Microsoft refers to core audience as "Sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts"

[nmacleod14]

Why do you guys care? Its not like what he says is actually going to change anything.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

Somebody show me where he calls hardcore gamers "sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts". That's right, he doesn't, it's your whole us vs. them CASUALS ARE RUINING EVERYTHING mentality making it so he said that.

It's the context that it was in, mostly. He was insinuating that just because you buy kinect, that doesn't make you one of those other gamers that are sweaty 30 year olds in metallica shirts.

I honestly don't care about casual gamers. If people find casual games fun, they should play them. I just don't find them to be that fun.

I couldn't agree more on your point! besides, when you play a game, you'd want it complete instead of being partified (thinking of DLC)...

btw, i don't know who's running Microsoft right now, but he's putting his job at risk with such irrelevant comments...

 

[Mariakitten]

Micro$oft insulting their audience? Nothing new here I hate to say.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Hey now that's not entirely correct! I'm not sweaty.

 

[Normalgamer]

Am I the only one who read that quote as Microsoft actually meaning more like they were in the context of challenging the stereotype that the "majority" have had with gamers for years? The angle they're going with Kinect further backs up that context, they want it to appeal to everybody (coughwiicough, sorry, had to) and they said it to illustrate that point.

That's exactly how I read it, it seems like he's saying gamers aren't sweaty 30 year old metallica lovers.

 

[7moreDead_v1legacy]

I am 25 and its a Machine Head T-Shirt...I guess I am partially hardcore.

 

[DNA]

Am I the only one who read that quote as Microsoft actually meaning more like they were in the context of challenging the stereotype that the "majority" have had with gamers for years? The angle they're going with Kinect further backs up that context, they want it to appeal to everybody (coughwiicough, sorry, had to) and they said it to illustrate that point.

That's exactly how I read it, it seems like he's saying gamers aren't sweaty 30 year old metallica lovers.

Which is exactly what they meant. Only, the internet hate machine got a hold of it and twisted it to their liking, took offense to a blank stare and is responding in turn.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

And everyone is being offended by puffed up pride and some sense of self-importance claiming "core demographic". Its not marketed toward you, boohoo, why so blue brown bear?

Grow up. I never claimed hardcore over casual gamers. The fact that you even brought it up paints you more in the realm of a hater than it does anyone else. Point: when a company starts calling anyone who disagrees with them names like an angry 4th grader, there will be a justified backlash.

 

[Gitty101]

Bah. It's a Monty Python T-shirt ACTUALLY...

 

[SpireOfFire]

i wear judas priest and iron maiden shirts, thank you very much.

those hardcore gamers you idiotically insult pay your bills, you dumb fuck.

 

[Infinatex]

lol nice one Microsoft! All my friends are in their early 20's, not of as are fat or sweaty stereotypes and you couldn't pay any of us to listen to Metalica.

 

[Delock]

You know, when Nintendo decided to split up with their hardcore audience, they didn't decide to be vindictive and post all sorts of insults online about them. That breakup was at least smooth, and in the end, it seems like the fans and them have decided to stay friends. Microsoft, you may want to take a hint from them.


Yes, game companies and their fans can be best described in terms of dating.

 

[DNA]

And everyone is being offended by puffed up pride and some sense of self-importance claiming "core demographic". Its not marketed toward you, boohoo, why so blue brown bear?

Grow up. I never claimed hardcore over casual gamers. The fact that you even brought it up paints you more in the realm of a hater than it does anyone else. Point: when a company starts calling anyone who disagrees with them names like an angry 4th grader, there will be a justified backlash.

And MY point is, no names were called. Resorting to telling someone to grow up is just proving my point for me. Refer to my statement about puffed up pride. You fit it. You OBVIOUSLY think you are wronged in some fashion when there was no such thing going on. Kinect isn't marketed toward you. And you cry foul because they are providing evidence that its more suited for a family-setting than a "hardcore" basement dweller. So again, why so blue brown bear?

OH NOES I was used in an EXAMPLE! How dare they!

 

[LitleWaffle]

No, we're sweaty twenty year olds in Dragonforce t-shirts.

I am not sweaty!

OT: It makes me feel secured that Microsoft understands us completely.

 

[Tom Phoenix]

To be honest, I could hardly care less whether or not he was complimenting or insulting the core audience. All I know is that when Microsoft realises that the oversaturated market they entered isn't as profitable as they thought it was while Nintendo is busy stealing their existing audience, I will smile.

I must say, I like you, Tom. From this post alone. Like minds and all that.

Everybody I know who owns an Xbox already plays games. The only exception is my brother, who is in no way a gamer, and he got it as a gift and only plays sport games. He has no idea what Kinect even is. Funnily enough though, he's 30 and loves Metallica.

How many "non-gamers" (i.e. most of the people they hope will buy Kinect) have an Xbox, and are willing to shell out even more money? How many gamers give a crap about Kinect?

That's not the only problem for Microsoft, although it certainly is a very valid point.

The reason for the Wii's success was the fact that it tapped into a market that was ignored for a very long time. Contrary to popular belief, the "casual gaming" market has always existed...it's just that, in terms of marketing aim, previous consoles had always overshot them. The Wii, on the other hand, hit a bullseye by providing titles for an essentially starved market, thus resulting in it's enormous success.

But this isn't 2006, this is 2010. At this point, the casual gaming market is no longer the rich field ripe for harvest, especially since companies have started to immitate Nintendo in an attempt to gain a slice of it. Instead of thinking about the concepts behind the Wii's success, they are simply rushing in, blinded by the dollar/euro/yen signs. Essentially, it is becoming (or has already become) a gold rush, which inevitably results in the oversaturation of the market. When supply exceeds demand, when consumers are too spoiled for choice, they often end up not buying anything. While this will probably not have as drastic results as some of the previous "gold rushes" did (an example being the US video game industry crash of 1983), it will still result in a lot of lost revenue. And all the meanwhile this is going on, Nintendo is quietly, but quite evidently, shifting their focus from more gateway and bridge titles to bridge and core titles, pulling the market they have created for themselves along with them...

By trying to make the motion control craze lighting to strike twice, Microsoft is playing right into Nintendo's hands and in more ways than one. Not only are they shifting themselves into an increasingly (or an already) oversaturated market and thus leaving an opening for Nintendo, their pricing for the Kinect is going to even further limit their success and provide the Wii with additional sales. Afterall, once they go to a store, any new gamer still caught by this craze will end up thinking: "Why would I pay for a $150 peripheral for a console that I don't even have when adding $50 more to that will get me an entire console that includes motion controls as a default?"

 

[Danzaivar]

How ever will my fragile self esteem react to slander from Microsoft itself?!

Oh right, indifference.

 

[gibboss28]

calm down, its like you've never had a stereotype thrown at you before.

Also: if you genuinely think that this guys comment is really what Microsoft wanted to say, and he isn't going to be told off by his higher ups, well can I just say that I am Nigerian Royalty and i need your monies.

What? I figured if you're that dumb I may as well try and make some money from you.