Sony Will Compete With Valve, Not Microsoft, Next Generation

GR writes: "Watching the PlayStation 4 reveal I was surprised, despite trying not to be, at the specs for Sony's next console. The eight-core AMD CPU was anticipated, but opting for 8GB of GDDR5 and a GPU comparable to the GeForce 660/660ti is something the PC gamer inside of me couldn't help but be excited about. My astonishment soon turned into curiosity once I thought about how Microsoft's Durango (code name for next-gen Xbox) is clearly not aiming for the same demographic."

[alexcosborn]

It'll certainly be interesting to see what sort of direction Microsoft takes with its new console. Can't wait!

[WarThunder]

Kinect 2.0

[Dms2012]

This opinion is getting pretty boring, at least come up with something else.

[chasegarcia]

Kinect2.0 is exactly what I want

& for them to remove Xbox live gold.

[HammadTheBeast]

@chasegarcia

It's your species that make me sick.

[Mainsqueeze]

I Love Valves games but i honestly don't think they will do well with the steam box. Just to much competition and not enough brand recognition with the casuals. Even if they do just focus on high end specs i feel most people will opt for Sony with the PS4 because its something they know.

[Mounce]

Whoa man, Kinect 2?! Sony doesn't stand a chance.

Valve should also scrap the Steam Box completely, they can't handle the power of Eyetoy 3- I mean, Kinect 2.0

[Spoon_]

Steambox is an upgradeable console so there is no limits nuff said
You can slap a Titan in your steambox and voila!!

Also stop being small minded the steambox is being packaged with a CONTROLLER NOT A KEYBOARD IT'S COMPETITION IS CONSOLES

[Virtual_Reality]

''You can slap a Titan in your steambox and voila!! ''

Seems easy, but do you consider it the price?

$999.99, nuff said.

http://www8.pcmag.com/media...

[dcbronco]

The person that wrote this seems to be incapable of learning from the past. Design means a lot, not just the parts. The writer, and may others, doesn't understand that we are moving into a new kind of computers. And software. And people are underestimating the software.

And neither consoles specs are final. Sony has said so, so apparently they believe they might have to upgrade theirs. And Microsoft's is a modular system. So parts can be added. Their own documents from a couple of years ago show 3 CPUs and 2 GPUs. We saw one APU design. What if there are two of those APUs in the Xbox. On paper that is a 25% power difference the other way.

Plus no one has figured out what the move engines in the 720 do. People have speculated that it was about increasing the RAMs bandwidth, but if bandwidth was a issue why not change the RAM from the beginning. So it might be for bandwidth and other reasons. That might add efficiency that increases power further.

And people keep talking about changing the motherboard at the last minute. No one has seen a motherboard for either console. Or a shell design. What motherboard needs changing?

Let's wait for final specs and a real examination of the parts before we determine a winner. Though I believe the Xbox will be more powerful. Based on some of the things I've been reading about their work.

[Ritsujun]

yup, slap dat Steamboobx

[BattleAxe]

Sony and Steam are the two best places to be for games, so I guess this makes sense to some degree. However, I think it will take Valve at least one full generation before they get the brand recognition they need to be able to compete with Sony in the livingroom.

What will be interesting is whether or not Sony will compete with Steam on the PC with using GaiKai, and since the PS4 architecture is similar to a PC, Sony could conceivably create a service like Steam or Origin on the PC, and offer both downloads of ported PS4 games and a streaming service.

[Nitrox]

From article-
"Most importantly, the Durango is presumed to have an even more advanced version of Kinect built-in. Such a move indicates that Microsoft wants to make its motion and voice command capabilities a major feature of the next console"

I think it's pretty funny that the author of this seems to be putting down the next Xbox because Kinect integration is somehow "going a completely different route" but nowhere does he acknowledge that PS4 is shipping with its very own update of the uber successful (/s) PS Move.

Double standards I assume...

[TheBrownBandito]

@dcbronco

"Though I believe the Xbox will be more powerful. Based on some of the things I've been reading about their work."

I was taking you seriously until you said that.

[Cueil]

lolz at the Titain vs 7970 comparison

[TheRealSpy]

You're an idiot. You'd already have been removed for trolling if it was in reverse.

N4G is such insane hypocrisy.

[DOSemp]

Sadly.... Kinect 2.0 AND Casuals

[TopDudeMan]

People marked this as funny, but I'm gonna mark it "well said" because it's probably a pretty good prediction.

[Tr10wn]

After reading all these comments i still can't believe how idiotic people are on this site, we have clairvoyance people in this site, these guys can tell how powerful an unannounced console is gonna be that's just astonishing why the hell are you guys even here? you should be millionaires by now.... read your comments before posting eat you will laugh with all the non sense you guys write.

I love steam but there is no way ill use the Steambox over my PC and there is no way ill buy it over a PS4 or a 720 i still want to see the spec of both the 720 and the Steambox but my PC is not that bad so i'm looking towards the PS4 and the 720.

[dcbronco]

@TheBrownBandito

I understand what you're say. Let me explain why I said that. It's because I've read so many articles about what Microsoft is doing from non-gaming sources. They have built a huge CPU/GPU design section of their own. They have modified chips on their own in the past. The APU in the Xbox Slim was their take on IBM and AMD parts. It was better and they had to slow it down to keep parody with older consoles.

They are making their chip modular. The leaked documents they have tried to have their lawyers remove from the Internet show that they plan to use their Xbox chips in TVs, Set-top boxes, TVs, Phones and tablets. They have already released Surface with other parts. I believe the next versions will contain MS chips.

It's clear to me that Microsoft is very serious about becoming a major player in the whole entertainment eco-sytem. From making their own original content to their own hardware. It will be based on other peoples parts(for the time being). But it will be heavily modified by Microsoft. I haven't seen any evidence that Sony has become so deeply involved in chip design. Apple has.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/new...

Apple and Microsoft have made it clear they will not depend on their to do their chips anymore. So I believe they have secrets that Sony won't have access to. They have also been gearing Windows 8, C++ AMP and DirectCompute to take advantage of the HSA architecture.

So it wasn't a fanboy comment. But I can see why you would thing that given this sites reputation.

[pain777pas]

I think that Microsoft will be competing with Valve more than Sony is. Microsoft may just try to push Valve out in some way. This gen will be interesting.

[scott182]

Yeah it seems more likely MS and Valve may get in some sort of heated competition then Sony and Valve. Sony will try and push Nintendo out I think.

[ForgottenProphecy]

Well, IMO, if Microsoft tries to stick with Kinect, I think it will be Microsoft vs Nintendo for the casuals and Valve vs Sony for the hardcore. Overall, we all win with a great experience found on all four consoles.

[karl]

SONY has always bet on the hardcore market

soo if MS doesnt keep on the way they did up to now with the next xbox then SONY will be left alone

with pc of course

the rest is casual...

