490°

Microsoft Said to Adopt AMD Chips for Next Xbox Console - Bloomberg

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will use an Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) processor in its next Xbox game console as it seeks to cut the cost of building machines and get developers to create more titles, people with knowledge of the matter said. AMD surged the most in almost two years.

The Xbox will use an AMD system-on-a-chip that combines powerful “Jaguar” central processing units with graphics chips, said one of the people, who sought anonymity because the plans aren’t public. The shift to the so-called x86 format ubiquitous in modern personal computers means Microsoft will drop the Power PC technology designed by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), and game discs made for the current Xbox 360 won’t be compatible.

Read Full Story >>
bloomberg.com
Pandamobile4036d ago

Poor Nvidia, they're only swimming in the cash that rolls in from desktop and mobile GPU divisions, lol.

If AMD hadn't scored all of the console deals, they'd be in a world of hurt, whereas the only thing that Nvidia misses out on is a bit of extra profit.

BitbyDeath4036d ago (Edited 4036d ago )

They must be hurting a bit considering all the crying they did a week or two ago.

jukins4035d ago

haha they're not "rolling" in the cash. they're high end graphics cards are a niche market believe it or not. and as for the mobile gpu division haha samsung/qualcom say hi. nvidia, while stable for now, has been on a downhill roll for the past few years just like amd, just not as bad.

nvidia really isnt in a place where they can "miss extra profit" as you say. they're projections have fallen short quarter after quarter for a few years. I dont know any chip maker who wouldnt want to potentially sell upwards of 150+million chips along with the branding that comes with powering consoles.

SilentNegotiator4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Yeah, Nvidia doesn't care about missing out on profit just because it's a little more thin than they tried to demand.

/s

Seriously, convinced yourself yet? No company loses 3 massive business partners and goes "lol, who cares?" like some of their fans.

Pandamobile4035d ago

They didn't "lose", they opted out.

Personally, I'm glad they did considering that could have been one of the final nails in AMD's coffin. Poor bastards lost over a billion dollars last year.

iamgoatman4035d ago

Get with the times Panda! It's now cool to hate Nvidia, and remember a couple of statements, although stating the obvious but still no less true, now constitutes as "crying" or being "butthurt". You know how the sheep on this site work.

M-M4035d ago

@Pandamobile

Talk about missing the point.

SilentNegotiator4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

"They didn't "lose", they opted out"

They couldn't negotiate a deal to continue with 3 major clients. The completely fell out of the game console industry.

That is a loss, regardless of whether they claim to have been the ones to decide to not finalize a deal. They broke up with me, I broke up with them...doesn't matter, you lost a partner.

N4g_null4035d ago

The 8 gig ram design is done already. Ms only has to pay for it. Sony may have signed a deal for it to not come out on the pc side but they may have forgotten about the Xbox. Only amd has a patient on the design which is why they are pushing HSA and not Sony.

nix4035d ago

i think i've seen it all... Nvidia and AMD fanboyz. like really????? O:

Pandamobile4035d ago

Nobody here gave two craps about Nvidia and AMD until it was announced that AMD would produce the PS4's APU, and then Nvidia said the PS4's APU was comparable to a mid-range PC CPU or something.

Somehow N4G interprets that as Nvidia "crying".

Saigon4035d ago

Well, there it goes...its official. Now the other issue I saw was in the first paragraph, or was it the second. We all speculated whether or not the Next Xbox would be compatible with the previous and it looks like its not. Both Next Generation Consoles look to start from scratch. Man this is going to be interesting, when the rest of the gaming world finds out about this. Can't wait for E3.

nukeitall4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

There is a reason why Nvidia operates at a profit, while AMD is well close to being un-investable!

I love consoles, but reality is that Nvidia has closely chosen it's business wisely. After 7-years and only $500 million on the PS3 for nvidia, that is hardly enough to put skilled engineers on the task, when they could be building that $500 million profit *yearly* product.

I know all you "fans" don't want to hear that, because it hurts your feelings, but AMD is in this, because AMD *needs* the business, not because they necessarily wants it.

geassdanny4035d ago

Expect more cry baby news from Nvidia soon!

SephirothX214035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

AMD are over 100 million in debt whereas Nvidia is booming.

http://www.bit-tech.net/new...

