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Is Microsoft headed toward a virtual world?
Microsoft Corp. has been exploring the business of virtual worlds and social networking for months, and could launch its own entry into the realm of “Second Life” or “Ultima Online” within a year, a top Microsoft executive said.
“By next year, you’ll probably know more about why I’m up here,” Daniel Schiappa, general manager of strategy for Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division told attendees at a virtual worlds conference in San Diego.
In an interview later, Schiappa expounded a little. He hinted that Microsoft is considering launching some sort of virtual world offering that would span across its gaming, PC and mobile device offerings. Most likely, any foray by Microsoft into the world of avatars or social networking would begin with PCs, then move across its Xbox gaming business and finally into its mobile phone business, Schiappa said.
Don’t think that Microsoft, the purveyor of lowly Word and Excel can compete against the super-hip companies behind virtual worlds like Second Life and Kaneva?
Remember that many thought that Microsoft didn’t stand a chance in the video game business - back before its Xbox 360 and titles like Halo 3 became top-sellers.
Schiappa declined to give more specifics about Microsoft’s virtual world plans, but hinted that anything Microsoft does will likely involve its Virtual Earth mapping platform and probably its robust video game business.
Microsoft rival Google Inc. is also inching closer to virtual worlds, most recently by letting virtual world creators tap into its Google Maps and Google Earth programs. Many who watch the industry say Google may jump in with a bigger virtual worlds offering in coming months.
Schiappa acknowledges that Microsoft might be late to business, which today is dominated by the likes of Second Life and Atlanta-based Kaneva and massively multiplayer games like World of Warcraft, Ultima Online and Lineage.
“It’s definitely a concern,” he said.
“But I think we’ve got a good understanding now of the landscape, we have a strategic plan in mind … now we have to decide how we follow-through,” Schiappa said.
“If a year from now we don’t have anything, then we probably won’t have anything,” in the virtual worlds space, he added.
Comments
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By BigDaddyDLo
October 11, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Sounds like they are trying to copy Playstation 3’s Home. As a matter of fact, it is a straight up copy. Sony started this idea and PSN on their own. Sony did not copy Xbox live. I dont even see anything in here referring to Sony, as if Microsoft just concocted this idea all themselves.
Jesus Christ, how can you people continue to claim the Xbox360 is superior to Playstation when all they do is either copy or buy out their competition. Just because you have a monopoly does not make you the best.
By GodFoot
October 11, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
to BigDaddyDlo
Well this is a 360 website you know lol
By Lyme
October 11, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
“Sony started this idea” Are you sure about that? There exists no possiblity that Sony is simply copying the idea from all the other virtual worlds and putting it on the PS3? Thats right, Sony didn’t come up with the idea, and are infact copying it themselves.
By BigDadyD(is)High
October 11, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
BigDaddy DLo is obviously a brainswashed Sony nut.
By scots79
October 11, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Well, PS3 was the first to come out with this idea on a console. It is hard to say that this was in some way influenced by sonys HOME.
By TC
October 12, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this
BigDaddyDLo & scots79 is wrong.. do your research. Second Life free for PC has been around years longer than PS3’s Home. If you wan to say Microsoft is ripping off something, Sony did it also. Even Sony’s execs get really defensive when you compare PS3’s Home to Second Life because when you listen to them explain their vision of home - social interaction, avatar creation, your own personal place, user created 3D models, virtual ecommerce… yeah.. Second Life has been doing all of that way longer.
By BigDaddyDLo
October 12, 2007 3:14 AM | Link to this
You guys are right. How could I be so foolish. The idea of having virtual avatars to represent your gametag and interact in a world run strictly by the creating company must have been the sole IP of Second Life. Companies take ideas all the time and build on them, but the fact that Sony created PSN by itself and without copying XBL, yet Microsoft can only buy out competition and pay for ps3 versions of ports to be made crappier for the ps3 system when it is technologically the better system, must just be because Microsoft is obviously the better system.
And Im a 360 owner you retards. It is possible to own more than one system. I have every right to be on this site as you do. S** like this just p** me off, because of Microsofts ways. Plus be honest, if it wasnt for Halo even peaking interest in the Xbox brand, you all would be owning playstations right now along with me lol.
By MisterChief
October 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
BigDaddyDLo: “but the fact that Sony created PSN by itself and without copying XBL”, “Sony did not copy Xbox live”
Uhh, what? Do you even know what Home is? It’s a “virtual environment for players to show off their home, decorated with items they have acquired from in-game achievements.” Hang on… didn’t the 360 come up with the idea of achievements? Get your facts straight before ranting, young one.
By SniperFox
October 14, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
MisterChief: Similar?, yes. The same? NO. Microsoft’s “Achievements” are nothing more than points on your Gamerscore. No other visual representation of them. It’s not listed WHICH achievements you make. The only person who knows what actual achievements you’ve made are yourself, and those you tell.
Sony is using 3D trophies to represent each achievement made. Anyone you bring into your “HOME” can see what you’ve done.
As I said, Similar, but not the same.
Also, there have been games even before the 360’s achievements that did similar things within themselves, they were called “Unlockables”, do a certain number of things, and get rewarded. The only differences? MS made it an integral part of every game, and the Unlockables were usually, actually usable ( IE: You get a new character, or a new weapon, etc.
Also, to the person who brought up Second Life. yes, it has been around longer, but you missed the point. Sony was the first to bring that same kind of experience to a console.
Also, while Second Life is a virtual world, HOME is not the same. You can’t launch multiplayer games from SL, you can’t access your desktop, or boot up your programs from within SL, there are no arcades with real games in SL.
The only thing similar between SL and HOME, is the fact that they are both virtual worlds were you can meet up with other people.
THIS is a blatant copy of Sony’s HOME.
Though, because of the very low IQ I’ve noticed just from reading these comments, I’m probably gonna end up being called a “Fanboy” or some other bull, even though I actually do know what I’m talking about.
You guys have fun living in your little fantasy worlds, and continue believe whatever you want to believe :).
By Halo Killer
October 15, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with sniperfox, Microsoft is truly a hack when it comes to video games. Let me ask u, why pay money to be online on Xbox Live??? Sony doesn’t require u to pay at all.
Why is Microsoft trying to get all the games from PS3?? Maybe they don’t have any good games like Wii and PS3.
Why did Microsoft pay millions of dollars just to simply get exclusives on video games?? WHY? what do they have to prove?