Microsoft adds original video content to Xbox Live
If anyone wasn’t convinced Microsoft is seeking to command the home entertainment center with the Xbox 360 should be convinced now. Two weeks ago they announced an exclusive deal to bring Netflix Watch Now video streaming to the console, and now they’ve announced original video content for Xbox Live.
The first foray is a series of comedy shorts directed by contemporary horror film directors such as James Wan (Saw, Death Sentence), David Slade (30 Days of Night), Andrew Douglas (Amityville Horror), and Marcus Nispel (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th). Xbox Live group product manager Scott Nocas points to the popularity of horror video games and Xbox Live horror movie downloads to suggest the Xbox owners are a key demographic.
The initial shorts will be high-def, approximately 10-minutes in length, and will be within an guidelines for an “R-rating” (they are not officially rated by the MPAA). They will be released on Xbox Live as exclusive content for a set period of time (specific to each video) and then will be free to distribute by the producers through other avenues, including iTunes, DVD or otherwise. The producers own the content and Microsoft holds an exclusive release window.
Depending on the popularity of each video, they could also be used as television pilots or remade into feature length films.
Over the next few months, Microsoft will also start announcing other content in different genres, including drama and romantic comedy.
Maybe the Xbox will finally become profitable through video-on-demand.
Source: Home Media Magazine
