670°

Developer on Xbox 720 always-online: "All I can say is be sure to pay your ISP bills"

GC: "Xbox 720 rumours are flying thick and fast, and it seems the always-online rumour is getting more credibility."

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Godmars2904029d ago

This is quickly turning into MS's, "You have to work more to buy a PS3" comment. They have to be trolling at this point. Either themselves or their fan base.

Then again, its not like gamer community has ever really stood by its online protests.

sengoku4029d ago

this is going to cost M$ customers for sure..

sithsylar4029d ago

Not sure if it will cost them. 3rd parties love the whole anti piracy bullshit move. What if microsoft gets more support from them because of this move which in turns gets people to buy the console because its where the games are.... All i want is for them not to be rewarded for this shit move if true.

Skips4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

^^^

And ignore the MASSIVE install base the PS4 is sure going to get (even helped more so from this VERY inconvenience to consumers)???

Unlikely...

Dee_914029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

Kaz's response
http://i.imgur.com/rixjoS6....
WIN!

after this backlash if MS dont change or alter this, they are done.I mean a delay to the release is well worth not having this .... "feature"

Dee_914029d ago

^^ thats not actually kaz btw

nix4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

it may not be Kaz but that was funny.

EDIT:

this is funny too... http://www.quickmeme.com/me...

Bathyj4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

Damn funny but

Edit
Dammit nix, I was saying that.

NewMonday4029d ago

guess it's true then, only thing left is for Ballmer to dance around in a big stage yelling "always-online".

stupid and crazy, someone needs to tell MS core gamers are a tough crowd, just ask SEGA, Nintendo and Sony.

oh well, many will be saving 400-500$+ years of Live subscriptions.

BitbyDeath4029d ago

Saw this on GAF brilliant.

vet_medic4029d ago

Whoever is behind that fake Kaz twitter is one brilliant individual.

ps3_pwns4028d ago

@sithslyar the ps4 will have all the games and then some with better quality and better everything. at this point the only actual related game thing ms has is halo which is the only thing. one game which is no longer good should not make you pick a system thats trying to make you a slave to the system especially when the alternative is far better in ever single way. let go of your crap achievements everyone will be gaming on the ps4.

why are people fighting the ps4 and still trying to protect ms? do you work for them because as a gamer at this point it doesnt make any logical sense. id like somone who wants the next xbox to tell me why so i can show you why everything you say will be on the ps4 and better except for halo thats not even being made by bungie anymore.

Army_of_Darkness4028d ago

Apple drove Microsoft mad I tell ya.... who else is expecting an iBox 720??

nosferatuzodd4028d ago

like i said i told you so just doesn't cut it anymore I TOLD YOU SO lol
what if everything we heard has rumors and hear say is true damn

DatNJDom814028d ago

I hope you xbox guys learn ur lesson. This is what you get for supporting their sleezy ways. No surprise here all.

Pixel_Enemy4028d ago

EVERYONE remembers when PSN was down for an insane amount of time. Stuff like that happens. Internet service providers have service problems and so do the consoles with their services. Xbox Live went down for a week during christmas one year.

What everyone is seeming to forget is that while PSN and LIVE and your ISP are down, you could still play single player games on both consoles. MS is going to make it so you can't even do that next gen. It is pretty sad and unfortunate.

badz1494028d ago

So I guess if the rumors are indeed true, they must be thinking like "why not go a bit further this time around?"

Just think about it. There are xbox gamers still defending their "pay-to-play online" policy with just "xgame chat is worth the $60 a year fee!" Sony has proven that online can be offered for free and the Vita can do xgame chat with ease over a FREE network!

So...I can see that this is something that MS would do, knowing that they are dominating the US market and what can't ads do to help sell their next console to those unknowing masses? After all, they spent millions upon millions on ads every year. Remember the $500m budget for Kinect's ads. And then remember the XBL commercial with the LBP song? They lied in the face with that ad and THAT is definitely how they will market their nextbox.

JohnnyBadfinger4028d ago (Edited 4028d ago )

Bullshit! What is with the PS community? How fucking dare any of you try and dictate which console anyone buys. I'm buying the next Xbox now solely out of spite of ps fanboys.

