690°

Microsoft VP: 'play the games, not the resolution'

One of the big controversies leading up to Xbox One's launch is what's (unfortunately) being called "resolutiongate." Major multiplatform games are running at a lower resolution on Xbox One than PS4, which calls into question the console's capabilities. Microsoft Studios VP Phil Spencer has defended Xbox One, saying gamers shouldn't focus on the numbers, but the experience.

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shacknews.com
sigfredod3814d ago

seems that sales projections are lower than expected for MS

xHeavYx3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

People can refer to the past all they want to downplay specs, but this is 2014, specs are more important than what certain people want to admit.
Spencer is just saying "don't disregard our weaker console"
It was all about the graphical power and how good games look when COD looked better on the 360, now that the tables have turned, all of the sudden specs don't matter anymore.
By the way, better specs not only give you prettier graphics, but you can do better physics, more AI and such

3814d ago
mewhy323814d ago

Of course Phil wants people to not think about specs...i mean microsoft is charging 100.00 more for a greatly inferior piece of hardware. If everyone thought about it hard enough they couldn't give the xbone away.

Eonjay3814d ago

If resolution doesn't matter... we would have this article:

http://n4g.com/news/1389173...

mikeslemonade3814d ago

^ Raptar

It did matter that's why the 360 sold more copies. And take a look at the pre-orders right now. PS4 is higher. The negative PR is just going to snowball against the X1. Right now you may say it isn't a big deal but eventually you will see.

kneon3814d ago

@raptar

But with PS3 and 360 the differences between the multi-plat games were quite small, this gen the difference is quite large.

Pushing twice as many pixels at the same or better frame rate is pretty significant.

Killjoy30003814d ago

Raptar, you're dumb. That's when PS3 was near impossible to develop for. Now, PS4 is easier to develop for than the X1, and more powerful at that. You fail hard.

mikeslemonade3814d ago

And one more thing.. If you go back in look the specs for COD on 360 and PS3 were closer. I think the two systems were running the game native at 640p. The difference were mainly in the textures and the 360 had a slight advantage in the frames per second.

Now PS4 1080p vs X1's 720p that is a even bigger gap.

felidae3814d ago

PS4 has a large block of GDDR5 which is great for displaying a high resolution image, doesn't mean that image is going to look great, and on top of this the CPU is equally important particularly for streaming the textures to the GPU via the RAM, and if the RAM is not best suited to the CPU then it will miss cycles, which you guessed it, shows up as dropped frames per second. There is a reason why PC's are mostly DDR3 and GDDR5 on the GPU, you need both really for balance. MS got it right and given the time with the new kit they'll get that resolution up just like Turn 10 have, and 343 will get Halo 5 at 1080p native 60FPS as well.

UltimateMaster3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

Microsoft VP: 'play the games, not the resolution'
Yeah! Shut up and enjoy your crap! /s

Eonjay3814d ago

If you get a PS4, you can play both.

GTgamer3814d ago

Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee tell me why we are buying these Next gen consoles why not stick to current gen since resolution doesn't matter :/

OrangePowerz3814d ago

@idontcare

I don't think that MS got it right. The ESRAM with 32mb is too small to make for the disadvantage of the DDR3.

MS went with DDR3 for the multi media stuff and the 3 OS.

Sevir3814d ago

As he said, I'll "play the games..." on PS4!

Simple as that! You can con your fanbase and consumers into buying a more expensive console that performs remarkably less than the competition.

Ezz20133814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

""""Micros oft VP: 'play the games, not the resolution""

really ?!
was he able to say that with straight face ?!

ok i will play both on ps4 along with my gaming pc
thank you sir...thank you very much for your good advice

ZeroX98763814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

for me, I'm getting more performance for my money on the PS4 than the Xbox 1. Last gen lasted quite a while(lifetime) and I want this one to be the same.

If Halo, Dead Rising or Forza are series that you absolutely wants to play, well you should obviously buy a X1 over the PS4.

This is the first time I'm buying sony's console first. the last 2 generations, I started with the Xbox brand and switched halfway through to playstation both times (xbox->PS2, 360->PS3)...
And I'm glad I did the switch each time!

Boody-Bandit3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

Hey Phil
Build a gaming console, not a TV companion.