[NonApplicable]

I think you should re-analyze Microsoft's direction. They clearly are pushing towards entertainment services and less on gaming. Just look at the Xbox interface and marketplace today; heavy on media and services. The gaming that they do focus on, is indicating a more casual future. The fact that Microsoft will bundle a Kinect 2.0 with every Durango says it all.

I hope I'm wrong!

[extermin8or]

Microsoft could concievably make it harder for steam to function on windows and that would destroy a large portion of it's userbase. It'd be hard todo but not impossible and a right dick move but if they made life as hard as possible to be used on windows 8 or whatever comes next seeing as gabe as spewed anti windows 8 stuff already :p #what I wonder is if valve plan to make games like the inevitable half life 3 multiplatform or only on steam/steam box? Also steam box isn't going todo aswell because it's basically a pc, it is upgradeable which will put many people off and that for the money they shouldn't expect to be outdated in 3/4 years...

[pain777pas]

Extermin8tor you don't forget do you? Neither do I. Gabe says that he wants to use Linux for the Steambox in addition to what he said about Windows 8. All signs point to Steam having some issues in the future with Microsoft or they are currently having issues with Microsoft. Some of us may not know how Microsoft became the Goliath that they were or are now. Apple is on the rise too so... if they find a way to just lock off other providers from Windows 8 and funnel everyone to their Windows 8 app store we may see a slow decline in Steams presence in a Windows OS space. I think that Microsoft is going to get angry and vicious soon to anyone non google because that is the only company that they need right now because of their search engine dominance and Youtube etc... That is the only partnership that they have to preserve everyone else is under the heel of their boots so to speak.

[Tres21]

@ extermin8or
ive been wonderin the same thing & wanna kno if they plan on still making multi plat games still or just goin for steambox & pc there r a few games i wanna play

[Ju]

Steam is going the Linux route anyway. A Steambox won't run Windows. Not sure what MS can do about that (other than locking down the boot loader in Windows8 certified Mobos). You wouldn't notice. Big picture will take over the OS in Steambox anyway.

[TheGamerDood]

MS is already being written off...wow.

[CommonSenseGamer]

Only by fanboys. I will wait to hear about their games line up before I decide.

[LOGICWINS]

Writing off MS is like putting your back to an angry unchained dog thats been mistreated over the past couple of years. Big mistake.

[haggishurler]

@LOGICWINS mistreated by the millions of gold customers, who pay money just to use the console with friends?

[Zhipp]

@haggi
I think you may have misunderstood the "mistreated" part of the metafore...

[nukeitall]

@LOGICWINS:

Exactly!

Sony wrote of the original Xbox, then the Xbox 360 and look what that got them. This time, Sony is essentially copying Xbox 360's strategy upon release with social gaming features and core games.

Sony isn't even looking at Valve, because they don't realize the threat yet, while MS is an immediate danger.

However, I agree that Steam will be a bigger competitor since both are likely to be using x86 architecture. This means, targeting PC first, then porting to consoles is more likely to happen. This puts Valve at an advantage, combine with the fact that PC is a moving hardware specification target.

The real question then is, can Valve make a box as integrated as upcoming consoles? Do they understand the "instantness" of consoles?

Valve also doesn't have the deep pockets to go after the razor and blade business model so we will see.

It certainly are interesting times for an entertainment consumer and gamer!

[UnholyLight]

@CommonSenseGamer

At least your name holds true to the logic you speak in your #1.3.1 comment

[xursz]

About "Instantness" of gaming, neither does Valve have the cash to invest in Cloud which will be a substantial part of Next Generation at least for Playstation.

I expect MS will follow up on the idea, too.

And we know Steambox wouldn't charge for multiplayer so MS will have no choice but to drop the subscription or offer a remard program similar to PS+ if they want to charge people.

[thereapersson]

I don't know what you are going on about. Sony has always been focused on the core gamer. In fact, they are pushing more than ever to give core gamers what they want for the PS4.

[Tr10wn]

@UnholyLight

A rare attribute in this site since most of the people use rumors over common sense or solid facts.

[Cam977]

Since Sony have Gaikai it WILL be a battle between Soy and Valve.

[Kalowest]

MS has had cloud services since 07.

[ThatXboxGuy]

Cloud space and Gaikai are on two entirely different levels.

[Mainsqueeze]

Microsoft pretty much hired everyone that worked for OnLive so they will most likely have a cloud system like Gaikai.

[Reverent]

The problem with Microsoft recruiting OnLive employees... Well, Onlive failed.

[MariaHelFutura]

I don't think people understand what Gaikai is doing.

[xxLuckyStrike]

Will Sony will have Gaiki behind a PS+ subscription to stream. They paid a lot of money to acquire them. And the PS4 isn't gonna be cheap. But I think for Sony to thrive this gen they need to charge for one of those services via PS+ or monthly fee.

*If Sony doesn't charge for Gaikai and online next gen "my hats off".

[Zhipp]

@Reverent
That's probably why the hired the employees but didn't buy the company.

[NastyLeftHook0]

lol soy!

[TheRealSpy]

Yeah...ummm. Apple failed in the 90s, too. Then MS bailed them out. Now it's one of the most valuable companies in the world...

Can't believe you got a "well said." lol

[ATi_Elite]

I don't think Steambox will compete with PS4PC

PS4PC = Sony Faithful and other console users who enjoy the console experience

Steambox = PC Gamers and those looking to step up to PC Gaming in a easy way.

It's good to see the PS4PC be so powerful but it's still catering towards the console crowd while PC Gaming is totally different.

Us PC Gamers have our own long list of PC Exclusives, Mods, and Gaming Genres not found on the consoles i.e. Mobas, RTS, Space Simulators, etc..

So I really don't see it as a PS4PC vs. Steambox debate. Sure Both platforms will have the same mindless Multiplats but someone spending hours playing Killzone Shadow Fall may not really care about DayZ or someone spending hours playing Star Citizen may not care about Uncharted 4.

PS4PC and Steambox are TWO Different Game worlds!

Buy both and enjoy both or just enjoy one!

[Conzul]

Looks like PS4PC is already wearing down the barrier against MMO's, which HAS to be the biggest PC "gamer" base.

I loved Freelancer and I'm sure I'll love Star Citizen, but........uuuh....Playstation exclusives are better than PC exclusives, with few exceptions.

LoL, PS4PC

[Sithlord-Gamble]

I completely agree.
Sony isnt going to lose customers to Valve anymore than Valve will to Sony.
Console gamers will most likely continue gaming on their system of choice & PC gamers will continue gaming on their PC/Steambox.

Both groups are hardcore gamers in their own right.

[ufo8mycat]

Stop fooling yourself.

PC shouldnt even be put into the mix because it is now an irrelevant platform with no REAL exclusives. Seems like you are still living in year 2000. PC "Gamers" aren't even true core gamers, just nerds playing games - BIG difference.

