Tag Archives: Don Mattrick

Don Mattrick is unlikely to announce a Microsoft MMO for 360 at E3, Cryptic design director Bill Roper told VG247 in a phone interview today, as the Xbox boss isn’t a fan of the genre and doesn’t have the infrastructure to support a perpetual online 360 product.

“I actually would be a little surprised,” he said when asked if we’re likely to see a first-party Microsoft MMO revealed at the show.

“I don’t think that’s something they’ve been really pushing towards. From any discussions I’ve ever had, or heard with Don Mattrick, Don’s not necessarily a huge MMO fan.”

Roper added: “[There's a] a sticky and difficult thing they’re still going through of how do they do it with third-parties. All those same concerns about business models and technology are going to be the same on the Microsoft side, and they don’t really have that online server platform, especially on the console, because they’re not developing one.

“I would actually be surprised, pleasantly surprised, but I actually would be surprised if they were announcing something first-party.”

Roper said that console MMOs in general are unlikely to be a hot topic at this year’s E3 due to the problems involved in getting them up and running on first-party hardware.

“There could be a lot of people sticking toes in the water, but maybe less than you would imagine, only from the standpoint that there are so many logistics to work through,” he said.

“There’s just so much to go through in terms of how technology interfaces and how the business model works. So much has to happen outside the walls of the developer or a publisher.

“That’s the thing that would potentially be slowing people down from saying they’re going to be creating MMOs on the consoles, but I think we’ll probably see one or two big announcements about it, would be my guess.”

Roper’s Champions Online is currently in development for 360, but no date’s been set for the game’s launch as yet. It’s PC SKU is out June 14.

It’s so on. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have all said in this ESA press release that this year’s E3 is going to be a whopper, with Microsoft’s Don Mattrick saying the company’s showing this year is going to change the way people think of home entertainment. Forever.

“Microsoft is gearing up for a big presence at E3 which will completely transform how people think about home entertainment,” said Mattrick. “We’re excited about the momentum that is building in the industry in anticipation of our June 1st media briefing, which will kick off E3 in blockbuster style.”

“Nintendo has been a long time attendee of E3 and it has our full support,” said Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aime. “E3 brings a wide variety of key audiences into contact with products from many companies, including Nintendo. It’s the place where creativity is on display, and as a ‘sneak peak’ for our entire industry it helps generate excitement for gamers around the world.”

“Sony Computer Entertainment America is looking forward to another great showing at this year’s E3 Expo,” said SCEA boss Jack Tretton. “The audience of North American-based and foreign media and key industry partners makes E3 Expo an ideal place for us to unveil the latest PlayStation news and products at our press event on June 2.”

E3 runs from June 2-4 this year. It’s going to be amazing. Full thing through the link.

Xbox super-boss Don Mattrick will keynote GDC Canada on May 12 in Vancouver, organiser Think Services confirmed today.

His time on stage will focus on the Canadian games industry and how it’s evolving.

“While it’s one thing to discuss the thriving game development field in Canada, it’s another thing entirely to have shaped the transformation of this growing industry yourself; Don Mattrick has done just that,” says Think Services events heaf, Izora de Lillard.

“The mark Don has left, and will invariably continue to leave, on Canadian game development makes him the perfect person to discuss the future role that Canadian developers will play in the industry.”

Press release after the break.

More »

Following December’s NPD results, Microsoft has revealed that the Xbox 360 has now sold 28 million units worldwide which the company says puts it ahead of the PlayStation 3 by 8 million units.

“Our goal for 2008 was to reach new audiences by bringing ground-breaking games and entertainment to Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, Microsoft’s senior VP.

“Looking forward, new waves of innovation will extend our position as the global leader in interactive entertainment.”

For all our NPD news, go here.

Thanks, GI.

By Mike Bowden

With the launch of New Xbox Experience tomorrow, Microsoft’s press released what it claims to be a “new era of entertainment” akin to the launch of the colour television.

We’re about to enter a “bold new future,” apparently, one in which people can stream HD movies and “every experience is shared with friends and families, in the same room or around the world.”

“The future of home entertainment is Xbox 360 – it’s on demand, it’s high definition, it’s always social, it’s all in one place,” said Xbox boss Don Mattrick.

“With the New Xbox Experience we will reach the next generation of Xbox owners, 25 million and beyond. We are at a watershed moment, backed by the largest entertainment brands, with an incredible line up of entertainment unmatched in any industry.”

We’re not making it up. Press release after the link.

More »

In an interview with OXM, Xbox boss Don Mattrick has claimed that he personally invented the concept of Avatars. In 1991.

The section from the chat in full:

DM: I’m claiming to have invented avatars! I did 4D Sports Boxing! Do you know what 4D Boxing was? Hey, you should be writing this! That was me.

