Microsoft refers to core audience as "Sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts"

[GuerrillaClock]

Hurray for out of context quoting of a lame joke!

He was playing on the stereotype that many people still have of gamers and saying that gaming has moved on from that, but I suppose "Microsoft man makes crappy joke" wouldn't have got this thread so many views, hm?

True. "Microsoft refers to core gamers as..." would have been a more apt title in hindsight. While he didn't outright call their core fanbase as such, I think he certainly refered to them as so. Yes, it was a lame joke, but more to the point, it was a lame joke at the expense of their established user-base.

I wouldn't say it was at anyone's expense. Like it or not, the "sweaty (18 to) 30 year old man" stereotype of gamers exists, even though, thanks to the insanely widespread success of the Wii and DS, as well as franchises like CoD, it isn't as strong as it used to be. I don't think pointing out that gaming has moved on from that stereotype (whether or not you think said move is good or bad is another debate entirely) is particularly offensive to any group of gamers, unless you try really really hard.

EDIT: Just feel a need to point out that a lot of my ire isn't directed at you at all, but rather the many people on this thread who see it as an excuse to go "OMG WTF FUCK MICRO$OFT!!!1" without getting banned.

 

[Kenbo Slice]

I hope this is one of those things where they realise they've fucked up and the dude apologises afterwords. I don't require penance or anything I just like to see douchebags like this brought down a peg by their superiors.

Sadly I doubt the gaming community will boycott Microsoft or anything because of this so there will be no repercussions from insulting their core audience.

I was just reading this forum and wanted to say I love your avatar. Great album by a great band

 

[Nwabudike Morgan]

Just so we're all clear on this, you guys know that you are taking a statement that wasn't an insult, turning it into an insult in your own minds, applying that insult to a massive group of people, getting offended at the statement that is now an insult, deciding that this is Microsoft turning on what is currently essentially their only source of revenue in their gaming division and then getting angry at Microsoft over something they didn't say or do outside of your own imaginations, right?

I really hope you do, otherwise there are a lot more delusional people out there than I thought.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Well that seems like a relations disaster. I know you have to sell yourself differently to different groups but alienating your current core fanbase is a bad idea.

 

[Boneasse]

*Smells armpit* - A little sweaty.
*Looks down self* - Wearing a t-shirt spelling: "Particle Physics Give Me a Hadron".
*Contemplates over age and hardcore-ism* - Not yet 30 and hardly hardcore.

*Runs away in leaping joy* - Doesn't fit the profile!

 

[tlozoot]

Just so we're all clear on this, you guys know that you are taking a statement that wasn't an insult, turning it into an insult in your own minds, applying that insult to a massive group of people, getting offended at the statement that is now an insult, deciding that this is Microsoft turning on what is currently essentially their only source of revenue in their gaming division and then getting angry at Microsoft over something they didn't say or do outside of your own imaginations, right?

I really hope you do, otherwise there are a lot more delusional people out there than I thought.

It wasn't an insult, I know that. It was just a lame quip at the expense of Microsoft's current gaming audience. It's still lousy PR.

 

[Nwabudike Morgan]

Just so we're all clear on this, you guys know that you are taking a statement that wasn't an insult, turning it into an insult in your own minds, applying that insult to a massive group of people, getting offended at the statement that is now an insult, deciding that this is Microsoft turning on what is currently essentially their only source of revenue in their gaming division and then getting angry at Microsoft over something they didn't say or do outside of your own imaginations, right?

I really hope you do, otherwise there are a lot more delusional people out there than I thought.

It wasn't an insult, I know that. It was just a lame quip at the expense of Microsoft's current gaming audience. It's still lousy PR.

YOU are the one applying it to their current gaming audience, YOU are the one making it a negative statement, THIS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

 

[tlozoot]

Just so we're all clear on this, you guys know that you are taking a statement that wasn't an insult, turning it into an insult in your own minds, applying that insult to a massive group of people, getting offended at the statement that is now an insult, deciding that this is Microsoft turning on what is currently essentially their only source of revenue in their gaming division and then getting angry at Microsoft over something they didn't say or do outside of your own imaginations, right?

I really hope you do, otherwise there are a lot more delusional people out there than I thought.

It wasn't an insult, I know that. It was just a lame quip at the expense of Microsoft's current gaming audience. It's still lousy PR.

YOU are the one applying it to their current gaming audience, YOU are the one making it a negative statement, THIS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

I think that given the context the guy is making a distinction between 'gamers' and the people MS are marketing Kinect to. When he said 'gaming isn't just for sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts' he's inviting the crowd to be that exception to the rule. He could have said 'gaming isn't just for voles' but he didn't. He used a stereotype, and one known to be associated with people who enjoy videogames. Yes, maybe he's saying to these people, that gaming culture isn't what they perceive it to be, but personally, given the context of who he is giving this presentation to, I think he's pandering to them to score a few brownie points and cheap laughs. Disagree if you will, but that's my interpretation of his comments, and if I, and many others, see it this way, then that makes it bad PR.

