Microsoft: Most Consumers Aren't Even Aware Of February 20

Sony may rock the video game world next week, but Microsoft really isn't concerned.

In fact, they believe the majority of consumers won't even be aware of the February 20 announcement, as Xbox senior regional director Jonathan Grimes told MCV:

"Whatever gets announced on February 20th, the majority of consumers in the UK won’t know."

That's an interesting statement. On the one hand, he's probably right, in that the majority of consumers in this industry are purely casual nowadays. And let's face it, the casuals buy Xbox and likely aren't aware - and don't care - what Sony reveals next week. On the other hand, is he implying that consumers won't know about it because it's Sony, and that if Microsoft had a similar event, they would know...?

Anyway, Grimes added that it will be Microsoft's job to make sure customers don't get "lost" in all the hype following February 20.

"They’ll still want to buy the devices out there. So in terms of noise our job will be to ensure that the consumers that are going into stores, going online, still see and experience Xbox, rather than get lost in the industry chatter. Whatever is announced is important from an industry perspective, but we must remember who is buying right now."

Later, Grimes warned gamers against constantly wanting something new. In fact, he said- "We should look at how we can benefit from what is already out." Man, if that doesn't sound like Microsoft, I don't know what does.

Tags: ps4, playstation 4, february 20, microsoft, xbox, next generation

2/14/2013 11:14:17 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (55 posts)

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Nas Is Like
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:25:35 AM
Reply

In the UK?

Since when are "most consumers" in the UK?

4 up, 2 down

startazz
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 6:51:15 PM

I don't think he meant it like that but this is how i took it,consumers in the UK of which most of them wouldn't know about it. :-)

0 up, 0 down

Xombito
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:34:31 AM
Reply

Should I really care what MS thinks?

23 up, 1 down

karneli lll
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:35:55 AM
Reply

Microsoft seems to be really bothered, i have noticed a lot of their "filler" articles running around but this is the first time they've directly referenced their agenda. Trying to redirect the heat never works.

11 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 1:41:52 PM

Nice avatar. Excellent episode.

1 up, 0 down

Shatterday
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:47:33 AM
Reply

Jonathan who?

7 up, 1 down

Shatterday
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:54:16 AM

Everyone just remember to tune in to their live stream. I'm sure they'll be monitoring the statistics.

3 up, 1 down

Knightzane
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:55:55 AM
Reply

Oh MS... Cowering in fear because your next console is beyond broken and not ready to launch doesn't mean everyone else has to stay with you. There doesn't have to be anything new? Then why did you try and launch the 720 last year? Sigh... I watched ninty's press this morning. What is going on with them? DLC for 3ds games? Really?

8 up, 2 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:02:24 PM
Reply

So funny!!! They are feeling the pressure now! I read this and thought Microsoft must think all gamers are stupid and don't have the internet. Also, our media options are enormous! Everyone will know about this. Last but not least.....all Microsoft gamers who didn't know, now know!! :)

Last edited by CrusaderForever on 2/14/2013 12:02:44 PM

5 up, 1 down

Beamboom
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:03:18 PM
Reply

Marketing speech. They want to downgrade the significance of this event as much as possible, of course.

Last edited by Beamboom on 2/14/2013 12:04:53 PM

9 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:07:25 PM

...and the comments suggested to me that MS is not terribly ready to move from the 360.

"We should look at how we can benefit from what is already out."

I really hope 360 owners like what they have, because Microsoft doesn't seem to want to upgrade it any time soon. Then again, they (Microsoft) have bigger fish to fry with Surface falling flat on it's face and Windows 8 not really getting a positive reception from their cash cow corporate customers.

6 up, 1 down

Beamboom
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:49:26 PM

Bah, Sony said something similar just a few weeks ago. "Why be first with revealing the next console? We are in no rush. There's plenty life left in our current console" etc.

Really, this is just marketing speeches. Strategic moves. Just empty words. Not to be translated into anything else than white noise. Best just ignored.

Last edited by Beamboom on 2/14/2013 2:52:19 PM

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 4:59:32 PM

Sony was careful, they didn't say 'why reveal first?' or 'why release first?'

0 up, 1 down

Huey
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:05:23 PM
Reply

I wonder if Sony is going to broadcast the event in Playstation Home?

3 up, 1 down

Lord carlos
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:09:55 PM
Reply

Most consumers without the interwebs

1 up, 1 down

JDC80
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:10:26 PM
Reply

Outside Gears of War and Halo I can't name another popular exclusive that console has.

3 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:31:41 PM

Forza. But that's about it.

2 up, 1 down

Beamboom
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:28:21 PM

I think they also got a stunt-bike/bmx extreme sport style game, don't remember it's name but it's quite popular. Reason I know about it is cause there is a very similar game on it's way to PSN now. Accused of being a plagiarism.

0 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:55:33 PM

Trials HD, perhaps.

0 up, 1 down

berserk
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:24:16 PM

What about Lost Odyssey , it s one of the best rpg out there this generation in my opinion .

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 3:30:01 PM

That's the one, brighat. It looked quite fun too.

0 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 4:00:27 PM

Lost Odyssey is my personal favorite but it's HARDLY one of the "popular" exclusives on the 360.

2 up, 1 down

Simcoe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:29:29 PM
Reply

I think this guy is being very specific, most consumers in the UK wont know on February 20th what will be announced because it'll be 11 pm when Sony's presentation starts, so most will probably either in bed or getting ready for it. They'll probably find out February 21st.

