Casual Gaming:
Microsoft seemed to be pushing casual games really hard at last year’s expo. With huge sales of Nintendo products and their ‘evergreen,’ family friendly titles, it is no wonder that Microsoft thought introducing less hardcore experiences would be a good move. With the explosion of titles of Xbox Live Arcade announced, the introduction of Xbox Live Community games, and the revealing of casual, retail titles like Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts and Scene It: Box Office Smash, Microsoft made it clear that they wanted some of Nintendo’s success. All of these things came to light this year, but seemed to lack significant impact for the most part. Accuracy: 95% (-5% because most of these titles sold poorly)
What’s coming this year?: Perhaps a smaller push, but a push nonetheless for casual titles. It should be clear to Microsoft that their main market consists of primarily veteran gamers. Pushing too hard for casual titles may alienate some of their user base, but at the same time, a focus on the hardcore could completely shut out potential casual gamers. The success of Xbox Live Summer of Arcade will probably be harped on, with (hopefully) the announcement of a similar event, while the bargain bin statuses of Viva Piñata and You’re In the Movies will be avoided like the plague.
Average Score: 92% A-
Good job, Microsoft. You delivered on most everything you promised last E3. Now I just can’t wait to see what super secret reveals you have in store for us this year. My guess? The rumored motion controller, Zune HD, and countless high-profile titles (for the hardcore crowd) will be making an appearance. Make sure to bookmark PlanetXbox360.com next week as our whole team will be on the show floor bringing all the breaking news and hands-on impressions to you as it happens.
