400°

“We aren’t using Kinect to snoop,” says Harrison

Microsoft Games Studios vice president Phil Harrison has said the platform holder has “very, very good” privacy policies and won’t use Xbox One’s admittedly creepy always-listening feature for any nefarious purposes.

3988d ago Replies(15)
Axonometri3988d ago

So simply and perfectly said!

MysticStrummer3988d ago (Edited 3987d ago )

"We're just browsing in Poland." said Hitler.

EDIT - I'll leave the comment, but I started thinking some people would say I'm implying MS/One is equivalent to the Nazis. I've had a few beers and was trying to be funny. I'll just say that what we've heard so far about One (Neo) should really be making people think twice.

Bathyj3987d ago

Its funny that you referenced The Matrix cos I was just thinking about it.

I was thinking I'd prefer a larger metal spike shoved in the back of my head to what Microsoft is doing with Xbox.

Its just seems alot less intrusive.

Mounce3987d ago

Turn off the Xbox One? I bet you the Kinect stays on for some reason. Activates, spies on you.

Then flashes red while you sleep, you try to yell at it to turn off and it says: "I'm afraid I can't let you do that".

SegataSanshiro3987d ago

I'm gonna beat the crap out of an xbox one so hard that's gonna end up singing daisy bell.

titletownrelo3987d ago

wow, xbox one is just a MESS. microsoft is suffering one nightmare after another. as a sympathetic human i feel sorry for all the employees who are getting their product trashed, but then i ask, how the f*ck could you screw up THIS BADLY, you had 10 years to prepare!" and at that point i just smile and say, " BUUURRRRN M$!!!!" XD

Darrius Cole3987d ago

Of course you are not using Kinect to spy, and you would tell me if you were wouldn't you?

chuckyj13987d ago

@chuk5...You don't know how to disconnect the power supply?? That will shut it down for you.

BlmThug3987d ago

I really hope countries block this and force MS to make it non-mandatory. Germany and Australia have the right idea, I hope others do too

fermcr3987d ago

The best thing Microsoft can do now is delay the release of the X1, take it to the drawing board and alter most of it's functions... then release later on a completely altered next Xbox (and change the stupid name).

kparks3987d ago

Wait did i just read "u can opt into it" so thats telling me right there that they are always listening and watching!

3-4-53987d ago

exactly...prove it microsoft...by giving US the control

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3987d ago
Godmars2903988d ago

But they seem to be planning on using it as a marketing tool. Measure people reactions to things.

Comes off as snooping to me.

Bathyj3988d ago

What if they see youre fat and you get a lot of McDonalds ads.

What if you drink alot and Jim Beam ads come up?

What if you smoke crack and they just call the cops?

OK, I'm being a bit silly there, but the point is, we just dont know HOW they will use it, and they're just asking us to trust them? I dont even trust the way they say we can trust them. This whole think stinks badly.

Godmars2903987d ago

What happens when one is stolen and is used to identify the thieves in their home?

The thing is that MS has already spelled out how they'd like to use Kinect, and that's as survey marketing tool which the vast number of marketing subject are both unaware and uncompensated that they are. That its MS who'd be getting paid by both advertisers and consumers. With their best assurance to any questions in regards to this that no living person would be able view the collected information.

Said assurance offered when the thing has multi-person video conferencing.

Jek_Porkins3988d ago

If you are referring to a patent, their official response was the same as Sony's when they filed for a patent to do in game ads and block used games.

Millions of people have Kinect right now, and I've not seen a single problem or exploitation. Also, nobody is forcing people to buy the Xbox One, if you fear for your privacy, don't buy it. It's actually quite a simple thing, don't like it, don't buy it.

I've had my Kinect hooked up since day one, I've had a PS Eye hooked up as well, who really cares? I mean as I said earlier, if you are really thinking there are people monitoring you, don't buy it.

I like the tech that comes on when you talk to it, I honestly never thought of it as snooping or anything else, it's not like it's fully on the entire time, the lights go off.

If they ever did get caught "snooping" they'd be in all kinds of trouble from the FCC and Government.

SexyGamerDude3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

I don't get how a patent for an "always on" camera that can potentially spy on people compares to a patent for in game ads. I really don't see how you can compare the two.

M-M3988d ago

"Jek_Porkins" Stopped reading right there.

