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.
Microsoft has closed a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, and more in devastating cuts at Bethesda, IGN can confirm.
Hi-Fi Rush studio??? Seriously?? Goes to show quality matters lil to MS.
Worst gen ever. All big 3 battling are for who sucks the most. They just keep one upping one another.
This does feel like a “quick Sony is getting shit on for Helldivers, let’s announce it now to minimise impact”
That is silly. Let's say there is some weird conspiracy. This announcement would effectively take ALL the attention away from the HD2 situation, especially since there is no longer an HD2 situation. I don't think anything will minimize this impact.
... so they announce it on a Tuesday? 36 hours after Sony cleared up everything?
You people care more about the next conspiracy than anything else.
Nevermind that Sony followed the golden rule of minimizing impact by announcing horrible news on a Friday.
The constant weekly weird Sony drama is part of the industry's problem. Everyone else feels they can get away with murder. Also, what is the point of spending all that money if you just start shutting studios down. And... Redfall wasn't Arkane's fought. Microsoft new the shape the game was in but needed something for GamePass after a whole year of no releases into the service. Them taking it out on Arkane seems really disingenuous and distasteful. And WTF did Tango do? Didn't Todd just release a statement saying how he would never retire. Fire his ass.
10/10 deflection, the ol' Sony too deflect...
Let's not discuss the fact that PlayStations struggles have largely been caused by the fact that game pass has reshaped how consumers spend causing them to spend less as they play what is on subscriptions and don't buy games as much because they either have become subscription gamers or they fear the game will come to a subscription so they don't buy things.
And it's not just PlayStation, the whole industry has been effected, many big studios are struggling across the board to match sales targets from pre-game pass releases which is especially apparent in things like sequels.
Heck the best example was Microsoft's own Starfield which should have easily blasted past 10m sales by the end of 2023 going by sales of similar Bethesda games yet was only able to achieve 3m which of course was almost entirely on Steam.
Or maybe it's because Sony hasn't released multiple worthwhile SP games like they normally do each gen and the ones they did released actually sold well.
Layoffs aren't because studios are struggling, but because major publishers want to maximise profit gains.
Absolutely it's a service that's changed the way we view and consume games overall for the worse games have little value when they are part of a sub and become disposable doubly so if they are a day 1 freebie often it's the kiss of death for a game to be day 1 on gamepass as PlayStation players look at it like why do I have to pay 60 dollars for back 4 blood, payday 3 or outriders it'll be on PS plus soon enough and funny enough those games always fail to meet expectations sales are poor and longevity is poor.
When I see a game get a day 1 tag outside of first party my first thought is always something is wrong with it and it can't stand on its own feet so the publisher has made a deal to recoup development cost.
Even first party games have dropped in quality noticeably so since gamepass with gears 5 being the only good release I can think of since gamepass started
Wasn't aware that Gamepass is available on PlayStation.
Or are you telling us that a service from a console lacking in sales is so great that it affects the morale and buying habits of ppl lacking access to the service?
Also pretty sure that saying all of them competing for who sucks means the whole industry and not just Sony and MS.
This is what people online want. They just don't know or understand it. So many have warned about consolidation, and exactly what they have fear has been happening
This isn't the end, expect more bought out studios to be closed in the next few years
I just don’t know how the hell a company that can spend $67b to purchase a publisher decided that it’s okay to close the studio that produces their best game last year.
Whoever the higher up there that decides this is completely out of touch of how the game industry works, the damn xbox division as a whole would’ve been closed already if they weren’t sustained by other MS divisions.
I got in an argument with someone on reddit and they weren't haven't that Xbox isn't propped up by other divisions argument. They swore up and down that Xbox was pulling its own weight. I just stopped after a couple back and forths
Prey was fantastic. Red fall was shit because they were forced to do shit they didn't want to make.
Atkane Lyon did death loop I believe....I hated that one.
Will be more soon, I've said it before I can't see MS keeping Bethesda. I think they'll strip it's IPs and slowly close everything, it's what they do.
Well xbox fans you got what you asked for... and honestly deserved...
It was so easily predictable that game pass was never going to be able to support all these studios.
If Microsoft can't win they are going to burn it all to the ground...
Countdown to Phil Spencer telling us "it's better for the gamers this way" yet again.
