Microsoft attacks our HOME
We've already heard Nintendo's response to the PlayStation HOME, but we hadn't talked about how Microsoft felt about the ambitious new service. We will now. Chris Satchell, general manager of Microsoft's Game Developer Group, poo-pooed the HOME, saying it was "not a very game-centric approach." Oh, really? Last we checked, Sony has stated that everything is about software now -- software generally includes games. Since that's their focus, isn't that a game-centric approach? Meanie.
Satchell goes on to the inevitable comparison ending with a "we're better" indirect implication: "I think they've definitely taken some concepts that we originated like achievements, but I think they're pushing in a different direction and we've sort of fundamentally got two different approaches going on here. I think theres is very much a vision that people see it and it looks cool but it's fundamentally separate from the games - or at least what they've shown so far. It's a cool world but it's like a little game by itself. Our approach is the other way around; it's that games are the center and that's the star of the show, that's what people buy the console for."
Satchell did say LittleBigPlanet is a neat game and concept, what with user-generated content and all, but he says that "I can't see a big portfolio of games at the moment that do this. I don't think there's a whole load to catch up." Maybe not yet. But soon. Wait, isn't LBP a game? That's software. Lay off, Microsoft. Sony's concentrating on games... you yourself called HOME a "little game by itself"... again, software. What are your guys' thoughts? Is MS blowing steam or do they have a point?
