Gates: If you want to play online, get an Xbox
In the first part of an informative interview conducted by Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, Bill Gates responds to the suggestion that Nintendo's Wii may come out on top thanks to its unique controller and cheaper price tag. "Look at the graphics," he says. "Look at Nintendo's execution in terms of online capability. We have this thing that nobody has ever seen before. When you say to your friend, hey let's play online, you say then you have to buy an Xbox. That's what 10 million people say."When peer pressure isn't selling Xbox Live, Gates points out that endeavours like cross-platform Vista gaming and IPTV are pushing the online service forward. However, he also believes that "Nintendo did some things right," going on to mention Microsoft's acquisition of Rare and the "huge success" that was Viva Piñata. Though many critics believe the game is a return to prominence for Rare, its lacklustre sales may lead others to agree with Gates for the wrong reason -- "Nintendo did some things right" by selling the developer when they did.
Be sure to check out the rest of the interview for some interesting tidbits on the Xbox 360's IPTV, the continued absence of a larger hard drive and how Sony "didn't know what they were doing" with the Cell processor.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David004 @ Jan 18th 2007 1:06PM
I like the Xbox 360, and I think Live is good and all. But is Gates a complete dumbass? His spin sounds almsot as bad as Sony's. Xbox Live is better than the system that has not launched yet for Nintendo. WTF?
AirIntake @ Jan 18th 2007 1:07PM
You can hate Bill all you want, but the fact is that he's most likely much, much smarter than you.
AirOutake @ Jan 18th 2007 1:15PM
Fuck Bill Gates. I don't care if he's "smarter" than Stephen F'in' Hawking. Fuck Bill Gates.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 18th 2007 1:15PM
Wow...if your a Wii fanboy...
You just got served by Bill Gates!
Go ahead, tell'em "graphics aren't as important as gameply!"
nicomcm @ Jan 18th 2007 1:18PM
10 millions sold or shipped ? xD
And 10 Millions online gamer on 360 ??
Sony arrogant ??
Is he affraid of free online on PS3 ? What's the big big difference between a COD3 online on PS3 and 360 ? Or difference Resistance and Gears of War ?
If you can star your game and then choose "multiplayer" for free that's the must important thing.. for the rest.. With time it will be the same on PS3... Software is not as important as the hardware in the short term... It can evolve for free... and fast.
Josh @ Jan 18th 2007 1:19PM
Have a 360. Will never play it online because MS is lame and wants you to pay a premium on top of a $400 console and $60 software to play online.
Have a PS3. I've already played Resistance online plenty.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 18th 2007 1:19PM
@1
STFU...don't even try to pull Sony's PS3 into this one.
He clearly is talking about Nintendo...
And he, the smartest, most richest nerd in america(according to XBOTS) just said "Look at the graphics"...in a nutshell, he's saying that the Wii's graphics suck.
You know he ain't saying that about the PS3.
upirons @ Jan 18th 2007 1:25PM
Bill Gates has never innovated anything in his lifetime. Sure he is filthy rich but this is a result of being a savvy business man and not actually coming up with any original ideas himself. To him, of course the Xbox 360 is going to be the best. Not only is it his baby but it is just like Windows in which it does not innovate but just maintains the status quo. A man like Gates can never understand why a company like Apple or Nintendo does what they do and will only continue to copy them in the future - and unfortunately make money doing it. Sure the Wii is lacking the graphics capability and such but look at the potential for games that it has. With that, take a look at the next iteration of Xbox in about 5 years and see just how much influence the Wii has on Microsoft and then you'll know who the true innovators are.
crono141 @ Jan 18th 2007 1:26PM
I think he underestimates the desire for people to play games together in the same room.
He is right, though. Nintendo's online solution currently sucks, and probably won't get very much better when they finally launch said online features. Friend Codes are dumb. Why can't we all enter a match anonymously and mutually make friends once we're there.
Why can't we have our Wii number tied to our mynintendo and have THAT name be our handle?
JRM @ Jan 18th 2007 1:26PM
LOL!! "look at the graphics".
Does gates sound like a typical fanboy or what?
Mugginns @ Jan 18th 2007 1:26PM
Live is so cheap that it could be free and I wouldn't even notice. It is very much worth it. When ps3 and nintendo get their online systems going you'll see it. There will be a marked difference.
