Microsoft exec discusses merits of releasing games outside Q4

Microsoft's Euro marketing exec for Xbox, David Gosen, is joining the chorus of suits starting to question the industry's overly Q4-focused release schedule. Speaking with MCV, Gosen points out that about 200 titles were released within three to four weeks last holiday -- with the third week of November (Thanksgiving in the States) being "crazy."

Gosen points to the success of Resident Evil 5 in March as a way of "de-seasonalizing" the industry. He admits that Christmas is "still the key selling period," but if more publishers get on board with this new thinking, it'll create "second or third release windows." GTA IV did gang-busters (gang-organizers?) last May -- Street Fighter IV also had surprising February sales this year.

Obviously, we -- by that, we mean our wallets -- are huge fans of this full-calendar approach. Top-tier sequels will likely do well whenever they release, but new IPs with potential need a little space to breathe.