#PlayMation & MS
4 messages in this thread
Here is the scoop on Playmation buyout by Microsoft. This was extracted from
the PlayMation BBS.
MARTIN'S MINUTES – April 29, 1993
Where Have I Been?
It's been a few weeks since I've posted any messages to the net and I apologize
for that, but I think the juicy news that caused my delinquency was worth
waiting for: icrosoft has purchased the "Hash Animation Technology"! irst off,
Hash Enterprises is still going to sell Playmation and associated products. In
fact, both Randy and Bob Croucher have reoriented their direction to make sure
what we are doing is always stretching the envelope. The fact is, Hash
Enterprises exists as it had before, except that now instead of us holding on
to everyone's arm and trying to explain why our vision is the right one, we can
let the 600 pound Microsoft gorilla do the convincing. Anyway, this is payback
time for all you true believers – all of the patience and effort you have
poured into learning Playmation will make you sought after commodities in the
production field. Now that Microsoft has taken up the flag we will probably
have a much better chance of getting the Hash technology into the major
studios.I know a lot more about Microsoft's plans but you know the drill (see
nothing, hear nothing, say nothing). I can assure you that Microsoft likes to
dominate an industry and has the resources to do just about anything they want.
If I had any advice to you it would be, "Don't buy stock in any polygon-based
3D companies."
—————– Thats ALL ————————-
Mmmh…now I Understand =) With a 3D version of NT coming on the way, including
the 3d Silicon Graphics libraries as part of the GDI (after buying the license
to use it), it seems that Microsoft has serious plans to have his piece on the
animation cake. Wellm knowing Microsoft, probably they are planning to do a do
it all professional 3D package for NT based computers to sell it in the first
month for $99.95 <g> Oh yes! Why not a Silicon-Microsoft alliance to take out
of the market the 3DStudio and Topas "flies".
\ / – GluB! – mum, I'm very afraid of this news =( just kidding
/ \
Ana
This Martin guy has a serious ego problem! I would just sugest to him to take a
hike! Go enjoy the rain and David Cutler's rage up in Rainland…
In my opinion Microsoft is after 3DO and the entertainement market rather than
something more serious. That's a much greater market (every household in the
country) compared with the high end graphics. All this actually promisses to be
a very interesting battle. Nintendo, Sega, 3DO and, who else, Microsoft.
> In my opinion Microsoft is after 3DO and the entertainement market rather
than > something more serious. That's a much greater market (every household in
the > country) compared with the high end graphics. All this actually promisses
to be a > very interesting battle. Nintendo, Sega, 3DO and, who else,
Microsoft.
I agree with you on that opinion.
Having done consulting working for Microsoft, I believe I understand the
company's business philosophy. The pundits might trash it, competiors may hate
it, another's bitch about, but the philosohpy works – after all, business is
business.
Microsoft only dominates those markets that include millions of users – ergo
millions of dollars in profit. Almost everyone needs a spreadsheet, word
processor, and everyone needs an operating system. As the number of possible
users goes done, you'll see less in interest in Micorsoft in dominating it. If
Microsoft can capture popular low-end segment of a market, it will, but without
putting too much effort into it. If it can buy the technology, it will try –
why easte time reinveting the wheel when you can buy it.
Microsoft's interest in 3D animation is analogus to desk top publishing.
Microsoft will not waste it's time and money competting for the small segment
of high-end users that Aldus, Xpress, and Ventura do. But for the mulititudes
of people that need simple desk top publishing, Microsoft gave them MS
Publisher – inexpensive, easy to use, and with limited capablites. Low input +
high volume = profit.
I'm sure that Microsoft see the synergitic future of 3D animation, Video for
Windows, multimedia, the the lot. But the future it undoublty is interested in
is the multitudes people who will do low-end animation – the Playmation crowd.
So, in my opinion, Autodesk, Pixar, VIDI, MacroMedia and others don't have to
worry about Microsoft trying to cut them out. Their market is small fry for
Microsoft. But as with any giant playing in a field, to ignore a giant's
direction is suicidal. Autodesk better pay close attention to Microsoft's 3D
animation on Windows NT as it should to Pixars (but that's another topic).
Just my ten cents.