COMMENT | 3-1 to Sony? Microsoft need a new console, and soon

But not necessarily that new.

Regardless of whether or not the sales figures for the last financial quarter are of consoles sold or shipped, regardless of the extent to which the PlayStation and Xbox numbers were muddied by last-gen console statistics, one thing is clear: Microsoft are lagging behind. By an alarming factor of three-to-one.

It's early days, of course, in terms of Phil Spencer's tenure at the top. For much of 2014, he's been dealing in damage control, and trying to turn the omnishambles that Mattrick left behind into something identifiable, something relatable, something to do with games rather than every other facet of entertainment.

[iamnsuperman]

"Put simply, if Spencer is to perform a proper reset of the Xbox One brand and realign the console's focus on gaming, he's going to need a new console to do it. Not a generational console, but an Xbox One trimmed of all the fat. One that gets rid of everything apart from the core system hardware and a big fat hard-drive."

I see your point but these extras aren't, apart from the kinect, really costing Microsoft anything. Getting rid of them seems more anti productive than productive. The best thing to do is to change the focus and not release another completely different SKU. Another completely different SKU increases confusion amongst consumers (which I feel is one of the problems with the Kinectless SKU). This would be taking it a step too far.

Microsoft needs to find a way of making the Xbox even cheaper to start making ground on the PS4 but removing stuff isn't going to help. Remember Microsoft spent a fortune on the new kinect (rumored to be as much as the console). It is something you can't just write off. The damage was already done then (so removing more stuff isn't going to help them that much; we talking about taking very little off the manufacturing price here with these things gone)

[zeal0us]

When MS had announce a kinect-less X1 SKU I thought they would at least sell it ~$350-375. Personally I think the X1 would've sold a lot more if they had priced at $350.

It will be a while before they can recuperate from the development cost of Kinect 2.0. They generation just started so hopefully they will turn things around.

[amiga-man]

MS really dropped the ball coming into this gen thats what you get when business men are in charge of something they do not care about or understand,

they were more focused on pushing through their own agenda DRM always online and kinect were wanted by MS not the the gamer releasing a machine that was underpowered and too expensive was just another slap in the face with gamers proving they are not to be as stupid as they had hoped and turning their backs on the xone.

With Spencer in charge you do feel that at last they do have someone that at least understands gaming but it is too little too late, all that he can hope to do now is try to limit the damage done, but one things for sure this gen they will always be behind the PS4 and they only have themselves to blame.

[ShowGun901]

@amiga-man

"gamers aren't as stupid as M$ hoped."

this says it all right there, they built a machine THEY liked, with features that benefited THEM, and hoped we'd all sign on. Too bad that didn't happen, huh? LOL

[Minute Man 721]

@ amiga-man
It's the 3rd console curse

[Letthewookiewin]

The X1 should be priced at 299$ especially right now. At it's current price it will keep losing ground to Sony. Especially in September when Destiny hits and people pick up that white PS4 bundle and PS4s in general, then in October when people go to pick up consoles and see that the PS4 has it's exclusive racer out on top of all the multiplats. Sunset Overdrive will not be a system seller but will do good with people that already own the system, the MasterCC will move consoles but I know a lot of people like me who have played all the Halos to death aren't going to go and spend 460$ to do it again. On top of that you take away Kinect 2.0 and drop 100$ but you go and sell it for 200$.

[DragonKnight]

Ok, first of all this article is so stupid it hurts. If MS released a new SKU the way this article suggests, it would do more harm than good. Every time MS does a 180, they get slammed for it and rightfully so. They wouldn't have needed to do so many 180s if they'd even TRIED some ACTUAL market research to see that gamers would not like what they were trying to sell.

But this would be the biggest 180 they could make and with it would be the biggest slam. MS would show, once and for all, that they are incompetent in the gaming industry, that they are so out of touch that it's not even funny.

Lowering the price isn't the answer either. That only works on the casuals that don't know any better, and quite honestly their opinions have been tainted by the core's disdain for MS' launch already.

No, the answer for Microsoft is to stay the course and release games. Stop making Rare work on B.S. Kinect games or shovelware, start using older IPs that people ask for, flood the market with GOOD games. Move as far away from the money grubbing, anti-consumer tactics as possible.

MS will not turn it around overnight, and people need to stop expecting that that's going to happen. MS is not in a failure position just because the PS4 is currently selling better, but they aren't in the position they want to be in either. They can turn things around, but it will take time, it will take work, and no matter how many articles come out with their own stupid solutions, there is no instant fix, only band-aid solutions that won't work in the end.

[troylazlow]

in Canada the PS4 is $450 and the kinect-less X1 is $400, you cannot find the kinect-less X1 in stores now but plenty of PS4's.

Might just be in Canada but that's what I'm seeing

[amiga-man]

DragonKnight: if they'd even TRIED some ACTUAL market research to see that gamers would not like what they were trying to sell.

Gamers were telling them loud and clear they didn't like the direction they were taking, Adam Ord should have been enough but still they pushed through with their plans, it was only when gamers said no to their crap that MS started listening.

It wasn't lack ok market research it was lack of common sense, to try and release a machine with so many restrictions was downright stupid and it has cost them big time.

[XBLSkull]

Hasn't Microsoft come in last place every generation? That doesn't mean they don't have awesome consoles... I own both systems and while I use my X1 every day, just this week is the first time my PS4 has been turned on since February to play (gasp!) a last generation game remaster that I skipped last gen.

[VegasDawg]

@amiga-man, Just like Sony did with the PS3. Right? Lets see if your just a fanBOY are you mean what you say.

[badboyz09]

@amiga-man

"gamers aren't as stupid as M$ hoped."

Last Gen they were.

[Flamingweazel]

@TROYLAZLOW..I am from canada and you are full of crap...kinectless Xboxs are everywhere...lets not pretend demand was ever that high for x1 it was sold out of stores, especially now. Please. Ps4 despite being 50 cheaper is still lagging behind in Canada.

