
To the undoubted chagrin of those that yearn for a 'console war' of the type seen between Nintendo and SEGA in the '90s, the modern day big three generally share a great deal of mutual respect. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft rarely engage in squabbles, each happy to praise and talk up each other's achievements; that's no bad thing.
In any case, head of Xbox - Phil Spencer - has recently been talking to Eurogamer about the current fortunes of his company ahead of the key end-of-season period. Much talk is about exclusives and system sellers - when it was posed that top first-party exclusives don't always play a definitive role in hardware sales, with the Wii U cited as having a strong line-up but poor results on the market, Spencer said the following.
On the Wii U, I think people downplay how many units they've sold. I've got a Wii U, I think there's some great games on there. I think Splatoon's a really nice game and I don't think there's a first-party out there that has the strength of IP that Nintendo has. They're always a beacon to me when I look at what it means to build a first-party portfolio of products, they've done a great job.
For us, having exclusives, especially on the platform side as we continue to innovate, being able to have studios that push the envelope of what's possible, and partnering them with a platform and the hardware teams, I think it's a magical equation for coming up with things that aren't possible. We sit around, the Xbox leadership team, I've got Kudo, Shannon Loftis and Bonnie with Halo, the whole Xbox platform leadership team and we all think about the opportunities of moving hardware and service and content together. Really, the only way to have that in such a tight loop, I think, is to have a strong first-party portfolio to try things to push. It's not only critical from a sales perspective, but also for innovation for what our platform's about. I love sitting at that platform, and the ideas that come out of anywhere and seeing the different franchises grabbing on to something and say yeah, we should try to go do this in Forza, we should try do this in Minecraft. It's a great opportunity.
As we and many others have said in the past, the Wii U truly does have an exceptional - and growing - batch of key releases. Various factors have contributed to its relative struggles, but we suspect history will be relatively kind on the system's legacy - in terms of games, at least - in years to come.
Are you pleased to see praise for Nintendo from rivals such as Microsoft and - in the past - Sony, or would you prefer a more hostile 'console war'? This writer's happy with the former.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 74
Thanks, Philly!
Wow. Phil Spencer seems like a really nice guy. This is why I see the console war as pointless. The companies aren't fighting, neither should the fanbases.
He's not wrong. Phil Spencer is a cool guy. I don't own an Xbox One but he's definitely a great face for Microsoft's Xbox division.
I preffer the praise, thank you very much.
Once again, Mr. Spencer shows that he is really a great guy.
Yep, so good that no 3rd parties want to or can even compete with them. It's why Nintendo will need to put out 10 games a year for the next system to survive.
The only bad reputation Wii u has today comes from people seemingly garnering their enjoyment from sales numbers.
The Wii u has an exceptional library and will be remembered, to me, as perhaps the best Nintendo system I've owned yet. And I'm here since the nes days.
Now if only the fans could behave this way...
Yup Nintendo have great exclusives. Like the ones in Rare Replay.
Admittedly how this mutual respect is Spencer gushes at how good Nintendo are, and Yoshida gushes at how wonderful Nintendo are, and Nintendo refuse to mention the other two by name and point out they don't care about making experiences that aren't fun. And yet I can't help buy love Ninty and still don't entirey trust the other two, even after purchasing a PS4.
Why aren people thanking him for such comments? Please realize that you are all fans his comments of complimenting Nintendo have no attachment to you.
Phil Spencer was just what Microsoft's gaming division needed after all the damage Don Mattrick did to the Xbox brand. I definitely think he's helped generate some positive buzz in the XB community.
Spencer's comments make business sense
"On the Wii U, I think people downplay how many units they've sold."
This statement in particular interested me. The Wii U hasn't moved a whole lot of units, but I'm wondering if Spencer is implying that there is more to console success than sheer numbers (like overall profit, or revenue streams from games and other services).
Either way, I'll be getting an Xbox One pretty soon. Scalebound looks amazing.
Stay fresh and classy Phil. I'm excited for Nintendo's upcoming lineup as well as Microsoft's Halo 5 this fall. So many good games coming up.