Sorry pal but Sony gets it. You guys don't.
So by purchasing a PS4 I will have the best of both.

kickerz3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

Go outside and kick a ball or something. Goshh some of you guys need a life. It's a $500 gaming machine to have fun on. Your obviously not gonna buy an xb1. So what's the point of all this negative BS

UltimateMaster3814d ago

Microsoft VP: 'play the games, not the resolution'
Buy a Wii U.

Gekko363814d ago

@BigBoned... sorry xHeavYx :D

I think @Raptar's got you there.

First rule of debate.. keep your arms still when they're under the table.

I think yours were jiggling like mad and then stopped suddenly.

Thing is, while your arms were jiggling Raptar owned your arse!

badz1493813d ago

FINALLY! they conceded defeat! let's just hope there will be no more hiding behind lies after this!

3813d ago
badkolo3813d ago

first off not one game has been reviewed so no the multiplat games dont look better on the ps4, thats just guessing and specuakltion, so far we see ryse kicking arse on the x1 which is better then anything on the ps4 at launch, so lets wait for the reviews to kick in, granted there might be a game or 2 that might fair better resolution wise but lets wait for the actual games and not your wishes, when they are reviewed then you can come here and moan. until then there has been only talk of lesser resolution like in bs4 case which many argue looks better on x1 ./ so lets wait and see , many of you are just hoping but ryse tells me x1 is a beast. lets not base this off of call of duty either since everyone is in agreement they suck for both systems since everyone here hates cod, wait n see

UltimateMaster3813d ago

I'd buy the best posible hardware.
If that means it's also cheaper, the more the better.
I mean, there's still some kind of positive for the Xbox One, you can use MP3 and DNLA. But if you already own a PS3 or Xbox 360, I don't know why you wouldn't use those instead. So I don't see this as a deal breaker.

Still, it's a stupid move from Sony to remove existing features.

LonChaneyTV3813d ago (Edited 3813d ago )

@ xHeavYx "People can refer to the past all they want to downplay specs, but this is 2014, specs are more important than what certain people want to admit. "

you would actually get a PC if specs were more important to you. In 2 years time after consoles hit, you could get 3 R9 290s and be 16x ahead of the consoles for dirt cheap.

xHeavYx "yeah but specs don't matter when comparing them to PCs, they're also more expensive!!!"

Consoles themselves are made up of PC parts, mid ranged parts...who better to compare them to than their originators?

And Consoles are more expensive, 10 brand new games is $600 + tax. (not including online services.) you will also be charged top cash even when game's graphics become dated.

Also not having backwards compatibility means you have to buy new games to support that console, every time.

I wonder how much overcompensating PlayStation gamers will be in 2019? In the generation after when competition increases 10 fold.

I've lived through it all to see enough of this never ending battle. I'm a senior now.

Sideras3813d ago

Either way it's a new generation, prettier graphics are fairly important. Makes it all feel fresh and new and shiny.

Yes very important. And I don't trust that fucking guy, his forehead is too big and his hairdo is to douchey.

ThanatosDMC3813d ago

MS is gonna mandate parity for their crappy consoles...

llamaman133813d ago

actually physics, AI, and 'such' are CPU tasks mostly. And considering the ps4 and xbone cpu's are generally the same, the differences between the two's CPU tasks are non-existent, please be informed next time.

Visiblemarc3813d ago

Yes... But it also heavily affects future playability. Games get more taxing as the years wear on, xb1 has very little wiggle room.

SniperControl3813d ago

@badkolo

"first off not one game has been reviewed so no the multiplat games dont look better on the ps4, thats just guessing and specuakltion"

Huh? So i guess you must have missed all the hoorah regarding the numerous graphic comparison articles done between PS4 and X1 on COD:Ghosts & Battlefield 4.
All of them stating the PS4 version to be superior to the X1.

frostypants3813d ago (Edited 3813d ago )

@idontcare, did you just try to claim that DDR3 is a better option than GDDR5? NO....just NO..."Zip it, ex zip it a, zippy longstockings, zip it, zip it good, subtitle: zip it, zuckle on my zipple, zip it, Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, exZIPIT A..."

Ritsujun3813d ago

Xbone180'd.
Pathetic Microsofie is frigging pathetic.

