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Microsoft’s Next Big Mistake?

By TheDCD 1 year, 1 month ago • 4 Comments

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So with Xbox Live down for the next few hours, chances are you’ve heard the rumors. That Project Natal stuff that Microsoft was showing off at E3 2009 could very well be a big part of Microsoft’s next console. Team Xbox was recently fanning the flames before adding on its own gasoline by confirming that it’s seen the assets to Microsoft’s “next console”, and would be revealing them over the next few weeks.

To which I reply, um, WHAT?! Excuse me for being a little bit of a groaner at the party here, but let’s consider this. The Xbox 360 has been out since, what, 2006? And we’re already talking a new console? This after so many people were saying that the current gaming generation that we’re in, a very viable one as far as home install base and sales are concerned, is one that was going to be here to stay?

It wouldn’t be the most surprising news in the world. After all, Microsoft killed its original Xbox console rather quickly, instead of supporting it with new games and instead shifting all its attention to the Xbox 360. But to do it again so quickly? That’s not the kind of reputation to have, where you sell a game console to millions of users, only to dump it and move onto the next one in a matter of fiscal years.

There are a pair of things to blame here. One, the Xbox 360 itself. As great a console as it is, many people think it has a reputation of breaking something fierce. Red ring of death is a common problem with it, as is the new E74 glitch. (And I’ll admit, I’ve run into my fair share of it, despite my love for the system’s game library.) Secondly, some big mouth developers feel that the Xbox 360 has been “maxed out”, a lazy way of saying “We can’t figure out something new to do with the system.” Um, guys, take a look at some of the offerings that are coming to the 360 later this year. Modern Warfare 2? Assassin’s Creed 2? Great games can still be made for the console. Shut up and put some elbow grease into it, and quit worrying about new hardware to develop for. That’s like saying you’re not happy with the current set of watercolors you have, and request some markers instead.

Natal looks like a great technology, as we’ve seen not only during Microsoft’s E3 press conference, but also on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon most recently. (Kudos to that move, it was a good one.) But to incorporate it into a new console? Nah. Look, the Wii may be a multi million seller, but motion technology doesn’t automatically guarantee sales. If that was the case, those piece of crap motion bowling games that sell for $20 would be selling by millions. But they aren’t, people know that not all motion sensitive games are equal.

So what does Microsoft need to do? Cool its jets. Work on its Natal project to come alongside the Xbox 360, as part of a console bundle or sold on its own ala You’re At the Movies (but without so much gimmickry, you know?). Expand its Xbox Live Arcade and 360 library and, most importantly, work on the internal system problems to see why the damn thing red rings in the first place. Improve the current model without dumping it into the ocean.

Not that I’m saying change shouldn’t eventually be welcomed. Change is inevitable, whether we want it or not. But it’s too soon right now. The 360 is in millions of homes, and, despite public opinion that isn’t the greatest, it’s still doing good things right now. To shift gears and leave people in the dust may leave too many burned, and that’s exactly the reputation Microsoft doesn’t need, especially in this dwindled economy.

C’mon, Xbox Live, get back up already. We’re bored waiting on you.

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