We know what 4D Sports Boxing was. It was published by Infogrames, wasn’t it?

DM: Accolade was the first to publish it, and Infogrames published it in Europe. But write this down! “Don Mattrick invented avatars for the industry.”

Does creating 4D Sports Boxing really count as “inventing avatars”, Don?

DM: C’mon! It’s human, it’s in 3D, it has a face… it was genuinely the first time there was something human-shaped in 3D! Look it up!

Draw your own conclusions. There’s more through the link.

Speaking to BusinessWeek in the wake of yesterday’s US 360 price cuts, Xbox head Don Mattrick has conceded his console war probably involves coming second.

“I’m not at a point where I can say we’re going to beat Nintendo,” he said, reiterating, “We will sell more consoles this generation than Sony.”

There’s more through there, including analysts claiming 360′s going to come out on top of PS3 this generation. Fancy.

Speaking to Edge, Xbox boss Don Mattrick has yet again hinted that we’re going to be playing Xbox 360 for years to come, using the phrase “longer cycle” to describe the machine’s longevity and saying “there’s a lot of runway ahead” for the machine.

“We’re seeing record levels of industry growth and success for our business and our industry, so I think that bodes really well for what we’re going to be able to achieve in future years,” he said.

“I think the ability to have a longer cycle to continue to drive value and innovate – there’s a lot of potential in the 360 that hasn’t been realized, and that bodes for a pretty good run in the market, and a lot of capabilities our box has that consumers are just getting used to. What we’ve achieved we‘re pleased with, but there’s a lot of runway ahead.”

Lots more through the link.

Oh, fucking hell. Bungie’s Harold Ryan’s told Eurogamer that Don Mattrick’s idea that Bungie wasn’t miffed at being pulled from the Microsoft E3 conference is a load of bollocks.

“Keeping things clean, I certainly didn’t agree with the decision to delay our news until sometime after E3,” said the developer’s boss.

“Bungie is always concerned first and foremost with our fans. Whenever we are prevented from exceeding their positive expectations it is not a laughing matter.”

Ow. More through the link.

Speaking to Eurogamer at E3, Xbox boss Don Mattrick reiterated in capital letters his claim that Xbox 360 will win this console generation against PS3.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said when asked if he meant 360 would beat PS3 on a global level.

“It gets boring getting asked the same question from different people all the time and there’s been a lot of misinformation, so I used the E3 opportunity.

“We’re the first box in this generation to pass 10 million units, we’ve passed so many thresholds in terms of quality titles. You look at aggregated reviews from around the world – you go onto Metacritic – and count the number of 90-rated titles on our platform, compare that to Wii, compare that to PlayStation 3: there is no comparison.”

Mattrick added: “We know is Sony’s given guidance and said their goal is to create 10 million units this coming year. Needless to say, our aspiration is to do more. We also know we have a volume lead both in Europe and North America, and with that volume lead in the aggregate, when you add in Japan, is larger than Sony’s.

“All those things – I basically just do the math: know what growth we’ve got, know all the new things, all the capabilities to add value, utility; we’ve got an amazing product and we just have to keep evangelising to get more people to try it, because when they do, they love it.”

There’s a full interview through there. As far as we’re aware this is the first full Mattrick interview from E3 published anywhere. So you should probably read it.

Speaking to MCV at E3, Sony boss Kaz Hirai’s questioned Xbox head Don Mattrick’s claim that Xbox 360 will outsell PS3 this generation, saying the American exec needs to clarify the statement.

“The key word there is this ‘lifecycle’ or ‘this generation’,” said Hirai. “As you probably know, we’re working on a ten-year lifecycle, we’ve said that since day one and we’ve proven it with PSone and PS2. I guess Don is saying they’re also going to be embarking on a ten-year lifecycle, then?

“If they are then that’s terrific, but I’ve never seen them manage it before. Last time I checked, the Xbox went by the wayside four or five years after launch.

“On the other hand, if he’s saying that Microsoft will outsell us after five years, if he calls that this generation, then he’s saying he’s going to exit the 360 business within five years. I’m not exactly sure when he says ‘this lifecycle’ or ‘this generation’ what standard he’s using – five years, 10 years, I don’t know.”

More through the link.

Speaking to Eurogamer at E3, Xbox boss Don Mattrick said that Bungie head Harold Ryan laughed off the decision to not announce the developer’s new Halo game in the Xbox 360 press conference.

“Sure they’re disappointed. Any software creator would be disappointed,” said Mattrick.

“Harold just laughed and he said, ‘Boy, just a sign of growth inside the business, we agree’.”

He reiterated that Microsoft will host an event to show the game for the first time later this year.

“That’s what we’re going to do and I think we’re smart,” he said. “I had so many people come to me and say ‘look at that, that’s a measure of growth and maturity of Microsoft – the fact that you have the best show, the best collection of products and you didn’t even have to show Halo’.”

