Moore talks HD, starvation with Cnet
by Kyle Orland 
{ Sep 20th 2006 at 12:15PM }
The always-entertaining Peter Moore said in an interview with CNet that his ideal Xbox consumer "would rather starve to death than not have a high-definition TV." The comment comes in advance of the Xbox's pending launch in India, where Moore says a growing middle class will pick up the premium product. Nearly half of all children in India are underweight, according to The World Bank.
Moore also seems less enthusiastic about the much-hyped Wii60 bundle nowadays, saying that he fears Nintendo's system will only be "fun for a few minutes." He also takes the opportunity to dig at Sony's upcoming Playstation 3, saying the system's high initial cost will make it hard to eventually come down to the mass market price of $199.
Also see: Some Xbox 360 owners who picked food over an HDTV
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kestrel @ Sep 20th 2006 12:21PM
Wow, he's wrong on both counts.
Avinash Tyagi @ Sep 20th 2006 12:31PM
I hope they don't try and compare the Xbox to a Burger in India
Pedro Van Faulk @ Sep 20th 2006 12:25PM
Sounds like someone is bitter. What, did he expect Nintendo to endorse another product? That's just bad business.
Wii60 is purely a consumer option, not a corporate one.
Morder @ Sep 20th 2006 4:44PM
Kestrel: Couldn't agree with you more.
If HD is so important why all the fuss over retro games and emulation? graphics can't be everything, gameplay makes up at least 50% of my choice for games while graphics make up probably 10% the other 40% is probably just story.
Note I did say MY choice implying an opinion. This is not to say that everybody shares my opinion.
Dave @ Sep 20th 2006 12:29PM
I'm a pro-360 and anti-PS3 for some time now--mostly due to the $599 pricetag. Still, after the MS announcement today regarding the $170-$180 price of the add-on HD-DVD, the prices are nearly identical IF you were planning to get an HD-player anyway.
XBox360 w/ HD-DVD: $570-$580
PS3 w/ Blu-Ray and HDMI: $599
Personally, I would rather have an HD-DVD--mostly because I think they're going to win the format war. But, if you don't care which next-def player you have, or if you prefer Blu-Ray, and you're partial to Sony's consoles, price probably isn't a major factor when choosing between one console or the other.
JimmyHACK @ Sep 20th 2006 12:30PM
ahh nothing like PR people in the morning... good stuff
don't make too many digs at the others now.... we don't want to slip up and dig at sony about there high def "unproven technology" dvd drives or there not needed high def of 1080p, since we are doing it now....
remember this guy is just a shoe salesman that got a better job running his PR mouth for microsoft because J allard was too busy makeing for new product lines for MS like zune and other stuff
vc @ Sep 20th 2006 12:30PM
That burger looks friggin delish. Thanks for making me hungry, Kyle!
Scott @ Sep 20th 2006 12:32PM
I think Moore is less enthusiastic about the Wii because of the Wii's price point. Most were hoping for a a $199.99 price but we got a $249.99 price point instead. That makes the Wii60 more expensive than the PS3.
Derbeste @ Sep 20th 2006 12:35PM
This is where I really start to rant.....
You know....I was actually coming around on the Wii60 combo for a bit there. It was nice to see companies put aside their squabbles and cat fights over our FOOD money to actually consider what might be fun for consumers.
I should have known it wouldn't last long.
I try to be patient with PR idiots. I know it is their job to try to get people interested in their product. I know they have a job to do.
But what I have NO patients, sympathy, or love for are pretentious sociolites that define worth as "money".
He basically just said that and HD TV is more valuable to you than you FUCKING LIFE! I guess that would make sense though. You're life doesn't make him richer. You lunch money does.
If you ever needed proof that HD mongerers ($ony and M$) are out of touch with real people (people that STRUGGLE to provide food for their families)...you just got it.
This guy is officially the Paris Hilton of the gaming world.
Fuzz @ Sep 20th 2006 12:40PM
Dave:
actually, if you want a better comparison, you should be using the $499 PS3, not the $599 one, becuase the cheaper PS3 has the same 20 gig HDD as the Xbox360, no HDMI, and no wireless.
So a better comparison would be $499 PS3, $599 Xbox360(the HD will be closer to $200 US, I'm betting) for the same features.
R0DJOh @ Sep 20th 2006 12:46PM
He's prolly just mad at Reggie.
And yeah, Id rather eat.
KR @ Sep 20th 2006 12:39PM
Hey, Moore TRIED to give a nudge to Nintendo...then they had to go and poop on him by overpricing the Wii. I'd be "less enthusiastic" too!
