Los Angeles (CA) –A supposedly neutral third-party analyst has predicted that Microsoft will experience a “strengthened” market position for its Xbox 360 game console. Strategy Analytics games analyst Martin Olausson explained that Microsoft had clearly “pulled ahead” of Sony and Nintendo “when it comes to offering next generation online entertainment experiences.”
According to Olausson, Sony and Nintendo announced “some new updates,” such as the PSP Go and Wii Motion Plus. However, in Olausson’s opinion, both companies simply unveiled “more of the same.” Olausson also noted that neither firm offered a “clear vision” for entertainment services beyond the core gaming features of their respective consoles.
In contrast, Microsoft revealed a “torrent” of new services for its Xbox Live platform, including:
- Instant streaming of full 1080P HD movies and TV shows.
- 10 new markets where Xbox LIVE will offer its TV shows and movies.
- Social media services Facebook and Twitter.
- Music streaming service.
- An impressive new user interface, code-named “Project Natal.”
“With Project Natal, full HD streaming of movies and TV shows, and new social media features, Xbox is ushering in a new era of digital entertainment and continues to put new challenges to its competitors in the battle for online entertainment leadership,” said Olausson. “So far these challenges have gone largely unmet and as a result Nintendo and Sony are falling further and further behind in the online entertainment market.”
