790°

Next-Gen Xbox Reveal: Pachter – ‘We’ll Get The Same Thing We Got At The Sony Event’

X360: Microsoft’s May event is primed to show off a ‘new generation’ Xbox but analyst Michael Pachter believes we’ll get an event similar to Sony’s, but we will get to see the console this time.

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x360magazine.com
NYC_Gamer4012d ago

I agree,the event will be based around hardware and features.

Dailynch4012d ago

I do hope we at least get to see the thing this time and not just the controller. Sony's event was exciting, but not seeing the machine itself was a huge mistake.

paranoid19714011d ago

People don't buy consoles because of the way they look,they buy them for what they can do.

majiebeast4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

Sony gave a technical rundown of the PS4. I rather have that then see the shiny box they put it into.

Karpetburnz4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

I don't see how its a mistake? people are just curious what it will look like.

Sony will probably show off the console at E3.

MasterCornholio4011d ago

Guess what?

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

The PS4 is a real console.

Deal with it

greenpowerz4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

He never said they buy them for the way they look. Showing a console at its own reveal will show the company is in a healthy position to talk about it and then launch it when promised. It shows it's a well thought out plan/hardware/strategy/service . Boasting and blustering what it will be or what it will possibly do when they are done brain storming it, seeming like a knee-jerk reaction is something even average Joe can pick up on and worry a bit.

You don't walk on stage boasting about Gaikai and then in the same speech tell the world you don't know how it's going to work and it's not even finished, out on stage saying this is what it could do if we work on that.

It's not so much the lack showing hardware at a *console reveal* giving insight on Sony but the changed specs, all Sony's devs were old specs up until the desperate reveal after Sony caught wind of what MSFT might be up to.

They only showed and talked about the Controller and not the hardware core services and camera because that is all Sony had ready due to the forced desperate reveal move to try and kill what they knew was coming from MSFT

#deal with it

SegaSaturn6694011d ago

I always thought the console was made for its performance abilities. If it looks like a turd, hide it in a cabinet.

That being said, the design showing inputs, and how effective the heat dissipation is implemented in the design are important.

I'd like to see some more durability this generation.

Minato-Namikaze4011d ago

Because the system needs to match your drapes, or bedding? It'll be a black box that you stick under the entertainment system and look at every so often. Had this been E3 and they didnt show the console then i'd say it was a misstep.

Computersaysno4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

If the next Xbox is slower than PS4 and Microsoft know it is, they won't go into a technical run down. They will avoid it.

They won't want to get into a horsepower battle in the press, if they know they are going to lose.

Smart PR is to focus on your own strengths and your own aims. Draw your own battle lines, fight the competition where you choose and prefer, pick your own battles.

Microsoft will surely emphasise their online features with Xbox live and connectivity. They will go on and on about social gaming and possibly Kinect 2.0, online and offline social gaming with family and friends.

They are gonna pitch this console more mainstream, try and cast the net to casuals and the core by showing varying titles in those molds.

Most casuals don't want to hear half an hour hardware technical breakdown, even if the core probably does.

Sevir4011d ago

They showed a box mock up of the system, but nothing was functional. Not even the hardware, it was a year and a half away from release, not like the PS4 which is at latest 10 months away, and We got Target CGI renders not running on actual hardware and people loved it.

but Sony has a reveal for the PS4 and they Show Actual interfaces, Live Gameplay Demos running on prototype hardware (Not CGI Targets) and a list of confirmed hardware specs and a working functional controller and camera people complain because they didn't see a shell of the console hardware?

We got more than we ever got with the PS4 reveal that E32005 with Sony. If you'd rather an empty box with nothing in it and a bunch of CGI target renders than knowing what the system can do and demonstrations of what the innards of the box can do then have at it.

thechosenone4011d ago

So Patcher and MS must have thought that what Sony showed off at their event was pretty damn good if what they're planning to show more of is similar.

OC_MurphysLaw4011d ago

To those saying its no big deal Sony didnt show off the actual console... while I agree ultimately it may not matter long term it was very out of the ordinary. Name another successful consumer hardware maker that unveils a major new device to the world without showing the actual device? It just doesn't typically happen.

ALLWRONG4011d ago

"People don't buy consoles because of the way they look,they buy them for what they can do"

Nice spin

SCW19824011d ago

Although it was frustrating I would say Sony not actually showing the console was a genius move from a marketing standpoint. Just look at all the hype and speculation people say over just the actual shell of the device. And soon we will see Sony's sexy design revealed.