As for Steambox, unless Valve can bring out quite a few REAL exclusives to the console, I don't see it beating the PS4 as terms of games and gameplay.

[Bladesfist]

@Conzul No you are wrong again. You playstation gamers are always talking about your amazing exclusives however you don't understand that a lot of PC gamers do not care for the linear AAA experience and prefer playing sandbox or strategy games. Saying that Playstation exclusives are better than PC exclusives is just naive. What can be said as fact is that PC has more exclusives than playstation. I prefer PC exclusives such as Mount and Blade and DayZ / ARMA as they give you a blank canvas and you can do whatever you want. On another note I have just ordered a PS3 to play Uncharted 3 / Killzone and the upcoming playstation exclusives.

@Ufo

You can insult PC Gamers as much as you want, I hope it makes you feel better about your life.

[1886afc]

@ufo8mycat STFU!

[Ju]

Question. If the next console can pretty much run any PC game, wouldn't you think we'll see more of those on the PS4 (and maybe XBox)? Since PS is more liberal I'd think some games will be excluded from MS's business model. But w/e. It should be pretty easy to port games to PS4 now, incl. play for free, etc.

I'm curious if that controller/camera combo could enrich games like RTS. This is the only real disadvantage I see on consoles. M/KB vs. Controller is a personal preference; both work reasonably well - it does not exclude the genre.

But strategy games kinda do. Unless there will be broader KB adaption for the PS4 (which will support this, my best guess - PS3 did, but the only game which actually implemented it was UT3). And then, there is still Move, which will have a lower entry barrier now that the camera is included (Move is $25...I guess, NavCon the same?).

Steambox has all the same "disadvantages" because it "controllifies" PC games, which basically takes away your beloved K/M. So, what's the big advantage then? (Well, I can imagine, Steam games will still support K/M to a larger extend).

Hey, BTW, PS3/UT3 ran mods. The only problem was that bigger ones which did not fit were PC exclusive. But this barrier is gone, now, too. ( http://www.ut3mod.com/ )

[fermcr]

"Sony Will Compete With Valve, Not Microsoft, Next Generation"

Seriously !!!

Sony haven't presented all their plans for the PS4.

Valve haven't presented their console nor future plans for their console. That Steam Box presented wasn't Valve's console.

Microsoft haven't presented their console nor future plans for their console.

Article is total nonsense.

[3-4-5]

It's like they are trying to find their own places within the industry again like it used to be instead of trying to do what the other company is doing.

Think about Sega Genesis Vs SNES and how many unique games we got for each system.

Games that you couldn't play on the other because they were exclusive.

color pallets and music also were different.

This past/current gen was all about Talk and no walk...if you get me.

Everybody tried to do what the other was doing and the only real inovation or creative trying seemed to be coming from Nintendo.

I think they learned from this and while they will have superior graphics, they are learning how to bring that indie and casual gamer in as well as the PC gamer.

Sony did good for the first time in while with the PS4.

I'm hoping Xbox upgrade the memory...

DD3 memory was good like 3 years ago.

It was last gen even.

[extermin8or]

They can't upgrade the memory, apparently they'd have to scrap the lot as their entire build is based on DDR3 assuming that those leaks are correct for MS aswell then to switch to GDDR5 would mean having to start over-for one their gpu might not support the transfer rate of the GDDR5 as it doesn't need to, that alonwe would limit the effectiveness of redoing the RAM with such a barrier to cause the bottlekneck would be rediculous not to mention wouldn't work anyway....

[mwjw696]

@ 3-4-5 "DD3 memory was good like 3 years ago.

It was last gen even."

So find me a mother board that supports GDDR5 as system ram then... o wait you cant.

This site I swear to god bunch of idiots that cant tell a spoon from a fork.

PS: Its DDR 3 not "DD3" as in Double Data Rate Ver 3.

[Virtual_Reality]

It should be interesting to see what this companies have to offer.

Hopefully, Valve can develop games to the PS4 with cross platform and Steamworks like they did with Portal 2 on PS3.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

I want valve to take MS's place.

[extermin8or]

No I want valve and Sony to coexist only slightly in competition, acknowledging they target different areas of the core gamer market and with valve games remaining multiplatform? :P I think that would be healthier for the industry...

[UnholyLight]

All these people, I can't wait to see if Kinect 2 can shut some people up. I see nothing wrong with experimentation to advance technology and the way we think "gaming".

At least Microsoft didn't pussy out and has the BALLS to try and come up with a solution to completely controller free or hybrid controls gaming, rather than Sony's basically Wii 2.0 motion solution.

Don't get me wrong, the Move is great, but seriously, all you Sony guys drive me nuts. I just want to see some new experiences for the future.

I could care less about allegiances to a certain brand, and as such, I just want someone to show me that they can innovate and make something cool, fresh, and new.

[mandf]

You are right, but you need to realize there are more hardcore gamers than casual on Xbox. Ms spent half a billion on Kinect advertising alone. The created new Kinect IPs but neglected to make a new IP for the hardcore. Somes fans are feeling left in the dust. An exclusive IP Gets a large budget and a large dedicated team focused on one console in mind. Xbox the second half of it's life lived off multiplats. That's not good enough for the people who made xbox, xbox. For 500million. They could have made 10 new AAA IPs. But nope, they turned casual and neglected the core.

[extermin8or]

At this point can I please point out the EYE TOY EXISTED YEARS BEFORE KINECT WAS ANYONES IDEA. So sony tried controller free motion gaming 1st and like most applications for kinect have been- they've been gimmicky just as eyetoy games were.

[Ju]

UnholyLight, I kinda see your point, and maybe we can applaud MS to have a vision. But at the same time, I think Kinect also showed there is no big market for such a peripheral to justify its cost. Kinect games have their market, but pretty much none of those games make any profit. But yet, those would recoupe the $500M investment somehow. They don't, what's left is it's a marketing write off, not much more.

Well, maybe it requires someone like MS to brute force hold on to the concept. Because it needs a lot of cash to burn before this can really become the cash cow of your product. And I still can't see that you would just get the console because it has this over exciting experience.

At the same time, they can't be so wrong, because Sony updates the Eye and includes it with every console. With much less investment, though. And as an option. The strategy behind this I can see. It is to take the wind out of MS sails. If it is just enough to claim a "me too" it takes this extra selling point away from MS.

By not making this a priority Sony can claim the "hard core" (and they do) and second, they can also claim a "me, too" should this be required (and third, they can actually claim the hard core motion crowd because of the precision of the Move - which nobody else has).

We will see, but the more and more we know, I am curious to see how MS can actually sell a more expensive to produce console (Kinect 2 certainly costs more than Eye3) under the PS4 price. They could simply take a bigger hit.