And as far as I'm concerned the next Xbox is still a good year and a half away. But I bet you there will be multiple levels to the Xbox live service. Gaming will most likely be the lowest level but will still be pay to play. I have never used my 360 for anything else other than games and watching tv and movies off the computer. This will not change wheb the next box comes out. Plus 90% of the apps and partnerships the Xbox live services have aren't supported in Australia. So the drm is pointless. Apart from foxtel cable tv, which if I did have is unmetered usage through my ISP.

+ Show (13) more repliesLast reply 4028d ago
SOD_Delta4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

Microsoft should call the 720 "Zune Box", because If this rumor is true I believe it will turn out disastrous.

hesido4029d ago

The difference between the arrogant "You have to work more" comment and "Why would you live in a place without reliable internet anyway" comment is that, the former is simply arrogant and nothing else, but the second tells up how the platform is intended to work and affect the platform through-out its life cycle.

Zechs344029d ago

Adam Orth?!? Is that you?

Saigon4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

@hesido,

Do you hear yourself? Seriously the the comment about why would you live in an unreliable internet connection area is more arrogant. Mainly because some individuals can't help where they live. Its not there fault basic cable can't get to them. People own farms and such would have this issue because of that. This also affects individuals that live on hills where the only connection is satellite based. The comment about working more is not arrogant at all; why you might ask, because if it was a new phone, or new speakers, or TV, or such; most people would work a little extra to get what they want. Its harder to move than to work a little extra.

hesido4029d ago

The disagreers did not get it: (I don't think anybody got it)

"You have to work more" is arrogant, and bad, but it does not affect anybody's experience of the console.

"You have to live somewhere else" is indeed MORE arrogant, and for places with problematic internet access, it signals that people will have hampered experiences throughout the life-cycle of the console, and it is WORSE.

hesido4029d ago

I'm expecting too much from people to read between the line.

Saigon4028d ago

seriously, it didn't sound like sarcasm...and if that was the case I take back what I said...

T24028d ago

The comments were obvious trolling if this guy was really a ms employee maybe he was disgruntled ... But going all elitist about where people live is beyond stupid ... Society needs farms, rural development, etc ...WE cant all live in the city ... What are we all gonna eat mcdonalds ? Lol

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4028d ago
AngelicIceDiamond4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

No not really? I'm sure the internet bill will be the same. I dunno why or how it would go up. I use my internet heavily and no surge in the bill.

But the rumor is stupid nonetheless and its even stupider MS is defending this.

I think its time for MS to come clean, and enough BS'in.

EDIT: Ok wait a minute this technically coming from MS. I hope they are trolling or playing mind games, Because its getting dumb.

DragonKnight4028d ago

It isn't about your bill going up, it's about you paying your bill so you have internet period. Meaning if you don't have internet, you can't use the Nextbox.

JeffGUNZ4028d ago

@ DragonKnight, how do you know you can't play it off line? That makes no sense. I'm sure the system will be designed for internet connection, meaning better features, better smoothness, etc. We still haven't seen anything saying you can't play offline.

Sideras4028d ago

@ JeffGUNZ, that's true but if that was the case why not just defend the "feature" by saying it won't require it instead of being a smart ass?

Zha1tan4029d ago

Millions of morons will be lining the streets to buy this piece of crap anyway so online protests will be a vocal minority and gamers are to good at arguing amongst each other to come together and protest crap like this.

Cupid_Viper_34029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

"are to good at arguing amongst each other to come together and protest crap like this."

Hey man, gamers on the PS3 have, for 6+ years now, been telling the Xbox 360 gamers to stop paying for stuff that is free EVERYWHERE else.

So in my eyes, they've made their beds and now it's time to sleep in it. Or get a PS4.

They've defended every single thing Xbox 360 related. From RROD, to Disc Scratching, to Overpriced hard drives and Wifi Adapters, $500 millions for Kinect advertising, lack of exclusives, $50 million for GTA timed exclusives DLCs. I mean, the list goes on and on....

So what better ways could MS possibly thank them, than by doing this?

Kinect was the ultimate proof that MS needed to show them once and for all that they can sell "sh!t on a stick" to millions as long as they advertise it. Kinect's budget was $500 millions, Expect the Xbox 720's budget to be close to 4 times that at a cool 2 billion.

Hercules1894028d ago

So the people who've got the money to afford both are morons. Be a gamer, not a hater, plus we need to invest more money in american products anyway. And the Ps2 was just as faulty as the 360 but that didnt stop people from buying it over the original xbox.

