1080°

Nintendo Responds to Microsoft’s Claim That The Wii U is “Effectively a 360″

Nintendo responded to Microsoft’s allegation that Mario’s next home is nothing more than a Xbox 360. It may or may not be the response you expected.

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Jadedz4298d ago

I'm primed for the WIi U's launch. I need to buy a bigger external HDD, and save up a little bit more for Wii U software.

farhad2k84298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

The whole console isn't the same, but I really think the controller took it too far. The shape and triggers make it look exactly like a 360 controller (Pro Controller).

That being said, no one should say that the Wii-U is effectively an XBOX 360, because it obviously isn't.

But the Wii-U is just not my cup of tea, I'll wait for more hardcore games to come out before purchasing one.

victorGma214298d ago

A x360 with free online and Nintendo games? I am all for it.

THESHAUNZY4298d ago

Yea... wait for Xbox 360 and PS3 to show the next espn, facebook, MLB, Netflix, Hulu, App, blog, person intergration... where are the Hardcore games at?

solid_si4298d ago

It has Mario, Metroid & Zelda plus Halo & Gears with free online play? WOW this must be much better than 360 then.

MaxXAttaxX4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

That would be Microsoft. Sony doesn't make an entire show out of social or sports features.

@victorGma21,

Haha, if the Wii U is an Xbox 360 with free online play but with Nintendo games, then that would be the first Xbox system worth keeping (for me at least).
I just wish it was a bit more next-gen-ish, because... you know... it's been 6 years.

AAACE54298d ago

This is more of a reason that they should have done a console together. Nintendo has the first party games ms needs and ms has the design nintendo wants. Plus we wouldnt have to buy two different consoles.

Sonu has tons of exclusives so its not like they will hurt from this happening.

PoSTedUP4298d ago

the next console i will buy will be a next generation console; like how i make my purchase every new generation... sorry nintendo, try keeping up next time please.

victorGma214298d ago

NathanExplosion
I was just kiddin. I want next gen hardware on this thing because I don't want another "wii situation".

ArtificiallyYours4298d ago

There are PC controllers that, while not made specifically for Xbox, look like Xbox controllers no less than this does.

I'm talking identical colors and triggers, moreso than this even.

chukamachine4298d ago

Your not saying the 360 is hardcore are you?

Seriously i wouldn't listen to microsoft when it comes to hardware or software.

jimbobwahey4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

I don't think it's Microsoft's place to say what the Wii U is/isn't. In fact I think it's quite shameful that they have to so blatantly talk about their competition in such a manner, something that you don't see Nintendo or Sony doing. Maybe Microsoft should spend their time more wisely, by perhaps making some decent software for Kinect or something.

Also, @AAACE5, you might not know this but the original PlayStation was actually a joint venture between Sony and Nintendo making a console together. If I recall correctly however, Nintendo disagreed with Sony's idea of making a CD-based system and so their relationship fell apart and Nintendo opted to make the N64 instead while Sony pushed the PlayStation out themselves.

It would be interesting to see how the industry would be right now if Nintendo had stuck with Sony for the release of the original PlayStation.

AAACE54298d ago

@jimbobwahey... actually the deal fell apart due to mone y! Sony wanted morerevenue from the deal than nintendo was willing to give, primarily because they did virtually all the work.

That was one of nintendos biggest mistakes!

Nintendo wanted a cd addon to compete with sega. They really didnt believe cd gaming was anything more than a fad, which is why the n64 released with a cart format.

Trust me i have paid close attention to the games industry for some 20 years. I always have a general idea of what goes on.

nukeitall4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

LOL!

Sony doesn't talk smack?

Have we forgotten the father of Playstation?

Some of his choice quotes:

"Beating us for a short moment is like accidentally winning a point from a Shihan [karate master], and Microsoft is still not a black belt."

