920°

Following Twitter Tirade, Microsoft Creative Director Adam Orth No Longer With Microsoft

Gameinformer:
If the first rule of public speaking is to know your audience, then the first rule of Twitter is to realize that you are speaking publicly.

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Jek_Porkins4051d ago

Microsoft did the right thing, especially if they aren't heading in a DRM direction, although the free publicity could do them a lot of good in the long run, and every single gamer will tune in to Microsoft's reveal to hear truth from rumor.

NewMonday4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

Sweet Billy must really hate the internet now.

Ritsujun4051d ago Show
shivvy244051d ago

its really funny how people made memes and bag him out , but to lose a job over this is just sad

Blacktric4051d ago

RIP in pieces Sweet Billy

1532-3015

Taken from us so soon...

Gaming1014051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

LOL seriously, that guy was relentlessly douchy, arrogant and belligerent, anyway, and if he's going to be mouthing off about details that haven't been confirmed by Microsoft yet, he deserves to be fired! There are obviously confidentiality agreements signed into everyone's contract, so you can't just go around divulging your company's 5 year plans to competitors, they have these things for a reason.

Ezz20134051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

but he said the internet is awesome .....it killed his career :P

Blacktric4051d ago

I actually don't like reading news like this (someone getting fired from their job). But in this case, I'm extremely happy. He can go to hell for all I goddamn care. A man that forces their colleagues to call him Sweet Billy and ignores them if they don't, does not deserve to have a job anywhere.

EVILDEAD3604051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

Microsoft had no choice in this case...

The funny part is we found out the bombshell that the Xbox 720 does NOT have to be online and it will play all 720 games offline whether new OR used.

It's the XBOX mini that does not have a disc drive and is competing with Apple TV that will have to always be online.

Probably the biggest news in the 720s existance since all of the 'always online' news and the Orth foul up.

Adam Orth unfortunately has to be the example for the silly tweets and loses his job. But, the crazy thing is he never had to defend the online stuff to begin with.

Xbox 720 will have Backwards Compatability through Xbox Mini

Xbox 720 will support used games

Xbox 720 will play games offline.

The plot has thickened

Evil

SilentNegotiator4051d ago

This news makes this picture from a few days ago sooooooo perfect.

blitz06234051d ago

If I had a twitter account I would tweet him #dealwithit

Why o why4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

wait a sec.....didnt greenberg say he didn't know that guy almost like he didn't exist. Maybe greenberg knew it was curtains for mr dwi

Grap4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

@Why o why
not everyone who work in the same company know each other microsoft isn't a studio has only 100 employ we are talking about thousands of people.

nveenio4051d ago

They've probably been waiting to fire this guy for a long time.

AtomicGerbil4050d ago

@shivvy24

Many companies are adopting social media policies now, you would be very much surprised what some people have been dismissed for.

In the case of Adam Orth, he really should have known better or read company policies.

Why o why4050d ago

@grap

oh I know that, I dont even know all the members of my family;)

I reckon he must of known or found out who he was before he came out of hibernation. Notice he didn't say this guy wasn't an ms employee, so again, I reckon he must of known something of the guys existence.

badz1494050d ago

will Greenberg admit that he actually knows this guy now?

Timesplitter144050d ago (Edited 4050d ago )

Someone has lost his job and is having actual real-life problems right now because some fatties (us) decided that we were very, very offended by someone talking about online connectivity in a video-game console.

I don't think this is right.

And I don't really expect the average N4Ger to understand why since they live in their imaginary magical kingdom where video game purity is the #1 concern and nothing else matters

nosferatuzodd4050d ago (Edited 4050d ago )

wow that's sad

zod the Immortal

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 4050d ago
ziggurcat4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

while it's all still just a rumour, orth's tweets do seem to imply that the next xbox will require an always online connection.

now, whether it's for something like the facilitation of system updates (which is useful, imo) or if it's required to be connected even for a single player game is another thing...

frankly, i'm surprised it took this long for MS to show him the door.

