Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi says Xbox SmartGlass takes an open view of mobile-console integration (interview) Naturally, Yusuf Mehdi, chief marketing officer for Microsoft‘s game business, thinks that his company won the battle of the press conferences at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
But it remains to be seen whether fans will opt for Microsoft’s view of the future of gaming and how tablets and smartphones fit into it. The company introduced its Xbox SmartGlass app, where users can tap mobile devices and use them to control a game console and queue up their entertainment. It’s a unique vision now, but Mehdi believes it will be a shot in the arm for Microsoft’s ambitions in the home. Microsoft’s SmartGlass will work not only with Windows tablets and phones, but it will also support usage based on Apple iPad or iPhone.
We caught up with Mehdi at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. GamesBeat: How do you feel you guys did on the scorecard, what do you think about that? Yusuf Mehdi: I actually like to get people’s feedback. Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi says Xbox SmartGlass takes an open view of mobile-console integration (interview) Naturally, Yusuf Mehdi, chief marketing officer for Microsoft‘s game business, thinks that his company won the battle of the press conferences at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
But it remains to be seen whether fans will opt for Microsoft’s view of the future of gaming and how tablets and smartphones fit into it. The company introduced its Xbox SmartGlass app, where users can tap mobile devices and use them to control a game console and queue up their entertainment. It’s a unique vision now, but Mehdi believes it will be a shot in the arm for Microsoft’s ambitions in the home. Microsoft’s SmartGlass will work not only with Windows tablets and phones, but it will also support usage based on Apple iPad or iPhone. We caught up with Mehdi at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. GamesBeat: How do you feel you guys did on the scorecard, what do you think about that? Yusuf Mehdi: I actually like to get people’s feedback. Sony partners with J.K. Rowling to bring immersive Potter experience to life on PS3. The first day of E3 was filled with a number of impressive hard-core gamer focused demos including Halo 4, Resident Evil 6, Tomb Raiders and Assassins Creed 6.
However, what really caught my attention was Sony PS3′s announcement surrounding “Wonderbook,” PS3′s new feature that utilizes AR technology to bring a whole new dimension to the reading experience. “Book of Spells,” a Harry Potter themed title includes exclusive content from J.K. Rowling herself and an integration with Pottermore, Rowling’s digital destination to give Potter fans the ability to virtually go through Hogwarts training. Using the book alongside PlayStation Move, users practice spells and unlock hidden experiences as they go through their training. The Move controller acts as the player’s wand and essentially creates a pop-up book on steroids. Yes, the Harry Potter series have reached their conclusion but let’s think about the future options here for a moment. It’s already got my wheels spinning. Like this: The Xbox 360, Now A True Cable Box Killer. Microsoft just threw down at E3 2012.
After exciting the crowd with Halo and Gears of War titles, the company unveiled new additions to the 360′s vast media offering. Don’t be distracted by the video game trailers: this is Redmond’s biggest news of the show. In fact the new offering could lead to a rival of the cord cutting movement. The Xbox 360 has nearly always had an impressive suite of media streaming options with Netflix and others. For most households, though, the offering was never enough to replace cable.
Pre-Conference Coverage. Sony. Zynga. Nintendo. Take-Two CEO says product delays signal an “unwavering commitment to quality” Take-Two Interactive didn’t hit its financial targets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.
But Strauss Zelnick, chief executive of the New York video game publisher, said that was because the company delayed several games so it could make sure they were done right. This “unwavering commitment to quality” is the right approach to maximizing shareholder value, Zelnick said. But that doesn’t mean the company will never ship big games. The company just shipped Max Payne 3 (rated a high 87 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic) on May 15, with sell-in of 3 million units. For the coming fiscal year, the company expects to have considerable growth in profits and revenue, Zelnick said in an earnings call today. For analysts, that can only mean that Take-Two’s Rockstar Games division will launch Grand Theft Auto V this fall.
The rest of the game industry is suffering from a “dearth of high quality titles,” Zelnick said.