Jeff Bell talks Microsoft's strategy, TGS plans

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 31st 2007 at 5:15PM }

Microsoft's global marketing maestro, Jeff Bell, recently shed some light on the sorts of things we can expect from the company at the Tokyo Game Show next month. Speaking to Canada.com (Canada has its own website?), Bell responded to questions about Microsoft's 2008 lineup, which some have been curious about in the wake of the company's E3 presence, which focused solely on 2007 titles. Bell rattled off names like Halo Wars, Fable 2 and Alan Wake, but noted we won't see anything about them until after the holidays. The most specific Bell gets about TGS is, "the Tokyo Games Show will be a place where we show off new elements." New elements of what exactly we have no idea. Games, we would hope.

Bell also spoke of Microsoft's goal to push the concept of publishers launching games simultaneously on both Xbox 360 and PC. In Bell's words, "We want people to develop once and publish twice," an attractive proposition to be sure.

Finally, Bell went on record saying that he welcomed the success of the Wii, noting, "If it does grow the market, good for all of us." He further stated that he takes no issue with people owning both the Wii and Xbox 360 as both "are very different experiences." He's not all buddy-buddy with the competition, however, as he states that he and Microsoft "definitely want to win," and notes that only two big franchises still aren't on Xbox 360. He is of course referring to Metal Gear and Final Fantasy. Bell concludes by saying that Microsoft is at the "tipping point" where developers are keen to work with them as the install base continues to grow.

Expect to hear plenty more about Microsoft's plans at the Tokyo Game Show, which runs from September 20-23.

[Via Eurogamer]

Tags: 2008, jeffbell, tgs

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ithilis @ Aug 31st 2007 5:35PM

Finally, some potential news about Alan Wake. It's about damn time.

un1qu3 n3wy0rk @ Aug 31st 2007 6:52PM

I never liked Jeff Bell. He was just to happy at E3. But if he can put on a good show at TGS I might just change my mind about him.

Also, I hope they announce MGS4 at TGS.

Magic Whiskey @ Aug 31st 2007 7:01PM

'New elements?' Microsoft has made Strontium 91?

kbsig106 @ Aug 31st 2007 7:08PM

Couldn't you have used a better picture? Like a party pic or something. The picture above looks like it came from Sears - were's the fuzzy animal?

NukeAssault @ Aug 31st 2007 7:12PM

Alan Wake is never comming out. ='(

Richard Mitchell @ Aug 31st 2007 7:45PM

"Couldn't you have used a better picture? Like a party pic or something. The picture above looks like it came from Sears - were's the fuzzy animal?"

That's his official press picture. What can you do?

Phil @ Aug 31st 2007 8:36PM

@Richard
You could of put a party hat or something on him lol. Anyway, I think that "new elements" could be link accessories or features of the Xbox, not games. Who knows?

Triforceowner @ Aug 31st 2007 8:40PM

Microsoft has created several new elements to add to the Periodic Table of Elements!

Kool @ Aug 31st 2007 8:46PM

Wow. You guys know that you guys do (or had) fans in Canada. I don't expect disrespect like this from you guys. I can't believe you guys would say that about us. Disappointing.

Talon @ Aug 31st 2007 9:44PM

I don't think he was slamming Canada as a country. I think he was just pointing out the fact that it's odd that the country, as an entity, has its own website. It would be like the United States having a website called USA.com or something like that. It's just unusual for a country to have an all-encompassing url representing it on the web, that's all.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Sep 1st 2007 12:33AM

wow i dont get it we already know MSs plan. either just bomb every PS3 title release or take them. PS3 LAUNCHs around holiday season /360 got gears, PS3 drought /MS doesnt care give them FORZA 2, PS3 begins to see games/ 360 BOMBS them with 3 AAA titles Bio Shock, Halo 3, Mass Effect. PS3 08 early line up PWNS so hard /360 strange delays like Blue Dragon and Splinter cell convition(blue Dragon strangly showing up around MGS4 release to combat the japanese market i guess, and putting up convition around KZ2 release a good established series with good reviews vs a begining series with terrible reveiws, GTAIV although it looks like it falls in the PS3s favor it doesnt that just gave MS something to combat FFXIII and versus FFXIII sort of like CoD4 in direct competiton with every 1st party game out. I have beening waiting for alan wake forever i will drop any game for a good storyline ithought it was supposed to come out this year because the trailer looked so close to a finished product kind of like Mass Effect.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Sep 1st 2007 12:36AM

"beening" dont worry i am a republican im allowed to make up words.