I seem to be getting quite a bit of flack for this. I'm interpreting what he said one way. Is this my fault for wanting an excuse to hate Microsoft? Or is it the Microsoft PR guy for, at the very very least, making a very poor choice in words?

I assure you, it's not me looking for an excuse to hate on Microsoft. I'm sitting in my room right now with my Xbox paused on Alan Wake. Quite enjoying it too. If I wanted to hate on Microsoft I'd join one of the LIVE gold price-hike topics down the topic list.

 

[kintaris]

How terribly stereotypical. Everyone knows the core audience of Xbox is screeching 8 year old American kids with a lust for blood and an impressive catalogue of swear words.

 

[Nwabudike Morgan]

Just so we're all clear on this, you guys know that you are taking a statement that wasn't an insult, turning it into an insult in your own minds, applying that insult to a massive group of people, getting offended at the statement that is now an insult, deciding that this is Microsoft turning on what is currently essentially their only source of revenue in their gaming division and then getting angry at Microsoft over something they didn't say or do outside of your own imaginations, right?

I really hope you do, otherwise there are a lot more delusional people out there than I thought.

It wasn't an insult, I know that. It was just a lame quip at the expense of Microsoft's current gaming audience. It's still lousy PR.

YOU are the one applying it to their current gaming audience, YOU are the one making it a negative statement, THIS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

I think that given the context the guy is making a distinction between 'gamers' and the people MS are marketing Kinect to. When he said 'gaming isn't just for sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts' he's inviting the crowd to be that exception to the rule. He could have said 'gaming isn't just for voles' but he didn't. He used a stereotype, and one known to be associated with people who enjoy videogames. Yes, maybe he's saying to these people, that gaming culture isn't what they perceive it to be, but personally, given the context of who he is giving this presentation to, I think he's pandering to them to score a few brownie points and cheap laughs. Disagree if you will, but that's my interpretation of his comments, and if I, and many others, see it this way, then that makes it bad PR.

I seem to be getting quite a bit of flack for this. I'm interpreting what he said one way. Is this my fault for wanting an excuse to hate Microsoft? Or is it the Microsoft PR guy for, at the very very least, making a very poor choice in words?

I assure you, it's not me looking for an excuse to hate on Microsoft. I'm sitting in my room right now with my Xbox paused on Alan Wake. Quite enjoying it too. If I wanted to hate on Microsoft I'd join one of the LIVE gold price-hike topics down the topic list.

At least you admit this is all in your head.

 

[tlozoot]

Just so we're all clear on this, you guys know that you are taking a statement that wasn't an insult, turning it into an insult in your own minds, applying that insult to a massive group of people, getting offended at the statement that is now an insult, deciding that this is Microsoft turning on what is currently essentially their only source of revenue in their gaming division and then getting angry at Microsoft over something they didn't say or do outside of your own imaginations, right?

I really hope you do, otherwise there are a lot more delusional people out there than I thought.

It wasn't an insult, I know that. It was just a lame quip at the expense of Microsoft's current gaming audience. It's still lousy PR.

YOU are the one applying it to their current gaming audience, YOU are the one making it a negative statement, THIS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

I think that given the context the guy is making a distinction between 'gamers' and the people MS are marketing Kinect to. When he said 'gaming isn't just for sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts' he's inviting the crowd to be that exception to the rule. He could have said 'gaming isn't just for voles' but he didn't. He used a stereotype, and one known to be associated with people who enjoy videogames. Yes, maybe he's saying to these people, that gaming culture isn't what they perceive it to be, but personally, given the context of who he is giving this presentation to, I think he's pandering to them to score a few brownie points and cheap laughs. Disagree if you will, but that's my interpretation of his comments, and if I, and many others, see it this way, then that makes it bad PR.

I seem to be getting quite a bit of flack for this. I'm interpreting what he said one way. Is this my fault for wanting an excuse to hate Microsoft? Or is it the Microsoft PR guy for, at the very very least, making a very poor choice in words?

I assure you, it's not me looking for an excuse to hate on Microsoft. I'm sitting in my room right now with my Xbox paused on Alan Wake. Quite enjoying it too. If I wanted to hate on Microsoft I'd join one of the LIVE gold price-hike topics down the topic list.

At least you admit this is all in your head.

Well, we can debate about what the guys intent was, but seeing as none of us know for sure, any interpretation any of us makes is in our heads.

