190°

Adera: Can it Save Microsoft and Revive PC Gaming?

Adera's game mechanics are so advanced that they've been patented. It may hcange the way we play games, but can it save Microsoft's reputation? Microsoft is publishing award-winning developer HitPoint's newest game, Adera, for use with Windows 8. A critical analysis follows.

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rantgaming.com
JsonHenry4251d ago

Does the PC need reviving? Last time I checked PC gaming related profits were at record highs.

Hatsune-Miku4251d ago

For pc gaming to be saved then pc devs should optimize games to work with the best pc parts today and stick to those specs or close for at least three years. Pc specs today are able to achieve realistic graphics ,ai, physics and all sorts. Console devs do it and I'm sure pc devs can also. I don't mind buying gtx 690 graphics cards and such but its a turn off to a lot of consumers that feels like they need to constantly upgrade to play certain games coming in the near future

JsonHenry4251d ago

I just bought a GTX 680 last friday after running a 5870 since the very first day it was in stock at newegg.com. It has been able to play every game at max settings @1920*1080 since then. That was 3 years ago. So I'm not sure what you are talking about. Obviously if you bought a low end video card 3 years ago then I understand you need to upgrade just about every year. But if you buy a high end video card you rarely have to upgrade more than once every 2 years.

4251d ago
shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

Reving pc gaming is like trying to revive this poor guy..
http://media.comicvine.com/...

@faraany33k below:

So true! Xbox live is supposed to be xbox/pc games on windows 8. Everything says buy for xbox! even l4d2 & minecraft! They want pc gaming to die because they have no idea how to be successful at it. Leave all that avatar bullsh!t for kiddy xbox gamers & don't put pc games on xbox.com!.

The Illuminati controls the console world.

also sony is making planetside 2 & whatever MS is making I am 90% sure it will be a casual game + better port for xbox. The studio that makes the game is known for making casual, social & mobile games. http://www.hitpointstudios....

nothing to see here.

NexGen4251d ago

At first I was surprised by this article headline...until I saw it was from rant gaming. They are quickly becoming the HHG of online news.

mewhy324251d ago

Save Microsoft? Uhhhh last time I checked both Microsoft and Sony were doing quite well. As for PC gaming? Well let's see??? Diablo3, World of Warcraft, Knights of the Old Republic, Drakensang Online, Lord of the Rings Online...and on and on...I don't think it needs reviving LOL.

KMCROC544251d ago

But one more game can't hurt either

markoghc4251d ago

I totally agree. PC gaming does not need reviving. On the other hand, Windows 8 is not even out yet officially, and it already looks like it will be a flop of Windows Vista proportions, at least on PC. One game probably won't be enough to make people switch from their favorite OS to Windows 8.

Burnin4250d ago

I´ve been using an overcloked HD 5850 (@850MHz 1200MHz) ever since they came out & it was only after playing BF3 that I´m considering an upgrade (even though it runs smoothly @ +40 FPS everything on High)

And yes, this was 3 years ago! And I bet that the so called "next-gen" will be no grater than my current gaming rig

ATi_Elite4250d ago

1. PC Gaming is alive and well as ALWAYS! So much alive and well that consoles are NO longer consoles but instead are just low end PC's and next Gen Sony/MS boxes will have more MMO's and online DRM just like PC's.

2. Microsoft is NOT PC Gaming. MS turned their back on PC Gaming a long time ago.

3. I along with many other PC Gamers and PC Devs really do not care too much for Microsoft as a PC Dev. Sure Win7 is great but looking at MS as a PC Dev, Microsoft Flight and that's about it!

Also Valve along with many other Devs are making a strong push to eliminate the need for a Microsoft OS and DirectX to play PC Games. The PC is an "OPEN" platform and will not be manipulated by one company.

YES Microsoft dominates the PC but as far as Gaming goes MS only supplies DirectX to insure a MS OS on your PC but that is about to change.

4. Windows 8 is gonna suck! MS is trying to lock down the PC and turn it into something they can easily control.

If they plan on running Xbox360 games on the PC then I kinda understand the lock down but if they don't then Win8 is just trash!

Bladesfist4250d ago

Actually a lot of us PC devs would not be around without Microsoft. Most of us utilize Microsoft Visual Studio as are IDE of choice and Direct X 11 as are API of choice. Without MSDN a lot of us would not have learnt how to code . Microsoft has done a lot for game development.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4250d ago
faraany33k4251d ago

No actually MS is trying way to hard to kill off PC gaming, but somehow failed miserably over the years.

Dread4251d ago

How is it that MS "is trying way to hard to kill off PC gaming"

please exaplain, if you actually have a real reason besides hating on MS just like all the fanboys here at N4G.

aliengmr4251d ago

Not trying to kill it, but certainly trying to control it like they control the Xbox. GFWL was their attempt to gain control of the PC gaming market but it failed right out of the gate so they stopped trying.

Their eyes are on the mobile market now.

But no, they were never trying to kill PC gaming.

Lvl_up_gamer4251d ago

I agree with Dread. Please faraany33k, please explain how MS is trying to kill off PC gaming?

faraany33k4248d ago

I dont know if you are into PC gaming, because clearly you are being delusional if you think MS is not killing PC gaming.

Firstly they released only the parts of there franchises GEARS and HALO , and never bother bringing the sequesl. CAn you tell me why?

Secondly they killed PC centric Studios like Ensemble the makers of one of the greatest RTSes of all time AGE OF EMPIRES and Microsoft Flight Sim.

