330°

Sony and Microsoft's Secret Weapon

GR's DeShaun Zollicoffer writes:

Normally everything is up for grabs at the start of a new console generation. Loyalty goes out the window and gamers go for the console with the cheapest price tag and best launch line-up. We all know someone who was a diehard PS2 fan, but now his or her console of choice is the Xbox 360. Brand loyalty was so easy to abandon back then, but not anymore. Here’s one simple reason Xbox gamers won’t convert to PlayStation next generation, and vice versa.

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geekrevolt.com
hazardman4133d ago

I would love it if they let us migrate xbl/psn accounts to new consoles. I have easily about $750/800 on psn(dynamic themes/avatars and games) and another $400 on xbl not including $99yr xbl sub. for 4 accounts.

MikeMyers4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

They should. If they don't it will be a massive fail. When you buy stuff off of Steam and iTunes it stays with your account regardless if you upgrading your computer or buying other hardware. Of course certain content on iTunes such as some games and apps are only functional on supported devices. I don't see why XBLA and PSN games can't continue on to new systems. It will be full Xbox 360 games on demand and full PS3 games that have some worried. That is why backwards compatible hardware is the way to go.

The article does make a good point and that is some people feel like they are held hostage staying with certain services because of all the content they bought. That's why it's hard for some IOS users to dump Apple and go with something like Android. Same thing with PSN and Live, some people have been members for years and to drop all the history and friends you've made is a tough decision.

hazardman4133d ago

shaggafukindelic man..you my friend are right in every way!

joab7774133d ago

Its not only that they should. Its suicide if they dont. Another reason is friends too. it is an online era and u r not going to buy a better or cheaper system if ur friends dont.

SITH4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

What makes you think you cannot migrate your xbox-live account to the new xbox coming out next year? I migrated my xbox live account to the 360 when it came out. Today it is ten times easier to do 360 console to 360 console. Games including xbla, themes, and avatars can all be redownloaded from subscription download history. If they are compatible with the new xbox, there should not be a single problem. Every xbox gamer who has bought a new 360 should know this and expect it. This article is ignoring history of the xbox, and xbox 360 account transfer. Xbla was not available during the initial launch of xbox live.

BlmThug4133d ago

Both XBL and PSN will migrate onto to their respective console. That is pretty much a certainty

Lazyeye794133d ago

That is true, but what about the content purchased? Ya on the PS4 I will be able to log into my same account, but will I be able to play the games I purchased for my PS3?

The article isn't stating whether or not XBL or PSN will be on next gen systems, but whether or not you can continue to use your content with the new system.

AngelicIceDiamond4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

"Here one Reason Xbox gamers won't convert to PlayStation next generation, and Vice Versa."

Isn't it obvious? If you build up an empire of achievements/Trophies a great community of friends. And most importantly, a huge back catalogue of games. I'm pretty sure You would want to continue your gaming career on your respective console.

kratos1234133d ago

it's not really a big deal if you think about it.
achievments and trophies are really not important at all, you don't need them to have fun with the same game.
as for online friends it's nice to have but also not really a must i can make new online friends everywhere.
not super hard at all.
just the games you may have bought online that's the biggest factor that will help me make my choice in choosing my next console. that is if it's worth it to keep them plus they will always be there on your previous console

Thatlalala4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

Some of the people on my FL I've known for almost 10 years now. I would not just dump them for a new console. Fuck, some of them stood up in my wedding and one was my best man. Friends are friends regardless of where or when you met. Pretty sad that some of you would just dump them because "OMGZ ps4 is sexies came out". Would not want to be your friend.

kratos1234133d ago

it's good for you that you have known them for that long, but you like the companies would like you to think you need their service to stay friends with each other. i don't need my ps3 to make friends it is really fun to get to know new people but i have other means for it. That's why i don't have the need to stay loyal to a certain company and to keep my choices open for the best choice. Plus if you are so good friend like you say for almost 10 years and more then you must have other means to connect to them like your mobile phone.

I just want to point out keep your options wide open you will benifits the most from that and don't let companies make that choice for you

rainslacker4133d ago

@Thatla

You don't really have to dump them though. Just may not have them on your gaming account anymore. It's silly to think that if you have friends that went to your wedding that you would suddenly not be their friend because of a game console, or any other real friend you have. Sometimes it's hard to severe those ties with random people you made friends with and socialize with, but in the end you have to do what is best to you, and if those people are important enough to you you find another way to stay in touch.

