While Microsoft stated that the Xbox One will have 15 exclusives within the first year of launch, 8 of those being new IPs, there was still a healthy amount of criticism as to the company’s overall focus of the machine. Some have stated that Microsoft has just create a glorified DVR box that just so happens to play games.
Xbox UK marketing director Harvey Eagle thinks otherwise. “Seeing is believing,” he stated to GamesIndustry International. “I understand that people want to see the games, play the games and then make a judgement. That’s fair and reasonable, and we’re not so naïve to think otherwise.
“Given the structure of the unveil tonight, we wanted to make sure that we showed real, in-game content, but the proof for many will be when they have a chance to play those games. And that’s fine.”
Eagle has already stated that the focus of Microsoft’s E3 2013 conference will be nothing but games. For now, though, they want to position the Xbox One as something more.
“I hope people weren’t confused about games still being absolutely critical and fundamental to us. We are a gaming machine that is designed deliver the best experiences in gaming. What we want to try and do is more than that, and we have a box that can do more than that without compromising being the best games console out there.
“Ultimately, we have an ambition to grow the market, and we believe that in order to do that and bring new people in we need to deliver great gaming. But also if we can deliver great entertainment and great TV experiences all in one box, then we think we have an opportunity to appeal to even more people.”
Will it work? We’ll stay cynical all the way to E3, as usual.