T24028d ago

@ cupidviper - you make some good points ... I bought my 360 used so I never thought about all the extras but the noise of it, no wifi and xbl bills still pissed me off ... That and they do not let you remove your own credit card online... Fn bs

nosferatuzodd4028d ago (Edited 4028d ago )

Zha1tan
Zodd the immortal like that well f#cking said man i add some bubbles for that one

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4028d ago
GribbleGrunger4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

Microsoft MUST respond to this and quickly. Even if it turns out to be untrue, there will be millions of gamers out there that still think it IS true. With no reply from MS thus far, we can only assume there's some truth to it though ... I wonder if it's too late to change their policy? I'd imagine MS have managed to strike some pretty sweet exclusive deals with devs because of this (if it's true of course)

Gazondaily4029d ago

MS conducted a survey recently and the results were a resounding NO about this always on malarkey. If MS do go ahead with it, then it really does speak volumes about Microsoft as a company.

But you're right; a response needs to be forthcoming very soon.

MikeMyers4029d ago

Why would the same people who read these rumors not read the hard facts when it does come eventually? There will be plenty of time to get the truth out before people make their purchases.

JANF4028d ago

@MikeMyers

Boy your are making too much sense. Oh, i forgot "sense" is not a word in the N4G dictionary.

:)

GribbleGrunger4028d ago (Edited 4028d ago )

@Mikemyers:

Because everyone will have heard this news now, even those that don't come on sites like this very often and those that have friends who will tell them. Once it's out there it's almost impossible to take it back. People will still believe it even if it's not true. Then you'll have people who will preorder a PS4 based on this between now and when it's finally admitted or retracted. Not ALL of those people will cancel that preorder.

This needs an official response from MS because if they don't it gets more and more likely it's true. And even if MS don't go this route, people will assume it's because of the stink this is creating ... which of course will lead them to believe that MS may reintroduce it at a later date.

MikeMyers4028d ago

I understand what you're saying Gribble and there is probably some truth to that but likely on a very minor scale. Those who are already per-ordering the PS4 were likely to do it anyways regardless of these rumors.

Microsoft wont comment because they don't want to even announce its existence yet. Everything seems to be in secrecy. So if they say its not true then that admits there's a new Xbox. We all know its coming but Microsoft no doubt wants to make a big splash when they do announce it. Likely not until E3. This isn't helping matters, you're right, but it the end if its not true then it's likely not to matter.

This E3 will also have mainstream media and known TV coverage. So anyone who still believes these rumours if they end up not being true after that will have to live with whatever they pre-ordered without knowing the facts. We don't even know all the detas yet on the PS4, and more importantly the price.

It's amazing how frantic the forums get over anything.

GribbleGrunger4028d ago (Edited 4028d ago )

It's gone viral now though. I can't totally disagree with you on some of those points of course, but I do believe just a simple statement from MS could stymie any serious fallout from this. Here are some of the sites that have now covered this story:

Amaebi.net
3DJuegos
CNET
CNET AU
CNET UK
CVG
Destructoid
Develop-on
Digital Spy
Eurogamer
Eurogamer Portugal
Eurogamer Sweden
Game Informer
Game Revolution
Gameplanet
GameReactor Sweden
Gematsu
Huffington Post
IGNth It'
Inside-Games.jp
Jeux Video
Joystiq
JVN
Kotaku
Mashablere
Meristation
Metro UK
MTV UK
Official XBOX Magazine
Penny Arcade
Power Unlimited
Shack News
Technobuffalo
TechRadar
The Escapist
The Verge
TheSixthAxis
Vandal
vg247

GraySnake4028d ago

@ Gribble

Not to mention memes are starting to be made from the situation.

MikeMyers4028d ago

What MS could say is they have no interest in creating a game console that must require an online connection at all times without mentioning the next Xbox.

I'm starting to think they will have some sort of validation code or the game disc having a handshake so to speak with the hardware. We all know the Xbox 360 was pirated and we also seen the rise in online codes to try and curb used games sales now. The worst case scenario for me is that MS comes out and says it needs to be online at all times and will not be offering a free way of playing multiplayer. That would be an instant no buy from me.

But again I' not going to jump to conclusions and write if off until I know for sure. If people want to believe everything off the net that's fine.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4028d ago
RyuCloudStrife4029d ago

Yes M$, bring the Xbox into extinction HURRY!!!

