190°

What Will Microsoft Learn From The Wii U And PS4?

The Wii U is on sale, the PlayStation 4 has been officially announced. Now all eyes turn to Microsoft, the last of the big three to premiere a new console.

decrypt4088d ago

Ultra Low end - low end, low cost hardware is the way to go for next gen.

CouldHaveYelledUiiW4088d ago

I kind of agree,

If Microsoft created a system that was more powerful than the WiiU but they sold it at a loss that made it cheaper than the WiiU-

They could leave Sony out in the Cold... for ports.

It would be less profitable to port to PS4 than the WiiU and XB720.

Sure, Sony would get PC ports but their has been a decrease in PC ports.
And Sony has great 2nd Party and 1st Party IPs but again that can only get you so far- esp if you are already selling systems at a loss.

But I have NO Sony-hate or Microsoft-hate. I love Nintendo, But I wish them All the Best.
E3!!!!!!!

SandWitch4088d ago

Wii U is also sold at a loss. That big-arse controller is probably not that cheap.

CouldHaveYelledUiiW4088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

@GynGa

EDIT: I Agreed with you-
I was Not the one who pushed Disagree.

You are right-
And I was not saying otherwise.
(I can only conclude that you inferred this so due to Console Wars mantra "Nintendo never sell at a loss".)

I Said:

"If Microsoft created a system that was more powerful than the WiiU but they sold it-
- "at a loss>>>>>THAT MADE IT CHEAPER than the WiiU-"

Yes, WiiU is sold at a loss,
However, Sony and Microsoft can sell at a Bigger loss, more than Nintendo.
That's ALL that I am saying.

Selling at a loss has never (necessarily) been a bad thing-
In the Past,
Repeating that last Gen-Mantra was more about defending Nintendo in the face of unreasonable Trolls.

NewMonday4088d ago

after all the silly talk about no physical PS4 in the show, the internet will explode if MS don't show a box at their event.

Kingthrash3604088d ago

@newmonday
...or implode if the specs dont surpass of matchup. ..

wastedcells4088d ago

Honestly for the first time I'm not at all interested in what Microsoft has to say. I'm giving up on them. Even if they come out with a great launch game I'm not buying a 720 for years. Wait for a price drop and more than a couple good exclusives.

MikeMyers4087d ago

They need to look at all prior systems and how the public responded to them, including their own. What do consumers really want? Forums don't always show that.

dcbronco4087d ago

The Wii U is not sold at a loss.

http://gonintendo.com/?mode...

Nintendo doesn't do that. Plus the parts are all really old parts with modifications. That is never expensive. Anyone can go out and buy separate parts that would kill the Wii U. It's not like they have tried to push the envelope on technology for CPUs and GPUs.

CouldHaveYelledUiiW4087d ago

@Dcbronco
>I am very pro Nintendo but I want people to know the situation so that we/YOU, as fans will make an effort to buy more games.

Your link is to an article that came out before WiiU's launch April 2012.
This one is from November 2012:

http://www.joystiq.com/2012...

(Joystick's Source was Mercury News, here is the link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/...

"So says Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, who in an interview with Mercury News played down how his company's latest system is selling for a loss at launch.

"The business model doesn't change dramatically," said Fils-Aime. "In that as soon as we get the consumer to buy one piece of software, then that entire transaction becomes profit positive. In the end, the business model is still to drive the install base of hardware, and then to drive a strong tie ratio with all of the other software and experiences for the consumer. And if we're able to do that, then we will create significant profit for the company."

Iwata later clarifies that it takes a little more that 1 game purchases but Reggie was not far-off.
So for the 1st time, Nintendo is selling at a loss, not much but they are doing it.

AGAIN, I have no problem with any system selling at a loss and Definitely no Problem with my Nintendo.
So, don't make me explaining the Truth to you (Dcbronco) as Nintendo bashing.

Donnieboi4087d ago

Wii U is not even a threat to either of them. Nobody is leaving Sony in the cold, even if 720 and Wii U are cheaper. Know why? Because hardcore gamers want hardcore games. Casuals have already moved onto phone games so the low price wont mean squat to them if they dont intend on buying home consoles anyway. But I hear that even many xbox and nintendo fans are coming over to Sony. Because Sony knows what REAL gamers want.

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shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4088d ago

I think they are still thinking about the wii.

greenpowerz4088d ago

How to lose dominance after being dominant?

Oh I kid...

Outside_ofthe_Box4087d ago (Edited 4087d ago )

How can you learn to lose dominance when you were never dominant...? Oh I kid...

fsfsxii4087d ago

@greenpowerz
You just got owned, stop commenting now please

Blackdeath_6634087d ago

whats the point of a new console if the hardware is lowend? might aswell keep your 360 then if you want a low cost console.stupid comment. hardware needs to progress if MS dosent make a strong console it will hold the industry back and devs will be less keen to develop for a weak console. it holds the devs back on the things they accomplish it holds the technology back and everyone with it.