"one cannot expand the current console gaming world by merely raising the graphic resolution and processing power of past consoles. The result of that decision [the Xbox 360] is not a next-generation Xbox, but an "Xbox 1.5"

"The current Xbox will become antiquated once the new machine comes out this November. When that happens, the Xbox will be killing itself. The only way to avoid that is to support 100 percent compatibility from Xbox 360’s launch date, but Microsoft won't be able to commit to that. It's technically difficult."

Ironically, the PS3 now lacks this very feature that Ken touted!

"We want consumers to think to themselves 'I will work more hours to buy one.' We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else."

Sony doesn't talk smack about their competition, they talk smack ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS TOO!

You should google "Ken Kutaragi Quotes". It's a lot of fun how so many thinks Ken ridiculed has actually propelled MS ahead of Sony.

orange-skittle4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

The controller does resemble a 360 controller and to me it still isn't next gen. It's a step up from the Wii, but it's not on the same level as a 360 or PS3. If this is their attempt at trying to outdo the Xbox 8 or PS4 then they would have failed miserably, because all of those casual gamers they found with the old wii won't be buying this one.

To be a company that seems to not follow the crowd, they sure as hell found a way to copy a controller to it's exact specifics. Not a glimpse of change even down to the button labeling. Everyone says that companies copy one another, but what did MS copy?

@Jimbobway

Are you delirious?! Sony backed out the DOLPHIN build because they wanted more money because they were doing all the work. Nintendo wanted them to make the drive for them to compete with Sega, but they realized they weren't getting paid enough, so they put out their own system. Nintendo stayed with cartridges, but they became too expensive to manufacture. That's why they weren't releasing as many titles as Sega and Sony. When MS entered the game they came out with ethernet support and XBL right out the gate. Sony had to make a "network adapter," afterwards because they too(like nintendo) weren't to sure how fast online gaming would catch on. That's why both are playing catch up til this day.

moparful994297d ago

@orangeskittle Dude you are one of the worst trolls on this site.. For starters you have NO clue what you are talking about. Nintendo was the one who backed out of the deal with sony because nintendo wanted to keep the system cartridge based and left sony holding the financial windfall.. So they decided to push forward and wound up ushering in a new era of video games. Also sony had been developing the online component of the ps2 since before it launched.. This is why they included the expansion port on the back of the system. They were waiting for the bandwidth to catch up to the idea. At the time it was all dial up and was cumbersome to connect online. It wasn't them "playing catch up" as you put it.. Microsoft was the first to develop their own online infrastructure as far as home consoles go yes.. But they also had the resources to do it... Stop misconstruing information its unbecoming...

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4297d ago
VanillaBear4298d ago

"The Wii U Pro Controller is an enhanced version of the Classic Controller Pro that has been designed specially to work with the Wii U console."

Wouldn't you just make an enhanced version of the Gamecube controller instead...least then it's more unique looking compared to the X360/PS3 controller.

N4g_null4298d ago

This is the wiiu game pad with out the screen. Plus it pretty much is the Ngc controller. Plus the CPU is a power7. Plus this system has first party support. Has free networking and a hand held that connects to it. Plus they know they can't beat it spec wise because the kinect v2 is going to cost way more than the wiiu game pad lol plus the tech would put it in laptop range. A 16 core console lol is a red ring of death waiting to happen and they know it otherwise they would have shown it this E3.

Swagman23214297d ago

@scissor_runner - No it's pretty much an X360 controller with the right stick and buttons in each others place. Actually it is an X360 controller with the two in each others place.

Nimblest-Assassin4298d ago

Going to miss the GameCube controller.... Had good times with it since I got a GameCube and a wii.... Why they stop making it compatible?

solid_si4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

As an oxford graduate and a masters degree in techmonology. I have assesed and come to conclosion that this is virtualy an XBOX 360 taped together with the wii, it is therefore the real successor to the XBOX360.Did u see wat i did, i just gave u guys the secret to next gen top secret. You have to respect my intelligent and honesty.