Syntax-Error4028d ago

If any of this is true, say goodbye to my Gold Membership. PSN+ will get my money!!!

otherZinc4028d ago

Again, M$ has announced nothing, period.

brave27heart4028d ago

Thats kind of the problem.

A simple "We are not considering implementing always online for future hardware designs at this time" would minimise the damage.

Now its too late. The big issue is that if they are going down this route releasing that information on their terms in their own way could have lessened the impact. Instead we hear it from the mouth of an arrogant obnoxious toss pot and thats how people are taking it.

If MS make no comment before the end of the weekend its going to cost them millions in lost sales. They need to do some serious damage control right now.

negative4028d ago ShowReplies(1)
CoryHG4028d ago

@sithsylar

It's called the crash of the gaming industry.

imdaboss14028d ago

you dont need 2 jobs to afford the xbox720 you to move to another dam state for great internet access.

Nilemonitors134028d ago

All I know is that if this is true, and people still buy the new xbox, it'll prove that people will let anything or anyone stomp all over them, let us Ps fans enjoy our console, and let xbox people "enjoy theirs" there's only so much we can do to warn them to avoid M$ dirty business practises, in time they will realise their mistake, stubbornness cannot be cured. Let's only care for our future as gamers and support our company.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 4028d ago
a_bro4029d ago

Something tells me that the reason why Microsoft isn't talking about the 720 this early in the year is because of this crap. They know this is going to cause controversy

Godmars2904029d ago

Which has now officially - whether they say so or not - exploded because of this.

Ezz20134029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

really ?!
then what the hell is happening right now ?!!

majiebeast4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

1 big PR nightmare for MS. Also they cant fire the guy cause it will only fuel more rumors.

I think he has learned not to tweet about his job in such a manner even if its against a friend.

The internet where your stupidity is recorded forever.

http://www.quickmeme.com/me...

clintos594029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

It always ran in my mind why microsoft never ended these rumours because they are always quick to debunk rumours & are always 1st to it when it comes to sales but these rumours have been floating around for quite some time now. Also the guy who got arrested for durango info is more proof alot of these rumours maybe true & is why microsoft is so quiet.

Software_Lover4029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

They are not quick to debunk. They usually say we do not comment about rumors or speculation. That is usually their response.

No FanS Land4029d ago

Sony is the one famous for this type of response.

Ms tries to spin most of the time, but it is still true that MS is NOT saying anything, shying away from something.

clintos594029d ago (Edited 4029d ago )

Yet they havent even said anything which leads me to believe these rumours are true.

Software_Lover4029d ago

Well there goes his future, since they found him out. It would be funny as hell if they are just feeding the trolls. But it would be sad if they weren't

Show all comments (168)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple1012d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref1d 21h ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde1d 20h ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19721d 18h ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville1d 18h ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21831d 10h ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos1d 9h ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 9h ago
isarai2d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref1d 21h ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan1d 21h ago

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

mkis0071d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

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

Einhander19722d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

2d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19722d ago

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

2d ago
2d ago
Zeref1d 21h ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde1d 20h ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19721d 19h ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19721d 19h ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref1d 17h ago (Edited 1d 17h ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier1d 16h ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto1d 18h ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21831d 10h ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto1d 7h ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 7h ago
Hofstaderman1d 22h ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts1d 18h ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts20h ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 4h ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
370°

Could Xbox Soon Become The Next Dreamcast?

Microsoft's future in the video game space is murky right now, so let's break it all down.

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
ApocalypseShadow14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Not anytime soon. But they're on that path.

One thing not mentioned in the article is Microsoft's money bags. If Sega had Microsoft's money, they would have still been around as a hardware manufacturer. Xbox as a platform only survives because of the money bags. They can continue making consoles for the core and port to PC.

The multiplatform strategy is only the result of arrogance and misguided leadership that blew up in their face. They thought gamers would jump on Xbox in droves if they knew that many of their favorite games would be only on Xbox. But that's not happening at all. Sales didn't increase. They decreased. Why? Because the dumb asses thought giving away these expensively made games in a cheap service would also turn the tide.

Gamers on other platforms are willing to buy quality. They don't need to be handed nearly free games in a service that aren't even finished and sometimes average in their development. Gamers buy Nintendo games. They buy Sony games. Microsoft groomed their base to not buy games. Even the quality ones. It has always been their plan to go digital. But most gamers still like single player gaming. Still like physical releases.