+ Show (28) more repliesLast reply 3813d ago
Belking3814d ago ShowReplies(10)
GribbleGrunger3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

Watch the TV, not the resolution. Eat your food, not the nutritional value.

BlueShirt77493814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

Yea too bad Spencer is right. All of a sudden the resolution matters to Sony fanboys. Real gamers won't care and play the games for the games knowing they'll look great regardless of console.

WAKE UP! (and in some cases GROW UP)

scott1823814d ago

"knowing they'll look great regardless of console."

If Spencer is right, then what does it matter how they look? Resolution contributes to the appearance...

Studio-YaMi3814d ago

If you haven't seen the difference from 1080p to 720p,then you need to check your eyes out QUICK!

"Looking great" means the resolution is a MUST HAVE!

Are you people serious??

No wonder Spencer said that,he knows that his sheep are gonna eat it up with a smile on their faces.

Jeez!

mistertwoturbo3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

And all of a sudden it doesn't matter to you hardcore Microsoft fans.

It mattered in the past 7 years how much better multiplatform titles on the 360 looked and ran better than the PS3.

Now it doesn't matter anymore.

Although I'm considering to buy an XB1, I really really hate that Microsoft community. It's full of backwards people like you.

slapedurmomsace3814d ago

Wow, real gamers won't care about the appearance of a game. Well....than please explain why visuals are apart of reviews. Why PC fans love the latest and greatest. Why Battlefield 4 on ultra is blowing people away. Why do some in the gaming community wanna label the Wii U as last gen. Why did Xbox owners chastise the PS3 when multi-plates looked better last gen?

You wanna buy an Xbox One because of their exclusives, that's 100% fine and understandable. Eventually I will too, but why pay more for a console that's not delivering the same experience that can be had for LESS on a different system if you are buying most multi-plates.

Also as FYI..real gamers...they don't need to justify their purchases to people they don't know to make themselves feel better about their choice.

irokster3813d ago

And what in the hell makes you a "real gamer" and not the rest of us? Explain.

Neo-Axl3813d ago Show
frostypants3813d ago

If resolution doesn't matter, then why did they develop a new console to replace the 360? Seriously...anyone who claims hardware power isn't important is in denial. And that's what we're REALLY talking about...it's not just resolution that is impacted here. It's everything the console does.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3813d ago
andrewsqual3814d ago

Would have been a great slogan at E3 2013.

solar3814d ago

The Wii sold better than 360 and PS3. It isn't all about power.

MightyNoX3814d ago

The Wii was also cheaper and doesn't tout 'Full HD 1080p graphics' on it's website. How is that selective memory working for ya.

Derpity derpity derppy doo.

SilentNegotiator3814d ago

Wii also had a gimmick that got millions upon millions of non-traditional gamers to play it. None of the 8th gen systems have that appeal (Go ahead and say Kinect - didn't save the 360 from falling into 3rd place and they put 1/2 billion into marketing for it) and Wii U is proving that simply being cheapest is no guarantee of success.

Ps4 has more preorders than Wii U has released systems and Xbox doesn't have as many preorders as PS4.

Furthermore, when was the last time that the strongest console (by a long shot) was the 2nd cheapest?

solar3814d ago

still sold better and was the weakest console.

sigfredod3814d ago

so you are getting the wii u that will sell better since is the weakest and cheaper ?

3813d ago
frostypants3813d ago

The Wii is also the world's most expensive paperweight for most people who bought it. Let's not pretend it competed for the same audience.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3813d ago
mistertwoturbo3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

They were singing a different tune back in 2006

"I guarantee that Xbox 360 games will look better than PS3. Xbox 360 is easy to develop on and programmers have experience already. We will keep ahead of the curve for two to three years"

http://www.xboxic.com/news/...

Seems like they really cared about "looks" at that time.

