GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Microsoft on Xbox One messaging -- "Shame on us"

Chief product officer Marc Whitten admits company has not done enough to communicate benefits of Xbox One, says family sharing plan could return.

2482 Comments

Xbox chief product officer Marc Whitten has addressed messaging issues for the Xbox One, saying "shame on us" for coming up short in communicating to consumers the benefits of the next-generation console.

No Caption Provided

"I think it's pretty simple. We've got to just talk more, get people understanding what our system is," Whitten told IGN in a new interview. "The thing that's really gratifying is that people are excited about the types of features that are possible, and it's sort of shame on us that we haven't done as good of a job as we can to make people feel like that's where we're headed."

Whitten also spoke about the Change.org petition calling Microsoft to reinstate its controversial Xbox One policies. He said Microsoft's decision to reverse its policies was done to give consumers more options and explained that the company still has work to do to get this point across to consumers.

"What it tells me is we need to do more work to talk about what we're doing because I think that we did something different than maybe how people are perceiving it," Whitten said. "When I read some of the things like that petition, from my perspective we took a lot of the feedback and, while Xbox One is built to be digital native, to have this amazing online experience, we realized people wanted some choice. They wanted what I like to call a bridge, sort of how they think about the world today using more digital stuff."

"Frankly, I think we need to just do more to let people see how the console works, what they're going to be able to do for it."

"What we did, we added to what the console can do by providing physical and offline modes in the console. It isn't about moving away from what that digital vision is for the platform," he added. "It's about adding that choice. Frankly, I think we need to just do more to let people see how the console works, what they're going to be able to do for it. I think a lot of the things they're wishing for are frankly there."

Also in the interview, Whitten specifically addressed the Xbox One's family sharing plan, which was killed off when Microsoft announced its change of policies. He explained that this feature--which would allow gamers to share their digital libraries with up to 10 others--could make a return if consumers make enough noise.

"If it's something that people are really excited about and want, we're going to make sure that we find the right way to bring it back," Whitten said. Check out the full IGN interview for more.

The Xbox One launches this November for $500 alongside competitor Sony's $400 PlayStation 4.

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 2482 comments about this story
2482 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for beuneus12
beuneus12

529

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

why is this trollbait article still on top?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Namahsdrol
Namahsdrol

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@beuneus12 Because hopefully it will prevent as many casual gamers that haven't been close to this from making a huge mistake and getting caught out by Microsoft and their online only, 24 hour check in, DRM with built in spycam piece of shite as possible.

10 • 
Avatar image for AyatollaofRnR
AyatollaofRnR

789

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Namahsdrol @beuneus12 you know they changed that stuff right.

2 • 
Avatar image for eze_sl89
eze_sl89

217

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 116

User Lists: 0

in times like this, i really, really miss Sega...

2 • 
Avatar image for TURBO-BURNER
TURBO-BURNER

72

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@eze_sl89 & Atari

Upvote • 
Avatar image for radcrab123
radcrab123

39

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@eze_sl89 *90'S Sega* Sega:ILL BE BACK!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for racerxgundam
racerxgundam

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

we soooo sowwey!

> wii u

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Sav117
Sav117

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

Shame on us basically means = We failed at our marketing scheme, we screwed up the presentation and couldnt force everything we wanted down the customers throats, turns out our customers are NOT idiots.

This is shameful, the audacity Microsoft has of trying to force whatever they want and expecting people to go along with it. As for me im not touching this console with a 100 mile pole, not even if they remove the Kinect.

Btw, in no way saying "shame on us" and apology to your customers. They should really apologize for this.

Keep in mind i USED to be an Xbox fan, and i own a 360.

6 • 
Avatar image for liandrikonflict
liandrikonflict

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Sav117 They force it because the Government wants the NSA spybox in every Americans living room no matter what...M$ is totally run and controlled by governing forces.

Note...Kinect is STILL mandatory...that is the main "feature".

3 • 
Avatar image for gpm23
gpm23

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By gpm23

@liandrikonflict @Sav117 Yes, because the government has nothing better to do than to spy on people playing video games. Get over yourselves, for real.

2 • 
Avatar image for crazyrage23
crazyrage23

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@VodkaHog like the government really gives a shit about your phone conversation... get over yourself

Upvote • 
Avatar image for VodkaHog
VodkaHog

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Are people still making this argument that "the government has nothing better to do than to spy on people playing video games"? The same shit is said when they were spying on our phone conversations.

3 • 
Avatar image for Hollowdimension
Hollowdimension

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Shame on Microsoft for a whole lot of things.

7 • 
Avatar image for eze_sl89
eze_sl89

217

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 116

User Lists: 0

yes shame on you microshit, hope you die , **** your shitty console and **** your participation in video game business since you first started with xbox back in the day.

hope you disappear for good for once, you should have never entered this bussiness in the first place.

