1050°

Is Microsoft already teasing us with a "next Xbox" countdown?

Neowin: "Major Nelson, the blog where many Microsoft Xbox 360 announcements are made, has just posted a countdown clock to E3 2013, which could be a tease for the reveal of the next version of the game console.."

GraveLord4132d ago

No, its just a countdown to E3...

lastofgen4132d ago (Edited 4132d ago )

except that Microsoft has never done this before on their blog...so I'm guessing it means they're doing something huge at e3 this year.

and e3 2013 does seem like the perfect time to announce and show off their next-gen xbox.

Abash4132d ago

Anyone who is not expecting the new Xbox at E3 this year are in denial

princejb1344132d ago

more kinect games
im kidding

i really hope is the next gen console

TheGamerDood4132d ago

The ball is in your court Sony.

LAWSON724132d ago

Something huge... to ms that means KINECT!

4132d ago
NukaCola4132d ago

Sony has DESTINATION PLAYSTATION coming in 3 weeks. This is clearly MS getting ready to counter. I am expecting a bunch of teasing for next gen, so hype can be built for E3. But for the clock, MS has always gotten the opening spot for E3. It's been long enough. Look at the Wii U pulling a 1 year head start. Look at MS's insane lack of games, look at Sony pushing all their heavy exclusives before the summer. They are getting or have gotten all their current titles out to close out the year. Next gen consoles are coming.

kreate4132d ago

As long as its not something stupid. Imagine getting all hyped up and arguing for nothing.

kickerz4131d ago

I'm so pumped to see the next Xbox. still loving halo4 at the moment but dam looking forward to playing next gen games :) hope they stay wit the Xbox controller design :)

nveenio4131d ago

Something "HUGE" means that Little Kim will come out and sing a song while a Kinect video plays.

4131d ago
Tr10wn4131d ago

I should really bookmark this post so i can come back after the E3 event and laugh at all the "Something big is something to do with kinect" that'll be fun.

MikeMyers4131d ago

VickBoss,
"The next xbox was said to be out last year with 100% confidence. .........how will this be any different?"

By whom? Did Microsoft have a countdown timer last year like this?

"according to Microsoft they said last year that the 360 has more than two years left.
and also shane kim said the 360 will be around in 2015"

So. Sony said many years ago the PS3 had a 10 year cycle as well. That doesn't mean Sony was going to wait 10 years before they release the PS4. What that meant is they believe the PS3 will be available in production for that long. The PS2 was in production even longer than that but the PS3 came out 6 years after it came out.

Microsoft is also confident there will be support until at least 2015. Still don't mean that is the year the Xbox 720 comes out.

This year is an exciting time for me. Valve is rumored to have a Steambox. Both Sony and Microsoft could announce new hardware. Apple might even get into the mix or at least more news about iTV. Both Vita and the Wii U will have a big push this year. The PC is very alive and kicking ass as well. I just think Microsoft really needs to take a look at previous E3 events and do a much better showing. For the past few years they have been terrible from my perspective. They might do well as far as sales in the U.S. but it's hard to watch as a consumer.

LordZ4131d ago

Winter is coming.
One doesn't simply walk into E3.

Sp1d3ynut4131d ago

@ VickBoss

Shane Kim hasn't worked for MS in over 3 years, you idiot. What do you really think he knows about their interior dealings now?

DOMination-4131d ago

I actually think both xbox and playstation will be announced before e3.

That-Guy4131d ago

If it releases around the end of this year I am betting my money they'll make a reveal before E3.

nveenio4131d ago

What's funny is that people actually expect the next XBox to be what they want it to be. Microsoft has been all miss for the last two to three years, with their only successes being third-party software. Sure, the big countdown may not be Kinect2, but it's not going to be a console with twin Nvidia 680 graphics cards, 16GB Ram, and an i7 Extreme, either.

If it is, I'll eat my hat.