@Kage_88 That makes sense. Even though Nintendo isn't moving Wii U systems, they have a big enough install base to get good profit from software and DLC sold (it's pretty amazing to think that MK8 is owned by greater than 50% of the entire user base). That's probably what's being implied there. Likely the same with MS's Xbox division making bank without having moved as many systems as Sony.
Other than the Wii, I was a big Xbox 360 guy before I went Nintendo/Sony this generation. However, I'm tempted to pick up an Xbox One as well later this year. "Rare Replay" actually being one of the motivating factors...
Phil Spencer is the best thing to happen to Xbox in the last five years. Also goes to show that it doesn't matter what your background is, you can do a good job in the eyes of core gamers. His predecessor Mattrick was a game developer who worked his way up like Iwata, but Spencer has always been on the management side of things, yet he's got a much stronger focus on passionate gamers.
That is so nice... I personally don't own an Xbox (because most Xbox games come out on the PC anyway), but I have great respect to Phil Spencer. I wish the whole industry was made up of sincere, respectful people like him.
Just like Nintendo, I can't really tell what this guy's actually thinking...acting all nice towards Nintendo and stuff. lol
That's because that is exactly what Spencer is trying to do is move in a strong first party direction to make the Xbox more appealing. It stands to reason if you easily get most third party and have the most first party games people will come running.
I've always said it, if Nintendo had a system technologically on par with the big two so they netted third party games and had their phenomenal first party line up they would be unstoppable.
Phil Spencer is such a legend. Xbox just wouldn't be the same without him. A d its good to hear him talk about Nintendo in good ways. Im glad its friendly console competition and 10 million Wii U's is decent. Only 10 million-ish away from Gamecube and thats not that bad.
Phil Spencer is the reason I bought an Xbox One. That man is a gamer at heart and he knows his stuff. I mean, he owns a Wii U and has a lot of positive things to say like how he likes Splatoon.
Wow, that's a cool thing to say, points to him. I'm never gonna buy an XBOX, but I can respect Mr. Spencer.
"I've got a Wii U, I think there's some great games on there."
I stopped reading there. Wow.
I enjoy my Xbox systems, just as I enjoy my Nintendo systems. It's really straightforward, but nah. Some people just don't get it.
Nice comments, Spencer. Look at the bright side of consoles instead of using crystal balls to mash numbers and dictate the future.
I've said all along that the best thing Nintendo do can do for themselves is expand all of their studios and or purchase others. Their content is unparalleled in the industry
@firstnesfan Nintendo publishers a ton of games yearly already. The issue is that they are publishing games for two consoles. If they do manage to combine the two this next time around, they will do precisely what you want without having to purchase anything.
It's good seeing him be kind and respectable about the competition. It's always useful to understand what the rivals are doing and pay attention to the good and bad things they do.
@TruenoGT @DarthNocturnal PCii U3DS forever.
I like the love that all the gaming companies are showing each other. I have a Wii U, PS4 and Xbox 360. Each of them offer something different that I enjoy. After Microsoft's E3 presentation this year I decided I'm going to pick up a Xbox One this fall also. I feel if you are only gaming on one system you are limiting yourself. It's like people that only listen to one type of music, I don't understand. I like many different styles of music; I also like many different types of games. Nintendo is great for pure family fun, PS is great for Uncharted and unique games like Journey, and Xbox does console entertainment and shooters well. I can afford to get all 3 and I just wait for the best deals possible to get the most for my money.
And he's right: Nintendo releases some awesome first party content. It just needs to sort out everything else.
Reasons like this are why I respect Microsoft as a games company and I don't have the disdain that so many others do. I have an 360 and soon will be adding an Xbox One into my gaming room because the future of that platform is looking bright.
@Nico07 STAAAAY FRESH!
It's really nice to see the executives praise their competitors that way, although I always knew it was only some dumb gamers that ignite that so-called console war (which doesn't exist). But getting some public recognition in that way is always balm for the soul.
@erv Yep, couldn't agree more! Sure, I had lots of fun with SNES and N64 and both will always keep their place in my heart. Sure, the Wii was revolutionary. But the Wii U could actually be the first Nintendo console that I won't sell after it's lifespan is over!
