Next Xbox will still play games sometimes

GameZone's Lance Liebl writes: "I can't be the only one concerned with Microsoft's trend towards providing an entertainment console over a gaming console. With a series of moves and announcements, it appears more and more likely that Microsoft's next-gen console will put an emphasis on providing interactive television and live events. And what happens to gaming? It is doomed to become the forgotten mistress."

[lifesanrpg]

I can't say I'm thrilled with Microsoft's move to more of an "entertainment" hub.

[fluffydelusions]

I think people need to just wait and see what they have before jumping to conclusions. They supposedly have 4-5 new IP's in development within their own studios + some moneyhats and 3rd party exclusives I'm sure. I really like the entertainment apps 360 has + but yeah new IP's take precedence which hopefully they deliver on.

[darthv72]

since the earliest consoles, game systems have been trying to get their place among the other home entertainment devices.

Long had videogames been considered a kids thing but with each new system came a new generation of players that exceeded the previous one. When sony brought out the PS1, it radically changed the perception of videogames. Making it cool as an adult to play.

The logical step was to find new ways to integrate other functions into these units to extend their relevance. We got movie playback, then we got online and we got streaming media.

The evolution of the game platform is beyond games now. There is a market out there of smart enabled devices that is threatening consoles for the very same thing consoles have been wanting for decades.

Their rightful place in a persons entertainment center. Ever since sony demonstrated that adding something as 'simple' as dvd movie playback we knew game consoles were never going to be solely about games anymore.

[StrongMan]

None of the core gamers are. That's why they lost the core. The core won't be fooled again with 1 or 2 new IPs plus more Halo/Gears at the beginning to get them to buy the console and then 2 years later BAM, 100% focus on casuals. Who's going to fall for that again? Not me. Once you lose the hardcore you can never get them back, just ask Nintendo.

MS is in trouble next gen because they lost the hardcore and they forget one thing while they try to be the media hub in everyone's home. The everyday general public already have access to all media features such as Netflix, Skype, Hulu+, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. for absolutely free on every device they already own. If you think all of those
people will all of a sudden pay MS to use features that they have been using for free for years already they you need to be committed to a mental institution. Good luck with that MS.

@fluffydelusions

Yeah, I keep hearing about these "4 new IPs" from MS but I'd bet the farm that all of those "4 new IPs" are Kinect games. Just look at MS recent hisory since 2010 and tell me how many core new IPs have there been, ZERO. Now how many Kinect new IPs have MS released:

Kinect Sports
Kinect Joy Ride
Kinect Disneyland
Kinect Sesame Street
Haunt
Dance Central
The Gunstringer
Kinect Pixar Entertainment
Kinect Adventures
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Kincet Nike Trainer
Kinect Personal Trainer
Blackwater
and many many many more
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Now do you still trust MS?

[SDF Repellent]

These comments, especially yours, are baseless. How do we know Microsoft arn't prepping core games? In 2012 they had Halo, Forza Horizon, The Witcher 2 and the PS3 released LBP Kart and a Sony Smash Brothers game?
, Black Tusk, formerly Vancouver studio, is making a brand new core IP as we speak, Ryse is being ported to the Next box and it will have controller integration as well as Kinect, rumored Project Gotham 5 in development, Turn 10 is making Forza 5, a Fable MMO RPG is being developed at Liohead studio, Epic game is most likely making a new Gears 4 with Unreal 4 engine, Alan Wake 2 is being mentioned as a possible Xbox 720 title, and we don't know what Rare is up to yet as they might be developing a new Killer Instinct or Perfect Dark, for all we know.

How is that any difference from Sony keep releasing old franchises like Killzone, GOW, and inFamous and yet they also have tons of casual and Move titles to crater to the casual.

I love the double standard here. Unbelievable!!

[Cupid_Viper_3]

@ SDF Repellent

"In 2012 they had Halo, Forza Horizon, The Witcher 2 and the PS3 released LBP Kart and a Sony Smash Brothers game? "

Please stop with the lies my man

Starhawk May 2012
Twisted Metal
PASBR
LBP Kart
Journey

Then on Vita

Gravity Rush,
Uncharted Golden Abyss
LBP Vita
Unit 13
Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified
P4
and a bunch more games.

