Gamers aren't the only ones that have May 21, 2013 circled on their calendars -- just ask Microsoft's PR department. They've probably burned through dozens of red Sharpies in anticipation by now.
While it's hasn't been a complete PR nightmare, Microsoft has to be bursting at the seams to reveal the next Xbox just so they can stop having to play coy with their damage control after months of criticism about Xbox Infinity's 'always on,' anti-second hand gaming measures. Despite their change of heart on the matter, Microsoft still finds themselves on the wrong end of publicity, turning what was supposed to be a simple next-gen console reveal into a dire opportunity to win back the fans in which they've soured.
Needless to say, there's a lot riding on Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Event, so what should they do?
1. Keep Kinect-ivity Tasteful
Not everyone feels like flailing in front of a camera, and not everyone feels like telling their Xbox Infinity what to do. But, with reports claiming that Microsoft will fully integrate the Kinect 2.0 with their next home console, we might not have a choice... and neither will developers.
Perhaps choice is what kept the original Kinect from truly taking off with the Xbox 360. Despite its respectable sales, the fact that Kinect was an optional accessory steered many big name developers away from spending too much time designing functionality around it. It simply wasn't worth the manpower if it was a feature that only a small percentage of gamers would utilize. Now that Kinect will be an integral part of the Xbox Infinity, that will have to change.
The concern I have is that Microsoft is so fixated on making the Kinect a big deal that they'll make its use mandatory from key developers -- not only by strong-arming studios to make it a pivotal feature in their software, but forcing developers to alter the premise of their creative vision to cater to it. That's especially dangerous when you consider the rumored resurgence of third-party exclusives. Spook enough developers into making Kinect functionality a must-have and they might take their talents elsewhere.
That being said, it's imperative that Kinect 2.0's influence be meaningful, yet tasteful. Microsoft can't get too carried away with it, because the more they try to shove it down our throats, the more likely we are to throw it up. Gross.
2. Keep the Core at Your Core
Never bite the hand that feeds you. Core gamers are the lifeblood of video games -- sticking around through thick and thin, never wavering on loyalty and support, unlike mainstream gamers that pick and choose when to jump in and when to get the hell out.
If Nintendo's recent struggles are indicative of anything, it's that video game fads are more like flashes in the pan than lightning in a bottle. So, it's better to design a console that doesn't target that audience than to do it and get burned later. Core gamers are the safer bet, and hopefully Microsoft has designed the Xbox Infinity with that in mind.
If they managed to keep their priorities in check, Xbox Infinity's debut should be very game-eccentric, with lots of stage demonstrations, exclusivity announcements and a comfortably core hardware design. The less we hear about social networking, Netflix and connectivity, the more time Microsoft will have to indulge their biggest supporters.
3. Shut Down the 'Always On' Concerns Once and For All
Oh, hey! There's an elephant in the room. It's called 'always on,' and it's bulldozing through every one of Microsoft's pretty little office cubicles with reckless abandonment. It might be a good idea to stop ignoring it.
Microsoft has had some trouble prying this thorn out of their side as of late, despite confirming that consumers can, in fact, play their games offline. But even with their apparent backpedaling on the matter, we still don't have a full explanation of how second-hand games will be affected. Will Xbox Infinity titles be tethered to our Xbox Live accounts, or will things stay the same as they've always been? A lot of consumer purchases depend on that answer.
No matter how good the exclusives are, no matter how great everything else about the Xbox Infinity sounds, Microsoft will put their success in jeopardy if even the slightest trace of their 'always on' premise rears its head. So, the hope is that Microsoft will put that concept to rest -- at least until they can come up with a less player punishing solution.