@BinaryFragger: Thanks for those links!
@Kage_88 Yeah I guess he meant something like that, after all, Nintendo is in fact making profits by now and it was Iwata who once rightfully said "software sells hardware".
@MailOrderNinja: I honestly doubt that more powerful hardware alone would lead to a flood of 3rd party developers on Nintendo consoles. The Gamecube was on par with its competitors and actually didn't sell well. The Wii on the other hand was way less powerful than its competitors and still had tons of 3rd party support. So if you're thinking it's as simple as stronger hardware = more 3rd party support, you're wrong. It's not that simple and there are other reasons. Besides, who needs 3rd party support when you have Nintendo + Indies?
But I agree on the other thing, a really strong first party lineup is what would make MS and Sony even more successful.
@TruenoGT Yeah it's the same for me, I don't really have an incentive to buy an XB1 or PS4 as a PC gamer. But if I had to choose, I think I would tend to PS4 (because of PS+). XB1 only has Rare Replay on the plus side for me. But I'm eager to see how Win10 will play into that. It already has pre-built game streaming, so MS could do a lot of things there if they do it right.
@DarthNocturnal Yeah couldn't agree more! It could really have something to do with the money you spend for a console. I don't have to justify buying a Wii U for 200€, but if you buy a PS4/XB1 for 399/499€ while knowing that you could get a far more superior gaming PC for that price, you have to find excuses tu justify the money you just spent.
@firstnesfan Yeah that would be great! They could approach proven indies like Shin'en, Nifflas and Knap Knok, for example. Either make some kind of partnership or promote them to first party developers like Retro Studios or Monolith.
Damn, I just found out, Shin'en is already a Nintendo partner. Offtopic: Did anyone know they made a game named "Fast: Racing League" for the Wii, which obviously is the prequel to Fast Racing NEO?
@Darknyht: That's also true. But this dual strategy not only gives Nintendo the pole position in handheld gaming, it also gives them a lot of profit (which then also benefits the stationary consoles).
You don't say. But I guess it's good to see some transparency from this man. Even if you have rivaling companies, positive criticism between those should happen more often.
@LUIGITORNADO And this is a problem why? The man is extremely courteous towards Nintendo and as many before me have already said: all these executives more often than not own consoles of the other parties or at the very least play their games.
All the overreacting "fans" that stick to their exclusive brand for whatever reason should take their example and be a bit nicer to each other, but no, we have to virtually stomp someone who doesn't like our favorite console or game into the ground completely....
Let's just all have fun playing the games we like regardless on what platform they are. We don't all have to have the same taste. what a boring world would that be...
Phil Spencer is a boss.
Seriously, he is.
Wow, a few nice words about Nintendo, and everyone here starts writing love notes to the guy!!!
You know this is just PR talk, plain and simple.
@MightyKrypto Phil Spencer has done things like this for a while now. This is why people like him, because, being a gamer himself, he shares his honesty and delivers fan expectation.
@JusticeColde nope, it's Personal Computer Station Box 3D U for Vita!! Thumbs up if you get the vita part.
@ningeek185 Riiiight, sorry, but i can't see statements like this as anything but obvious attempts at cheap PR...
@shani If we were talking about the Gamecube / Xbox / PS2 era you'd be absolutely right, but we aren't. Exclusives aren't the business anymore and developers spend so much money they want to see their games on every system. The only reason the Wii U doesn't see them is because now they would have to change or downgrade games to fit onto the Wii U so it simply isn't worth the effort. Same with the Wii.
On the other hand if the Wii U had the graphical capability, the RAM and processing power, and the online capabilities of the other two systems than you would see every game as Xbox One, PS4, Wii U instead of the other two getting every single game.
It's not new, developers love Nintendo they want to work with them, but Nintendo simply makes it too hard. Also, while I appreciate your enthusiasm for Nintendo's first party (best on market) and it's indies (very small compared to Xbox and PlayStation) you can't tell me you wouldn't want to play games like Battleborn, Final Fantasy XV or the Witcher 3 on your Wii U.