So I'm sorry to burst your bubble, we Still have New IPs coming out for the PS3.

Killzone saw 2 releases on the PS3, KZ2 and KZ3. Same thing for God of War with GOW3, and GOW A. and the Same thing with inFamous 1 and 2.

The 360 on the Hand Saw Halo 3, Halo Reach, Halo wars, and Halo 4. Then Gears of War 1,2,3, and Judgment. Forza 2,3,4, and Forza Horizon. So it's not a double standard but a mere fact that these games have seen more installment then most other games this generation.

Plus $500,000,000.00 in advertising alone, is all the proof you should need to know that Sony and Microsoft have different visions and focus for the casuals.

[MikeMyers]

I like how everyone assumes they lost their core audience. Why, because Sony has about 4 extra hardcore titles per year all of the sudden the PS3 is a hardcore platform? Lets get serious, the same Call of Duty fans on the PS3 dominating that platform are also doing the same on the Xbox 360. Software sales each month shows first hand what hardcore gamers are buying and when you go down the list they are awfully familiar each month. It's because most games on each system are multiplatform. Nintendo software sales support the argument much more of exclusives carrying their systems.

It's true, they were very aggressive later on with Kinect but that doesn't automatically mean the next Xbox will go down that same road. Why don't we actually wait and see before we get ahead of ourselves. I would like to see more articles like this calling out Microsoft so that hopefully they listen.

[Skips]

@StrongMan

HOLY CRAP!

That's a lot of Kinect. lol

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

@SDF Repellent

I love your name and avatar.

[PS4isKing_82]

The future of Xbox is kinect and media apps.
With one or two core games thrown in as a token gesture.

No thanks Microsoft.

[nukeitall]

Just ignore StrongMan, he is a Playstation fanboy and a MS hater. Just look at his comment history.

http://n4g.com/user/comment...

You know what is even worse, he is gaining bubbles!

People here are a group of niche hardcore gamers, but reality is that niche market isn't going to keep the industry growing. The Wii increased the market significantly and really brought gaming into mainstream acceptance.

Just remember, when the PS Vita was announced it was hailed like the second coming of Christ by both media and core gamers alike. When the price was announced, it was praised to high heavens.

Upon release, PS Vita is a total disaster that keeps heading downwards despite all the praise. The Wii was almost universally hated by all hardcore gamers, yet it was and still is the most successful console of the three.

Again, many hate the Kinect, but it alone is the fastest selling device and is the reason why Xbox 360 is on schedule to overtake Wii as the dominant console.

Want other examples? CoD!

Point being, extreme hardcore gamers are a niche group and the real gamers i.e the average Joes will just continue playing without a care in the world.

[J_Cob]

@nukeitall

So you're telling us to ignore Strongman by agreeing with him and backing up his statements?

Okay, I guess.

[dcbronco]

This Microsoft doesn't do hardcore crap is old, wrong and plain stupid.

@Cupid_Viper_3

Did you really think that through when you listed those games. Two of five are casual. Three barely sold. What the hell is PASBR. Pabst Blue Ribbon. Oh, it Playstation All-Stars. So you use three casual games from Sony as your argument that Microsoft has forgotten the hardcore. And I retort by adding All-stars to the list of games that didn't sell.

So okay, Sony does a lot of exclusives and Sony fans love exclusives and hardcore games. The only problem Sony needs to address now is how do they get Sony fans to like Sony's own exclusives and hardcore games.

@Strongman

46 million people pay for Live. I don't know who is being fooled. But I bet there are cable companies that wish they could get those numbers. And why do Playstation users use Netflix more than 360 users if they are really just gamers. And have Blu-ray. Microsoft wants all of those extra features just like Sony.

[MrBeatdown]

@SDF Repellent

Double standard? I don't think so.

You mentioned Halo, Forza, and Witcher 2. One of those games had nothing to do with Microsoft. The other two are the only core games MS released all year. 2011 was no different. It was just Gears, Forza, and a Halo remake. 2013 isn't any better for the 360 with only one game announced.

MS has produced nothing more than a handful of games in the same three franchises for years. Everything else you mentioned was rumor and games we have no hard info on.

