Shifting Marketing Focus
Seamus Blackley, a key player in the creation of the original Xbox, recently shared his thoughts on how the marketing focus for video game consoles has shifted away from raw computing power.
In a chat with VideoGamer, he reminisced about the early 2000s when the original Xbox debuted.
Back then, the gaming landscape was quite different, with graphics not yet reaching today’s sophistication.
The Xbox carved out its niche by emphasizing its processing capability, setting itself apart in a field largely dominated by Japanese brands.
Innovative Strategies
Blackley explained that their strategy involved accepting initial financial losses to launch a robust console, banking on the appeal of high-quality games to win over gamers.
Notably, the original Xbox made history by being the first console with a built-in hard drive.
This innovation allowed players to dive into iconic titles like Halo: Combat Evolved and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, along with Fable and Shenmue 2.
Emphasizing Content Over Power
Although this strategy succeeded in establishing Xbox’s presence in the competitive gaming market, Blackley admitted that if he were still with Microsoft, he would pivot away from highlighting sheer power as a selling point.
He also shared a personal story about his experience with Gran Turismo on the original PlayStation.
The game’s stunning graphics had such an impact on him that it led to his decision to buy the console.
However, Blackley noted that as graphical advancements have begun to plateau, his excitement around power specifications has waned.
Now, he believes the focus should be on developing captivating content and immersive experiences.
He cited his enjoyment of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Nintendo Switch, a game he found so engaging that he played it multiple times.
The portability of the Switch also allowed him to enjoy Skyrim during long flights, enhancing his gaming experience on the go.
The success of the Switch has not gone unnoticed by rivals Sony and Microsoft, both of which are reportedly working on portable versions of their consoles to capture a slice of that market.
Currently, the PS5 Pro stands out as the most powerful console available, priced at $600.
Interestingly, despite this premium, Sony has not seen a negative impact on sales.
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, echoed Blackley’s sentiments, insisting that Microsoft has no intention of following Sony’s lead with a mid-generation console refresh.
He contended that simply upgrading graphical capabilities provides no substantial advancements in the gaming experience itself.
Source: GameSpot