1 up, 1 down

JROD0823
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 7:33:29 PM

I was thinking the same exact thing, lol!

Microsoft is so out of touch with reality that it's almost comical to behold.

1 up, 1 down

Snaaaake
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:32:23 PM
Reply

Ha!!
Since Halo 4 nothing new is coming for a while.

1 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:34:44 PM
Reply

He really should have added that since many of our customers have bought 2-5 360's, our customer base won't notice due the monetary investment they have made in our brand.

I could have accepted that, because coming in last place in another console generation has to bother the company. It would bother mine.

2 up, 1 down

Snaaaake
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:37:00 PM

Well not exactly, they sold slightly more X-Box than Game Cube.

0 up, 1 down

JLB1
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:54:10 PM
Reply

Just Microsoft trying to set everyones mind at ease. All this means is that they're about as intrigued with these news as the general pop is. Even more obvious, though, is that they're a little worried.

4 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:55:11 PM
Reply

Obviously people don't want anything new. Doesn't everyone want to beat a game then buy another copy of the same game? Wait...

It's kinda fun to watch them squirm

2 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:09:54 PM

They want a new 360 though, their old one RROD'd and then the refurb E74'd, time for a Kinect bundle... LOL!

7 up, 2 down

Buckeyestar
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:59:59 PM
Reply

So which is it? He first says that nobody will know about it, then proceeds to talk about how Microsoft will rise above industry chatter. Make up your mind.

2 up, 1 down

Condemnedsoul23
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:04:49 PM
Reply

It's easy for me to remember that date. Girlfriends birthday.

1 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:10:17 PM

You mean it's easy to remember your girlfriend's birthday because of the Sony announcement right?

6 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 5:00:17 PM

Is that your girlfriend in your avatar?

3 up, 1 down

Tim Speed24
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:33:28 PM

Ouch, World.....

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:46:12 PM

just razzin him :)

1 up, 1 down

Dukemz_UK
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:36:02 PM
Reply

Typically arrogant pr*ck. The kind u associate with an ultra greedy corporation like Micro$oft. How dare he speak for UK gamers.

6 up, 2 down

Deleted User
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:54:56 PM
Reply

Jonathan Grimes must be the British version of Aaron Greenberg.

3 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 5:18:00 PM

Lol I was just thinking that too.

1 up, 1 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 8:10:35 PM

I was thinking more like that dipshite....piers morgan

1 up, 2 down

jdt1981
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:10:22 PM
Reply

He needs to be more concerned about their next console... If the rumors are true about no used games and mandatory kinnect the 720 will be a tough sell for core gamers.

2 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 4:59:56 PM

It may also have to be online all the time.

2 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 4:56:59 PM
Reply

Sounds scared.

1 up, 1 down

Killa Tequilla
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 5:36:43 PM
Reply

I like escalation between a scared company

1 up, 1 down

Oxvial
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:39:06 PM
Reply

Funny because a friend of mine who never had a Playstation knew about this date and actually he advised to me to check if Sony was going to show the PS4.

3 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:47:02 PM

shame on him for not having a ps

4 up, 1 down

Robochic
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 7:01:35 PM
Reply

MS is jealous they can't pump out any masterpieces.

2 up, 2 down

Coffeya
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 9:30:44 PM
Reply

I'll say they are right on this one, but everyone in japan are aware and if they try to announce xbox720 there. No one would care :).

Xbox would obviously do better than PS in america.

Last edited by Coffeya on 2/14/2013 9:31:29 PM

0 up, 1 down

SmokeyPSD
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 4:01:15 AM
Reply

Sure, this statement rings true in this current age of media saturation...

0 up, 1 down

___________
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 4:07:23 AM
Reply

he makes it sound like no one wants a new system yet.
ahhhhh, yes, yes they most certainly do!
whats with the sudden influx of eh its good enough, what happened to the sense of wonder and what is and can be possible.
you have to look forward to the future, otherwise you end up like nintendo!

2 up, 1 down

PC_Max
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 10:24:29 AM
Reply

Did anyone consider MS knows what Sony is launching? It could be, and I am only saying this is a slim possibility.... that what Sony is revealing is not the PS4 but possibly new services for via the PS3 and future systems.

Just saying. Mind you Sony may hint on the approach of a new system, but it just could be new and better services for the existing and future systems.

Keep Playing!

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 1:41:19 PM

No way. Sony would have denied the rumors by now.

0 up, 1 down

Nas Is Like
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 6:37:56 PM

@Underdog15

Sony doesn't discuss rumours. Therefore, they would have not denied nor confirmed anything.

Last edited by Nas Is Like on 2/15/2013 6:38:09 PM

0 up, 1 down

jugheadjones
Saturday, February 16, 2013 @ 2:04:17 AM
Reply

That's ludicrous. Whatever is said will be reported and the headlines and buzz will be everywhere. It would be the same if Microsoft of Nintendo were having the event. It's not like nobody's going to be paying attention. It's like Germany saying that nobody will even know about D-Day after it happens, so let them come. lol

1 up, 1 down

gruvsf
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 @ 3:22:35 PM
Reply

I'm pretty sure the what he is trying to say is:

"We here at Microsoft Gaming division hopes that most of you won't care about Sony's next console launch, as we will be watching it very carefully"

0 up, 0 down

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