But Sony? They released one core game already this year. They have three additional core games coming this year to PS3, two of which are new IPs. They have Killzone for the PS4. There are two more new IPs in Knack and DriveClub, and yet another core game in Infamous.

You downplay Sony's 2012 games too. For some reason, Starhawk and Twisted Metal weren't worth mentioning, and you treat LBP Karting and AllStars as if they are casual. Funny that a lot of Xbox guys do that. I've never heard that criticism for Mario, Smash Bros, Banjo Kazooie, Ratchet and Clank, or Jak and Daxter, and their fanbases are predominantly core gamers, but for some reason, all of the sudden, if it doesn't have guns, "gritty" visuals, and bad guys bleeding to death around every corner, it's casual.

On top of that, 2011 was Sony's biggest year ever with LBP2, Killzone 3, Infamous 2, Socom 4, Ratchet and Clank, Resistance, DC Universe, MotorStorm, and Uncharted.

What's that total up to? For Sony, that's seven announced core games, at least four of which are coming this year. They've released 14 core games in the past two years. 15 franchises are represented in total.

What's MS got? One announced core game. Four released in the past two years. Five if you count the Halo remake. Only three franchises represented.

And yet you think there is a double standard?

Sure, you've got your list of rumors, but then again, if Sony doesn't need Guerrilla's rumored new IP, Last Guardian, the other Uncharted team's game, Quantic Dream's rumored Singularity, the rumored LBP3 developed by Sumo Digital, Media Molecule's next game, any project Santa Monica is rumored to be working on, or the inevitable GT6 mentioned to bolster the appearance of their line-up, why does Microsoft need to have its rumored games mentioned?

[SheenuTheLegend]

@SDF Repellent
"Black Tusk, formerly Vancouver studio, is making a brand new core IP as we speak"
as we speak lolz, everybody is typing
i bet they must have been in the toilet as the day goes

[jmac53]

The people that would be thrilled about this will just buy a Roku. They need to focus on the games because this is supposed to be a games machine and gamers are the ones that are going to buy this first.

[007Bond]

WOW just another fanboy article made for this site filled of PS fannys to swarm and agree on.

[dalsang]

Europe doesn't care because the next generation will be almost over before we see any of those services.

[alousow]

all they goin do/show is more kinect. thats y they keep losing gamers each day. no new exclusives since idont remember when. i did the right thing do the same its not too late sony for ever

[PFFT]

Ummm yeah.......Bong water BADDDD. Remember no drinky drinky the bong water!

[MxRBrobaFett]

What is this?

[Godmars290]

Sound like that between an active and separate streaming/DL-only console and producing their own interactive events, AAA gaming is going to get watered down if not take a full backseat. Be left to 3rd parties.

Fun times...

[Cyb3r]

All I wanted my 360 for was to play games if I wanted an entertainment hub I would just use my smart tv. I hope that MS focus more on games next generation and not these features that require a subscription

[InMyOpinion]

Funny how some of you seem to confuse baseless speculation with fact.

I'll wait until they actually unveil something before passing judgement.

[brbobcat]

Explain to me how direct quotes from Microsoft's Entertainment and Digital Media President is baseless? Microsoft has been talking about the transition to a media entertainment hub for months now. Even in their press releases they tout the system's entertainment apps.

I own a Xbox 360 and even I see this transition taking place. Take off your fanboy goggles.

[GamersRulz]

you should get worried a little bit by looking at how MS dealt with xbox in the last 3 years, this is a FACT.

[MasterCornholio]

The only thing that i will say is that Sony has proven that they are commited to bringing the core great experiences. Meanwhile Microsoft has concentrated on the casuals with Kinect and XBOXlive Apps. Theres plenty of reasons why people are doubting Microsoft at this point.

But i do agree with you that if we gave Sony a chance to show off the PS4 we should do the same with Microsoft and their Next XBOX.

[WarThunder]

MS just like Apple (Windows says HI)they don't care about their fan base, if they feel their product makes a lot of money, they will improve it and won't change it. MS did a lot of money with Kinect for them its was more successful than core games.