Yeah they're butthurt all right.

givemeshelter4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Actually Nvidia has won very little Mobile GPU contracts with the Tegra 3. If they did not score the design win for the Nexus 7, they pretty much would have been non existent in the mobile realm. The majority of the mobile devices rocking the Tegra Line of GPU's is minimal and those phones sold less the most. Here's hoping the Tegra 4 meets expectations in sales and performance unlike the Tegra 2, and Tegra 3 SOC that failed to wow in performance.
Saying that, Nvidia is doing extremely well financially compared to AMD.
It's just their Mobile Solutions are real mediocre for Tablets and Phones.
Tegra 4 I am hoping kicks ass

ProjectVulcan4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Nvidia is a very profitable company with cash reserves, AMD is a company teetering on major debt and struggling to find revenues against harsh competition from Intel and Nvidia.

Nvidia record profit and growth year on year: http://www.bit-tech.net/new...

http://www.technologytell.c...

AMD cashflow problems and downrating of debt by ratings companies.

I am quite sure Nvidia wouldn't mind creating a part for a console if the price was right. But knowing their current situation and AMD's I don't know why anyone would think Nvidia are in any trouble missing out on a console contract.

AMD need it badly, even on wafer thin margins.

Dee_914035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

@Pandamobile
I just went PC/ Laptop shopping (browsing)while I was out.
60% had Amd Hardware 35% had intel hardware give or take. I saw 1 with nvidia out of 3 stores.Walmart Best Buy & Staples.I think your talking out your rear end sir.
Either that or they are rolling in old money because right now I cant find a Laptop or PC ( in store ) with nvidia hardware if I tried.
If your not selling well overrall then sell a little more than average ofcourse your gonna see profits.Same for AMD just vice versa.

ProjectVulcan4035d ago

Nvidia's markets are more desktop parts with OEMs and they have grown because of their mobile penetration and workstation business. Not to mention Nvidia landing major supercomputer contracts for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Teslas at a time. http://www.anandtech.com/sh... Like this recently for example.

But anyway, more about the consoles-

The leaks since like November last year had the next xbox down as the same CPU inside PS4, a Jaguar 8 core, but with a lesser GPU (2/3 the performance of PS4) and some additional coprocessor bits and pieces thrown in.

PS4 would be quite a bit more powerful if this is really true.

sikbeta4035d ago

Look at that reply, you really invested on Nvidia stocks, nevermind you sure are one of those elitists who pay 1000 US a month to change teh graphicz cardz, dat rig yo! XD

O-T

Thanks for the info we all know for Months already e_e

RumbleFish4035d ago

Nvidia can't be so poor, they get lots of my money every year because their GPUs really rock my house! ;)

Gamer19824035d ago

Nvidia make a LOT of money these days from graphics chips in mobile phones more than graphics cards. Consoles would have been a massive coup for them but it wasn't to be. AMD will be happy for this move.

Ritsujun4035d ago

That's why nVitch's so mad.

hiredhelp4035d ago

AMD did loose alot of money last year but mainly from there Processor market.
Unlike Nvidia AMD has been around alot longer and handles alot more than GPU chips oh btw the GPU was the strongest in sales I beleave to there CPUs because of Intel.
I think AMD gonna start to shine again, backing all consoles Nintendo Microsoft and Sony is only gonna be very profitable while still doing what they do best video cards baby.

+ Show (21) more repliesLast reply 4035d ago
zeal0us4036d ago

Nvidia have itself to blame.

N4g_null4035d ago

For profits in the pc market.

sikbeta4035d ago

Nvidia is rich as s#*t, the hell are you talking about!? you do realise there are people out there paying ONE THOUSAND US DOLLARS for the latest graphic card? ... gotta impress the other nerds on the interwebz lol

B-radical4035d ago

This just in.......17hrs ago

Dan ‏@superDaE 17h
@listens2music Xbox Next will most likely have backwards compatibility.

ILive4035d ago

Dude, give it up already.

NYC_Gamer4035d ago

AMD needed these console deals a lot more..AMD is on the slide and taking beatings from both Intel[cpu] and Nvidia[gpu] in the market..

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

You do realize Nvidia only made 500 million over 7 years with ps3? Nvidia made 1.2 billion in feb 2013 .
http://articles.marketwatch...

poor Nvidia indeed.

