Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi: We Need To Educate Consumers

[Zipa]

Microsoft: Customers don't like change.
Changes Windows radically and are surprised at the backlash.

Seems legit to me Microsoft.

Also I'm pretty sure its Microsoft that need educating on how to do digital distribution correctly so the consumer actually benefits and thinks you are pretty cool and not a bunch of anti consumerist dickheads. See: Valve and Steam for more info on how this works.

That and they need to learn that cloud data storage is generally supposed to be something that is useful so you can access your valuable data and such anywhere not something used as a pitiful excuse to shove Orwellian like spyware down peoples throats.

 

[Zipa]

Microsoft need to slow down, I'm trying to keep track of everyone they are giving the finger to and they just keep lining up more people. So far it's anyone without a decent internet connection, the countries the Xbone isn't launching in, gamers and now pretty much all electronics consumers.

But clearly I'm an idiot so I mustn't understand their marketing strategy. Maybe pissing people off is how this echo-gnome-icks works?

Don't forget to add Windows users to that list with their basically saying deal with it to the outcry of the crappy tablet interface and lack of start button on the PC version of Win 8.

 

[omega 616]

Some of this shit is just plain insulting.

"There's a lot of education we have to provide to make sure that people understand" or to take the PR shine off it, there's a lot of propaganda we need to spread to make sure people buy into it.

"You'll be able to take your library with you wherever you go, so long as there's a decent connection. You can even digitally loan copies - up to a limit of ten - and there could be other, as yet undefined benefits." Bolded your problem right there fella! When the world has GOOD internet everywhere then you can implement this. Remove this stupid limit.

"As for DRM and used games, limits and potentially fees are a necessary evil" of course they are, we don't need them silly freedoms and we should feel like pirates, I agree that we should be buying games and then basically tipping you with "potential fees".

"We do want to support everyone in that system, beginning with the consumer," he said, "but we want publishers to get paid for the great IP they work on." I'll take the PR shine off this one as well ... We do want to support everybody in that system, excluding the consumer, but we want publishers to like us more".

"In a broader set of community, people don't pay attention to a lot of the details," said Mehdi. "We've seen it in the research, we've seen it in a lot of the data points." Here goes that PR shine again ... We are hoping a wide range of people don't realize the shit we are trying to pull off, so when they get the console home and realize how we fucked them, they can't do fuck all 'cos we already have there money ... SUCKERS!

No wonder he is the head of marketing, although his plan of "how many stupid people can we trick" isn't exactly on par with a grand master chess player.

 

[sid]

"we don't think most users care about details, so we hope our details will win the most people over"

Rip Microsoft

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Change is good when it's done properly.

Unfortunately you guys are going in the right direction but are just failing badly.

I gotta say, I'm honestly sick of hearing about the Xbone at this point. Maybe when it comes out I'll analyse it further, but until all the information is out there I'm done with this bullshit.

 

[Quellist]

Wow, yet another arrogant, insulting twat who is blindly ignorant of basic PR emerges from the woodwork. So far we've been told we (gamers that is) don't appear to be their main customers, to not bother buying the console if we don't want or aren't able to be online and now we are told we need educating on what to expect. Pardon me but generally manipulating the market is usually done subtly and shit talk like this belongs in the boardroom.

You can tell consumers they should like the taste of shit all you want but it won't make it happen

 

[Falsename]

"Consumers don't always love change"....

Yes we do, or we'd all be playing the original Xbox and the xbox 360 would have flopped. We like change like; improved graphics, more multiplayer space for more competitors on a single server, different titles and genres, games in general.


The change that consumers DONT like is the kind that's going to limit and rip them off. Saying 'no sharing your games!' isn't anything to do with integrity or whatever else they're claiming. It's wanting to squeeze every penny from the consumer. It would be like charging someone for condiments or McDonalds charging you fifty cents for a straw and napkin.

I used to love the xbox. I'm thinking of moving over to Sony.... Sorry Microsoft but you suck.

 

[Kuilui]

"There's a lot of education we have to provide to make sure that people understand," says Mehdi.

I think we in the know are more than educated on what your providing.

"In a broader set of community, people don't pay attention to a lot of the details," said Mehdi. "We've seen it in the research, we've seen it in a lot of the data points."


Ah banking on the old most consumers are to stupid to look anything up and will just buy it because it's new and shiny eh?

I wonder if Sony had that same though process before the PS3 came out... I mean after all Ps1 and 2 were such smash hits the PS3 sold amazingly right out the gate right? it was what only an extra couple hundred bucks at launch right? It worked out so well for them.*massive sarcasm*

"Ultimately consumers will decide which is better," Mehdi said. "It's a big market."

Well I wouldn't say it's a big market for you pal considered you cut out a lot of countries and an actual continent from being able to buy your latest product. China, India and Africa are just three markets that are going bye bye. Not to mention alienating most countries that aren't America with all your gimmicks that really only apply to some Americans and only work in America.


You know who I think will suffer a lot from the ignorance of customers, Gamestop and other game retailer employees. Especially when little timmy wants to trade in his used games only to find out he cant and the furious parents who don't understand why he can't. Either that or when the internet doesn't work properly for people with bad connections and they can't authenticate and the parents think the xbox broke because it wont play games and try to return it for a new one or something. I can see so many scenarios where the employees of these places will be berated because ignorant consumers just buy whatever and assume it'll work just like the last one.

 

[Weaver]

Microsoft needs to get out of their Redmond bubble and see the world.
I interviewed with them in Redmond; the whole thing is a weird, 40,000 person echo chamber. For those who don't know. all development and engineering takes place in Redmond only. None of their other locations across the world are involved, or even in the know, about most of what's being made while in development. Not, at least, until it's close to launch.