SmielmaN3813d ago

Funny how they change their message to consumers based on what they are trying to sell. I just believe some ppl are still falling for it despite all the factual information that has come out from the very beginning (can't ditch DRM "if you want a offline console, buy a 360"), kinect must be on (180'd even tho they said they wouldn't do that), to games running on PC's and cut the resolution by nearly half lately when running on "Xb one" (are they really running on final hardware yet in the wild???)... You know what? I'm so sick of that company I'm not even going to bother anymore. I love gaming, I owned both Microsoft consoles and I'm pretty sure I'm done with them. I loved halo, but I think I'm looking forward to Destiny instead. If your buying a xbone then good luck, I won't be giving M$ anymore of my money. Wasn't there just a article saying they were thinking of selling off Xbox and bing? Could this be dream cast 2.0???

dale_denton3814d ago

mr. spencer... that's easy to say when you don't have to pay for a console and games does it?

medman3813d ago

Those of us fortunate enough to have ps3's and 360's have been playing the games. For years. That is the problem Microsoft. Your first party titles are not competitive with what Sony offers. "Play the games not the resolution". Too bad you're getting your arse kicked on both accounts.

frostypants3813d ago (Edited 3813d ago )

Yep...only time I used my 360 was for cross-platformers because they were generally better on the 360, and to play with my buddies who did the same. If the PS4 has the better cross-platformers, all that goes away for the Xbox One. Outside of Forza (which I love), the MS exclusive franchises are nothing special. I've never liked Halo, and Gears is just Uncharted with less depth. I'm not saying I won't ever buy a One, but at $499, it's a joke.

otherZinc3813d ago

This is a great article for those that actually "READ" it;
Instead of only reading the click attention grabbing title.

malol3813d ago

xbox fanboys/employees used to rub it all over PS fanboys how they get worse multiplats

i guess karma is a BITCH !

PSX043813d ago (Edited 3813d ago )

you are so right Spencer .... so I will keep x360 and will not buy xbone and for really next gen and numbers I will buy ps4

3-4-53813d ago

Games are more important than resolution. I spent this entire gen playing without the HD cables in my xbox 360.

Yea that is right.....NO HD for me at all this gen. Just didn't care to go get them once I realized it after a year.

Big deal. Games still were fun to play. Well some were.

I just don't trust Microsoft anymore.

I'm not a graphics snob...I still love 2D sprites.

PS4 for me this gen.

NateCole3813d ago

Someone please tell him that you play resolution when you play games as it is part of the game.

WTF?. Are MS reps really this stupid?.

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 3813d ago
aceitman3814d ago

tbh it wasn't that way on the 360 to them it was always said multiplatform games look better on the 360 than ps3 , but now tables are turned Microsoft's Phil Spencer Urges Gamers to Remember Games Are More Than Technical Specs that's called being a hypocrite.

LordMaim3814d ago

No kidding. I should be able to do both, Spencer.

staticdash223814d ago

Lol sorry phil

If tech is important one day, you cant claim it isn't as important anymore once the comparison doesn't favor you.

pyramidshead3814d ago (Edited 3814d ago )

People need to realise the problem isn't solely the resolution, it's the paying £100 more for a system that can't match the power of the £100 cheaper system lol.

Pretty glad Sony's console won't bear the brunt of bad multiplats this gen, makes the future even more easier than it already was.

Kayant3814d ago

Ikr it remind me of when I saw this on gaf. Major nelson seemed to think it mattered a lot in X360 times -

http://majornelson.com/2005...
http://majornelson.com/2005...
http://majornelson.com/2005...
http://majornelson.com/2005...

At the end of the day it does matter especially for third-party games because they are going to aim for both versions to have the same graphical effects most of the time & if you get a higher resolution on one it will produce a crisper/cleaner image. We can see this in BF4.

"As well as cutting down on jagged edges, this reduces the amount of pixel shimmer we see in motion on complex shaders or thin geometry, with distant power lines, scaffolding and other elements with sub-pixel elements creating unwanted flickering on Xbox One"

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

Red_Devilz3814d ago

Major Nelson is a well-known idiot shill. He lost any credibility he had when he tried to be smart@ss in front of Joe and said they can't just flip the switch.

aquamala3813d ago

"play the games, not the resolution"

ps3 gamers have been saying this all this gen to PC gamers

madpuppy3814d ago

more like a "damaging lack of control"

staticdash223814d ago

Oh, and I've made my stance so it's not changing

720p in almost 2014.......2014 is the key word here. It's almost 2014....wait, let me put emphasis on this....(2014), you know the year after 2013. It's not 2005 anymore. We have been running on 720p for years. Unfortunately yes, a game that cannot show a technical leap in 2013 with a supposed next gen console makes me furious. So unfortunately I have to pass on your product for failing to impress me out of the gate. 1080p > 720p no matter how you spin. Once I see 720p, that game has been delegated to 2nd or third tier interest. Gameplay might be fun, but I can always pick those games up later at a lower price.