Stroke6664087d ago

it does not holddevs back, wat holds devs back is graphics whores asking for graphics graphics graphics and not game play. being able to lean on the crutch of the technology can't yet make my vision come to life mean while then releasing the same ol shit wit new shine when the tech is there is what holds them back. 8 bit games 16 bit games and so on didnt have the technology but made legendary shit people still play today. the graphics increase was more like a perk in those days not a necessary muse to be innovative and creative. dont get me wrong a lowend system would have to have a shitload of games that arte just purely crack to sell in todays market given all the graphics whores and society's fad addiction. but if the industry was brought back to when a game just simply had to be fun in order to sell then that would rock

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MasterCornholio4088d ago

That developers are extremely happy with the way that the PS4 is designed. Which is why Microsoft should aim for a similar hardware design otherwise like with the PS3 and the 360 developers will have problems porting a game from one platform to the other.

Microsoft has to increase the speed of the ram to Match the PS4s otherwise developers will run into bandwidth issues which will bottleneck the system much like the unconventional ram configuration of the PS3.

Jek_Porkins4088d ago

One thing about the Xbox and Xbox 360 is that they were both easy hardware to work with, Microsoft is a software company at heart and this is the reason.

The next Xbox will obviously be close to PC so that it is easy to work on and code for. Since I believe 8 gigs of Ram is overkill and probably wont be used for years to come, it doesn't matter the speed of the Ram for the next Xbox. DDR5 isn't a ton faster than DDR3, if we are to believe that is what the next Xbox uses, they could switch it up since Sony came out and announced what they have.

While Microsoft couldn't change the chipset, they could easily swap memory with 10 months till launch.

Even Jack Tretton of Sony said they aren't finished with the end specs or design of the PS4, so we will just have to wait until Microsoft reveals what they have in April.

IcicleTrepan4088d ago

People forget most PC games don't get made without Microsoft Software.. from Windows to Direct X to Visual Studio.. they made it all. And if a developer knows how to make games on PC they can make games on Xbox they just have to port their code to use a bit different API for the various Xbox specific services etc. That's why they won so many 3rd parties over to do multiplat with them. Easy and cheap to release on Xbox 360 and I wouldn't expect anything less of the new Xbox.

Ju4088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

The "Durango" leaks were quite specific ( http://www.eurogamer.net/ar... ) and taken from that report, pretty much everything what was said about the PS4 was accurate, I expect most of the next XBox design to be closest to true.

If so, however, this is a significant more complicated platform to work with. MS is a OS company and with that I'd expect them to hide most of that away from the developers; but I am curious to see, how they can actually hide away the fact that the RAM is paged and must be mapped into a linear space and EDRAM swapping can be invisible to the developer. At the same time, developers tend prefer to have access to the platform specifics and I would imagine that games pushing the envelope on the Durango would have custom code to max out EDRAM bandwidth.

But taking this into account, it will be significantly cheaper to develop for the PS4. Which gives you a linear bank of high speed memory - to make this clear - the total 8GB GDDR5 have the same bandwidth as the EDRAM in the Durango! No tricks with memory mapping, no tricks with swapping memory (texture tiling), no tricks to maximize EDRAM.

It will require devs to have proper tools to optimize textures on the Durango while on the PS4 you can simply drop them in. We'll see. But given the information we have, the situation is quite reversed. PS4 will be easier to develop for (and is faster). But who knows. We might get a surprise soon.

Qrphe4087d ago (Edited 4087d ago )

PS4 and 720 are pretty much the same system with different ram and gpu from the looks of it. 720 should be as easy to develop.
However, if the rumors are indeed true, the 720 will be visibly underpowered.

But let's remember that Microsoft has a policy that let's them reject a multiplat that looks considerably better than the competition (I wonder WHY they have it).

xursz4087d ago

So Microsoft would in theory make a weak system and force developers to downgrade my version so that Xbox's doesn't look like crap in comparison?

That's just bull. It's going to make people pissed if xbox 720 doesn't match or exceed PS4 in power.

BLAKHOODe4087d ago

@xursz

I don't think it'll matter. Sony put it's specs out there and depending on how you look at it, that could be favorable to Microsoft. The 720 doesn't have to be as powerful as the PS4, just as the 360 wasn't as powerful as the PS3. Game developers are going to cater to BOTH consoles regardless, just as they have this current gen. Microsoft could make a slightly weaker console, enabling them to charge LESS than Sony will charge for the PS4, which would be in their favor. Multi-platformed games would still be equal in a lot of ways. Sony would only be able to take advantage of the extra power with it's own exclusives, which is basically what happened with the PS3.

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest3d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN3d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan3d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor2d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic2d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv722d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts2d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares3d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv723d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka3d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion3d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer3d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow13d ago (Edited 3d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer3d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
bionicstar3d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn3d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18813d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast3d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

3d ago
Lightning773d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

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Lightning773d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

3d ago
anast3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning773d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast3d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning773d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast2d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

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darthv723d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes3d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

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
darthv728d 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.

solideagle8d ago

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

Sonic18817d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio7d 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:

Lightning777d ago

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

Cacabunga8d 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.

darthv727d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19927d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21838d 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.

Cacabunga7d 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

itsmebryan7d 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

S2Killinit7d 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.

romulus237d ago

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

darthv727d 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.

TheEroica7d ago (Edited 7d 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.

Chevalier7d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan6d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

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purple1018d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos8d ago

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

DOMination-7d 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.

XBManiac8d ago

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

SimpleDad8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

purple1018d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos8d ago (Edited 8d 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

Kornholic8d ago

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

MrDead7d 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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