[Consoldtobots]

one can choose to look at this gen as Microsoft's failure or one can choose to look at this gen as Sony's resolve to kick Micros head in for the dirty pool they played last gen.

[Wizard_King]

When you price comparative parts as the XB1 you get a very cheap system. Seems ludicrous to pay full price now for an under powered gaming laptop with less features.

[All_Consoles]

"Less features"
Oh really, name some

[ShowGun901]

I think he means less features than a laptop, which is TRUE... can the xbone run powerpoint and word?

jumping to conclusions is so bad on these forums...

[Lennoxb63]

It cost more to make the X1 than the PS4. Get your facts straight first.

[Consoldtobots]

this is more about Sony hitting a $400 pricepoint with an amazing GDDR5 machine as opposed to what MS screwed up. In other words they never stood a chance.

[MightyNoX]

But HOW do you propose they make The Bone's production cheaper? The prices for PS4's 8Gig DDR5 will go down allowing Sony to undercut MS and make more proift.

Conversely, the prices for the bone's DDR3 will actually go up.

There is no other component they can take out to cheapen production, no BC or HDD.

[strangeaeon]

No offense, but what makes you such an expert on the hardware of X1?

[MightyNoX]

@strangeaon: i'm rarely offended by an uneducated person sprouting nonsense without doing research. It'd be like being insulted by an ant.

But as to your question, I am an engineer, i regularly listen to podcasts, interviews, engage on AMA on reddit and engage in hardware discussions on nvidia and amd forums and keep up to up to date. I make it my job to keep up to date with my field of work.

Read, clown, read. It does the mind good.

http://www.extremetech.com/...

Also, read Cerny's interviews whenever you can. Got it? Lesson over.

[orakle44]

Wow, Strangeaeon even started his comment with "No offense," yet you still went off on him for no reason at all. You act as if he should have known that you work in the field and do all sorts of research. Even stooping so low as to immature name calling (for no reason at all).

All you had to do was let him know that you work in the field, not that hard to do. But hey this is the interwebs, where you're not cool unless you're putting others down :/

[MelvinTheGreat]

You're an idiot to think DDR3 will keep going up once DDR4 release in the near future.

[kneon]

Well they can remove the hdmi in port and associated hardware.

[strangeaeon]

What does "sprouting nonsense" mean anyway? And why did you fly into a name calling tantrum? My question barely warranted your childish reaction.And congrats, you are an engineer, this doesn't give you the right to lord it over us "uneducated ants". Grow up and learn some social skills, there is more to life than an education.

[slasaru01]

Ps4 has not DDR5, it's GDDR5, it's not going to be much cheaper

[Zhipp]

Isn't GDDR5 basically modified DDR3? Why would the price of DDR3 rise when GDDR5 drops? They're both going to be obsolete in a few years with DDR4/GDDR6.

[Omegasyde]

@nox...Wow such doucheness in one reply. Your credits mean crap.

AMA's are as knowledgable as wikipedia. You say your an engineer but of what kind? I build networks and application systems, yet I don't go arround touting I am an engineer. Do you work at micrsoft or one of the chinese factories?

Strangeon called you out and you gave a rude, fake, and defensive reply. Just by that reply, I can tell you know nothing but what you read off the internet.

[rainslacker]

Not to defend either side here, but why is everyone ganging up on Nox? Strangeaeon didn't even reply to Nox's actual comment. If strange has knowledge that refutes Nox's statement he should have offered that instead of not offering a reply at all. Strange asked for credentials, Nox offered them, more or less, and then everyone attacks Nox.

Does anyone who replied have an actual replay to what Nox said? Because I do.

All memory prices fluctuate for any number of reasons. Nox offered a article as to one reason why. This is independent of any kind new technology that is coming, and can even affect GDDR5 or any other part, right down to a capacitor used for the power supply.

DDR4 is the next big thing, but DDR3 is still going to be commonplace for the next 5-6 years at least. As DDR4 starts to ramp up, DD3 actually becomes more expensive to produce, as factories are retooled for the new memory that will be in demand, so there is less available factories making the older memory to supply as they are getting ready for the next big thing. The manufacturers are going to want to make as much off the old product as possible as well, especially since it becomes more of a niche product(for lack of a better term).

It's happened this way for every change in memory architecture for the past 30 years. The prior gens memory prices spike until the supply is eventually dwindled with only a oddball producer of it here or there for things that are likely still going to be needed for a while.

Luckily, for MS, DDR4 isn't going to be the next big thing soon enough for the prices to spike high enough to make a difference for the current gen, and prices will likely go down before they spike and the spike won't be as much as they're spending now.

On the other hand, there is no GDDR5 replacement for the foreseeable future, which means that demand is going to remain constant, or increase, which will drive prices down as factories can produce more at the same or cheaper price.

This is of course barring some factory burning down, or some natural disaster in production areas, so in the end it could go either way.

All this being said, the memory architecture of both the X1 and PS4 are well known. You don't need to be an engineer to know this stuff, just have to have an interest and desire to find the information. For everything else, almost every other part of the X1 has been identified and priced. The only things not known 100% are how much MS may have paid for each individual component in bulk, but guesses can be made based on current market trends. Those breakdowns are easily available, and quite detailed, on the net.

[Why o why]

Thanks rainslacker. Well said.

[insomnium2]

Well said rainslacker. The answer to YOUR question of "why is everyone ganging up on Nox?" is that he acted like a major deuchebag for no good reason. That's it. Just read strangeaeon's question and Nox's reply again and you'll see how high of a horse he is riding on with that reply. He overreacted like a mofo.