Xbox fans were to busy daydreaming of Ms curbstopping Sony they didn't look at the big picture.
This is beyond wrong. Like wtf!? Especially Tango Gameworks with Hi-Fi Rush. I've heard nothing but good things about that game. Just because Arkane Austin screwed up one game release doesn't mean you need to close them. It sounds like they were forced to do a multiplayer game when they're a single player studio. They could have made a Prey 2 or some other game next.
Just wow awful news.
"Xbox says Hi-Fi Rush was a success "in all key measurements" amid rumors of poor sales. Following rumors that Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fish Rush didn't meet sales expectations, Xbox marketing VP Aaron Greenburg is defending the "break out hit" as a success by all metrics."
According to Aaron Greenburg it was a success so they shouldn't have even needed PlayStation owners to buy it. That being said, I bought it and really enjoyed it, it's a great game. Shame MS closed them down.
@Romulus23
All lies by the Green Bug, that just means that a lot of people fired bullets or whatever in the game, that's the key measurements they care to share.
Tango did NOT deserve to be closed down, they have not released a single bad game.
That's usually what happens when you don't release it at the same time as other platforms....same thing happened with tomb raider reboot sequel. MS got exclusivity for a year and then when it came to PlayStation it barely sold. Nobody cared anymore.
I can only imagine the little amount of revenue both games generated, sent straight to gamepass and excluded from the largest current gen console userbase. Not to say both games would have done well if they were on PS5 too, but you heavily damage to a games revenue when you put it on a stagnating sub service for a poorly selling console, can't really see people going out in droves to sub to GP to play this.
Yea Austin made one of the most creative game of last gen with Prey and were forced to take risk with Redfall and now the whole studio is being closed.
Yes, that Tango gameworks/ Hi-Fi closure was an eye opener for me as well. Neither played it nor was interested in it myself but all I heard was everyone acting like it was the second coming of guitar hero or something.
I don't know what else to say other than modern gaming is an overwhelming sea of mediocrity and there's not enough voices of reason speaking up and saying that most games made these days are just not very good.
Can't wait to see the usual try spin and play this down. So much for the heroic MS and Phil saving these studios eh.
By the end of the day IGN will be talking about how this is right for the industry. Don't worry, Microsoft's PR is making the call now.
Tango did NOT deserve to be closed down, they have not released a single bad game, and I'm sure Arkhane failed just because they were both rushed and pressured into making a GaaS game they had no experience in doing and no support to get it completed out of the gate.
Not a big deal only hi fi rush was good
Sony has closed
Manchester studio
Japan studio
Pixel opus
London studio
Ready At Dawn ...
The difference being Sony has a large group of other studios that have done something positive. Microsoft just closed the studio to the only good game they released in the past year (Hi-Fi Rush).
They all suck as well of course. But MS spent 10s of billions on these publishers for mass consolidation, every made a song and dance about how MS would save them, using their endless Windows, 365 and Azure money to keep them open forever and how Phil was some hero.
Nothing is safe unless it makes money, even for MS.
It is a big deal.
Microsoft has closed
Fasa Studios
Digital Anvil
Ensemble
Lionhead Studios
Press Play
Arkane Austin
Tango Gameworks
Wow how far back do you want to go back.
Lionhead Studios
Aces Game Studio
BigPark
Carbonated Game
Digital Anvil
Ensemble Studios
FASA Studio
Good Science Studio
Hired Gun
Microsoft Studios Japan
Microsoft Studios Victoria
Team Dakota
Xbox Entertainment Studios
Xbox Live Productions
Lift London
Access Software
Salt Lake Games Studio
Twisted Pixel Games
WingNut Interactive
And more before this, this was just their cuts during xbone era that Phil cut while he was at the head.
And some of those PlayStation studios were merged not closed, most of the UK studios were folded into each other.
Japan Studio was renamed to Asobi not closed, aAsobi was an internal team of Japan Studio the "closure" the press misinformed people about was more or less a name change, the studio is in the same building and when the change happened less than 5 people mostly leadership positions chose to leave the studio to form Bokeh Studio, which still works closely with Sony.
And even if your deflection stood on it's own, Microsoft spent 3 Billion 3 years ago almost to the date to buy Zenimax and has already closed 2 of it's biggest studios and decimated Zenimax's support studio structure.