PerfectBowler @ Jan 18th 2007 1:39PM
See I've never had a problem with XBOX as a Wii owner. I just think Sony sucks. Any product I've ever had that was made by sony broke. Thank you Bill Gates. Because you can disagree with me all you want but the richest man in america didn't get that way by shying away from cold hard facts. Hopefully that little pre-teen Shagi reads this article.
PerfectBowler @ Jan 18th 2007 1:40PM
You're right he's saying PS3 is no longer his competition. I choose gameplay. Made my choice a long time ago. I didn't know the average consumer down in Bama had enough for a PS3.
PS3 Ain't gunna win this battle I reckon.
Shoot me in the face if I ever say "ain't" in a sentence, let alone type it.
DS is to PSP as Wii is to PS3. Sorry captain downward spiral.
Intentless @ Jan 18th 2007 1:40PM
So far PS3 does not allow for conversations with friends while in game. You need to leave the game to check messages... One main friends list that from what I've heard is not accessable from in game and may vary from actual game. Right now Wii isn't looking to hot seeing they are still using the 16 digit code for just the Wii and possibly for each game as well... I don't know about you but I'm not memorizing 8 sixteen digit codes... its a little easier to swap gamertags... I dunno I really don't mind paying the fee yearly to be able to have a fully integrated system...
Maylon @ Jan 18th 2007 1:42PM
At least he admits that Nintendo did alot of things right. And Josh, you can have your free online play, because frankly, its worth every penny.
uglypimp @ Jan 18th 2007 1:43PM
He's making a point, and a valid one. The Wii's online service seriously took a back seat to the innovative controller, and that (along with graphical horsepower) is where the 360 bests the Wii. It's not a matter of opinion, it's simple fact.
Not saying he's not spinning things, but he points to some very valid comparisons between two game consoles: Microsoft's and Nintendo's.
Saneless @ Jan 18th 2007 1:43PM
What do you all expect him to say? "Don't bother with online, and graphics aren't all you need to make a game good."
Point is, his system is better with online and graphics than the wii. Funner? Debatable. But he's gotta sell his system too. And unlike sony, he doesn't have to lie to bash his competition. They do a good job of that on their own.
kabes @ Jan 18th 2007 1:44PM
Why all the Bill Gates hate? The guy is a humanitarian and dumps billions of dollars into world disease and hunger annually through his charity.
At the same time he can talk up a little smack against the competition.
You gotta respect that. No matter how much of a jackass you are.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 18th 2007 1:45PM
YOU GUYS KILL ME.
You take a news article where Bill Gates totally pisses on the Wii and turn it into a "I'm not buying a PS3".
AMAZING!! Did you not read the story?
resistance: fall of 360 @ Jan 18th 2007 1:48PM
Agree with him about the cell processor. What nobody seems to get, the PS3 is so expensive not becasue of BR (100 dollars more than DVD) but becasue of the cell - hideously exp, difficult to program!
"Xbox is a very protected environment. No one is going to go and get bits on an Xbox."
God, doesnt that remind you about Windows?
"Viva Pinata has been a huge success"
Imagine Sony saying that about Genji. Rare, greatest game software company ever, now a shadow of its former self.
The message seems to be..internet gaming, internet gaming and internet gaming, with a glut of shooters (think of ALL the best games in the first 18 months: GRAW, R6, GoW, Lost Planet), on a shoddily made, noisy, overheating box, with shoddy backward compatility thats 100 dollar cheaper (thats less than the cost of TWO games). Somehow, this seems Windows redux doesnt it?
Maylon @ Jan 18th 2007 1:50PM
And #4, can you explain why you hate Bill Gates so much? That was just a very over the top response to the article.
Ironhide Delta @ Jan 18th 2007 1:55PM
Huh, evidently Bill Gates and his team of nerds must have knocked down the door to thier mother's home and raped her. That's got to be the reason for all this anti-Bill Gates crap. Call me a Microsoft whore if you want, but generally if MS says it's a good idea, I do it.
Who am I going to believe? A great big corperation that knows software like noone else, or some closeted freak who's spouting off mass paranioa propaganda, that MS is the big brother and is watching little freak-a-lot download porn in his basement.