So remember Phil, it's almost 2014, not 2005 lol

Drekken3814d ago

I have owned a 1080p TV for almost 5 years. I see no reason to spend $500 on a machine that can't natively fill my TV with 1080p. I feel that both consoles should be pushing 1080p 60fps without a problem from the first game. PS4 is pulling it off, but it almost feels like it should have been a little bit stronger *Bf4 @ 900p. I am hoping Bf4 is a fluke and all games will run at 1080p.

I will not spend $60 on any game not pushing 1080p. I think this is the only way to show devs we want 1080p.

BlackTar1873814d ago

You need to be careful with this. If ps4 has games running at lower res in the future you'll just be egg ont he face of ps4 gamers.

People need to lighten up a bit. The xbox only crowd was so happy with the 1 frame better games last gen and now they don't care. That said you really shouldn't sput off about something that could possibly backfire in a years time. It's just foolish

Show all comments (271)
340°

2024 Is A Chance At Redemption For Xbox & Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer

Xbox has been lagging behind PlayStation in terms of 1st party content, but 2024 offers the platform and Phil Spencer a chance at redemption.

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twistedvoxel.com
isarai12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

Nah, that time has passed for many, and with their words on future plans, i really don't see it ever happening.

shinoff218312d ago

It's a wrap. Now is the time they are slowly going to move on as to not to kill the base as is. Titles will slowly drip onto ps and Nintendo consoles, etc. Those 4 already had to of been in development for awhile already cause two of them released really soon after the announcement

VenomUK12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

There is no ‘last chance redemption’ for Phil Spencer - he’s going straight to hell for tanking the Xbox console platform.

_SilverHawk_12d ago

"2024 Is A Chance At Redemption For Xbox & Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer"

I thought that was supposed to be a decade ago

Ironmike11d ago

U do rel7se ps5 is at thr moment only getting g those titles that were mentioned nothing else as of yet

Obscure_Observer12d ago

"Nah, that time has passed for many, and with their words on future plans, i really don't see it ever happening."

Xbox has PLENTY of first party games this year while Playstation has none!

There´s more first party games from Xbox Games Studios on PS5 this year than Playstation Studios own games.

Those are the *facts* and if those facts is not something to Sony be ashamed of, they can´t feel shame at all.

VersusDMC12d ago

Granblue Fantasy versus, FF7REBIRTH, Helldivers 2, Rise of the Ronin and Stellar Blade will have launched on PS5 and not on Xbox by the time Hellblade 2 launches.

This only first party games count is cope.

And as a bonus meme...Microsoft will have published 3 first party games on PS5 (Hifi rush, Grounded and sea of thieves) before their first for the year on Xbox(hellblade 2). Glad they have their priorities straight...

lodossrage12d ago

It's funny when people like to say xbox has more games coming to playstation this year than sony does.

YET, they leave out the context that Microsoft literally bought the biggest (Activision) third party publisher and Bethesday (another big one). So congrats on having to buy giants in order to compete?

On topic, wasn't Starfield the "last chance" for redemption?

Am I to assume that if the games they have coming this year don't get positive, feedback then 2025 will be the year of redemption?

Obscure_Observer12d ago

@VersusDMC

"Granblue Fantasy versus, FF7REBIRTH, Helldivers 2, Rise of the Ronin and Stellar Blade will have launched on PS5 and not on Xbox by the time Hellblade 2 launches."

None of the games you mentioned are first party. None. There´re more Xbox first party games on PS5 this year then Playstation´s own first party games, undeniable fact!

The real bonus meme is Sea of Thieves a game which PS fanboys used to sh!t on

"And as a bonus meme...Microsoft will have published 3 first party games on PS5 (Hifi rush, Grounded and sea of thieves) before their first for the year on Xbox(hellblade 2). Glad they have their priorities straight..."