MS won't get ahead of Sony this time, I suspect. Not saying that Sony will take this away, though. Unless this buzz is any indication...

[princejb134]

im pretty sure microsoft will bring something new that will wow all of us
yea ps4 sounds awesome and im buying one but im also interested on microsoft new console

[UnholyLight]

Exactly.

[imdaboss1]

Kinect! doubt they have anything but that

[PS4isKing_82]

Apps apps and more apps. Oh and more apps.
And a heavy focus on kinect and kids.

[dragunrising]

I don't think anyone should write off Microsoft until they actually reveal it. PS4 is everything I want in a console. Sony's focus is games, pure and simple.

I'm console/platform agonistic so I hope Microsoft has a similar focus. If Kinect 2.0 makes gaming better, I'll welcome it with open arms. To be honest the most fun I had with Kinect was with Mass Effect 3 and Skyrim and voice commands. The voice recognition commands augmented the experience for me. The Gunstringer and Fruit Ninja were fun for a few hours of gameplay but constantly reminded you of Kinect's limitations. If Kinect 2.0 is unobtrusive, optional and extremely accurate I will use it.

Talking about graphics on consoles is a moot point to me. I'm perfectly happy with graphics on consoles today.

Microsoft needs to do away with ads if your gold and make multiplayer free.

[showtimefolks]

i hope ms also target core fans instead of casual kinect dance game buyers

show games
show atleast the same if not a little better specs
and than show some more games

leave kinect out of this

[joab777]

Actually, i agree with u. Its a unique strategy too if its true. They went after nintendos motion controls amd if they can undercut nintendo while providing pretty good 3rd party titles, while offering new gadgetry and ways to play, all while aiming at those that dont have alot of money, they may be on to something. They know that the economy isnt getting better. They know they have a huge install base with the 360. They also know how successful nintendo was this gen. From this perspective, it could be brilliant. Hell, they probably know too that if they can sell a console at $250 or less, most hardcore gamers may buy a ps4 first, but will also invest in a 720. The reverse may not be true. And parents will want to opt for the cheaper console. Many teens amd their friends will simply want the next xbox. Also, if they can assist their pc and OS divisions, it helps them as a company. They can buy a few timed exclusives while developing a core group of new and existing ips, all while pushing the kinect to the millions tbat loved the wii so much. From this perspective, it could be absolutely brilliant.

As far as valve goes, i am a little confused as to why tbey are creating a medium spec steam bkx and liscening out companies to make others. It may end up being too confusing for many gamers, giving sony a bigger leg up. I just think the plaustation brand is too familiar. Its funny but sony and microsoft could do very well this genfor entirely different reasons.

[DivineAssault]

im very curious to see what they do.. i really hope its not the same as PS3 cuz i wont get it.. They need to do something different & provide me with a new gaming experience that i will embrace.. If its in the slightest way "gimmicky", i will turn a blind eye to it.. But if its really cool, ill consider buying one as well as PS4.. I got a wii u & was beyond disappointed with it.. Miiverse was the coolest thing about it imo but i dont feel like i got a new console.. In fact, it felt like a more dull experience playing multiplats on it w/o getting trophies n stuff.. I need that feeling that i got a NEW machine

[ftwrthtx]

Can Microsoft really consider their Xbox 720 a media device if no Blu-ray drive is included?

[Kalowest]

Xbox 720 does have a Blu-ray drive.

[Software_Lover]

There are so many misinformed kids in these articles its sad. Where are they getting this information from?

[Riderz1337]

You've seen the 720? Where?

[SonyStyled]

you do realize if the 720 has a blu-ray drive sony will profit off of every 720 disc sold right? because sony is one of the founders of the blu-ray disc. its a similar instance as when sony profited of of FF13 on 360. sony owns like 30% or something of squeenix thus they get a share of every 360 copy of FF13 sold
Founders of the blu-ray disc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[ftwrthtx]

If the rumors are true, it won't play blu-ray movies:

http://www.expertreviews.co...

[scott182]

I heard MS was going to use HD-DVD..... I'M KIDDING!

[olLANDSHARKlo]

And Microsoft makes money on every computer of theirs that has windows.

[rhcpfan]

@SonyStyled

Actually, I believe it's Sony who pays Microsoft licensing fees for "VC-1".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[hazardman]

MS also gets a cut on blu rays. It uses a codec owned by MS.

[YourFlyness]

@rhcpfan @hazardman, Wrong the VC-1 patent is own pay MPEG LA. Microsoft is part of the group but so is Sony, and Royalties dont go to the group, directly to the member that grants usage.

So Sony can rant usage to VC-1 to themselves

[greenpowerz]

What are you talking about? Every rumor leaked or made up says the 720 has a blu ray drive. Tablets etc don't have blu ray drives does that mean they're not media devices? The people on this site are strange and rabid

[ftwrthtx]

No movies though according to rumors.

http://www.expertreviews.co...

As for the tablet comment: Apples and oranges. That shouldn't even be in this conversation

[greenpowerz]

Needing a blu ray drive to be considered a multi media device is ignorant at best. Most *media* in a multi media device consists of much more formats than Blu ray discs LMAO

The BS theories of: MSFT will be paying Sony for blu ray so it can't be true is nonsense as if Sony is the master of BD or the only member of the BDA. Blu ray has used MSFT codecs you know. Windows is on Sony platforms as well. LMAO

I'M GOING TO TAKE RUMORS ABOUT PUTTING A BLU RAY DRIVE IN A CONSOLE THEN NOT ALLOWING MOVIE WATCHING WITH A BOTTLE OF SALT. If you don't mind :)

***People saying 720 has a blu ray drive and others saying it does not and finally you ranting about movie watching based on a rumor probably skewed by pro Sony authors/media/leaker is "Apples and oranges" That shouldn't even be in this conversation***

[ftwrthtx]

You seem to be the only one ranting. I just made a statement based off of rumors, just like you.

IF the 720 doesn't play movies, including 3D, then MS fails on it being a complete media device. Blu-rays have almost completely replaced DVD's at this point, with the exception of in-car players.

[IcicleTrepan]

These people saying that it would have a blu ray drive and not play blu ray movies.. that's just fucking stupid lol.. how stupid can you be. Every WINDOWS PC that has a blu ray drive in it can play blu ray movies. Smoke another one, fearmongers.

[fsfsxii]

X720 is going to have a Blu-Ray drive, to use you're gonna need a gold subscription...

[imdaboss1]

didnt microsoft say blu ray is not needed?

[Godmars290]

I can see MS being a presence in gaming, but if they make they make their focus entertainment as seems to be the case, I can't see them really being on anyone's radar.

[Kalowest]

"I can't see them really being on anyone's radar."
After 2 gens, MS is now on everybody's radar on matter what.
"but if they make they make their focus entertainment"
Both consoles(PS4/720) are Multi-media entertainment devices.

