Xbox Living

Microsoft execs like to go on the record against the PS3. They laugh at its price tag, point ou how many users the Xbox 360 already has and compare Blu-ray to Betamax (while HD-DVD is, of course, VHS).

But this week, in an interview with Spong, Neil Thompson, an Xbox Senior Regional Director, made one comment that has been picked up by a few media outlets:

“I think they’ve missed the ball, in that it’s not really a next-generation games player – it’s a next-generation DVD player. For us, that’s great news, because we think we make the next-generation games console.”

So basically: Xbox 360 is a next-gen game console, but the PS3 is merely a DVD player (with Blu-ray discs)?

I’m sorry, Microsoft, but usually your bashing makes sense. I mean, what about all those, y’know, games that Sony is working on? What about Heavenly Sword, Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4? What about all the next-generation games that are also being released for the Xbox 360, such as Fight Night Round 3?

Sony may have messed up its marketing for this system. It might be more expensive than anyone wants to pay. It might fail. But it’s still a game console, and it’s still more powerful than the Xbox 360.

Come on, Microsoft. Try harder.