610°

5 Things Microsoft Can Do At Their Xbox Event To Beat Sony To The Punch

Vincent Deshaies of Gamefocus gives us his analysis of what Microsoft should do with their Xbox 720 reveal in order to beat Sony to the punch.

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gamefocus.ca
unworthy154088d ago

I agree with all of these things for once

BananaEatingSquid4088d ago

I don't think they'll focus on games like it says but I want them to!

unworthy154088d ago

I heard they have 4 new IPs and there's that black tusk studio working on something, maybe they'll surprise everyone with no kinect stuff??

Vinc3604088d ago

I'm sure there's going to be a lot of Kinect and multimedia stuff to please investors, but I don't think it'll be quite as casual-oriented as their past few E3 conferences were for the simple reason that early adopters are usually "core" gamers!

Blacktric4088d ago

So what they have to do to "beat Sony down to the punch" is to do exactly what Sony did only on a tiny teeny little bit bigger scale?

These bloggers are so cute with all their not so thought out and already moot points.

Red_Orange_Juice4088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

my wishlist for Microsoft as a PS gamer:

Yes to Halo
Yes to Alan Wake 2
Yes to new FIRST PARTY games (not on PC)

No to moneyhatting 3rd party devs
No to Kinect
No to Fable
No to Gears

sGIBMBR4088d ago

@Red_Orange_Juice

As a 360/PS3 gamer, I agree to all your choices... Maybe a new PGR game too?

MikeMyers4088d ago

1. Have Xbox Live become the leader in the industry. Show why people should gravitate to their service again.

2. Have a free option to playing online.

3. Get back to showing games the hardcore crowd wants.

4. Come out strong with new IP's.

5. Prove Kinect 2 actually works and not just under ideal conditions and scripted, if they are rumored to come out with one again.

6. Explain how powerful it truly is and don;t shy away from being future proof.

7. Work with developers and have them explain why they want to work on the new hardware.

ABizzel14088d ago

1. Be more clear about the features

I completely agree. Based on the rumors (which were spot on with the PS4 besides 8GB of GDDR5 instead of 4GB), the Nextbox is going to be the weaker console, so they need to focus more so on what they believe makes their console the better choice, Services. And they need hit every detail regarding them.

2. Focus on announcing games

MS doesn't have the first Party that Sony or Nintendo has, so they'll always be behind in IP's until they build up their home stable. I expect a similar amount of games to be shown, Halo ODST 2, Project Gotham Racing 5, Rare New IP / Reboot Franchise, Kinect 2.0 tech demos, and third party games. And well see better demos of the same stuff come E3.

3. Show the console

That's fine. I'd rather know the specs., but being able to see it is good as well.

4. Reveal all the details on Xbox Live 3.0

Guaranteed. I feel XBL GOld will be free, and we'll have a new paid service XBL Platinum, with many cloud gaming, DVR, gaming recording, and media features.

5. Tell us about how powerful the system is

As I said earlier, they're not going to spend too much time here if they're aren't going to have a system as powerful as the PS4. They'll highlight what makes it next-gen, and list things like CPU, RAM and type, but they won't get into details on the GPU.

This was the best one of these I've seen thus far.

On a side note one thing people seem to be forgetting about these conferences is that they're not E3 conferences. These are not for gamers. They're for publishers, developers, and investors, so when they're showing tech demos, data, and other things many of the established game journalist sites like IGN are complaining about, just shut up and realize this isn't meant for you. You're just invited to spread the news, not review the console and it's games. These are basically pre-GDC events, with more technical news given out on GDC. E3 is for gamers, not these conferences. It's just a sneak peek of what's coming.

WarThunder4087d ago (Edited 4087d ago )

1- Be more clear about the features, what?

Like Sony wasn't any clear.....

3- Show the console

LOL this is becoming a trend now... Stupidity of gaming website is beyond anything...

guitarded774087d ago (Edited 4087d ago )

I hope MS impress as much as Sony did... BUT, I hate the company A "beat" company B. I like both... hell, I like all, and while some offer more or better options for me, I don't think of it as one "beat" the other. It's just lame.

What MS can do to impress me is come out, and show the tech with hardware specs out in the open. They must also show the games, exclusives have to be key to the presentation, and come out and show a couple 3rd party big guns. EA was absent from the PS4 reveal, so it would be nice to see them at the XBOX reveal showing Battlefield 4. They could also show something like Star Wars 1313.

I don't really care about Kinect as a gaming device, but I will be interested to see what MS's plans are for Kinect in relation to apps and social features, and as an input device in general.

I'd also like to see online gaming go free, and if they still want a paid model, make it something unique. I'll also be interested to see if they change their controller too, since that's kinda been a theme with the Wii U and PS4.

EDIT: I commented before reading the article (typical n4g user), and I guess my wants are about the same as the authors.

mistertwoturbo4087d ago

They are going to reveal Kinect 2.0, megaton news like Destiny is coming to the 720, and Diablo III will now come to consoles!

