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The tenets of corporate evangelism appear to still be alive and kicking at MS. Thanks to recent revelations in the injuction hearing of the FTC case against the ABK/MS merger we got a glimpse of that.
Referring to xCloud Phil Spencer, head of Xbox said: “If we can get them (hardcore Xbox fans) to love it they will evangelize,” he wrote.
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-ftc-trial-unmasks-xboxs-ambitions
Beyond the actions, behavior and decision making of Phil Spencer attesting to him being a practicioner of MS envangelism it's important that we now have confirmation that goes beyond the "benefit of the doubt", "plausible deniability" grey area that suits and favors defense against an allegation - as correct as it may be.
For any of you not familiar with Microsoft Evangelism: "Evangelism is War" please take a look at this MS internal memo, referenced on an anti-trust lawsuit dating back 20 years ago. As you may have guessed, Microsoft and anti-competitive, monopolistic behavior and practices are not a new thing, they're a recurring occurrence and part of the company's DNA:
https://antitrust.slated.org/www.iowaconsumercase.org/011607/3000/PX03096.pdf
There are many aspects and tenets to Microsoft Evangelism. At its core it serves as a foundational philosophical base to guide the actions, behavior and decision making of Microsoft employees, and focuses mainly on how to address competition.
Of relevance to our topic, it purports creating a cult-like legion of supporters and followers, VIP or otherwise that promote Microsoft products and its monopolistic practices with a cult like fervor - that regards MS competitors, direct or indirect as war participants that must be extinguished by any and all available means.
MS Evangelism is literally a philosophy of corporate religion, where the consumers, specially the hardcore, are the faithful, and guided by faith to the altar of Microsoft and its products. Microsoft being the church while microsoft employees and vips are the clergy.
Ever heard of the term "Guerrilla Marketing" and its association with Microsoft? Well it's here where it stems from. It's what Microsoft calls the "Slog" or in layman terms, psychological attrition warfare for your mind.
Note: A Hit n Run practitioner is Phil Spencer and his preferred modus operandi vs. PlayStation in the media space.
Media capture:
Exhibit A:
Sounds familiar?
More to the press:
Ever wondered why MS and Xbox is framed by the press and by the cult as the "underdog"? Wonder no more. Not by coincidence and not necessarily or solely by market reality. It's above all, an easy psychologically manipulative sell targeting your empathy and mind. The trillion dollar company being the "victim" angle, among other framings in the same vein work to this effect.
The Xbox Ambassador program, media VIP outreach, sponsorship and access etc... is all part of creating this core of fanatical evangelism towards Xbox and potential platforms like xCloud. It should then not surprise that media coverage for this FTC trial is highly slanted, manipulative and off with reality. Nor should it surprise how particular forums with compromised moderation staff are resorting to censorship and hive mind harassment not only to shut down dissension or opposing voices but also to promote Microsoft's cause. It should also not surprise that astroturfing activity in favor of MS on social media is at a higher than normal level resulting in commentary that's biased and slanted in favor of MS and highly critical, including harassment, of any views and actors that push contrary opinions backed by facts.
Clearly a source of inspiration for MS are the grifters using Christian Religion under the "TV Evangelist" banner to create cult like, for-profit "churches".
All of this is morally and ethically repulsive and plain wrong.
Referring to xCloud Phil Spencer, head of Xbox said: “If we can get them (hardcore Xbox fans) to love it they will evangelize,” he wrote.
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-ftc-trial-unmasks-xboxs-ambitions
Beyond the actions, behavior and decision making of Phil Spencer attesting to him being a practicioner of MS envangelism it's important that we now have confirmation that goes beyond the "benefit of the doubt", "plausible deniability" grey area that suits and favors defense against an allegation - as correct as it may be.