I am pretty sure they will beat 500 million this year in profit.

The worst cpu company making the best console nice..

Why is it that sony comes to Nvidia and nvidia says kick rock then they go amd and u say poor Nvidia?

How does this make sense?

"Nvidia turned down chance to build PS4 components"
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/r...

No lie though this will help amd not go out of business.
http://www.tomshardware.com...

@jukins
Also high end gpus are not only for games. Ever heard of movies? super computers? finding a cure for cancer? Science? Medical field? Yeah they dominate these fields.. Video games is not all there is they are doing a lot and my not want to make a tablet chip for ps4 so amd makes a tablet chips for ps4. Now brag about the tablet console.

Still getting ps4 though. Just sayin I think Nvidia will be ok like they have been for the past years.

Sony going for #1 again and amd going for #2 again.

WUTCHUGUNNADO4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Bad news for physx support though... most likely to remain a tacked on extra considering Havok will most likely take off on the AMD consoles. Not to mention console ports would be heavily optimized for AMD products with the usual devs marketing Nvidia on PC which would require a $500-$1000 GPU to max out. Not to say Nvidia would have any problems considering their on the ball when it comes to driver support but usually all the games marketing Nvidia require their top of the line equipment in order to max it out on release.

B-radical4035d ago

Physx would of been able to add alot of extras to gameplay if nvidia did support one of the consoles but like you said i think nvidia will do just find i myself am waiting for 700 series am currently running a 560 ti figure ill wait every 2 gen

OlgerO4035d ago

Yeah those poor Nvidia executives with their million dollar salaries, it seems they might not get their bonus this year. Im weeping for those poor souls.

Blaze9294035d ago

Nvidia is far from poor and will continue to flourish...let us all not pretend like the company hasn't been the juggernaut company it has been for these past 10 years.

Welshy4035d ago

Nvidia vs AMD.

The new tedious and unnecessary fanboy war to tide us over until the NextBox is announced...

Irishguy954035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

It's hardly new/

Console fans have only found out about it and joined Amd because Nvidia didn't want a crappy business deal with Sony

Edit - Yes Welsh, I lie on the side that doesn't lie with fanboys.

Welshy4035d ago

I'd say it more played second fiddle to the PS3 vs 360 loyalists and it's only come to light because there is no other Xbox to fight the PS4 at the moment.

And as i said, it's not needed (the PC or Console "wars").

And it's pretty clear to see even from my neutral angle what side of the fence you sit and why you only have 1 bubble =)

Gorilla_Killa_X4035d ago

@Irish
Let's act like console makers don't put out anything for companies to bid on like most other companies do. Sony turned down Nvdia's bid not the other way around.

imchuckbass4035d ago

Even if there were 4 consoles using AMD chips, AMD's earnings still wouldn't touch Nvidia's

Console chips are very cheap parts compared to what Nvidia sells for supercomputers

AMD are in crisis (stock price has been plummeting badly since last year), they needed these contracts, and I'm glad they got them, because competition is good. But be under no illusion, Nvidia are by far still the market leader.

TXIDarkAvenger4035d ago

It's not poor Nvidia.

Obviously MS would go AMD, its a no-brainer. Nvidia is proven to be better but AMD is a lot cheaper. MS and Sony don't want expensive consoles like last gen with the 360 and PS3. Nvidia is literally rolling in cash, this doesn't effect them much.

fermcr4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Yes, poor Nvidia. /s

They make graphics cards from low end to high end PC's, laptop graphics, motherboard chipsets, smartphone chipsets (Tegra) that sell millions and millions every year...

They have revenues in the order of billions every year...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Yes, you are absolutely right... poor Nvidia. /s

People should really put something in their head... Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo didn't go with AMD CPU/GPU because they are better, but because they were cheaper.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4035d ago
nick3094036d ago

I guess thats why nvidia decided to release project shield

theDECAY4035d ago

Seems a little gimicky to me.

IcicleTrepan4035d ago

This is because they are trying to push their TEGRA chipset for mobile. From what I understand the TEGRA line is doing quite well.

geassdanny4035d ago

Tegra chips, providing your advanced mobile gaming needs whilst you on the crapper.

chukamachine4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Project fail.

Waste of time imo.

As for 720/PS4.