Nafon4087d ago

@Red_Orange_Juice
I agree with everything except add:
Yes to Forza Motorsport.

knowyourstuff4087d ago

All those things were childish quite frankly. You can't expect everything to be finalized one year in advance, including the specifics on features, the final packaging of the system and how it will look, final specs and total cost. Development just doesn't work that way. With a year to go all you have is a vision, the nitty gritty details aren't finalized until much later, that's just how manufacturing something of this magnitude works.

Showing every single game is just blowing your load all at once with nothing to get excited about after that. What happens when you do that is one or two games that are a highly anticipated sequels will soak up all the attention and overshadow everything else, so there's no point in showing everything all at once. The industry knows this, which is why you've never seen it happen.

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 4087d ago
-Superman-4088d ago

As they start showing Kinect 2 and those games... it will fail.

Muffins12234088d ago

Yea i cant wait for my
Dance Central:Justin Bieber Edition

PFFT4088d ago

EXACTLY!!!!!!! If its KINECT supported that fine BUT if its all Kinect FCK THAT!

WarThunder4087d ago (Edited 4087d ago )

Showing Kinect 2 will not be a fail for MS... MS does not care about their fan base (just like Apple) they are the ones who decide what to bring to the market. MS saw the success of their first Kinect, now they want to improve it "Kinect 2.0" make it better and sell more Kinect devices.

This is the truth like it or not...

GezForce4087d ago

i disagree..... i got my poncho ironed and ready to go. A kinect centric nextxbox is going to dominate the masses. i got a spare one with green poka dots if you like?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4087d ago
user39158004088d ago

5 things they need to steal the show?

1) Show the freaking console and spec

2) Bring back the core gamers, start with KILLER INSTINCT 3 and another 4 first party game no ones knows.

3) BC, optional download and hardcopy and give us multiple scoring for users from the same console

4) Illumiroom, skype, and multiple tv play from same console

5) Give us multiple MMOS from online play even if we have to pay for it.

6) fill in the blank ------------------. And last but not least cockroaches = sony trolls.

HammadTheBeast4088d ago

5 things they need to steal the show?

1) Show the freaking console and spec

Specs already confirmed to be less than PS4, unless they drastically changed console which would result in a delay.

2) Bring back the core gamers, start with KILLER INSTINCT 3 and another 4 first party game no ones knows.

Never happening, casuals with Kinect make too much money. Enjoy Dance Central.

3) BC, optional download and hardcopy and give us multiple scoring for users from the same console

PS4 will do this too, hell even Wii U does this.

4) Illumiroom, skype, and multiple tv play from same console

Illumiroom is a gimmick will not work with most living rooms as they are not perfectly empty square cubicles. Skype, congrats, just $50 a year for something everyone gets free. Multiple TV play?

5) Give us multiple MMOS from online play even if we have to pay for it.

PS3 already has quite a few.

6) fill in the blank ------------------. And last but not least cockroaches = xbox trolls.

Fixed

PFFT4088d ago

HammadTheOne

"Specs already confirmed to be less than PS4, unless they drastically changed console which would result in a delay."

You mean Rumored not CONFIRMED. Or do you work for the industry and now something we dont.....??
Cause last i checked all these so called Xbox Specs have been nothing but that RUMORS.

DigitalSmoke4087d ago

illumiroom... You casuals are so easily fooled, its sad realy

morkendo234088d ago

ONLY!!! way for MS to beat Sony to the punch is to launch the 720 march 3rd next month.
since we all know thats not happening no sweat.

andibandit4087d ago

No, the only way for MS to beat Sony, is for Sony to shoot themselves in the foot again.

slaton244088d ago

i did to except the one about the console...reason sony didnt show theirs is because think of the hype at E3 and wouldnt wont the competition to get ideas to steal and make their own

AngelicIceDiamond4087d ago (Edited 4087d ago )

If MS wants to really sell well out of the gate. They need to announce free basic MP out of the box along with Netflix and Hulu and other apps free also. Lets be honest, 360 locked its customers out by the gold subscription.

If they unlocked it, free MP for everybody then that's instant sales.

While keeping future offerings under the paid subscription stuff like free games, cloud service, social services under the paid model.

I have confidence in MS. If there's one thing to go by, MS this gen has had a great track record on delivering on what they announce.

lilbrat234087d ago

They should focus on everything mention but I don't think they will. I for one want to see NEW games no remakes or continuations of another game. They better bring it and also I hope they get rid of the online subscription.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4087d ago
HammadTheBeast4088d ago

Would require a pretty large delay, about 4-6 months at least.

DOMination-4087d ago

Sony didn't require such a delay and they changed it days before their conference. Even their first party didn't know anything about it.