[Godmars290]

The 360 had Netflix all to itself as far as consoles went, but now, even though a MS CEO also sits on Netflix's board and set up that exclusivity, the company itself admits that the PS3 is the number one platform for their service. Somehow, even with most advantages, MS did something wrong and came out last.

That is the difference between being a presence and being on a radar.

And as far as games go, Sony has continued to build up their library of IPs whereas MS frankly has a bad rep for even maintaining ones that they bought. Rare and all of their titles is the best example of that.

MS just really needs to do more than throw money and their influence around, because its not getting them anything.

[C-Thunder]

Key word is 'focus', if they focus on the Multi-Media side of the system over the games, they will fail with gamers. Not that they'd mind, because if they focus on the Multi-Media over games, gamers weren't their target consumer anyway.

[omi25p]

So by you're logic the definition of coming last is:

1. Started this generation of consoles with the smallest fan base by a long way.

2. Built that fan base up and is now the joint most popular console with the console that had by far the largest fan base last generation

3. Has a constantly growing user base that is always active.

4. Largest sales on nearly all exclusives and multiplatforms.

5. Released a peripheral the same time as the former Console juggernaut and destroyed it in sales.

6. Has the most advanced and easy to use console interface.

7. Have overcome the awful fault with the console that kicked off the beginning of the this generation.

If you really think Microsoft have come LAST this generation you are very sadly mistaken.

[dragon82]

Where is this "Most advanced and easy to use console interface" you are talking about?

If you are saying that the 360 Dashboard is more advanced and easier to navigate than the XMB you are nuts. The XMB is about as easy as it gets to navigate. It also won awards when it was first released.

In fact it was the exact same design that the 360 adopted after it went away from the bladed design. The XMB has its main catagories lined up horizontally while its sub-catagories are lined up vertically from each main catagory. The 360 dashbaord had its main catagories lined up vertically while its sub-catagories were lined up horizontally form each main catagory. Toss in a few more ads and boxes on the 360 dashboard and you have the exact same design concept. The new dashbaord is horrible in my opinion. I actually prefer the previous version.

[deep_fried_bum_cake]

I wouldn't count Microsoft out. Even if their specs end up being lackluster in comparison to the PS4, there is not getting past the fact that the Xbox brand name carries power and that most gamers don't pay attention to the fine details of what they are gaming on.

[zebramocha]

@deep the problem I see is,Sony basically stated that the ps4 is for gamers and developers,regardless of who has better specs,Sony made it apparent what the ps4 is about and ms has shown that they will sacrifice their core audience just to get a leg up over their competitors.

[deep_fried_bum_cake]

That really isn't a problem though. Most people who play games on a console don't notice this sort of stuff, they don't frequent gaming sites like us.

A large majority of people who are interested in the next Xbox will just be happy to hear that it has Gears or Halo.

While Microsoft may lose some of their market, a large percentage of those customers will remain.

[NoSuchUserName]

Yeah, even if it turns out to be directed towards casual games, there will be a lot of die hard Xbox fans who will buy it. I think MS saw the success of the kinect as a sign to push in that direction. But services and apps? Most TVs have that now so there is stiff competition there. Feels a bit Zune-y to try to win that market now...

[StrongMan]

There is some truth to this statement. Sony already beat MS twice now so they may have their sights on Steam. Sony seems to be big on streaming now. Looks like MS is not competing as a games console anymore. MS is competing with smart TVs and set top devices instead.

[omi25p]

Sony losing over half of the console market to The 360. While the previous Xbox had a very small fan base in comparison to the PS2 and you think Sony won?

If this generation was a movie Microsoft would be the under dog

[Lvl_up_gamer]

How does this Sony fanboy get 8 comments marked for trolling this MONTH alone actually GAIN a bubble?

n4g is a plagued by these Sony fanboys and strongman is a blatantly clear indicator of a broken bubble system on this site where these trash of fanboys can regurgitate their BS anti MS ignorant comments in ever MS thread and STILL manage to get bubbled up.

Strongman your intelligence is so low you make the pet rock look smart.

[saint_seya]

And u wonder why he has a bubble and u dont?
Check the way u talk, then think twice if u deserve to be talking of who should have or not bubbles.. be glad that u cant get ban, because in other sites for personal attacking u would be out supper fast.

[sway_z]

@Lvl_up_gamer

Are you that insecure that any slight Pro-Sony comment can irritate you?

Seriously, don't be such a Patsy...Strongman only commented on his 'opinion'?

I'll bet you wouldn't make such a fuss had the comment been (in your mind) Anti-Sony??

Nah I didn't think so.....it's people like you that discourage freedom of speech, expression and ideology...

If you can't handle objective comments, you should ask yourself...is 'being alive' really for you?

...think it over ;/

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

You might want to double check that definition of irony.....

[Horny]

Sony didn't lose all its marketshare to MS. I'm sure Nintendo had something to do with it as well since last gen Ps2 was the casual console.
Overall the market grew which is good, gaming is more popular than ever. With all the new features the new consoles seem to implement it might grow more.
Sony might not sell 150 mill with the ps3 but I'm sure they will cross over the 100mill line in the next 3 years.

[NYC_Gamer]

It would be foolish to count out MS next gen

[Chaostar]

I agree, this whole assumption that MS is jumping on some kind of casual, entertainment bandwagon hinges on nothing but rumour. Until we see Microsoft's specs for ourselves I say it's too early to cast harsh judgments.

[Donnieboi]

Thank you, captain obvious.

[saint_seya]

I know, MS did really well getting a big fan base in this generation, so i dont think they will be doing as bad as loosing it all. If they focus on games again, they will make sony run for his money #and im a big sony fan#, but if they dedicate to casuals, then i dont see that happening.
I really hope they focus on games, because competition is good, makes both sides to get better and more games.

[imdaboss1]

ok tell me what will M$ do? beside kinect?

[danny818]

Correct me if im wrong but isnt psn the same thing as steam? Like they made a deal? Well my friend told me this idk if hes right or wrong. As steam is valve

[Software_Lover]

Not even close.

[Nick_515]

Maybe on the PS4 it will be pretty much the same as Steam (and be better in some ways), but on the PS3 it definitely isn't the same.

[NoSuchUserName]

I think you're talking about how you could use your PSN account to log in to Steam.

[SlavisH2]

Since we know nothing about the next xbox this article is worthless!

[BlmThug]

Right.. we have seen nothing from Valve or MS yet so this article is jumping to conclusions.

[Honest_gamer]

well no they wont be if new games are £59.99 to download or £39 from shops :S maybe of the games were cheaper than the retail counter parts yeh

[Kingthrash360]

Ouch....

[WeAreLegion]

I don't want them to compete. I want them to be friends. :/

[a_squirrel]

If Google and Apple have the mobile market, them Microsoft only has the PC and Gaming market. Valve and Sony working together could be seen as 'anti-competitive'.