[Jughead3416]

It's crazy how sony's doing so well, they're making Microsoft seem like they're not. In actuality, xbox one is selling ok, but compared to ps4, (3 to 1), they seem like they suck. This is what happens though when you make a machine that no one asked for, and the competitors machine is all about the gamer

[FanboyKilla]

so you guys feel more secure about having a ps4 because alot of other people have it. lmfao talk all you want that ps4 isnt getting any better. or there would be articles about that. lol sony cant believe you guys are buying it. so they rolling with it. outsells xbox, yea yeah, 1080p too.

lol what about the lack of features? if you listed the things xone can do and the things a ps4 does, asked a honest man with no previous knowledge of them, im betting xone. sony and their fans have resorted to talking about things that dont matter to a gamer. like quarter reports, and sales figures.

no news on any games? what about an update to your horrible software. no? you do realize xone updates every month right? how can you be the best, when everyone else is getting better? how about that ps now, have you changed it from a arm and a leg yet? no?

lmfao you sony fans here are only talking to each other here on n4g. no one else can hear you. just a bunch of sony fans patten themselves on the back. lol n4g is like sonys propaganda site. sucka ducks.

you can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time. its just a shame how many they can fool though.

they can sale one to everyone on the planet, right now, my ps 4 sucks. and has been confirmed it will suck at least untill 2015. ps 4 are you serious. their software looks like it was in the walk-man. xone to ps4 is rewind. lmfao i got a ps4, you cant fool me, i know what you got. lmfao it sucks in its current state point blank period. read my old post. i told you the only gap between them will be software and ms came out winning that. now its just getting ugly.

xones gotta update coming soon. watch sony be like me too. firmware 1.80 coming soon. lol i mean they are claiming dynasty warriors as an exclusive win. lmfao all the while, you wont find 500 people playing that game. its hilarious. the best thing we got is a port from last gen. and the crowd goes wild. wait, can ponies be in crowds? or is a herd or something.

[mike_honcho]

apparently the consumers generally think it's better if it's selling 3:1.. that's usually how these things work.. and also you forgot to put a b in "xone"

[DoubleM70]

Dude I can care less. I have converted 4 people into getting themselves and XBOX1. The general public don't know what this sucker can do. I never herd people talk about everything else but games.

[N8]

That's all Sony has to do is me too. They are in the lead. The XB1 came out a me too console and if they would have stuck with DRM it would have been 5 to 1 by now.

[SoapShoes]

@DoubleM70... Well the only ones talking about games are Xbox fans and by that I mean trying to downtalk PS4 games. The reason people tend to not talk about X1 games is it hasn't had anything since Titanfall that is exclusive to it while PS4 has had 4 retail exclusives(not even talking about indies here).

[reko]

@lamefanboy

bruh you lame gtfo here lol

[ThanatosDMC]

Xbone also got WiiUed (multiplatform games not releasing on the console).

[ITPython]

Like MS does with it's OS's when one fails, they will likely be releasing another console soon (a year or two, possibly around the 2015 Halo launch).

If they were smart, it would be a console that is much more powerful than the PS4, easier to develop for than the PS4, priced the same if not maybe even a little cheaper, and it would need to be fully reverse compatible with all XB1 games.

Then they would be wise to offer some kind of trade-in program so people with XB1's can trade those in for either a large discount for the new console, or a full blown swap at no extra charge. Yes MS would lose a bit of money doing this, but often in the business world you have to spend money to make money. And perhaps they could salvage parts from the XB1 to use in the XB2.

As it stands now the XB1 has zero chance of recovering and will just keep drifting further and further away from the PS4. It will probably come to a point where multiplat third-party devs may even stop supporting it. MS absolutely has to release a new console if they want to be around for another generation, otherwise they will suffer the same fate as the Dreamcast.

[iamnsuperman]

There are two problems with you idea. One it will confuse customers. They have just had a big push for the Xbox One. Saying here is the Xbox 2 would just confuse them. Secondly third party confidence would take a nose dive. It is one of the reasons a cycle needs to be 5+ years. Developers spend years tailoring a game for a console. For a manufacturer to turn around and and say ignore that new console here is a newer one will destroy their faith that the manufacturer is committed to their product. The only way to combat this is to some how build it like tablets and mobile phones have were older version can play never version games..... but again this runs into issues

[SoapShoes]

Well they completely abandoned the original Xbox when the 360 came out simply because there was no saving it(among other things). If X1 doesn't do well I expect a new console in 3-4 years with them ceasing all production of the X1.

[liquidhalos]

Millions of people haven't switched to current gen yet, i think we need to give the consumers time to switch before we judge. Lets see what happens over a couple of holiday seasons after the big games have dropped. People will start upgrading soon enough.

[ITPython]

@iamnsuperman - I agree on the first part, it probably would confuse customers. But MS loves spending millions on advertising and getting the word out any way they can (such as sweepstakes, giveaways, events, mentions in youtube videos and any and all other possible ways to advertise), so if anybody could pull it off and lessen the confusing blow to customers, MS could with their immense advertising budget.

The second part I actually already had a solution for that problem in my post, which is to have the XB2 be completely reverse compatible with XB1 games. This way devs who worked on a XB1 game for so long wouldn't get screwed over because the game won't play on the new machine. And this also means older XB1 games already made won't be affected either, as XB2 players can still buy and enjoy them.

[Gamer1982]

MS are making a lot of extra income from branching out it seems with rumours of Halo master chief collection coming to STEAM and a more gaming centric windows. Seems MS really want a piece of that windows gamer pie aswell. I mean why not? they don't have to supply any hardware for PC gamers and costs of releasing on that platform are historically lower. Plus releasing on two platforms increases income by a substantial amount. Of course it give you less reason to buy an Xbox but only if you want to go the PC gaming route not everybody wants a PC for gaming.

[ArchangelMike]

Good article, really enjoyed the read.

I think we all know that the 'slim' version of consoles will come out, not sure if it will be next year or in 2016. But even if we assume Microsoft release the xboxone-slim in 2015, trimmed of any excess fat, and at a further reduced price; we know that Sony are in a position to do the same, and potentially still have the cheaper, but still more powerful console.

Microsoft needed a killer app that demonstrated the integration of Kinect, media and gaming, to really show their vision for the xboxone. I was really keeping an eye on Quantum Break, because it promised to bring all three components together for a true next-gen experience. But now that kinect has been unbundled, and xbox entertainment studios has closed, I'm not actually sure Microsoft can still fulfill that vision in the same way.

