210°

Xbox now Microsoft’s sole TV strategy

Microsoft confirmed today that it has agreed to sell its MediaRoom IPTV unit to Ericsson, following rumors about the deal a few weeks ago.

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venturebeat.com
Arai4036d ago

What this means is that Microsoft's next console will be more of a media hub than a dedicated gaming machine.
It was rumored a while ago by several sites, this adds more credence to what was rumored already.

omi25p4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

So is the PS4 or is everyone ignoring the multimedia social networking button built into the controller?

So linking across different platforms isnt multimedia just because it can link to a social network??

Ok iGam3R-VIII you are clearly far superior in everyway. il leave you to your pure knowledge

iGAM3R-VIII4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

*Me when I saw your comment http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/st... *

How is that not related to gaming. You see media is different from social. The 360 and the PS3 both had social features so you could play with your friends but the new xbox is moving away from that to MEDIA which is like music, videos, and TV. The new Sony console still is for gamers but is better with these new social features.

And that button in the controller 'shares the screenshot' or produces a live stream for the game which in my opinion isn't related to social because it goes to YouTube.

In case you still don't believe me, I linked the online dictionary website for social and media:

Media- http://dictionary.reference...

Social- http://dictionary.reference...

darthv724035d ago

everyone is ignoring it. but keep in mind that there is a group who feels all the social stuff is taking away from the intended use of a game console.

They can think that way but its a sign of the times. The adding of social features and more smart functions is proof that gaming has evolved.

You cant sell a game only console anymore, these companies have to remain relevant in light of changing trends. We cant predict what trend is happening next but we can see the addition of all these conveniences is something the likes of which sony and Ms will not give up but expand upon.

If anything, both look to try and fill the gap of the smart tv by way of making pretty much any tv into a smart tv. Is that so bad for sony and ms to fill a need they see as being open?

Many may not use these features now, but we really dont know how they will integrate in the future. We may find ourselves using these social features more than ever. Maybe it just needs the right game to come along to open the door.

KwietStorm_BLM4035d ago

And that makes it a media hub? o_O

NewMonday4035d ago

so instead of a top console they now want to be in the market with AppleTV, Ruko and the Pirate Bay?

good luck with that.

Saigon4035d ago

I think what people need to get in their heads is that this media hub MS is creating is not a Social device per say. In comparison to the PS4, they are not on terms if the rumor or should I say what MS expects. iGAM3R-VIII pointed out the definition directly.

Look at MS device as being something like your Local cable company device box. If you have one that has all of the bells and whistles, than you can expect to download items, upload items, digital download, record, etc. The boxes does everything to entertain you. The next Xbox sounds like it is going to be similar with the only difference is that you can play games. With that, 'always on' sounds a little more true. I am thinking they are expecting to develop a system similar to TiVo where you need to purchase the box and then inform your subscribed company that you have the device. Or maybe they will work something out with a major cable company to provide it. Or maybe it can be an added device to your current STB.

Man, IDK about this...

nukeitall4035d ago

@newmonday:

"so instead of a top console they now want to be in the market with AppleTV, Ruko and the Pirate Bay?

good luck with that."

No, they want to be the box you need to do anything with your TV.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4035d ago
Bigpappy4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

M$ is not stupid. They will have a great console again, and they will do lots of stuff with the console. Sony will follow suite, like they always do.

Isn't Ericsson owned by Sony?

Saigon4035d ago

i was wondering that myself...

darthv724035d ago

the media side is its own conglomerate. The side that sony has is/was their mobile division. All the cell phones and whatnot. But sony bought that side and (I think) retained the ericsson name because of it being more associated with previous mobile products.

The mobility side was small as compared to the rest of the company.

Gimmemorebubblez4035d ago

Look Im not being a fanboy but I just want to say this plan is not very well thought out.
The Xbox could end up being a Jack-of-all-trades master of none. I have a smart TV I have a cable, I want a games console. I think as Smart TV's become mainstream the need for any sort of box will diminish. All keep in mind that the largest entertainment company in the world is SONY (Go look it up) they control the most content.

