Jeff Bell talks Microsoft's strategy, TGS plans
Microsoft's global marketing maestro, Jeff Bell, recently shed some light on the sorts of things we can expect from the company at the Tokyo Game Show next month. Speaking to Canada.com (Canada has its own website?), Bell responded to questions about Microsoft's 2008 lineup, which some have been curious about in the wake of the company's E3 presence, which focused solely on 2007 titles. Bell rattled off names like Halo Wars, Fable 2 and Alan Wake, but noted we won't see anything about them until after the holidays. The most specific Bell gets about TGS is, "the Tokyo Games Show will be a place where we show off new elements." New elements of what exactly we have no idea. Games, we would hope.
Bell also spoke of Microsoft's goal to push the concept of publishers launching games simultaneously on both Xbox 360 and PC. In Bell's words, "We want people to develop once and publish twice," an attractive proposition to be sure.
Finally, Bell went on record saying that he welcomed the success of the Wii, noting, "If it does grow the market, good for all of us." He further stated that he takes no issue with people owning both the Wii and Xbox 360 as both "are very different experiences." He's not all buddy-buddy with the competition, however, as he states that he and Microsoft "definitely want to win," and notes that only two big franchises still aren't on Xbox 360. He is of course referring to Metal Gear and Final Fantasy. Bell concludes by saying that Microsoft is at the "tipping point" where developers are keen to work with them as the install base continues to grow.
Expect to hear plenty more about Microsoft's plans at the Tokyo Game Show, which runs from September 20-23.
[Via Eurogamer]