I want them to work together, with one console meant for mainsteam gamers, and the steambox as a premium console that can easily be upgrsded, like a PC.

[SDF Repellent]

Man...you Sony supporters are like leeches, anything that is remotely negative about Microsoft, no matter how outrages or impossible it iis, it is a swarm fest every time. LOl

[Software_Lover]

I'm telling you they make this $h!t up as they go. Its getting utterly ridiculous. Its gonna be just as bad when Microsoft shows something.

Stop making $h!t up people. Wait until everything is revealed.

[Hicken]

I wonder who this is in a Sony article:
http://n4g.com/comments/red...

And I find it absolutely amazing that you talk about "Sony supporters," while you bring up Sony in virtually EVERY comment you make, whether anyone else mentions them or not.

It's so bad you don't even comment on ANYTHING related to anything. You just come in, talk about Sony or people that like Sony, praise Microsoft as if you're not doing the EXACT same thing you accuse them of doing, then leave like you've said something profound.

It's pretty sad, actually.

[majiebeast]

I think i can see a Sony valve partnership in the future. Valve has always been about making a developer friendly platform with steam, and Sony is adopting that with ps4 letting indie devs self publish games.

@SDFrepelant

How was the hibernation in your cave for the last couple of years?

[SDF Repellent]

@majiebeast, my hibernation was great. thanks for asking. Over the last couple of years, I have been enjoying my Halo 4, Gears 3, Forza 4, Fable 3, Alan Wake and all third party core games for my X360 and watching a couple of Blu Ray flix on my PS3. I only awake from my slumber at the end of a generation and for a short period at the beginning so I can reserve enough troll spray to fight of those pesky Sony Defense Force that have gone rogue.

[Relientk77]

Haha, Majie and you are ridiclous

:)

[Campy da Camper]

If Sony and valve did make some sort of cross platform play I would lose my mind. Talk about the best of both worlds!

[joeorc]

sony was the only one out of the big three that allowed steamworks on their game console. ps4 uses x86 /64 bit, Amd hardware. pretty much what Valve is looking at, Having the PS4 a valve certified steambox would not be out of the question.

Gabe has been looking at more than just Piston as being not just the only steam box. Gabe has also been investing heavy into Linux also for steam.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Valve and Sony certainly are aiming for the same goal, but the way they try to reach it is quite different.

[Software_Lover]

Just sad on so many levels.

[Gimmemorebubblez]

Don't underestimate MS.

Also remember Sony controls almost a third of the worlds entertaiment content, if Sony wanted to they could pull all there content from xbox music etc. Giving an uphill battle for MS. MS has a lot more capital than Sony has to invest and money talks. This next Gen battle is going to be interesting, who knows Valve could be the dark hourse. Compitition is a good thing. For example Sony came into this gen quite arrogant but they were humbled by Nintendo and MS and look what happened Sony began to really value there gamers giving us amazing exclusives and great deals like Ps+.
Bring on Next Gen.

[iNathan]

Big Companies.

Sony is a dwarf just like Valve, let them compete with each other.

Big fishes swim in the same water.

[Gimmemorebubblez]

FYI Sonys yearly turnover/revenue is bigger than MS's and Google.

[Swiggins]

Bar is full of crap, that much is true, but don't sink to his level by making up obviously false statements.

[Gimmemorebubblez]

To add to my comment.
@Swiggins my statement is not at all false Sony's q4 revenue was 21.4 billion, 250 million more than Google and nearly a billion more than MS but still a few billion behind Apple. If you really Don't believe me go look it up.

Trust me I like to regard myself as a strait honest person who take eveyones opinions and ideas into acount. I can understand you not believing me but no worries.

[dragunrising]

Not to burst your bubble, but revenue doesn't equal profit. Sony is only starting to get their finances in order after billions in net losses. If you can't admit to this you might as well put a disclaimer under every commit stating "I'm a huge fanboy." I like Sony and want/need a PS4 but just stop... Leaving out information is too convenient. Sony needs PS4 to be a hit to stay solvent as a company. I hope they succeed.

[Studio-YaMi]

I'm gonna reserve my opinion on Microsoft being a good competitor or not from what they'll show at the revealing of the Next Xbox.

I still don't know much about the new valve console...

[susanto1228]

Not competing with Msoft? Gee I think many game journalists are overlooking Msoft and what they can be capable of they spanked PS3 this generation how Sony fanboys are screaming "but now PS3 is on top!" so what Next gen is upon us as we speak so FREAKIN what.

And as far as valve goes Valve/Steam > Sony ...anytime, any generation, anywhere sorry but Steam is just too dam good and I'm sure the steambox will be stiff competition let me check my steam...yep 5 million players online that's not even counting the offline players this is indeed turning into a very interesting year...

PS4
Xbox 720
Ouya
Steambox

Gamers would lose their mind if Sega would announce a console just out of the freakin blue unless they have been sold to another competitor not sure just throwing that out there...bring it on!!!

[G20WLY]

& Wii U??

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

im just gonna get a PS4 and 720. For some reason I just dont see valve as a threat.

[StreetsofRage]

One thing this article proved is how many idiots are on this site. So many bickering kids on this site.

[OSIRUSSS]

If you can't play used games then I hope the the steambox flops.

[ElementX]

I really don't consider Valve a serious contender with their Steam Box. It's just a mid range PC you connect to your TV. It'll be operating Linux and that alone will reduce the number of games you can play on it. Steam has just over 100 games which can be run on Linux and thousands of games which run on Windows.

[solidboss07]

Let us be realistic regarding BluRay. Microsofts goal was to trump Sony's game console dominance with XBox 1 and 2, and to hurt Sony by defeating its new media BluRay by any means so they latched onto HD-DVD. There is no way X-Box division want to use BluRay, its got to be humiliating. These two are engaged in a battle. but that doesn't mean they can't be gentlemanly about it. Competition is good. Sony just succeeded with BluRay, Microsoft failed whatever they were trying.
Us Sony fanboys can gloat a little about it, why not? But Microsoft will get over it already. They are too big to care for long.
(Playstation 4 can't lose. PS3 must be considered a success by over coming all of the hurdles to pull in 360's lead and to be even in sales. Many millions more PS3's will get sold alongside PS4, Remember it will be supported and has all the games, free online gaming, and is the best movie player in the world until PS4 can do better? PS3 alienated a lot of developers, not so with PS4 and a good launch window planned this time. They can't mess it up, can they??)

[strifeblade]

there are so many things wrong with your comment i dont know where to start.

Fist you do know ps2 sold 150 million compared to xbox 28 million units right? This gen both playstation and xbox are tied at 70 million? looks like to me that msof took a chunk of the market from sony- Thats a huge success no matter what way you look at it.