I was once regarded as a champion of oxford university. My quick and calculated assesment of intrest has always been my strongpoint.

Thank you for reading my replies and statements. I hope i have enlightened you in this godforsaken age of unemployed biggots and cesspool of bad taste gamers. Thank you.

StraightPath4297d ago

The xbox 360 is arguably the best controller in the industry.

yabhero4297d ago

I think there a lot of fanboys haven't gotten over the notion that WiiU is at least 2x 360/PS3...
It's next gen Nintendo haters, get over it.

DaPrintz4297d ago

Lol, 2x makes it next. I see you in every article about WiiU. Constantly defending it, pretending to have real information on specs and saying haters don't know the specs. News flash, you don't know any more then anybody else. All you know is what you saw, same as everyone else. Only difference is ps3/360 crowd wasn't impressed with last years games, a 2D Mario, a Pikmin game that was started on the Wii, and a party game with fireworks. Enjoy asymmetric gaming, while the rest of us play real multiplayer.

geddesmond4297d ago

Having great graphics never stops someone from getting submerged into the story. Some of the best stories this gen have had great graphics and even the first Bioshock game had great graphics for the time it released. Sometimes it really pisses me off when people say "Would you rather have great graphics or a great game?" Why not have both?

Go play pong or Mario bros 1 and then tell me graphics don't matter. Why ask for a FF7 remake if you don't care for graphics. Better yet, why the hell did you go out and spend a 1000 bucks on a 1080p TV for your consols if graphics ain't important. Exactly, graphics are just as important as games with good stories and gameplay but I guess people who started gaming on 8 bit machines are the only ones who truly know this.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4297d ago
SnakeCQC4298d ago

its a 360 with instead of opy and paste cod games copy and paste mario games

Rashonality4298d ago

at least you'll not see little homophobics playing it cuz it is too childish for their brown/gray taste...

MadMen4298d ago

Wii U is going to be weak and be poor in comparison to the success of the Wii

Moentjers4298d ago

Maybe go back in time and re-read the comments on the Wii launch.
No one could imagine the success that console had. So... we'll see what happens. Interesting times are coming (again).

TruthbeTold4298d ago

lol @ the Spencer comment:

'They are building a platform that is effectively a 360 when you think of graphical capability. Now they are really making an on-ramp for the back catalog of games that are on 360. It is easy for those games to move over the Wii U. They’ve moved the buttons around, and they’ve made a controller that feels familiar for 360 gamers, so I get why they are putting those pieces together.'

So apparently, Nintendo has built a console comparable to the 360, and a comparable controller so that Xbox 360 owners can use it when they buy games they've already played/had access to? Wow. He should take a page from the Iwata playbook, and try not to comment on other companies consoles anymore.

Swagman23214298d ago

Why? He's 100% correct. Nintendo stole the 360 controller almost exactly. Moved a stick where the buttons are and the buttons where the stick was. And we all know the hardware is weak, marginal power increase over what is already out slapped some nintendo stickers on it and call it "next gen". THE INNOVATION!!

TruthbeTold4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

Right... For your info (because you're either a relatively new gamer, or willfully ignorant) the Game Cube controller was roughly that shape, which of course was derived from the N64 controller, which of course was derived from the SNES controller.

Now did Nintendo shape this controller in this way in order to attract gamers who prefer a CLASSIC controller design? Yes. Has MS improved on the old Nintendo style controllers some? Yes depending on which features you're talking about, and which gamers you ask. But what controller on the market today doesn't owe at least some key and necessary features to Nintendo innovation? (Hint hint, analog stick and shoulder/trigger buttons, diagonal 4 face button display, etc.)

Anyhow, my original comment wasn't even about that so much as it was about how absurd it would be for Nintendo to 'copy Microsoft' in order to woo Xbox gamers who've already played or had access to the games he (Spencer) is talking about. But I guess that flew right over your head since you went on a misguided rant about that...