Riderz13374011d ago

I prefer to know what the box can do, not what the box looks like.

nukeitall4011d ago

It's called marketing, and part of it is to make it "real", as instant gratification as possible and obtainable.

Having a console certainly helps, but let's face it, only the hardcore of the hardcore watches this sort of thing.

Everyone else sort of listens and finds out probably way after the console is launched.

shadow27974011d ago

"Name another successful consumer hardware maker that unveils a major new device to the world without showing the actual device?"

Nintendo? (Wii-U)

pete0074011d ago

the mistake was indeed not showing the console running games. my opinion, cause i do remember all the hype before ps3, all those videos and the colossal gen jump that never was.
till i see a real ps4 running software before my eyes, ill not believe a word from sony. and all thjose wonder features even less. now lets seat and wait .
im with you green

Enemy4011d ago Show
4011d ago
nypifisel4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

Mistake? lol. Ask yourself this, have there been a console yet you wouldn't buy solely cause you thought it was too ugly? If anyone answers 'yes' on this question, you're stupid I'm sorry.

FlunkinMonkey4011d ago

Greenpowerz ALLWRONG and nukeitall

You are really something else, it's impressive the amount of garbage that comes out of those orifices of yours.. Impressive. Deluded is an understatement.

All you do is clutch at straws, and it's tiresome to read...infact you make my eye balls bleed.

PS4 did everything it needed to do and more. So it didn't show the console? Is that all you've got? You are all laughable

Freedomland4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

That event was about the future of playstation brand and what they have already planned, it was not to unveil ps4. Sony mentioned before the event. I don,t know why people think that that was unveiling of ps4. Sony will unveil ps4 at E3 i think.

Freedomland4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

@greenpowerz
@pete007

Why do you think that both companies are afraid of each other, mate they are doing business like lot of other companies in the world and both are giants and they have their own products and strategies. If Mcdonald and KFC or Pepsi and Coca Cola can co-exist, they can also.
Just shut up and stop insulting others and buy whatever console you like.

Sideras4011d ago

We'll the design of the console won't matter, they gave us the specs. It might aswell be a cardboard box with the components in it.

MysticStrummer4011d ago

It was a huge mistake to not show the PS4 to people who don't want it anyway, apparently.

@ALLWRONG - Only on N4G would reality be called "spin". PS4 could be incredibly ugly. Gamers will say "Damn that's ugly." and buy it anyway.

@Greenpowerz - Yeah Sony was afraid of what MS was doing... meanwhile the majority of the rumors about what MS is doing favor Sony. That makes all kinds of sense. lol

hesido4011d ago

Still don't get people who complain about Ps4 form factor not being shown.

It's like they'll have to buy the console without knowing how it looks. At worst you'll see it before you buy the console. However, you will not know a shred about PS4's functionality by seeing how it looks. What the box does is more important to know, and that's what Sony gave us during and after the reveal.

Divine4011d ago

yea sony is smart though. because i bet while ur seeing how the 720 looks you'll be saying " i cant wait to see how the ps4 box will look/ or i wonder what ps4 will look like". so even during xbox conference sony will be haunting youuu . lol

Xer0_SiN4011d ago

so...accordong to your logic, you would rather have a console reveal, similar to what nintendo did with the wii u, veiling all technical aspects of the system; vs, sony giving you all technical aspects of the console, showing you what it can do, and save the hardware for a later date? LOL....get out.

noctis_lumia4011d ago

they kept this for E3 so nope it wasnt abig mistake

NegativeCreepWA4011d ago

The controller is one of the most important parts of a console, it's how you'll be interacting with it for the next 5-10 years.

It's actually the main reason I prefer one console over the other.

Hayabusa 1174011d ago

No, I hope they show some freakin' games running. If all they show is hardware and features I'd be bitterly disappointed.

IIZANGETSUII4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

look at those disagrees hahah many psfanboys got butthurt, shame on you guys

ziggurcat4011d ago

@ greenpowerz:

delusional as ever...

MaxXAttaxX4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

It keeps people interested and the PS4's momentum going, which is something that bothers people like 'greenpowerz' 'nukeitall' and 'ALLWRONG', who call it a "spin" and fear those bad rumors about the next Xbox becoming true.

andibandit4011d ago

Imagine Apple showing the Ipod for the first time without the actual Ipod.

