Gates Slams Sony And Nintendo

[BrewCityUpstart]

The mud-slinging always seems to increase in the face of positive news, for whatever reason. The latest outburst can be attributed to Microsoft's Bill Gates, who lashed out at Sony and Nintendo in an interview with Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury News.

After expressing his firm confidence in the future of the Xbox 360, Gates suggested that Sony wasn't the "big player" they used to be.

"We wanted to swap positions with Sony," he stated. "We wanted to not be a year late, not be a big box, not be a more expensive box. How are we doing on that?"

We assume that's a rhetorical question, Bill.

And as for Nintendo, Gates has gone on record praising Nintendo's "unique approach" with the Wii, but nowadays, he seems all about promoting the 360 and leveling the competition with words.

"Sony has always been our most direct competitor. Nintendo of course is a competitor. But look at the resolution you get with a controlled experience like that," he said. "Say to yourself, how in terms of using a game for a long period of time, what kind of accuracy and capability do you want?"

Suddenly, it sounds to us like Mr. Gates is a gamer himself! Perhaps he has more to say regarding the specifics of game consoles...as it turns out, he certainly had more to say to the San Jose Mercury News.

"Look at the classic Nintendo positioning. Look at the graphics. Look at Nintendo's execution in terms of online capability. We have this thing that nobody has ever seen before. When you say to your friend, 'hey let's play online,' you say then you have to buy an Xbox. That's what 10 million people say. If you want to play online, get an Xbox. We're not standing still."

10 million? Forgive us, but the recent subscription numbers for Xbox Live don't even come close to 10 million. In fact, the system itself just passed the 10 million sales mark...is he trying to imply that every 360 owner will hold a Gold subscription? He can't possibly mean the free Silver membership, which all 10 million would have, but you can't play online with that. And the Network on the PS3 is...free. Which means everyone who buys one can go play online.

Well, at least he's firm in his beliefs, yes? We like to see that in a leader.


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[Jon Liu]

I agree, to an extent, that the PS3 isn't really the big competitor they used to be. Although, they will give Xbox a run for their money and if they do some things really right, they could be on the same level, at least in terms of Online capabilities. As far as I'm concerned, I don't think Sony will really surpass them in that aspect but, their game titles I think could surpass them in the relatively near future.

[Peench]

There's something cool that Sony has in the works in the online department. I can't give out any info on it, but from how it was described, its gonna be very cool.

[Jon Liu]

That's exciting to hear! Hopefully whatever it is, will be implemented very soon!

[MadBryan]

Jon, I'm holding it in. I'm trying. (please lock this thread) it hurts

[Jon Liu]

haha, MadB. I'd say you're more allowed to say what you think here since it's more General Discussion here. My concern is when you start voicing your opinion in the Sony forums!

[Peench]

From what I've heard it sounds very cool. I need to learn a little more about it and then get the okay to post about it (which might not be anytime soon), but as soon as I get the okay, I'll definitely post about it. It is in early development stage from what I understand.

[Quo]

Originally Posted by Peench

From what I've heard it sounds very cool. I need to learn a little more about it and then get the okay to post about it (which might not be anytime soon), but as soon as I get the okay, I'll definitely post about it. It is in early development stage from what I understand.

It's ok, Peench. It was posted on Engadget yesterday. I'll offer it up...

Sony's unlocked the secret of cold fusion. In 4D, no less.

Seriously though, you have to figure Sony will come out with something to compete with Live at some point. Whatever it is obviously wasn't ready at PS3 launch time, and it will take time to develop. But everyone knows it's coming. The big question is, will Sony deliver or will it all be fluff? If history serves as a guide, it will be good... just not quite the "cold fusion" that Sony will promote it being.

And they won't be the only ones full of crap, either. Gates and Microsoft will insist that nothing compares to XBL, that there's no way it can be duplicated or out done, etc... but they'll just be blowing gas too. Like Windows and Explorer, someone will build a better mousetrap. Eventually there will be better options out there. Microsoft is rarely, if ever, a true innovator... they tend to copycat and add a few glitzy "improvements". You can bet that someone will catch up in the online department, and that someone is bound to be Sony.

[Jon Liu]

Yeah, I started to notice, especially after heavily using a Mac, that Windows copies and tries to do a lot of what Mac OS's do. The link is especially apparent in the upcoming Microsoft OS, Windows Vista. The reason why I like it so much more than XP is because it did a lot of things that the OS X already does!

So, Koo-Oh, you're right, they are definitely not innovators in a lot of aspects.

[KEEZY]

The only thing I have a problem with in the article is that it is looking at the 360 "version" of Live. I haven't looked it up, but maybe he is saying that there are 10 million subscribers on Live across Xbox and X360.

Oh Peench, with your teasings. It is true though... MS doesn't create ideas, it builds on ideas that already exist (Singer didn't invent the sewing machine, Hoover didn't invent the vacuum, Google didn't invent the internet search). I'm anxious to see what Sony has up their sleeve. Down the line I'll pick up a PS3, but even if a PS3 isn't in your cards, competition betwixt the online services of consoles will only make it better for all.

[dmiller68]

You guys are right they stole the design for the 360 from the Sega you just imagine the great graphics because of hallucinates that are ejected from the front of the box.

All companies take technology buy it and make it better... Apple sits on a UNIX core its not like they wrote the OS from scratch.

[Jon Liu]

That is VERY true, DMil.

As for the hallucinates, whatever they have emitting from it, I'm hooked! I want more!!

[KEEZY]

Poor Xerox... they thought of so many things, but never cashed in. Served.

[Jon Liu]

lol, Keezlez! Where do you come up with this stuff???

[Statham Guy]

Originally Posted by BrewCityUpstart

After expressing his firm confidence in the future of the Xbox 360, Gates suggested that Sony wasn't the "big player" they used to be.

True

Originally Posted by BrewCityUpstart

"We wanted to swap positions with Sony," he stated. "We wanted to not be a year late, not be a big box, not be a more expensive box. How are we doing on that?"

Originally Posted by BrewCityUpstart

When you say to your friend, 'hey let's play online,' you say then you have to buy an Xbox.

True

Originally Posted by BrewCityUpstart

And the Network on the PS3 is...free. Which means everyone who buys one can go play online.

You get what you pay for.

[blars]

Originally Posted by Peench

From what I've heard it sounds very cool. I need to learn a little more about it and then get the okay to post about it (which might not be anytime soon), but as soon as I get the okay, I'll definitely post about it. It is in early development stage from what I understand.

Ol' MVPeench must be a spy for Microsoft now...how else could he know this information?

Did they install a USB port in you and give you a flash drive with a virus in case you are ever captured?