Then they redeveloped these games under Pay2Win model and basically humiliated the PC comunity with these sub standard games.

Plus they make exclusive deals with DEVS force them not to realaese PC games either all together or timed Exclusive.

Alan Wake says HI. The Indie games that came after years like Braid,Limbo, Super Meat Boy and many others.

Plus GFWl is a service they haven't updated for 4 years now, and released a single game in 4 years on there own WINDOWS platform.

What do you expect me to say??

Lvl_up_gamer4248d ago

Halo was left on consoles so that MS could push more consoles out on the market. It makes perfect sense to try and help promote their system. Don't forget halo came out on the consol first before it went to pc. Gears is an epic ip so it was them who decided to not bring gears 2 or 3 to pc, and with all the pirating and gears 1 selling only about a million copies....it made sense that there just wasn't a market for their game on pc.

They didn't kill ensamble studios. They were relocated within other divisions. PC still got flight simulators this year and as great as age of empires was, sales were going on the decline due to piracy. Why would a corporation dump millions of money into a game that will get highly pirated?

Where is your proof that MS make deals with devs to force them not to release pc games? Even your argument makes no sense...If MS made a "deal" with devs, then the devs are not being forced to do anything, they are the ones that made a deal.

Alan Wake still made it to Pc so again you have no argument.

You said MS is KILLING PC gaming but all you have stated is that MS has shifted their OWN focus from PC gaming to console gaming. Your argument implies that MS is killing ALL PC gaming which is a gross exageration. MS was NEVER a major contributor to PC gaming. PC gaming right now has never been better and MS isnt even involved in it.

You are wrong. MS isn't killing PC gaming, MS just chose to focus more on their own consoles.

Jreca4251d ago

So a single game can save an entire platform? I don't buy this. And even less from Microsoft.

SKUD4251d ago

Have to disagree here. Halo litterally saved the xbox platform. Without its release at that point in time no other game had the potential to carry it into homes. Halo meant you were playing xbox. Credit were credit is due to bungie. It made them icons on the platform.

Allsystemgamer4251d ago

Halo is the only reason I own an Xbox. Each game in the series feels fresh and new unlike gears :/ sadly I wish I could say the same for gears but I can't. They are good games but IMHO not system sellers.

Halo 4 is looking to be the best in the series and quite possibly the best fps this gen in content alone.

I mean...
So far 38 confirmed helmet variations plus chest, forearm, shoulder, visor, poses leg armor, emblems

Custom maps
Online multiplayer with over 12 game types and maps

Spartan ops every week

Multiple new weapons ad vehicles

10 hour replayable campaign with up to 4 people

It's content is massive and that's all I personally know

Allsystemgamer4251d ago

Halo is the only reason I own an Xbox. Each game in the series feels fresh and new unlike gears :/ sadly I wish I could say the same for gears but I can't. They are good games but IMHO not system sellers.

Halo 4 is looking to be the best in the series and quite possibly the best fps this gen in content alone.

I mean...
So far 38 confirmed helmet variations plus chest, forearm, shoulder, visor, poses leg armor, emblems

Custom maps
Online multiplayer with over 12 game types and maps

Spartan ops every week

Multiple new weapons ad vehicles

10 hour replayable campaign with up to 4 people

It's content is massive and that's all I personally know

Too bad it's not on pc

ReDDeaDDan4251d ago

I wouldn't use a mac if I was given one! PC and MS are my old friends that I will always stand by thick and thin.

Allsystemgamer4251d ago

I hate macs

Being in college an seeing em everywhere is really gross.

They ask "why don't you have one"

My answer? My pc can do more for less

They say virus

Me? Never had one cuz I'm not stupid :3

Burnin4250d ago

indeed... & who gets viruses now days anyway?

You would have to be a porn-freak or a lousy pirate to get one

vega2754251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

i agree with your comment on PC it is my best friend. MS on PC games meh not so much. i just want them to do better by GFWL then they have. i support the 360 i just can't support GFWL right now. hopefully that will change

Show all comments (39)
240°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7220h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle7h ago

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

Sonic18814h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio4h ago

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

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

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

MS:

Cacabunga6h ago

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

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

shinoff21836h ago

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

Cacabunga5h ago

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

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

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

itsmebryan56m ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

purple1019h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos9h ago

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

XBManiac8h ago

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

SimpleDad8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1018h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic6h ago

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

Show all comments (26)
300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 17h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 14h ago

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

Barlos1d 11h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 5h ago

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

peppeaccardo1d 6h ago

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

ChasterMies1d 2h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 14h ago

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

Mr Logic1d ago

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

Crows901d ago

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

Profchaos1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 16h ago

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

Profchaos1d 15h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 12h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 15h ago

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

Profchaos1d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 14h ago

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

Show all comments (21)
280°

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

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

purple10112d ago

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

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

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

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

DarXyde12d ago

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

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

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

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

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

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

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

Einhander197212d ago

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

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

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

MrBaskerville12d ago

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

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

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

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

Profchaos11d ago

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

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

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

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

MrNinosan12d ago

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

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

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

Einhander197212d ago

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

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

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

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

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

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

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

DarXyde12d ago

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

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

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

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

Einhander197212d ago

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

Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

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

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

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

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

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

Chevalier12d ago

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

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

Tacoboto12d ago

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

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

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

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto11d ago

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

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

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

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

crazyCoconuts12d ago

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

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

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

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

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

crazyCoconuts11d ago

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

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

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

Show all comments (43)