Microsoft's problem has always been that they don't produce high quality games at the same output as Nintendo and Sony. Actually, they should be producing quite a lot more because they're worth over 2 TRILLION. How they don't have more is ridiculous and no excuse. Buying publishers to take away from competition only backfired. Because it still takes millions of dollars to continue to make those games from the publishers they snatched. Their only choice was to crawl back to their competitors to help sustain those developers because Nintendo and Sony platforms were the ones buying games.

Am I sorry for Microsoft? Hell no! They deserved last place for putting in the least effort. They deserved the fallout for buying up the industry and didn't make a single blip on the radar against their competitors where they now need those same gamers they took away games from to support them. Part of it may have been to cash in on their competition. But the result is the slow death of their platform. They may go 3rd party. They may keep making hardware. I don't give a shit about them to worry about it. I only give a shit about the destructive nature of their industry moves that only negatively affect gamers. They could sell and drop out of the industry and I wouldn't blink. Probably laugh. But not blink. They deserve whatever comes to them. At least Sega put in the effort when it came to games. They just had poor leadership. Microsoft has poor leadership and barely makes memorable games. That's a killer combination. And not in a good way.

Cacabunga14d ago

That would be an insult to Dreamcast.. it had a crazy line up of legendary critically acclaimed games.

Crows9014d ago

I was thinking the same. Dreamcast had incredible games in such a short amount of time. It was truly exceptional.

darthv7213d ago

...and yet all those great games were not enough to sway people from the looming release of the PS2 at the time. Sony just has that kind of brand loyalty.

Cacabunga13d ago

Darth

I do not agree.. Sony had even better games thanks to an unprecedented 3rd party support..
DC had amazing lineup but 90% were arcade games..

88313d ago

@darth:
And Sony showed off "The Emotion Engine" and their real time demos that made everyone think they would miss out on REAL next gen 128bit magic if they jumped in before PS2s polygon pushing monster (and early lack of anti-aliasing with a healthy heap of shimmer + DVD playback) stepped up. PS2 was a fantastic system though with amazing games.

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blacktiger14d ago

That's not true. Just because Microsoft has the money doesn't mean Microsoft can allow xbox to bleed entire Microsoft money. It doesn't work like they. Also SEC will be watching and investor won't allow it. Lot of reasons why Microsoft can not continue even if they wanted to. SEC regulations is expensive.

fr0sty14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Exactly this... Microsoft is a publicly traded company, mostly owned by their shareholders (Approximately 59.24% of the company's stock is owned by Institutional Investors, 7.73% is owned by Insiders and 33.03% is owned by Public Companies and Individual Investors.). Their shareholders call the shots on the business decisions, and their shareholders want one thing and one thing only, for their stock price to go up. Losses do not make stock prices go up... so if the division continually posts losses on hardware, but shows profits on software and services (which has been the case with Xbox its entire lifespan, for over 20 years now), the shareholders are going to grow impatient and demand they stop making hardware and focus on the only thing that has ever made them money, software and services.

When Microsoft bought Blizzard and Activision for almost 100 billion, I knew that was the nail in the coffin for Xbox as a console... as the shareholders were going to expect a quick return on that investment, and when it didn't materialize, they were going to be out for blood... out to force Xbox to sell those games on as many consoles as possible, "and while you're at it, sell those first party exclusives that aren't selling well on other consoles as well... hell, just stop making consoles and sell games."

If there is another Xbox console generation, it will definitely be the last, but I doubt there even will be one at this point. I think the Xbox division planning on it just in case, but I don't think the project has been greenlit from Microsoft itself. The rumors that they have not yet even secured the chips needed from the chip fabrication facilities ties into this.

shinoff218314d ago

While I usually agree with you . Alot of what was said can just also be asked before any of that.

