In the last 2 months I read countless articles bashing Microsoft. All the next Xbox or Xbox 720 rumors that have floated around the internet have been insane. Gamers constantly bashing MS for having always online, intergrating the Xbox with TV, lack of games. First I want to say how do you come up with these ridiculous stories when MS has not announced anything. Granted in the last few years Xbox has seen a reduced amount of games. Maybe that is why gamers keep using that same rumor over and over. In every other category Microsoft has managed to amaze and continue to innovate. Again, why is it that Microsoft continues to get bashed but not one actual story from MS themselves has come out regarding said Xbox. It all boils down to one thing when you are number one at what you do you get bashed. What gamers forget the most is that Microsoft has learned in the last 12 years and they will continue to push the boundaries were it matter the most and it starts with us gamers. Remember when they took the gamble with broadband with the original Xbox and many said no dial up is the way to go. Guess who prevailed. Below I am going to give you reasons as to why you should not underestimate MS with the Xbox brand and actually embrace Xbox but not just Xbox but all gaming period. I understand that not many of you are going to like what I have to say but guess what my logic is your system of choice should be the system that most caters to you. Here are my thoughts read below.
It is no secret that Xbox 360 has revolutionized the gaming space with Xbox live. Xbox 360 was first to bring achievements, have an extensive friends list, accessible matchmaking, cross game chat and relentless exclusive DLC. 8 years later and Xbox live has evolved keeping everything that I loved about the Xbox in the beginning but now offering the all in one package with over 50 apps a redesigned interface, intergration of kinect, motion controls, voice commands and smart glass. Now you can meet with your friends play a game, switch over watch a movie, chat with your friends while watching any sports event, Watch live events like the Spike Video Game Awards or Upcoming Xbox event and vote online while interacting with the show.. The amount of possibilities are endless Xbox 360 has jumped leaps and bounds ahead of the competition in offering what was once impossible. They have also had problems along the way like the RROD issue but have managed to overcome the negative and continue to bring more positives to the system. Up to this date you don't have to endure endless time downloading games, wait long extensive periods for an update, can play a game at a much faster rate then the competition and cross chat is still available whether you are playing or not.
When it comes to MS people forget the resources that they have and that is why I feel they will have they have an advantage coming into the next generation.
Microsft has invested millions of dollars alone on Xbox live, they have created it from the inside out. By doing this Microsoft is one of the leading companies who can upgrade/intergrate all the features seamingly through all there devices which include Xbox 360, windows 8 via smartglass and New Xbox. Don't believe me read some of the recent articles posted this past week.
Xbox planning new dashboard update beta UI changes for next gen.
I quote
"We understand Microsoft is aiming to ensure Xbox 360 users can transition over to the next-generation console and interact with existing Xbox 360 users using messaging, beacons, and achievements. Microsoft will also phase out the point systems with this dashboard update, replacing it with currency and gift card options. We're told that the final update will be made available, providing the public beta testing goes to plan, in August."
Granted this is all rumors but common gamers this is microsoft you are talking about you don't think this will all be possible.
http://www.theverge.com/201...
http://www.ign.com/articles...
Now when it comes to games. This is a tricky area because you have your satisfied gamers and non satisfied gamers who feel microsoft is weak when it comes to games. Many have used the example that Microsoft has only had a few exclusives left this generation with Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable. Is this really a bad thing for Microsoft in the last few years?
Here are a few reasons why I don't feel it has been really that bad for them
1. To many developers have gone out of business or have gotten a bad rap for developing new IP's
2. The economy has shown that gamers are not buying all games and interest has fallen
3. There have been some outstanding 3rd party games in the last few years of this current gen cycle
4. More 3rd party games have become better sellers then 1st party games on any single unit/console this generation.
So is Microsoft really in that bad of a position, have they really been that worse off because they have focused on less new IP's late in this current gen cycle. The answer is no.
Has there focus on attracting 3rd party relationships with exclusive timed DLC or only on Xbox strategy paid off the answer is yes.
Now lets move onto launch games when MS started with the original Xbox
Halo
Kameo Elements
Project Gotham Racing
Dead or Alive 3
Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding
Fuzion Frenzy
Jet Set Radio Future
All games that are still dear to gamers and have been big key franchises for years to come.
The launch games for Xbox 360 had all these options
Call of Duty 2
Gun
Ridge Racer 6
Saints Row
Condemned Criminal Origins
Perfect Dark
Project Gotham Racing
Quake 4
Amped 3
Madden
Peter Jackson King Kong
Tetris
Need for Speed
Tony Hawk
NHL Hockey
FiFa Soccer
Kameo Elements
Tiger Woods PGA Golf
About 18 Launch titles and with more heavy hitters to come Xbox 360 became the system of choice.
Next Gen launch titles (These are only rumors). Top games that can possible make an appearance.
Ryse-Partnership with Crytek
Forza 5-Turn 10
Alan Wake-Partnership with Remedy
Zombie Game-New IP
Project Gotham Racing
Titan-EA partnership
Call of duty-Activision Partnership
New IP-Partnership with UBISOFT
Rare- Secret Project
Black Tusk Studios- FPS New IP
343- Teases Halo
Lionhead- Possible New Fable
Harmonix-Possible New Dance Game
EPIC-Possible New IP or Gears of War
Ruffian Games- Possible Crackdown or New IP
Play Ground Games- New IP
I don't get why gamers will feel that Micorosoft won't have the games come launch. Even more so now with a bigger emphasis on online gaming look at the developers working with MS below and you can see why gamers should not be so harsh on Microsoft.