First party exclusive games are what can bring Microsoft upto par, but even that is not necessarily going to bring new converts to the console, but will help migrate the last-gen adopters to the new gen. It seems Sony on the other hand have been able to bring in new converts into the playstation ecosystem, if the 3-1 statistic is true.

Bottom line - Microsoft have tried a re-launch by unbundling Kinect from xboxone, now they need to show up strong on the games front going forward. That's really the only way they can get back up to par.

[cfc78]

In terms of games and getting back up to par Microsoft would have to deliver the best games line up a gen has ever seen,with Sony's ever growing quality line up of games and the stronger hardware i just don't see it happening i think Microsoft will finish behind Sony what ever they try and i think even Ms knows that,hopefully the race will be closer next time.

[Hanuman]

Halo (something) should have been a launch game, alongside Forza and some teasers for a new Gears. Now that, would make me get one at launch. The new IP's Ryse and Titanfall, were horribly marketed and both felt rushed to me. Going Kinectless was a great move and Halo 5, pour moi, will seal the deal. It's all I expect an Xbox to do. The rest is gravy..

[ScorpiusX]

That would be crazy , but if they do so am ready to buy me a new one when released.

[chrissx]

Ms is not releasing any new console atleast for the next 5 years

[harrisk954]

He is not literally talking about a "new" console -- an "Xbox Two" -- he is talking about the launch of a slimmed down version of the XB1 for less money. Usually slim versions of consoles don't come out for a few years after launch, but in this case, it might help the perception problem that MS is currently having. Hell, MS has lost the mindshare of the mainstream media in the U.S. with the XB1, which is not good for them.

[ShowGun901]

...god i hope the next xbox isnt called the "xbox two"

LOL

[Artista]

And, the solution is to release a new console within about 10 months of releasing the ONE, knowing there a many projects in development for it. There are 26 countries that have yet to receive the ONE.

I understand that it's you're job to blow sh!t out of proportion to get hits but, damn.

[SlavisH2]

Articles like this only make it on n4g. From a business perspective this is the dumbest things I've read so I guess i need to look at it from a fan girl perspective.

[All_Consoles]

This is why 90% of articles on n4g are a joke

[MysticStrummer]

Did you read the article? It's just suggesting that they release a cheaper XB1, not a completely new console.

[iamnsuperman]

The article talks more about releasing a new sku than a brand new generation

[harrisk954]

I don't necessarily agree, but the article is talking about a slim version of the XB1, not the "Xbox Two".

Additionally, your assumption that the release in those 26 countries is going to miraculously help the XB1 be competitive is without any basis in reality. These are countries that the 360 was not very competitive with the PS3 last gen. Why do you believe that somehow these countries will now embrace the XB1? There is a reason that MS chose not to launch XB1 in those other countries for the first year of its life.

[Spotie]

Oh, Xbox fans...

[thexmanone]

Oh, PS4 fans are so gullible.

[hello12]

I doubt Microsoft is worried. Microsoft likely knows Sony will lead for a while. Microsoft has a long term plan. Releasing in more countries has not yet started. Some of big hitters for xb1 haven't arrived yet. Sony is doing well, but i bet in two years we will look at these articles and laugh. Microsoft will do better than expected.

[Sm00thNinja]

Pretty sure we all said the same thing about the PS3 and we know how that story ended

[hello12]

Sony has been in the console business longer and they have substantially larger gamer fanbase. Sony has been selling the Playstation in more countries than Microsoft, for years. Microsoft will always be trying to catch up to Sony.I don't know why people are surprised Sony is doing this well. Playstation is more important to Sony than x box is for Microsoft

I'm fairly certain Microsoft sold the 360 in fewer countries also. Microsoft this time is trying to the sell the xb1 to more countries. Wait and see how they do.

Microsoft won last gen they sold least 2 million more consoles to customers. But even i can admit the numbers are likely skewed. The three red rings of death boasted their numbers. Sony is the leading console manufacture and always has been.

I don't care if Sony wins as long as Microsoft sells their console to enough people to keep the x box as part of their business. I think the x box one is better made console and will be shown to be in time. Microsoft just didn't market it good before launch.

[DigitalRaptor]

"Microsoft won last gen they sold least 2 million more consoles to customers."

Nothing anywhere substantiates your claim. You never post sources of your numbers and it's obvious why you don't. Stop trying to downplay that fact that Sony's PS3 broke down an 8 million unit gap and continues to outsell the Xbox 360. This "2 million more" you've invented is for damage control.
-----

"I don't care if Sony wins"

But you do, so much so to keep telling yourself that you believe MS has a chance of catching up to the PS4. You care enough about Sony winning, that you made up a "2 million" number to try and make other people believe that Xbox 360 beat out the PS3 last gen in sales. That never happened.
-----

"I think the x box one is better made console"

For dedicated Xboners, maybe. Not for developers who are the ones who make the games. Tell Phil Spencer that Xbone is a better engineered console than PS4 and even he'll tell you you're stupid.

[snookiegamer]

@KNWS

Even in the cold hard light of Truth, you're in almost every article defending, and finding ways to counter anything you deem negative about your favourite console.

You're a Super-Fan...but MS doesn't care about you or any of their supporters. If they did, they wouldn't have made the monumental anti-consumer decisions they did.

Alan Wake The Hell Up!

[CODallday]

Sony and Nintendo do not care about you ether. You're just a sales number to them. it's called a business.

[snookiegamer]

@CODallday

'You're just a sales number to them. it's called a business'.

Way'da Go Sherlock!...however, this article is about MS' failures, not Sony or Nintendo's.

Tell us somethin' new smart pants LOL

@strangeaeon

Whatever dude....I haven't even used N4G for 2 weeks, so you're typing complete crap. In fact, you're lucky I replied to you..but I dislike LIARS. Go play a game and come out of discussions above your intelligence level.

