950°

Exclusive: Microsoft's next Xbox will take over your TV, interact with your cable box

Microsoft is investing in TV in a big way with its next Xbox console as part of a fight for the living room. Multiple sources familiar with the company's Xbox plans have revealed to The Verge that Microsoft will introduce a feature that lets its next-generation console take over a TV and set-top box in a similar way to Google TV.

We understand that the next Xbox will require an online connection to use the entertainment services, allowing them to be always-on for streaming and access to TV signals.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
MariaHelFutura4464d ago

This is all just weird. I want a gaming console, not a remote for my tv. Hopefully this is all the DRM is used for.

Skips4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

"Hopefully this is all the DRM is used for."

This is MICROSOFT bro. Same people who get away with charging for half of a game you've ALREADY payed for, and charging you to use services you're ALREADY paying for.

Same people who treat devs like crap when they don't get what they want. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

So yea, doubt it.

Yi-Long4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

... but I just want a cool gaming console which main focus is GAMES, so it won't be MY TV you'll be taking over...

Campy da Camper4464d ago

It sucks being old. I could not care less about all this social interactive crap. I could not care less about motion controls. I don't want a camera on me. I just want to play MGS, Infamous, Fallout, etc in peace with high frame rate and in true 1080p.

Is that so much to ask? I will buy a good game new so DRM to an extent does not bother me. Psplus let's me try a game out so I'm good to go

So far ps4 is getting my money. With games like infamous and the last of us I am supporting Sony. Keep all face tracking, head counting, automatic pausing out of my life. Just give me quality games please!

fr0sty4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

Seems like the "less focus on gaming, more focus on entertainment" and "always on" rumors are fitting right in with their actual roadmap more and more each time another one of these leaks happen. I could see a few of them being fakes, but they're all echoing each other from different sources each time.

Waller4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

@Sonic200

How does Microsoft charge you for half of a game you've already paid for? I think you're confusing Microsoft with Electronic Arts.

I'll admit that the Gold for Netflix and the like is a bit much, but don't bash them because you don't play Xbox.

dmeador4464d ago

@Sonic

What do you meaning by charging for half of a game you've already paid for?

SHORYUKEN4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

Hah. Seems like they throw the white flag and want to change their console business plan.

Make the xbox a setup box entertainment system that could play Kinect games.

They giving up the hardcore gamers. Sony winning the hardcore audience.

sikbeta4464d ago

MS knows how to play the game, they're not aiming just to gamers, they want the living room all alone for themselves ;)

Why o why4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

What sonic means is you cannot play the multiplayer section/component of the game you've already paid for without paying for live even if you didn't use xgame chat or any of the bells and whistles its locked. You also cannot use netflix, a service you've already paid for without live. The reason bbc iplayer isnt allowed on xbox is because microsoft wont let silver members have it, only gold. Thats against bbc's policy as its paid for out of our tv licence so guess what...you wont get it at all....a free service, just because ms want to charge for using a free service

Belking4464d ago

We'll see how how you all feel when you have to pay for Gaikai services. If you don't like xbox or where MS is going with it, then it's simple.....don't buy it.

Skips4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

@Waller and dmeador

What Why o Why said. Microsoft charges what PC, PS3, Wii U etc. all do for FREEEEEEEEE.........

BASIC ONLINE PLAY

ACCESS TO SERVICES YOU'RE ALREADY SUBSCRIBING TO

Netflix, Hulu, etc. etc.

http://cdn.memegenerator.ne...

IF I BUY A NEW GAME FOR $60 bucks. I should be able to access ALL of the content, both SP and MP. I have to pay $60 a year ($40 if you know where to look), ON TOP OF THE $60 bucks I already spent.

Online passes ar already included in new purchases. So, in essence, they are MUCH worse than EA. lol

@Belking

Gaikai isn't basic online. Just FYI. It's a CRAP LOAD TON more than that. lol

Something I DOUBT Sony will force their users to subscribe to, just simply play games online.

Doesn't PC do online MP for their games (Except MMO's of course) for free?..............

Yea, thought so.

Zhipp4464d ago

@SHORYUKEN
Funny that you should say that, because it's rumored that M$'s 99$ "Stingray" will be just that. It's supposedly launching alongside the more expensive Nextbox.

MysticStrummer4464d ago

@Waller and dmeador - It means you buy a game, and then rent the online part from Microsoft.