What did you people think was going to happen? You thought he would continue to trumpet the Wii60 thing as what you should buy this holiday? Who is retarded enough to actually expect that?
MS doesn't need Nintendo's "help," they'll do just fine by themselves. The "fun for a few minutes" comment is kind of strange though. Like any console, it'll have stinkers and winners. However, the inherent gimmick-ness of the controller doesn't make his statement as ridiculous as it seems on the surface.
Woody @ Sep 20th 2006 12:39PM
"This guy is officially the Paris Hilton of the gaming world."
Derbeste@#8
Kite @ Sep 20th 2006 6:08PM
Oh wow I can't believe you guys are trying to stir up trouble over the burger comment and trying to link it to starving children in india. Slow news day already?
Woody @ Sep 20th 2006 12:40PM
AHH my post died
what I meant to say was:
Derbeste@#8 MY NEW HERO
Newbie Sensation @ Sep 20th 2006 12:41PM
Once shaking the Wiimote becomes a bore and the 360 catches fire, the "Wii60" folk will realize they should've gotten jobs rather than photoshopping pictures of crabs and relying on Christmas and lunch money. As for the interview, I laffed.
KR @ Sep 20th 2006 12:42PM
"I was actually coming around on the Wii60 combo for a bit there. It was nice to see companies put aside their squabbles and cat fights over our FOOD money to actually consider what might be fun for consumers.
I should have known it wouldn't last long."
There was NOTHING THERE TO BEGIN WITH! You're insane! It was something MADE UP by the gaming community that Moore referenced when he was ASKED about it! Christ, do you really think there was some PLAN by MS and Nintendo to team up? That kind of thought process is supposed to end once you're out of elementary school. Reminds me of the "Nintendo and Sega are going to make a Sonic and Mario game!" rumors from when I was in 5th grade.
maximus @ Sep 20th 2006 12:42PM
'Personally, I would rather have an HD-DVD--mostly because I think they're going to win the format war.'
Content will decide who wins the format war.
According to Toshiba they've shipped around 50,000 HD DVD players. Add to that a percentage of 360 owners who will bother buying the add-on.
On the other side Blu Ray come the end of November will have 500,000 players in homes by virtue of the PS3 with probably another 1,000,000 by the end of the year. Then another 500,000 or so in March when it launches in Europe.
As a studio exec it's a bit of a no brainer deciding where to put your movies.
Pro Burger @ Sep 20th 2006 12:44PM
Isn't that the new BK stacker? That thing looks freakin' sweet!
Comtar @ Sep 20th 2006 4:03PM
Why the hell is everyone surprised at the Wii price, at E3 they said it would be "Less then $250!"
That means in business talk it will be $249.99.
I've been saying for MONTHS that it's $249.99 so guess who wasn't surprised by the price at all! ME!
Why do you think the prices of everything end in "9.99" or ".99", so people can avoid rounding up! That why you hear people on the news say "Gas us under $3!" Yeah it's 2.97 or 2.99... so what! Why is the price of the Wii shocking? Where did you get this info it would be cheaper??? Some ANONYMOUS POST AT EA?
Lachoy @ Sep 20th 2006 12:47PM
Real cute. At least Krazy Ken only wanted us to get a second job, Maniacal Moore wants us to slowly and painfully starve ourselves to death for HD gaming.
How insensitive is he? Half the children in India are under-weight and he is saying that a TV is better than eating? What an A-hole!
rockintom99 @ Sep 20th 2006 1:16PM
Wii fun for a few minutes?
Freaking Zelda at launch. Every single Zelda game I've gotten, I would play that game *exclusively* until i beat it. And this is rumored to be the longest one, yet.
delldude420 @ Sep 20th 2006 12:50PM
guess moore thinks of nintendo as a threat now to the xbox 360
Derbeste @ Sep 20th 2006 12:55PM
"There was NOTHING THERE TO BEGIN WITH! You're insane! It was something MADE UP by the gaming community that Moore referenced when he was ASKED about it!"
Since there is no word in the english dictionary that adequately describes my response to this, I have chosen a slang "word" that bests reflects my feelings..........................................DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Seriously...where in my admitted RANT did I give you a single clue I believe ANYTHING these guys spew forth from there brown and dripping asshole filled mouths?
OF COURSE it was fake. But I prefer a classy "I-can-get-along" fake as opposed to "your-life-is-worthless-without-HD" fake.
One has at least an ATTEMPT at tact. The other is outright insulting and deserves to be insulted in kind.
So here's one:
I think I just got pink eye from reading his words.
Blu Ray owns your Soul @ Sep 20th 2006 12:57PM
Peter Moore: YAY WII60!
Reggie: Dont buy Xbox guys
Peter Moore: phh nintendo who?
