OnlySP: As the sun sets on the current generation of consoles, gamers have taken up residence on the edge of their seats, awaiting every tidbit of information and whisper of a rumor. Sony’s recent announcement of the PlayStation 4 might as well have dumped a few gallons of gasoline on the growing inferno of anticipation. Detailed specs for both Sony and Microsoft’s next consoles have been analyzed and compared ad nauseam. In spite of all the attention paid to this proverbial tech-phallus wagging, the horsepower fueling the next generation of consoles will have very little impact over which industry powerhouse will see the most success. The reality is that games are the primary motivating factor behind hardware sales and each company’s next-gen strategy, as it relates to software, will be vital.
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.
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.
Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.
"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.
As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people
Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much
Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region
Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.
I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games
Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo
The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.
Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"
Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”
Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever
Nice one ☝️
This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.
No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.
Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.
Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?
Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.
Exclusives and core would be nice but if it was like the latter half of this gen it will be moneyhatting and casuals =\
MS will offer core exclusives since they have to please the first crowd of supporters dropping $400-500 on the machine..
Core gaming has never been an issue there has been enough exclusives. Sure not tons of shovelware to fluff up lists.
Games I think MS will show at the show:
First Party-
Black Tusk's new game
Lionhead's MMO
PGR 5
And 2 other new IPs from various studios
Third Party-
Next COD
Epic Game's Fortnite
Bethesda's Fallout 4
CD Projekt's Witcher 3
And some exclusive content deal
Great article. I love a good competition, and I would love to see Microsoft rival Sony in exclusive content next-gen. My 360 is primarily used for playing games with my friends now, and the funny thing is we still play a lot of the exclusives from the early days of the 360. PGR3, The Outfit etc.