Former Microsoft exec Peter Moore was one of the company's most public-facing figures during the Xbox 360 era, having moved over from gaming competitor SEGA in the early 2000s. These days, the industry is in a much different place to what it was when Moore was at Xbox - and the former exec has been talking about that extensively in a brand-new interview this week.
Speaking with Gamertag Radio's Danny Peña and Parris Lilly, Moore touched on plenty of topics to do with the industry - including just how different things are now compared to back then. The former Xbox exec talked about the modern day differences with Microsoft's strategy now compared to back in the day, especially with the company's recent multiplatform push.
"We were young enough to have fun and do all the daft stuff that we did and all the stunts [back in the 360 era], and I think the 'console wars' that you're alluding to were healthy for the industry - and look, I've said it before, we — and certainly I did — encouraged the battle because I think that gamers loved to see Xbox vs. PlayStation and maybe Nintendo as well. That, I think, was a rising tide that lifted all ships there.
It's different today. And when you see what's happened with the acquisitions and the consolidation - if they [Microsoft] had the choice, would they make hardware? No. Would they be delighted if they could be a multi-hundred billion dollar entity delivering content directly to your televisions or whatever monitor you choose to play on? You bet."
Moore went on to say that the Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal "changed things" and that had he known back in the 360 days that a gaming acquisition would be the company's biggest-ever purchase, he'd have "laughed" due to how hard it was to secure gaming deals at Microsoft when he was in charge.
During the nearly one-hour-long chat, the former Xbox exec talked about lots of other interesting tidbits about his time at Microsoft too, and we recommend the full interview if you'd like to hear a bit more about what Moore had to say. What's clear is that he thinks the industry — and indeed Microsoft — has changed a lot since the Xbox 360 era, and based on the landscape today, you'd have to agree with him.
What do you think to this new chat with Peter Moore? Talk to us about your highlights from the interview down below.
[source youtu.be]
Comments 15
It's nice the industry is evolving but it would be great if it could evolve a bit faster through this crappy part!
Xbox and the industry have changed for the better since those days. There is still a ways to go.
I like the strategy, I want Microsoft to continue in hardware even add a handheld. Buddy of mine went and got a port also he can enjoy MHW away from the tv. To me a streaming handheld on a platform I don’t have much as far as purchases would be a waist. But if Microsoft did it with a little native power of its own I’d jump back into handheld alongside my tv hookup. Making money is the game in any industry and if Microsoft makes a bang for its buck across different console spaces then so be it long as the hardware is good and the games which they are currently then fine by me.
Just imagine the generation we could’ve had with Moore staying instead of Don Mattrick and Phil Spencer, he knew from the beginning what the others still haven’t understood, we want great games, and during his time in Xbox we definitely got them, those were the best times the brand has ever seen and it’s not even close, looking at Xbox now I don’t think they’ll EVER be able to replicate the hype around 2007 and Halo 3.
I think they’re still not quitting hardware, let’s wait until they actually say something about the console itself rather than making assumptions
I really like the strategy MS has taken, but mostly because increased revenue SHOULD help more Devs stay in their jobs and create more great games. It breaks down exclusivity barriers and breeds better competition, which is all but gone in the home console market.
But let's not kid ourselves, if Xbox had sold 75m series consoles this gen it wouldn't be doing the ps5 multiplat thing.
The Activision purchase completely changed Xbox. We’re just beginning to see that change manifest. Im curious if the Xbox faithful are still happy with that purchase.
Peter Moore, we miss you. We even somehow against all odds miss Balmer.
@lacerz The King purchase was mandated by Amy Hood (and Nadella) so MS can move into mobile gaming. They didn't change because they bought King; they changed and so they bought King.
We the public didn't know this at the time and so it's easy to say they bought ABK and it ruined everything. But all was revealed during the FTC trial. ABK has nothing of substantial (70B) value besides mobile games and CoD. When they declared that CoD would be forever multiplat, and that the decision to target ABK for purchase was not Phil Spencer's but Amy Hood's, that was when the public (at least those paying attention) knew they were trying to spend 70B on a company that would not benefit Xbox in any meaningful way.
Important context is Nadella walked in the door to his first day on the job and wanted to shut down Xbox. He's still doing it - but he's slapping the name Xbox on MGS and so he can say Xbox is doing fine as he pushes the pillow down over the actual Xbox's face.
There's your long winded answer from one Xbox faithful :
@Jenkinss
Nice analysis. And I agree. The fact that Xbox still exists after Nadella took over is a testament to the work put in to keep Xbox alive.
I'll be glad if there's one more "traditional" Xbox console and a PS6. Then I can retire from modern gaming and focus entirely on my back catalogue of retro games and systems. My Sega Saturn and Dreamcast don't get nearly the attention they deserve.
I've been emphasizing the "Soft" in Microsoft the past year and half as it's been clear Microsoft is moving toward that entity and they'll continue to keep plugging the gap with powerful hardware until they can have it on every device whenever that may be. I'll continue supporting consoles & also start building my PC in 2027. Just need to save, no rush with my backlog on Xbox and Switch
@Coletrain oh man they'll just cut the bottom performers and consolidate the top dogs in ever more focused studios. I'm hoping they layoff more of the 343 legacy folks and give Halo Studios more resources from the DOOM id software team. SUCH A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEM HALO! I think they would do the Master Chief very well. Imagine a gravity hammer just splattering a brute? Off topic. But yeah, wish they would do good but they'll do what makes business sense even if the devs deserve more resources and more cash for their awesome work
He's not really saying anything that hasn't already been said a thousand times before, but truthfully, he aint wrong - and I have no problem with that whatsoever.
@Kilamanjaro I mean, I'm not sure that ID would get the tone of Halo right but it'd still be Hella fun 🤣
Yeah, you're right man. There will be more layoffs for sure. But I look at obsidian and ninja theory and double fine and think, well they are hanging onto less profitable studios and supporting them, so thank god for that because I love them all
@Coletrain remember in Halo 1 when the Chief punched his fist right into Captain Keyes' zombie flood ridden skull to get that chip out of his head? Epic. ID could have a lot of fun with it hehe
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