@ nukeitall "I still don't understand why people are so upset with Orth?"

because his tweets insulted anyone who either doesn't have access to or can't afford super high speed internet, and mocked peoples' concerns about having to be connected to play games that don't need an online connection to function.

Jek_Porkins4051d ago

Not really, if they were going to go with DRM console they would have kept him, firing him only makes sense if MS were going in a different direction.

The thing is, people can be confused when they think they are onto some supposed "fact", if it turns out this Xbox Mini that you need to play Xbox 360 games is always online, well there ya go, crisis averted, if it turns out your Xbox 720 needs to be online to use apps, well then...no shit....

MariaHelFutura4051d ago

No. They would fire him either way. 1) Because talked about an unannounced console on twitter. 2) Because he was a complete @sshole while doing it.

Saigon4051d ago

He broke the NDA. To me that is enough to fire him. Most likely to avoid any legal action they had him step down. From what I was told from a friend that knows someone that works at MS in Seattle. the employees are under a very strict NDA protocol when it comes to any new products for MS. they are pretty much not allowed to say anything in any hint or applied subject. i feel sorry for him but hey that's how the ball rolls.

hesido4051d ago

Yes, I know someone working at Microsoft. He said they hadn't received the next gen Xbox kits yet (working on different projects till now), but they were going to. When I asked him if he could give any tidbits, he said he might as well pack his stuff and leave Microsoft :)

syphon324050d ago

Its because internet providers aren't reliable and the internet tends to go out sometimes. No one wants that especially if you have a system that depends on it.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4050d ago
Pushagree4051d ago

Guess Adam will have to...*puts on shades* deal with it.

IIC0mPLeXII4051d ago

YAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

knifefight4051d ago

Now that he doesn't have to go to work, he can REALLY be always online!

DarkBlood4051d ago

damn it you got to say that before i could lol

-Alpha4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

Well, I'm sure EA is hiring

http://i.imgur.com/WVJfyey....

tigertron4051d ago

"Now that he doesn't have to go to work, he can REALLY be always online!"
Not unless he can find a new job and pay for his internet bills. :P #dealwithit

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4051d ago
Cupid_Viper_34051d ago

Well I have to say I'm in a bit of shock to be honest. A lot of XBox fans on here came into every thread to explain to us why all of this "bad news" was actually really good news for MS. And that there's no such thing as bad puplicity.

So why would you fire a guy for supposedly "taking attention away from the PS4" as they guys on here put it?

Oh NVM, I just answered my own question. We actually live in reality, where overwhelmingly bad press about a product is a huge problem, hence why ad campaigns such as Mac vs PC were so effective. Or why presidential elections campaign normally do negative ad campaigns.

But you know what, idiot or not, I hope that this guy's family don't have to pay for his mistakes, and that he can get back on his feet as quickly as possible.

WrAiTh Sp3cTr34051d ago

"A lot of XBox fans on here came into every thread to explain to us why all of this "bad news" was actually really good news for MS."

Can you provide a link to these people you speak of?

LackTrue4K4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

I click agree with Cupid_Viper_3.

And click a disagree on WrAiTh Sp3cTr3, just cuz he knows his talking out of his a55 on asking for a link on the people hes talking BAD about Microsoft.

P.S. "RIP good grammar"

BitbyDeath4051d ago

@WrAiTh, first poster on this page still claims it as good publicity. LOL

ThatCanadianGuy5144051d ago

Really wraith? A link?

Just click through any submission and you'll be hard pressed to miss it lol.

KwietStorm_BLM4051d ago

You're gonna beat this publicity thing into the ground aren't you?

fr0sty4051d ago

Were they doing the right thing by sending the cops to raid a guy's house who was the first to leak this sort of thing out? All these actions do is give credence that Microsoft is very worried about this information getting out. If it were just a rumor that was not true, they would just do an interview and say "we have no intentions to force users to remain online while playing any of our consoles". They wouldn't even have to announce a new console to do that, and it would instantly crush the rumor. Sony did it when they registered that used game patent and the net went wild about it. They came right out and said "PS4 will play used games.".