Vinc3604088d ago

If there is a graphical gap, hopefully they'll try to minimize its impact by showing games with great art and design

delboy4088d ago

Like ddr3 on wiiu producing better visuals, NFS, Trine2... more to come.
Don't forget next xbox comes with fast edram and sosophisticated data moving engine and a 33% waker gpu won't make a big difference at all.
And there's still time to change the rumored specs, those are over 10 months old floating the net.
MS is a software company, so I expect a much much better OS on box,overall better user interface and better features than a share button.

And in the end, MS will kill Sony with price, maybe even with a subscription model like for mobile phones.
MS can afford to sell with a loss unlike Sony.
Btw rumors on GAF are that the Ps4 costs 400-450$ to produce, so good luck for those expecting a 399$ ps4.

DarkZane4088d ago

Considering Sony usually sell their hardwares at a lost on release, it not being 399$ (and maybe even lower) would be a surprise.

Raider694088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

WELL UBISOFT CEO told that they hold back BG2 game development because they saw the price tag that one of the consoles is been released an is too high!WE dont know what console he was talking about,but im also almost sure that the PS4 will go with atleast $500 to $550 bundle with some game.Im picking it because i can even at this price but the majority will wait for a price drop if any of the consoles comes this high.

DigitalSmoke4087d ago

Price?

Gamers can't wait to spend serious cash on à cutting edge console.
All these soft priced low tech things are for childeren...

nirwanda4088d ago

It depends on how the compression chips if its moving stuff around at even 2x the compression your getting double the speed and double the memory,
And on top of that you have the move engines that make it easy for the cpu/gpu to share data and allocate registers for the data.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4087d ago
Vinc3604088d ago

At the end of the day, I just hope we get another great platform to play games on. I'm already sold on PS4 and will be getting one at launch. I'll be pleased if both the PS4 and 720 grab my attention.

BananaEatingSquid4088d ago

That'd be best for all gamers!!!

shivvy244088d ago

im already getting a ps4 but if ms goes hardcore gamer first + hardcore exclusives then ill get both

greenpowerz4088d ago

"I'm not the type to go looking for trouble or discriminate against any platform :P"

I find that funny snese you're trying your hardest to paint the 720 in a way that is pro Sony with nothing more than PS3 fanboy talking points.

What you say in a nutshell:

-PlayStation 4 is more powerful no matter what because I say so and I know more about what MSFT can do than MSFT does. The need for Sony to win anything and everything is because this fills the void of something missing in my life.

-360/720 has no games because saying that makes me feel beter about my PlayStation purchase/preference/loyality Plus I hate Kinect for being something that has made MSFT a force to be recond with.

DigitalRaptor4087d ago

@ greenpowerz

You are mad delusional! Who said what you're quoting?

insomnium24087d ago

My god why did someone let green out of his cage. Bad boy!

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4087d ago
THC CELL4088d ago

I'm glad Sony only teased us at the last event and after Xbox big show off the bigger guns come out from Sony. We yet to see nd new.game and many others

Jobesy4088d ago

Too much THC not enough CELLS methinks...

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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.

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twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest5d ago

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

GamerRN4d ago

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

Number1TailzFan4d 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.

1Victor3d ago

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

Kosic3d ago

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

darthv723d ago

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

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts3d 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.

KicksnSnares5d ago

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

darthv724d 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.

mudakoshaka4d 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.

PassNextquestion4d 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.

TiredGamer4d 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?

rlow14d ago (Edited 4d 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.

Traecy4d ago (Edited 4d 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.

TiredGamer4d 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
bionicstar4d ago

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

PhillyDonJawn4d ago

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

RaidenBlack4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

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

Sonic18814d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast4d ago

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

4d ago
Lightning774d ago

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

Make smarter comments for once.

anast4d ago (Edited 4d 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.

InUrFoxHole3d ago

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

4d ago
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4d ago Replies(1)
Lightning774d ago (Edited 4d 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.

4d ago
anast4d ago (Edited 4d 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.

Lightning774d 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.

anast4d ago

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

Lightning774d ago

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

Again make smart comments for once.

anast4d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
darthv724d ago

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

jimb0j0nes4d 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
darthv729d 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.

solideagle9d ago

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

Sonic18819d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio9d 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:

Lightning778d ago

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

Cacabunga9d 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.

darthv728d 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.

neutralgamer19928d 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

shinoff21839d 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.

Cacabunga9d 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

itsmebryan8d 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

S2Killinit8d 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.

romulus238d ago

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

darthv728d 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.

TheEroica8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

Chevalier8d 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/...

itsmebryan8d ago

@chevalier

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

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 8d ago
purple1019d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos9d ago

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

DOMination-8d 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.

XBManiac9d ago

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

SimpleDad9d ago (Edited 9d 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.

purple1019d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos9d ago (Edited 9d 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

Kornholic9d ago

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

MrDead8d 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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