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.

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theverge.com
MariaHelFutura4051d 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.

Skips4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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-Long4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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 Camper4051d 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!

fr0sty4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

Waller4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

dmeador4051d ago

@Sonic

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

SHORYUKEN4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

sikbeta4051d 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 why4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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

Belking4051d 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.

Skips4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

Zhipp4051d 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.

MysticStrummer4051d ago

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

BattleAxe4051d 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.

omi25p4051d ago

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

bakasora4051d ago

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

Why o why4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

DanyBrown4051d 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 4051d ago
PeaSFor4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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!

Saigon4051d 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?

Nodoze4051d ago Show
fr0sty4051d ago Show
rainslacker4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

nukeitall4051d 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 4051d ago
NewMonday4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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 ..

ichimaru4051d ago

....that feature actually sounds impressive lol

hesido4051d 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.

BullyMangler4051d ago

hua haa. Nintendo sure know how to inspire them.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

AngelicIceDiamond4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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?

rainslacker4051d 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.

Zhipp4051d 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.

PiTCHBLaCK4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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 Dover4051d 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 4051d ago
AngelicIceDiamond4051d 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.

4051d ago
Darrius Cole4051d 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.

thechosenone4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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_pwns4051d ago Show
nosferatuzodd4050d 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_894051d 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....

iGamerZero244051d 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

NateCole4051d 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.

baodeus4051d 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.

TheXonySbox4051d 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-lockheart4051d ago

it better not take over MYYY TV

delboy4051d ago

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

Ron_Danger4051d ago

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

Eddie201014051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

solidjun54051d ago

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

ALLWRONG4051d 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?

kenshiro1004051d 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.

solidjun54051d ago

Do you read before you comment?

kenshiro1004051d ago

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

3-4-54051d ago

This makes me want it less.

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

Psn8004051d ago

I Only Want A Gaming Console ?

4051d ago
TheXonySbox4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

UnwanteDreamz4050d 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

famoussasjohn4051d 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?

4050d ago
stage884050d ago

It certainly WON'T be taking over mine.

nosferatuzodd4050d 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 4050d ago
Qrphe4051d 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_II4051d 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_Porkins4051d 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!

MariaHelFutura4051d ago

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

MariaHelFutura4051d 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_jeff4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

rainhell774051d ago Show
MariaHelFutura4051d 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-man4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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.

Saigon4051d 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_Danger4051d ago

@ Jek

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

just_jeff4051d 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 why4051d 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

dantesparda4051d ago (Edited 4051d 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)

PiTCHBLaCK4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

They're both pretty equal in Studio numbers.

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4051d ago
Nodoze4051d 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.

GetSnooked4051d 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.

4051d ago Replies(5)
Show all comments (268)
110°

Microsoft's Absurd Antics Have Me Scared For Dishonored And Arkane Lyon's Future

With Arkane Austin no more and Lyon living for who knows how long, the superb Dishonored is in serious danger; Microsoft cannot be trusted.

Relientk779h ago

I love the Dishonored series so much and really want Dishonored 3. Microsoft better not screw this up.

JEECE6h ago

I mean, I think the fans will probably kill Arkane Lyon by cooking up reasons to hate whatever they do next without playing it. I've never seen a game so artificially disliked as Deathloop.

thesoftware7305h ago

Lol, why don't we just say, we are worried about all studios owned by MS now. They will keep closing studios until they have none left ...🙄

Skuletor3h ago

Just merge them all into a single studio, have it churn out a single Call of Duty every year and call it a day, lol.

Barlos2h ago

Don't be scared, you'll be fine.

Skuletor2h ago

It's exputer, fine is one word I would not associate with them.

Profchaos2h ago

I think it's becoming clear based on matt bootys comments there's no future for any IP that can't sell above 10 million within the launch window. But is also a small game that gives them prestige

/S it's beyond a joke right now

Show all comments (8)
290°

More Job Losses At Xbox, “There’s More To Come”: Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott in a recent episode commented on the on-going Microsoft fiasco hinting at more job losses and that "there's more to come".

Read Full Story >>
spieltimes.com
Sonic18812d ago (Edited 2d ago )

There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future . Xbox has to pay Microsoft back. It might take two decades to do that.

sagapo2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I don’t understand what you’re saying. Xbox IS microsoft so there’s no “paying back “.
And MS gross profit in 2023 was over 140 billion dollars so forget your 2 decades.

Unless you mean the money MS invested in Xbox (acquisitions included) and the time it will take for xbox as a brand to gain that money back on it’s own, then yeah, that could take a while.

romulus232d ago

The better term to use might be return on investment, xbox is simply a division of Microsoft one that MS can easily do away with if profit margins are not met. So in that regard he's right, if xbox isn't showing the expected return on investment the higher ups are expecting than it's unlikely Microsoft will acquire any other studios any time soon, especially if they are spending billions buying developers just to shut them down in the end.

MrBaskerville1d 17h ago (Edited 1d 17h ago )

Xbox is a division that they discussed shutting down but doubled down on after Gamepass was pitched.

It needs to make money at some point. Big money.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 16h ago

So you do understand it or..?

rokos1d 15h ago

According to Statista the net income of Microsoft is about $72.4 billion dollars which is a bit lower than last year profit. That is almost as much as Activision's acquisition but I assume that would be a one off since it costs so much plus I see how their focus has been shifted to AI, thus any major future investments will probably be in that area.