[strangeaeon]

And you are in every Xbox One article, bashing and smearing in order to maximize any bad news there is about it. The only person I see here that is a superfan is you and the multitude of Sony zombies that spend more time hating another console than playing their own. It's not enough that the X1 is being outsold, all of you want MS out of the console business for some misguided idea that Sony is "In it for us" and MS is out to murder you.

[y7jzdgy]

So what! He's a fanboy you're a fanboy who cares! Jeez this is silly. It's like two fat women in a trailer park trying to insult each other by calling each other fat! Duh! Reality check.

[DigitalRaptor]

Basically… Microsoft is behind Sony by about 4-5 million units and they both released at the same time.

Their big titles that they are putting tons of money behind are not shifting the console and sales are going down month by month, apart from the odd month where a game release or price cut spikes sales temporarily.

Sony is also yet to release some of their big hitters, and they are still leagues ahead.

The real focus of these kind of articles is that Sony is ahead. And they always will be ahead. The gap isn't closing and Sony's momentum isn't faltering. So we will look at these articles in 2 years and the same talking point will be "Sony is ahead, what can MS do to get ahead of Sony?" etc, etc.

[kneon]

If the ps4 continues to outsell the xb1 at this pace then in two years there will be no articles about what Microsoft can do to catch up. Becuase by then there will be nothing they can do, it will be too late.

[rainslacker]

@kneon

Exactly. People didn't talk about the DC or the GameCube after Sony pulled way ahead of them. It just was what it was. Sony dominated, the rest were just niche machines for the hardcore, or random casuals who got one cheap. There was no, "What can Nintendo do to catch Sony". Didn't matter how good the DC or the GC were. Won't matter how good the X1 is if the sale difference remains constant or increases for Sony.

If it hadn't been for the success of the Wii, it's very likely that Nintendo could have given up on the home console market, and could have gone the route of Sega as a game publisher, or stuck strictly to handhelds.

MS isn't currently in that position, as they had a successful console last gen, and this gen they're actually selling OK. It just pales in comparison to the PS4. 2-3 years from now though, if the gap between the two remains constant, which means PS4 will have a much bigger lead numbers wise, then their biggest problem will be developer support, same as it was with Nintendo and Sega when the gap was massive.

MS probably won't abandon the console in 2-3 years if that's the case, as I doubt they want to exit the console market, unless other things happen in the board rooms at MS, if the mumbling about it are to be heeded. They may ride out the gen but push a new gen early, possibly hoping to get ahead of Sony like they did with the 360.

[Sm00thNinja]

They just need a big marketing push relaunch. Numbers wise the ONE isnt doing bad the PS4 is just doing much better. These doom and gloom articles are ridiculous.... The Xbone is doing much better after the price cut as well. Players that want to see another console fail are just as bad as the FOX news and msnbc reporters spewing nonsense about video games imo. Nintendo has struggled more since hitting the market lets just forget them getting over the hump... Well almost..

[slasaru01]

People don't understand that MS goal is not a console market domination, which of course would be nice as well, but creating a Windows environment and getting in every home. They don't really depend on Xbox, it's another tool for them. So there shouldn't be any mass hysteria like now. We get games, we get services, we get the environment and support.

[rainslacker]

They have a pretty big marketing push now, which is odd given that it's summer time. They seem to have no problem throwing up Master Chief up on the screen.:) It makes sense with the price drop though. GameStop is pushing it in all their flyers now as well, although not with any actual deals that appeal to me.

I imagine come holiday season we'll see an even bigger marketing push from them. Possibly kick-started after Gamescon.

And yeah, X1 isn't doing poorly, but it could definitely be doing better.

[Trekster_Gamer]

The Master Chief Collection will move a lot of consoles.
Halo 5 will as well.

[cfc78]

You can take away or add as much as you like it's the irreversible hardware choice that Microsoft made that will keep the XB1 lagging behind PS4 as the gen continues and games get more demanding i think that gap will widen to a degree even further,from the beginning Microsoft have been ice skating up hill with XB1 in terms of being a superior games console,Don MAttrick's mark might have been tippexed out but it's always going to be there but in truth i don't have shares in either company so as long as both deliver in the games/fun department i don't really care who comes 1st.( Do Microsoft need a new console? I think Microsoft needs a time machine)

[Charybdis]

I think they need even moreasier good brand defining exclusives who can lift the platform to a higher level

[cfc78]

Good exclusives always help just ask Sony on that one.(totally agree with what you say)

[slasaru01]

MS don't care if they lag. They have completely another purpose

[XStation]

And this is why NeoGAF is better.

[pastysmash]

Still not buying a ps4.

[DeadlyOreo]

Brilliant. Thanks for that useless piece of information.

[DanzoSAMA]

Me too :d

[mrpsychoticstalker]

NOT buying one anytime soon either. Happy with my Xbox. These articles are hilarious. The insecurity of some....

[deadie]

@pastysmash:

I am still not buying a xbox one

Why you ask?

Well - because of Microsoft's mistakes with the whole shebang.

The way it was planned & put to earth was a great lesson in "how not to" do it.

That there are people still trying to defend this outrage of circuits is appalling.
(This really makes me wonder sometimes?)
Every day you see certain people trying to defend the mistakes made in that "happy" bowl of arrogance, control & anti-consumer plans. Pure stupidity.

It IS an abomination - from start to finish.

No 180 can save them from what they introduced & tried to sell us. It is starting to get embarrasing really.

This will haunt MS for a long time.
(And deservedly so.)

CTRL-Z.

[larrysdirtydrawss]

you will eventually,you're gonna break down and become part of the console master race

[deadie]

- edit -

[Kemo_Spear]

And I am still not buying an XB1.
There, now we are even.

[DLConspiracy]

That seems to be the point of ALL of these news *ahem* i mean opinion articles about xbox. Why dont they just write love letters in the form of opinion pieces about the PS4. Then we could really drag the community into fame.

