“2013 is proving to be the year of the console hardware refresh,” he said, speaking to the BBC.
“Although it’s exciting, it’s not nearly as exciting as when the Xbox 360 exploded onto the gaming scene just over seven years ago.”
“Back then, the 360 represented a huge leap forward in gaming,” he added, “with a tangible increase in performance and fantastic multiplayer support.”
“Gamers and game-makers were justifiably super-excited.”
Molyneux says that the world has changed since then, citing “tablet, mobile PCs and smartphones” and saying the manufacturers of such equipment are “refreshing their hardware on what feels like almost a weekly basis.”
He also mentions Valve, with the Steam Box.
The industry veteran says that the problem for Microsoft is how to justify its new console – to be revealed at 6pm tonight, UK time, in the face of a vastly different market.
“Its competition is no longer Sony and Nintendo, but rather Apple, Google and Samsung,” he added.
“When I used to work at Microsoft the key phrase that I used to hear bandied around was the next Xbox should be ‘input one’ on people’s living room screen. Nowadays I’m an independent designer and I just want the next Xbox to be a great gaming machine.”
“It should have great connectivity, so I can play spectacular games with my friends and be sold at a reasonable price, perhaps around £200.”
“That should be Microsoft’s goal rather than persisting in trying to make it a box for everyone.”
Source: BBC.
Nate
I can see what he means, the leap from ps2 to ps3 was huge in practical terms. HD, online gaming, virtual purchasing were all huge steps. The impending next-gen doesn’t seem to be offering much more than better graphics. We already have motion, social and touchscreen gaming, none of which have dramatically improved our gaming experience in my opinion.
I’m excited for the new consoles, but I think we are getting a more refined gaming experience, rather than a revolutionary one.
hazelam
i bet if he was still with ms he’d be describing the new xbox as better than sex or something.
but i do agree with him a bit.
i think the leap from the PS2 and Xbox to the 360 and PS3 was a bigger leap than we’ll be seeing this time around.
the leap then was about more than just processing power, the 360 and PS3 were pretty much the first consoles built around being online.
all the other media features also only really took off with this generation.
the new machines will, i suspect, be more evolutionary machines rather than revolutionary.
that’s not to say i’m not excited though., because i am.
tactical20
I kinda agree with him, for once!
MadYetHatless
“Its competition is no longer Sony and Nintendo, but rather Apple, Google and Samsung”.
Is he really trying to compare the console market to the smartphones? He seems to be getting increasingly out of touch. They both have their merits, but I don’t see anything close to a competition.
hazelam
turns out he was actually right, at least in the case of the xbox one.
had to happen sooner or later. ^_^