It's no wonder Todd Howard was talking about "more frequent releases" and letting other studios make their IP's games. The days of big budget huge Bethesda games is over...
In fact sadly Microsoft has ushered in the end of big budget gaming as we know it with their obviously unsustainable subscription industry change.
And I feel fully confident that this isn't the end of studio closures from these recently purchased studios.
Ready At Dawn was never a Sony owned studio, and only made a few smaller God of War games and a Jax and Daxter spin off, and of course The Order1866.
They are currently owned by OcUlus Studios.
How many times has MS fired Bethesda staff since they purchased it? I think it's been three rounds so far
Phil needs to step down. What kind of usual spin do you want?
More and more people lose jobs but the people at the top stay the same. Hardware sales tank despite billions and billions spent. The math is plain and simple.
Those poor people, I really hope they land on their feet
Also I hope The Evil Within 3 finds a new home
Funny because Shinji Mikami left Tango recently, I wonder if he knew what was coming
The industry just isn’t the same these days
That's crazy. Wasn't hi fi their highest rated game in years.
I wonder if it's because the studios founder left and others followed.
Closing Tango is a travesty. I was disgusted when MS acquired them. Guess it turned out even worse than I could have imagined.
*looks at everyone who said buying activision would be good for the industry*
Look what recouping costs looks like. Tango delivered a great game in Hi-Fi Rush, and it didn't save them. Arkane is unfortunate but after Redfall, not wholly unexpected.
This sucks.
The two studios had bled talent so I'm guessing they just didn't see them worth saving. Brutal business.
I bet someone at MS will get a nice bonus for this.
Isn't this the second or third round of firings at Bethesda since MS brought them out and limited where they can put their games?
I dont even know where to begin with. They acquired so many studios only to release mediocre games with Live Service elements to them, and then they started consolidating their studios by closing down competent ones.
Arkane Austin was forced to make a multiplayer game (just like Lionhead was forced to make a multiplayer Fable game), only to have them close down. That was a truly terrible move as they closed down a revered single player RPG developer studio at a time where they needed exclusives most (they also cancelled third party exclusive Scalebound).
Tango released a critically acclaimed game (which by August 2023, reached 3 million players between purchased copies and Game Pass subscriptions) which apparently was not enough.
That is terrible news by all accounts and no xbox fanboy should defend/spin this.
I just hope the developers are integrated into other teams or find other studios to work with
perfect timing after sony got shit for helldivers. haha. ridiculous.
i cam smell the bs that's coming our way from Phil.
Gamers: “we want Xbox to fail! Sales are down!! Woohoo!!”
Also gamers: “Xbox is evil, they’re shutting down studios that make games!”
Also gamers: “buying Activision is good for gamers”.
Just stop. Nothing about this is good.
Dang it not Tango Gameworks. I wanted to see what they could do for Evil Within 3 with a bigger budget.
You just know, after all this, there will still be people online begging Microsoft to buy Sega.
After reading Matt Booty statement, they’re culling out diversity of games to put money on sure winners. A three trillion dollar company can’t even take a risk on small titles like HIfi rush….pathetic.
WTF?
Honestly, this is a piece of terrible news, especially regarding Tango gameworks which produce quality titles.
What message is this sending?
Produce great quality game but in the end you might still get fired?
They dont care about talent or anything when they do cuts, they just consolidate and make people work harder and make shittier games in longer time.
The tango closure is shocking to me. Hi-fi rush started the positive turn around for Microsoft’s gaming division. This after they promised that soon the exclusives would come and when they finally started to they switched to multiplat. None of the big 3 care about the fan base and I get that becaus businesses are started to make money, but there is zero reason to have an Xbox now. Ask Phil he’ll tell you.
Worst generation ever. I feel an industry crash incoming.
I do hope everyone affected by this finds work very soon. Sad times
A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.
This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.
I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise
The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.
it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...
They are just gauging interest in one of their own.
A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.
i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.
It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.
I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.
This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.
I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?
It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.
But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.
Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.
Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.
Weird as it sounds, i hate tablets. Touching glass is never fun for me for gaming.
I got a steamdeck amd use that for family visits, the switch for train rides to work
I'm uninterested unless it runs a more open platform. Windows or allow other apps like steam.
