170°

Microsoft and Sony confirm Next-Gen game pricing to remain the same.

Microsoft has announced it will sell its first-party games on Xbox One for $59.99, which is the same price most new releases are currently sold for.

(...)

While nothing official has been said about the price of PlayStation 4 games, Sony America CEO Jack Tretton suggested back in February that they too would be retailing for $60. He told CNBC, "We're going to welcome free-to-play models, games from $0.99 up to those $60 games."

zerocrossing3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

Good to know. Gaming is an expensive enough hobby as it is, so at least while prices remain reasonable most of us can continue enjoying it.

Muerte24943966d ago

this is the kind of thing people are mad about. You want to be like Steam yet you're still charging people full price for games. If you want to push people to digital, then lower the price of your games. If you're still charging the same as retail then there is literally no benefit to it. This is just Microsoft being too greedy.

I_am_Batman3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

It's funny how both Sony and MS are basically saying the same thing but It's good news from Sony and bad news from MS. A lot of people have hoped that MS will charge less for new games because of the DRM. But to be honest who really thought they will?

medman3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

I chuckled recently when some Xboner's said that with the direction Microsoft has chosen to take with drm, always online, and the cloud that would allow them to sell the games for less. A good chuckle indeed. Especially considering Microsoft is selling a less powerful hardware system for 100 dollars more than their competitor. Not to mention the fact xbox live gold is ripping people off and has been for years now compared to what PSplus offers, not to mention Sony not charging to access your own internet for online play this gen. Microsofty likes their money, they like your money. No way the games were going to see a reduction, no way. The only reduction will be from indie developers pricing their own self-published games on PSN, while many of those games will never see the Xbone due to the fees Microsoft charges. Enjoy. PS4.

Polysix3966d ago

http://www.xboxonevspsfour.... 75% (over 40k votes to PS4).

To be 'fair' MS would have to sell their games at least at half the price Sony charges to make their DRM be justified. MS = BS!

MysticStrummer3966d ago

Where's EliteGamer? He's been promising lower prices on One games because of MS's policies.

ShaunCameron3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

Gaming was always an expensive hobby. They were charging $60 and more back then. People made less money, so a $60 game would eat up a good chunk of their paycheque.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3965d ago
Moonman3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

Sony has been up-front about everything so far. Microshade has been so shady that I won't believe anything. Even this!

PraxxtorCruel3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

How have they been shady? They came straight out with DRM, the used games issue, compulsory kinect and its other features! So how is that being shady?

Godmars2903966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

Hell, having to and the way you pay for online. Putting everything behind a paywall, which then legitimized Sony doing it but not to the extent MS did.

Or you can just look at how XBO is built around online DRM and shuts out non internet users.

I mean, know its a luxury item, but there's an inherit flaw in shutting out potential customers while trying to expand the market base.

Gazondaily3966d ago

@Godmars

Yeah but that doesn't mean their shady. PraxxtorCruel is right; they came out and explained the restrictions regarding the platform, regardless of the damage limitation in light of the disclosure.

creatchee3966d ago

@Godmars290

"I mean, know its a luxury item, but there's an inherit flaw in shutting out potential customers while trying to expand the market base."

That's how business works though. Companies do not try to appeal to everyone - they have a target audience or demographic. Microsoft is going for the internet connected household that embraces new tech and methods, wants games, likes the second screen experience, and who prefers digital content.

It boils down to this: Microsoft is targeting gamers and non-gamers, Sony is only targeting gamers. Both methods work. In fact, Sony's may work better if there isn't the mass adoption of consoles that there have been the previous 3 generations.

But Microsoft's is much more of a risk-reward proposition. For the non-gamer, there is no advantage of the PS4 over a PS3 or 360. They all have streaming apps, the PS's have Blu-ray, and all have DVD. Basically, a non-gamer who asks what does the PS4 have FOR ME that the PS3 doesn't already have will be met with "not much."

However, on Microsoft's side, there is the Kinect and the TV integration. This is where many gamers (including myself) groan. However, while those things could end up being cool for us as gamers if executed well, they are really there for non-gamers and casuals. There is more of a jump from the previous generation for non-gamers.

Unfortinately, the price point is high. Non-gamers aren't buying a One at launch. I don't think there will be many people who aren't of the hardcore set buying it until it hits 399 or 350. However, when it does get down there, I can see casuals and non-gamers heavily considering it. We shall see.