+ Show (32) more repliesLast reply 4011d ago
avengers19784011d ago

This maybe the first time I agree with patcher... They will probably focus on games and features, as opposed to the design of the console. I am looking for new ips from Xbox, so I hope they show that

Nafon4011d ago

and it will actually show the console lol

miDnIghtEr20C_SfF4011d ago

They already said this. On Major Nelsons page, they said that May 21rst is about the Console. Then E3 is going to be about the games.

Remember I told you here that RARE is coming out with a water based game at launch....

BELIEVE IN ME!

4011d ago
Tapioca Cold4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

To all below and above: Why does it have to be so black and white for all of you?

Why is it Microsoft will either show the console or not? Who cares? If they show it, they show it. If they don't they don't. Sony decided not to show theirs. So? Both of these consoles will be great. These are exciting times.

You fanboys get your panties twisted over every little thing.

showtimefolks4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

MS has to atleast Match sony's specs for PS4

also show atleast 2-3 new IP's

talk as little about kinect and apps for ordering pizzas and more about actual gaming software

1st Impression is very important just look at how much positive media attention ps3's 1st announcement got, so now the ball is in MS's court

davidmccue4011d ago

Well obviously...............

Major Nelson: "On that day, we’ll share our vision for Xbox, and give you a real taste of the future. Then, 19-days later at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, we’ll continue the conversation and showcase our full lineup of blockbuster games."

source: http://majornelson.com/2013...

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4011d ago
nevin14011d ago ShowReplies(1)
nthstew4011d ago

it wont be same unless they show the box and controller and reveal full hardware specs...
and please no TV junk talks like Sony did :"

famoussasjohn4011d ago

Too bad for you in regards to the TV portion..

"On Tuesday May 21st, we’ll mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV and entertainment."

If the cable box is what they're going to reveal, that sounds rather awesome.

SCW19824011d ago

I fail to see how a cable box that doesn't promote new inventive and interesting IP's is awesome. Please bring the exclusives Microsoft than and only than will I consider purchasing your systems again.

PeaSFor4011d ago

peoples have youtube and .torrent, dont care at all about MS tv thingy, they already shove tons of ads down peoples throats on the dashboard....i cant imagine how many orifices will be violated with their silly tv thing...

famoussasjohn4011d ago

Please don't ruin the controller. Just make the D-Pad better.

Minato-Namikaze4011d ago

They have to change the analog sticks. I think i might not be the only one in the world andi'm willing to bet that other people also have symmetrical hands.

Knight_Crawler4011d ago

I hope not...I dont like the DS3 becuase the anolog sticks are too close together and I have big hands so I keep hitting my thumbs together.

4011d ago
maniacmayhem4011d ago

Lol, the new buzz word is "symmetrical". The analog sticks on the 360 pad are perfectly placed. In most of the games you would use the left analog to control the character and use the right to control the camera. It's rare you would use both at the same time for a long period of gameplay.

So your symmetrical argument that has just been a recent buzz term here on N4G doesn't really hold weight.

-Falaut-4011d ago

@knight

"... I have big hands so I keep hitting my thumbs together..."

That has to be one of the stupidest things I read today.

FunkMacNasty4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

@minato-namikaze

The asymetrical analogue sticks are IMO the best feature about the 360 controller. I have large hands and when I play on playstation, my thumbs always tend to smash into each other when playing TPS/FPS games. I also think the triggers feel more "weighted" and in general the control has a nice chunky feel in my hands.. overall very ergonimic.

Edit: @ Falaut - lol.. what so stupid about having large hands!? Everyone's body is different, that's why there are diferent sized clothes, shoes, etc.. I have the same issue with the DS3 that Knightcrawler does.

@ playstation4gamer - so this is news.. someone who has "playstation" in their username doesn't like the xbox controller and doesn't know anyone else who does either. Shocking.

Good_Guy_Jamal4011d ago

Symmetrical huh? When I play Forza 4 my left thumb is up at the left analogue and my right thumb is up at the face buttons. Symmetry. This is true for all other racing games, fighting games, sports games, side scrolling games, and hack n slash games. The only time my thumbs aren't in symmetry is when I play shooters. Can you say the same about the DS3? In most games, the right thumb rests on the face buttons, very asymmetrical so I don't know why ps fans always run to the symmetry excuse for DS.
When you're actually playing a game, how symmetrical hi the DS3?

