Why Microsoft feels DRM will not have much negative impact

[richardhutnik]

BinaryDelt said:

Damnyouall said:

Microsoft Xbox Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Yusuf Mehdi: "I think it's fair to say there's a segment of consumers at this show in particular who really pay attention, who are very passionate about all aspects of gaming, and that we listen to closely. In a broader set of community, people don't pay attention to a lot of the details. We've seen it in the research, we've seen it in a lot of the data points."

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/06/microsoft-defends-the-xbox-ones-licensing-used-game-policies/

"...We've seen it in the research, we've seen it in a lot of the data points."

That's the core of the issue right there.  They see their consumers as data points, not gamers.  I understand it's a business, but this is a little insulting.  He's right, there are a lot of "I only play Call of Duty" gamers and uninformed parents that will buy it, as well as a casual gamers that won't bother with the details, but that's no reason to take advantage of them.  He's really admitting that they are exploiting the uninformed consumer because the research says they'll get away with it.  When that consumer goes to trade in their game or their piss-poor rural internet is acting up, they may not be so uninformed anymore.

A lot of these uninformed consumers know at least one person like us, who is more than willing to offer their opinion on such matters.  The magnitude of the backlash of their decisions has already been big enough to escape internet forums and video game blogs and enter the mainstream media outlets.  Once online reviews of these consoles open up after launch, that will factor as well.  I think they're underestimating the consumer, as well as the quantity of information available to customers.

The simplest part?  They're missing that no matter how uninformed a consumer is, money talks, and the PS4 is $100 cheaper.

How about this: If someone is dropping like $500 for a new platform to play content, and there are competitors out there, why wouldn't they pay attention more?  A $500 purchase is NOT something parents will do lightly.  A new game console isn't like a smart phone, or even a tablet, which are argued to be needed.  What a console is, is an optional toy.  Microsoft expects customers to NOT pay attention?