MysticStrummer3987d ago

As if those two patents are in any way equivalent.

Your bubbles are truly a mystery.

CyberCam3987d ago (Edited 3987d ago )

Wow! You're a very trusting soul. Putting your trust into any corporate entity is a pretty risky thing.
http://www.h-online.com/sec...

"If they ever did get caught "snooping" they'd be in all kinds of trouble from the FCC and Government."

Oh, yeah the government will surely give them trouble if they get caught... Oh wait!
http://www.theregister.co.u...

LOL!!!

MariaHelFutura3987d ago

http://i.imgur.com/amn36.gi...

It's a surveillance system, get over it. Microsoft is admitting that, just saying 'trust us' we won't do that.

b-real3987d ago

Agreed. Its funny watch all these Sony fan boys making tinfoil hats and spread FUD. I feel sorry for you all.

As if a company like Microsoft would use this camera and data to spy on people without being upfront about it. Why risk the massive fines/bad press that would result? They have many many businesses, not just xbox. they don't make there many from selling data/advertising.

You are all hilarious.

ShwankyShpanky3987d ago

@Jek: "it's not like it's fully on the entire time, the lights go off"

Wow... just... wow.

I wonder how I get all those calls on my phone. After all, its lights are off before it rings.

@b-real: You mean like Google got in so much trouble for sucking up people's personal info with their StreetView spymobiles?

I mean hell, I guess if I don't need to worry about MS because I can be assured that the government will be looking out for my interests, I'm sold!

b-real3987d ago

@ShwankyShpanky: What is your understanding of what Google got in trouble for? What personal data were they recording?

MRMagoo1233987d ago

@b-real

The thing all you retard fanturds dont get is its not N4G its the whole fu@king world , here in australia it made it onto the news about it breaking privacy laws lmfao you xbox c@ck suckers need to get a life and realise its not sony fans on N4G doing it, unless you think we sway the government of germany and australia?

CyberCam3987d ago (Edited 3987d ago )

@Jek & b-real
Do you guys walk around with blinders on? Do you not see the ramped corruption in todays corporations & governments?

So the 16 trillion dollar debt the USA has, is just product of the government helping it's people? And the big wall street companies that needed to be bailed out because they helped the people in the US keep their homes etc.?

And b-real, this has absolutely nothing to do with fanboism, Sony & Nintendo as well can not be trusted if they also plan on implementing these always on cameras & mics in the future.

Maybe you both should put your controllers down for a bit & learn about the real world for a while! Reality is a sobering experience!

The key phrases are; A camera & mic that sees in the dark is always on listening for your key word & possibly watch too; We have a 300,000 server cloud service, to store all that data!

I don't know, it sounds a lot like user data mining to me!

http://www.forgetfoo.com/im...

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3987d ago
T23987d ago

Ya why cant I buy a cheaper system without it ? Dont want it, not getting it no matter what

yeahokchief3987d ago

XboxOne? More like XboxNone because nobodys gonna buy it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3987d ago
Axonometri3988d ago

We have no intent of snooping. If it happens, it will be because Kinect One is capable, but we didn't mean to.

ShwankyShpanky3987d ago

Hey, it worked for Google.

"Whoopsy-doodle!"

3988d ago Replies(1)
Show all comments (111)
270°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv721d 1h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle12h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18819h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio9h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning774h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga11h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff218311h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga10h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan5h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

romulus234h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv724h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4h ago
purple10114h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos14h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-3h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac13h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10112h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic11h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead4h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4h ago
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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 22h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 19h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 16h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 10h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 11h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 7h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 19h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 5h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 4h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger2h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 21h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 20h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 17h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 20h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 19h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (23)
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?"

purple10113d 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 ☝️

Zeref12d 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.

DarXyde12d 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.

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

Einhander197212d 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.

MrBaskerville12d 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.

shinoff218311d 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.

Profchaos11d 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 11d ago
isarai13d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d 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.

MrNinosan12d ago

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

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

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

Einhander197212d 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.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

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

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d 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.

DarXyde12d 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.

Einhander197212d 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.

Einhander197212d 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.

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

Chevalier12d 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.

Tacoboto12d 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.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto11d 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 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d 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?

crazyCoconuts12d 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.

Xeofate12d ago (Edited 12d 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.

crazyCoconuts11d 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

FinalFantasyFanatic11d 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)