E3 2013: 5 Lessons We've Learned From That Hectic Week

4. Microsoft's "Business First, Happy Consumers Later" Policy

Even with my inherent dislike of Microsoft (comes with liking Sony and all, but at least I admit my bias), I feel as if I've slammed the XBOX (a.k.a.: XBoner, XBroke, X-359, etc. etc...) entirely too much.

That being said, I actually don't believe the XBOX One is a bad console - if not poorly named.

Most gamers' gripes about the initial reveal were two-fold: one being XBOX 360 fans who were gamers, and felt alienated by Microsoft touting the XBOX One's social features rather than actual gaming information. Second, and more importantly (because honestly, all of the gaming publishers DO need to expand their marketing beyond us rabid gaming fanatics), the console, or rather, Microsoft was slammed because of inconsistent information given regarding some of the less user-friendly attributes of the console. Between the once-a-day online "check-in", the complications regarding used games, and the initial confusion regarding the Kinect, the XBOX One, through no fault of it's own (admittedly) impressive specifications, was off to a rough start before E3 was even upon us.

If you listen closely, you'll hear it say "It isn't my fault!"

Hardware-wise, the XBOX One is only slightly less powerful or advanced than the PlayStation 4. I don't doubt that Microsoft made a solid console - the XBOX 360 had similar limitations compared to the PlayStation 3, and wound up selling excellently. What concerns me (and no doubt, Microsoft's investors) is the sudden lack of concern for the consumer - that'd be you, the person who buys faithfully from Microsoft.

With the advent of the DRM (the digital rights to a title, held by a game's publisher or Microsoft) implemented to restrict the boatload of profits that third party retailers make off of games, combined with other aforementioned restrictions, the XBOX One seems more like a risky liability than a console to be enjoyed - a description that even I will admit is partially unfair. Although I do not believe Microsoft will make any new fans by selling a console that's filled with technicalities and barriers to play, I think that if Microsoft modified the XBOX One or retooled it before the autumn release, they could do far better at winning over a faithful crowd of supporters to buy their latest console.

Which is more difficult than it sounds, for two reasons: One being that Microsoft's monstrosity (I couldn't help it) is more expensive than both the Wii U and the PlayStation 4, and two: