by Goji66 » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:47 am
Microsoft is revealing Xenon on MTV, four days before E3!!!
From CVG.com:
"XBOX 2 DEBUTS PRE-E3 ON MTV!
Microsoft to reveal next-gen monster worldwide on MTV
12:05 If you want to be among the first people in the world to see Microsoft's Xbox 2 you won't need an uncle called Bill Gates or an E3 press pass - you'll only need MTV.
Microsoft has struck a deal with the cable TV channel to unveil the next-gen console during a half-hour program to be broadcast around the world on May 12.
That's a full 4 days ahead of Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference where the Seattle-based giant was expected to show off the system for the first time.
The early worldwide unveiling is a brave move for Microsoft, and one that strongly goes against the grain for new console announcements. Sony and Nintendo are also expected to break out their new consoles on May 16 or 17 - in the relative safety of a press conference.
But Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Xbox, is confident the MTV unveiling will be a winner. ""It doesn't make sense to unveil the product behind a closed door, at a trade-only event," he said, talking to marketing journal Brandweek. "We wanted to talk directly to the consumer first."
So rather than whipping off the Xbox 2's covers in front of a bunch of sweaty, whooping games journalists, Microsoft will unleash the console in front of actor Elijah Wood and a host of celebrities from the worlds of sport, music and film. The Killers will even play a set, just in case you're getting a little bit bored of all the geek-speak.
Moore sees the move as indicative of Microsoft's cool new marketing approach as it attempts to make the Xbox 2 a worldwide success and hammer Sony and Nintendo into the dirt. The goal is to appeal the "core gamers" while at the same time managing to "captivate the masses," according to Moore.
Microsoft's ourcolony.net, an example of ilovebees.com-style viral marketing, is already making waves amongst gamers eager to catch a glimpse of the Xbox 2. Catch up on the clues here.
Only a month to go then...