Word of advice. Expand your horizons, take your eyes away from the pinhole view, and perhaps even consider the value of enjoying and respecting all sides rather than choosing one before you decide to take part in such a conversation. We as gamers can do better than that.

shadow27974297d ago

"Word of advice. Expand your horizons, take your eyes away from the pinhole view, and perhaps even consider the value of enjoying and respecting all sides rather than choosing one before you decide to take part in such a conversation."

Ironic statement of the day. First of all, perhaps Spencer was talking about two different things? The Nintendo crowd gets 360 ports they missed out on last gen, and the Xbox crowd gets to play Nintendo games on an Xbox 360 controller. You put words in his mouth and made him sound like an idiot, when his statement makes sense. More than that, he's probably right.

Secondly, take another look at the controller lineage you just mentioned. If you think the Pro controller looks more like the GC controller than the Xbox 360 controller, you're the one that's willfully ignorant. The Pro controller is an exact copy of the shape on the Xbox 360 controller. Look at the picture in the article that's split down the middle. The contours are identical. Nintendo also copied the shoulder buttons and the triggers. The only thing different is the positions of the face buttons and right stick, which have been swapped.

Nintendo was the first to revive the analog stick on consoles, and they invented shoulder buttons. Sony gave us two analog sticks and double shoulder buttons, then they made the shoulder buttons analog. This paved the way for the Dreamcast's triggers. Sega also made it's analog stick the primary movement over the D-pad. Microsoft threw everything together and gave it a comfortable shape.

Nintendo has been playing catch-up since the N64 era with traditional controllers. GC borrowed from the DualShock, Wii Classic borrowed from the DualShock, and Wii U Pro completely copied the X360 controller. It's understood that each new controller iteration will build on other's success, but Nintendo took their "inspiration" too far with their design.

Sorry for the rant, I know the controller thing isn't your main point, but it's absurd for Nintendo fans to ignore the blatant copying of MS's controller. Not only that, but you called him ignorant for seeing the obvious, which you seem to miss.

Swagman23214297d ago

@TruthbeTold - I assure you, I am not "new" to gaming or ignorant, unlike you appear to be if you don't see the obvious in front of you. The Wii U in many ways is like the xbox 360 whether you would like to agree or not is up too you. I know this kills Nintendo fans, especially when there main point about why they love Nintendo is they always innovate. Unfortunately for them this "next gen" console of theirs has probably the least innovation of any console they have released or has been released in recent memory. Half of the launch lineup has been out on other consoles for coming up on a year now and the Pro controller is so obviously a copy of the X360 gamepad it's too blatant to ignore unless you are "willfully ignorant".

GribbleGrunger4298d ago

Didn't Microsoft try a similar tactic when the Wii released? Didn't they keep banging on about the Wii60?

ChunkyLover534298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

That wasn't Microsoft, it was gamer's in general suggesting that people buy a Wii and Xbox 360 for the same price as a PS3.

*Edit*
@Apocalypse Shadow
Calm down sparky, I heard it from fellow gamer's, I never heard it from Microsoft. A lot of gamer's that I knew at the time were pushing it as the Wii60 option.

ApocalypseShadow4298d ago (Edited 4298d ago )

FALSE!

microsoft suggested that gamers should buy a 360 and wii.it was not GAMERS...

http://www.google.com/url?s...

http://www.google.com/url?s...

research...it's good for you....

microsoft's way of using a competitor to gain standing against another.also making them seem like they are the market leader when they are not.

and just to make you feel better,sony took microsoft's comment and MIRRORED it..

http://www.google.com/url?s...