So far, Bill Gates has said some things that didn't quite pan out. OMFG! So did crazy boy Ken! And Howard Stringer, and half of the Sony corporate level! Most of them lied through thier teeth! And yet the pro PS lobbys claim that Bill Gates blew it! Of course conviently not taking Sony to task with the filth they spouted off all these past few years! Bill Gates said Halo 3 would launch on ps3's release date. He's the guy who fronts the money, but he also respects development time. I'd rather Bill Gates be wrong about a release date than be wrong about the capabilities of the 360. So far, the gerneal industry says the 360 is easier, better, and a prefered choice.
Hell the software company I work for, fully half the programmers and artists own a 360. One owns a ps3 and even he says it was a mistake.
Jeff @ Jan 18th 2007 1:55PM
"I think he underestimates the desire for people to play games together in the same room."
I agree. And it's why I've always thought online gaming is overrated. It has its place, and there will always be online games, but let's face it: it's more fun to play face to face with friends (or family) in your living room. That's true multi-player.
I've honestly had nothing but bad experiences playing online with strangers (I used to be an XBL subscriber, on the original system). I do have fun playing against people I know online, but they're not always available... so it's not like I can just jump in at any time and start up a game. If you want to do that, you've gotta play with strangers, and to a lot of people, that's just not appealing. (You can throw XBL subscribers out there, and sure, 4 million or whatever is an impressive number, but not compared to the 100 million or so potential customers MS *hasn't* signed up in this country alone. MS does not have a majority of consumers; they have a tiny minority.)
MS is also still billions of dollars in the hole on XBL, and that's why they're trying to institute microtransactions and other crazy stuff in an attempt to at least break even. That's the lesson their competitors are taking away from this. The numbers just aren't there.
Nintendo's strategy of promoting in-person multi-player costs them nothing. And it's probably the way most people would like to play. So it's a win-win for Nintendo and for consumers, however Bill Gates wants to spin it.
Of course, Sony is sort of hedging, trying to ride the middle ground by promoting online but not really doing much to support it. Which is probably either really, really smart or really, really dumb, but it seemed to work pretty well for them with the PS2 (or at least, it didn't *hurt* the system at all, and it cost them a lot less than XBL has for Microsoft).
Karttikeya @ Jan 18th 2007 1:56PM
Paying for Xbox Live isn't a big deal especially when you are willing to pay $200 bucks more for a broken version that's no better than Xbox Live four years ago.
First of all, XBL for one year is $50, not $60, less than a buck a week. Second, you get three 1-month trials of XBL Gold with the purchase of a Premium system. Third, XBL Silver gives you access to all XBL features but online multiplayer. Fourth, you can use the XBL Diamond Card when you are on the Gold subscription, which makes up for way more than the $50 a year. Last you get 48 Hour Trials or 1-month cars with certain Xbox 360 games and accessories.
And whether or not Nintendo's online system has launched, it will always be inferior. Admit it, the WiiConnect24, Friend Codes, Message Board, Internet/Forecast/News/Wii Shop Channels, and Nintendo Wifi features aren't too impressive.
Some of you need to lighten up, and stop calling people unnecessary names over cross corporate insults. You all should read the interview, before bashing him over that quote.
dvdguy @ Jan 18th 2007 1:57PM
There's plenty of room in the market for two distinct gaming systems. The 360 for graphics and online play, the Wii for unique experiences.
Can't wii all just get along, Bill?
Wii60.
Intentless @ Jan 18th 2007 2:00PM
can someone explain the reasoning behind the PS3 not supporting 1080i or 720p... Basically the way I understand it is if you havn't bought a brand new HD in the past couple months chances are you can't actually get higher then 480i with a PS3?
majortom @ Jan 18th 2007 2:02PM
Didnt he just contradict himself. Doesnt online help in the gameplay department?
So graphics would be better then gameplay wich would include online?
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 18th 2007 2:03PM
10 MILLION...HAHAHAHA
Go read up the Wikipedia on the XBOX360...
Units sold
United States: 4.5 million, as of December 31, 2006.
Europe: 1.3 million as of June 30, 2006.
Japan: 269,525 as of January 7, 2007.
That's just over 6 MILLION sold through...Not 10 MILLION.
Antonio @ Jan 18th 2007 2:06PM
"He is right, though. Nintendo's online solution currently sucks, and probably won't get very much better when they finally launch said online features. Friend Codes are dumb. Why can't we all enter a match anonymously and mutually make friends once we're there.
Why can't we have our Wii number tied to our mynintendo and have THAT name be our handle?"
Exactly. This friend codes BS is beyond stupid. I thought Nintendo might not have a good online system, I never thought they'd deliberately shoot themselves in the foot.
