According to Gates, the next-generation Xbox (which many people speculate will be called Xbox Next, based on recent domain name registrations by Microsoft) will be a much more broadly-focused multimedia device than the current console. Among the features touted for the system are digital media capabilities such as video and photo editing and Internet capabilities without the need for direct connections through Wi-Fi.
This all makes the Xbox 2 sound very like, well, a PC – indeed, if the system combines Internet, video and photo-editing functionality with a games console, it may become an attractive alternative to PC ownership for a lot of families. However, there’s also a danger that this new multimedia focus will dilute the company’s games offering; much of the success of Xbox to date has been attributed to its relentless focus on gaming, which has won the hearts of the key hardcore market.
It’s also possible that some of this functionality will make it into the Xbox before a new console launch comes around, with several sources telling gi recently that Microsoft is considering major upgrades to the Xbox Dashboard in the near future, including a possible integration of Internet Explorer and Windows Media into the console.
Regarding the current position of Xbox in the market, Gates described the company as satisfied with the number two position behind Sony and ahead of Nintendo in the global console market. Now, Nintendo might question that – and if Microsoft is ahead, it’s not by enough to be worth talking about. Let’s say joint second then. Gates proceeded to trot out the usual spiel about third party support (software developers have historically only supported the top two platforms, conveniently ignoring that Nintendo has historically been the biggest developer for its own platform anyway).
Gates also promised continued support for the Japanese market, which is still in the doldrums despite the good performance of Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball in the territory. We knew it was going to be difficult, and we will continue to invest in the Xbox there, he pledged. Whether this investment will yield the kind of software support that’s needed to sell the Xbox not only to Japanese consumers, but to the legions of Japanese software fans in the USA and Europe, still remains to be seen.
Source: Gamesindustry.biz