Peter Moore: You dont need 1080p for this gen
Sony: Check out our 1080p games and movies
Peter Moore: Announcing 1080p games and movies on Xbox!
Peter Moore: BACKWARDS COMPATABILITY? You dont need that!
Gamers: Yes we do
Peter Moore: Of course you do! We know!
Kip Beatty @ Sep 20th 2006 12:57PM
My goodness, some people have no sense of humor. It was a tongue-in-cheek comment. Peter Moore understands that it is very unlikely anyone would prefer starvation to standard def television. I guess he didn't take into account Joystiq readers and their inability to discern hyperbole.
schtum @ Sep 20th 2006 12:58PM
NINTENDO AND SEGA ARE GOING TO MAKE A SONIC AND MARIO GAME??????!!!!!!!! W000000T!!!!11
Jed Merrill @ Sep 20th 2006 2:04PM
He's insulating his fan base, but it won't work. I do see a few people eventually echoing his cympathies, but only because they are fanboys. The WIi is a natural evolution of the controller we have today It is basically a split controller that has three dimensional analog sticks instead of the mere 360 degree ones on current controllers.
Anyway, while I like the 360 controller and consider it better than even Nintendo's Wavebird, the Wii will kick MS butt.
I'd like to see Peter say the Wii won't be fun after he's tried it for a few hours.
newtypecj @ Sep 20th 2006 1:01PM
I think the "fun for a few minutes" comment is very telling. Clearly Moore did not think Nintendo was going to be a very strong competitor before and now that they've gained quite a bit of spotlight and mindshare he's had to go back on his Nintendo-positive Wii60 comments. Wasn't there a Major Nelson podcast where one of the Microsoft guys explained that 1080p really wasn't that big a deal?
Dave @ Sep 20th 2006 1:12PM
I don't know about that, maximus. The thing is, currently, there are more HD-DVD movies out than Blu-Ray. And, many of the Blu-Ray movies currently out are encoded in MPEG2--and quality suffers. Worse, I belive they are all currently single-layer--which puts them at a 5GB disadvantage to HD-DVD--at least for the moment. Also, the cost of both the player AND the media is more expensive for Blu-Ray. Once they get the dual-layer thing figured out, I'm betting the movies will be even more expensive. Further, HD-DVD provides an upgrade path by including DVD versions on one side of their discs for some releases. Then, there's name recognition--HD-DVD sounds a lot like DVD--but high-def. What's Blu-Ray? Will the average consumer get it? The PS3 was supposed to be the item to get more consumers to support the Blu-Ray format--but after reports of shortages and delays, things aren't looking so good. Meanwhile, existing XBox360 users have a low-cost upgrade path.
Anyway, those are some of the reasons I think HD-DVD will win the format war. I'm not so sure it's a "no-brainer" for studio execs with regard to which format to support. If anything, I'd imagine they'd be leaning toward HD-DVD. But, again, that's just my opinion.
Derbeste @ Sep 20th 2006 1:14PM
"I guess he didn't take into account Joystiq readers and their inability to discern hyperbole."
He didn't take a lot into account. Ironic considering PR presidents are PAID to consider how their words may be interpreted.
Furthermore, the "tongue-in-cheek" response is an attempt to absolve responsibility for ones words.
A: Dude...your ugly, stupid, and worthless! I'm just kidding!
B: Well then you don't know how to kid properly. Because we should BOTH be laughing.
- Ellen Degeneres
I doubt many college kids, WOMEN (his ideal customer is male), parents, or Indians are laughing right now.
copa @ Sep 20th 2006 1:09PM
Unfortunately, Peter Moore was previewing Microsoft's new promotional campaign. The billboards display a white chick strangling a starving Indian child. "XBox 360 HD White is Coming"
I just don't think it's going to play well in Bangalore.
Derbeste @ Sep 20th 2006 1:23PM
"Moore also seems less enthusiastic about the much-hyped Wii60 bundle nowadays, saying that he fears Nintendo's system will only be 'fun for a few minutes.'"
btw....isn't that the EXACT same thing he said about the DS?
Or was that that Sony PR idiot?
copa @ Sep 20th 2006 1:13PM
@21 Blu Ray owns your Soul:
Now that was funny. It's nice to finally see a pro-Sony guy that actually has a good sense of humor.
Rakthar @ Sep 20th 2006 1:14PM
Derebeste your comments seem quite silly because Peter didn't say that you SHOULD care about HD more than eating, but that the 360s ideal audience would be those that do. Early adopters, tech fans, people who play online currently or did so last generation - that sort of crowd.
It isn't that hard to understand, it's a shame that you don't seem to be able to.
