The ball is in Microsoft’s court according to Activision Publishing head Eric Hirshberg
Sony cut the PlayStation 4’s camera leading up to E3 to help drive their console’s price point to a cool $399. Meanwhile, the Xbox One has consumers subsidizing the Kinect with its $499 price point and weaker specs. According to Activision Publishing head Eric Hirshberg, speaking to Games Industry International, “It’s up to them to win the value argument.” Activision has obviously had a lot of publishing success on the Xbox 360, but the company isn’t one to play favorites. “We’ve always been platform agnostic,” Hirshberg explains.
When asked whether the pre-packaged Kinect makes the Xbox One more appealing than the now PlayStation camera-less PS4, Hirshberg replied, “I feel they have to show why that’s a good thing and why it’s worth the premium and deserves inclusion and why it’s something that gamers are going to come to really value and appreciate.” No token support here. Microsoft needs to prove the Kinect is a worthwhile compulsory addition. I think most of you would agree.
Give the rest of the interview a full read for thoughts on the Wii U, licensed games, the future of triple A development, innovation, and more.
Activision: Microsoft has to prove Xbox One’s premium price is worth it [GamesIndustry International]