@MightyKrypto Can any developer give a single compliment to their competitors without being write off as "PR Talk"? It always war with you people sometimes.
@Chaoz Well, he's not a developer, he's the head of the company... that's why it seems like obvious PR to me. But by all means, believe what you want.
Spencer is a class act. And I'm glad he's the man in charge. As an Xbox One owner, I feel confident in what the brand will bring to the table with him at the helm. And already I'm starting to reap the benefits (backwards compatibility for example).
All people talk about anymore is how successful a platform is or isn't, or how many units it's shifted. As if a gaming console is a fashion statement- and the more units it sells the more fashionable it is to own one. But it doesn't stop there- people would rather make rival platform owners feel like their console is inferior than simply talk up theirs as being better. There's something about making others feel like their console is crap, there has to be, because so many people are doing it nowadays.
@Megumi
Why wouldn't he be acting nice toward Nintendo. These companies are not mortal enemies like some fans want them to be. They each just do their own thing, and however the sales play out they play out. But it's nothing they take personally. Mutual respect. After all, they're all multi-billion dollar companies. And a few rough years isn't going to change that about any of them.
@MailOrderNinja Ehm, no, those games don't interest me. The Witcher 3 maybe a little bit, but that's what I have a gaming PC for.
About your two first paragraphs: I'm sorry to say that, but you couldn't be more wrong and I'll tell you why: a) Companies like Ubisoft didn't leave the Wii U because of the hardware, the left because of the small userbase (and because that userbase has different preferences). It's just not profitable (enough) for them if only a small fraction of those 10 million Wii U users buy their games. b) But even without knowing this, you should've realized yourself that the hardware plays no role in this. The Wii U is at least on par with Xbox360/PS3 regarding hardware/graphics and those two last-gen consoles are still supported by many 3rd party companies. So hardware power is really not the issue here.
And what on earth do you mean with "developers love Nintendo they want to work with them, but Nintendo simply makes it too hard"? That's just an excuse, if anything at all. What is Nintendo supposed to do? Have you even read the statements of Ubisoft, EA etc. regarding that matter? It's not "too hard" (what exactly can be hard about releasing games?) for them, it's simply not profitable enough. They make more money on XB1 and PS4 with their mainstream games so that's why they made this decision.
There were claims that Nintendo doesn't support Indies like MS and Sony do (meaning: give them a lot of money to develop for their systems), maybe that's what you meant? Sure, they don't pay them a buttload of money, since Nintendo isn't such a huge company with various fields of activity (meaning a higher risk of failure and a smaller budget). But they support the indies through marketing, help with development and a free Unity.
@MailOrderNinja
You're right, 3rd parties have no beef with Nintendo. But it's not the power. Power may have cost Nintendo a few games, but the vast majority would never have come regardless. One only needs to look at the sales of every single AAA multiplat on the system to see why developers don't invest the time to port their games.
I can appreciate the power argument, I really can, but people just don't buy those games on Nintendo's platform. The people who buy Nintendo, by and large, aren't interested in those games as much as Nintendo's games (if at all for that matter) and those few that are interested will buy them on PS4 or Xbox. Because that's the system they've been buying them on for years. Brand loyalty. After all, we see firsthand the Wii U was as close in power to PS3/360 as it feasibly possible, yet it's not getting any of the games that are releasing on those systems. Equally powerful, yet none of the games. Why? Cause power was never the underlying issue. Besides, you see all the ports Wii got despite being standard def and a generation old technology- lack of power won't stop games from coming if there's money to be made.
I love many 3rd party games. For every Nintendo exclusive I can find a 3rd party game that at least partly interests me. And it would be fabulous if those games came to Nintendo platforms. But I wouldn't hold my breath. For many years I have accepted the fact that no console is a one stop shop. I buy Nintendo I won't get 3rd party games, and I buy PS/Xbox I won't get Nintendo platform exclusives. Both are equally attractive in their own right. Which is why I own every console.
Phil Spencer pretty much single-handedly save the Xbox one, from that idiot Don Mattric. Phil listen to the fans and stopped the horrible policies of always on and watching you Kinect, forced online DRM, and no used games.
