700°

Microsoft Unhappy With Inaccurate Reports On Used Games

Microsoft has made an official statement expressing frustration at how "inaccurate and incomplete" the reports game journalists have been making regarding the topic are. Why are they blaming us?

Read Full Story >>
gameskinny.com
Joey08014419d ago

If they are so "Unhappy" why they dont speak about the damn thing for once, everytime the press brings it up their answer is " more details at a later date" F that.

GamersRulz4419d ago

I can bet my arm, that MS initial HW design evolves around constant always-online connection. they just tuned it down a little bit after Adam Oarth twitter drama. at the mean time the company is in chaos after Used-games fees reactions and there are conflicting decisions internally.

Even MS doesn't know what to do now, they are waiting for the higher ups to make a final decision.

Sanguoir4419d ago

I actually wondered at the time if Adam Orth's comments were a way of testing the waters regarding always-online.

It would be pretty lame if he was told to start that little troll war and then got fired for it.

kreate4419d ago

what gamersrulz said is the most likely of the current situation.

that's probably why they made a initial announcement before E3 so that they can get feedback from the public.

BattleAxe4419d ago

Microsoft has nobody to blame but themselves. They tried to put on a smoke screen, and they weren't clear with their policies from the start. Pretty stupid if you ask me.

kneon4419d ago

I'm sure you're right, it looks like all the earlier rumors were true. Now the only question is what aspects of the console can still be changed.

The hardware is certainly fixed and can't be changed at this point, but DRM is software based and they can change that, if they could only make a decision as to what it is they want to do.

The misinformation comes from Microsoft underestimating the negative reactions to their plans and now they don't know how they are going to pull back on their plans.

xxLuckyStrike4419d ago

Greedy bastards run that show, they might lose out on a nickle. Sad times for the Xbox brand

garos824419d ago

This is a company that fires it's own staff for telling the truth.not defending Adams moronic Twitter diarrhea but essentially there was some truth to his ramblings.

AngelicIceDiamond4419d ago

@gamers "Even MS doesn't know what to do now, they are waiting for the higher ups to make a final decision."

Allow me to come up with an answer for them Nooooo. They shouldn't even be thinking of this policy in the first place.

r1sh124419d ago

@GamerRulz - lol...hardware design and always online has been toned down? LOL.
You realise its all digital, so on and off are the only 2 options.
1 = On, 0 = Off.

Many people are making assumptions without knowing everything.
I do agree that MS are pretty stupid, the reveal they talked more about TV integration rather than games...
But maybe they are using e3 to announce more? - who knows, time will tell

@Joey0801 - 100% if MS are unhappy at the inaccurate reports, why dont they speak up and clear it all up..
Such clowns sometimes. I swear all the bad decisions at MS stem from Steve Ballmer ..

He needs to go.

Anyway after E3 is when Ill be making my decision on whether I am buying the xbox

V0LT4418d ago

Can I have your arm if you lose it?

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4418d ago
fermcr4419d ago

"Microsoft Unhappy With Inaccurate Reports On Used Games"

It's their fault. They don't come clean to what their console does and doesn't do. What the hell are they hiding?

bigrob9044419d ago

the thing is everything people are saying about used games is true. the only thing they are trying to do is use some word play. see they are trying to say that you can have used games, which is true, but they are not being elaborating more because they know we are not that stupid. what they fail to realize is they already have a response from phil harrison on what it does. for instance, if i bring a game over your house we can plau that game just fine, as long as i long into my account and give you permission. but lets say i go home and let you keep the disk there but you are not using my profile anymore because obviously i'll use it when i get home, well this is where the problem comes in. in order for you to continue to use this game you have to go to the store and buy the rights to play that game on your system. so translate that to buying a used game. sure someone can trade there games in, but you have to pay the fee that say gamestop is charging, then pay again when you get home because somebody else has already had that game disk and own the rights to play it. this is from their lips, we are not making this up.

Nicxel4419d ago (Edited 4419d ago )

@bigrob904

"sure someone can trade there games in, but you have to pay the fee that say gamestop is charging, then pay again when you get home because somebody else has already had that game disk and own the rights to play it"

Thing is, when you install or whatever a game to your XboxONE, there is a digital code attached to it that shows you own the game and is regularly checked (every 24hrs I think). So if you were to return that game to gamestop, there would be a deactivation of that code through the Azure Cloud. Meaning that your installed game information on your XboxOne would be wiped clean as if you never had that game (might just be the code that's just deleted, can't remember if it includes achievements/saved progresses/ect).

So If someone else bought that used game, they only pay the fee gamestop charges. And once they install to their XboxONE there wouldn't be a second charge since the server shows no other console with that activation code.

That's from reports and interviews I have seen and read.

Rhythmattic4419d ago

DRM..

The only reason games will be available on Blu-Ray is to allow people with slow/capped internet quota's to install a large 20+ Gb game..

It doesn't take much data to give permission/authorise a large installed file on a console/PC over the net... Even a 28k modem would be able to do it.....

