290°

PS4: will the next-gen start when Microsoft says it does?

Xbox’s next-gen aspirations were dealt a bloody nose by Sony in New York last week: everyone’s talking about PlayStation 4. Going first works, says Patrick Garratt, and Microsoft has missed a great opportunity.

“We’ve got a year to sell as many of these things as possible.”

Two Xbox bosses bellowed at each other in the aftermath of 360′s Games Convention press conference in 2005. The atmosphere crackled with “go”. Xbox 360 was to beat PlayStation 3 to market and Microsoft knew it had sledgehammered its way into the console industry’s executive bathroom. Chests were puffed. Sony was stuffed. Microsoft benefited greatly from an early Xbox 360 release, especially in America. You have no competition if you’re the only option available.

eagle214077d ago ShowReplies(4)
Knight_Crawler4077d ago (Edited 4077d ago )

Only time will tell but I hope we don't have to get two jobs to afford a 720 :)

user39158004077d ago

Its next gen when the vita comes out.
Oh wait its next gen when the wiiu comes out.
Wait its next gen when every new console comes out.
WIIU current gen.

For the money PS4 AND 720 are the only 2 next gen.

Next gen is the console you buy for sure, whatever console that might be, case closed.

T24077d ago

Next gen started Feb 20... Anyone who wants on this train better start now .

RememberThe3574077d ago (Edited 4077d ago )

I think it's clear that Sony got the ball rolling. But I think you'd have to be insane to not want to see MS come out and blow us all away. We should temper our expectations, but it's healthy to hope for a lot.

It seems to me that MS is going to keep pushing for Kinect and I don't like that. But Halo is their bread and butter and they're not going to abandon that fan base. I think they're going to try to quart the more casual fans like they did with last years E3 but I also think they're going to do some cool stuff with their network and software partners. I just hope the system offers enough for core gamers, because they seem to by straying from us.

slayorofgods4077d ago (Edited 4077d ago )

I'd even argue that kinect is what allowed Sony to overtake MS this generation. MS kind of strayed away from the core gamers and did pick up a few new gamers with kinect, but Sony maintained a much more broad strategy of satisfying all gamers instead of strictly investing in move. That really showed towards the end of this generation.

Of course if MS gets a back to its roots and gets as aggressive as they were to begin this generation then we may have a good competition on our hands.

ALLWRONG4077d ago

Doesn't the PS4 have a Kinect like device?

slayorofgods4077d ago (Edited 4077d ago )

@allwrong

Who cares no one wants either console for motion control. It's all about the games.

nukeitall4077d ago (Edited 4077d ago )

@slayorofgods:

"I'd even argue that kinect is what allowed Sony to overtake MS this generation."

Are you serious?

Kinect is what pushed Xbox 360 sales, because core gamers are already saturated in MS main markets.

I bet the vast majority of core gamers already own an Xbox 360 or PS3. If you haven't, no amount of new IPs is likely to change your mind.

"Sony maintained a much more broad strategy of satisfying all gamers instead of strictly investing in move."

Actually, Sony doesn't appear to have a broad strategy at all. They are strictly focusing on games, and mostly core games with the odd casual game every now and then. PS Move was left to die a quick death.

MS is the one that has a broad strategy, but people fail to see that. Don't people see that the complaint about MS is really them just diversifying their audience?

"Who cares no one wants either console for motion control. It's all about the games."

Tell that to all the Wii owners which outnumbers PS3 or Xbox 360 user base. Tell that to the masses that bought Kinect and made it the fastest selling device and maintained MS price dominance this generation as Sony had to drop their price multiple times to compete. Heck, in Europe the PS3 is actually cheaper than the 250GB Xbox 360 bundle, because they don't sell the core 4GB Xbox 360 only bundle.

It's a myth people don't want motion control. They aren't just here voicing their opinion!

@ALLWRONG:

"Doesn't the PS4 have a Kinect like device?"

The PS4 has a dual camera, but it is unclear what it's capabilities are. If anything, it will be heavily light sensitive (since it lacks the infrared sensor that Kinect uses) and likely be far more rudimentary due to being behind MS. That is all of course speculation, because Sony hasn't really talked about it. We don't even know if it included in the box by default, which is detrimental to it's success.

That said, we just have to wait and see how this pans out in the next 1-2 years.

slayorofgods4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

@nukeitall I sure am serious.

The 360 had a firm lead and the PS3 was in crises mode to start this generation. When the PS3 started focusing on actual games and when the 360 lessened their exclusives and how aggressive they were to start this generation the PS3 caught up.. And the PS3 overtook the 360 during the Kenect years of this generation. Talk about who has the broadest strategy all you want, but the PS3 HAS finally sold more consoles then the 360 this generation and overtook them right at the end of it.

"Tell that to all the Wii owners which outnumbers PS3 or Xbox 360 user base."