This puts them into a very isolated situation where only a small set of people who can provide input. Microsoft pays well, Redmond has good internet; thus when everyone you know is always online, is technically savvy, has large enough living space for the kinekt, everyone lives in America, and has enough money that $500 is nothing... you start to think that's basically everyone.

If they had actually attempted to validate the market at all they would have seen this was a bad idea.

And, while I also agree that most consumers aren't knowledgeable I think it is frankly hilarious to assume that doesn't matter. Most consumers aren't knowledgeable, and thus likely won't even know when the new xbox is releasing. If they do, they won't care enough to line up to get one.

What tends to happen is the early adopters and people who know these things are consulted by the "uneducated consumers". If my sister wanted to stream movies and ask me what she should get, a PS4 or XBone, I'd tell her PS4. And trust me, before she spends 400 - 500 dollars she's going to do her research on to what is the best option for her. This is what MS doesn't understand, not everyone is making 80 - 300k a year in MS dollars.

When the vast majority of the people who are technically savvy are against your consoles, some of these people will be in a sort of consulting role for their friends and family. And they WILL be consulted because, for most people, $500 is actually a lot of money.

What a fucking ****.

 

[Ashoten]

""As for DRM and used games, limits and potentially fees are a necessary evil, Mehdi claims, as Microsoft needs to keep publishers happy as well as consumers.""

So here is MS throwing the publishers under the bus again to try and justify draconian rules. They could do everything they want with the "Digital" without having all those restrictions in place. I really want PS4 to succeed just to put MS in the ground over their BS.

 

[zidine100]

so basically this console is some misguided teenager screaming you don't understand me.

... must resist urge to make a meme pic out o that one.


on a side note im not going to bother to comment on most of the interview, because, well look above and below youll see me views more than likely already here, but i just have to post how ironic this one is.

"We do want to support everyone in that system, beginning with the consumer,"

Im just going to drop this one here
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.793675-Xbox-One-Limited-To-21-Countries-At-Launch#19712810
remember that thread anyone?

 

[gamegod25]

"In a broader set of community, people don't pay attention to a lot of the details," said Mehdi. "We've seen it in the research, we've seen it in a lot of the data points."

Translation: Our target demographic is idiots and stupid fanboys who won't care that we are screwing them over.

I will give him this, he is right about the market will decide. And judging by the number of PS4 to Xbone pre-orders, MS is not going to like what it has chosen.

 

[ellers07]

You know, I used to think I'd skip the Xbox One and just keep my old 360 to play games on. I liked my 360 and I was planning on continuing buying new games for it but every time one of these guys opens his mouth to clear things up for us, I just feel more insulted. Now I'm thinking of strictly buying games for the PS3.

Not only do I want nothing to do with the Xbox One, but they're now turning me against my 360.

 

[geizr]

I love how Microsoft is basically saying the exact same crap Sony was saying when they revealed the PS3.

And as I recall, things weren't too pleasant for Sony in the early days of the PS3 because of that. They were forced to learn a hard lesson in humility. Apparently, corporate executives are not capable of learning from history or the example of others. They only learn by direct pain applied to them.

(Creak of wallets opening. Slap of wallets closing. Anything else is just ignored.)

 

[GAunderrated]

I'm already getting burnt out of all the xbox controversy crap. Can someone please just tell MS to shut up? We get it they are banking on soccer moms and kids too young to know they are being virtually thrown into a private prison for sales.

 

[Oskuro]

Step 1) Claim that consumers need "re-education"
Step 2) Claim that you are only interested in consumers who don't give a crap anyway
Step 3) GIVE JIM STERLING SO MANY THINGS TO ***** ABOUT HE ENDS UP SWALLOWING HIS LATEX FIST
Step 4) Profit!


Really, at this pace, there'll need to be a daily Jimquisition update, if only to serve as a cathartic release for the shared rage.

 

[geizr]

so basically this console is some misguided teenager screaming you don't understand me.

... must resist urge to make a meme pic out o that one.


on a side note im not going to bother to comment on most of the interview, because, well look above and below youll see me views more than likely already here, but i just have to post how ironic this one is.

"We do want to support everyone in that system, beginning with the consumer,"

Im just going to drop this one here
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.793675-Xbox-One-Limited-To-21-Countries-At-Launch#19712810
remember that thread anyone?

Wow! I just posted earlier the question if it's possible for Microsoft to fuck itself any harder. You've just shown that the answer to that question is an emphatic "YES"!

I think I've had enough of this. This is so disgusting, the popcorn no longer tastes good. Have fun guys.

 

[SecondPrize]

And the negativity? Well, it may not matter so much to Microsoft. Sure, core gamers complain, but the folks who don't really pay attention and who just want a fancy box will be fine with Microsoft's Xbox One. "In a broader set of community, people don't pay attention to a lot of the details," said Mehdi. "We've seen it in the research, we've seen it in a lot of the data points."

Wow. So people will buy the product when they don't know about it.
Microsoft angers core gamers at their own risk. We may be a smaller part of the market at large, but we still affect it. Those folks who don't pay attention? We're the guy in their office they talk to when they want to buy a game for their kids. We're the people working in Gamestop and electronics departments in stores when they come in to buy a console for their families. If we want them to walk out with a PS4, all we have to do is tell them about those little details Mehdi doesn't want them to know about.

 

[kyoodle]

Good lord did he just say they were hoping people won't look into the details of a £429/$499 purchase whilst telling us we need educating? Microsoft's unbridled hypocrisy is sickening, the onion couldn't come up with this stuff.