More through the link.

Kaz Harai has taken a side-swipe at Nintendo and Microsoft by saying they’ve done the consumer a disservice by getting rid of both GameCube and Xbox as soon as they released their next consoles.

When asked who was winning the console wars by Eurogamer Hirai said: “I think that ‘winning’ and ‘won’ are two different things. Where I stand, we look at it in the context of a ten-year life cycle as we’ve done with PSone and PS2, which is certainly on its way.

“So it’s really a matter of looking back after ten years minimum and asking what you’ve actually accomplished in terms of the installed base,” he went on.

“If somebody wants to say that they’re going to have a larger installed base, we should compare notes after ten years, because otherwise we’re not talking about the same thing.

“And we certainly don’t do the consumer the disservice of basically saying that the consoles have gone by the wayside because we have a new one. Right now, a prime example? PS2 is nine years into it. Where’s the Xbox? Where’s the GameCube?”

Full interview – with both Hirai and Mattrick answering the same set of questions about where they see their respective business heading – through the link.

By Mike Bowden

Speaking with GI at E3 yesterday, Xbox boss Don Mattrick said just how important its Live service is to the success and appeal of 360.

“I think that being the company to build a gaming community, to do it globally, to have all the functionality that we have inside of that, is a pretty staggering accomplishment,” he said.

“We announced at the show that we’ve seen our membership from last E3 go from 6 million to over 12 million, and in the two and a half years we’ve been operating Xbox Live on 360 consumers have spent over a billion dollars.

“A lot of people are talking about rolling out a service or talking about making it work for people. What we’ve demonstrated is we have that service, we have a large audience that’s participated and is valuable, and it’s awesome,” he added.

Full thing through the link.

By Mike Bowden

Xbox boss Don Mattrick confirmed today that the expected Bungie Halo game announcement for E3 was stopped by Microsoft as the firm want to hold a solus event for the reveal.

“We had an embarrassment of riches,” he said, talking of the firm’s E3 conference.

“We felt we could do this game more justice with a more dedicated event.”

Thanks, GameRush.

Xbox head of Business, Don Mattrick, has confirmed to MTV that Bungie’s new title is indeed a new Halo game.

No direct quote is given, strangely, but Mattrick did apparently say that this is not the Peter Jackson venture: so it’s something completely new.

This is rather at odds with the decision that Microsoft took to postpone the announcement last night.

Don’t you just love E3?

By Mike Bowden

Keynoting at this year’s Microfot E3 conference, Don Mattrick, MS senior vice president, announced that he was confident that the Xbox 360 will “outsell the PlayStation 3 this generation.”

The announcement was made as he boasted that Xbox owners have spent over $1 billion on content and how 360 software outsold both Playstation 3 and Wii in 2007.

We love E3.

Microsoft has issued a statement saying 360 has hit 10 million sales in the US and, as a result, is likely to “win” this hardware generation.

“History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle,” said senior Microsoft exec Don Mattrick.

The firm also confirmed that the machine has now sold more than 19 million units worldwide.

Microsoft also said global membership of Live online has now reached 12 million members.

More at this Reuters report.

Just to wrap up yesterday morning’s excitement, Major Nelson has added to Rockstar’s comment about the fact multiplay will be included in both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Grand Theft Auto IV.

“In case there was any confusion about what Don Mattrick said being unique to Xbox 360 for GTA IV, he was referring to the exclusive episodes that will be on Xbox Live starting Fall 2008,” he said. “I hope that clears things up.”

Xbox boss Mattrick apparently confirmed that online multiplay would only be available in the Xbox 360 version of the game in a podcast with the Major on Tuesday night.

And that’s that.

Following comments from Xbox head Don Mattrick that the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV will have exclusive online multiplayer, Rockstar has moved to confirm that both Xbox 360 and PS3 SKUs will feature online play.

“As we’ve said previously, both versions of the game will have an online multiplayer component,” a Rockstar spokesperson told VG247.

Mattrick, speaking in a Major Nelson podcast yesterday, said:

“[GTA IV is] an amazing piece of software and I’m really excited with its downloadable content and online multiplayer support. Again, that’s something that’s unique to 360. We think consumers are going to love that and it’s going to create, what I would describe again, as the premium experience on our platform.”

This isn’t the first time Mattrick has made very similar comments regarding multiplayer, downloadable content and Xbox 360 exclusivity. In this MSNBC interview, posted in December last year, the exec said:

“We’re excited about Grand Theft Auto [IV]. Not only because it’s a great title, but there’s multiplay and downloadable content that consumers will only be able to get on 360. That’s a huge win.”

So rest easy, PS3 people. “Syntax” Mattrick won’t be spoiling your online crime fun any time soon.