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."

zerocrossing3984d ago (Edited 3984d 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.

Muerte24943984d 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_Batman3984d ago (Edited 3984d 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?

medman3984d ago (Edited 3984d 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.

Polysix3984d 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!

MysticStrummer3984d ago

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

ShaunCameron3983d ago (Edited 3983d 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 3983d ago
Moonman3984d ago (Edited 3984d ago )

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

PraxxtorCruel3984d ago (Edited 3984d 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?

Godmars2903984d ago (Edited 3984d 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.

Gazondaily3984d 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.

creatchee3984d 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.

Moonman3984d 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.

medman3984d ago (Edited 3984d 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.

Godmars2903984d 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.

Hicken3984d 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 3984d ago
The Meerkat3984d 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.

extermin8or3984d 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 :)

mitchell11883984d 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.

josephayal3984d ago

paying $50 for a new video game is too much

Foxgod3984d 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.

MysticStrummer3984d ago

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

ShaunCameron3983d ago

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

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130°

Microsoft's Absurd Antics Have Me Scared For Dishonored And Arkane Lyon's Future

With Arkane Austin no more and Lyon living for who knows how long, the superb Dishonored is in serious danger; Microsoft cannot be trusted.

Relientk7716h ago

I love the Dishonored series so much and really want Dishonored 3. Microsoft better not screw this up.

JEECE12h ago

I mean, I think the fans will probably kill Arkane Lyon by cooking up reasons to hate whatever they do next without playing it. I've never seen a game so artificially disliked as Deathloop.

thesoftware73012h ago

Lol, why don't we just say, we are worried about all studios owned by MS now. They will keep closing studios until they have none left ...🙄

Skuletor9h ago

Just merge them all into a single studio, have it churn out a single Call of Duty every year and call it a day, lol.

Barlos9h ago

Don't be scared, you'll be fine.

Skuletor9h ago

It's exputer, fine is one word I would not associate with them.

Profchaos9h ago

I think it's becoming clear based on matt bootys comments there's no future for any IP that can't sell above 10 million within the launch window. But is also a small game that gives them prestige

/S it's beyond a joke right now

Show all comments (9)
290°

More Job Losses At Xbox, “There’s More To Come”: Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott in a recent episode commented on the on-going Microsoft fiasco hinting at more job losses and that "there's more to come".

Read Full Story >>
spieltimes.com
Sonic18812d ago (Edited 2d ago )

There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future . Xbox has to pay Microsoft back. It might take two decades to do that.

sagapo2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I don’t understand what you’re saying. Xbox IS microsoft so there’s no “paying back “.
And MS gross profit in 2023 was over 140 billion dollars so forget your 2 decades.

Unless you mean the money MS invested in Xbox (acquisitions included) and the time it will take for xbox as a brand to gain that money back on it’s own, then yeah, that could take a while.

romulus232d ago

The better term to use might be return on investment, xbox is simply a division of Microsoft one that MS can easily do away with if profit margins are not met. So in that regard he's right, if xbox isn't showing the expected return on investment the higher ups are expecting than it's unlikely Microsoft will acquire any other studios any time soon, especially if they are spending billions buying developers just to shut them down in the end.

MrBaskerville2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Xbox is a division that they discussed shutting down but doubled down on after Gamepass was pitched.

It needs to make money at some point. Big money.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 23h ago

So you do understand it or..?

rokos1d 21h ago

According to Statista the net income of Microsoft is about $72.4 billion dollars which is a bit lower than last year profit. That is almost as much as Activision's acquisition but I assume that would be a one off since it costs so much plus I see how their focus has been shifted to AI, thus any major future investments will probably be in that area.

Markusb331d 20h ago

i think you are really missing the point

VariantAEC1d 11h ago

@romulus23
That is not why MS buys studios. They might continue to buy because it's about taking that sweet sweet IP out of the corporate husks of their acquisitions.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 11h ago
SonyStyled2d ago

“There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future”

No bro, there do be is for Microsoft not acquiring for what is now if not what it be is 😂

2d ago Replies(2)
ChasterMies2d ago

Xbox isn’t a separate company from Microsoft. It’s all Microsoft.

Abear211d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Let’s be real, this is the media spinning all the acquisitions and liquidations of said developers and spinning it to make M$ the villain.

This was bound to happen, a bigger slice of pie and cut costs, when the games come they stand to make more and that’s their agenda—it was the writing on the wall when the sales went through and legally all those who approved the sale and mergers knew this would happen.