That being said, one should never discount the power of a loyalty program or social service, such as XBL, MiiVerse, PSN. They have powerful psychological holds on a lot of people, and people have a lot of time vested into their accounts. If you have ever played WOW, you know how hard it can be to leave a guild, or simply quit playing. Or it can be as simple as a supermarket loyalty program. People get invested in it, and it builds this psychological need for people to continue going there (along with some other marketing stuff).

@the article
I do think it is way under-estimating the effects that brand loyalty has on consumers. Brand loyalty plays a major role for these companies when their next systems come out. Not everyone that is loyal to a brand is blindly loyal, in fact most are not. That loyalty is built through years of providing a product that those people enjoyed, and would like to continue enjoying in the future.

DeadlyFire4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

I personally care nothing for achievements/trophies.

Friends can exist on more than one online platform. Some like to play more than one platform. Its not unnatural to see this happen. Likely if I preferred a new console that my friends did not and they like playing with me they might consider a purchase of said console at some point and vice versa for me considering their next console purchase as well. Depends on who holds more pull in the friendship if its locked to only one console purchase.

That is never the case though. As we are free to own as many consoles as we want or well Computers/Macs, etc. If the money exists.

WeAreLegion4133d ago

Thanks to PS Plus, I'm years behind on gaming. ^_^ That and Steam sales. -_- It's like they're GIVING the games to you.

Pillsbury14132d ago

Yeah I have so many games yet to play quantum conundrum, resident evil 5 and a whole bunch of vita games! Best 50$ I EVER spent.

TheBrit4133d ago

xbox live is a service - it will carry over - there is no way a new console will come out and make you start afresh - that would be committing suicide for either company.

BanBrother4133d ago

If either XBOX or PSN trophies did not carry over into next gen, there will be a lot of people switching sides. I don't think either of the 2 big companies would risk that.

I think achievements need to be improved (coming from an achievement and trophy hunter), as the Gamerscore does not mean crap. Some of the impossible achievements are worth 5gs, and some super easy achievements (like those in Avatar TLA, take about 10 mins all up) are worth hundreds, some as much as 500gs.

ALLWRONG4133d ago

Didn't MS say something about how they will continue to support gamertags beyond the 360? It's been years but I remember them saying something like that.

rainslacker4133d ago

Yeah. XBLive is an extension of MS Live. As such they have expanded support onto other devices, and even Windows itself. No doubt it will continue to play a role in the 720.

WeAreLegion4133d ago

If they can guarantee that all my purchased content and PS Plus stuff will transfer to my PS4, I'll pick it up day 1.

FunAndGun4133d ago

Yeah, I am curious to see how the Plus subscription transitions onto the PS4.

Will it include PS3, Vita, and PS4 content and then gradually focus on PS4/Vita?

aquamala4133d ago (Edited 4133d ago )

since PS4 is unlikely to have BC, probably not. maybe eventually PS1/PS2 classics will work (like how not all PS1 classics are available for Vita as of now), but not PS3 games.

hazardman4133d ago

out of xbl and psn. psn seems less likely to migrate. MS seems to be pushing hard for xbl to be in everything..console/pc/tablet and smartphones with the smart glass app. but only time will tell. ok before you disagree what has sony done or said that makes you think psn is making a new transition to ps4.

jukins4133d ago

well if rumors are true gakai will play a big part with backwards compatibility. supposedly we'll be able to stream ps1/2/3/vita classics to playstation certified devices. but of course im sure even if its true licensing issues will arrive and we'll get drip fed titles over time.

WeAreLegion4133d ago

Why would the PSN not migrate? That makes no sense.

I'm sure the full PS Store will be available day 1 on the PS4. Backwards compatibility via digital downloads is all I ask. I buy most of my PS3 games digitally.

rainslacker4133d ago

@hazard

PSN is currently available on 3 platforms...the PSP, Vita, and PS3. What makes you think that it wouldn't migrate? They're already including Vita support on the PS3 for PSN, and vice versa. Currently the only thing that isn't supported is a shared friends list between the two, and I guess PS Home.

Whether or not PS3 downloaded games will continue to work on the PS4 is not known since we can only speculate on BC. All the other downloadable content should work the same.

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140°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7213h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle27m ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

purple1012h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos2h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

XBManiac1h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10156m ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos27m ago(Edited 25m ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Show all comments (9)
150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d 2h ago (Edited 1d 2h ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers22h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken9h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g19h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing18h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H918h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola15h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn66917h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle17h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 10h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 7h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 4h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN22h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo23h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies19h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 7h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic17h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9016h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 9h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 8h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 5h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 8h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 7h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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