Well, I'm back from Microsoft Gamefest and WOW! I'm still trying to digest all of the events and information that happened there. I have a LOT of typing to do over the next couple of weeks. I have a TON of information for work and even more information for the game development hobbyists.
From my own standpoint, the conference could be summed up a little like this:
Microsoft: You big game development companies suck.
Everyone: *gasp*
Microsoft: You guys don't take risks anymore, you don't innovate and personally a lot of thing you do suck
Everyone: *gasp*
Microsoft: Here little guys, here's your chance.
Everyone: *thud* *thud* *thud*
(that's the sound of all the little IPs and Hobbyists fainting and their heads bouncing off the floor)
Yep, that's how it was. Microsoft talked to the little guy like they were as important as the big production houses and they weren't too gentle with their criticisms of the current state of the game industry. It was just unbelievable. I'll get into more specifics as I continue to post about the conference, but holy cow is there a lot to look forward to and man did I meet a TON of really interesting and fantastic people.