SO MS's main focus right now is KINECT! (sadly)

[Qrphe]

Whatever the case, what they're doing is definitely not cheap, meaning that it's something they're investing a lot of effort on. It's fair to assume this will be a huge focus for their console.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Just wait til March or Early April when MS spills the beans on the 720. Stupid opinion pieces like these and fanboys will be proven wrong.

MS will bring the hardcore AAA Ip's come next gen, with a focus on the entertainment hub, which is a no brainer. They will show off brand new Franchise along with Alan Wake 2, Rares new Ip, Black Tusks new Ip, Ruffian studios new Ip. Cryteks Ryse, PG, plus some more unannounced Ip's from their studios MS has a heavy focus on Free 2 Play as well, so expect allot of focus on that.

So wtf are you people talking about?

@Disagrees See the kids disagreeing? They wanna completely dismiss my comment so they can continue to say "Ohh MS will only focuse on Kinect and Entertainment foreeeverr."

@Smoke How ignorant can a person be? Do where a helment when you go outside?

"=MS will bring the hardcore AAA Ip's come next gen, with a focus on the entertainment hub, which is a no brainer="

[DigitalSmoke]

"=MS will bring the hardcore AAA Ip's come next gen, with a focus on the entertainment hub, which is a no brainer="

3 years of nothing counters your point.

"=They will show off brand new Franchise along with Alan Wake 2, Rares new Ip, Black Tusks new Ip, Ruffian studios new Ip. Cryteks Ryse, PG, plus some more unannounced Ip's from their studios="

You have no idea what these titles are, they could very well be mediocre games and or Kinect based, and if you buy a console for Alan Wake then..pffft.

(=MS has a heavy focus on Free 2 Play as well, so expect allot of focus on that=)

Excample game?
---------------------

You didn't make a single point and should have swallowed...

[AngelicIceDiamond]

N4g would let me finish editing my comment obviously...

"=MS will bring the hardcore AAA Ip's come next gen, with a focus on the entertainment hub, which is a no brainer="

"3 years of nothing counters your point."

I'm clearly talking about the 720 use brain if you have one.

"=They will show off brand new Franchise along with Alan Wake 2, Rares new Ip, Black Tusks new Ip, Ruffian studios new Ip. Cryteks Ryse, PG, plus some more unannounced Ip's from their studios="

"You have no idea what these titles are, they could very well be mediocre games and or Kinect based, and if you buy a console for Alan Wake then..pffft."

And do you know what Sony is working on besides Killzone and infamous? All I know Sony' new Ip's can be mediocre games and Move based huur duur. Buy a console Knack then..pfft."

(=MS has a heavy focus on Free 2 Play as well, so expect allot of focus on that=)

https://www.google.com/url?...

1.2million strong

https://www.google.com/url?...

Your ignorant you need learning.

Lol 22idiots disagreeing and 7 idiots agreeing with smoke I guess people are special on this site. Your truly dumb and stupid if you disagree with facts.

[stage88]

@AngelicaDiamond You say that MS will release AAA IPs for the 720, if so how can you not be sure that after the first couple of years they'll ditch the core and go back to casual? They do have a track record of this. That is why I won't be fooled into buying an Xbox branded games console.

[MilkMan]

Man this author took the words right out of my mouth.
i despise anything not game related on my motherfing console.
and MS is a company that doesn't even now what it is any more.

This go round, I'm with SONY and Nintendo.
Later for these losers.

[greenpowerz]

I guess this fool missed the PS4 reveal event.

I knew this would happen once Sony didn't show the PS4 hardware and people started taking what Sony showed with a grain of salt articles attacking the 720 would come out not even days after

[joab777]

I am just not sure. MS realizes that the future isnt desktop pcs. How dothey make money? Their OS. Even businesses are more mobile then they used to be with phones and tablets, hence windows 8. I think MS is using the xbox to predict the future of TV. I dont know if it will work or not. I dont know if they care about games at all, or if that will even matter. It could end up being successful anyway as the new way to enjoy TV. This could be great news for Sony and even better news for Nintendo as many ppl can afford two primary gaming systems. I guess we will see. The dark horse here is the timing. If ppl are satisfied with the current gens interactive abilities or even worse the new ps4, whuch also provides streaminh etc. While also providing triple A gaming experiences, then there may be no need for this entertainment hub. One things for sure, they are putting alot of stock in their brand and i believe that whatever they r doing could be much easier accomplished by also providing great games.