[LightDiego]

Calm down, it's too soon to say that, i think Phil Spencer is doing a good job like bringing Phantom Dust back, let's see how he will manage with the damage of scumbag Mattrick did. I don't even have a Xbox One now, by the way, but bring great exclusive games like Banjo and i will really want to buy one.

[MysticStrummer]

He's just saying to release a cheaper XB1, not a new console. I'm not sure some of the above commenters read the article before going into defense mode.

[Sykoticz]

Yeap people just jump on the wagon when they read the title.

[Godmars290]

The 8th console gen hasn't even started, MS is trimming the fat and only really looking at the gaming/entertainment division, yet they're expected to redesign and re-(re-)release their console if not produce a 9th gen model?

[cruzngta]

Wonder if this continues how long will MS keep trying to play catch up and not sell off the brand.

[HappyWithOneBubble]

XB1 is dying slowly. Sales have been under 80k weekly while PS4 have been 100k+ weekly. Future not looking so great for XB1. I doubt there'll be a new console but I think MS will release some type of Super XB1 with updated hardware in 2016.

[btk]

MS strategy for this generation was focused on Kinect.
Only problem is that Kinect is useless for most games other than dancing games and with all the tech is just a better EyeToy.
Without Kinect it is PS4-Lite in a bigger box at the same price.
MS will wish this gen is over and if XBox division survives to be around for the net gen, maybe they will do better.

[Goku781]

They need to, Xbox One is looking very much like a rotten egg right now, and they need a fresh new start.

[CODallday]

They aren't going to outsell the PS4,But they aren't failing ether.

[snookiegamer]

Xbox One could have been an amazing console, but it had the wrong handlers.

Now Phil is in charge, it will get better. But, it may take until the tail end of this generation before MS get's back to where they were with Xbox 360, and that's just too late for anybody.

[Artemidorus]

Seems the only people who keep coming out with this crap are Playstation users who want to knock Xbox One down because they know the console they bought is cheaper with less features and games.

The truth is as time goes by Xbox One is slowly getting better and better creating deals, content updates and even games.

[ocelot07]

The less games and features I keep hearing about. Explain to me what my XB1 does more than my PS4? A few things I can think off it:

Skype
Snap feature
USB Hard drive
Youtube App (Youtube TV works very well on PS4)
Euro Sport
HDMI Pass through
MLB App

Things PS4 has over XB1:

Demand 5
IGN
BBC News
BBC iPlayer
BBC Sports
Headset Companion App
Vidzone
Touchpad
Remote Play
Voice messaging
PS Now Steaming service
Music Unlimited
Ustream? (not sure if XB1 has this yet)
Built in battery if you want to include that as a feature.

There is probably plenty more for each console I can't remember at the moment. But please add them in if you can think of any.

Then as for the games the PS4 has what about 90 titles including free to play and downloadable titles.

Xbox One including free to play and downloadable titles is sitting at around 60 I think.

Waits for the the but no one cares about indie games waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

[poor_cus_of_games]

No ustream on the xbox but you did miss share factory on the ps4. Which is awesome. Also nowtv is on both systems.

[Artemidorus]

Ok now you just proven you are wrong or misguided.

Xbox has Demand 5 app, it has a video streaming service for recordings, it has it's own Music AND tv app.

Playstation does not have the following:
Direct Youtube
Wuaki.tv
TED
NOW TV
Major League Gaming
Machinima
Eurosport
Blinkbox
Not including the extra apps Microsoft also provide.

Playstation 4 does not have the following:
A headset,
Camera providing gaming, voice controls touch features.
DNLA
MP3, CD etc
OneGuide
A large list of features I cannot name them all but many lacking options the Xbox provides on most menus/options of doing things.

Once again it's no good providing a list of 90+ games when most are small indie games or free to play pc titles that are free for a reason. That is poor and people demand proper AAA titles

[Godmars290]

Media apps are largely an invalid point. Are things either console can do technically, but because the business world is what it is, there are legal considerations get in the way.

Take for example the old-old-old one of Netflix; MS maneuvered to get it as an exclusive on the 360, had it as such for nearly a year, then Netflix went round the agreement by offering mod DVDs which let PS3's stream their service before their agreement with MS was up. And when it was up, because of the XBL paywall at the time, the PS3 quickly became the most preferred platform for Netflix.

Now that MS has finally dropped the paywall for apps things are bit more even, but still both are making it a political business issue of which company gets which app - while things like Roku gets them all showing just how stupid the whole thing is.

[ocelot07]

@Artemidorus The PS4 does have Now TV I just installed it due to there £10 free PSN credit offer.

PS4 does include a headset (which you can use for voice control I may add)

Am sorry I disagree with you about the games. This may shock you but both consoles are "gaming" machines. From cheap thrill indie titles. To AAA exclusive titles.

PS4 has 42 retail titles out (none indie). This in not including the Japanese exclusives. There are from what I can see 38 retail XB1 titles. The XB1 has 7 retail exclusive games (2 of them on PC if that means anything). PS4 has 5 exclusives (1 being on PC) I didn't include the likes of Dynasty Warriors or Air Conflict or Putty Squad or Injustice or Bound by Flame or MotoGP because I believe they are available on 360. But if where only talking about PS4 and Xbox One then you can count that as exclusives I suppose.

So yer the PS4 has more retail titles that you can go into a local store and buy right now (did not include future releases). Only thing Xbox has going game wise is they have a extra 2 exclusive titles. Unless you do count the likes of Bound by Flame and Dynasty warriors.

[ocelot07]

To be honest. I think people who wanted a XB1 at some point has bought one. But probably not new. As we know Pre-owned (second hand) does not count towards sales. As Microsoft get no money from second hand sales.

I vowed not to buy a XB1 for at least 2 years until some decent exclusive where out for it. But a local store was selling a second hand Day one edition with day one edition forza and dead rising. Plus FIFA stores on the hard drive. So a XB1 with 3 games 4 months after release for £275 was stupidly cheap in my opinion because this was before the kinectless SKU and the titanfall bundle so they where still asking for £430 for them new at this point.