So, I wouldn't assume they've done the right thing. If they really are trying to do this always on thing, this is not a good way to bring attention to it. They should either remain quiet or come out and debunk it. Trying to clamp down on the rumor starters with force is not a sign of confidence.

syphon324050d ago

I totally agree, being secretive about it isn't working. They should've got ahead of the rumor. Now potential customers investing into the next gen will probably lean towards ps4. Dispelling the "always online" rumor would've helped MS. It would've put the hearts and minds of those looking forward to the 720 at ease. They might not be talking about it because it's true and it's too late to rebuild. It's just speculation but in this case not saying anything isn't helping.

4051d ago
refocusedman4051d ago

Although it was a stupid/ignorant comment, at the end of the day he was just sticking up for MS and showing pride for the company that he works for. Do I agree with him, no but I also dont believe that he deserves to be fired. I dont know when this happened, but gamers have developed a scary sense of entitlement and very thin skin. From the threats written on n4g in response to his comments, to people voting EA the worse company in the US ( when you have companies like bank of america who caused thousands of hard working people to lose their homes). I just dont understand it. At the end of the day games are games and life is life.

superterabyte4051d ago

@shivvy24 really? telling your potential customers to 'deal with it'.

really annoyed me and to add salt to the wounds his analogy's just showed how much of an idiot he really was. comparing electricity outages to network ones is possibly the most idiotic thing I have ever heard form an employee in the technology business except maybe giant crabs being part of ancient Asian culture =D

No low level employee of any major company would get away with what he has done so don't feel sorry for him.

GenericNameHere4051d ago

Haha I knew it! I don't get enjoyment out of people losing their jobs and not being able feed themselves, but he should have known the consequences. Carefully watching what you write and post online is THE MOST BASIC of online business, yet this guy went on to say "Deal With It". That phrase may not mean much to him even if he's joking, but it's ALWAYS about the consumer. You tell the consumer to just take it and "deal with it"? Well, you don't have to be a freaking economics guru to figure out what happens next.

andrewsqual4051d ago

Or since the 2010 Kinect "Reveal" I still don't want to live on this planet anymore when anything related to Microsoft E3 Press Conferences is involved. I will wait until it is over and get the remnants of the news from Eurogamer lol.

chrismichaels044051d ago

"the publicity could do them a lot of good in the long run"? A guy just lost his job. The man has a family to support and all you ignorant fanboys care about is publicity for Microsoft? Yea because hearing a guy lost his job is always positive media coverage. Unbelievable.

Cryptcuzz4051d ago

He lost his job not because of a bad economy that forced his company to make cuts or anything else similar that would warrant empathy from the same people who he was being a smart ass too.

He lost his job because he is someone in the know that is under strict NDA disclosures that talked or. mplied about a product that is yet to be revealed or announced.

With your logic, we should empathize with criminals that will go to jail because they have committed a crime?

Maybe the guy is making 200k + a year and is never there for the family. Would you then feel the same way?

Maybe the criminal going to jail (that we should fee bad about based on your logic) is the one hurting the family and thus the reason why the criminal is going to jail?

Thing is you don't know all that. Neither do I, so let's leave it at that.

What you do need to know is those who dislike the guy, reason why all the jokes and memes about him going rampant are simply because of how he made smart ass comments on a subject that he should have never made comments about, and respect the NDA disclosure that I'm sure he has signed. Peace.

chrismichaels044050d ago

@cryptcuzz...i have to disagree with you buddy. You're argument makes no sense. How on earth can you compare someone getting fired with someone going to jail? Criminals go to jail for serious offenses. This guy got fired for making an idiotic statement. Where in your logic are the two comparable? I'm not saying he doesn't deserve to be disciplined, but a public apology and a suspension would have been enough.

What difference does it make how much money he earns? Doesn't change the fact that he is supporting himself and his family with an honest days pay. So we're only allowed to show sympathy for people...as long as they don't make past a certain amount of money? If he works long hours and never gets to see his family because of it, it just means he's making sacrifices for them.