What has the games you want!

Services are everywhere now, The smart TV's have them and there are more coming.

Theo11304036d ago

So if the next xbox has 8gigs of Gddr5 ram, it will basically be the same system as the ps4.

omi25p4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Yeah the 720 will still be cheaper.

kneon4035d ago

The 720 likely will be cheaper because it has to be to appeal to their target market. But as all the signs point to it having at least a simple Kinect built in they will have to cut some corners somewhere.

It's unlikely that the 720 will have more horsepower than the PS4, it just doesn't make sense for them to do that.

geassdanny4035d ago Show
GraveLord4036d ago

That's impossible. The entire system was already designed around the limitations of DDR3 memory.

Using GDDR5 memory is a MAJOR change that would require redesigning the entire motherboard. Could they do it? YES, but they won't because it means huge launch delay.

GribbleGrunger4036d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

It entirely depends on what changes Microsoft and Sony have asked AMD to make to their GPUs and how that power is used by the console. As for this article ... I'd say it could be true that MS are not too worried about what Sony have to offer because it's looking more and more likely that MS are going for a different market. I'll wager that once the initial launch is over, you'll see far more exclusive titles from Sony than even in THIS generation. Expect a Windows 8, Kinect driven TV set-top box that plays multiplatform games; whilst the PS4 will be foremost a gaming console that ALSO offers multimedia capabilities.

M-M4035d ago

More or less, but it's highly unlikely that the next Xbox will have GDDR5 ram(based on rumors).

GamersRulz4035d ago

No, because the GPU in PS4 is more capable than the rumored X720 GPU

PS4 1.84Tflops VS Xbox720 1.24Tflops GPU.

So basically:

PS4 CPU = X720 CPU

PS4 GPU >> X720 GPU

PS4 RAM >> X720 RAM

PS4 is a monster really.

iamgoatman4035d ago

And you know the specs of the next Xbox's GPU, how exactly?

Oh that's right, you don't.

"PS4 is a monster really."

It really isn't. Previous generations of consoles have been able to go toe to toe with then high end PC hardware, if only for a very brief time. But when the PS4 and likely the next Xbox release, they'll already be behind. Hell, their specs are comparable to mid-range hardware TODAY, let alone 7-8 months from now.

And before anyone pipes in with 'but the optimization!' remember the 8800GT. Released soon after the current gen of consoles, and despite 6 years of optimizing and simply getting used to the hardware, they've not produced anything that GPU couldn't produce at even higher levels of fidelity. To put it into perspective, we've had that level of hardware difference around since last year.

The PS4's hardware is of course a nice step up to the ancient stuff we've been stuck with for so many years, but it's hardly "monstrous".

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4035d ago
4036d ago Replies(6)
Martywren4035d ago

I hope MS dont forget there hardcore fanbase, im looking forward too hearing wat MS going too reveal.

Show all comments (116)
250°

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
darthv7222h 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.

solideagle9h ago

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

Sonic18816h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio6h 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:

Lightning771h ago

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

Cacabunga8h 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.

shinoff21837h 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.

Cacabunga6h 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

itsmebryan2h 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

romulus231h ago

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

darthv721h 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.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
purple10111h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos11h ago

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

DOMination-42m 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.

XBManiac10h ago

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

SimpleDad10h ago(Edited 10h 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.

purple1019h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos9h ago(Edited 9h 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

Kornholic7h ago

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

MrDead1h 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.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
Show all comments (33)
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 18h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 16h ago

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

Barlos1d 13h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 6h ago

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

peppeaccardo1d 8h ago

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

ChasterMies1d 4h 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 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h 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 16h ago

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

Mr Logic1d 2h ago

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

Crows901d 1h ago

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

Profchaos1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h 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 18h ago

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

Profchaos1d 17h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 14h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 17h ago

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

Profchaos1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 16h 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 ☝️

Zeref12d 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.

DarXyde12d 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.

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

Einhander197212d 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.

MrBaskerville12d 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?

Zeref12d 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.

MrNinosan12d 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
Zeref12d 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.

DarXyde12d 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.

Einhander197212d 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.

Einhander197212d 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.

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

Chevalier12d 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.

Tacoboto12d 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?

crazyCoconuts12d 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.

Xeofate12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

crazyCoconuts11d 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.

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