Interview With Peter Moore and J Allard

[FallenStar]

Game Informer (http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200510/N05.1005.1820.37210.htm) has an interview up with Peter Moore an J Allard. Here's one of the Q&A's.

GI: Can you say what the percentage of the systems are….

Moore: An overwhelming percentage is the Premium SKU. But it moves everyday. I can tell you it’s over 80% but tomorrow that might change.

[Major Scud]

Rumors I've been hearing peg it more like 95% premium / 5% core. I have yet to talk to a retailer that has more then 2-3 core system pre-orders.

[Deathbane27]

Rumors I've been hearing peg it more like 95% premium / 5% core. I have yet to talk to a retailer that has more then 2-3 core system pre-orders.

I'm surprised that there's any core pre-orders at all. Seems like the people who would want the core system wouldn't be the type to pre-order.

[Major Scud]

I always laugh when someone tells me they dont think they want the hard drive for anything, and I point out that the memory card they'll need instead is $40. Usually they agree premium is the way to go. :)

[Savok]

So why the fuck have a core system anyway? If they're going to fuck us, at least do it with enthusiasm.

[Deathbane27]

So why the fuck have a core system anyway? If they're going to fuck us, at least do it with enthusiasm.

Or give us a reach-around while they're at it, maybe?

[Heretic Machine]

So why the fuck have a core system anyway? If they're going to fuck us, at least do it with enthusiasm.

So they can be dumbass little fucktards with their marketing at the expense of the usefulness of the hard-drive.

[Zeal]

Microsoft is going to realize very quickly that the core system doesn't even exist. It will be phased out.

Consumers are demanding a HDD in their 360, and developers that use it. The people have spoken.

[Evil Avatar]

Microsoft is going to realize very quickly that the core system doesn't even exist. It will be phased out.

Consumers are demanding a HDD in their 360, and developers that use it. The people have spoken.

The core system doesn't exist? HaHa. How painfully naive. What you have to remember is that the core system is $100.00 cheaper. Never underestimate the ability of the general public to buy the cheaper item.

They will sell every core system they ship, thus splitting the market exactly like those of us in the "hard core" category don't want to happen.

The good thing is that almost no developers ever used the Xbox hard disk in the first place, so don't sweat it that much.

[Vandenh]

>The core system doesn't exist? HaHa. How painfully naive. What you have to remember is that the core system is $100.00 cheaper. Never underestimate the ability of the general public to buy the cheaper item.

True... the people that will buy the core system are the XMas shoppers that go out, look at the boxes and pick up the cheaper version for their kid. It still is good value for money in the eyes of consumers for a next gen system (Hell if I had a young kid I might even consider the core system ;). Maybe they can spend some extra on a game or two. Not a bad deal for the kid that gets the system at the end of the day.

The more informed gamers, online players or people with more cash will of course go for the real system. I wonder what the % will be after a couple of years.

[Murmillo]

You have to realize, this is based off of [can we say] pre-orders. Majority of major geek types buy the "Premium" goods on launch day (week). After that, I expect a major shift to the Core systems.

Core systems are great for those who only have the money to buy a $300 system one game and a $40 save card. Sure you could "save" yourself $60 buy just getting the whole kit, and this is what Microsoft wants.. but if a consumer doesn't want to - he doesn't have too.

As long as Microsoft doesn't pull out any stunts of single player game requiring the HD - its a mute issue.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

As dead of a horse as this issue is, some developers have said that the lack of a HD standard has effected what they can/will do for a game. The latest one to say it that i heard about was Saint's Row developer Volition.


Last but not least, after we were told that there was no ability to fly aircrafts in the game due to the DVD drive's inability to stream the environment fast enough in full 720p resolution. We asked Jacques Hennequet (Producer for Saint's Row), "If the Xbox 360 Hard Drive was standard across both SKU's, would flying aircrafts in the game have been a reality?", Jacques simply answered "Yes". While he completely understands why MS made the decision to not include a hard drive in the Core System, I think he felt somewhat disappointed, as it could have opened up much more possibilities within the gameplay for Volition's first Xbox 360 title.