I also like how Phil is pushing for more first party games on Xbox One. the original xbox and the begging life of the Xbox360 Microsoft game studio was delivering a lot a first party IP's, but somewhere in the middle of Xbox 360's life they kind of stop making games which was a big disappointment, but I'm glad Phil Spencer is changing that.
Wii U & XBOX ONE combo FTW!
@erv The Wii U really is a good system, but it's not personally one of my favorites; I prefer the 3DS family, the SNES, and Gamecube—I honestly have no idea why I'm telling you this.
@LUIGITORNADO Literally one person thanked him when you posted this....
Phil Spencer really is a class act, I liked the way he was humble at E3 about their competition, whilst Sony made snide remarks as usual. He's really turned the Xbox One around since he took over, to the point where I actually bought one.
Phil Spencer is a class act and a credit to MS and the industry.
@JaxonH I don't think you can look at the projects that are still being released on 360 and PS3. Most of those games were already in development when the newer systems came out so there was almost no reason to cancel them.
Most of the gamers I know that are actual gamers, which are the vast part driving console sales right now, do want to have a Wii U and an Xbox/PS4, mostly because even the people that aren't huge Nintendo fans can admit they have some amazing first party games on there. Brand loyalty also is dying, if the PS4 is any indication and the mass of Xbox fans that jumped ship. If the Wii U could do everything an Xbox One could, play movies, higher fidelity games and have a strong online presence than I believe a lot of people, and definitely myself, would just have one console: Wii U.
The problem is if you are serious about games you can't just own a Wii U, it's a companion system. I'm just really tired of Nintendo being the companion system and not the main system. I think no matter who you are that underestimating third party is silly. It's hard to sit three products side by side on the shelf, one that is drastically overpriced for what it does, and compare the features and the games available and pick a Wii U.
@The_Dude_Abides Obvious troll is obvious. Try harder next time, douchebag.
@MailOrderNinja
I guess for me, strictly speaking games (which is my first and only concern when buying a console), I see the Wii U as a $300 console with some of the best games I've ever played or even fathomed could exist, and I see the others as $400 consoles with fantastic librairies of other genres. For me, Wii U is and always has been my first choice. Though I do recognize that gamers like me are now the minority.
You may be right- IF the Wii U could do everything the others could and had all the same games, maybe people would buy it, brand loyalty be da**ed. That's certsinly possible. Problem is, even if a Nintendo console was on par, had all the same features and PC-based architecture, even then I think it wouldn't get the games. Some would come, certainly, but without a massive third party fan install base to buy them they would sell just as poorly as all the previous Wii U multiplats. Which would then lead to the domino effect of them pulling support and other publishers choosing to withhold theirs.
Basically, it would need ALL the other games, every last one of them, because if it doesn't have all it might as well have none. Why? Because without all of them you're still going to need another console to play the rest. The only solution would be for third parties to port their games regardless of poor sales for an entire generation and just take the losses, for a good 5-6 years port every single game and take the loss of horrible sales. Only then would gamers start taking notice and saying hey this support's not going away- maybe I'll invest in that console. Which would finally lead to enough people in the installed base willing to buy those games to actually support good sales which could finally lead to a reason for all the other third parties to bring their games to.
But that's an impossible scenario. These third parties don't like taking risks whatsoever- it's hard enough convincing them to port a game to Nintendo EVEN WITH good sales. But convincing every single one of them to port every single game for an entire generation regardless of how poorly they sell? Um, ya. It'll never happen.
I've gone through the possible ways it can play out in my mind, and every single way is just impossible. I know what you're saying when you talk about being tired of the Wii U being a companion system, but for who do you speak? For others? The hell with others. For yourself? Well I can only speak for myself but I personally have way more beloved games on Wii U than both PS4 and X1 (not to diminish their libraries because they have some excellent games- if they didn't I wouldn't have bought them). What I'm saying is, Wii U is not complimentary in my house. It may be for others, but I game for one person- me. The heck with what everyone else does
@shani The userbase was small, and analysts, journalists and critics have said over and over again, because of the power of the system and the lack of third party. It's difficult to take a $300 dollar system, only $50 less than the Xbox One, that does drastically less and compare it to the heavy hitters.