Railven @ Sep 1st 2007 12:42AM

Call me stupid, but why would Microsoft encourage developers to launch simaltaneously on PC and 360? That's going to hurt one of the markets. I understand if its a Windows Live game it will be a win-win for Microsoft, but I'm willing to wager any future FPS that launches on both PC and 360 at the same, the PC version will outself the 360.

Corbin @ Sep 1st 2007 1:32AM

@MYPS3KilledMy360
Dude you act like you know everything that's going to happen next year.First off MS hasn't really said anything about the 08 lineup.And I believe Blue Dragon already came out in japan.

Magic Whiskey @ Sep 1st 2007 7:33AM

@ 11.

Since when did GTA IV favor the PS3? Which console is getting the exclusive contact again?? ;)

If you think it's X360 that's holding up production, consider this: a behemoth company like EA Sports couldn't even get Madden '08 to run any smoother than 30fps on PS3 hardware..can you imagine the headaches for Rockstar to get GTA IV's massive world to work on the same console easily?

Magic Whiskey @ Sep 1st 2007 7:36AM

@ 13/Railven.

The PC gaming world and the console world might as well be on two different planets, man. It's two completely different target audiences, and two completely different ways to play. Plus, if you ask me..not too many people line up to buy PC games.

Jason Sheehan @ Sep 1st 2007 8:32AM

Jeff Bell is a suit who thinks he can talk himself into the gaming society. Microsoft should replace him with someone like Shane Kim or Peter Moore.. someone therefore more real and less American..

Patrick @ Sep 1st 2007 10:05AM

Jeff you could only redeem your self by naming your child Taco. Okay, call me once this is done

Yardman @ Sep 1st 2007 10:53AM

@#3 That's Microtium 91 to you buddy!

Randy @ Sep 1st 2007 11:01AM

Jesus that smile is scary as hell.

GregA @ Sep 2nd 2007 12:45AM

MYPS3KilledMy360,

I am willing wait for release to make this determination but...

All the other PS3 exclusive have turned out to be total dogs. (Think Lair and Heavenly Sword) Why do you think MGS and Killzone are going to somehow buck this trend?

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Sep 2nd 2007 1:55AM

@15 some people say GTAIV is already finished on the 360 and the PS3 is holding it back, that what i ment. and if anything SONY would really be standing over R*'s shoulder about anything dealing with the game if anything they would make sure that the core gameplay is better on the PS3 since the 360 is getting more content. Some rumor popped up a few weeks ago about sony buying R*, i dont know if it true but it falls hand in hand with take two not making enough profit and making plan to merge with EA or some other developer which would suck ass since they wont allow most of the content in GTA and Midnight club would be dead. I just put up my opinion and slide some facts in there hopefully most of the people who read up on the stuff i say even though my grammer sucks ass undrstand what is fact and what is my opinion. If i sound like a know it all sorry i like to rant sometimes and flood everything with every peace of info i know, can prove, and understand. did it really come out then why would the delay it till 08 i guess im missing a few steps, its just that i dont believe everything the devs say (cough R*).

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Sep 2nd 2007 2:22AM

@21"(Think Lair and Heavenly Sword)"

Think Unreal Tournament III, Little Big Planet, Warhawk, Haze, tekken 6, white knight story, possible ace combat 6(you did know it was a timed exclusive right), and GT5 pro is basically another demo, then if your just loyal to the brand on a console you might get 3rd party games for the 360 or PS3(im getting CoD4 for the PS3 although i rather CoD on my comp) i bought the 360 for exclusives like H3, ME, and GoW but now that there games on the 360 that are on the PC plus Live arcade is coming to the PC wtf is MS thinking.i am not flaiming anyone you asked what quality games and i said a few but you can still comment back to tell me which one sucks and which one is over hyped warhawk is good maybe ill rent LAIR to how it sucks like most are saying i heard it was a love or hate kinda game.

i named 2 timed exclusives, one thats has become exclusive and the other that comes out march of next year for 360. so yes L and HS sucks people still have a nice choice of games that wont be seen on any other console for a while. Kojima has never failed his fans before and believe it or not KZ had a nice story if you were able to look past the slowdowns the crapy switch from low res to hi res, and the helghast screams.