This is a case where the lack of a hd (ora faster loading data transfer rate) negatively impacted a game. Had the X2 had a standard HD, we would have had a better experience. Take it for what you will, but i think the nonstandard hd was a mistake.

http://www.aussiexbox.com.au/template_sec_games.cfm?page_id=55540449110031018&se_id=139&site_id=11003
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/TyroneBiggumz/egghopper.gifonly a little while longer before it launches...

[bapenguin]

Lets get off the HD no HD debate..there is no debate.

The system will sell. The games will sell. People will be happy. The End.
It'll especially be moot once HD only games are allowed to come out. Then developers won't have that limitation if they so choose and still hit 80% of the market (if not more).

The interview was pretty well done, I really liked when Allard talked about Piracy. Microsoft admits they can't stop system mods, instead they tried to combat it with features! That's the first time I've heard company say something like that. Instead of trying this and that anti-piracy measure, they made their product more worthwhile to buy instead.

[Savok]

There will be no problems because BAP said so, huzzah. Devs will have the limitation in giving up a part (any part) of the userbase, but you said it's cool so hey, it's cool.

If as said, the core system is for post launch sales (since the percentage is so out of whack) are going to be core by the casual folk, does this mean the usual price drop to entice them is not going to happen? Has MS been to AT&T Labs (http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2003-11-19)?

But hey, why should I care, not like Australia even sees the console until next year. Even the Frogs get it this year, oh sure Australia only had amazing market penetration but who gives a shit when the French want their 360.

[Vandenh]

>when the French want their 360

What is your problem with French people? Not like you are even close to France to have problems with them? Are they stealing your 360?

[Savok]

I'm German (with English blood as well). It's genetic.

[bapenguin]

There will be no problems because BAP said so, huzzah. Devs will have the limitation in giving up a part (any part) of the userbase, but you said it's cool so hey, it's cool.


FFXI - Will require hard drive.

[Xerxes]

I don't by mister saint row dev, Jacket's excuse. GTA:SA had planes. The hardware boost alone should of covered his ass.

[Savok]

FFXI - Will require hard drive.

It's a port of a game you had to buy HDD for anyway. Exceptions prove rules by being exceptions to those rules.

But you bring up a good point, without the HDD standard, we're going to have fewer console MMOGs then could have been, a damn shame considering how awesome voice chat is for them. Imagine playing EVE with voice chat, when you radio their ship that's EXACTLY what you're doing.

And hey, lets say devs do make HDD games a lot more then us pessimists think, what do you say to the Core system owners who can't access half the damn library?

No amount of spin can make what MS are doing a good thing.

[Vandenh]

>I'm German (with English blood as well). It's genetic.

Hehehe.. sou you are a kraut mixed with a pom that hates the frogs? Makes sense to me ;)

>No amount of spin can make what MS are doing a good thing.

Well it would indeed have been much better if MS had a HDD only 360... nobody is denying that. We were just saying that people *will* buy it (the core system) now, since they have the option.

[bapenguin]

No amount of spin can make what MS are doing a good thing.

Trust me, I'm not saying it is. But all the arguing over it is kinda pointless. At least they ARE offering the hard drive, and they ARE pushing it's use and offering different capabilities with it. It sucks that it's not standard, and there WILL be games that don't utilize it that should have/could have. Is it the be all end all? I don't think so.

If it's any consolation there are at least 2 unannounced MMORPGs in the works for the 360.

[Savok]

And the more people who buy the Core system, the more likely I'm right, no one likes it when I'm right because I'm an asshole.

[Savok]

Two things my German blood has given me

1. Mental disease
2. A need for efficiency, if something is as inefficent as the 360's whole design is, my blood boils

[Magnanimous Gnome]

What on Earth is a "pom?"

[Savok]

A "Pommy Bastard" is an Englishman.

[Cyrano]

From the interview:

"The two SKU thing has been part of our strategy for years. We do a lot of talking to consumers. We talked to retailer a year ago and showed them the two SKUs and they get it. It’s confusing because it’s different. Our industry has only ever shipped one SKU and because we are doing things differently, people are confused. But I have talked to consumers and have yet to find anyone who is confused and they clearly understand the difference."