BattleAxe4464d ago

"MariaHelFutura + 9h ago
This is all just weird. I want a gaming console, not a remote for my tv. Hopefully this is all the DRM is used for.
#1Agree(88) | Disagree(24) | Report | Reply"

Welp, looks like 24 Microsoft fanboys prefer to watch TV rather than play video games.

omi25p4464d ago

You mean like dropping developers because the publisher failed to advertise the game. I.E playstation All Star Battle Royal

bakasora4464d ago

Nope it doesn't. Because I didn't buy one.

Why o why4463d ago (Edited 4463d ago )

'You mean like dropping developers because the publisher failed to advertise the game. I.E playstation
All Star Battle Royal'

Is that all you've got omi...lmao..you compare what sony has done to developers versus microsoft. pull your head out lad. Sony are no angels but to highlight them whilst forgetting Microsoft is reaching especially since there have been articles on n4g regarding the same subject matter recently.

DanyBrown4463d ago

How is that going to work outside of the US were the standards for set top boxes are different and change from country to to country is this just another box designed for the American audience that will come to Europe without most of those media features just like the 360(no netflix no espn no etc)

+ Show (15) more repliesLast reply 4463d ago
PeaSFor4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

i already have a pvr for my cable and i already have .torrents for my tv series, now if MS want to sell me a console, they better forget about all that tv/cable box silly aspect and SHOW ME GAMING RELATED MATERIAL!

Saigon4464d ago

i get it, but again, this shows a push towards the casual market. The casuals would love this feature. Gamers on the other had, look at it as a gimmick. the sad part is that I see the potential but there is a great risk involved.

What happens, if no one catches on to this concept? Seriously, and I will get disagrees with this comment, IMHO the Wii U is not selling well because most people do not know it is a new console, they think is something extra added to the already established Wii. Nintendo should have gave it a different name. Now MS is trying to invade the home as the central entertainment device, what if people are not interested with this concept?

Nodoze4464d ago Show
fr0sty4464d ago Show
rainslacker4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

@Saigon

Currently there are so many different implementations of all these "extra" features, that it's hard for the consumer to really get on board. For the most part, I don't think most consumers are going out asking for these services, they are just there, either through their new TV, cable box, media devices, etc, and they are kind of handy for some, and an annoyance to others.

I don't see anything wrong with trying to get into this market while it's new. Honestly it's better than waiting until one gets a majority foothold of the market share, but for the time being the risk is really high. There is a lot of competition, and despite Xbox's success it still has a long way to go before people stop seeing it as a game machine.

This is one of those things where a unified platform is much better for the consumer. Having a baseline standard is much easier to develop this technology, and make it beneficial for the consumer. MS is well known for making many things the norm in this regard, so it does bode well for them that they could set a standard.

None of this really has anything to do with gaming though, and if this is all true then it's going to really be hard to define what exactly the Xbox is.

That being said, this move seems like it's definitely geared towards the US market. I'd imagine multiple territories would be a huge headache in terms of getting content, not to mention the many different standards that exist around the world when it comes to service. Some of the less profitable areas would be starved for content, and may just opt to stay with their normal cable service. If Xbox was on their radar, then it would come down to if it offered the game play that they wanted.

Edit: this also makes me wonder about the 3 minute rumor that your xbox becomes useless if disconnected from the internet. Seems a lot of people would be extremely annoyed over that since cable service is generally much more reliable than internet service.

nukeitall4464d ago

Yup, and you had PCs for online gaming, as well as PC for gaming prior to consoles popularity, but look how the market shifted towards consoles.

Point being, the world is bigger than just you. Deal with it!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4464d ago
NewMonday4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

we all now how Google TV turned out.

Edit:"Kinect will detect multiple people simultaneously, including the ability to detect eye movement to pause content when a viewer turns their head away from a TV"

in soviet Russia, THE TV WATCHES YOU!

..stolen from Godmars290 ..

ichimaru4464d ago

....that feature actually sounds impressive lol

hesido4464d ago

So Kinect makes you watch a disgusting scene, you just can't turn your head away :)

I'm sure the feature is optional tho.

BullyMangler4464d ago

hua haa. Nintendo sure know how to inspire them.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

"interact with your cable box"

Yesssssssssssssss!!!

Gamers rejoice!!

They seem to be as serious as sony about core gaming!

In an alternate universe of course.

God I hope everything but xbox can get away from MS some day. Poor pc gamers need OpenGl standard now!.

But honesty I hope xbox has the same success as windows 8.