That is why people don't buy a Wii U, it has nothing to do with the types of games on it or the type of gamer.
I've found Nintendo gamers above all other gamers like a wider variety of games, and just about all of them want to play the big games on your system. The problem is that the hardcore Nintendo fans that only play Nintendo games are all that owns the system, because again if you can only purchase one system you purchase the one with the most variety that does the most.
What I meant by Nintendo makes it hard is simply by not providing them the power they need and not competing with the market. In order to take a game and put it onto Wii U that is currently on a PS4 they would have to make a separate version of the game. You can't just take something like The Witcher 3 and slap it on the Wii U without drastically cutting features and rewriting a bunch of code. I guarantee that if the Wii U had equal power to the Xbox One and PS4 they would have more third party games because it simply wouldn't make sense not to put a game on a system when all you have to do is port it. The argument about user base is the chicken and egg scenario: if it had the power and the third party games than it wouldn't have a user base issue, but because they will never compete on that level we will they have a user base issue which makes third party games shy away from them. It wouldn't matter though: PS4 is drastically outselling the Xbox One so in your logic that means that the Xbox One shouldn't be getting the games the PS4 is, but that isn't the case. Why? Because it's so easy to port the games back and forth as the systems power and system wise are nearly identical.
My whole point to this is that I love Nintendo and I'd like to see them as more than just the console you buy after you already have a console. I want to see them compete with Xbox and Sony and if they did hardware wise nobody could argue with their first party games. If you could play Zelda and Destiny on the same system it would be a killer system and people would buy it. I know I sure would.
Yeah but wouldn't that be totally uninspired and boring? Also, if there were three consoles with similar features, I'm pretty sure one of them would eventually be pushed out. Because I doubt that there is enough demand for three equally powerful consoles if you count all the potential console buyers (assuming Nintendo would go the same way like Sony etc., just making every new console faster and more modern).
So eventually, one of them will probably have to leave the console hardware business (like Sega). And what about the people (like some of the Nintendo fans, I guess) who - maybe they are a minority - don't want the same over and over again, but instead would like to have more innovation and risktaking?
I mean, if someone wants to enjoy all the good games right now, they can, with PC + Wii U, or PS4/XB1 + Wii U. It costs more (if you don't have a PC already), but you get all you wanted and much more. I'm perfectly fine with a gaming PC (which also serves for work, entertainment and lots of other stuff) + Wii U. I don't see what benefit one of the other consoles would give me, it would just be a waste of money (that I don't have ^^) because I rarely would even power them up. And it's not like I hadn't tried, had a Xbox 360 briefly for GTAV and Red Dead Redemption + now and then played on the PS4 of a friend. But the games that were the most interesting were GTA V, Far Cry 4, The Crew, which I all knew already from 100+ hours on Steam. ^^
"It's difficult to take a $300 dollar system, only $50 less than the Xbox One, that does drastically less and compare it to the heavy hitters." See, that's were I beg to differ. For me, neither does the Wii U dramatically less (on the contrary, it gives me unique gaming experiences which are way more fun than many/most of the other games, although there are tons of good games out there), PS4 and XB1 also aren't heavy hitters for me. My PC vastly exceeds them graphically and it's not even high-end really.
While his statement is true it comes off as slightly patronizing. This is the kind of thing you say about the competition when you feel like there is no more "competition".
Would he really be making these statements if Nintendo were in the lead. It's business tactics 101; downplay competition when they are in the lead and talk them up when they are behind you, as it makes you look "open", "fair" and "nice"...but it really just means you don't see them as a threat
Brown-nose ahem I mean Good-guy Phil strikes again! And don't people love him for it.
We good Phil.
We good.
@Bizzyb At least someone gets it. If I recall it right, wasn't Phil Spencer the guy who had that rant about the WiiU "stealing" their fans by being similar in hardware? (That's comparing WiiU to 360 before he was the head of Xbox).
To me, it's exactly as you said and now he's just brown-nosing.
Though as an answer to this article, I'd prefer to hear praise and respect, rather than "Consile War" rants.