Nice. They planned the no-HD version a year ago, then did the MTV show promising an HD, and put up specs on their website showing only the HD version.

[Heretic Machine]

What is your problem with French people? Not like you are even close to France to have problems with them? Are they stealing your 360

Kinda sounds like it to me.

[cjrizzo]

What everyone is forgetting here is that the combined price of Core and HDD is the same as premium. If I didn't reserve a system and I really wanted it badly, I'd probably be able to easily pick up the core sys and the extra HDD while everyone is scattering for the premium. Other than the controller and some cables, there's no significant difference.

[Kelegacy]

And the more people who buy the Core system, the more likely I'm right, no one likes it when I'm right because I'm an asshole.

I think you're right and I don't think you're an asshole. Even if you were, I like assholes. I eat one every night.

I'm beginning to think that there are more MS employees or PR guys here at our beloved site than we were led to believe.

[mister_slim]

The arrogant spin of that interview is disappointing. I don't know why, but Nintendo's PR (Kaplan and Reggie aside) seems rather more honest.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I think you're right and I don't think you're an asshole. Even if you were, I like assholes. I eat one every night.

I'm beginning to think that there are more MS employees or PR guys here at our beloved site than we were led to believe.


You mean you didn't notice all the Xbox fanboyism before?

It has gone down a bit - Evil no longer supports the Xbox while bashing the other systems. We still have a few fun zealots around though to keep things interesting.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

A "Pommy Bastard" is an Englishman.


I got that part, but what is a Pom? I mean how is it an insult? What does it stand for?

I really don't know how to word this question. :p

[Savok]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_words_for_British#Pommy

[rein]

All of this talk about how you will need to pay $40 for the memory card if you do not get the premium package is pointless. You will still need a memory card with the hard drive if you want some exclusive content. At least that is the way I understood it. The Xbox demo units that will be located in retail outlets have a memory card slot for downloading content to take home with you. Now, either this is Microsofts way of selling memory cards or I missunderstood and the same content will be available on Live. All I know is the quote was "exclusive content" that can only be downloaded to the memory card from the retail display units.

[Major Dan]

All of this talk about how you will need to pay $40 for the memory card if you do not get the premium package is pointless. You will still need a memory card with the hard drive if you want some exclusive content. At least that is the way I understood it. The Xbox demo units that will be located in retail outlets have a memory card slot for downloading content to take home with you. Now, either this is Microsofts way of selling memory cards or I missunderstood and the same content will be available on Live. All I know is the quote was "exclusive content" that can only be downloaded to the memory card from the retail display units.

I haven't heard about this yet? Now this would really be bad if *** makes you buy a memory card even with the hard drive. Althouhg 9 times out of 10 I could care less about exclusive content. So I probably wont fall for this trick! :)

[Magnanimous Gnome]

couldN'T care less!!! YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS!!!!

*head explodes*

[Twigz'N'Berries]

What everyone is forgetting here is that the combined price of Core and HDD is the same as premium. If I didn't reserve a system and I really wanted it badly, I'd probably be able to easily pick up the core sys and the extra HDD while everyone is scattering for the premium. Other than the controller and some cables, there's no significant difference.
I hear what you are saying, but that is a pretty big difference.

You will get the High Def cables vs the standard ($10 savings)
You will get the Wireless controller vs the wired ($0 unless you want HiDef)
You get a media remote ($29.99 savings)
You get the ethernet cord (unknown savings...have to buy your own)
You get the xbox live headset ($29.99 savings)
Of course the HD ($99.99)

So, the retail savings run a consumer $70+ depending on their configurations. That is a game...which is significant to me.

[Major Dan]

couldN'T care less!!! YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS!!!!

*head explodes*

Sorry Magnanimous Gnome, I was in a hurry! :o

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Sorry Magnanimous Gnome, I was in a hurry! :o


Forgiven. That's just one of my big pet peeves, and I was a little edgy last night. My apoligies. :o