How long will the shareholders wait? It doesn't appear long at all

Babadook713d ago

I think I get your point. Like just because MS has money does not mean they are content to throw it away on a dying ecosystem. Xbox has to be profitable or “what’s the point?”

ifinitygamer13d ago

Money bags, yes, but are we ignoring that Xbox actually makes a profit on games and GamePass? Hardware is often a loss leader, and they're probably making profit 4 years into the life cycle, but games and services revenue have been very profitable while other parts of Microsoft's business is struggling. Say what you will about the quality of those games, of course, but this is kind of a reverse Dreamcast situation, where the console was dragging down the company and put it at risk of shuttering entirely. Killing that console saved the business and allowed it to continue to make games on multiple platforms. In this case, the service is very profitable, as are the games, and they're also double-dipping into Multiplatform to extend this further, while their hardware is just sort of what they believe to be the best for gamers and their own titles (whether that is the case or not...)

fr0sty13d ago (Edited 13d ago )

The issue is, they aren't selling enough hardware to make their exclusives profitable, and now that they've bought half the gaming publisher/dev industry, they have no choice but to go third party to make a profit... and that is making their shareholders take a real close look at their hardware division under the microscope... why keep making the hardware if the software is all that is making them money, and they continually, generation after generation come in dead last with hardware sales?

Look at a game like Spiderman 2... if it had been an Xbox exclusive, with the amount it cost to develop, it would have been a huge failure... simply not enough consoles out there to sell it on. They would have been lucky to break even.

ifinitygamer13d ago

@fr0sty agreed completely, which is why they're hedging by releasing other games to multiplatform, plus they have PC to make up for the difference in a lot of ways, which is why their games are not complete money pits. It brings up the question of whether or not those exclusives would drive sales of consoles, though. Let's say Spiderman 2 was an Xbox exclusive, it would certainly have pushed console sales, though who's to say how much is anyone's guess.

fr0sty13d ago

That's why you can't rely on just one exclusive, Sony has always delivered on a wide range of solid exclusives, even this generation (even if they haven't been strong on the first party exclusives, they've made up for it with third party). They don't rely on just one "system seller", they have a portfolio of them.

13d ago
JBlaze22613d ago

ApocalypseShadow To be honest Sony has more of a chance to go 3rd party because like you said Microsoft has money, Sony does not. Sony does not have games, Only games they have come from 3rd party. Sony has been losing money for years and you. Saying Microsoft has been putting the least effort just proves you have no idea what's been going on. All Sony has done is repeat and recycle, never innovating or doing something new. All Sony has is brand loyalty nothing else and it shows.

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LG_Fox_Brazil14d ago

Not sure about that. It's been two decades and I still think about Power Stone, Shenmue, Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Seaman and others, but I'm not sure I'll remember Xbox Series X/S games in a few years from now... Maybe I'll remember about the franchises that the Xbox brand spawned, but I don't believe that the Xbox Series lives up to the late Dreamcast or even to the Xbox name itself. I do have great memories about the 360 with Blue Dragon, Gears 2 and Lost Odyssey though

isarai14d ago

Nah, sega actually makes good games

Becuzisaid14d ago

No, Dreamcast was ahead of it's time and most still have very fond memories of it that had one. It also had some good games on it even in it's short lifespan. Xbox has none of these qualities.

Profchaos14d ago

I remember it coming out at the time in a really bad place they hit the market before the PS2 but it was during this transitional time when Sony was promoting the power of the PS2 and so many of the Dreamcast games were awesome but often third parties simply ported the PS1 version increased resolution and performance but rarely fully utilise the capabilities of the console.

I think in the end bad marketing done it in and like the GameCube so many people are fond of it now but at the time it was looked at in the lense of the day and it didn't stack up.

Personally I miss Sega in hardware they took risks that many companies won't

Becuzisaid14d ago

I never owned it, and got the PS2 right when it launched. But there were certain games it had that I was always jealous of that I didn't have access to - Sonic adventure, crazy taxi, power Stone, code Veronica, shenmue, skies of Arcadia. I always thought it was a really cool machine though. I've never heard a bad thing about it though from those that had it.

FinalFantasyFanatic13d ago

I only ever saw one Dreamcast, and that was one my friend owned, pity I never got to play it, I wonder what games he had for it?

It would be nice if some of those games got ported to modern systems.

Profchaos14d ago

Oh man sonic adventure on the Dreamcast made me so jealous as a huge sonic fan on the mega drive who also moved to PlayStation 2 I never got the chance to play it back in the day either. The Dreamcast in Australia where I am was always relegated to the smallest corner of EB Games it was kind of a strong first indicator that things were not going well at the time.

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Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox and weekly streaks to be killed off soon

Microsoft has announced the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox will be discontinued in April and has confirmed that weekly streaks will also be coming to an end.

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