HD-DVD was made by toshiba, and microsoft lisensed toshiba to allow its player as an add on for 360 lol. Msoft is not responsible or associated with the demise of hd-dvd- msoft stayed out of that war.

How is it embarassing if blu ray is used by msoft, its just business. i mean sony uses windows for its labtops- is that embarassing?

What about sony dual shock controller back when it was six axis and then switched back to dualshock because six axis was balls? you know sony payed immersion over 100 million dollar in royalties and damage for using their tech in playstation controllers-YOU KNOW MSOFT OWNS 10% OF IMMERSION- is that embarassing?

NO ITS JUST ****ING BUSINESS, ALL COMPANIES DON'T CARE ABOUT ITS CONSUMERS THEY CARE ABOUT YOUR MONEY. DOES SONY GIVE A crap about you when your playstaion break a month past your warranty and you give them a sob story that you spent 500$ all down the drain? I think we know the answer to that proving the point that all companies care about money even sony, or maybe sony dont care about money, i mean they are not making much- are they? LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[jivah]

I believe Jack tretton said Sony was at 77 million.. in one of the latest ps4 interviews

[Oschino1907]

Sixaxis is still in all Dualshock 3 controllers. Dualshock 3 didn't come out till like summer of 2008 so for first 1 1\2 or so years all PS3s came with a basic Sixaxis controller until the Metal Gear Solid 80GB Bundle came out which was first to come with the Dualshock 3.

Oh and my friends PS3 had an issue with the Blu Ray drives gears about 4 yrs or so after purchase and for a base price of around $100 you can ship it to Sony for repairs and cleaning. They run a full check on it and make sure everything is in good working order.

[Trenta27]

I give up on Microsoft. As someone who has most of their games on the Xbox, it makes me sad to see the direction they seem to be going.

[Drainage]

pew pew pew

[Wedge19]

o matter what happens, I think the next gen is going to be the most interesting yet

[Npugz7]

I'm done with Microsoft! I was a huge fan of the 360 but hated kinect and was very disappointed to hear that kinect will be the main focus for the 720. I want good games and a powerful system and the ps4 is going to give me that not kinect! So screw you Microsoft you just lost another customer to the ps4!

[Smeagol2033]

I"m done with $ony. I was a huge fan of the ps3 but hated move and inferior multiplats. So screw you sony, you just lost another customer to the nextbox

[landog]

the gpu in the ps4 is nothing like a gtx 660ti

its more like an amd 7850

the 660 is a $300 card

the 7850 is a $150 card, and there is a world of performance difference, I WISH sony would have went with something like a gtx 660 ti, heck a 670 would have been freaking awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

as you can see, 660ti wayyyy faster

it'll still be a badass system, but even poeple with a gtx660 will be getting better visuals than the ps4 can produce

the cpu of the ps4 is what really worries me, its very slow, yes 8 cores i know, but at 1.6 ghz, thats a tablet cpu

[Raider69]

You are actually very correct!This just journalism BS the guy dont know a diference between a 7850 and GTX 660TI.The only diference is that in the PS4 they code to the metal and theres were the 7850 can actually get some more frames out.And dont forget that the 7850 in the PS4 is based in the laptop version so its actually a 7850m.

[SatanSki]

I highly doubt MS is not prepared to have an even fight with Sony.

[wiiulee]

sure there will be that competition too..but sony will lose that one....i have a good feeling and really know that the final competition for the winner of next generation will be between steam and wiiu

[isyourhouseonfire]

This article is correct. Sony will compete with Valve, not Microsoft, in the next gen. For the #2 spot.

[esemce]

Bullsh1t article!

[knifefight]

Getting all 3 systems, the winner is me!

[Father Murder X]

You guys actually think that MS came this far for nothing. Being a fanboy is one thing but being stupid is another. I am impressed with the Ps4 but you have to understand Sony has to go all out because if it fails they are finished. I am on steam myself and most hardcore pc gamers prefer their own rigs. The steambox is going to fail. I hope the company doesn't go belly up. I would hate to see Activision buy the Half Life IP in an auction and have yearly versions. LOL

[fsfsxii]

My fellow gamers...we shall see a new kind of fanboys arise...STEAMBOX FANBOYS!!!
Should be interesting...

[OSIRUSSS]

Screw the Steambox I got DL limits. I can't be DL 60gig games with out blowing that ish up.

[Daves]

I can't see myself even being interested in steambox... I have a decent PC and a PS3...soon to be PS4.

[Ulf]

Valve isn't even in the same ballpark, unless they produce discs that the retailers can sell and profit from. You think Steambox is gonna be popular without retail support? Think again.

PC games are not going to take over the dept. store shelves, just because Valve decides they want to sell a pre-made PC to PC gamers who.. I guess don't like to upgrade their PCs? Like.. those 5 people who don't want a "console" for that purpose?

[BrianC6234]

Power so far hasn't mattered that much. The Xbox was more powerful than the PS2 and the PS2 won. The PS3 is more powerful than the 360 but that hasn't helped since third party developers wouldn't take full advantage of the PS3. Hopefully in the next generation they won't hold back on PS4 games to make Microsoft happy if the new Xbox is weaker than the PS4.

[maelstromb]

I love how Sony is just *deciding* who their competition will be, and not accepting the actual reality; another arrogant and presumptuous move on the part of Sony, which unfortunately seems to rear its ugly mug most at the beginning of every new console generation. Perhaps Sony didn't learn from their past mistakes--again?

[susanto1228]

I see some people still discounting Steam it's probably the ones who have not used it but when you are able to buy mass effect for 5 dollars you will change your mind...and you will always be able to download it no matter what system you have now or in the future.

[sarshelyam]

Now, I'm not a genius when it comes to the mechanics of streaming content, but I see it far less likely that Sony would be competing with Valve, and a more plausible scenario that they could be partnered with Valve in some capacity.

Gabe had spoken to the Steam Box on numerous occasions encompassing a broad spectrum of hardware offerings, from entry level, to high-end standalone hardware. With Xi3's "Piston" representing the high-end, & Valve's own Steam Box as a "mid-range" entry, I could almost envision Valve & Sony's strong relationship placing the PS4 as an entry level Steam Box.

Can anyone explain how my theory is flawed, because it seems to me that everything necessary to facilitate such a venture is in place. It's simply a matter of margin and R&R at this point.

[Legion]

Wow a Sony Fanboy makes yet another Pro-Sony Anti-MS article on a weak website and just to get attention.

To even think MS and Sony won't be going at it in the next generation is ridicules. And knocking MS even though he is going off of rumored specs and then giving the nod to valve which we know even less about?

Trolling article.

[legendof117]

I just want to set some things straight. There is all of this talk that Microsoft has abandoned the "core" gamer. This is simply not true. Not in the least bit. I am a core gamer. Microsoft has not abandoned me. Nor will they. As much as Sony fanboys believe they will, they won't. Microsoft doesn't live in this fantasy land where they have no idea what is going on.