GribbleGrunger4298d ago

yeah, thought so. It's a clever way of making people think of your product when talking about another. A bit similar to when they used the LBP music for an advert

Show all comments (134)
280°

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

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

purple1012d ago

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

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

Nice one ☝️

Zeref1d 22h ago

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

DarXyde1d 20h ago

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

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

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

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

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

PhillyDonJawn1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

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

Einhander19721d 19h ago

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

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

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

MrBaskerville1d 18h ago

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

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

shinoff21831d 10h ago

Zeref

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

Profchaos1d 9h ago

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

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 9h ago
isarai2d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref1d 22h ago

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

MrNinosan1d 21h ago

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

mkis0071d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

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

Einhander19722d ago

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

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

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

2d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19722d ago

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

2d ago
2d ago
Zeref1d 22h ago

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

DarXyde1d 20h ago

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

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

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

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

Einhander19721d 20h ago

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

Einhander19721d 20h ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

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

BehindTheRows1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

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

Zeref1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

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

Chevalier1d 17h ago

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

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

Tacoboto1d 18h ago

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

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

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

shinoff21831d 10h ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto1d 8h ago

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

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

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 8h ago
Hofstaderman1d 23h ago

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

crazyCoconuts1d 19h ago

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

Xeofate1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

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

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

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

crazyCoconuts20h ago

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

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 4h ago

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

Show all comments (43)
90°

Nintendo's War Against Player-Made Content Will Hurt The Company In The End

Danish from eXputer: "Nintendo has historically gone against player-made content and emulation of its games. This has done much to harm the company's image."

XiNatsuDragnel8d ago

I agree nintendo hire some these folks to help in your games it'll help imo.

banger888d ago

They need to stop announcing these mods and fan remakes until they're finished. Finish it, upload it, and then if Nintendo dmca's it tough shit. Once it's online, people can share it around, even if the original download gets taken down.

Jingsing7d ago

True, but most modders need constant admiration during the process to motivate them.

PRIMORDUS7d ago

Yup, once it's a torrent nothing can be done Nintendo is helpless at that point. But it would be wise if they just had a site on the dark web, it's also easy to use with Tor and no one will bother you.

mastershredder7d ago

This is all coming from the mouth of short-sighted fandom and grifting madness.
No.... it wont. There is a clear defined reason why they don't. This is nothing new. Make your own shi7 from your own original ideas especially if you are trying to capitalize of it it. Duh.

Yeah, hire people that have zero respect or understanding for an established process. Wow. Yep. Totally makes sense.

shinoff21837d ago

Those guys that made that sonic game got a gig from sega or something along those lines and that game was dope as hell. One of the best sonics as of late.

370°

Could Xbox Soon Become The Next Dreamcast?

Microsoft's future in the video game space is murky right now, so let's break it all down.

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
ApocalypseShadow14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Not anytime soon. But they're on that path.

One thing not mentioned in the article is Microsoft's money bags. If Sega had Microsoft's money, they would have still been around as a hardware manufacturer. Xbox as a platform only survives because of the money bags. They can continue making consoles for the core and port to PC.

The multiplatform strategy is only the result of arrogance and misguided leadership that blew up in their face. They thought gamers would jump on Xbox in droves if they knew that many of their favorite games would be only on Xbox. But that's not happening at all. Sales didn't increase. They decreased. Why? Because the dumb asses thought giving away these expensively made games in a cheap service would also turn the tide.

Gamers on other platforms are willing to buy quality. They don't need to be handed nearly free games in a service that aren't even finished and sometimes average in their development. Gamers buy Nintendo games. They buy Sony games. Microsoft groomed their base to not buy games. Even the quality ones. It has always been their plan to go digital. But most gamers still like single player gaming. Still like physical releases.

Microsoft's problem has always been that they don't produce high quality games at the same output as Nintendo and Sony. Actually, they should be producing quite a lot more because they're worth over 2 TRILLION. How they don't have more is ridiculous and no excuse. Buying publishers to take away from competition only backfired. Because it still takes millions of dollars to continue to make those games from the publishers they snatched. Their only choice was to crawl back to their competitors to help sustain those developers because Nintendo and Sony platforms were the ones buying games.

