Schell: Microsoft should have held its nerve on Xbox One

4.7
Microsoft's submissiveness in the face of public outcry over Xbox One policies was a mistake, according to a prominent and respected games developer.

Jesse Schell, games designer and professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center, believes a firm nerve is necessary in order to reinvent established businesses.

"Your customers want you to stay the same, even if it drives you into the ground," Schell told GamesIndustry International.

"The reality is that companies can't do what the customers want," he said, in reference to Microsoft's extraordinary volte-face on Xbox One's pre-owned and always-online policies.

"Basically, Microsoft said 'we're going to be Steam. You like Steam, don't you?' They said, 'we're gonna do this new thing', and the customers said no we don't want that, we hate that, even though it's what they really want and what they will ultimately buy."

"So now Microsoft has had to say they won't do all that stuff, but someone will. That's how it always goes. This is the lesson of the innovator's dilemma. Why is it that big companies fail when the technology changes? It happens in every industry, so what's the pattern? What are they all doing wrong?

"Everyone says, 'Oh, it's because they're stupid. Big companies are stupid.' They can't be stupid. How did they get that big and stay that big if they're stupid? Microsoft isn't stupid.

"There's one mistake that they all make, and that mistake is listening to their customers.

"The problem is that the hardcore folks always want the same thing: 'We want exactly what you gave us before, but it has to be completely different.' When you want to do something really different - the solution to the innovator's dilemma - you can't take your big brand and say it's going to be completely different."

Xbox One pre-orders are said to be roughly double that of the Xbox 360 at launch, according to Ubisoft chief executive Yves Guillemot. The same is said for Sony's PS4, a demand that has led to PlayStation Europe capping its guaranteed launch day pre-orders.

Nevertheless, Schell believes the growing and diversifying competition to games consoles will have a noticeable effect on their market share.

"E3 convinced me that they are going to be struggling," he said.

"I haven't seen anything that made me think, yeah, you're gonna get that market share back. I'm convinced that all [of the consoles] are going to have a gradually eroding market share over the coming years. Because tablets are going to be eating their lunch more and more, and other platforms are going to start to take off and catch fire."

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/422580/schell-microsoft-should-have-held-its-nerve-on-xbox-one/

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CadizPosted:

Dini "E3 convinced me that they are going to be struggling," he said.
Yeah i would have to agree, i'm not buying till they announce kinects are not required to be hooked up to play


i dont know if you will see this now but they have announced that already. I think before you eve posted that.

CadizPosted:

It wouldnt of been as big of struggle if you didnt confuse a lot of potential buyers with things you arent allowing.

DiniPosted:

"E3 convinced me that they are going to be struggling," he said.
Yeah i would have to agree, i'm not buying till they announce kinects are not required to be hooked up to play

NirelandPosted:

Furacity
Carbvn
Suck
ima420r "There's one mistake that they all make, and that mistake is listening to their customers."

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read. I really hope no one takes this drivel seriously.



Haha I agree with you


Lol, that is by far the dumbest quote I've ever heard in my life though ahha


Whoever came up with that quote is dumb all I have to say.


probably some over paid idiot

FidPosted:

Carbvn
Suck
ima420r "There's one mistake that they all make, and that mistake is listening to their customers."

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read. I really hope no one takes this drivel seriously.



Haha I agree with you


Lol, that is by far the dumbest quote I've ever heard in my life though ahha


Whoever came up with that quote is dumb all I have to say.

BorifyPosted:

I mean it's their fault kindof but whatever still buying it.

1017GloGangPosted:

Suck
ima420r "There's one mistake that they all make, and that mistake is listening to their customers."

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read. I really hope no one takes this drivel seriously.



Haha I agree with you


Lol, that is by far the dumbest quote I've ever heard in my life though ahha

_BalePosted:

Hmm, Unlucky for the people who pre-ordered it.. Most likely getting PS4..

LWRPosted:

Purity That would suck to have preordered it then it changed for the bad ):


I know, i would definitely ask for a refund!

TaigaAisakaPosted:

Purity That would suck to have preordered it then it changed for the bad ):


I would sell the console and not even look back, probably move on over to PC gaming if that happened.