So what am saying is. I think the XB1 is selling. Just not the way Ms wanted. Instead there probably selling well pre-owned and not as well new.

[KontryBoy706]

I currently only have the PS4 and I don't have any plans to buy an Xbox One any time soon. But, it would be foolish for Microsoft to release a new Xbox any time soon. Microsoft can't alienate their whole user base and come out with another console, just like Nintendo couldn't with the Wii U. They have to stick with the Xbox One for at least 5-6 years. If they think they have it bad now... they would really have it bad if they did that. Their last remaining loyal consumers would lose faith in their brand and really jump ship.

[MCTJim]

Judging by a lot of comments...Some people did not read the article.

[Smokingunz]

Xb1 will be fine! Especially in a year or two. They did a lot better than the 360 at launch so that's saying a lot.sure they made some mistakes before launch with the dem thing and always on line but they turned that around.the fact of the matter is the xb1 is still selling and will do even better when they are more games available for the system in the coming years as will Sony. There's nothing wrong with being in 2nd place (we all know that the x1 will outsell the wii u in the long run.

I think what Microsoft needs to do is to promote the xb1 more just like they did with the 360,push more exclusive games and new ip's sell the Kinect free with the system at the same $400 or $350.

At the end of the day both consoles are great, they are identical in every way the only difference are the exclusives and different online infrastructure. If Xb1 is such a bad system just ignore it, why comment on it?

[hiawa23]

This is nonsense. MS made the console they wanted to make. Might not be as powerful as the PS4, so what, but the X1 is a fully capable machine, and for some to say they need another console is plumb foolish. Yeah, they got the messaging wrong out of the gates but they corrected that and I expect the 1 to do well this gen. May not pull PS4 numbers, but lets be realistic, MS isn't releasing a new console anytime soon, nor do they need to. They will improve the 1 as they have been doing every month which I really like and move forward. My 1 is certainly getting more use than PS4, and I am happy with both consoles.

[voltron420170]

BOTH companies didn't make their new consoles cutting edge.. They went the cheap route to be profitable from the beginning... When the 360 and ps3 came out they had tech that wasn't available anywhere and it took PC's a year to catch up... With these new systems they went for mid-range current PC level graphics capabilities.. This is going to be the shortest console generation in history.. 3-4 years MAX.. Don't count Nintendo out either because as bad as the WiiU is they learned from their mistake earlier than MS or Sony and will probably bring a true next gen system to the market first that will be cutting edge...

[hiawa23]

No way in hell 3-4 years this gen will be. The Wiiu is what is,which is where u get your Nintendo games which slowly trickle out and not much else, and that won't cut it. Most devs have counted them out.

[SaveFerris]

If the USA and UK continue to choose the PS4 over XB1, at least MS will have the jump on SONY in China!

[poor_cus_of_games]

Until Sony launches in china. But honestly I don't expect both consoles to sell huge numbers there.

[smellslikeralph]

I just recently purchased the kinctless Xbox one and I've had my ps4 since launch. I personally am enjoying my Xbox one.

I do feel it should be around the 350-375 mark because honestly it is a bit underpowered and u can see it in with graphics.

Cod and bf4 are to name just 2.the both look blurred big time to the ps4 versions.

As well as destiny I have the beta on both and played both. U can def see the graphical difference between them.

On a side note I'm not dissing either console because I'm enjoying both. I did not like killzone on ps4 but loved ryse (yes I'm prolly the only one who did)

Both consoles present ups n downs. Microsoft botched the hell out of the reveal I admit that and I don't know how they are going to dig themselfs out of that mess.

I still run into people tody who still think the Xbox one requires a 24 hour check in and is pretty much a DRM digital machine.

[jmc8888]

Microsoft screwed up the reveal big time. I said right then and there that because they told people it needed the check in and all the other fascist crap during the reveal, that this first impression would be carried with them throughout the generation.

Which is what makes their reveal so shocking. They knew for months they were going to get bashed from hell to back and they went ahead with it. What morons.

They know, because EVERYONE pretty much knows, that first impressions are almost impossible to reverse. If you announce all this crap, people are going to think that way for the rest of the generation.

The reveal was their time to set the bar, and whatever they set, that's what people would remember and hold to.

So they told everyone they basically needed to bend over and be anal probed. That's why everyone still thinks they are going to be anal probed by the Xbox One. Microsoft told everyone. People will still be thinking this way in 2020, and Microsoft has no one to blame but themselves. They don't get a bit of sympathy because it was all knowable before hand, and they had millions of post for almost six months and thousands of articles slamming what they knew was EXACTLY what they were going to announce. All that free research and they thumbed their noses.

Well you reap what you sow, and Microsoft is going to have grain bins full for the entire generation.

They can't release a new console anytime soon. All they can do is lower the price and invest in many studios to pump out games to entice us to buy it. That's all they can do. The problem is, they aren't investing in the studios. They need MORE then Sony, and they simply don't have it. They've landed some exclusive deals, but those games aren't made by Microsoft. Sony's exclusives are generally that, Sony exclusives. They have far more in the pipeline and some of them will be putting out their 2nd or 3rd title before some of Microsoft's even get their 1st title out.

[fullmetal297]

If Microsoft makes a new console soon after the release of the Xbox One, then that is just spit to face those who already purchased the One. The Xbox One is indeed considerable weaker than the PS4 but that is hardly a reason to make such a radical decision since the most successful consoles weren't the most powerful (Wii, PS2, SNES, NES).

[level 360]

Basically the article is asking Microsoft put out a discount, globally and a fair one at that on the XBox ONE.

Now.

Think if ever they release a new slim version ( or XBox ONE 2.0 ), it'll be around late 2015 to mid 2016.

[koliosis]

Don't count the Xb1 out just yet.once halo is release to the masses Xbox will dominate the sales chart and be king.

[horndog]

Nah! Sony seems to be shooting itself on the leg. MS just needs to keep doing what they are doing.

