I'm pretty sure Sega expected both the Sega CD and the 32X to "rejuvenate" the Sega Genesis and make it last several years ... The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry

Squilliam, the Wii wouldn't be popular, if it wasn't appealing, it doesn't tay popular because its popular, its popularity only means people are aware of it, that they get plenty of chances to play it themselves

You are correct.  It could fail horribly.  But that will not change the fact that it WILL be released and it WILL have software support from at least several development studios.  Where they go from there is anybody's guess.

But they already have good media buzz around a buggy prototype, so I suspect people will be enjoying the full fledged games that Peter Molyneux develops.  Say what you will about ole Pete, but he hasn't released a game on PC or consoles that I didn't think was fun as hell.  And his games are fairly casualized.

Their lack of success with such hardcore games could be said to be a result of a different snowball effect. With so much stacked against them I doubt they will make much headway unless with a completely new and rebranded system. This same effect applies to Sony/Microsoft in that such dies have been cast already. Much of the credibility a system holds, is probably due to being what the social networks themselves have. Their success is a snowball of social credibility, the same credibility which would hold them back against the PS3/Xbox 360 as far as I can tell.

Ummm, your trying to apply the Blue Ocean Strategy to Microsoft (or all things). Need I remind you that Microsoft can not win in a consumer based market. They sell to computer manufactures. They fail when they are in consumer driven industries (the 360 is their greatest success).

Just becuase Microsoft is targeting the market doesn't mean they will be succcesful (they won't). Also, Natal has no software. Why would third parties jump on it when there is, otherwise, no reason to buy it. There is only a tech demo that probably won't be an enjoyable game.

I think Malstrom is right, this product will never come out.

I think you're totally missing the point of what Lionhead is doing with Milo.  It CAN'T be an adult, because children's reactions are simpler and less nuanced than adults.  Making a believable adult is going to be WAY harder.  When the kid is like , "Hey I don't understand how to fish. Show me."  or  has a pouty expression when you have a bad tone in your face, it works.  If Milo is a a 42-year old car salesman, it's just weird.  

And it can't be a girl because, either way, you're going to have some sickos doing creepy things, but that number is going to be WAY smaller with a boy child than a girl child.  Plus, the males who drive the 360 software sales generally don't buy things with cute little girls on the cover (i.e. NOT boobalicious, half-dressed valkyries).  

It's NOT a Teddy Ruxpin - it's a tech demo to show where things are heading, and if it's going to have human interaction, which is Molyneaux's whole goal as a designer, then a young boy is the only logical choice.  the goal, of course, is to eventually have a Cortana who you can interact with.  But that's a LONG way off.  

The eye toy/Wii mote aspect of this is NOT why it's interesting to so many.  The controllerless menus and the like, if it could work with the accuracy of, say, a iPhone touchscreen?  That could change more than just gaming.  And if they could push the Milo-type software WITH the eyetoy-ish next generation hardware - well, think of how that changes everything from RPG's to video conferencing at work to educational applications, etc.  There's no doubt that a physical PC keyboard will eventually be a relic, just as the typewriter before it. 

Legend11,

You've done nothing but criticize the Wii ever since it came out... Now that Microsoft is going after the "casual" audience, you think its the greatest thing since curly fries. You should be a little more balanced in your fanboyism.

I agree Microsoft has the most heart this generation.

This died 3 days ago. Thread necros is NOT okay.