I'm not the only one that that thinks this, many 3rd party controller manufacturers share my view. Do a google image search for 3rd party ps3 controller and count the number of times you spot a ps3 controller with the sticks swapped around.
Do the same thing with 3rd party controllers.
Note how a majority of 3rd party ps3 controllers come in the 360 configuration and zero 3rd party xbox controllers come in the ps3 configuration.
3rd party companies know what we all know, this is not 1996 anymore. Time to note with the times.

Lvl_up_gamer4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

@ Minato-Namikaze

LMFAO, you people kill me with your whole "symmetrical" argument.

Which way do your thumbs naturally point? The point up, so it's actual physical enforcement to to keep your thumbs in a symmetrical position to use the PS controller.

The PS controllers FORCE your thumbs to be in a strained position for long duration's of time. Do you know what happens when your joints are consistently forced into a position which puts constant strain on them?

YOU GET ARTHRITIS!!!

The 360 controller is more ergonomically correct which in itself allows for not only better comfort on the joints but also less strain on them. This is why, as Good_Guy_Jamal has already pointed out, no 3rd parties make a PS symmetrical controller for an MS system while they do make a MS style controller for the PS3.

Controller manufacturers KNOW where they will make most of their business from.

So long as Sony continues with the symmetrical controller layout, it will NEVER be a better controller then MS's. FACT whether you like it or not. Only fanboys think that the PS controller is a more comfortable controller then the xbox's.

Bnet3434011d ago

change the analog sticks lol. shut up with that, the analog sticks are in the perfect place. just like the dreamcast and the gamecube controller. analog is in the right place no one is complaining about that.

MysticStrummer4011d ago (Edited 4011d ago )

Wow. Look at all the people who bought MS marketing about that controller hook line and sinker. You guys are the reason why having the word Infinite as part of the marketing for NextBox is a great idea.

Man people are amazing.

The triggers on that controller are better design than Sony's, and the ends of the analogs. It is not more ergonomic.

"The PS controllers FORCE your thumbs to be in a strained position for long duration's of time."

lol No. smh

"no 3rd parties make a PS symmetrical controller for an MS system"

They make adapters to use PS controllers on 360.

Zerotino4011d ago

@Knight_Crawler
Its having large hands is the reason I hate the 360 controller. That unnecessary big hunk of plastic on the back keeps squeezing my fingers into the controller or digging into them.
I've never hand a problem with the DS3 and 'hitting my thumbs together.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4011d ago
ichimaru4011d ago

this. that controller it's literally perfect. maybe pressure sensitive buttons like the DS2 but that's not a desk breaker

4011d ago
ichimaru4011d ago

really? dint know that. so mgs4 didn't use pressure sensitive buttons

wolokowoh4011d ago

@gameonbro While your correct about the face buttons, it's important to clarify the D-Pad is still pressure sensitive and the all the shoulder buttons are now analog, which a fancy way they're all pressure sensitive. You probably know this but your comment is written in a way that could be misinterpreted by those who don't. The only games that use the face button's pressure sensitivity to any substantial effect where racing games and most of those have moved the accelerator pedal from the X button to the triggers this generation. It kind of sucks because I prefer the X button for acceleration personally but it's a minor issue.

ShiftyLookingCow4011d ago

I hope the analog sticks this gen don't start moving on their own or maybe MS will give us the option of tweaking their deadzones.

Perhaps I just got a bad controller.

4011d ago Replies(1)
Show all comments (114)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple1015d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref4d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde4d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19724d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville4d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21834d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos4d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
isarai5d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref4d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan4d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0074d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander19725d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

5d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19725d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

5d ago
5d ago
Zeref4d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde4d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19724d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19724d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier4d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto4d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21834d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto4d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
Hofstaderman5d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts4d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts3d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic4d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
370°

Could Xbox Soon Become The Next Dreamcast?

Microsoft's future in the video game space is murky right now, so let's break it all down.

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
ApocalypseShadow17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Not anytime soon. But they're on that path.

One thing not mentioned in the article is Microsoft's money bags. If Sega had Microsoft's money, they would have still been around as a hardware manufacturer. Xbox as a platform only survives because of the money bags. They can continue making consoles for the core and port to PC.

The multiplatform strategy is only the result of arrogance and misguided leadership that blew up in their face. They thought gamers would jump on Xbox in droves if they knew that many of their favorite games would be only on Xbox. But that's not happening at all. Sales didn't increase. They decreased. Why? Because the dumb asses thought giving away these expensively made games in a cheap service would also turn the tide.