Maylon @ Jan 18th 2007 2:08PM
Nintendo fanboys are getting as bad as Sony's these days. Graphics
Mark C. @ Jan 18th 2007 2:11PM
I can see that many of you have no idea what you are talking about. To many flamers here. I would recommend that people get some facts and post those instead of their inaccurate flaming posts.
Bill Gates is going to spin everything in the Microsoft direction just like Nintendo spins their way and Sony spins their way. They all want you to buy their product so they will put down the others.
Each of the consoles has their strengths, and each has weaknesses.
The Xbox 360 is smaller than the PS3, costs less, has a much larger library of games, and is cheaper for developers to develop on, and has Xbox Live which is absolutly wonderful. Its well worth the tiny price of $4 a month.
The PS3 has a HUGE following from their PS2 fans, is a great next gen DVD player, and will eventually have a large library of games.
The Wii is something different in regards to interaction with the games with people are really enjoying and the cost of the console is cheaper. The Virtual console will also likely be a huge hit with gamers.
All three consoles are good, it just depends on what you want out of the system you decide to buy.
Nobody is stupid for buying an Xbox, PS3, or Wii. Its just their choice and its what they like. I am glad we have the options that we do. It would suck to be stuck with just one console.
Platinum @ Jan 18th 2007 2:12PM
Well Nintendo's online would be on the same level if they didn't have those long #'s to add friends and they don't have their killer app yet but when Super Smash Brothers comes out with online that'll be solve.
PS3's online is a joke. Nothing else to say about that...
So MS wins by default. Has the easiest online interface and they are the only console producer that thought of the online from the beginning of making the console. Wii nor PS3 has it to where their interface runs seamlessly in the background balancing your friends lists, invites, achievements and music...
Antonio @ Jan 18th 2007 2:13PM
FranktheCrank, everyone and their mother knows Wikipedia is not a credible resource. Did you even check the statistics? Their number for Europe is SIX MONTHS OLD. Get a clue.
Ironhide Delta @ Jan 18th 2007 2:13PM
And of course we all now how accurate Wikipedia is, what with fanboys of every type attempting to hijack the information.
JJ @ Jan 18th 2007 2:15PM
Funny he disses the cell processor... doesn't he realize that was also IBM's baby... who oddly enough made the chipsets for both the 360 AND Wii?
So fanboys be danged, IBM is where its at, they're making money off of all of the consoles!
Karttikeya @ Jan 18th 2007 2:15PM
FranktheCrank,
The European statistic hasn't been updated for over six months, and the Xbox 360 is in over 36 territories, not just the US, UK, Japan, and Eurozone. And you are using Wikipedia a citation.
You fail.
dl @ Jan 18th 2007 2:16PM
Currently owner of all 3 consoles.
Intentless @ Jan 18th 2007 2:18PM
sorry got the i and p confused....
Marlos Hill @ Jan 18th 2007 2:18PM
Im a super PSwii60 owner.
I've had each since their launches. And ive NEVER played online on my 360-- even tho i have a subscription to LIVE. (MY GAMERTAG is isthatblazerock).
I play my PS3 online every night since i bought it. (my PSN ID is isthatblazerock).
I think every system's method has strengths and weaknesses. MS seems to be awfully vocal all of a sudden.
JJ @ Jan 18th 2007 2:20PM
Platinum how can you sit there and say PS3's online platform is ajoke and Nintendo's will be on the level once Smash bros. comes out?
AS of right now neither has a service thats even remotely compared to Lives, although i'm sure with a year of work they can get them up to snuff (Cuz lets face it.. MS had 6 years to get their live services to where they are).
But neither Wii or PS3 have bad online capablities, as of right now Wii has just about Zero online playability where as the PS3 does (heck iplay resistance online all the time, granted there needs to be more games that i'm interested in but its not horrible as some would suggest, its just... there).
So i dont know how you can say one is horrible and one isn't when PS3 allows you to play games... RIGHT NOW. The only difference is it doesn't have a menu you can access while doing other things like the 360 does. But i dont see why that cant be fixed on either system with a firmware update.
But even so i find no problems switching between the PS3 and 360 and at this point dont have a problem with eithers set up but i do hope Sony adds a more unified friends list so i cant chat with guys i meet outside of games without having to send them ingame mails to find out their PSN name.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 18th 2007 2:23PM
Sure, NPD numbers, which are the ones used in the Wiki article are unreliable..sure.