Am I sorry for Microsoft? Hell no! They deserved last place for putting in the least effort. They deserved the fallout for buying up the industry and didn't make a single blip on the radar against their competitors where they now need those same gamers they took away games from to support them. Part of it may have been to cash in on their competition. But the result is the slow death of their platform. They may go 3rd party. They may keep making hardware. I don't give a shit about them to worry about it. I only give a shit about the destructive nature of their industry moves that only negatively affect gamers. They could sell and drop out of the industry and I wouldn't blink. Probably laugh. But not blink. They deserve whatever comes to them. At least Sega put in the effort when it came to games. They just had poor leadership. Microsoft has poor leadership and barely makes memorable games. That's a killer combination. And not in a good way.

Cacabunga14d ago

That would be an insult to Dreamcast.. it had a crazy line up of legendary critically acclaimed games.

Crows9014d ago

I was thinking the same. Dreamcast had incredible games in such a short amount of time. It was truly exceptional.

darthv7213d ago

...and yet all those great games were not enough to sway people from the looming release of the PS2 at the time. Sony just has that kind of brand loyalty.

Cacabunga13d ago

Darth

I do not agree.. Sony had even better games thanks to an unprecedented 3rd party support..
DC had amazing lineup but 90% were arcade games..

88313d ago

@darth:
And Sony showed off "The Emotion Engine" and their real time demos that made everyone think they would miss out on REAL next gen 128bit magic if they jumped in before PS2s polygon pushing monster (and early lack of anti-aliasing with a healthy heap of shimmer + DVD playback) stepped up. PS2 was a fantastic system though with amazing games.

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blacktiger14d ago

That's not true. Just because Microsoft has the money doesn't mean Microsoft can allow xbox to bleed entire Microsoft money. It doesn't work like they. Also SEC will be watching and investor won't allow it. Lot of reasons why Microsoft can not continue even if they wanted to. SEC regulations is expensive.

fr0sty14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Exactly this... Microsoft is a publicly traded company, mostly owned by their shareholders (Approximately 59.24% of the company's stock is owned by Institutional Investors, 7.73% is owned by Insiders and 33.03% is owned by Public Companies and Individual Investors.). Their shareholders call the shots on the business decisions, and their shareholders want one thing and one thing only, for their stock price to go up. Losses do not make stock prices go up... so if the division continually posts losses on hardware, but shows profits on software and services (which has been the case with Xbox its entire lifespan, for over 20 years now), the shareholders are going to grow impatient and demand they stop making hardware and focus on the only thing that has ever made them money, software and services.

When Microsoft bought Blizzard and Activision for almost 100 billion, I knew that was the nail in the coffin for Xbox as a console... as the shareholders were going to expect a quick return on that investment, and when it didn't materialize, they were going to be out for blood... out to force Xbox to sell those games on as many consoles as possible, "and while you're at it, sell those first party exclusives that aren't selling well on other consoles as well... hell, just stop making consoles and sell games."

If there is another Xbox console generation, it will definitely be the last, but I doubt there even will be one at this point. I think the Xbox division planning on it just in case, but I don't think the project has been greenlit from Microsoft itself. The rumors that they have not yet even secured the chips needed from the chip fabrication facilities ties into this.

shinoff218314d ago

While I usually agree with you . Alot of what was said can just also be asked before any of that.

How long will the shareholders wait? It doesn't appear long at all

Babadook713d ago

I think I get your point. Like just because MS has money does not mean they are content to throw it away on a dying ecosystem. Xbox has to be profitable or “what’s the point?”

ifinitygamer13d ago

Money bags, yes, but are we ignoring that Xbox actually makes a profit on games and GamePass? Hardware is often a loss leader, and they're probably making profit 4 years into the life cycle, but games and services revenue have been very profitable while other parts of Microsoft's business is struggling. Say what you will about the quality of those games, of course, but this is kind of a reverse Dreamcast situation, where the console was dragging down the company and put it at risk of shuttering entirely. Killing that console saved the business and allowed it to continue to make games on multiple platforms. In this case, the service is very profitable, as are the games, and they're also double-dipping into Multiplatform to extend this further, while their hardware is just sort of what they believe to be the best for gamers and their own titles (whether that is the case or not...)

fr0sty13d ago (Edited 13d ago )

The issue is, they aren't selling enough hardware to make their exclusives profitable, and now that they've bought half the gaming publisher/dev industry, they have no choice but to go third party to make a profit... and that is making their shareholders take a real close look at their hardware division under the microscope... why keep making the hardware if the software is all that is making them money, and they continually, generation after generation come in dead last with hardware sales?

