Jason Merrick Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 A few times a year this local company calls me up to participate in a focus group. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it is basically where a business wants to get feedback on something (a product, an advertising campaign, a tv show, etc.) and they pay people to come and participate in a discussion about their product. Well, they called me today and asked me if I play videogames. They started asking about PC games and I was starting to think I wouldn't be eligible for the group since I only play games on my Xbox. After telling the guy that, he informed me they have a group specifically for Xbox Live and asked me if I had ever done any beta testing for Xbox. Well, I haven't, but I sure hope that this group leads to some! I'd kill to become a beta tester for GR2 or Halo 2 or something like that... although I don't even know if they have public betas like that anymore, do they? Well, at the worst, I get $75 to sit and talk about Xbox Live.... not too shabby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted August 21, 2004 Report Share Posted August 21, 2004 Thats pretty cool. Is this just a random call or did you sgin up for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Merrick Posted August 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 I'm on the market research company's list. They call me periodically (2-3x per year) for various focus groups, but this is the first one on video games. I'm leaving in about 30 minutes, if it turns up any good information, I'll post it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foogledricks Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 I used to do these as well. Usually got either $50 or $100. The women cared little if I qualified for the focus group, she'd always try to fit me in anyway. Like I was 21 but I needed to be 25. It was interesting, but it did require a time commitment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bryan Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 Spill the beans, Jason! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJames Posted August 25, 2004 Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 Hmmm, they must have talked a lot about Rainbow Six. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYING SE7EN Posted August 25, 2004 Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 Well, at least we'll all know who to blame when MS starts releasing a large amount of Live-enabled sniper games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Merrick Posted August 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Originally posted by FLYING SE7EN@Aug 25 2004, 10:26 AM Well, at least we'll all know who to blame when MS starts releasing a large amount of Live-enabled sniper games. Hahahaha! Actually, I rarely play as a sniper in GRIT anymore... usually rifleman or support. Alright, they basically talked about proposed features for a future version of Xbox Live. I didn't take notes, but off the top of my head, the ideas were: - Streaming Internet radio (including live sports events) - Downloading .mp3's - Pro League with multiple games that everyone could try out for, teams would be formed and weekly matches would get coverage on ESPN. - Jeopardy style game that you could play anytime against other human opponents with real prizes. - Video conferencing, that would also allow you to view your opponents face while playing against him/her. - Watch and play - would allow you to view live TV in an infinitely scaleable window while playing Xbox. - Play and win - prizes for various things, including just for logging on. There was one more, but I can't remember what it was... The main point I made at the end, was that I thought they needed to ensure the gaming was still the priority and that none of these features would steal bandwidth from actual games. I suggested that if they want to add all these features, then they should also add dedicated servers for all games, which would help to increase the quality of online gameplay for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTello Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 The main point I made at the end, was that I thought they needed to ensure the gaming was still the priority and that none of these features would steal bandwidth from actual games. I suggested that if they want to add all these features, then they should also add dedicated servers for all games, which would help to increase the quality of online gameplay for everyone. Well, I'm glad you were representing for us, because I like your response. :tu: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baiter Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 None of those features sound terribly appealing to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Merrick Posted August 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Originally posted by Baiter@Aug 25 2004, 08:04 PM None of those features sound terribly appealing to me. Yeah, after all my hopes of what might be the subject, these were pretty anticlimactic. I thought the coolest idea was the streaming internet radio. I told them it should be accessible from all games, not just those with custom soundtrack capabilities. I also like the idea of being able to stream some cool internet radio stations through my Home Theater system via Xbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kain rising Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Originally posted by Jason Merrick@Aug 25 2004, 08:00 PM - Downloading .mp3's If this is something they are maybe thinking about... I wonder where they'll store the mp3s on Xbox2 if it (as rumored) doesn't have a hard drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 On a networked XP machine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainl Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Because just downloading them straight to the XP machine would be so much more complicated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whooter Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Originally posted by iainl@Aug 26 2004, 09:09 AM Because just downloading them straight to the XP machine would be so much more complicated... For us, no. For Joe Average Consumer? Who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJames Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 With MS launching their online store via WMP10 I'm sure they'll work it into XBL at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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