Just because I don't like someone doesn't mean I'm going to take pleasure in their personal loss. Most people on here are quick to dismiss the possibility that Xbox is including an always online feature and are the first ones saying wait until MS announces something. If that's the mentality we're using, then we can't argue he deserves being fired for breaking confidentiality agreements either.

All we know right now is that he lost his job over a stupid comment. And certain people are celebrating his losing his job as "good publicity" for Microsoft. That's the part I disagree with.

4051d ago
marinelife94050d ago

People get fired all the time for making large stupid mistakes. I don't feel sorry for the guy.

TheXonySbox4050d ago

" every single gamer will tune in to Microsoft's reveal to hear truth from rumor."

Someone is out of touch with reality; newsflash majority of gamers arnt on N4G and they are busy with life. lol #fail

+ Show (13) more repliesLast reply 4050d ago
aviator1894051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

I honestly don't know why ms hired him in the first place.
When he was a designer at Sony, he practically dissed Halo in an interview. Maybe he had some worthwhile abilities, but I wouldn't want to hire someone who can't respect the key franchise related to any certain company.

nukeitall4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

That is a good point, but MS might not have known about it. He does seem like an asshole similar to that other dude that made Twisted Metal, David Jaffe.

Yet, I can't help, but feel bad for the guy. His comments very pretty innocent, and that sort of thing I would have said as a joke.

Feel bad he no longer has a job regardless of being forced to resign/fired or resigning out of free will.

I still don't understand why people are so upset with Orth?

NYC_Gamer4051d ago

It's because his rant made the whole company[MS] look real bad

KwietStorm_BLM4051d ago

You may not like David Jaffe's personality, but I don't recall him ever taking jabs at anyone or joking about where people live. He's actually a very respectful guy, if you've ever spoken to him.

DeeZee4051d ago

Actually, Jaffe seems like a nice guy. I heard a lot of bad things about him, but after following him on Twitter for a while he seems like one of the nicest people in gaming. He talks about his kids and none of his tweets come across as arrogant.

Akin04050d ago

If you work for any corporation such as Microsoft there are policies in place for communication of company information / trade secrets. All employees are trained on these policies. Orth most likely violated those policies with his tweets even tho they were in jest. Given the secretness and sensitivity of the subject matter Microsoft deemed termination appropriate, and I would agree.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4050d ago
konnerbllb4051d ago

Looks like he's off to Nintendo now. Third times a charm.

JoGam4051d ago

I think this will really screw his chances with another company in gaming.

Condemnedman4051d ago

Ah there you go an ex sony employee. That explains the arrogance and bitterness lol

abzdine4051d ago ShowReplies(1)
coolbeans4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

A believe a toast is in order...

To the 'always-on...the hunt for a new job' Adam Orth. Cheers.

http://img.pandawhale.com/5...

DragonKnight4051d ago

Adam Orth disagreed with you.

coolbeans4051d ago (Edited 4051d ago )

To be expected. He isn't always-on his best behavior here. :P

DragonKnight4051d ago

He even disagreed with me about him disagree with you.

grayfoxx8814051d ago

This was most definitely a forced resignation, which is not the least bit surprising.

Show all comments (154)
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.

Relientk777h ago

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

JEECE3h 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.

thesoftware7303h 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 ...🙄

Skuletor47m 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.

Barlos38m ago

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

Skuletor30m ago

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

Profchaos13m 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

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.

romulus231d 22h 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 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h 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 14h ago

So you do understand it or..?

rokos1d 12h 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 11h ago

i think you are really missing the point

VariantAEC1d 2h 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 2h 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 16h ago

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

Abear211d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h 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 2h 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 2h ago

Years?

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

Jon615861d 11h 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 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h 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 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h 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 6h 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 20h 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 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h 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 13h 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 21h ago

Phil and his team need to be gone

lodossrage1d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h 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 11h 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 13h 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.

Show all comments (68)
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.

Show all comments (7)