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Microsoft Accuses Sony of Complacency

Kris Graft's picture

By Kris Graft

January 21, 2009

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Microsoft and Sony have yet again exchanged blows in the videogame PR war.

Responding to comments made by Sony criticizing the potential longevity of the Xbox 360, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told The Bitbag, "This sounds like an old hardware company that’s comfortable with its market position. That complacent attitude is out of touch with where the industry and consumer is today."

Greenberg's comments countered those of Sony Computer Entertainment chair Kaz Hirai, who recently said the Xbox 360 "lacks longevity."

But Greenberg argues that as the emphasis of the console war moves from hardware to software, Microsoft, being the world's top software company, is at an advantage. "This is the kind of stuff that’s in our DNA, and frankly moves the console war onto our home court," he said.

He reiterated Microsoft's goal for the Xbox 360 to outsell the PS3 this generation. "...I can’t imagine any scenario where the PS3 can catch up with us," Greenberg said, referring to U.S. sales. "In fact, even if you doubled the current PS3 sales and Xbox 360 remained flat, they couldn’t close the gap until 2014."

This latest exchange comes shortly after Sony and Microsoft expressed their opinions about each others' console add-on strategies.

puzzledmonkey's picture
On January 21st puzzledmonkey said:

Aaron Greenbergs comments about software being in their DNA may be true but as for being Microsofts home territory, well........last time I looked Sony had a much larger number of 1st party developers under their enormous wing than Microsoft do and with the golden goose of Bungie having stepped out from under the MS shadow you've got to question the logic of his assertion.

DubsTF's picture
On January 21st DubsTF said:

Yeah, and first party development studios aside he seems to think that Microsoft proper has a GOOD track record for software quality! Talk about drinking the Kool-Aid.

ArronC07's picture
On January 21st ArronC07 said:

Say's the company that took 18 months to acknowledge the RRoD issue, if that ain't complacent I don't know what is.

Rob's picture
On January 21st Rob said:

It's not software that's in MS DNA, it's BAD software that's in their DNA. This is just software vs hardware again. Whatever you argue you ultimately have to examine cost vs value. The last thing these consoles need is to inherit PC's upgrade problems. Hardware gets better, software gets fatter. We can do better.

DubsTF's picture
On January 21st DubsTF said:

This sounds like an old hardware company that’s comfortable with its market position.

And Greenberg sounds like a convicted monopolist willing to flush billions of dollars down a toilet marked "Xbox" in order to fend off a perceived encroachment onto its monopoly territory without any regard for profitability or responsibility to its shareholders. People with a clue know that THAT'S what's really in Microsoft's DNA.

toadwarrior's picture
On January 21st toadwarrior said:

Aaron Greenberg is a retard. The 360 probably won't expand as much now compared to the PS3 because of twats like Greenberg who only appeal to 14 year old kids.

He does not give his company or industry a good image. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll get some sort of fatty related disease and disappear.

Barla Von's picture
On January 21st Barla Von said:

IMO a generation ends when the system is no longer in production, not when new hardware gets released.

NickgamertagO1's picture
On January 21st NickgamertagO1 said:

So by that rationale last gen co-exists with this gen since the PS2 is still alive? I actually think the PS2 may be cannibalizing PS3 sales and could potentially hurt the PS3 down the line.

Jyri_Jokinen's picture
On January 22nd Jyri_Jokinen said:

Don't forget Wii: it can hardly be described as this-gen hardware.

What I find interesting is that Greenberg thinks he can be smug about the Xbox sales when compared to Playstation. Sure, X360 has sold 7M more units in US, but globally the number is 8M. So, the gap in rest of the world is just 1 million. And in Europe X360 had an 18 month head start (PS3 was launched on March 21st 2007).

Hirai was talking out of his ass, but Greenberg isn't that much better. These guys should just shut up and concentrate on giving us great games.

Barla Von's picture
On January 21st Barla Von said:

So by that rationale last gen co-exists with this gen since the PS2 is still alive?

_________

Well, new and last gen do co-exist. They have done for years,the PS1 (11 years in the market) and PS2 (8 years and counting) are good examples of it.

Barla Von's picture
On January 21st Barla Von said:

Both Kaz Hirai and Aaron Greenberg are acting like a couple of childish brats!

NickgamertagO1's picture
On January 21st NickgamertagO1 said:

Obviously MS will have a new console out well before 2014, and so will Sony.