The new generation of consoles is currently well underway with the Wii U out for ages, the PlayStation 4 available just about everywhere (sorry, Japan), and the Xbox One still only officially available in its 13 launch territories. While fanboys from all sides are still fighting about which is better, the companies involved seem to be above all of that. Microsoft admires, and has congratulated both Sony and Nintendo.
The curiously sleazy-looking Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer has praised Sony in particular, saying that he thinks Sony’s done a stellar job in defining the PS4 as a games machine from the onset.
“When I think about their announcement, their clear focus on a customer, leading with the value proposition of what they’re trying to do, staying true to a vision, I think they’ve done a nice job in how they defined the PS4,” he told OXM.
Spencer also admits he respects Sony’s penchant for “investing in new things and creative things.”
“[W]hat they’ve done with David Cage and Quantic Dream around Beyond and Heavy Rain; they stay committed to franchises even if they don’t sell 10 million units, they’ll stay committed to things,” said Spencer.
Of course, the cynically-minded among you might try reading between the lines, looking for subtext and subtle jabs, perhaps picking up that spencer’s inferring that Sony’s games just don’t sell all that well. Spencer’s also had some warm words for Nintendo, which could also be construed as having a negative spin, if you happen to have your cynical pants on today.
“Nintendo, I think – and there’s some argument about this – that their first-party is such an amazing asset,” said Spencer. “Their first party studios and IP can lead what they do as a company and the platforms are almost in service to the IP – not in a bad way.”
“I think Nintendo does that as well as anybody in terms of hitting the franchises and having huge success with them.”
So, he’s saying Nintendo consoles exist purely to run Nintendo’s games, right? Right? The best way to look at it though, is that even the bigwigs save the fanboy wars for the fanboys.
Last Updated: January 6, 2014
Brenz
January 6, 2014 at 10:49
They know they fucked up and have lost already, so now its trying to save face and be the “bigger man” so to speak.
He would be singing a very different tune if XBone was kicking PS4 ass down the street.
So no, they not above fanboy warfare, they just trying to look cool in the face of annihilation.
iAmWeasel
January 6, 2014 at 11:01
This is all so very 2013.
Hammersteyn
January 6, 2014 at 11:06
Maybe, but this year is only six days old.
Hammersteyn
January 6, 2014 at 11:06
“The curiously sleazy-looking Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer” Yeah I wouldn’t even buy a can of Coke from this guy.
Brenz
January 6, 2014 at 11:55
Look at those beady eyes and child molester smile, makes me feel dirty just looking at him.
TwinStripeUK
January 6, 2014 at 17:40
And Sony have Mark Cerny… I think it’s a pre-requisite….
Brenz
January 6, 2014 at 18:14
Haha yeah, he looks a bit like a serial killer.
CaptainNemo42
January 6, 2014 at 11:57
But will you share one with him?
Hammersteyn
January 6, 2014 at 12:05
As long as I have the first sip.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 6, 2014 at 11:28
Header text for that pic: “Need an ark? I Noah guy!”
Umar of The Rebellion
January 6, 2014 at 11:34
pew pew