It seems like the best way not to get hated on in Joystiq is to never say anything. If Nintendo makes a press release, people jump all over them. MS does one? YOU SUCK PETER MOORE. PS3? CRAZY KEN AT IT AGAIN. It's just fascinating that all people can see is their rabid hate for "the other guy" and since odds are 2/3 of readers hate any console that's in the news, we are treated to wonderful comments here over and over again.
x876543 @ Sep 21st 2006 11:39AM
Aren't cows sacred in India? I'm sure they would choose HD TVs over slaughtered cattle meat.
Scooby Doo @ Sep 20th 2006 1:23PM
Yeah, I'm surprised by what was said in this interview. Perhaps since it was a CNET interview he figured his target audience was 23-24 year old males out of college, but that seems highly unlikely.
I guess since I'm a 32 year old professional who wants to buy a house instead of a new HD set means that the Xbox 360 isn't for me. And I agree with Kyle that the last thing you want to say before an impeding launch in India should be that you care about new technology over food. They are creating something of a middle class but considering the plight of the millions of citizens below that level, it is in very, VERY poor taste.
Comtar @ Sep 20th 2006 4:05PM
*smacks head* I just realised why Peter Moore would say the Wii sucks... it's cause he's in Tokyo! You know Japan? The country where the Gamecube is currently still outselling the Xbox 360?
zero2dash @ Sep 20th 2006 1:36PM
16. Pro Burger
Isn't that the new BK stacker? That thing looks freakin' sweet!
==========
Nope
Jack in the Box
Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger
10x better than a BK Stacker.
Stacker isn't a bad burger by any means, but a double stacker is more like a Quarter Pounder with Cheese at McDonalds in terms of meat patty size. Stackers use what looks like regular burger meat patties, so even a Triple Stacker is small compared to the Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger pictured above.
As Jules said in Pulp Fiction
"Man...that is a tasty burger."
Woody @ Sep 20th 2006 1:45PM
I recommend someone give Derbeste a gold star. He deserves it.
hydrogen_wv @ Sep 20th 2006 8:56PM
I don't think the issue here is how he said it and what he meant. The issue is that he made a comment mentioning starvation. Any kind of humorous remark about starvation in a country where starvation is very common is insensitive. It's like making cancer jokes in front of cancer victims... It's not the right thing to do.
As far as format wars go, I urge MS to release a Blu-ray addon for the 360 as well. If they would release the 2 addons, or, better yet, a combo unit addon right around the release of the PS3, Sony would take a major hit.
Chris @ Sep 20th 2006 2:54PM
Well since the 360 came out first I got it then, and now I have enough money to get the Wii. So I'm still Wii60.
PS3 doesn't interest me in the slightest.
Buckshot @ Sep 20th 2006 2:09PM
I alraedy have 2 hd tv's (one is 1080p)and a 360. Can I eat now?
32_Footsteps @ Sep 20th 2006 2:14PM
I have to admit, Derbeste's first post made me snicker.
But to be fair, Moore said that his ideal consumer would prefer high def over food, not that Microsoft wants all their consumers to do that. So it's not as bad as it initially appears, though it's still bad.
Though I reflect a bit further on that...
Someone who would forsake basic survival needs (like eating) for entertainment is fairly stupid, I'd say (or to be more humorous, a Darwin Award nominee). I think that's a fairly rational view of the situation. In fact, I'd put forth that someone who chose to starve to death rather than go without a high definition television is a complete moron.
And here we have Peter Moore saying that complete morons are the ideal Xbox consumer. I'd ask what the hell he was thinking, but I imagine he's thinking of a famous quote from H.L. Mencken: "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
Derbeste @ Sep 20th 2006 2:24PM
"And here we have Peter Moore saying that complete morons are the ideal Xbox consumer. I'd ask what the hell he was thinking, but I imagine he's thinking of a famous quote from H.L. Mencken: 'No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.'"
/slow clap
You, sir, are a bad ass.
I still don't see why you have 13 stars......when comments like that are the norm for you, I'd have thought you'd have at least 18 by now.
P.S. I just feel the need to say for my own ego that I would have 5 right now if I would curb my tone more. LOLOL
Zo K. @ Sep 20th 2006 2:36PM
There are probably a couple of other reasons that you have no stars that are beyond your control, Derbeste.
Derbeste @ Sep 20th 2006 2:52PM
Zoe K.
No...I probably could have controlled them.
I don't want to hijack the thread over a star issues sense they really aren't a big deal anyway. They usually just mean a mod disagrees with you. /shrug
What I mean to say is that I've been starred and neg starred 5 times....usually cuz of my harsh tones.
