Microsoft Interview - E310
E3 2010: We found the chance to chat with two Microsoft Canada product managers
Part 2 - Glenn Purkis, product manager of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft Canada
New Game Network: Hey Glenn. So why should gamers choose Xbox Live?
Glenn Purkis: Xbox Live is the most definitive online entertainment experience. We have over 250 arcade titles ready to download. There are over 700 movies – more than half of them in HD – right at your fingertips. That, along with over 1000 TV episodes from over 15 channel networks makes Xbox Live the center for all your entertainment needs.
NGN: Are there any changes to the service with the arrival of Kinect?
GP: Yes, we are actually changing the look and feel of the dashboard slightly in order to make it easier to use with Kinect. Players are now able to operate the console without a controller, which means we had to adjust the look of the dashboard to make everything quicker and easier to use with just your gestures. For example, players can easily begin watching videos of Zune with a simple hand movement or even their voice. It’s worth noting that Kinect does not require any kind of voice calibration. As you may have seen during the press conference, our goal is to make it as simple as “If you see it, just say it”. This function provides users with prompts for possible voice commands, so you are never at a loss of what to say.
NGN: How will Kinect affect the Live experience?
GP: Xbox Live already has over 25 million members, all ready to enter the next era of social networking. With Kinect, we are able to bring video chat to every Xbox 360 owner. Those with Gold memberships can enjoy advanced video features, such as a wider camera view and party mode. The camera in Kinect automatically expands to accommodate more users as they enter the video chat. It can also follow the person around the room to keep the user in view. Another huge boost to this feature is the fact that Windows Live messenger is now compatible with Live service, allowing users across the globe to use their PCs and Webcams to chat with friends using Kinect.
NGN: What does the ESPN deal mean to the service?
GP: Undoubtedly, this is one of the biggest service offerings yet for Xbox Live. Providing hundreds of live and pay per view events to our audience is a huge step forward, but we’ve also included social features such as voting, trivia and more. At this time, the ESPN deal is only valid in USA, but there is always hope for other countries as well. We are always looking for the right partnership, and in Canada we have yet to find it. However, we do have TV deals in UK and Australia, so there is always a chance that a certain service will become available for Xbox users in your country sooner or later.
NGN: Thank you for your time!
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