Note: Microsoft plans on creating retail style games as well as great arcade games for online. Combine this with the free to play formula and core gamers as well as casual gamers can all be satisfied.
Name of the companies they work with regarding Xbox live and some of there known franchises
Certain Affinity-New IP
Twisted Pixel- Lococycle
Signal Studios- Ascends new gods
Undead Labs- State of Decay and working on next gen Class 4
Tequila Works- Deadlight
Big Park- Kinect Sports 2, Joyride
Good Science Studios-Kinect Fun Labs
Press Play-Max and the Magic Marker
Lift London- Cloud Based Gaming
Double Fine Productions- New IP
4J Studios
Frontier Development
Iron Galaxy Studios
Krome Studios
Climax Group
Ska Studios
Runic Games
Robot Entertainment
The last rumor which I just feel gamers are taking to heart but still embrace is the Xbox having a connection with cable.
What is really so bad about that?
The reasons we hear so much about Microsoft trying to dominate the TV space is due to there focus in the last 2 years of expanding Xbox live from just a gamers machine to a entertainment device. Having all the options does not hurt xbox it will just broaden it. I never had a problem with the offerings on Xbox live.
Overall gamers want games, social aspects a smooth online experience and are willing to spend anything for it as long as they don't have to deal with long loading times and massive installs.. Right now the only gaming console to provide that is Xbox 360. That is why I feel they are in a position to excel in this generation.
Note: I did not get into the whole DRM, always online rumor due to the fact that I still don't have an idea what this always online thing really means. Is it going to be connected to games, kinect, social aspect, movie watching. I really don't have an idea. Funny thing is that with no real information on the next xbox many websites ran with this story for hits. Many gamers just kept believing something with no actual basis.
What do you gamers think is all the hate on Micorosoft really needed?
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Very well put-together blog. You make a lot of valid points. Outside of the fanboys (who will hate something no matter what), I think there are a fair number of people who are genuinely disappointed with what Microsoft has been doing. I also do not agree that Microsoft is in the best position for next-gen. The market is far too tumultuous to predict that. For all we know, the Wii-U is in the best position for next-gen.
Microsoft lost a lot of goodwill with their core consumers over the past few years. The core fans are leaving, but don't take my word for it. The sales of key franchises are on the decline. Halo 4 sold less than Reach, which sold less than Halo 3. Forza Horizons sold less than Forza 4, which sold less than Forza 3. Gears of War: Judgment sold less than Gears 3, which sold less than Gears 2, which barely sold more than Gears 1. Fable Journey sold less than Fable 3, which barely sold more than Fable 2. It should also be noted that the sales of these franchises have been decreasing while at the same time the installed base of the 360 has been increasing. I could go on, but I think you see the point.
Plus, it's popular to hate on something that is popular. The PS3 got it BAAAAAD from 2006-2009 and then people sort of got bored being idiots. The NextBox might be the target of irrational gamer angst in this upcoming gen.
There are some decent points hidden among the interminable lists, however, I must point out that your personal attachment to a brand has rendered you defensive to the point of delusion. There has been no "bashing" of Microsoft in the media, well at least in respect to gaming anyway. What you are perceiving as personal insults are actually just wild speculation in the light of very little actual news coming from MS themselves.
Although a lot of it has been negative you have to keep in mind that the press have only been commenting on information they have received from various 'sources'. There's nothing sinister about it and it shouldn't be taken personally.
Anyway, as far as your opinion goes, you're totally entitled to believe that everything MS touches turns to gold but, when you blog with such wild passion and fanaticism, it's going to be hard for anyone to see past your glaring bias in order to comprehend your point of view.
Please understand I mean no insult as I don't remember ever seeing you trolling or anything but I would suggest toning it down a few notches or you'll never be taken seriously.
As for my own opinion on the matter, I don't believe I can say either way who is in the "best position". After personally witnessing more generational transitions than I'd care to say, I have concluded that anything can happen no matter how well or poorly a particular company is doing beforehand.
What I want to know is how there can be any fanboyism for Microsoft in the new gen when the MS fanboys know nothing about the new console? The same can be said for those attacking it. Sure, attacking the rumoured ideas is one thing, but being pro or con when it comes to the NextBox is impossible right now as no one knows anything concretely about it. How can there already be fanboys when, as of this moment, the NextBox doesn't legitimately exist?
Wait 2 days then you will know it exists
@chaostar
"Please understand I mean no insult as I don't remember ever seeing you trolling or anything but I would suggest toning it down a few notches or you'll never be taken seriously. "
I understand your point. This blog was intended to show another side of MS. While still at the same time indicating not just to embrace Xbox but all gaming consoles. I see the endless doom and gloom when it comes to all companies and I did say in my blog that not everyone is going to agree with what I say. I also indicated that besides the past reference sections in my blog it is all rumors. I am also not sure why you would think that MS is not in the best position going forward they have added more internal studios, they have created some of the best 3rd party partnerships this generation and there online user base has increased. Its an opinion that many may not like but it is my opinion. Also there is just to much negativity on this site. By me bringing something positive about this company just like many have brought something positive about other companies might change perception. No disrespect intended.