But I figure...if it's a blog, you should state your opinion....so I do. :)
On topic opinion: Peter Moore is a sexist egotistical socialite.
Woody @ Sep 20th 2006 2:58PM
"A socialite is a person (male or female, but more often used for a woman) of social prominence who is considered to be an influential social figure. "
I'm not sure I'd consider him *influential*. He's a Steve J wannabe
epobirs @ Sep 20th 2006 3:05PM
Derberste, did you read the actual interview or are you just intentionally obtuse?
India's problems are India's responsibility. By the same rationale you could observe that there are some desperately poor people to be found in the US, so Microsoft shouldn't market the Xbox 360 here. Nor should anyone else sell luxury items like game consoles because of the shocking realization that some people are better off than others.
Putting things in context, Moore's comment about the perfect consumer was not in reference to India nor even to people struggling to feed families. The conversation had plainly moved on from the questions regarding the India launch. He was plainly referencing young post-college bachelors who are responsible solely for their own well being. If such a person skips a few steaks and dines on Top Ramen to save up for his desired HDTV, nobody is being hurt.
That such a person is held in high esteem by a marketer of luxury goods is hardly surprising nor evil. The intersection of age and income that is most likely to be strongly attracted to the product means a certain amount of commitment is needed by that consumer. It would be no different if Moore were in the business of selling cars to that demographic. By and large that person isn't wealthy and an easy sell. The product has to be desirable enough to qualify some sacrifice in other parts of the person's life or the market will be very small.
For that matter, if the average 20-something was wealthy, there would be no need to sell the hardware at a loss.
Scoob, don't you think you're being a bit childish, taking insult at Moore's comment? If you're saving for a house purchase, the Xbox 360 may in fact not be for you. Nor a PS3 or a Wii. Or a house beyond your economic means. All of those things are luxuries. You may be planning to eventually have three children but until that becomes a reality the house chosen will more likely be matched to your immediate needs and less costly. You may desire a large room just for gaming but know you'll make do with what you can afford. this is why you target a demographic that is at the stage of making good money but with few long-term commitments severely limiting disposable income to spend on indulgences like frequent game purchases. Just normal marketing. They asked an honest question and got back an honest answer. That doesn't mean the specified person is the sole target, just the ideal.
As for India, this is a weird sentiment. Reiterating, there are many millions in the US well below middle-class incomes. They may be relatively well off compared to an Indian in a remote village of dirt-floor huts but owning a new game system and the display that best supports it is at best a dream for them. Does that mean everybody in the US middle-class should be denied the choice to buy a game console or HDTV?
I'm betting that you aren't inclined to deny yourself that privilege. Why then should a 32 year old professional in India be denied that same privilege? India is a nation of extreme contrasts. There are cities where any US urbanite could feel at home and there are also huge areas with virtually no modern amenities and people living little different from their ancestors centuries ago except for the occasional outside intervention. But it's a hell of a lot better than it was in earlier decades. Things like cheap satellite communications are bringing more and more of those places into contact with modern medicine and other improvements.
(One hardly needs to go globetrotting to see this sort of thing. Only a few hundred miles south of here there are Mexican villages almost as desparately poor. Some are almost completely depopulated of people between 16 and 45 because they're all over here working.)
There remains much to do before the average Indian has anything remotely like our standard of living. Does that mean the areas of the country that have long been highly developed and economically productive should be punished by denying them access to purchasing game consoles? Those folks are at the entry point where they start making a serious contribution to the tax base that is in turn applied to economic development and having fewer poor and starving citizens. Telling them they they cannot also have some luxuries is hardly the formula for encouraging more to aspire to that level of success.
32_Footsteps @ Sep 20th 2006 3:10PM
Thanks, Derbeste. And here, I almost didn't use that last line (I nearly said "Maybe Moore thinks the complete moron market is not reached enough").
As for stars... I don't worry about them. I try to treat others with the respect I'd like to have, and make my mark at taking shots at products. It seems to entertain people, and it gets my writing remembered, which is all I really shoot for. It's admittedly neat that Joystiq's bloggers like what I do enough to give those stars, but they could slap me with a -13 stars for writing this post and I'd keep on the same track.
But again going back to the main topic, I think the rising interest in the Wii is starting to scare Microsoft. While I'm sure they would prefer the Wii60 bundle to be in homes over the PS3, I think Microsoft is starting to get concerned people would just go with the Wii over the Wii60. If the sentiment of the Wii60 bundle was stronger, then I think Moore would be less dismissive of Nintendo.
Or it could be just market forces; it's much easier to speak kindly of another company when they're only a theoretical rival as opposed to launching in two months.