I’m an unapologetic fan of the Xbox console, and  so for me it’s been a pretty exciting year for 360 owners, and while many of the people who hate 360 have been predicting the consoles demise, the contrary is actually happening, as Microsoft is getting more traction in the gaming sphere.  I have a Wii and a 360 in my household, but the Wii was bought for the boys, and that was mostly so I wouldn’t have them touching my 360, and because I was directed to by the “boss”, for those who are initiated.  So, the purpose of the post is to get some thoughts generated on the recent news outta M$, and to provide my jaded fanboy’s opinions on them.

The recent news of Ensemble closing shop was, at first, a head scratcher for me, since they had been putting out great games, and with Halo Wars on tap, they had been a productive and valuable team at M$.  That is, until we look at the whole pie, and not the little slice, since there a chain of events that has me seeing some linkage as to what Microsoft is trying to do.  I might be totally off based, but hey, it’s my opinion. 

-          The success of the 1^st party software of the Wii is the first factor, imho.  All one has to do is look at the staggering success of this success.  Wii Sports (28 mil…attached of not!), Wii Fit (7.1 mill), Mario Cart (7.4 mill), Wii play (14.5 mill…free controller of not).  These numbers don’t lie…1^st party software is where you’re going to make a killing and M$ has tasted it with Halo series.  If you want to launch a console, have strong 1^st party software to run on your hardware, and you’ll have a solid launch.

-          The recent hirings (Corrinne Yu for example) at M$ Game Studios…they are doing a re-org to better strengthen their ability to develop content.  Here’s the thing of it…at least have a creative team in place to generate the content and help guide a developer to create the software.  Basically, you’ll be hiring a crack team of programmers to code the stuff, but you’ll retain the organic staff to come up with the content IP.  Therefore, you’ll own it and will be able to control the destiny of it.  There are A LOT of talented batch of programmers around the world, heck, just look at a game like Frontline…sure, it’s had it’s lumps, but look at the core of how the game’s development team came about…from bunch of guys modding Battlefield.

-          The Bungie move…okay, for those who actually work in a corporate structure, the arrangement that M$ had for Bungie and Ensemble was definitely not one to ensure the most efficiency use of recourses on a strategic corporate level.  First off, they aren’t part of the parent company culture, and are a self contained entity unto themselves…that’s cool one some levels, but it’s certainly not cool, if you want maximum efficiency.  I have no doubt Bungie will continue to work on Halo, but M$ is beefing up it’s ability to shepherd the final product. 

-          The  price cuts are just the first piece of the puzzle…the rumor flying about the re-launch of the 360 might have had a nugget of truth in there, as I think M$ will soon be announcing exclusive to the 360/PC, and it’s probably going to be mostly in-house developed stuff…published by Microsoft Game Studios.  Heck they are even starting to use the moniker MGS more and more (causing quiet a bit of confusion as well)…a sure sign to me that they are trying to establish more of an identity to the 1^st party stuff.

One way I look at it is this…if you have the ability (time, expertise) to serve as a general contractor in building your house, you stand a MUCH better chance to get exactly what you want as the owner, then simply hiring one…Microsoft Game Studios is going to become a General Contractor, and not just the occupant of the new house.  They are of course working to ensure the next console will have a killer line-up from opening launch, rather than having to wait a year for GOW, like we had to.  So, as a Xbox guy, I’m happy as can be!

I agree with you 100% on MSFT's moves to ramp up in-house studios.

Thats a well written piece - I agree with your sentiment.

Doesn't this run counter to their previous statements and actions which were to reduce the size of their 1st party offerings and not strengthen them. Aren't these quite contradictory positions?

The news of increases sales from the price cuts are only step one, imho. This is a dynamic situation, and the success of Nintendo's first party can't be ignored by either console maker.  A really strong first party slate will equal success.  In an analogy for a different industry, Marvel's position for years was to rely on outside studios to make their IP into films...they shifted and deliver Iron Man an TIH...Companies are in this to make money, and I know the logic behind going to outside developers....lower risk and less overhead, but the rewards for doing it right are HUGE...see Nintendo.

XBox 360 is pathetic.

RROD is the biggest factor in their pathetic-ness.

Why buy something that is gonna break any second.

I was gonna buy one but changed my mind cos of it.

I am sure many other people have done the same.

 be careful man ! thats trolling , its only a matter of time til a moderator sniffs u out

MGS staff have worked on huge games like Gears, Halo, Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect, Viva Pinata etc, and are currently working on projects like Banjo Kazooie, the next Halo & Halo Wars, Mass Effect 2 etc..

So its only a matter of time that their experiences they have gained give birth to something special.

No I dont' see that MS is capable to generate something special. Lets face the facts: MS ist to old fashioned to generate something. The tradition of MS is to copy sucessfull products or features. But in the long years MS exists, they could not even one big thing that they originally invented. MS is following the tradition, they copy the Miis they will copy the wiimote in some way.

Look at their console ... everyone expected something special from the first xbox. But it was only a flatten out pc.

^^ I have to say I agree. They can only copy, buy and manipulate, that is fact. Nintendo and SONY have always had strong 1st parties that evolve and innovate. M$ is just very lucky they can burn money, I'll say that much.