It Dreams to be Steam, but with much higher game pricing & a subscription for MP.....

BTW, I bet the halo series is an extra cost on top of the gold subscription... Anyone?

Bercilak4419d ago

@Nicxel

In that case, I'd ask why Microsoft needs to track every purchase and sale transaction of every game? And does Gamestop get a piece of that used game registration fee for providing its transaction information to Microsoft? Or does it pass that cost on to us, making their used games more expensive?

Are you comfortable with any of the above? I know I'm not. Any way you slice it, these are draconian steps for a corporation to take--and *highly* intrusive in the personal lives of consumers (to say nothing of the always-connected Kinect and the daily "check-in" with Microsoft's servers).

I've owned several 360s, but I will never own an Xbox One and I'll convince as many people as I can not to buy one.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4419d ago
rainslacker4419d ago

The reports are reporting what they said. If they're unhappy I think it's all on them. Can't blame the reports for trying to make sense of it all...technically that is what journalism is supposed to do.

MikeMyers4419d ago

Pretty much. It's Microsoft's job to clarify but so far all they are saying is they are working on the details which of course isn't any clarification.

I hope they don't spend a great deal at E3 explaining all the fine details, it's supposed to be about the games. They need to release an official statement beforehand.

GamersRulz4419d ago

MS reports were like a girl that wanted to apply an eye-liner but ended up poking her eyes. lol

SilentNegotiator4419d ago

Phil Harrison, Microsoft VP, already opened his fat mouth and said everything that they plan to do with their insane DRM:

-full price used fee
-account lock
-friends can borrow games...by using your account

If anything of that is inaccurate, fire Phil Harrison for incompetence.

Godmars2904419d ago

How is it that Harrison hasn't been exposed as a spy?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4419d ago
Retroman4419d ago (Edited 4419d ago )

MS trying their best to clean this up lol too damn late. it is what it is.

Phil Harrison, Major Nelson has spoken.

i believe if the fans was blindly went along with this crap MS phil harrison an major nelson would'nt said shit. so now they trying to salvage there mistake simple as that.

Retroman4419d ago (Edited 4419d ago )

im sitting here drinking beer and BIG buzz i still dont believe this shit haaaaa

I hope SONY is reading all this so when ps5 comes out they know better not to try this shit.

PiTCHBLaCK4419d ago

I'm drinking Cisco and Four Loko and buzzed and I to still can't make sense of this! LOL

Gh05t4419d ago

Sony hasnt said they arent doing any of this. The only thing Microsoft has said that Sony is not doing is the 24 hour check in (As far as I have read). But Sony has not been clear about its games and if its tied to an account or not. In that since it worries me that Sony hasnt come out and claimed that they dont have anything different planned for Used games than we already have, just to stick it to Microsoft and start stealing even more customers.

I am not trying to say Sony is going to do the same. I am just saying that Sony hasnt been forthcoming about it either and that worries me too.

bigrob9044419d ago

@gh05t

the fact that they have to release a statement sying they are not doing this stupid crap just because microsoft decided to is outrages. if i was sony i would come out at e3 and be like "we didn't say anything about it because we felt no need. we thought it obvious we are not stupid enough to take away your ability to trade in games properly or make you have online.

indysurfn4419d ago

Here is the thing to not miss. Microsoft has been talking about doing this for TWO YEARS! They keep getting told NO, by the consumer. They did it again, trying, and retrying to get it past the revolt to warm us up to the idea of not having full ownership of what we paid for(and not renting). Will we eventually fall for it? I HOPE not.

But if you change your mind because Microsoft once again changed their mind consider this. Remember all those updates we have on the current systems? Ever read them? Terms and conditions can change at ANY given moment WITHOUT NOTICE. Failure to accept the new terms, and conditions, then your system will NOT be updated, and you will not be able to play on your system until you do.

Reguardless, you still can only go to monopoly approved price fixing retailers Like EB!

So say we fall asleep(let our guards down), and millions people have bought the system, and THEN Microsoft does a update, and from now on your trade ins require a fee is paid, either by you are the buyer. Or Microsoft, make the 'periodic' internet checks more frequent. They already got you! Then it will be a MAD RUSH to the retail store to trade in your xbox(one) before it is only worth $25!!!

Don't let companies take pot shots at you without holding it against them permantly. They are doing JUST like they did trying to trick us into going to war in Iraq!

Remember Sony is watching, and they have not totally committed to not having a fee for saling your game, if we let Microsoft have our money for being fools they Sony will have to charge to compete! If you sell yourself out why should you expect Sony to let Microsoft be the only company to gash you for money.

Plus they still require a internet connection to watch tv, or play a game. Are you kidding me, am I the ONLY person that noticed that you will have to have active internet watch cable, or satellite TV!

Right now when my internet goes out my cable tv still works! If I get xbox one when my internet goes out, or modemn I can't watch tv! I think this is a deal that Microsoft STRUCK with the ISP's (just speculation) to get monopoly(ops exclusive) content!