AngelicIceDiamond4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

@Shutup Sonic and Yi Long

Awww here we go the fanboys are going back to there original propaganda now that the whole DRM console rumor is pretty much outta the mix.

Now your excuse is "MS needs to focus on games blah, blah, yadda, yadda again. The last I check its not E3 season, WAIT till E3. "It'll be Kinect again." Sure, with unannounced hardcore games. Highly possible Games such as

Lions Heads new Ip or Fable MMO
Cryteks Ryse
Alan Wake 2
Rares New Ip
Black tusks new Ips
Epics new Ip

And those are highly likely's we know nothing about MS other new studios they opened up.

Let me add some devs that could be at MS E3

Bethesda
EA
Activision
Epic
CD Projectz
Respawn Enteratinment

So you guys got nothin to counter.

Man you fankids will find any excuse and find any viable reason to complain. Y'all never give up do you?

rainslacker4464d ago

How is DRM console out of the mix? None of this means that it still couldn't do what everyone is complaining about. This move is just a reason to add another element into the mix in the guise of something else.

It's been a common theme for quite some time that MS needs to focus on games. It isn't a reversal and spin because one article discussing something unrelated to games shows what the always on could be used for.

Zhipp4464d ago

Honestly, I kind of expected Nintendo's TVii to be exactly this, and was kind of disappointed when it wasn't. I don't really see how this is a bad thing, anyway. So it can interact with your cable box. You don't have to use the feature if you don't want to.

PiTCHBLaCK4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

I Don't see the new XBOX being able to Interact with every cable box out there, so some people will have to buy a new Cable box if they want that feature. I also Expect MS to make there own Cable Box Called Micro Box.....LOL...hadda throw that in. ;)

Ben Dover4463d ago

@Angelicice

Everything you listed in your post is pure speculation and you act as if that's the truth. Pretty pathetic of you if you ask me..

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4463d ago
AngelicIceDiamond4464d ago

@Maria

It pretty much answers the question about the "Always On console"

Put the pieces together. Always on connected console MS TV features.

MS has said nor leaked nothing regarding videos games, just wait till E3 season.

4464d ago
Darrius Cole4464d ago

Gotta go with Sonic on that one. Post 1.1

Don't expect Microsoft to change now. Expect them to do what they have always done, charge you for things you have already paid for.

thechosenone4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

"Kinect will detect multiple people simultaneously, including the ability to detect eye movement to pause content when a viewer turns their head away from a TV"

What came to mind when I read the above
https://i.minus.com/ibkyaSi...

and I'm sure this feature will work especially well while watching commercials. lol

ps3_pwns4464d ago Show
nosferatuzodd4463d ago

Samsung galaxy s4 is already doing this with the scroll with you're eyes and all that damn Microsoft is that desperate .

Next there going to charge you for Xbox live ,charge you to use there device to watch cable, charge for how many people using kinect they should named it
Cablebox 720

KiLLUMiNATi_894464d ago

But I think it's a smart idea tho... S4G will always disagree with anything Ms does... I really see no big issue with this at all... Lets just wait and see how it plays out....

iGamerZero244464d ago

There clearly going a different route than Sony , I wish them luck cause I'll be getting a PS4 day one and the next Xbox doesn't look good if these rumors come true

NateCole4464d ago

Again as i said before. MS is focusing on Google more so than Sony come next gen.

How this will impact the gaming aspect and how they fare against Sony is remained to be seen.

It's a very big gamble MS is taking here. A middle of the road approach is very dangerous because you might end up being a jack of all trade but a master of nothing.

There is no question that MS is not doing too well against Apple and Google. It is obvious that MS is now going to use the xbox in their fight against them.

All of these living room features i hear is what is already done easily on PC and mobile. I would even say the TV is becoming less and less important now with the prevelent of mobile devices that are essentially pocket PC that is always online.

The same thing happend to phone landlines when cellphone came along. People like convenience of having their own screen/device that is free from the confines of a living room. This is where technology is heading. Mobile and internet(cloud). Not the living room as MS seems to be betting on.

The exception is console gaming and i put the emphasis on gaming. Console gaming will always have to be in the house anything other than that will not be console gaming.