6 • 
Avatar image for Stardust7
Stardust7

50

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@eze_sl89 Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken !!!!!!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for downloadthefile
downloadthefile

514

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 36

User Lists: 0

Edited By downloadthefile

Worse specs, less customer friendly, more emphasis on social media integration and ulterior console functions, $100 more, not even an included headset, camera in your living room (in the wake of the NSA reveals!!!), and a generally snide attitude towards consumers, as though we're all mongoloids roaming in a field who don't know what we want.

PS2 won against Xbox, 360 won against PS3, and now PS4 will win against the new Xbox. Microsoft is an arrogant company that has shunned the loyal fanbase it had, both in relation to PC vs Mac, and now in the console wars. I despise the new Microsoft, Windows 8 is a piece of garbage, and the new Xbox looks to continue that trend. I hope Google or Samsung make a console.

11 • 
Avatar image for de-astroturfer
de-astroturfer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@downloadthefile I agreed with everything you said up until you mentioned Google (the NSA's bestist friend) other than that well said ;)

4 • 
Avatar image for eze_sl89
eze_sl89

217

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 116

User Lists: 0

@downloadthefile good, i agree. but instead of google or samsung making a console, i would rather preffer SEGA to revive in the hardware competition.

4 • 
Avatar image for de-astroturfer
de-astroturfer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@eze_sl89 @downloadthefile I like the sound of that Sega Ultra drive and a Nintendo Hyper NES and a PS4, did I forget someone no, no I don't think I did ;)

2 • 
Avatar image for Daian
Daian

2901

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

I could swear Nintendo's and Microsoft's nextgen marketing teams are run by chimpanzees, they do such a great job of marketing their new consoles.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SwungCookie
SwungCookie

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By SwungCookie

Lol. It's so obvious what would be said in the comments of anything that has to do with the X1

Upvote • 
Avatar image for fazio93
fazio93

2940

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 160

User Lists: 0

so instead of just admitting their console is inferior to PS4, they admit "they haven't told us everything about it yet"?
lol

Upvote • 
Avatar image for eze_sl89
eze_sl89

217

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 116

User Lists: 0

@fazio93 whats the difference? they will fail miserably anyway

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Namahsdrol
Namahsdrol

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Namahsdrol

@fazio93 Oh they told us everything alright. Everything we needed to know anyway.

8 • 
Avatar image for SoulxReaperx366
SoulxReaperx366

44

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@smashthejews I don't know if you're purposefully trolling, but you've probably got some incoming hateful comments for posting this. WAY too soon.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for RicanV
RicanV

2624

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

RicanV  Moderator

@SoulxReaperx366 @smashthejews You really don't know if he is purposefully trolling?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for GONtheSKYLORD
GONtheSKYLORD

3042

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@SoulxReaperx366 @RicanV @smashthejews His name is smashthejews. Of course he is a troll.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for smashthejews
smashthejews

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@SoulxReaperx366 @RicanV @smashthejews it made me laugh LOL thats all that matters 8)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SoulxReaperx366
SoulxReaperx366

44

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@RicanV @SoulxReaperx366 @smashthejews Some people are stupid enough to think those kinds of jokes are actually funny. If i had to guess I'd say he is, but there's always a chance he's just stupid.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-642321fb121ca
deactivated-642321fb121ca

7142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

@SoulxReaperx366 @smashthejews Seen his name, cannot believe that is acceptable.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-642321fb121ca
deactivated-642321fb121ca

7142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

If they are bad at communicating then how does Nintendo and Wii U fair?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Namahsdrol
Namahsdrol

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Random_Matt Wii U probably isn't a bad system but it just wasn't necessary and didn't bring enough to the table or innovation compared with the original Wii. Good software sells consoles and unfortunately Nintendo were more concerned about launching 1st than having a good selection of games. They have still shifted 3.5 million units to date and have a stronger line up for Xmas.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Namahsdrol
Namahsdrol

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

What I really like is trying to market being able to play your games at a friends house as a new feature! You need to know who to pick your fights with in business and taking the piss out of the gaming community will always leave you with a bloody nose. Shame on you indeed Microsoft.

3 • 
Avatar image for zedzor
zedzor

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

(Aboard the MS Titanic) Captain: we are right in our policies and we are going to charge full speed ahead.... there is nothing to fear, this ship is unsinkable.

Sailor: sir, we have reports of user complaints in these waters, are you sure you wish to continue?

Captain: of course I'm sure. This is the MS Titanic and nothing can stand in our way.

..... A little while later......

Sailor: SIR, THERE IS A MASSIVE NEGATIVE CONSUMER REACTION AHEAD!!!

