Digital Journal — I am not a video gamer, and I’m not going to pretend I am. In fact, you probably won’t catch me within 20 feet of a video game console. Whether it be PS2, GameCube or Xbox, consoles are all the same to me. Games are no better — they are all complicated and trying to figure them out frustrates me to bits.
There are likely hundreds of thousands of girls and women who disagree with me. Many females love spending hours playing Halo or Final Fantasy. I commend them for their ability to compete with the boys, but I admit I will never be good at video games.
As it turns out, my lack of interest in video games has made me a target. Apparently, Microsoft is hoping to win over women with its upcoming Xbox 360. Good luck.
Since its launch in 2001, Xbox has been targeted at the hardcore gamer market — the teenage and twenty-something males in college and university who get turned on just buying action games.
Now, as the New York Times reports, Microsoft wants to share the Xbox experience by expanding their market to mommies and families. No, the units are not going to be pink with flowers and stars. At least, I don’t imagine so. Instead, Microsoft’s mission is to seduce the other gender with new features, family-friendly games and other snazzy promotions.
But why all the sudden interest in women? Well, analysts say Microsoft is playing catch-up to PlayStation and Nintendo who already attract many women to video games.
A prominent feature of the Xbox 360 will be its ability to act as a digital entertainment lifestyle console. In addition to playing video games, the console will have the ability to be used as a media player, with a hook up to your computer or MP3 player. Funny, it seems that the unit is being marketed more for its extra features then what you bought it for — games.
But let’s be honest, if you didn’t want the games, why would you spend an upwards of $500 (CAN) for the unit? One of the highly anticipated games for the 360 is Kameo: Elements of Power, an action-adventure game for young females and male teenagers. The game boasts fantastic animation combined with compelling characters in an epic tale. It’s supposed to engage men and women alike. We’ll see, I guess.
Promotion-wise, Microsoft is doing a lot to get attention; the company has teamed up with Pepsi to give away an Xbox 360 every 10 minutes until November 22 in the United States. In Canada, one system will be awarded each hour.
And if that wasn’t enough, Microsoft has also released a brochure at Best Buy stores that encourages wives to try the Xbox 360. According to the New York Times, the brochure says: “Here are some things you might want to tell your wife this thing does.” Call me a prude, but wouldn’t any woman find this statement a little bit offensive? It’s like putting a Post-It note on the stove and saying: “Here are some things you might want to tell your husband this thing does.”
And so, I wish Microsoft the best of luck in their endeavours to reach the female market. We’re a tough one, but not an impossible one to tackle. If you can get me to try it out, anything’s possible.
Xbox will be available in North America on Nov. 22, 2005.