Cr7ValkyrurXIII4131d ago

I hope at least Microsoft has some new Ip's because have to wait halos and Gears it's so annoying and tired. Wait a year for a new game not like the Ps3.

bobshi4131d ago

So if he posted a topless picture of himself in some kind of drunken rage would that mean the 720 is coming?

Just because it wasn't done before doesn't mean it relates to the 720.

An completely ridiculous assumption.

That doesn't mean I think we will not see a new console at E3. I do.

ThanatosDMC4131d ago

The only thing I dont like is I have a Kinect and now they're making a Kinect 2... so it's not gonna be compatible?

+ Show (17) more repliesLast reply 4131d ago
Irishguy954132d ago (Edited 4132d ago )

I doubt it, with the recent news it really seems like the Xbox is set to reveal at E3. Well, it was expected anyhow.

Also, how often does Major nelson post a coutdown to E3? Never...really? Oh ok.

Oh in case anyone doesn't know, there's a rumor floating that MS is essentially finished the Nextbox. It's getting done now. All that's left is testing it at it's release stage extensively/

ziggurcat4132d ago

that may be, but it stands to reason that the next xbox (as well as the next playstation) will be announced at E3 this year.

IAMERROR4132d ago

They've never done this before, and this early? This must be special

Abdou234131d ago

SONY will most likely announce their console after E3:
1- To wait and see what Microsoft exactly have to offer.
2- To not ruin the sales of games like TLOU-Byeond.

I_am_Batman4131d ago

I don't think that they'll wait because even if they see what MS has to offer they won't have the time to react to it unless they want to release PS4 in 2015 or so. And I don't think an announcement would ruin TLou sales at all. Can't remember PS3 ruining any sales for late PS2 games especially when it's one of the most anticipated games to come.

On Topic: I think MS will annonce the Nextbox before E3 and show some games plus giving more details (like release date) at E3.

rainslacker4131d ago

I wouldn't doubt that Sony already has some idea of what MS will already do next gen, and vice versa. These companies cooperate a lot more than they compete. They also both have analysts which can look at what the other company is doing and make predictions on what is to come. Those predictions come from real fact checking and market trend predictions, and not wild speculation. On top of that, both these companies have numerous patents that they will be using off one another, and those were likely licensed well in advance of now.

Abdou234131d ago

I know they already have some strong info about the other console's specs ( ram - GPU ) but what i meant is that SONY might wait to see what the next XBOX console will be priced at, release window, models etc.

1Victor4131d ago

@ grave lord you're making a grave mistake as abash and others have pointed out M N have not put a countdown to E3 before.Now Sony is forced to show/tease their next system on their event amonth before E3 and price+ release date at TGS

churskux4131d ago

The new Xbox will probably be out by the end of next year, they will announce it this year at E3, show it a little bit more at E3 2014 and then release it a few months later

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4131d ago
Cocozero4132d ago

A countdown for nearly half a year must mean something big.

BanBrother4131d ago

If it is not XBOX 720, Alan Wake 2, Lost Odyssey 2, new Banjo Kazooie game or new Conkers Bad Fur Day game, count me out.

aviator1894131d ago

I'D LIKE TO SEE THOSE GAMES AS WELL.

Tr10wn4131d ago

wow lost odyssey i loved that game

000014132d ago

well...i would think if the new xbox were to launch this year, Microsoft would at least announce that the console exist well before E3'13, so as to start the hype train and advertisement. other than that, i guess the countdown clock is either Microsoft's way of generating some buzz for themselves having a big E3 presence or simply just a countdown to something else entirely around the same time frame.

iNathan4132d ago

MS is in a great position, alot of new studios built up from the ground, outstanding 3rd party support, tons of money to buy DLC/Exclusives and a huge huge huge brand with Xbox that is now everywhere, from Iphone, to Windows Phone 8 to Windows 8.

Root4132d ago

Sorry but I'm curious....new studios built up from the ground....like?

I mean apart from the obvious ones 343, Lionhead, Rare, Black Tusk Studios and the ones that does all that Kinect crap

Root4132d ago

Disagrees for asking something

You guys are way too sensitive

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4132d ago

There are non next to 343 there is 000.