Microsoft knows that the 360 is not selling to the mass market. They've already got a sector of hardcore gamers. But now they want to tap into the Wii market, mass market gamers. They know what they need to do...DROP THE PRICE BELOW $250.
Problem is MICROSOFT hasn't made a red cent yet in this whole XBOX fiasco. Between both consoles, they still haven't made their money back.
AzaMcWazza @ Jan 18th 2007 2:38PM
His statement about Rare was a little weird, they've done much better stuff than Viva Pinata and that was when they were with Nintendo.
But his stuff about online is oh so true. MS is awesome in that arena and Nintendo are visionless and arrogant neophytes. I think it will take years for Nintendo to offer something that's really good and I doubt it will ever come close to 360's offering. They need to get their head out of the sand and realise that people want online and we want it big time. Offer us cool online gaming services and products and it will generate a lot of money for em I'm sure.
BTW: I own a Wii and love it, no 360, no PS3.
LongshotX @ Jan 18th 2007 2:44PM
I. Xbox 360 is like the Dreamcast 2 I always wanted but never came out. Great graphics, sound, connectivity, cool accessories, similar controller in some regards, and just plain fun. So for all those Dreamcast lovers pick up a Xbox 360, it's as close as you'll get to a Dreamcast 2. Now only if Namco would hurry up with Soul Calibur 4.
When I played Gears of War I was sold on the Xbox 360. It was a must have game. So when I got my travel reimbursement I went 360 crazy. I got a 19 widescreen 1440*900 resolution 5ms Hanns G monitor (Newegg.com for $212) and a Premium Xbox 360, along with a 12 month subscription to Live w/ Live Vision Camera and Uno ($50 off Ebay) and Gears of War ($50 off Ebay),and a HD VGA cable to seal the deal. Then during Christmas I got Halo 2, Burnout Revenge, DoA4 (god it sucks), Tomb Raider Legend, and Fight Night Round 3 (mostly Christmas gifts). Let me make one thing clear to all 360 owners. HD is not expensive, you can play on any CRT that displays 1280*720 or above. Do yourself a favor and play the games the way are meant to be played. Don't let Nintendo fool you with all that talk that HD graphics and gameplay can't coexist, (or that the world isn't ready for HD). They do coexist and they should always exist together.
shase @ Jan 18th 2007 2:46PM
heh
dice13 @ Jan 18th 2007 3:04PM
$50 to play online on Live.... people say it like it's a monthly fee. It's $50 a YEAR. That about $4 and some change per month! I don't even understand why people harp on this shit so much. $4 a month to play online any game I want and for as long as I want? Seems like a bargain to me.
resistance: fall of 360 @ Jan 18th 2007 3:07PM
The wii60 was probably a masterly piece of disinformation by MS to make people believe the PS3 is more expensive than it is. Think of it 20GB PS3 = 499. 20GB 360 + Live = 459. Wii = 249. Wii + 360 = PS3+ 210.
Darkness @ Jan 18th 2007 3:30PM
Nintendo is really going to have to make sure they h ave a good system for online play and interaction. My personal guess is that they are trying to make sure they have something functional and easy to use. The online store is a step in the right direction.
As of now, none of us really know how their online setup is going to be. It hasn't really been implemented yet. We have one game currently that even thinks of using it (Elebits). Nintendo has stated many times that they're expecting to have online available in the second quarter of the year. My guess we won't see online games until May or June of this year. I can wait that long. Especially since I waited for Sega with the Dreamcast. Waited for Microsoft with the original Xbox Live. In the end both experiences turned out to be pretty good.
What I would recommend is that we try to give Nintendo good feedback on what we want instead of constantly complaining about things we don't really know anything about.
Maylon @ Jan 18th 2007 3:38PM
crap, it only posted half my paragraph.
Maylon @ Jan 18th 2007 3:38PM
29. 10 MILLION...HAHAHAHA
Go read up the Wikipedia on the XBOX360...
Units sold
United States: 4.5 million, as of December 31, 2006.
Europe: 1.3 million as of June 30, 2006.
Japan: 269,525 as of January 7, 2007.
That's just over 6 MILLION sold through...Not 10 MILLION.
Um, a-hole, its over 10 million sold, not shipped. Try reading.
hooha @ Jan 18th 2007 4:18PM
bill in your living room. not cool. not cool!