That said, Microsoft isn't in the business of creating small successful things here and there. They build foundations that can and will be expended upon in the future. Look at MS-DOS, that is the foundation of Windows. Windows is still around today, and it's the go to platform for nearly everyone.

You can never count Microsoft out. When Microsoft needs to play they will play, and quite frankly they usually win.

Even the 360-PS3 generation. Microsoft still wins the generation. Even if they don't sell as many Xbox 360's as Sony sells PS3's. The reason is because they sell many many more games per system than Sony. If you were a developer, where would you go?

Honestly, Sony abandoned the core with there shotty online service and poor pricing during the beginning of this generation.

Oh, you can say they started PS+ because of this reason or that.

The truth is they needed to create it because of there security breach to regain customers.

The sad truth is Sony are the ones who need to regain the core. That's why they play Microsoft's game of social and media integration.

Game journalist's and forum goers are a small majority of the core.

You say Microsoft abandoned the core, but numbers tell a different story. 50 million Xbox Live Gold customers. Some casual and some core. Sales are still strong and so is new member growth.

Microsoft will come out with the new Xbox and show everyone why they are setting the standard

[susanto1228]

I dare Sony to overlook MSOFT just like they did last gen and well we know what happened...overlooking what MSOFT is doing or not competing with them is the last thing Sony wants to do unless they want to end up like this time around...this article is dumb.

[PS3n360]

I preferred 360 this gen however I have stopped my live account due to financial reasons. I think Sony is a serious threat to ms next gen. The controller on ps3 was the issue for me but the new controller looks great I can tell it is gonna feel better to me and if online gaming and netflix is still free I will skip Xbox next gen and just keep the 360 offline for my kid and put ps4 in my man room. I will miss gears but that is it. If next Xbox has free online gaming I may pick one up after a few price cuts but only if the games are there.

[Jazz4108]

I love Gold. Has anyone seen the price its trading for on the open market

[SpadeX]

Just imagine all of the console wars rising on YouTube soon...

[Max-Zorin]

I see everyone is jumping to conclusions all of a sudden.

[arbitor365]

this is true. microsoft is going to go full-on casual this gen. im not "fanboy trolling" or anything.

just look at their last 3 E3 conferences. each one is more casual focused, kinect focused, cablebox focused than the last.

i cant imagine microsoft tossing 3 years of marketing aside and going straight for the hardcore gamer.

in all likeliness, the next xbox will be much more casual than the PS4. it will be a "family entertainment center."

[TemplarDante]

This gen I owned a PS3 and 360. Im not buying the next gen xbox as the Windows 8 route and everything Metro UI interface is not for me. Also, this casual gamer focus,I want no part of it.
In Microsofts effort to get money out of the casuals, they are literally trying to stab the hardcore market in the heart.

[CEOSteveBallmer]

Guys, would you go for a steambox instead of a fully customized PC of your own if your a PC gamer or a PS4 if your a console gamer?? thats the question we should all ask don't you agree? or I wouldn't replace my xbox for a new platform which doesn't have any experience in making hardware? I don't know what valve is thinking, they thought they could just take the gaming market, Hell Apple released their own console the pippin and it flopped. and this is coming from a hardware maker not a software maker like valve. Valve is a great software maker but entering into consoles?? I don't know. and last reason, why would I choose a console whose almost all games can be played on PC, PS4 and Xbox 720? ask most gamers and they don't even know the company valve, its true there a still a lot of people who doesn't give a damn about the name of the company, just the games so valve will ha a hard time. what do you think guys??

[Saryk]

You do understand Valve isn't makin shit. They just state the minimum specs should be X for a machine. They slap their seal of approval and bam, Steambox. You can start making Steamboxes yourself!

[ThichQuangDuck]

Microsoft has a chance but has to
1. Bring some solid First party titles
2. Show off 3rd party titles with exclusive content or something special with use of kincet 2 or illumiroom
3. Illumiroom needs to look better than the video
4. Kincet 2.0 is used meaningfully and in a fun way
5. USE RARE
6. Free online play unless you want all the extra bells and whistles
7. Transfer all purchases from 360 marketplace

[Saryk]

Whats really funny about all of this? Most of you think there will be one supreme platform, lol! The planet could handle 10 different consoles and all of them could be successful!

[josephayal]

VALVE? what is valve? I Never Heard Before

[Tokyo_reject]

*buzzard* EEEEEEH wrong.....try again

[MYSTERIO360]

Sony is competting with all comers

[2pacalypsenow]

People that want to use steambox(steam) already have a PC and people that want to play PS3 will get a Ps3 I don't get why people are saying Steam will compete with consoles with steambox? its already competing with the PC...

[runqvist]

I agree. Steambox will not be a huge seller and ps4 is likely to be competing neck and neck with it.

[fingazblank]

Seriously this article, no one knows what ms aim is, its all blooming speculation, all of them want that space under the tv, sony do with the apps and what not, steam with the big picture and what not and ms with there system no one has a clue about, just speculation.

The 360 is a hardcore gamers dream, its at the very base of its function, if it wasnt for the hardcore gamer we wouldnt have seen the rise of ms in the console world.

They know this, they will deliver a solid platform, for gamers hardcore to casual the exact same demographic as it always empowered and has been the console of choice since its early days of designing the DirectXbox.

My bet is, satisfy the core crowd add some good multi media functions, enhance live services beyond the imagination that really blow us away. It seem all 4 consoles will be doing this.

Make no mistake, ms will endure, eat up the competition and spit out the left overs for valve and sony to fight over, they have huge resources, more than any other company making comsoles at this time, they have great relationships with 3rd parties, please dont write off ms.

I wont, and if the spec is pants and all this rumours are to be true, and they are competing with the wiiU then ill buy a ps4 and shut my mouth.

[MuhammadJA]

Unless you do prices as good as Steam, you'll never beat them.

[TheKayle]

i think that the person who wrote this...need to go and study some..

will be funny to see all the ppl eat their shitty words..when durango will be unveiled....

very very funny

[Liamabob]

Is it only me that thinks the Steam Box won't catch on as much as people are making out it will? Sure, Valve/Steam are synonymous with PC Gaming but in terms of Consumer electronics, who will see it on the shelf and think "Oh yeah, Valve; That renowned electronics company."? The tech behind it will likely be solid, but I can't honestly see it gaining traction in the market.

[tigertron]

I pray that Microsoft doesn't focus on Kinect. I just want a normal conventional controller to play games with. I don't mind if it's optional, but I don't want it shoved in my face.

I experienced Kinect for the first time last night, my friends and I were dancing around to Dance Central with some beers, and it was a laugh, but that is the only time I want to use Kinect.

[TheHergulaX]

*Views the title* *Laughs*