Gamers on other platforms are willing to buy quality. They don't need to be handed nearly free games in a service that aren't even finished and sometimes average in their development. Gamers buy Nintendo games. They buy Sony games. Microsoft groomed their base to not buy games. Even the quality ones. It has always been their plan to go digital. But most gamers still like single player gaming. Still like physical releases.

Microsoft's problem has always been that they don't produce high quality games at the same output as Nintendo and Sony. Actually, they should be producing quite a lot more because they're worth over 2 TRILLION. How they don't have more is ridiculous and no excuse. Buying publishers to take away from competition only backfired. Because it still takes millions of dollars to continue to make those games from the publishers they snatched. Their only choice was to crawl back to their competitors to help sustain those developers because Nintendo and Sony platforms were the ones buying games.

Am I sorry for Microsoft? Hell no! They deserved last place for putting in the least effort. They deserved the fallout for buying up the industry and didn't make a single blip on the radar against their competitors where they now need those same gamers they took away games from to support them. Part of it may have been to cash in on their competition. But the result is the slow death of their platform. They may go 3rd party. They may keep making hardware. I don't give a shit about them to worry about it. I only give a shit about the destructive nature of their industry moves that only negatively affect gamers. They could sell and drop out of the industry and I wouldn't blink. Probably laugh. But not blink. They deserve whatever comes to them. At least Sega put in the effort when it came to games. They just had poor leadership. Microsoft has poor leadership and barely makes memorable games. That's a killer combination. And not in a good way.

Cacabunga17d ago

That would be an insult to Dreamcast.. it had a crazy line up of legendary critically acclaimed games.

Crows9017d ago

I was thinking the same. Dreamcast had incredible games in such a short amount of time. It was truly exceptional.

darthv7216d ago

...and yet all those great games were not enough to sway people from the looming release of the PS2 at the time. Sony just has that kind of brand loyalty.

Cacabunga16d ago

Darth

I do not agree.. Sony had even better games thanks to an unprecedented 3rd party support..
DC had amazing lineup but 90% were arcade games..

88316d ago

@darth:
And Sony showed off "The Emotion Engine" and their real time demos that made everyone think they would miss out on REAL next gen 128bit magic if they jumped in before PS2s polygon pushing monster (and early lack of anti-aliasing with a healthy heap of shimmer + DVD playback) stepped up. PS2 was a fantastic system though with amazing games.

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blacktiger17d ago

That's not true. Just because Microsoft has the money doesn't mean Microsoft can allow xbox to bleed entire Microsoft money. It doesn't work like they. Also SEC will be watching and investor won't allow it. Lot of reasons why Microsoft can not continue even if they wanted to. SEC regulations is expensive.

fr0sty17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Exactly this... Microsoft is a publicly traded company, mostly owned by their shareholders (Approximately 59.24% of the company's stock is owned by Institutional Investors, 7.73% is owned by Insiders and 33.03% is owned by Public Companies and Individual Investors.). Their shareholders call the shots on the business decisions, and their shareholders want one thing and one thing only, for their stock price to go up. Losses do not make stock prices go up... so if the division continually posts losses on hardware, but shows profits on software and services (which has been the case with Xbox its entire lifespan, for over 20 years now), the shareholders are going to grow impatient and demand they stop making hardware and focus on the only thing that has ever made them money, software and services.

When Microsoft bought Blizzard and Activision for almost 100 billion, I knew that was the nail in the coffin for Xbox as a console... as the shareholders were going to expect a quick return on that investment, and when it didn't materialize, they were going to be out for blood... out to force Xbox to sell those games on as many consoles as possible, "and while you're at it, sell those first party exclusives that aren't selling well on other consoles as well... hell, just stop making consoles and sell games."

If there is another Xbox console generation, it will definitely be the last, but I doubt there even will be one at this point. I think the Xbox division planning on it just in case, but I don't think the project has been greenlit from Microsoft itself. The rumors that they have not yet even secured the chips needed from the chip fabrication facilities ties into this.

shinoff218317d ago

While I usually agree with you . Alot of what was said can just also be asked before any of that.