Captain: FULL REVERSE...TURN THIS VESSEL NOW!!!

Sailor: Sir, we are taking on water.

Captain: have no fear sailor, This is the MS Titanic and it has redundancies that will prevent it from sinking....in fact i hear the smooth talking and blame negation personnel kicking in as we speak.

12 • 
Avatar image for Namahsdrol
Namahsdrol

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@zedzor Sailor: Oh wait there is a US submarine not far from here that can save us.

Captain: Sorry son, they don't have an internet connection on board. They are useless to us now.

7 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5fa24dfb84084
deactivated-5fa24dfb84084

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

the only thing they didnt fail at is launching before PS4, other than that xbox1 failed the battle in every aspect comparing to PS4, me and my friends all going to go for PS4!!

6 • 
Avatar image for sdoxas
sdoxas

64

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 35

User Lists: 0

Isn't this just like the GOP saying their problem is messaging, when the product they're offering is crap?

7 • 
Avatar image for Mickeyminime
Mickeyminime

1583

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 30

User Lists: 0

For me, PS4 is the winner, it won my heart, my friend's hearts and so on. I think i will pass on X1, i'm not really a fan of the 360, but i think i can survive without play the next Halo. I really wanted to play Ryse, it's really the only game that interested me. You did bad MS, but in the end, you did good with the 180 but i do think you lost a lot of fans because of what you did, i still hear there are Xbox players still refusing to buy the X1 even after the 180, but either way, it's good you did it because you would have seriously suffered if you continued with the DRM

10 • 
Avatar image for Namahsdrol
Namahsdrol

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Mickeyminime I'm not surprised Xbox fans are switching over. This is the worst console launch in history (except maybe the Atari Jaguar). I had Xbox and 360 in the past and both of them broke multiple times. Never had any problems with PS1,2 or 3. So instead of trying to win the software battle, Microshaft comes out with all this DRM nonsense. They have totally blown it here and Sony are going to do very well for not trying to rip off their customers. PS4 FTW

9 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-600fca87e42d4
deactivated-600fca87e42d4

33

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Namahsdrol @Mickeyminime

I'm an XBox fan (was PS1, PS2 before that) and I'm switching over

5 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-59930af094f34
deactivated-59930af094f34

218

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

For me - they said too much ... too many thing I do not want, and gave me too much of an insight into what they want us to accept down the line. I am done with Microsoft consoles (until perhaps the next, nextgen).

8 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-600fca87e42d4
deactivated-600fca87e42d4

33

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@ElJefeDeMedios

And they took away the game shareing etc. only we reacted to their DRM. They took it away in a hissy fit,.

2 • 
Avatar image for brunocj2
brunocj2

44

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@ElJefeDeMedios I'm done with Microsoft everything. Can't stand Windows, specially Windows 8. *vomit

6 • 
Avatar image for de-astroturfer
de-astroturfer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It doesn't matter what M$ say or do now its blatantly clear they want draconian DRM and an always on spy camera in your home and once they con enough people on board, they will reimpose it.

They seem to be under the impression we will all eventually just get used to it and let M$ take us for every penny they can. anybody who stumps up the cash for an xbox one believing they've changed or believe the games that they buy from M$ belong to them is sorely mistaken the console will be an expensive locked in cloud rental service its what every large US company is moving to. its what M$ are moving to

If you want the content you buy to belong to you forever not just a couple of years or you want your life your family photos work documents and your privacy to belong to you, steer well clear anything with the word CLOUD on it anything that looks like the cloud or anything which smells like the cloud and in this case M$ and the xbox one, you have been warned !

15 • 
Avatar image for dom28
dom28

31

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@de-astroturfer Well said :)

4 • 
Avatar image for Microsteve
Microsteve

1244

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By Microsteve

Go home microsoft, you're drunk. PS4 has beaten you to death and it's not even out yet

8 • 
Avatar image for JumpyLuweegee2
JumpyLuweegee2

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Xbox One is a huge piece of shit.

12 • 
Avatar image for sdoxas
sdoxas

64

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 35

User Lists: 0

@JumpyLuweegee2 Definitely a two-flusher.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SambaLele
SambaLele

5552

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By SambaLele

There obviously was a reason why they didn't implement family share along with the current gen policies (free used games market).

Because without all that structure built around registering and checking online your games, so they know every game you own, and aprove of it's use by you, maintaining a completely free physical market along with family share would make the DRM use of this approach useless.

They were always after the used games DRM policy.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for salvucci91
salvucci91

1219

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Frankly, I think we just need more up-in-your-face ads ! After all, Xbox One really is just one big interactive ad.

3 • 
Avatar image for A_Rabid_Dog
A_Rabid_Dog

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@salvucci91 It WAS made with advertising in mind. Did you expect anything else? x(

2 •