OC_MurphysLaw4132d ago

No disagree's from me but here is a list of the 21 game studio's off of Wikipedia

United States:

343 Industries – Halo series

Connected Experiences – Untitled Project – Design Large scale multiplayer title and help other

Good Science Studio – Kinect Adventures, Kinect Fun Labs

Kids and Lifestyle Entertainment – Untitled Project

Microsoft Studios – Los Angeles – Untitled Project

Microsoft Studios – Mobile Gaming – ilomilo

Microsoft Studios – Redmond Publishing – Overseeing and co-developing multiple projects in conjunction with third party development studios

Platform Next Studios – Untitled Project

Playful Learning – Untitled Project

Skybox Sports – Untitled Project

Turn 10 Studios – Forza Motorsport series

Twisted Pixel Games – The Gunstringer, LocoCycle

Xbox Live Productions – South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!, South Park: Tenorman's Revenge, Avatar Kinect

Europe:

Lionhead Studios – Fable series, Black & White series; Unannounced MMO-like New IP

Microsoft Studios – London – Untitled Free-To-Play Project

Rare Ltd. – Banjo-Kazooie series, Viva Piñata, Perfect Dark series, Kinect Sports series

Soho Productions – Kinect Sesame Street TV

Press Play – Untitled Project[23]

Canada:

BigPark – Joy Ride series, Kinect Sports: Season Two

Black Tusk Studios – Untitled Project

Microsoft Studios Victoria – Untitled Project

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

ALLWRONG4131d ago

Root! you missed a few, and you made it way obvious.

Nice try though

Skips4131d ago (Edited 4131d ago )

@Dlacy13g

Well I'm pretty certain about one thing given the past games the majority of the those studios have worked on.

There will be no shortage of Kinect titles. Probably the majority of their launch lineup could be all focused on Kinect given what kind of audience Microsoft has been aiming for the past couple of years.

Not saying it's bad, it's just not my thing : /

Root4131d ago

@Dlacy13g

Most of them are Kinect titles in the making and I said not the obvious ones

So what are you actualy left with...titles that have been in the making since the begining of this gen but in the end will be Kinect titles.

DOMination-4131d ago

I have brought this up many times and always get the kinect excuse. The reality is only four of those 21 studios have made kinect games. Even if they were to do so again next gen that still leaves 17 studios. The Sony bias on n4g is in denial because for the last three years they have gotten used to a lack of first party content from ms (rightfully)

Soeaking of Sony.. They only have 12 studios now. One is SCE London which has only made singstar and eyepet games. San Diego only makes baseball games which only North America cares about. Ico and Cambridge who have released nothing between them this gen. That leaves 8 relevant studios. I seriously think people will be surprised when next gen hits..

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4131d ago
Abdou234131d ago

Actually Gaming wise Microsooft is being Crushed by SONY- Nintendo, those 2 have more Exclusives and successful ones.

AngelicIceDiamond4132d ago

Barley got our foot in 2013 and a possible mega ton announcement is already planned. 2 words

Bring It.

Show all comments (111)
220°

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
darthv7218h 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.

solideagle5h ago

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

Sonic18813h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio2h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Cacabunga5h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21834h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga3h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

purple1018h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos7h ago

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

XBManiac6h ago

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

SimpleDad6h ago(Edited 6h 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.

purple1016h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos5h ago(Edited 5h 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

Kornholic4h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

Show all comments (22)
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 15h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 12h ago

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

Barlos1d 10h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 3h ago

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

peppeaccardo1d 5h ago

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

ChasterMies1d 1h 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 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h 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 12h ago

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

Mr Logic23h ago

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

Crows9022h ago

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

Profchaos1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h 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 14h ago

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

Profchaos1d 14h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 11h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 13h ago

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

Profchaos1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 12h ago

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

Show all comments (21)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10112d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde12d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197212d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville12d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde12d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197212d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier11d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto12d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts12d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts11d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)