How long will the shareholders wait? It doesn't appear long at all

Babadook716d ago

I think I get your point. Like just because MS has money does not mean they are content to throw it away on a dying ecosystem. Xbox has to be profitable or “what’s the point?”

ifinitygamer16d ago

Money bags, yes, but are we ignoring that Xbox actually makes a profit on games and GamePass? Hardware is often a loss leader, and they're probably making profit 4 years into the life cycle, but games and services revenue have been very profitable while other parts of Microsoft's business is struggling. Say what you will about the quality of those games, of course, but this is kind of a reverse Dreamcast situation, where the console was dragging down the company and put it at risk of shuttering entirely. Killing that console saved the business and allowed it to continue to make games on multiple platforms. In this case, the service is very profitable, as are the games, and they're also double-dipping into Multiplatform to extend this further, while their hardware is just sort of what they believe to be the best for gamers and their own titles (whether that is the case or not...)

fr0sty16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

The issue is, they aren't selling enough hardware to make their exclusives profitable, and now that they've bought half the gaming publisher/dev industry, they have no choice but to go third party to make a profit... and that is making their shareholders take a real close look at their hardware division under the microscope... why keep making the hardware if the software is all that is making them money, and they continually, generation after generation come in dead last with hardware sales?

Look at a game like Spiderman 2... if it had been an Xbox exclusive, with the amount it cost to develop, it would have been a huge failure... simply not enough consoles out there to sell it on. They would have been lucky to break even.

ifinitygamer16d ago

@fr0sty agreed completely, which is why they're hedging by releasing other games to multiplatform, plus they have PC to make up for the difference in a lot of ways, which is why their games are not complete money pits. It brings up the question of whether or not those exclusives would drive sales of consoles, though. Let's say Spiderman 2 was an Xbox exclusive, it would certainly have pushed console sales, though who's to say how much is anyone's guess.

fr0sty16d ago

That's why you can't rely on just one exclusive, Sony has always delivered on a wide range of solid exclusives, even this generation (even if they haven't been strong on the first party exclusives, they've made up for it with third party). They don't rely on just one "system seller", they have a portfolio of them.

16d ago
JBlaze22616d ago

ApocalypseShadow To be honest Sony has more of a chance to go 3rd party because like you said Microsoft has money, Sony does not. Sony does not have games, Only games they have come from 3rd party. Sony has been losing money for years and you. Saying Microsoft has been putting the least effort just proves you have no idea what's been going on. All Sony has done is repeat and recycle, never innovating or doing something new. All Sony has is brand loyalty nothing else and it shows.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 16d ago
LG_Fox_Brazil17d ago

Not sure about that. It's been two decades and I still think about Power Stone, Shenmue, Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Seaman and others, but I'm not sure I'll remember Xbox Series X/S games in a few years from now... Maybe I'll remember about the franchises that the Xbox brand spawned, but I don't believe that the Xbox Series lives up to the late Dreamcast or even to the Xbox name itself. I do have great memories about the 360 with Blue Dragon, Gears 2 and Lost Odyssey though

isarai17d ago

Nah, sega actually makes good games

Becuzisaid17d ago

No, Dreamcast was ahead of it's time and most still have very fond memories of it that had one. It also had some good games on it even in it's short lifespan. Xbox has none of these qualities.

Profchaos17d ago

I remember it coming out at the time in a really bad place they hit the market before the PS2 but it was during this transitional time when Sony was promoting the power of the PS2 and so many of the Dreamcast games were awesome but often third parties simply ported the PS1 version increased resolution and performance but rarely fully utilise the capabilities of the console.

I think in the end bad marketing done it in and like the GameCube so many people are fond of it now but at the time it was looked at in the lense of the day and it didn't stack up.

Personally I miss Sega in hardware they took risks that many companies won't

Becuzisaid17d ago

I never owned it, and got the PS2 right when it launched. But there were certain games it had that I was always jealous of that I didn't have access to - Sonic adventure, crazy taxi, power Stone, code Veronica, shenmue, skies of Arcadia. I always thought it was a really cool machine though. I've never heard a bad thing about it though from those that had it.

FinalFantasyFanatic16d ago

I only ever saw one Dreamcast, and that was one my friend owned, pity I never got to play it, I wonder what games he had for it?

It would be nice if some of those games got ported to modern systems.

Profchaos17d ago

Oh man sonic adventure on the Dreamcast made me so jealous as a huge sonic fan on the mega drive who also moved to PlayStation 2 I never got the chance to play it back in the day either. The Dreamcast in Australia where I am was always relegated to the smallest corner of EB Games it was kind of a strong first indicator that things were not going well at the time.

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Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox and weekly streaks to be killed off soon

Microsoft has announced the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox will be discontinued in April and has confirmed that weekly streaks will also be coming to an end.

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