330°

Will Sony's Premature PS4 Announcement Pave The Way For Microsoft At E3 2013?

GamingUnion.net: "Sony have recently invited gaming journalists from major online publications to reveal what is believed to be their future plans with regards to the PlayStation brand. It is commonly believed that this will include the announcement of the PlayStation 4, but Sony of course have not commented on this rumour."

Read Full Story >>
gamingunion.net
GribbleGrunger4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

Premature? I'd say it was quite a clever move myself. Get the opposition on the back foot and then hit them hard. Sony play chess with guile and finesse while Microsoft play poker with bluffs and a large pots. And, no, it doesn't pave the way for Microsoft at E3. Do people really think that Sony are going to make all their moves this month?

Abash4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

Sony has confidence the PS4 announcement will be a tough act to follow, thats why they are doing it so early

MikeMyers4095d ago

The same can be said about Microsoft and Nintendo. The Wii U is already out and Microsoft said awhile ago bring it on with a countdown to E3.

These systems are years in the making and they don't just make spur of the moment decisions on when to announce things. 2013 could very well be an exciting year with Valve, Microsoft and Sony all going to battle.

We are already seeing things out of the ordinary like Microsoft's early comment, Nintendo Direct announcement, Valve and their openness about Steambox, and now Sony announcing a major event on Feb. 20th. I think they know how much the landscape has changed over the years and you have to adapt or die and try new ways to market your product.

TheGamerDood4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

How the hell is it premature to bringing a product to market sooner than expected, especially after this gen has gone on longer than it should have. If it had been MS showing new hardware it would have been considered a brilliant strategic move.
-_-

miyamoto4095d ago

Sony PlayStation has never been late or too early to the party.

bangshi4094d ago

@TheGamerDood bringing something sooner than expected is pretty much the definition of premature.

Don't panic, though I see what you mean and I agree with you.

This is not premature. We all know consoles are coming 2013.

This event will show the PS4 and we will get more gaming news and pricing at E3 followed by I think an October launch.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4094d ago
mephman4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

You say that, but the whole NGP reveal followed by the Vita reveal at E3... wasn't so great. If they'd have just done a reveal at E3, the hype would have been better.

wishingW3L4095d ago

the hype was incredible the problem is that Nintendo did a desperate price-cut and the masses flocked to it.

ILive4095d ago

The ps4 and the vita are 2 different things. I dont see the announcement as premature. These article needs a title change. If the ps4 was backwards compatible, would it still be premature?

NatureOfLogic4095d ago

The only reason the 360 is even relevant right now is because it was first to launch. I can't wait to see how ms do against sony head to head. I think ms should be worried big time.

UnholyLight4094d ago

KingElixer..

Are you serious man? Both companies are going to have some revolutionary stuff. I highly doubt Microsoft is even worried about Sony. They've been working really hard and secretively for how long now? I find it incredibly stupid to say such things that Microsoft is in trouble when neither has tipped their hand yet.

Incredibly stupid...Both companies are going to blow us away with what they have to offer. Just look at the types of positions and whatnot they have been hiring for.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4094d ago
LOGICWINS4095d ago

"Sony play chess with guile and finesse while Microsoft play poker with bluffs and a large pots."

Seems you have some inside information on Microsoft's next console to say that they're "bluffing". Care to share, or are you under some sort of contract?

Saigon4095d ago

I think he is referring more to how each company handles their business transactions. In reality its pretty much close to spot on...

Ron_Danger4095d ago

Bluffing: see Kinect advertising

GribbleGrunger4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

Well, I wasn't being literal, Logic, I was waxing lyrical, but I'd say there's more than a thread of truth in my analogy. The two posters above me and below you understood where I was coming from.

LOGICWINS4095d ago

Oh thats a shame. Was hoping for some solid info on the 720. Either way, we'll see if Sony's bluffing on the 20th :)

Gazondaily4094d ago

Sony don't bluff? What about the E3 where they unveiled the so-called in-game tech demos? That was finesse was it?

Blind fanboyism ftw!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4094d ago
Merrill4095d ago

It's not like E3 is the place to make formal console announcements.

Saigon4095d ago

I am starting to agree with that because didn't MS announce the XBox 360 at an MTV event and Sony first announced the first concept of the PS3 at the Tokyo Game Show...

rainslacker4095d ago

Better to announce it before E3 with some information trickling out to get hype going. At E3 they're going to want more than just the PS4 to have some of the spotlight. E3 is a place to show off the features announced along with games and other features not mentioned to keep the hype going. All that gives people something exciting to look forward to at E3.

GalacticEmpire4095d ago

PS4 is a wizard and as we all know...

A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.

ZoyosJD4095d ago

E3...LOL. If Sony only announces the PS4 and leave the price and release date for E3 all we will hear about is E3 hype for all these next gen games that are currently slated "only for PS4" or "next gen consoles" for the next 4 months. I don't think so. I wouldn't be surprised is MS has their teaser(not announcement) ready before Feb 20th just to stir the pot.

Skate-AK4095d ago

Bubs. That was an awesome comparison.

Mounce4095d ago

My thinking, or hope...is that Sony makes it seem like they're going to take it slow and take their time. They said quite soundly that they're not going to be 'last in the race' again after PS3. Then all of a sudden a few months ago they're like "Go ahead Microsoft..."... It's either a clever bluff to make Microsoft think they have more time to tweak things out similar to the 360 and its hardware being poorly overlooked and rushed out. Or, Sony just is showing PS4 but actually do intent to be 'last' but thought of a way not to get screwed as hard as launch aka Price point.

