you like Madden & CoD does not make you a bro gamer.

[cobrausn]

'bro gamer' is just a term used by some gamers to feel superior to the CoD demographic (which is everybody). It seems to me to be a kind of signaling used to mark themselves out as 'serious' gamers who think about 'serious' issues while they blow stuff up and shoot zombies.

[zurn]

It's not a a stretch to call FPS games low brow.

I don't play FPS games, but I know smart and sensitive people who do. They don't pretend it's not a badly justified gorefest though, just like smart people who listen to Manowar don't.

A lot of people are very let down by games that get reviews just gushing over the plot and the atmosphere and puzzles but end up being 90% gore and FPS (like Bioshock for example).

[sixbrx]

But the referent of the "bro gamer" slight is not the game as you seem to be arguing, but the gamer.

[teamonkey]

It's not everybody. CoD has a very large demographic and it encompasses a significant chunk of the console and hardcore PC gaming market, and they're better games than people give credit for, but they're far from universal appeal.

[Uhhrrr]

Well, if you only like Madden, you probably are. It's like if you collected art, but only art with football players in it.

[eclipxe]

You sir or madam have just given me my next startup idea.

[Uhhrrr]

http://www.americanfineartgallery.com/artists/Leroy_Neiman/s...

[socialist_coder]

It's true =\

[eclipxe]

I appreciate your honesty ;-)

[cobrausn]

E3 is in three weeks. They didn't want this event to focus on games, because then they'd have nothing to show at E3. But they still showed some games just to prove it had working hardware.

[estel]

But the focus for the respective presentations could be be said to be reflective of each company's priorities for their new machine?

[cobrausn]

Agreed. I don't think Microsoft has to focus on the 'game' aspect of the new Xbox - the people making games for it will do that, and we know the hardware is sufficient for the next console iteration. They are focusing on the rest of the experience, which is completely under their control. I think it's a smart play and the standard gaming media is missing the point really hard.

[macoughl]

That announcement trailer felt like a car commercial

[GVIrish]

Well, they announced that games would require an install to the HDD, and Wired got a confirmation from MSFT that one would have to pay a fee to install the game to another Xbox. So now people who sell their games will have their resale value reduced and people who take games to their friends' house will have to pay for the privilege.

Not exactly gamer friendly.