@shani Yeah I can see that. I have a PC, but certainly not one that can play the newest games so I'm not quite up to date on that front. PC to me is far more expensive then consoles because I feel like you are constantly having to upgrade. Buy a graphics card today and next week they announce a game that it can't play. If I did have a nice PC I'd likely have the same set up.
I agree with you that the Wii U has fantastic games, some of the best on the market, and don't get me wrong; I have nothing but love for Nintendo (aside from their amiibo rubbish). I'm just saying I wish Nintendo could do both things: make extraordinarily fun games and be an utter success with hardcore appeal. That was my point originally: that is what Microsoft is starting to get and it's why right now in my opinion they upstage Sony. If you have more first party games that are varied and still have all the third parties than I would say your system is the better buy.
I like that they can work together for the common good in the fight against the bigger mutual villainy of the shrinking market in the face of mobile phone gaming. I think they need to do some more "wow" moments, massive ones where they actually do work together officially on some projects, such as sharing some first party IPs to do a multiplatform Smash bros type game with characters from all of gaming. That would bring back a lot of people from smart phones an would break the internet.
I really don't like this fake Mr. Nice Guy stuff from Phil Spencer. It's hilarious watching others eat it up though. I don't know how people can't see through this act.
@Bizzyb
Glad somebody sees through the bullsh*t.
You know what they say: If a enemy praises you...
Phil Spencer is the God of all PS4 users, the PS4 users just don't know it yet.
@DarthNocturnal In reality, there is no better system. The U, PS4, and Xbox One
ALL have their own positives and negatives.
Wii U will become the next GameCube. Low console sales, great games. People will clamor for them after its life cycle.
So glad to have a friend in competition like Phil Spencer, we need people like those to encourage each other.
@MailOrderNinja Of course, if MS should accomplish that (and we shouldn't forget, they have Rare for that), they could definitely outrun Sony.
Regarding PC's: Then you'r doing something wrong. ^^ I usually (there exceptions) only upgrade my PC every few years. The trick is: Never buy what's brand new, never buy the absolute high end. If you tactically buy the right hardware at the right time, you can play every game on high or ultra details (unless you're playing on three screens like me, then you have to make a small trade-off) for a few years. Last year I upgraded and bought a FX8350 and a used R9 290 for 200€ when it was 300€ new (of course I upgraded in anticipation of GTA V) and I can play GTA V (and lots of other performance-heavy games) on ultra settings (1080p on one screen). That card will definitely stay for some time, like the rest of my hardware.
And well, maybe a PC is a bit more expensive (although you shouldn't count the costs of monitors, otherwise you would have to add the costs of a TV/projector to the cost of a console), but it offers way more possibilities than any console. So you actually get way more value for your money.
He got me back on board the Xbox train. They really turned it around.
@BinaryFragger People want to justify their purchases and to feel that something they've devoted a great deal of time following was a worthwhile investment of their time... peer validation and all that. Part of the reason I wish gaming was not on a slant to become more and more social.
I love the Wuu. It, the GameCube, and Super NES all make for my three favourite Nintendo home consoles. I have a soft spot for the Saturn and Dreamcast as well, but we're just talking Nintendo, here.
Console Wars are for 12 year olds, that's why they're so popular on cesspits like gamefaqs and neogaf.
@Kage_88
"On the Wii U, I think people downplay how many units they've sold."
This statement in particular interested me. The Wii U hasn't moved a whole lot of units, but I'm wondering if Spencer is implying that there is more to console success than sheer numbers (like overall profit, or revenue streams from games and other services).
He's saying that simply because Wii-U and XBone sales are very close.
Nintendo's fall in performance is gaining negative attention but Microsoft is certainly in no position to call their current numbers bad.
And they're not bad. Nintendo have had some extraordinary highs in the past. Criticism from drama press and weird advice from patronising experts always focuses on the downward slope, but peaks are unmaintainable. They, erm, peak. Phil Spencer isn't a bedroom CEO. He's looking at the numbers from a much more realistic and knowledgeable perspective.
Sigh...why is it that the companies get along with each other, yet the fanboys are constantly at each other's throats?
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...