Plus they will have ILLUMINATI sight into your living room!

Narutone664419d ago

That's karma, now they should know how Sony feels when all the "game journalists" paid by MS thru ads were spreading lies about the PS3 back then.

MysticStrummer4419d ago

They're mad that Harrison and Nelson were accurately quoted.

DonFreezer4419d ago

Freaking ps drones you are the epitome of stupid.How the fuck Microsoft did something like being pressured by the developers and Sony didn't do something more alike?When Sony announces the same policies I will wait for your comments.

MysticStrummer4419d ago

PS4 is never required to be online so having the same policy as MS is completely out of the question.

I'm assuming you're talking about used games...

If not, never mind. : )

McGamer4419d ago

There is a reason that patience is a virtue. Besides, regardless of what XBO or PS4's stance is on used games, neither can be bought until the fall anyhow so worrying about it right now is pointless.

imdaboss14419d ago

wtf M$ is the one who came out and tell us that their will be a fee to play used games ,,Phil Harrison stated that..and now you guys want to blame the press fuk u guys ms

3-4-54418d ago

They would be accurate if we had a Micosoft source giving us a 100% clear answer.

They bigger they are, the less responsibility they take and the more they shift blame.

They are such a predictable company....I love the 360 but I'm not putting up with this crap.

They would have to completely wow me with 5-6 amazing "best ever" type of games for me to buy one of these cable boxes now.

madpuppy4418d ago

"If they are so "Unhappy" why they dont speak about the damn thing for once, everytime the press brings it up their answer is " more details at a later date" F that. "

A later date means when everybody buys one and the first person go's to trade in the first game....

Mounce4418d ago

That or they usually neither confirm nor deny it and keep facts in the clouds because they love dabbinng in all measure that could potentially get them more money.

American business is like this when it becomes inflated and to this degree of arrogance. Those kind of companies prefer misinformation and bullshitting as much as they can while being subtle about it as possible. Confuses the casuals, enrages the hardcore, stupefies the people who like to research and causes disbelief to those who trust in a company to not be a giant douche.

4418d ago
+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 4418d ago
wishingW3L4419d ago (Edited 4419d ago )

but why do they say that it is inaccurate? All the info came directly for Phil Harrison and Major Nelson!

Sanguoir4419d ago

They don't seem to be concerned that the inaccuracies came from them, only that they are inaccurate.

Why o why4419d ago (Edited 4419d ago )

Wasting time saying things are inaccurate....... too sexy to set the record straight instead. C'mon.

Clarify and kill the misinformation IF it is indeed misinformation or continue to say nothing... half stepping is just fueling the flames

M-M4419d ago

It's no one's fault be theirs, all they have to do is come out and tell the truth.

BoNeSaW234419d ago

They did tell the truth. That's why everyone is pissed.

Now they are saying "We will disclose more information in the near future." Because they are scrambling to change their shitty policies.

forum674419d ago

Taking 12yr old kids comments seriously causes it - aka Sony Fanboi.

stuna14419d ago

If you want a Xbox1 get one! But don't blame it on Sony fans for Microsofts incompetence.

Show all comments (135)
240°

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

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

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
1d 16h ago Replies(3)
Goodguy011d 15h ago

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

1d 15h ago
GamerRN18h ago

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

Cacabunga17h ago

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

Flewid63816h ago

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

thorstein15h ago

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

GamerRN10h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 10h ago
crazyCoconuts16h ago

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

1d 13h ago
Futureshark1d 3h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (65)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

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

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

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

YourMommySpoils2d ago

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

Bathyj1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

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

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

Agent751d 21h ago

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

YourMommySpoils1d 13h ago

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

3d ago Replies(1)
isarai3d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning773d ago

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

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

Christopher2d ago

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

1Victor2d ago

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

DarXyde2d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

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

Nacho_Z2d ago

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

hennessey862d ago

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

2d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)
660°

Microsoft planning “major” Xbox layoffs next week

The cuts are expected to be announced next week.

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

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

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

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

6d ago
pwnmaster30006d ago

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

6d ago
Obscure_Observer6d ago

F* them both!

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

blacktiger6d ago

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

pwnmaster30006d ago (Edited 6d ago )

@Blacktiger

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

InUrFoxHole6d ago

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

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

"just like Sony"

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

CrimsonWing696d ago (Edited 6d ago )

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

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

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

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

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

Ganif6d ago

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

CrimsonWing696d ago (Edited 6d ago )

@Ganif

Nintendo:

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

Sony:

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

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

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

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

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

Ganif6d ago

From your article:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

thorstein6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Take the L, Crimson.

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

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

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

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

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

anast6d ago

I enjoy Obscure. Obscure does good work.

crazyCoconuts6d ago

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

Tacoboto6d ago

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

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

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

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

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

Angyobangyo6d ago

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

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

TheExecutioner6d ago

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

Sonic18816d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Are you and Anast the same person?

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