[aquamala]

we have already seen some of the launch games for the next xbox, just watch the ps4 announcement footage from Capcom,Square Enix, Activision, UbiSoft and Blizzard.

more than half of the games/footage shown in the ps4 announcement will be on the next xbox, and look identical, just like this gen.

[iNathan]

This is very simple, Microsoft will omce out swiging, they will destroy Sony no matter what, they will thrwo bilions if they need too. Their is not much Sony can do, they are no Google or Apple that are able to ripost MS.

Now Xbox will be a entertainment hub but not for gamers, if you are a gamer dont expect much, expect MS to crush competition because Hardcore gaming is a niche these days, casual is where is at.

Sony is a small company, they are so small that MS doesn give a shi* about what they are doing with the Ps4. MS has their strategy set and that strategy isnt agaisnt Sony, is agaisnt Google and Apple.

[Wyvern]

U Mad?

[Sarobi]

And I suppose Google and Apple are suppose to be afraid of Microsofts "Gaming console"?.. Microsoft is far behind in this current field of technology, they can't come close to what Google and Apple is doing in this market. Also you know nothing at all if you think Sony is a small company.. Sony has various movie studios and is a record label, and not to mention the many T.V. series powered by them. I know that your jimmies are rustled over other peoples opinions, but don't come talking about corporate companies if you aren't educated in this category.

[grayfoxx881]

I'm a little worried with what MS may show come April and E3. We don't know too much concerning the new console, or new IPs that may or may not be coming our way. Still, I can't get last year's E3 presentation out of my head.

As long as we see some good AAA exclusives spread out over the new Xbox's lifespan, and the hardware is reliable, then I will eventually pick one up.

[M2-]

I am worried about what MS will do to the Next Xbox and so far it's not looking good..

[Indo]

Microsoft certainly changed their views on gamers. My TV alone offers all my entertainment needs as it is, so MS strategy to become whatever they want to be will hopefully pay off or in the end lose potential customers. Xbox Live players gotta think where all their money is heading to besides just timed exclusives.

[hazardman]

See what I don't understand is how people make the biggest deal out of dumb shit. If you don't want to play kinect games, Don't! You don't have to use any of the entertainment apps if you don't have to. Nextbox will be 1st and foremost a gaming console. Just like the PS4, its trying to make things easier for gamers, making things we normally use when were not gaming accesible thru your game console. You want to watch movies, listen to music, check your FB, Twitter, Instagram whatever you can do all this and more thru your gaming console.

Look at phones. At 1st it was only used to TALK, now we watch movies, text, gps, alarm anything and everything you can do on your phone. Are we making a big deal about phones making all the things that were only possible on a pc or tv acceble to us thru our phone devices, NO! I look at consoles the same way.

For all you Sonybots hating on MS for Kinect games go read the Quantic Dream atricle. Where dude says he had to scrap DLC content for heavy rain because Sony wanted MOVE intergration and how Sony wants developers to intergrate MOVE into PS4 games. Let's be honest here all console makers are making their systems to do things your smartphone and pc can do too and pushing theit motion tech as well.

[mochachino]

The worst part of Xbox entertainment focus is that MS charges you extra to access them (Netflix, YouTube, IE, etc) when every other device on the planet offers them free.

I lovedy 360 but after multiple RROD, ridiculously over priced peripherals (HD, wifi, etc) and pay to play for fundental parts of a game (basic MP), 360 has left a very bad taist in my mouth going into the next-gen.

I view Playstation much more favourably. I'd have to be floored by The Next Box to consider buying it and Kinect 2 won't do it.

[Gamer-Z]

So MS wants to turn the next Xbox into a more family oriented entertainment devise rather than a dedicated gaming console, I guess if that's the direction MS wants to go then more power to them.

[FrigidDARKNESS]

The ps4 will have the same features please be more level headed.