We shall see.

baodeus4464d ago

@natecole

1. Can MS use the xbox as a central hub to provide cross functionality (smart glass) to everything (TV, mobile devices) allowing the consumer to access contents anywhere,anytime? Didn't MS already stated that they wanted to unified everything (xbox, tv,phone, mobile devices)? If they say they want to take over your living room, it means that you will be confined to your living room only? For some reason, you guys have a very limited view on anything. Like if they say they are doing this, that means they can't do anything else beside just what they told you (and in this case, they still haven't reveal/confirm anything). That is a very narrow minded view.

2. Does everyone actually prefer watching TV/movies on the go instead of on the big screen tv? What do people use mobile devices for mostly? (serf the web, check email, check facebook, play games, watch some youtube vid, read some news, stream some music, you know something quick. Do you think it is convenient to watch 2 hrs long movie on the go with battery inefficiency,limited data plans, and on a small viewing screen? Why do you think watching movie on the old psp on the go didn't take off back then?

3. Do you think that MS goal/motive is also the current goal/motive for every other businesses as well, including sony (gaikai implementation)?

4. Some key points for current economic trend:
- convenient (instant access to contents/information/etc... anywhere, anytime)
- Speed (how fast you can deliver content to consumer)
- Content, content, and contents
- Social/communication features

If you want to stay relevant, you have to expand because if you just focus on one thing, and your competitor also have what you have (even if it doesn't cater to a certain minority group), but they also provide something else on top, then what about you? That is the current economic situation, and for some reason, you guys don't understand that what everyone is doing (MS, Sony, Apple, Google, etc...) is mandatory. Business is hard and not as simple as just a gaming console.

TheXonySbox4463d ago

Are you serious? LMFAO

This has to be the most dense thing i've ever read on N4G. M$ biggest competitor is Sony in the console venu, that will NEVER change thus M$ focus will never change either.

Where do you learn your info from? Please stop using it.

chaos-lockheart4464d ago

it better not take over MYYY TV

delboy4464d ago

A box full with features, and with BC, somehow I lost my interest in ps4.

Ron_Danger4464d ago

To lose something, you must have it in the first place.

Eddie201014464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

Tell the truth, were ever interested in PS4?

Sounds like a bad attempt at manipulation.

You @##$# need to grow up no matter your real age.

solidjun54464d ago

you never had it in the first place. Your fanboyism prevented from having said interest.

ALLWRONG4464d ago

"This is all just weird. I want a gaming console, not a remote for my tv"

Well, I guess you should skip the PS4 and throw away your PS3. Seeing how the entertainment features are pretty much identical to what all other consoles offer.

Do PS fanboys ever think before they comment?

kenshiro1004464d ago

What does the PS3/PS4 have to do with this? They're still gaming consoles. They still play games. We don't even know what's going on with Microsoft's new console right now. It just seems as if they're drifting further and further away from what made their console popular in the first place.

You can't use those two consoles as an example and say 'its the same thing'.

Please.

solidjun54464d ago

Do you read before you comment?

kenshiro1004464d ago

If this is true, then I am skipping the 720 (whatever its called) just like I skipped the 360 with its RROD.

3-4-54464d ago

This makes me want it less.

I want my tv/cable to be separate from my Gaming.

Psn8004463d ago

I Only Want A Gaming Console ?

4463d ago
TheXonySbox4463d ago (Edited 4463d ago )

Obviously people want it for JUST gaming on a GAMING website. Reality is i see people using it for media, netflix even youtube ALL THE TIME.

Thus microsoft has market samples, they know its a proper direction and I agree. Consoles are basically low end PCs so they may as well make them advanced enough to do some great things. People use them for more then just games.

More is better. Less is worse.

UnwanteDreamz4463d ago

Yes and no. Is it better to get more features if you get less games? Not saying that will happen but it is posible

famoussasjohn4463d ago

Think of it as an additional option. Microsoft has been wanting the Xbox to be an entertainment system, as you can see with the latest additions to the current Xbox. This will just be one additional feature you can use on top of being a gaming console. Based on this rumor, it's not just going to be a gaming console, it will a lot more than just a gaming experience, and I'm completely fine with that.

Do you really think if they release a console that is half assed for gaming?

4463d ago
stage884463d ago

It certainly WON'T be taking over mine.

nosferatuzodd4463d ago

Weird indeed and how much to use such a feature
With Microsoft money means everything like how they charge you to play with games u already purchased online with Internet you already paid for can you imagine.