 

[captaincabbage]

I'm not succumbing to this. Honestly people, don't react. It's what they want.

Why would they want that?

There's far more money in the casual gamers market. If it makes casual gamers more willing to buy Kinect, it's worth insulting their core fanbase. At least, that's how it looks to me. hell, Microsoft lost my trust after my friend ordered his fourth 360 replacement. I'm not exactly understanding why they would even make such a petty jibe.

No way, I don't think it's ever worth insulting your core fanbase, even if casual gaming was a majority (which I dopn't buy for a second) the majority would be something like %49-%51.
I think this is a prime example of Microsoft thinking they can get away with shit like this, which unfortunately for us, they usually can.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

No, we're sweaty twenty year olds in Dragonforce t-shirts.

Just because Dragonforce is awesome. >.>

We're also sweaty 16-year olds in In Flames t-shirts. *points at self*

 

[1blackone]

I am a 21 year old dude in Ruff Riders t-shirt and I don't sweat. I also train marshal arts and I don't give my money to Microsoft. Stereotype crushed.

Who misspelled "Martial". Way to keep another stereotype going, though. =P

 

[DNA]

Snip


It's called the English language, and you might want to get a grip on it if your going to talk about context.

you had a good argument up until you used language as a punchline. Because you obviously understood what I was talking about to counter point it. And then you go off and make a fool of yourself claiming a language superiority.

 

[DNA]

Wait why are we getting upset about this?
Microsoft said that gaming isn't for Sweaty 30 year olds in Metallica T shirts. How is that a bad thing?

There's been a steady uphill battle to prove that "gamers" aren't a bunch of socially retarded morons with the attention spans of Ritalin kids. So why does this statement suddenly make people upset?

Because microsoft said it, and the internet hatemachine is so blind by microsoft hate it canont even tell when its being defended.

"Gaming's not just for sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts".

I've highlighted the part that makes this an offensive statement to the core audience, because the word "just" is what implies that that is their current demographic.

This could have been worded a thousand ways that wouldn't have been so divisive. If they want to be Nintendo, that's fine, but they probably shouldn't burn the bridge...especially since they're not even half way across it.

They aren't even ON the bridge you think they are on is why this is blind hate. I didn't know a console could have a demographic. Because as it stands, screaming 12 year olds playing halo and MW2 online is the most populace "demographic" which then in turn, eliminates you as a "core demographic".

Its an ice breaker addressing, in a marketing standpoint, an issue of stereotype prejudice that is portrayed on "the new hardware" every time hardware gets released.

That's crap...
They really could have promoted the new product to a new audience without saything anything about their existing fanbase. It was petty and tasteless...

"Buy our deodrant, it smells nice!"

"Buy our deodrant...or the girls won't have sex with you"

Honestly, which do you appreciate more? I'm willing to bet it's the positive marketing.

Oldspice disproves this argument about smelly goods. They insult your use of girly pathetic body washes.

And its not crap. The ONLY reason people are upset about this, is because its microsoft. If sony would have said it making the punchline about the "30 something sweaty guy in band tee" promoting Move, it would have gone over without ANYONE even noticing. Some might have, because of a false sense of pride and displaced self importance.

There is no offense made here, and the people who ARE outraged, are acting ridiculous. Its like your new shoes just got stepped on in the club.

 

[DNA]

And MY point is, no names were called. Resorting to telling someone to grow up is just proving my point for me. Refer to my statement about puffed up pride. You fit it. You OBVIOUSLY think you are wronged in some fashion when there was no such thing going on. Kinect isn't marketed toward you. And you cry foul because they are providing evidence that its more suited for a family-setting than a "hardcore" basement dweller. So again, why so blue brown bear?

Proving my point that you fit the hater profile you were preaching against not long ago. So again, never once did I mention hardcore over casual. And seriously? No names were called? Right, Microsoft didn't totally call millions of people sweaty thirty year olds in Metallica t-shirts for the simple fact that they did not agree with them.

That wasn't your point at all. It seems to me, you're entire argument is that people deserve to be insulted by their service providers.

Please continue being a person full of pride and self importance, you are a beneficial member of society and I salute you for being infallible in your description.

If im hating anything, its the attitude that you guys think you were insulted. Because for you to be insulted, you have to have something heavily invested in it. Importance, pride something. Because if you are THIS upset at a "name" being slung at you you obviously haven't gotten the point I am making. And I never said you specifically said hardcore. Please dont put words in my mouth.
And Kinect isnt a service, its a product. Xbox live is a service.

 

[Outlaw Torn]

I wonder what they call a quality PR department.

A room full of sweaty forty year olds in ill-fitting shirts probably.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

No, we're sweaty twenty year olds in Dragonforce t-shirts.

LOL, thats just about the truth