The Wii U isn't selling. It is considered a flop of a system.. The Wii hasn't been selling. The PS3 has been outselling that console for about a year now. Motion control was a fad. Its over now.

Let's face it Kenect and PS3 motion controls did not capture that market, they only slightly expanded theirs. Thankfully Sony didn't head dive into that strategy.

Here's a question. Since the 360 was ahead of the PS3... How many core gamers did they lose from the Kenect experiment vs how many new gamers did they generate. They kind of did turn their backs on the core gamers.

nukeitall4076d ago

"The 360 had a firm lead and the PS3 was in crises mode to start this generation. When the PS3 started focusing on actual games and when the 360 lessened their exclusives and how aggressive they were to start this generation the PS3 caught up."

The Xbox 360 would have been far worse if it wasn't for Kinect.

Let's face it, the Playstation and Sony brand in the rest of the world is far stronger. Almost any place in Europe prefers the Sony brand. It's presence in TV, cameras and so on.

If you take out Japan, which has around 7 million units sold the picture suddenly gets clear. Xbox 360 has almost always been on par in sales as PS3. When the PS3 was released, there was about a 6 million unit gap between the two.

"PS3 HAS finally sold more consoles then the 360 this generation and overtook them right at the end of it."

It still hasn't actually. As of the official last count from each company directly, the PS3 is actually still beind.

"The Wii U isn't selling. It is considered a flop of a system."

It is off to a slow start, but so did the 3DS and look where it is now. On the flip side, PS3 started strong, then weakened and same thing with PS Vita that still is heading downwards.

Point being, it is too early to tell with Wii U. It can still turn around, and we won't know for another 10-12 months or maybe longer.

"How many core gamers did they lose from the Kenect experiment vs how many new gamers did they generate."

I don't know, but I do know MS sold over 20 million Kinects and Kinects is what keeps the Xbox 360 selling. The core gamers in MS main markets are all tapped.

"They kind of did turn their backs on the core gamers."

I think that is mostly fanboy fanatics speaking, because my online friends like me use the Xbox 360 more than ever. To watch Netflix, listen to music, watching ESPN and so on in addition to gaming. We still have plenty of games to play, and I still have that backlog. Still looking forward to Metal Gear Rising, Gears of War: Judgement, Dead Space 2 & 3, Dishonored, Walking Dead and so on.

It's just a small section of people that complain there are "exclusives" specifically as if that is the main criteria what people look for in a game. The general core gamer don't care if it is exclusive or not, only if it is good and if they like the setting.

So get over it!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4076d ago
Dylila4077d ago

if next gen didnt start with the arrival of the wii u then why would it start when the xbox 720 is released.

next gen starts when ps4 is here

MysticStrummer4077d ago

Yeah it's funny that no one but Nintendo fans think of WiiU as "next gen". As for MS telling us when next gen starts, I think they should have to win a generation before trying to declare when another one starts. But, this is an obvious flamebait title so I hope no one clicked to read the whole thing.

WildArmed4077d ago

It may not meet "next gen" standards, but it is def. a 8th gen console.

It feels like after Wii, Nintendo has been lagging behind in tech compared to their competitors

xursz4077d ago

The Wiiu is a good little machine but I think that if Nintendo wants a core gamer crowd they need to show us the benefits of owning a Wiiu over (or in addition to) other next gen platforms, aside from a lower entry cost. I don't think core gamers are fussed over entry costs.

AngelicIceDiamond4077d ago

"next gen starts when ps4 is here"

Lol gotta love the internet, you people are amusing.

user39158004077d ago

For the same reason we have standards, superior to mediocre, the judgement its always on the very best gaming has to offer and that we dont know yet. We know PS4 its more powerfull than wiiu, but MS its a whole different beast.

We will see if it is the standard by which we judge or not. We will know soon enough.

BitbyDeath4077d ago (Edited 4077d ago )

I think the term means 'last one out of the gate' / Beginning of the end.

Sony said next gen started with them cause PS3 was the last to release just as the XboxNext may also be this time around.

Nothing implied meaning more/less power etc

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4077d ago
OneAboveAll4077d ago ShowReplies(1)
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120°

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
darthv7212h 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.

purple1011h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos1h ago

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

XBManiac37m ago

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

SimpleDad22m ago(Edited 21m 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.

purple1012m ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

140°

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 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h 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.

exputers21h ago

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

Profchaos6h ago(Edited 6h 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_looken8h 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.

z2g18h ago

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

phoenixwing17h 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

jambola14h 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

SegaSaturn66916h ago

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

Popsicle16h 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 9h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 6h ago

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

Barlos1d 3h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN21h ago

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

peppeaccardo22h ago

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

ChasterMies18h 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 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h 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 6h ago

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

Mr Logic16h 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 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h 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 8h ago

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

Profchaos1d 7h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 4h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 7h ago

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

Profchaos1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 6h 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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