X Factor Documentary Explores Xbox

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a press release and downloadable trailer (BitTorrent link courtesy Gametab) for the forthcoming Discovery Channel documentary, The X Factor - Inside Microsoft's Xbox. The program premieres on June 20th at 8pm ET/PT in the US, and "reveals never-before-seen footage of Microsoft and three game studios all racing to complete the next big Xbox blockbuster game. Will the next Xbox superstar be Microsoftâ(TM)s Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Oddworld Inhabitantsâ(TM) tightly held secret (the fourth game in their ongoing series), or Bungieâ(TM)s Halo 2?" Some healthy scepticism is also shown, since the doc "..also explores whether the software giant has the mettle to make it in the exploding video game business." This doc could be particularly interesting because of interviews/footage from the next in the Oddworld series.

Comments

documentary?

[joFFeman]

it sounds like a commercial to me, the fact that the discovery channel is airing it and apparently trying to pass it off as a documentary leads me to question the credibility of anything the discovery channel airs.

Re:Documentary?

[KU_Fletch]

For example, see MTV's "Making The Game" shows modeled after their "Making The Video." They've did one of the LOTR:TT game and one on Def Jam Vendetta. They we're pretty much horrid 30 minute advertisements of repetitive gameplay videos and interviews with PR schmucks. Never once did they bother talking to the programmers or artists (probably for good reason). At least they didn't make one for Britney's Dance Factory, that would be the official end of Western Civilization.

Re:Documentary?

[amuro98]

Not the first time something like this has shown up on Discovery (or TLC for that matter)

Look at all those "documentaries" about Las Vegas.

But yeah, this "documentary" sounds like yet another commercial...for a dying console and 3 games that aren't going to make a difference.

Halo2 and Oddworld are sequels. If you like these franchises, you already have a Xbox.

Crimson Skies is a sequel of a PC game, and will most likely come out for PC eventually which largely negates the reason to buy an XBox in the first place...

Re:Documentary?

[drewmca]

That's just silly. You may hate microsoft or not even like the xbox but it's not a dying console. It may not beat ps2 but it's a fine console with some good games. The consoles all have their own strengths and weaknesses, xbox no more so than others. As with each of the others, it brings some interesting things to the table. As with each of the others, it has some weaknesses. You go off saying how it's dying or "xbox sux" or other silly bits of bitterness and you'll just sound silly. Also, don't know if anyone around here noticed the contradiction, but I thought everyone at /. hated Microsoft because of their monopoly (or at least that was the main reason of many). If it weren't for the box, Sony would completely dominate this round and the next. At least with another viable competitor, the console makers have to make an effort to sell us their machines. This will be even more true in the next generation. You want to see monopoly gone bad, imagine PS2 crushing both Dreamcast and Gamecube due to lack of competition. Is that a good thing just because Microsoft's not in the picture? If you can't remember why you hate something, you'll just end up looking like a bitter ass.

Re:Documentary?

[techgeek10101]

I think I'll go watch The Hulk instead....Opening day =)

Re:Documentary?

[Anonymous Coward]

PS2 crushing the Gamecube? Yeah, but not more than the Xbox. Actually, less than the Xbox. Right now, worldwide marketshare of the Cube is higher than the Xbox. Gotta love the japanese ;-)

Re:Documentary?

[ggambett]

Redundant... yes... don't you love when you forget the subject, submit, alt-tab out and come back 30 minutes later just to find the "cat ate your tongue" message? :)

Re:Documentary?

[amuro98]

WTF?

You go shoving a bunch of stupid arguments into my mouth so you can look more intelligent, and get modded up for that?

Please point out in my original post where I said:
* I hate Microsoft.
* XBox sucks.
* XBox is dying.

As for PS2 vs. Dreamcast, GameCube, and Xbox...

Sega dropped out of the console market ~4 months after the PS2 debuted in the US. This is despite them having a whole year. Heck, they couldn't even compete with the PS1, which continued to outsell the Dreamcast despite its better technology.

The PS2 already dominates the market by something approaching 10x. You can argue about who's in second, but it's a distant second...

I can see Nintendo and Sony co-existing together for the single reason that they tend to sell to different, non-overlapping segments within the gaming markets.

As for XBox...yes, it does have some interesting games.

Unfortunatly for XBox, most of these games are either available on other consoles or are available on the PC. Exclusive titles are what get people to buy the consoles - NOT the hardware, GAMES. PS2 isn't the most technologically advanced console on the market, but because of its library.

Finally, it's way too early to make any predictions about the next generation. Both Nintendo and Microsoft have stated they want to come out before Sony's PS3 in order to try and gain more marketshare. I have no doubt Nintendo will do what they always do - come out with some great hardware and their usual collection of games (Mario, Zelda, etc.)

Microsoft, meanwhile, has a big job in front of them if they want to take on Sony and do better than they did last time. Hopefully Microsoft learned its lessons well...otherwise, Xbox2 will be an even bigger joke than the first Xbox.

Re:documentary?

[stephanruby]

I wonder why two people modded you as a troll? Is it because they don't believe you it's a commercial? Or is it because everyone knows this is a commercial and there is no need to mention it?

Next big Xbox blockbuster?

[alefbet]

...three game studios all racing to complete the next big Xbox blockbuster game.

I'm still waiting for the first big Xbox blockbuster game.

Well, "waiting" probably isn't the right word....

Re:Next big Xbox blockbuster?

[Recoil_42]

Ever heard of Halo? no? surely you've heard of Splinter Cell then? you havent?

Re:Next big Xbox blockbuster?

[Anonymous Coward]

yeeeeah... soooo... where is the blockbuster?

Documentary?

[ggambett]

A documentary about XBox?

Man, I hate when someone tries to sell paid advertisement as a "documentary"...