[deadie]

Mistake after mistake ^^

[Giantbomb82]

It's been 9 months. IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!! Re-makes, Sequels and Ports have been the games so far. Xbox will have the lead in North America, while Sony will maintain the lead world wide. By the end of 2016. And the beat go's on, Both consoles will do fine overall. There's over 80 million 360's out there. And every major game this year is on it. Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs, Titanfall, Destiny, Advanced warfare plus as of now 360 is the ONLY place to play Halo and Gears. Why would the Xbox One get off to a fast start?? Especially at $500 with Kinect. Which it was for a while. Most people have patience and actually wait for games to come out. Xbox One will do great.

[ironmonkey]

ps4 winning xbox one losing those are the stats right now.

[jnemesh]

They should just stick a for in it. It's done. They need to do what they are best at...software and services. Let the companies that know how do consoles.

[Ps4marksthespotnotX]

It doesn't need a new console it just needs some good exclusive games which it doesn't have and none in sight in the next year.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Click bait agenda garbage.

And with combined sales totals and fake sales data circulating on the web you'll never really know the truth about the numbers.

Also... *cough* partner site *cough*

[CorruptBoyd]

No they dont need a fucking new console.. Thats stupidd

[chaosx]

They need to release the rumoured xbox mini that plugged into the xb1 and allowed it to have 360 backwards compatibility at a hardware level.

That would be a hardware bundle that people would not HATE instead of a Kinect.

That would seriously help people jump from the 360 to the xb1

[CorruptBoyd]

Halo, sunset overdrive gears crackdown quantum break but yeh they have new good games.. You have to be in denial if you say those arent gonna be good games

[sAVAge_bEaST]

Soon it will be

4:One..

- I called it this time last year, oh the irony -

(It was designed as a MOney, Box.. the suits thought they were just so clever.. and make Money, hand over fist<kinect>.. Oh M$, you silly little man, you)

[VegasDawg]

The fact that you care makes you a sad, sad little boy. Grow up or at least man up.

[VegasDawg]

Such an ignorant title. What if Sony just gave up on the PS3? They had a very similar launch to the X1.

[brotherlymoses]

I agree, we went talking about an entire new console, just a slim xbox one, better design, better UI, and hopefully no power brick

[Petebloodyonion]

Here's the N4G view on business

The Toyota Corolla is the most sold car in the world for 2014. Then all competitor should scrap their models and call it quit cause they fail.

It's funny how ppl thinks that this is a race in witch, the company with the most console sold at the end is a the winner. In reality it's about profit for the Shareholder.
As of right now, both consoles has sold more compare to previous incarnation in the same time frame.

By the way ppl are easily forgetting that Sony calculate all PS product in a single number for sales stats (PS4, Ps3, PsP, Ps Vita, and PS tv). Of course it's gonna be way better compare to MS (Xbox 360 and one).
Also it's console shipped (both company).

[kewlkat007]

Ha..Haaaaaa..keep it going.

[gigoran]

can't wait for the day when it becomes a 2 party race again, reminiscent of the Nintendo/Sega days. It'll be Nintendo/Sony this time, and rightfully so.

But this new console thing? I wouldn't put it past MS. They jumped the original XBOX gen faster than other console makers. If anyone is going to try kickstart another generation of gaming consoles first it will be MS this time, and what will come of it will likely resemble the WiiU. Not quite next gen, more like a console in between the transition.

[rainslacker]

There's always been at least 3 consoles on the market. Atari, 360, NEC, all had their 3rd place making it more than a 2 party race. The 3rd console maker usually became a footnote, or completely forgotten. MS isn't in that position this gen. At least for the time being.

[EliteGameKnight]

I find it disconcerting that just by having lower sales then their competitors, it instantaneously means that a console is a failure. The fact that we as a consumer base come to such conclusions so quickly shows that we lack a sense of trust in the companies we favor. Whether this is on some basis of an apparent ego or the inability to accept the opinions of others in order to grow our own views is not for me to say as I lack the knowledge to know for certain.

I hope that I don't have to remind everyone that console development, let alone the production and release of these consoles, is an extremely expensive proposition. As long as Microsoft is making an income off of the Xbox One, they do not need to make a new console.

This coupled with the fact that if they for some reason were to go forward with a new console so early into the XB0's life, then they would destroy any trust that Microsoft has among their consumer base, and by doing so cause this hypothetical Xbox One successor to sell worse than its predecessor.

No, Microsoft should continue with their console. Doing otherwise will lead to nothing good

[XtraTrstrL]

To put it simply, Microsoft's hubris got them in trouble. They were coming off of being King Kong with the 360 and having every publisher and dev under their fingers. They had all sorts of horrible policies and parity rules that were devised to make everything come to their console first and/or run way better on their console by forcing devs to make 360 the lead platform. It wasn't just the PS3 being hard to code for that caused things to be better on 360, it was also the way Microsoft set things up with publishers so they couldn't refuse. They had no problem trapping everyone into the paywall that is Xbox Live, with no benefits other than online play.

So, the hubris led them to believe they'd get away with the insane amount of anti-consumerism they had planned for X1. It got them shot down immediately and the 180s ensued, that coupled with $100 price difference, the nonstop comparisons of PS4's faster unified ram and 40+% more powerful GPU - they were never able to recover.

[DG90]

I'm not an Xbox or a Microsoft fan... But they do not need a new console at all. They're going through a slow patch.. The PS3 went through that phase.

[kingvendrick]

No way MS will release a new console so soon after the launch window. They have lost $400,000,000 on xb1, but a lot of that is dev costs. If anyone seriously thinks MS, even with their vast cash reserves are gonna just bring out a new console so quickly just because xbone is underperforming at the moment, they are deluded.

MS will probably ride out this gen for 4 to 5 years then release a new console, that or possibly sell the xbox division which I can't see happening.

At least with Phil Spenser in charge now, they have a chance of turning things around at some point, even if that takes till the next gen.