You're going to of to pay for you're cable pay Microsoft to use you're cable through their
U I then pay for xboxlive pay for Netflix no thanks

+ Show (22) more repliesLast reply 4463d ago
Qrphe4464d ago

Although this is what I was hoping TVii truly was, I'd take TVii any day over A Nightmare on DRM Street: The Console

Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II4464d ago

Why bother doing this over gaming features I mean ok some of the cable stuff can be cool but its never going to replace people using their proper cable when they wanna watch tv , I have to use my 360 just for the sky player so I can watch free sky sports but thats only because its small and easier to set up than my laptop in my living room, so im of course forced to pay for xbl to use the sky player and thats the problem I would have with any of their cable features your still paying xbl to use them over your cable sub.

Jek_Porkins4464d ago

It's options, and they will have the same gaming features Sony and Nintendo offer, and 90+% of the same exact games as the PS4, so why not go after a broader audience if you can?

I use my Xbox 360 for just about everything as it is, when they added ESPN on there I was in heaven, so many games, sports and other events to watch for free!

Microsoft has a ton of money, the most first party studios and they are aiming to take over people's living rooms...deal with it!

MariaHelFutura4464d ago

Paying for online does not equal the same gaming features as everyone else. PC, Nintendo, Sony or iOS.

MariaHelFutura4464d ago

343 Industries – Halo series
Connected Experiences – Untitled Project – Design Large scale multiplayer title and help other first party studios
Good Science Studio – Kinect Adventures, Kinect Fun Labs
Kids and Lifestyle Entertainment – Next generation fitness project
Microsoft Studios – Los Angeles – Next generation core cinematic title
Microsoft Studios – Mobile Gaming – ilomilo
Microsoft Studios – Redmond Publishing – Overseeing and co-developing multiple projects in conjunction with third party development studios
Platform Next Studios – Next generation core title
Playful Learning – Next generation family project
Skybox Sports – Next generation sports project
Turn 10 Studios – Forza Motorsport series
Twisted Pixel Games – The Gunstringer, LocoCycle
Xbox Live Productions – South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!, South Park: Tenorman's Revenge, Avatar Kinect
Europe

Lionhead Studios – Fable series, Black & White series, Unannounced MMO-like New IP - (2 team studio - Concurrent development of Fable: The Journey, Fable Heroes and an unannounced next generation title)
Lift London – Multiple Cloud Based gaming projects
Rare Ltd. – Banjo-Kazooie series, Viva Piñata series, Perfect Dark series, Kinect Sports series- (3 team studio - Concurrent development of various titles)
Soho Productions – Kinect Sesame Street TV
Press Play – Max: The Curse of Brotherhood[25]
Canada

BigPark – Joy Ride series, Kinect Sports: Season Two
Black Tusk Studios – Untitled Project - (an unannounced next generation title)
Microsoft Studios Victoria – Untitled Project
Non Game Development

Microsoft Studios – Sentient Team Working with internal and external teams and sharing new technologies[26]
Microsoft Studios – Skype Xbox Engineering Team Bringing Skype communication software to Xbox platforms through Xbox Live[27]
Microsoft Studios – Games Testing Organization Responsible for games and entertainment testing; from crash processing, telemetry and data visualization, to automating Xboxes[28]

just_jeff4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

this started off as a good post until... "the most first party studios." Is that even true? That's an actual question cause I don't know. I always thought, especially this gen, that MS focused on 3rd party DLC timed exclusives and that it was Sony who invested heavily in 1st party.

rainhell774464d ago Show
MariaHelFutura4464d ago

Personally, I would rather have PSN and PS+ for a year, over XBL allowing me to use my existing internet connect, since it's basically the same price. But hey, that's me....

amiga-man4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

I would just like to point out that 90% of my PS3 game collection is actually made up of the 10% of games only available on the PS3 and all without paying the online tax M$ charge.

Saigon4464d ago

@MariaHelFutura

Looking at that list, i am looking at their gaming focus. It shows, MS focus, Casuals. I see nothing that points to Core Gamers. i am sorry people I think MS has turned for the worst, and this is disappointing for me to write. But maybe I am wrong. maybe I don't see the bigger picture. I truly hope this is not the case. i hope the event in May or E3 clears up this nonsense because i am sick of trying to figure this mess out.

Ron_Danger4464d ago

@ Jek

I don't think you know what the word "free" means.

just_jeff4464d ago

@rainhell77

Live or PS+... I have neither! I only know what I've read about both services.

Here's what I've heard.

Live, awesome online support (don't know what that means or what that entails) and crossgame chat (?) where you can be playing a game, online or not, and talk to your buddies.

