190°

Sony and Nintendo to be the 2012 holiday winners?

Digitally Downloaded writes: "So how will the holiday season play out? Looking at how things stand now, I think Nintendo and Sony are well placed. I have a question mark over Microsoft."

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digitallydownloaded.net
mr_magic_mike4210d ago (Edited 4210d ago )

"But to me it strikes me as rather wise that Sony has conceded that a lot of “real” gamer dollars are going to be tied up by Nintendo this Christmas...

...There’s a couple of first-party “core” games (PlayStation All Stars) and third-party blockbusters (Call of Duty) that should give the more dedicated Sony gamer something to play this Christmas anyway."

That's... winning? That's only 2 games? Hmmm, I wonder what they have to say about Microsoft?

"Microsoft has a slight problem in that it is largely relying on two very big eggs, and hoping they don’t drop out of a very small basket. Forza and Halo look absolutely spectacular – it’s impossible to argue otherwise, and in fact the response to Halo 4 at the recent EB World Expo put it up there with the most popular games of the show.

But Microsoft doesn’t really have anything else."

LOGICWINS4210d ago

"...There’s a couple of first-party “core” games"

You only listed PS All Stars. Are there any others? Move titles perhaps?

mr_magic_mike4209d ago (Edited 4209d ago )

I didn't write this article. That's what the author listed, hence the quotation marks.

LOGICWINS4209d ago

Okay lol. Well, do you personally know of any other PS3 exclusives coming out later in the year besides LBP Karting/PS All Starts? I'm already getting AC3, FC3, but I trying to figure out a 3rd game to buy.

JellyJelly4209d ago

"...There’s a couple of first-party “core” games (PlayStation All Stars) and third-party blockbusters (Call of Duty) that should give the more dedicated Sony gamer something to play this Christmas anyway."

Although COD has a history of selling better on the 360. Just saying.

MattS4210d ago

But... the point was that Sony's "casual" focus for this year's Christmas with Wonderbook and the like is wise, given Nintendo has a new console launch... and then there are a couple of "core" games to do with it...

mr_magic_mike4209d ago (Edited 4209d ago )

Okay... that's the point the article lol.

My point was that the article is bias. The author does not even bother to paint Sony as "the winner", he just puts it in the title. From what I have read, they have the same holiday focus as Microsoft. There will be a few "core games", and a casual focus.

MattS4209d ago (Edited 4209d ago )

The headline was a question, not a statement - it's a piece to encourage discussion, not really argue a specific side. And the piece does outline why Sony seems to have the stronger casual play compared to Microsoft this year.

fermcr4209d ago (Edited 4209d ago )

Nintendo will likely be a winner with the release of a new console (WiiU) and games for that console.

As for Sony, i don't see them as winners, exclusives wise. They simply don't have any exclusives worth mentioning for this Christmas... they might (???) get a piece of the casual market with Wonderbook and will sell consoles with multiplat titles and bundles.

Microsoft might be a winner since they have 2 big hitters, Halo and Forza, and have temporary exclusive deals for Call of Duty. They also have bundles that will probably sell a few consoles.

GribbleGrunger4209d ago

If the author of this piece is talking in terms of worldwide sales, then yes, Sony could possibly get a larger slice of this Christmas than MS (but I think Nintendo is almost guaranteed the largest slice regardless). If the author is talking about sales this Christmas in America, then I think he's wrong and that it will be Nintendo and Microsoft that get the larger slice with Sony propping up the rear. We'll see.

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DivineAssault 4209d ago (Edited 4209d ago )

well, look at it this way, what is nintendo getting this yr that sony isnt or doesnt already have? after u rule those out, then look at what u get for the money.. Should be a simple decision... Exclusives dont have to be pumped out every month of the yr now do they?? Nintendo fans of all ppl should know that.. PS3 owners get all multiplats (not some), plus a couple 1st party exclusives & vita owners get a truck load of exclusives... Plus u know, things like online, trophies, blu ray, psn, etc.. Oh & nx yr????? lol not even going there..

Both companies should do well.. Hell, even MS has halo to move some units too.. I must say that PS3 buyers/owners will be very VERY happy in the months following the holidays... Maybe even Wii U buyers.. MAYBE

greenpowerz4209d ago

Nope...Sounds like damage control on the levels republicans must be formulating right now after tonight's presidential debate.

Mario vs Halo

That's it.. Those are the facts.

xursz4209d ago

Are we all gamers or sales analysts?! Smh half the 'news' on this site is sales data or opinion pieces predicting future sales data.

Cocozero4209d ago

MS has the biggest exclusive lineup and with COD they will easily top Sony, like they have every year

4209d ago Replies(3)
Blankman854209d ago

Halo 4, Forza 4 and Dance Central 3 say Microsoft have got a pretty good holiday line up. Fable The Journey is also in there as well as Sesame Street which is sure to get a bundle this holiday season.

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270°

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.

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theverge.com
darthv721d 3h 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.

solideagle14h ago

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

Sonic188111h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio11h 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:

Lightning776h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga13h 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.

shinoff218312h 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.

Cacabunga11h 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

itsmebryan7h 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

S2Killinit19m ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus236h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv726h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica2m ago(Edited 2m ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

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purple10116h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos15h ago

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

DOMination-5h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac15h ago

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

SimpleDad14h ago(Edited 14h 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.

purple10114h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos14h ago(Edited 14h 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

Kornholic12h ago

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

MrDead5h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

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

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers1d 12h ago

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

Profchaos21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken23h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 8h ago

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

phoenixwing1d 8h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 8h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola1d 4h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 7h ago

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

Popsicle1d 7h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

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

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insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 23h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 21h ago

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

Barlos1d 18h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 11h ago

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

peppeaccardo1d 13h ago

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

ChasterMies1d 9h 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 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h 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 21h ago

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

Mr Logic1d 7h ago

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

Crows901d 6h ago

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

blacktiger3h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h 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 22h ago

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

Profchaos1d 22h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 19h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 21h ago

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

Profchaos1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 21h ago

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

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