Snowflakes need to realize business is ugly and you can cry all you want but this is how capitalism works. And it works.

That said, M$ needs to steer the narrative and grab hold of all this, make their plans known, hype the hell out of all those dead IP’s they plan to revive, and be honest about the timeline. This is likely to involve mobile and IP on other consoles, and most people realize that.

The problem is this company is incapable of being transparent and seems to often want to dissuade and confuse is customer base. The lack of E3 has hurt Microsoft and I don’t think they know how to properly or effectively market their brand anymore.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1d 11h ago
jwillj2k42d ago

There really needs to be a class action lawsuit here. You buy these companies just to put people out of jobs. And it’s not like something happened to derail their plans this WAS the plan. Microsoft has no business in this space at all.

franwex2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Microsoft has been doing this for years. They simply want the IPs. Look at Nokia. Look at Skype. This time it simply expanded to games. Gaming is not as important to Microsoft’s executives as it was to the founders too. Bill Gates was willing to sell the og Xbox at a loss. Steve Balmer approved the red ring of death fiasco. This CEO isn’t really a gamer.

-Foxtrot2d ago

Maybe it's time though to put a stop to it and use a big giant like Microsoft as a huge example to the rest of these big companies.

There has to be a line drawn somewhere.

People like the FTC and the like went against Microsoft yet their Actvision deal was still allowed to go through yet look what's happened...it's not even Acitivisions studios aswell, it's Bethesdas.

VariantAEC1d 11h ago

Years?

Try several decades, and in the gaming space 2.3 decades.

Jon615861d 20h ago

You do realize this happens in ALL industries? Or are you just saying this because it is Microsoft? In any case I feel for those that are being let go but the trch industry is suffering right now.

jwillj2k41d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

This absolutely does NOT happen all the time. Let me know the last time 1 company with a terrible product track record spent 100 billion onto acquire MULTIPLE successful companies in under a year only to shut them down and stop making their products regardless of how successful they were. Not merge them, completely shut them down.

And you can’t use Microsoft in your example.

Notellin1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Class action lawsuit? The law is on their side and protects them at all costs. There are no rules to protect the people at the bottom.

jwillj2k41d 15h ago

Not true when it comes to mass layoff do your research.

RNTody2d ago

Ninja Theory, Perfect Dark, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Wolfenstein 3, Dishonored, Prey, Doom, Quake... something tells me that bad things are going to happen to these entities under Microsoft.

MrDead2d ago

ID software, the makers of Doom and Wolfenstein that have been with us since 1991 could be gone and MS will keep the IPs.

I hope some of these studios can buy their freedom from MS otherwise this is going to be even more devastating for the industry and gamers.

Yui_Suzumiya2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I've been a fan of id since Wolfenstein 3D and I'm honestly afraid.

lodossrage1d 22h ago

Toys for Bob saw the writing on the wall and bought themselves out.

Wouldn't be the first time a company did that under MS either. Bungie and Twisted Pixel did the same. Considering what just happened, I can see some other devs trying to buy themselves out too.

anast2d ago

Good thing the bosses of all those small studios made their money.

glenn19792d ago

they cant do it right now they will get burned

XiNatsuDragnel2d ago

Phil and his team need to be gone

lodossrage1d 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h ago )

Won't make a difference.

The whole structure needs to be overhauled. Anyone that replaces Phil will be no different than him, Mattrick, or anyone else.

Until the company changes how they go about business, nothing will change

glenn19791d 19h ago

I just don't have any idea what they would do , they have done sooo much damage on their xbox brand, they have a show at July or June I think, but will it even matter even they show amazing games, idkn

lodossrage1d 22h ago

True,

But they may as well get it over with. Whether it happens now or later, the burning is going to hit the same.

Reality is the ONE move that can alleviate a lot of this is the one move they can't make. Remove day 1 from gamepass.

Show all comments (68)
90°

Microsoft Opening Xbox Mobile Game Store in July

The Xbox brand is expanding, as an Xbox mobile game store is opening this coming July where Microsoft will brings its "first-party portfolio."

Jin_Sakai4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

“Bond adds that they will start on the web”

This will go nowhere.

Nice knowing you Xbox. This is what happens when the house never gets cleaned.

MrDead4d ago

The only this MS is expanding is the amount of feculence it sprays on everyone who just want to enjoy gaming and make games.

The best thing MS can do for the gaming industry is leave and never return.

XiNatsuDragnel4d ago

Good luck with this even it might not succeed.

Show all comments (7)