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Microsoft Praises Revolution Controller
JoaoPinheiro writes "In an unexpected change from the big three companies slagging each other off, Microsoft's Peter Moore gives kudos to Nintendo's new controller! Xbox VP Peter Moore has said he wanted 'to give kudos [to] Nintendo for its attempt at innovation with the new controller.' Whether the word attempt is meant to hint at some slight sarcasm is debatable, though the overall message was positive. Moore commented the new device would 'bring people in that, as Iwata-san said, are either lapsed gamers or gamers that are intimidated by the complexity of the controller.' He referenced Microsoft's E3 speech, where it was said the company wanted a billion consumers touched by the gaming industry next generation. 'That was an industry message. Certainly, we can see Nintendo rallying to that cry and reiterating what Robbie said on May 16th; I heard the same words come from Iwata-san of Nintendo yesterday.'"
just another way of saying nintendo is niche now. and not really a competitor.
It's nice to see that Microsoft admires the courage behind the decision to change the controller interface. Of course, they're probably hoping that the Revolution falls flat on its face so that it really will only be a two horse console race.
Wouldn't be too surprised to see an imitation controller from Microsoft down the road if the Revolution reviews are good. Embrace and extend, right?
They couldn't all out bash Nintendo and call the controller stupid because that would show they have a weakness and Nintendo might actually have something here. They also couldn't say it was an awesome innovation for the same reason.
MS is playing their cards right and took the middle road... They weren't obvious about being condenscending at all, since you can read into the "attempt" word in any way you like.
Truth is MS responded, and that Nintendo does have something here or else MS would have just completely ignored the controller.
Microsoft didn't praise the controller. One guy who happens to work at Microsoft praised the controller.
One guy acting as Microsoft's representative "praised" the controller. It's not stupid to suggest "Microsoft" praised the controller. Peter Moore is Microsoft in this context. He is the VP in charge of Xbox marketing, and he was speaking on company time.
Now, I put "praised" in quotes because it's obvious that this was pretty backhanded (it's not "debateable", as Zonk said it was, it's completely obvious what he meant). This is not the kind of praise I'd want if somebody said something similar about me. (As in, "that's a nice attempt at building a bookshelf" or "that's a nice attempt at a good haircut.") But the distinction you're trying to make between "one guy" and the company of Microsoft is meaningless.
I think whether the compliment was backhanded or not is a valid question.
When I stopped by the gas station today, I made an attempt to win the Lottery by purchasing a ticket. Whether I won or not won't be decided until after the drawing.
Nintendo has made an attempt at innovation with their controller. Until it is backed up with new, original, fun games that wouldn't be possible without it, their innovation is still an attempt. I am an openly rabid Nintendo fanboy, and I still think they have a rather large opportunity for this new controller to turn into nothing more than a gimmick.
I read it as Microsoft saying "Wow, this could be a great idea. We'll be watching."
Note: Before someone says "innovation" was already decided by the act of introducing the controller, this sort of thing has been done before. It just hasn't been done well. The innovation will be what separates it from the Power Glove and U-Force, much like the Wavebird did with wireless controllers.
MS will probably just copy it
Nintendo has invested a lot of money in Immersion, the holder of patents on key technologies incorporated into the Revolution remote. What makes you think Immersion is going to want to grant an affordable license under these patents to Microsoft?