For any of you not familiar with Microsoft Evangelism: "Evangelism is War" please take a look at this MS internal memo, referenced on an anti-trust lawsuit dating back 20 years ago. As you may have guessed, Microsoft and anti-competitive, monopolistic behavior and practices are not a new thing, they're a recurring occurrence and part of the company's DNA:
https://antitrust.slated.org/www.iowaconsumercase.org/011607/3000/PX03096.pdf
There are many aspects and tenets to Microsoft Evangelism. At its core it serves as a foundational philosophical base to guide the actions, behavior and decision making of Microsoft employees, and focuses mainly on how to address competition.
Of relevance to our topic, it purports creating a cult-like legion of supporters and followers, VIP or otherwise that promote Microsoft products and its monopolistic practices with a cult like fervor - that regards MS competitors, direct or indirect as war participants that must be extinguished by any and all available means.
MS Evangelism is literally a philosophy of corporate religion, where the consumers, specially the hardcore, are the faithful, and guided by faith to the altar of Microsoft and its products. Microsoft being the church while microsoft employees and vips are the clergy.
Ever heard of the term "Guerrilla Marketing" and its association with Microsoft? Well it's here where it stems from. It's what Microsoft calls the "Slog" or in layman terms, psychological attrition warfare for your mind.
Note: A Hit n Run practitioner is Phil Spencer and his preferred modus operandi vs. PlayStation in the media space.
Media capture:
Now think of all that in a modern setting with up to date methods and means. Like cultivating a stacked deck on Digital Foundry through access and sponsorship to say, Richard Leadbetter. Or cultivating IGN, beyond just sponsorship through ad-buys also with access to superfan influencers, and known fake "neutrals" like Parris Lily (hosting conferences), Ryan McCafrey, and others. Or the grants to "help" kickstart places like Polygon. It goes on and on... The cultivation of career co-dependency to a platform and brand is by design and a rot.
Exhibit A:
Sounds familiar?
- FUD narrative campaigns regarding rival competitors tech around console launches ("Not Full RDNA 2, 9.2 Tflops etc etc). FUD: Fear/Uncertainty/Doubt.
- Misleading, false and exaggerated claims about MS own consoles by both MS and "independent tech experts" (cough..DF and others..cough). "Powah narratives"
- "Third party exclusivity deals are bad for gaming" narratives (but not big third party acquisitions which are worse).
- "Cross-play" narratives?
- Misrepresentation of deals being offered to the competition to frame the competition in a bad light, and frame Microsoft in a positive one.
- Outsized, biased and agenda based press coverage, including hit pieces in favor of MS and against PlayStation/competitors.
- "Sony too" narrative framing by MS, its cult or press on any exposure of negative practices by MS.
- Microsoft employees openly declaring "war", willingness to "fight" and using politicians to threaten and intimidate (competitors and nations alike). All as part of the political weapons toolkit.
- Critical mass hits: "Gamepass is the best value in gaming" botting or "Gamepass is making me forget about my PS5" or spins and framing to that effect by "neutrals" in the industry.
More to the press:
Ever wondered why MS and Xbox is framed by the press and by the cult as the "underdog"? Wonder no more. Not by coincidence and not necessarily or solely by market reality. It's above all, an easy psychologically manipulative sell targeting your empathy and mind. The trillion dollar company being the "victim" angle, among other framings in the same vein work to this effect.
The Xbox Ambassador program, media VIP outreach, sponsorship and access etc... is all part of creating this core of fanatical evangelism towards Xbox and potential platforms like xCloud. It should then not surprise that media coverage for this FTC trial is highly slanted, manipulative and off with reality. Nor should it surprise how particular forums with compromised moderation staff are resorting to censorship and hive mind harassment not only to shut down dissension or opposing voices but also to promote Microsoft's cause. It should also not surprise that astroturfing activity in favor of MS on social media is at a higher than normal level resulting in commentary that's biased and slanted in favor of MS and highly critical, including harassment, of any views and actors that push contrary opinions backed by facts.
Clearly a source of inspiration for MS are the grifters using Christian Religion under the "TV Evangelist" banner to create cult like, for-profit "churches".
All of this is morally and ethically repulsive and plain wrong.
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(not that I'm a fan of either of those companies)