Moonman3966d ago

@PraxxtorCruel

No they DIDN'T. Every media website brought it out for them. They haven't said the word DRM. And they haven't said shit (in a clear way to everyone) about their used games policy.

medman3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

Creatchee, you say Microsoft is targeting gamers and non gamers, and that may be true, but it's not like the PS4 won't have many of the same functionalities that the One will, other than switching between live tv and your game. And considering some folks, such as myself, already control their A/V setups via a laptop, tablet, smartphone, and/or smart TV, that makes what Microsoft is offering moot because we already have that functionality customized with proprietary apps that function to a level of depth that Microsoft's One cannot offer. That is a problem if you are trying to sell your console as a multimedia device to control every other device when it can't do the job as well. It seems rather half assed, to be frank. If you're going to go that route, you better swing for the fences and be better than what is currently available, but they are not. Instead, it seems like they hit a routine pop fly to the infield.

Godmars2903966d ago

@creatchee:

MS is expecting non-gamers to invest $500, with subscription fees, into something which might enhance their cable interface. In some cases do less than what their cable box and even TV already does. Then they're telling one segment of gamers that they have to give up how they've done things and do it MS's way, while another who were about half their current console user base that they have to get online whether they can or not.

Really what it all boils down to is that while MS imposes all the inadvertent restrictions in the hopes that everyone in the narrowing market they're trying to appeal to sees what they're doing, They're going to have no right to complain when/if sales numbers don't meet whatever expectations they have.

Their fan camp certainly wont have any bitching rights should PS4 sales numbers outstrip the XBO's like pre-orders currently are.

Hicken3966d ago

Shady is paying third parties to not show their games on PS4.

Shady is having all their demos- tech and otherwise- running on PC and not even dev kits.

Shady is blaming media outlets for getting the message wrong... when the message was exactly what the media said.

Shady is forcing an always-listening, frequently-watching peripheral AND an internet connection into your console after already having been busted for spying on your customers, and being heavily implicated to have cooperated with recent government attempts at data mining.

No, on second though, I guess that's what ALL gaming companies do...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3966d ago
The Meerkat3966d ago

With all the DRM and no used games this was the last way MS could have redeemed themselves, but having all the games costing 50% of PS4 games.

Oh well, guess I'll have to stick with my launch day PS4.

extermin8or3966d ago

You make that sound like the bad option lol don't sound so glum :p I'm sure the ps4 will be excellent over it's lifetime, and have great games :)

mitchell11883966d ago

True, gaming is a VERY expensive hobby. That along with my Martial arts, kendo training, dirt biking, and rock climbing. Thank God I can get used games for my ps4.lol Whether Xbox was honest or not ps4 gives me the option to not drop any of my hobbies because I buy lots of games....just not at 60 dollars a game.

josephayal3966d ago

paying $50 for a new video game is too much

Foxgod3966d ago

Well, depends on who you are i suppose.
Some people find it too expensive, but for me personally, its either worth the full price, or i just dont buy it.

I rather spend time on illustrating, then playing games that aint worth the full price to me.

MysticStrummer3966d ago

Depends on the game. Some are worth much more than $60 and some are worth much less.

ShaunCameron3966d ago

Only if you're kid dependent on your parents' allowance money or the stereotypical gamer looking for a handout.

Show all comments (41)
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 2h 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.

solideagle13h ago

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

Sonic188111h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10h 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:

Lightning775h ago

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

Cacabunga13h 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.

shinoff218312h 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.

Cacabunga11h 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

itsmebryan7h 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

romulus236h ago

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

darthv725h 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 5h ago
purple10115h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos15h ago

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

DOMination-5h 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.

XBManiac14h ago

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

SimpleDad14h ago(Edited 14h 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.

purple10114h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos13h ago(Edited 13h 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

Kornholic12h ago

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

MrDead5h 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 5h ago
Show all comments (36)
150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers1d 12h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken22h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 8h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing1d 7h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 8h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola1d 4h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 7h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle1d 6h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

Show all comments (14)
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 23h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 20h ago

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

Barlos1d 18h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 11h ago

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

peppeaccardo1d 13h ago

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

ChasterMies1d 9h 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 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h 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 20h ago

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

Mr Logic1d 6h ago

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

Crows901d 6h ago

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

blacktiger3h ago

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

Profchaos1d 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h 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 22h ago

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

Profchaos1d 22h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 19h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 21h ago

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

Profchaos1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 20h 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)