Gimmemorebubblez4035d ago

Sorry my mistake, after Universal took nearly 80% of EMI today (Sony took the other roughly 20%), Sony are no longer the worlds largest Entertainment company, they are now in 2nd.

Heavenly King4035d ago

When that happen?? Do you have a link please?

sway_z4035d ago Show
dcbronco4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

It's not about the need for a box. This is a battle to make your box relevant. These companies are in competition. No one is going to just step aside and say, go ahead Samsung, you can have it all. Each company has to have a more compelling product. Plus looking at the world from a tech persons perspective is a mistake. The vast majority will continue to do what they've always done. SmartTVs are a afterthought to them.

But this is actually a very smart deal for MS. They already have 40+ million Gold subscribers. They already have a department of writers and producers run by a former major TV executive. They have been buying content. The big content holders are squeezing out competitors. Look at the way Netflix has been squeezed with late or less content. MS having their own content and delivery service is a better option than waiting to get pushed into a corner.

AMC, MTV and the History Channel have major TVs hits. You no longer have to be one of the big networks to be a player. Selling their IPTV (rumored to be for as much as 1 billion) gives the Xbox a ton of cash to develop their own content.

4035d ago Replies(2)
lovegames7184035d ago

Tsk Tsk Tsk Microsoft. Im sure you guys made a pretty penny and of course business comes first but in relation to gaming this isnt a good look. Im starting to believe the rumors more and more lol Kinect to start up Netflix lol gtfo of here lol hahahahahaha

Number-Nine4035d ago

focusing on the kinect, focusing on tv, possibly always online, nothing really about gaming.....

MS must be digging their own grave

darthv724035d ago

a commercial last night about a new samsung smart tv that you can control with moving your hands (like kinect) and you could speak to it and the tv would relay what you said with results (perhaps like kinect 2.0).

so the new playing field isnt about consoles anymore. Its about the growing rise to smart enabled devices. To think a tv that does more than simply watch tv...go figure.

No idea what the nextbox has in store but if its goal is to enable smart functionality at a fraction of the price of these new tv's then it could be a big win for millions of consumers that dont have the kind of scratch to buy one of these new tv's.

Obviously sony is looking at the same smart tv market with cautious eyes as well. Console gaming stopped being solely about "gaming" many years ago when we got systems that could watch movies and surf the internet (PS2, DC, maybe even earlier).

It seemd like the only direction the gaming industry was heading was more integration. More conveniences. That doenst mean they will stop playing games, it means that games cant be the only thing these systems do anymore.

KwietStorm_BLM4035d ago

I saw that commercial too. I don't want to watch TV like that. I'm not a mime.

HammadTheBeast4035d ago

I can also play Tetris on mine.

Oh, the magic.

Show all comments (42)
170°

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
darthv7214h 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.

solideagle1h ago

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

Cacabunga1h 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.

shinoff218319m 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.

purple1013h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos3h ago

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

XBManiac2h ago

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

SimpleDad2h ago(Edited 2h 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.

purple1012h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos1h ago(Edited 1h 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

Kornholic19m ago

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

Show all comments (13)
300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 11h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 8h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 6h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN23h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies20h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

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

blacktiger1d 8h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic18h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9018h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

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

Tacoboto1d 10h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 10h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 7h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 9h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 8h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (21)
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?"

purple10112d 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 ☝️

Zeref11d 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.

DarXyde11d 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.

PhillyDonJawn11d ago (Edited 11d 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.

Einhander197211d 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.

MrBaskerville11d 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.

shinoff218311d 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.

Profchaos11d 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 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref11d 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.

MrNinosan11d ago

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

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

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

Einhander197212d 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.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

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

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref11d 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.

DarXyde11d 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.

Einhander197211d 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.

Einhander197211d 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.

BehindTheRows11d ago (Edited 11d 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.

Zeref11d ago (Edited 11d 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.

Chevalier11d 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.

Tacoboto11d 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.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto11d 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 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d 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?

crazyCoconuts11d 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.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d 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.

crazyCoconuts10d 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

FinalFantasyFanatic11d 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)