I wonder if it will run xbox games or Windows games? I guess it could do both if it was Windows as it could stream xbox games via gamepass.
I'd be curious about it there have been talks for years about Microsoft making a handheld. I am also curious about the Asus ROG ALLY.
So another Steam Deck? Maybe it will compete with the Steam Deck 2 and Asus ROG ALLY
https://www.tomsguide.com/n...
One of the last questions was if I'd buy a new one in the next 3-5 years. The focus is on Windows handheld PCs. They asked about Steam Deck but it was not their concern. The main focus was more about "what percentage of my gaming time is spent on a WINDOWS handheld and could it possibly replace my console/PC". Once I answered that I owned a ROG Ally, they only referred to it as a 'handheld Windows PC' beyond that point.
The PS Vita sold somewhere between 10-15 millions. Xbox has a little less than half Playstations sales when it comes to consoles. That would mean that a portable Xbox handheld could sell somewhere between 5-10 million.
I find it very doubtful that Microsoft is going attempt to do this. We all know they're exiting the console hardware business so why would they attempt this? In order for Xbox games to run on a handheld, that system would be expensive as hell and it wouldn't sell.
Fine with a dedicated Xbox handheld but to be honest, I love my Logitech G-Cloud since it allows not only remote play of Xbox, but Playstation, PC, and all my retro consoles and arcade games and I think a dedicated closed Xbox handheld would not allow so many options.
i really dig the g cloud as well. I havent tweaked it to do other stuff than just the basics with remote play and xcloud but i know it can have other emulators installed from the play store. I went with the basic PS remote play app though instead of the one that costs $ but that one looks to be the better option as it uses the built in controls instead of touch screen.
What other emulators do you use to that utilize the built in controls?
I absolutely love the G-Cloud, and you can also connect it to your TV. There is a app called Video Game by ActDuck Games that has all the emulators already installed from the Super Nes, to N64, Dreamcast to Wii to arcade.
Lets focus on pumping out quality titles...I swear Microsoft does everything but make quality 1st party games
Oh, look. A big clueless corpo relying on surveys to determine their direction. That's new! ;)
Kinect, TV TV TV with Xone, ignoring VR and now this. Yeah. This will surely be a good move. Not like the hype for Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck already fizzled out or anything. Surely it will be a huge success. Just look at Asus Rog Ally, Lenovo Legion, MSI Claw. People are crazy about those and everything is instantly bought out.
If they are preparing something now, they will end up within the timeframe of Steam Deck 2 and Super Switch/Switch 2. Surely everyone will need 3 portable gaming devices at once and surely VR won't start competing when more comfortable form factors allow for crappy VR but superb portable displays. You will be able to buy a micro-OLED portable display for cheap within a few years from now. The future of portable gaming will be a brick in your pocket, connected to head mounted display and a pair of controllers added. Not yet another pseudo portable, very expensive frying pan, just because people once fell in love with Deck and Switch.
So yeah. Good luck with that, MS.
- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.
And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG
Tell me what a smarter comment is.
If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.
Wow too easy.
You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.
Which one is it?
Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.
"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."
It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.
It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.
The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.
No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.
Again make smart comments for once.
For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!
Gears reveal, Awoved and flight sim november and Indy in december according to VGC / the verge
They should call it Microsoft Games Showcase
Everything they'll show will end up superior on PS5/Pro
The Tony
That should make you happy, right? your post doesn't read as delighted or happy.
Eventually sure but I think there will be a year or two exclusivity for the big stuff
More false hopes and broken promises courtesy of the 3 stooges (Spencer, bond and Greenberg) that's running xbox to the ground.
[REDACTED] followed by [REDACTED] airs [REDACTED] with your hosts [REDACTED], [REDACTED] and [REDACTED]. More [REDACTED] has been redacted.
Take a shot everytime someone says gamepass. I'll get the ambulance ready. There will be a ton of indie games coming to gp as usual how many games actually release is another story.
For heavy hitters I'm confident based on industry rumours we will see gears 6.
Possibly a reveal of a console redesign as that's also been rumoured.
Poor nvidia
I guess thats why nvidia decided to release project shield
So if the next xbox has 8gigs of Gddr5 ram, it will basically be the same system as the ps4.
I hope MS dont forget there hardcore fanbase, im looking forward too hearing wat MS going too reveal.