PS+, downloads take longer than they should. no crossgame chat... FREE games every month discounts at the PSN store.

I have no idea if Live gives you free games or discounts (?) but I know PS+ does. From my perspective, I can be cheap at times, value wise... PS+ looks like a better deal, right?

Good Online Infrustructure Vs. Free games

Why o why4464d ago

'Microsoft have a ton of money'

Yet they have to slow down for the next gen when the company that doesn't have a ton of money didn't. Look up the term, now tell me what these studios you speak of are doing for you since kinects release

dantesparda4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

@just_jeff

I am so sick and tired of fanboys always spreading bullsh!t, PSN is NOT, i repeat NOT! slower than XBL. They are the same speed, i have both and they both will download games and demos at the full speed of my internet service. I know cuz i can test it, and they both download at full speed.

Also, there are barely any discounts on XBL, whereas there is a ton of discounts on PSN, even without a PS Plus account. And Plus practically gives away games, I've counted over 70 i got from Plus in one year. I dont have the time (and am running out of space) to play them all

XBL does have party chat which allows 8 people chat at once while they play any game and will also allow you to all go into a game together, provided the game has that many slots open. Another nice feature that Live has that PSN doent is voice messaging, which allows you to record yourself for 15 secs and send that as your message, PSN doesnt have this, so you can only text message each other (although PS3 has predictive text while 360 doesnt)

PiTCHBLaCK4464d ago (Edited 4464d ago )

They're both pretty equal in Studio numbers.

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4464d ago
Nodoze4464d ago

Imagine the glowing red hot Xbox720 console that now needs to be turned on 24 hours per day. Who wants to place wagers on the number of house fires these things are going to cause?

Perhaps the dongle will be 4x the size of the 360 dongle. LOL.

Beta testers wanted.

GetSnooked4464d ago

Do you really think they are just going to let their next console go through the same problem? If you pushed a pul-door, do you never learn from the mistake?
In that case (yep I'm going there)Sony probably hasn't learned their lesson from being hacked and shutting servers down for a month.

See how your logic works? Well you probably don't cause their ain't no logic in your argument.

4464d ago Replies(5)
Show all comments (268)
240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
1d 7h ago Replies(3)
Goodguy011d 5h ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

1d 5h ago
GamerRN9h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga8h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6387h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein6h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

GamerRN1h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
crazyCoconuts7h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

1d 3h ago
Futureshark18h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (62)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent751d 12h ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils1d 3h ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

3d ago Replies(1)
isarai3d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning773d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher2d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor2d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde2d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z1d 19h ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey861d 15h ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

2d ago Replies(2)
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660°

Microsoft planning “major” Xbox layoffs next week

The cuts are expected to be announced next week.

Microsoft is also planning thousands of job cuts that will impact other parts of it businesses

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
6d ago Replies(1)
6d ago Replies(1)
Obscure_Observer6d ago

MFs has been beating their chests over great quarterly results and big profits to shareholders while firing people by the thousands just like Sony.

I wonder if at the top of those rumored layoffs they´ll also cancel upcoming or unannounced games while shutting down more studios as well.

6d ago
pwnmaster30006d ago

Always got to throw shade at Sony smh.
Yes we get it,
MS good Sony bad
MS bad Sony is also bad lmao

6d ago
Obscure_Observer6d ago

F* them both!

Just for the record, I don´t care about your victim complex crap either. Find someone else who cares.

blacktiger6d ago

He was talking about both. Why you getting offended when he's using both names

pwnmaster30006d ago (Edited 6d ago )

@Blacktiger

Im not offended , that’s just his formula lol
He can’t help help himself, he needs to bring Sony down when the topic involves MS.
Whether is good news for MS or bad, it some how leads to Sony doing bad lmao.
It’s actually hilarious.

InUrFoxHole6d ago

He's not wrong but im tracking what youre saying. In this case is should just be MS bad. Thats a lot of people fired

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 6d ago
Tacoboto6d ago

"just like Sony"

Gosh you're insufferable, not everything needs to be both-sides'd. Sony's had layoffs, but nothing like what Microsoft has been doing and is continuing to do.

CrimsonWing696d ago (Edited 6d ago )

I mean, no offense, but this is why you’re not some corporate business person running a major corporation. Big profits don’t mean jobs are safe. Do you understand why things like this happen:

Cutting jobs to maintain or increase profitability, especially in underperforming divisions like parts of Xbox like other gaming divisions.