Look at a game like Spiderman 2... if it had been an Xbox exclusive, with the amount it cost to develop, it would have been a huge failure... simply not enough consoles out there to sell it on. They would have been lucky to break even.

ifinitygamer13d ago

@fr0sty agreed completely, which is why they're hedging by releasing other games to multiplatform, plus they have PC to make up for the difference in a lot of ways, which is why their games are not complete money pits. It brings up the question of whether or not those exclusives would drive sales of consoles, though. Let's say Spiderman 2 was an Xbox exclusive, it would certainly have pushed console sales, though who's to say how much is anyone's guess.

fr0sty13d ago

That's why you can't rely on just one exclusive, Sony has always delivered on a wide range of solid exclusives, even this generation (even if they haven't been strong on the first party exclusives, they've made up for it with third party). They don't rely on just one "system seller", they have a portfolio of them.

13d ago
JBlaze22613d ago

ApocalypseShadow To be honest Sony has more of a chance to go 3rd party because like you said Microsoft has money, Sony does not. Sony does not have games, Only games they have come from 3rd party. Sony has been losing money for years and you. Saying Microsoft has been putting the least effort just proves you have no idea what's been going on. All Sony has done is repeat and recycle, never innovating or doing something new. All Sony has is brand loyalty nothing else and it shows.

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LG_Fox_Brazil14d ago

Not sure about that. It's been two decades and I still think about Power Stone, Shenmue, Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Seaman and others, but I'm not sure I'll remember Xbox Series X/S games in a few years from now... Maybe I'll remember about the franchises that the Xbox brand spawned, but I don't believe that the Xbox Series lives up to the late Dreamcast or even to the Xbox name itself. I do have great memories about the 360 with Blue Dragon, Gears 2 and Lost Odyssey though

isarai14d ago

Nah, sega actually makes good games

Becuzisaid14d ago

No, Dreamcast was ahead of it's time and most still have very fond memories of it that had one. It also had some good games on it even in it's short lifespan. Xbox has none of these qualities.

Profchaos14d ago

I remember it coming out at the time in a really bad place they hit the market before the PS2 but it was during this transitional time when Sony was promoting the power of the PS2 and so many of the Dreamcast games were awesome but often third parties simply ported the PS1 version increased resolution and performance but rarely fully utilise the capabilities of the console.

I think in the end bad marketing done it in and like the GameCube so many people are fond of it now but at the time it was looked at in the lense of the day and it didn't stack up.

Personally I miss Sega in hardware they took risks that many companies won't

Becuzisaid14d ago

I never owned it, and got the PS2 right when it launched. But there were certain games it had that I was always jealous of that I didn't have access to - Sonic adventure, crazy taxi, power Stone, code Veronica, shenmue, skies of Arcadia. I always thought it was a really cool machine though. I've never heard a bad thing about it though from those that had it.

FinalFantasyFanatic13d ago

I only ever saw one Dreamcast, and that was one my friend owned, pity I never got to play it, I wonder what games he had for it?

It would be nice if some of those games got ported to modern systems.

Profchaos14d ago

Oh man sonic adventure on the Dreamcast made me so jealous as a huge sonic fan on the mega drive who also moved to PlayStation 2 I never got the chance to play it back in the day either. The Dreamcast in Australia where I am was always relegated to the smallest corner of EB Games it was kind of a strong first indicator that things were not going well at the time.

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