[SDF Repellent]

Just because the Kinect games are more well known, have more advertisements, and sold more than Moves titles, Microsoft is referred as going the casual route, and yet it is Sony that are publishing more casual moves titles. People are not aware of them because most of them bombed hard and have little to no advertisement.

Xbox Kinect Casual titles published by Microsoft:

Dance Central 3
Fable: The Journey
The Gunstringer
Kinect Adventures
Kinect Disneyland Adventures
Kinect Joy Ride
Kinect Sesame Street TV
Kinect Sports
Kinect Sports: Season Two
Kinect Star Wars
Kinectimals
Kinectimals 2
Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure
Nike+ Kinect Training

PS Moves Casual titles published by Sony:

Beat Sketcher!
Buzz!: The Ultimate Music Quiz
Carnival Island
Everybody Dance
EyePet
The Fight: Lights Out
Funky Lab Rat
High Velocity Bowling
Hustle Kings
Kung Fu Rider
Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest
PixelJunk 4am
Planet Minigolf
PlayStation Move Heroes
Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves
SingStar Dance
Sorcery
Sports Champions
Sports Champions 2
Start the Party!
Start the Party! Save The World
The Shoot
TV Superstars

For core console exclusive titles,

Microsoft only bought over Halo, Fable, PGR, and Forza from the original Xbox days. In this current generation, they gave xbox core new franchises as well:

1. Blue Dragon
2. Lost Odyssey
3. Crackdown
4. Alan Wake
6. Gears of War
7. Perfect Dark
8. Kameo
9. Left4Dead
10. Mass Effect, until EA bought Bioware and made it Multiplat
11. Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom
12. N3: Ninety-Nine Nights
13. Ninja Blade
14. Shadowrun
15. Too Human
16. Shadow Complex
17. And many more core games that are Xbox Live Arcade exclusives.

Microsoft is a one of the most profitable companies because they know exactly what they are doing. They know core games like Halo, Gears, Call of Duty, GTA are the backbone of the gaming industries and sell consoles and they will no doubt invest their resources in New caore games and continue to support and build upon existing core franchises. That is what 343 studios, Black Turk, and Microsoft Studio in Los Angeles are doing as well as having contracting support for new core games from Remedy, Ruffins, Epic, and Crytek.

Use logic here, Microsoft is only having Gears of War Judgement that is known to be released this year thus far. You don't think they are prepping some great new core games, some new, some old for the launch window of the Xbox 720? Only Sony Worshippers can secretly hope that is the case, but the rest of the loyal xbox fans and gamers with common sense know the correct truth here.

[squarecircle]

Have you noticed a trend with those Xbox core games you listed?
Nearly every single game (Maybe even all of them) are more than 2 years old, possibly more.

[ufo8mycat]

You definitely wouldn't want to get a 720 day 1, because you don't know what MS will deliver, or won't deliver for core gamers.

The route they took with the 360, and ignoring core gamers, best advise would be not to buy one and wait a while.

Regarding PS4 theres no need to worry there, we know SONY will give a lot of attention to core gamers.

[N311V]

I took that approach this gen. Was tempted when Xbox came out first but I held off. Still haven't gotten a 360 and after reading what the MS heads have planned for the 720 I'm in no hurry to get that one either.

[Max-Zorin]

Even with the announcement of the PS4, Xbox articles still get trolled. And notice how Strongman trolls all of them. Trolling on artices for systems you don't care about and hatred between gamers don't start until N4G say so.

[squarecircle]

I made the right move back in 2005 by purchasing the Xbox 360, the PS3 back in the early days was a laughing stock; even fanboys can't deny it.

But around about 2010 - 2011 Microsoft just seemed to start losing it. The exclusives start drying up, the Kinect was advertised all over the dashboard and the newest dashboard we got was horrible being bombarded by advertisements.

I bought a PS3 back in early 2011 and It was a great choice, games came first. Sure the other media features were there, but they weren't in your face everytime you turn the machine on. And that's a good point for me as I barely use any of the other media features on there, so it being advertised in my face all the time is more of a nuisance and unpleasant for me and probably isn't going to change with the Nextbox

[StreetsofRage]

And just like flies on sh*t...the sony fanboys come flapping their wings to this crap article.