I'd expect Sony to rush Microsoft again if they were bluffing, which I'm more inclined to believe is what they're doing....starting the hype though, will they follow through and continue the hype and make a big launch earlier than most expect?....

I'd be hard pressed....if any MGS game or, FF13Versus....the Last Guardian....Agency....all those games lost and more became launch titles? (MGS wise, Ground Zeroes is possible)... Well, I'd probably buy it at launch. Easy.

AngelicIceDiamond4095d ago

@Grunge Bluffs? As far as I'm concerned MS out of the two deliver on their announcements at E3. And I don't mean their recent E3's (though they delivered on those) I'm talking about MS's early E3's when they were actually good.

Nintendo's Vitality sensor still doesn't exist. Wii U's third party exclusivity. Ninja Gaiden Razors Edge is now multiplat.

Sony's Agent and Last Guardian aren't around.

I'm just trying to make a point. So far MS usually delivers on their announcements at E3.

DOMination-4095d ago

Actually the last few years Sony have announced everything before e3 and not had anything new to show at their conference. I hope they don't do that this year.

lonix4095d ago

it really comes down to who releases first.

hopefully sony wont miss the boat this time.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4094d ago
fluffydelusions4095d ago

We know nothing of any next gen consoles yet. Let's wait and see.

PirateThom4095d ago

Sony, if they announce the PS4 at this event, have their entire E3 conference to focus on games.

If Microsoft announce at E3, they have to split their time between the console, features and games.

It's really no odds, they're still going to be hyped up to max and, when it comes down to it, sales of the next Microsoft console will be higher in the US, sales of the next Sony console will be higher in Europe and Japan. Hype won't change that.

Eskimo Keith4095d ago

I agree, Sony will have more time for their games and if they have an impressive line up like I'm hoping it will, it'll be a spectacular show. However, if Microsoft announce a console at the same show, the gaming press will more likely want to cover their new console along with any games they are showcasing around the same time.

I truly am looking forward to E3 and indeed the 20th because Sony and Microsoft along with their 1st party developers have mostly been keeping quiet, which usually means new games and a reason to get excited.

rainslacker4095d ago

Both would get coverage either way. One of the nice things of the internet is there is not limited space to cover everything. One may overshadow the other. Given MS E3 shows of the past few years it's hard to see them overshadowing Sony who focus primarily on games at E3.

DOMination-4095d ago

Don't forget the four montages set to euro dance music Sony always bring to e3!

But yeah true. If they do a full recall now of the hardware they don't need to repeat it all at e3 freeing up time to talk about games or sales numbers

Gamer19824095d ago

Indeed it depends whats more important to you, games or new console announcement. To Xbox fans it will be the console as they have been waiting but gamers in general it will be games. So very clever for Sony.

LOL_WUT4095d ago

Premature? Seems like someones bitter that Sony beat them to the punch. ;)

Eskimo Keith4095d ago

Not particularly, Microsoft beat them out of the gate last time and Sony benefited from the extra time by beefing up their console. Not to mention their lucky break that Xbox's were red ringing all over the place around the one year mark.

And as for bitterness, I only feel that way toward Microsoft when I came to the realisation that I was paying a gold subscription for what I could do on the PS3 and PC all along for free. Not to mention their constant renovations to the now barely recognisable home screen. Seriously, how many menus do I have to go through to get to my downloaded demos?

ILive4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

Why do people make such comments: "microsoft beat them out of the gate last time and Sony benefited from extra time by beefing up their console." Tell me, how could they beef up an already completed console? Did you even know why they delayed the ps3? Its just like people quoting kaz about letting ms make the first move before revealing their console. Sony just csnt change the specs of a console that as been in development for years after seeing what ms has to offer. Its nonsensical, and many eat it up. I would say that sony is better prepared, and that is why they are ready to reveal the console by avoiding the mistakes with the ps3.

kneon4095d ago

It's obvious why the PS3 didn't launch earlier, Bluray wasn't ready. They wanted to launch with Bluray and HDMI 1.3 both of which were only finalized in the first half of 2006.

They had no option but to wait.

Walker4095d ago

Premature?! lol . This is absolutely a clever move !

Show all comments (78)
220°

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
Hereandthere6h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN4h ago

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

Barlos1h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

PassNextquestion6h ago(Edited 6h 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

blacktiger4h ago

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

Profchaos6h ago(Edited 6h 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

Tacoboto6h ago

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

Profchaos5h ago

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

Yi-Long2h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel5h ago

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

Profchaos3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

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

TheColbertinator4h 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 (15)
110°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg7h ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos7h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola2h ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

Show all comments (6)
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?"

purple10111d 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 ☝️

Zeref10d 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.

DarXyde10d 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.

PhillyDonJawn10d ago (Edited 10d 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.

Einhander197210d 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.

MrBaskerville10d 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.

shinoff218310d 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.

Profchaos10d 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 10d ago
isarai11d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref10d 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.

MrNinosan10d ago

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

mkis0079d ago (Edited 9d ago )

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

Einhander197211d 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.

11d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197211d ago

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

11d ago
11d ago
Zeref10d 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.

DarXyde10d 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.

Einhander197210d 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.

Einhander197210d 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.

BehindTheRows10d ago (Edited 10d 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.

Zeref10d ago (Edited 10d 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.

Chevalier10d 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.

Tacoboto10d 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.

shinoff218310d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto10d 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 10d ago
Hofstaderman10d 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?

crazyCoconuts10d 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.

Xeofate10d ago (Edited 10d 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.

crazyCoconuts9d 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

FinalFantasyFanatic10d 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)