Game companies could learn from Apple
updated 06:25 pm EST, Mon January 21, 2008
Apple's gaming lessons
Consumer-friendly design, simple operation, and putting the consumer before business are among the lessons Nintendo, Sony and other gaming companies could learn from Apple according to an editorial by GameDaily. Unlike these firms, Apple "makes customers feel that they are more important than the company's business partners," holding standard pricing for iTunes song and TV show purchases despite industry pressure. Meanwhile, Microsoft has capitulated to media producers, meaning that the Xbox Live utilizes a confusing set of prices and rules for downloading TV shows and movies.
Apple also uses "uncluttered, graphically driven interfaces make (them) elegantly browsable (unlike, say, the impossible-to-navigate PlayStation Network store)." This includes the use of one-finger operation for the iPod, iPhone and other interfaces. The Xbox 260 and PlayStation 3, in contrast, require full-hand operation. For instance, GameDaily says that PlayStation 3's Cross Media Bar -- while cool looking -- :is more of a puzzle game than an easy experience for newcomer."
The only point on which the editorial faults Apple is building a closed-loop system -- "But unlike Sony, at least Apple never tried to freeze out the MP3 format."
Ah yes, the Xbox 260
01/21, 06:53pm reply
I remember the Xbox 260... it was plagued with the Orange Ring of Death and outsold the Playstation 2 1/2 only to be trumped by the Ninetendo Wee.
Robb
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2000
Wii?
01/21, 06:58pm reply
I see them saying what they think Microsoft does wrong, and I see them saying what they think Sony does wrong. What do they think Nintendo does wrong? Just the Mii thing?
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Nintendo for me,,,
01/21, 08:14pm reply
Lets see...Wii costs € 279 but a basic Mac Mini costs € 599...Yes Apple definitely puts its customers first...hardly!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
What a ridiculous comment
01/21, 08:28pm reply
That "feathers" guy... Comparing a Mac Mini with a Nintendo Wii...
lancelott
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2007
yep!
01/22, 01:23pm reply
that X-Box 260 is a pain in the a** to navigate_
Anyway - the iTunes Music Store [iTMS] isn't as user friendly as Apple would like to make it out ot be_
Since it started out as a Muisc Store and has since migrated to Video content the Search mechanism still defaults to Music_ Despite a want to seek out a given movie - it instead brings up the movie soundtrack_
Aside form the iTMS - most other Apple products and services - Mac OS - Apple.com Website - iPod absolutely are easy and simple to navigate_
And the title should read more to the tune of: "Companies with Game Consoles Could Learn From Apple When It Comes To Interface Design"
Because as it reads now - I'm thinking Electronic Arts or Capcom or Konami or Midway or SEGA_
MacNN - use the word "Console" in the title and it might clear up some of the mis-communication_
@feathers - when was the last time someone ran Excel on a Wii ?
When was the last time someone edited photos in Photoshop on a Wii ?
When was the last time someone edited video in Final Cut on a Wii?
Pure Genius !
UberFu
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Joined: Oct 2002