The Games Column: By Morgan…
Hello there… Blackett is away, so here is Morgan for the Gamesness!
Now, being essentially a casual gamer I’m not really one to comment on games or industry hoohah but I can about their brand positioning. Above is the new advert / campaign for XBOX 360 and beautiful (if a lil creepy) they are! They target the new ‘casual gamer’ market and totally remove the idea of graphics and don’t even show the console until right at the end. The idea is simple and well executed and makes game playing seem immersive and joyous, this is a major depature from the matcho adverts we’re used to. It’s interesting to notice the richness of the advert and how very simple it is, so not Microsoft.
Well done Xbox!
What do you think? Are Microsoft all good or do I have it wrong? Do you hate it? Do you find the little boy one odd? Should there be more game footage?
Sorry for the shortness, normal service resumes next week 
David
Microsoft has gone from a nothing player a decade ago to an absolute gaming leviathan. These adverts are a little bit too peculiar to hook kids in, but they might work on their parents, who could well be in the market for a family console for the festive season.
Rock Band 2 will be the greatest music game of all time for the following reasons:
* 10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
* 11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
* 16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
* 27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
* 28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
* 29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
* 30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
* 36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
* 41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
* 42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
* 45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
* 50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
* 52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
* 53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
* 57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
* 65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
* 71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
* 72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
* 75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Thank you Mr Morgan for taking over for me this week.
As for these adverts I don’t think they work, the require quite alot of brain power to descipher the message and what is actually going on. Why are there holes in the peoples heads? Does it relate to what they are watching?
For me the expressions on their faces are not of joy but seem rather robotic.