Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

If there’s one thing that’s evident after this year’s E3, it’s that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has finally blossomed.When the 360 launched, Microsoft’s ad attack focused on selling a game console. Over the past years, Microsoft has been slowly adding extra media capabilities in the form of Netflix, and now last.fm. Out of the gate, Microsoft realized that what’s going to sell their hardware was games, games, and games. And the first few years of the 360 brought about some of the most exciting titles of this generation: Gears of War, Left 4 Dead, Fable, etc.

Sony on the other hand, did the opposite. The PS3 was, until this year, always billed as the entertainment media center that belonged in every household’s family room. Each year, Sony promised more riveting games, and always seem to fall short for one reason or another. One thing that did stay prevalent was providing a multimedia platform that brought new, free ways of enjoying entertainment, that wasn’t based on video games.

So what happened?

We can speculate all we want, but it seems that Microsoft decided that hosting the ‘must-have’ titles was the number one way to ensure their device would land in every family’s house. This is evidenced by the many exclusive titles that have shown up only on the 360, or for a certain period of time. Sony knew they would have a hard time selling their more expensive console on the same level as the 360, and attempted to elevate its stature by pushing the notion of it being more than a console: a full-fledged multimedia device. As many will recall, Sony even announced that it would not be spending money on securing exclusive titles from developers. Instead, Sony spent time and money on increasing media playback and usage; and developing its online virtual community, Home.

As of this year’s E3, it seems that both have switched stances hoping to cover that last bit of ground. Including the past years as well, shows a trend of Microsoft attacking the PS3 by taking wind from its sails. This was first performed by evening the playing field by weakening sought-after exclusives: Final Fantasy 13, just to name one high profile example. We also saw the inclusion of Netflix streaming movie support, for those that have the Gold Xbox Live service. Now MS has gone the next step and included last.fm, and even tried to chip away at the foundation of Home by bringing Twitter and Facebook support. Microsoft realized that it didn’t need to build a new platform to launch more community interaction, but rather leverage existing systems and tie them all together. This is one area that Microsoft has been quite successful, most notably outside of the gaming arena and on the PC, desktop, and server software markets.

Honestly, the latest game showings from Microsoft have not impressed as much as the past years, and that’s a normal trend. Towards the end of a console’s life cycle, we tend to see re-hashes, sequels, and me-too’s showing up too often. Clearly Microsoft has decided that their game portfolio isn’t going to be the defining factor but rather the whole platform. I’m not going to dwell on it, but even Project Natal shows the same emphasis by trying to create a new way to interact. Now, Microsoft has not forgotten that gaming is what the 360 does as they successfully showed off titles like Alan Wake.

Sony on the other hand has finally realized that they are trying to sell a video game console and been trying to emphasize their exclusive titles. Of the games shown this and last year, many are on the short list for the PS3 owners to watch and wait for their final availability. This was the first E3 where Sony did not over emphasize the other features of the PS3, but rather emphasize its ability to play games and the great games to look forward to. Honestly, the public did not need to be reminded that the PS3 can play Blu-ray as well. That tooth has passed being long in the mouth, and been yanked by the dentist a while back. Besides Home, Sony’s emphasis this year was firmly rooted in games: new titles to expect, and classic ones to resurface for purchase on PSN.

Now where Sony still holds the upper-hand over Microsoft is in the fees department. Microsoft was founded on making money over something was free, and that mindset has not changed with the 360 or Xbox Live. Meanwhile, Sony has never and emphasized that it will not charge for its online offering: the Playstation Network. They both have their respective market places where digital goods can be had in the form of games and media, but the ability to play games online for free, as well as other potential uses, stay free on the PS3. This has become even more prevalent with the all the clatter about Final Fantasy XIV potentially showing up on the 360 and causing a ruckus since it will have a monthly MMO fee, outside of Xbox Live, and require a hard drive.