Markusb331d 14h ago

i think you are really missing the point

VariantAEC1d 4h ago

@romulus23
That is not why MS buys studios. They might continue to buy because it's about taking that sweet sweet IP out of the corporate husks of their acquisitions.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 4h ago
SonyStyled2d ago

“There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future”

No bro, there do be is for Microsoft not acquiring for what is now if not what it be is 😂

2d ago Replies(2)
ChasterMies1d 18h ago

Xbox isn’t a separate company from Microsoft. It’s all Microsoft.

Abear211d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

Let’s be real, this is the media spinning all the acquisitions and liquidations of said developers and spinning it to make M$ the villain.

This was bound to happen, a bigger slice of pie and cut costs, when the games come they stand to make more and that’s their agenda—it was the writing on the wall when the sales went through and legally all those who approved the sale and mergers knew this would happen.

Snowflakes need to realize business is ugly and you can cry all you want but this is how capitalism works. And it works.

That said, M$ needs to steer the narrative and grab hold of all this, make their plans known, hype the hell out of all those dead IP’s they plan to revive, and be honest about the timeline. This is likely to involve mobile and IP on other consoles, and most people realize that.

The problem is this company is incapable of being transparent and seems to often want to dissuade and confuse is customer base. The lack of E3 has hurt Microsoft and I don’t think they know how to properly or effectively market their brand anymore.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1d 4h ago
jwillj2k42d ago

There really needs to be a class action lawsuit here. You buy these companies just to put people out of jobs. And it’s not like something happened to derail their plans this WAS the plan. Microsoft has no business in this space at all.

franwex2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Microsoft has been doing this for years. They simply want the IPs. Look at Nokia. Look at Skype. This time it simply expanded to games. Gaming is not as important to Microsoft’s executives as it was to the founders too. Bill Gates was willing to sell the og Xbox at a loss. Steve Balmer approved the red ring of death fiasco. This CEO isn’t really a gamer.

-Foxtrot2d ago

Maybe it's time though to put a stop to it and use a big giant like Microsoft as a huge example to the rest of these big companies.

There has to be a line drawn somewhere.

People like the FTC and the like went against Microsoft yet their Actvision deal was still allowed to go through yet look what's happened...it's not even Acitivisions studios aswell, it's Bethesdas.

VariantAEC1d 4h ago

Years?

Try several decades, and in the gaming space 2.3 decades.

Jon615861d 13h ago

You do realize this happens in ALL industries? Or are you just saying this because it is Microsoft? In any case I feel for those that are being let go but the trch industry is suffering right now.

jwillj2k41d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

This absolutely does NOT happen all the time. Let me know the last time 1 company with a terrible product track record spent 100 billion onto acquire MULTIPLE successful companies in under a year only to shut them down and stop making their products regardless of how successful they were. Not merge them, completely shut them down.

And you can’t use Microsoft in your example.

Notellin1d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

Class action lawsuit? The law is on their side and protects them at all costs. There are no rules to protect the people at the bottom.

jwillj2k41d 9h ago

Not true when it comes to mass layoff do your research.

RNTody2d ago

Ninja Theory, Perfect Dark, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Wolfenstein 3, Dishonored, Prey, Doom, Quake... something tells me that bad things are going to happen to these entities under Microsoft.

MrDead1d 22h ago

ID software, the makers of Doom and Wolfenstein that have been with us since 1991 could be gone and MS will keep the IPs.

I hope some of these studios can buy their freedom from MS otherwise this is going to be even more devastating for the industry and gamers.

Yui_Suzumiya1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I've been a fan of id since Wolfenstein 3D and I'm honestly afraid.

lodossrage1d 16h ago

Toys for Bob saw the writing on the wall and bought themselves out.

Wouldn't be the first time a company did that under MS either. Bungie and Twisted Pixel did the same. Considering what just happened, I can see some other devs trying to buy themselves out too.

anast2d ago

Good thing the bosses of all those small studios made their money.

glenn19792d ago

they cant do it right now they will get burned

XiNatsuDragnel1d 23h ago

Phil and his team need to be gone

lodossrage1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Won't make a difference.

The whole structure needs to be overhauled. Anyone that replaces Phil will be no different than him, Mattrick, or anyone else.

Until the company changes how they go about business, nothing will change

glenn19791d 13h ago

I just don't have any idea what they would do , they have done sooo much damage on their xbox brand, they have a show at July or June I think, but will it even matter even they show amazing games, idkn

lodossrage1d 16h ago

True,

But they may as well get it over with. Whether it happens now or later, the burning is going to hit the same.

Reality is the ONE move that can alleviate a lot of this is the one move they can't make. Remove day 1 from gamepass.

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90°

Microsoft Opening Xbox Mobile Game Store in July

The Xbox brand is expanding, as an Xbox mobile game store is opening this coming July where Microsoft will brings its "first-party portfolio."

Jin_Sakai3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

“Bond adds that they will start on the web”

This will go nowhere.

Nice knowing you Xbox. This is what happens when the house never gets cleaned.

MrDead3d ago

The only this MS is expanding is the amount of feculence it sprays on everyone who just want to enjoy gaming and make games.

The best thing MS can do for the gaming industry is leave and never return.

XiNatsuDragnel3d ago

Good luck with this even it might not succeed.

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