In a recent interview with Edge-Online, Chris Lewis, Microsoft's Vice President of Interactive Entertainment EMEA, talks about Microsoft’s recent focus on Europe and the impact that some games may have. Specifically, when asked what game could be a success in a challenging region, Lewis mentions the extremely violent Gears of War 2. His fear is that even though the upcoming Gears title is going to be good, Microsoft still needs to be wary of how they target the title.
… I’m going to be pretty excited about things like Gears Of War 2. And what you’ll see us do is continue to dial up emotional connection with the broader community, but we want to do it such a way that we don’t alienate the core. And similarly, when we’re talking about Gears Of War, that we don’t alienate the masses. That’s not the easiest challenge.
Lewis proceeds to answer the challenge by alluding to on the shelf game diversity, as opposed to price points. How does one attain diversity? Lewis’ answer is tossing out family titles to broaden the senses because “[y]ou’ve got to have games that are not intimidating and dark, that mums and dads can get involved in without the incumbent humiliation.” He also went on to add that Europeans are pansies, and can only handle chainsaws for so long before they start crying for party games. Unfortunately, after the statement, Lewis became visibly frightened through his telepathic link with the people of EMEA, and physically curled up in a ball because of the lack of cartoon teddy bears and Avatars.
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Contest:
12:02 PM on 08.10.2008
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LMAO. I don't see where he's coming from, Gears of War was well recieved over here so why shouldn't the sequel be. Too many party games can be harmful, just look at the Wii.
It reads like it should say "Microsoft wants TO avoid etc etc" I may be wrong.
Oh god! Don't kill Cole Train! NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yeah?
Alienating yer buyerz
Calm down a bit, yeah? But I agree with you... The gaming industry sees America as the main market, and therefore they make sure that the games released satisfies their standards.
And as we all know, in America they are very sensitive to swearing, sex and even harmless nudity. I can far more understand that people freak out over ultra-violence than a patch of naked skin. But even so, it is really just in the UK and Germany that people - or rather, politicians - freak out over stuff like that.
I take it you're not from Germany or you wouldn't be complaining about the censorship in the US. Seriously what Microsoft really needs to do is give me access to DLC from other countries. I can't get the additional mappacks for gears 1 because Microsoft decided to be a bitch and let you only access the stuff that's on the marketplace corresponding with your IP. But then again if they did the authorities here in Germany (or as I like to call it, the last medieval country in the world) would just start rallying the masses and publicly burn 360s and the games. I guess some things never change. And constant banning and shunning of "unworthy" media seems to be one of those things. the funny thing is that they taught me in school, that I'm living in a democracy including the whole freedom of speech and opinion stuff.
To be honest, I envy those that are not regarded as potential criminals because of their hobby. I really do.
Good one, buddy.
shit, i didn't know Germany was that tight, but no i live in Denmark..