Corporate restructuring and relocating resources for strategic stability in ever changing markets and consumer behaviors.

Investor expectations and optimizing operations to maintain investor confidence. Whatever boosts stock prices and improves future margins.

And there’s many other factors at play. It’s never as simple as business doing well, everyone’s safe. That’s just you not understanding at all how corporations work and have been working since the beginning. This isn’t something that’s specific to Xbox, you can bet your ass Sony and Nintendo do this and if it’s not clear by now, game development is not a stable job nor has it ever been for many. A lot of developers are contractors and guess what happens when a project is done?

Ganif6d ago

Nintendo said they have no plans for layoffs, and you can't seriously claim that the scale of Sony's layoffs most of which involved Bungie which is self managed as even close to the same scale as what Microsoft has done since they purchased Zenimax. And that significantly less layoffs would have happened if those publishers had stayed independent. Keep in mind that much of these layoffs have been due to redundancies specifically related to these buyouts.

CrimsonWing696d ago (Edited 6d ago )

@Ganif

Nintendo:

https://gamerant.com/ninten...

Sony:

https://gamerant.com/playst...

https://techxplore.com/news...

I don’t think it’s realistic to treat Sony’s layoffs as somehow outside the norm for the industry right now. Even if Bungie is self-managed, Sony’s cuts went far beyond that like Naughty Dog, Insomniac, London Studio being shut down completely, and multiple teams across the globe took hits. These weren’t just minor adjustments.

Nintendo, I had to look up and you’re right. They seem to be an outlier, but rest assured at some point it happens. And even then there’s been layoffs, albeit a smaller amount and contractors.

Would fewer layoffs have happened if studios from acquisitions stayed independent? Maybe. But even independents have been hit hard and look at what’s happened with Embracer’s fallout, or smaller devs like Digic, Roll7, or Volition. This isn’t just a “Microsoft problem” or strictly tied to acquisitions; it’s a broader correction happening across the whole industry, and unfortunately, layoffs are a big part of that process right now.

Ganif6d ago

From your article:

"According to reports, Nintendo of America restructured its testing operations, leading to layoffs of about 120 contractors, part of a strategy for global integration.

Nintendo of America, publisher of iconic franchises like Mario and Zelda, is shifting some contractors to full-time roles for better development integration."

Contractors are not employees, and even if you want to count them as that, it's 120 people vs around 7500 since Microsoft purchased Zenimax.

In an era of game industry layoffs, Nintendo is hiring more people
https://automaton-media.com...

Nintendo Announces 10 Percent Pay Raise For Devs Despite Lower Profits
https://kotaku.com/nintendo...

Nintendo CEO’s refusal to layoff staff goes viral following industry-wide cuts
"Satoru Iwata took pay cuts to ensure staff didn’t have to be let go"
https://www.nme.com/news/ga...

And as for Sony you're comparing less than 1000 total jobs to an estimated7500

Has the industry faced layoffs, yes, but that still doesn't account for the mass layoffs due to redundancies that was easily predictable, or that fact that at least 1/3 of Microsoft's layoffs and studio closures happened before the industry downturn.

thorstein6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Take the L, Crimson.

People hate Nintendo, but Ganif proved why they deserve support.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 6d ago
-Foxtrot6d ago

It's like banging your head off a wall, he just can't help himself.

Microsoft can do no wrong, Sony sucks at everything and Nintendo is bigged up because it's less hassle than trying to defend Microsoft all the time

What's going to happen when Microsoft finally turn completely third party, then what?

anast6d ago

I enjoy Obscure. Obscure does good work.

crazyCoconuts6d ago

Did you know that the first n4g was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered, where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the program.

Tacoboto6d ago

I wouldn't be surprised at this point if anast and osbcure were both alts for the Admin.

We know how Obscure especially drums up additional comments and clicks with his spam-worthy remarks that somehow never get moderated

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 6d ago
Profchaos6d ago

Thats business present a strong front to your shareholders while your company burns around you.

Keep shareholders happy at all costs andnif not happy keep them numb to the reality of you organisation

Angyobangyo5d ago

" Just for the record, I don´t care about your victim complex crap either. Find someone else who cares. "

Just for the record, you clearly you do if you have to vent this hard.

TheExecutioner5d ago

Basically you think like kids when it come to choose between candy or chocolate.

Sonic18815d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Are you and Anast the same person?

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
6d ago
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