Journal#3- XBOX 360

   The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and it is also the first console to provide wireless controller support at launch. The integrated Xbox Live service allows players to compete online and download content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. According to Microsoft, 20 million units have been sold worldwide on July 17, 2008. (Luke, 2008)

    Here are the elements for its success:

Launch Timing:

   The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on May 12, 2005, while Wii and PS3 were released after a year, on November 2006. The timing let Xbox draw a lot of attention and attract many curious users to buy this product first.     

Online service

    The integrated Xbox Live service allows players to compete online and download/purchase content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. According to Microsoft, the download of online service has increased 400% from November, 2006. This service makes Xbox not only a game console, but also an entertaining center for players and family. Comparing with Wii and PS3, they didn’t do well on their online service.

Compatibility

   The Xbox 360 is compatible with digital camera, PC and iPod by being able to play MP3 files natively and it can play media files from the Zune. Moreover, Xbox 360 users can chat in-game (or while watching a movie) and see the Gamertags of friends logged into Xbox Live. (XBOX.com, 2008) Comparing with its major competitors, Wii and PS3 are only compatible with the products of their own company such as Nintendo GameCube, PS and PS2

Console and Accessory at launch

    The Xbox 360 comes in three different versions: the Arcade console, the Premium console, and the Elite console, each having its own selection of included and available accessories including both wired and wireless controllers, faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, a webcam for video chatting, Dance Mats and Gamercize for exercise, three sizes of memory cards, and three sizes of hard drives (120GB, 60GB, and 20GB), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console. The different versions provided more option for all kinds of player who have different budgets and needs for games and then satisfied them. Wii and PS3 only provide basic accessory at launch.

           In the presentation last Thursday, I like that Shelley quoted” Art is creativity with/of constraints, design is creativity within them. ” The design of packing (a start-up quick card) also responds to what John Maeda said in The Laws of Simplicity (2006), “While great art makes you wonder, great design makes things clear”

    In sum, the launch timing, online service, compatibility, versions and accessories have made Xbox 360 a successful product. However, other interactive entertainment products have their advantages. For me, PS3 is like movie theatre, Wii is like television and XBOX 360 is like DVD. It’s still early and hard to say which one will conquer the industry of interactive entertainment.

Reference

Luke Plunkett (2008-07-17). “Xbox Division FINALLY Reports Profitable Year“. Kotaku. Retrieved on 2008-09-26.

Maeda, J. (2006). The laws of simplicity. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.

XBOX.com: “Use Zune with Xbox 360″ retrieved by Oct, 19, 2008 from http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/digitalmedia/zune.htm

 XBOX.com: “Use an Apple iPod with Xbox 360″ retrieved by Oct, 19, 2008 from http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/digitalmedia/ipod.htm

XBOX.com: “Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360″ retrieved by Oct, 19, 2008 from http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/livefeatures/messenger.htm