Imo, the real meme is Sea of Thieves, a 6 year Xbox first party game which diehard fanboys used to mock and sh!t on, making to the top of the most pre-ordered game at PS Store in a year where Playstation has zero first party games.

https://twitter.com/BenjiSa...

Markusb3312d ago

and all will end up on playstation, and nintendo, if xbox was doing amazing they would not need ps or nintendo, if gp was amazing they wouldnt need pc. PS has multiple first party games in development that we dont know about. Look at how halo was treated, look at redfall, and look at starfield. Its fine to be loyal and prefer one platoform but to be wilfully ignorant about it just ridiculas.

badz14912d ago

LOL se we are moving from "exclusives" to "console exclusives" to now only "1st party exclusives" matters just after MS has bought 2 publishers for $77B??

Moving goalpost to always favor MS i. Your argument is getting tiring! Exclusives are exclusives! 1st or 3rd party, they are still exclusives. You do remember the PS2 literally killed the Dreamcast, Gamecube and the first xbox due to mostly 3rd party exclusives, right?

InUrFoxHole12d ago

Observe is actually correct. Sony paid to play. But we don't mention when they do it. When they do it we're totally cool with it. N4G 4lyfe!

Skuletor12d ago

Are they still counted as first party though?

fr0sty12d ago

“This notion that Xbox can only be this one device that plugs into a television isn’t something we see in the Gen Z research. Because nothing else is like that for them.

Some of them will have an iPhone, some will have an Android, but all the games and everything is the same. I can still get to TikTok on both of them, at least for now." - Phil Spencer

Read it and weep... all Xbox games are coming to as many platforms as they can put them on, and this is the first step towards them getting out of hardware entirely, just like Sega did.

Xbox has been Dreamcast out of the industry. You can deny it all you like, but it's happening.

northpaws12d ago

@Obscure_Observer

You certainly have more faith in Xbox than Phil Spencer does, I will give you that.

rpvenom12d ago

It's actually quite impressive watching you defend xbox. I respect the loyalty

wiz719112d ago

@VersusDMC here yall Sony fans go moving the goalpost again lol now this only first party things is a cope when yall was the one who started that crap in the first place. When Sony had all the first party games and Xbox was relying on third party , yall was shouting they had no first party games. Now the tables turn and suddenly it’s a cope. lol

wiz719112d ago

@lodossrage and so it’s also funny that the majority of Xbox first party games this year aren’t coming from any of those big studios lol except for Indy .. the biggest one this year is coming from a studio that Sony left and almost let that studio die after releasing two big exclusives on their console first. Now MS swoop in and saved them , then here they are with the best looking game this generation. Now that’s ironic , but you mention buying studios like Sony biggest studios weren’t BOUGHT my brother.

Yall need to be more worried about Sony closing studio after studio , the PSVR 2 dying , Sony losing billions , and the fact that yall biggest game this year as in Stellar Blade was once being developed as a multi platform game until Sony paid for them to be a second party studio. lol but you want to mention things being bought , your delusional

Crows9012d ago

Shame in the competitor buying up tons of dev teams in order to make that a reality? Yeah...there's no shame in that on the PlayStation side....

andy8512d ago

So now you're shifting the goal posts so only first party exclusives count. Amazing 😂

Profchaos12d ago

There's probably tons of games exclusive to Xbox that won't be on PS because of their early access clause.

However list the games that count helldivers 2 I'd argue has done more for gaming this year than any other title will.
It could be their only game and it would still be a great year because it was that unexpectedly good even haters of love service games are playing it

TheTony31612d ago

Still at it? Doesn't matter at this point. The games will eventually launch on PS5.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

I see you ignored his" only first party games count" line as if preordained. Is it on xbox? No...then it is ammunition. Meanwhile sony gets to passively soak up 30% of all ms game studios sales.

1Victor11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

@obscured: “There´s more first party games from Xbox Games Studios on PS5 this year than Playstation Studios own games.

Those are the *facts* and if those facts is not something to Sony be ashamed of, they can´t feel shame at all.”
That says more about Xbox than PlayStation that they have to release games on rival consoles to stay afloat, Microsoft and YOU SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF THAT FACT.

Edit After thought: it took Microsoft 6 years to finally fix their sea of bugs just in time to release it on PlayStation 🤷🏿

S2Killinit11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

On topic:
MS’s last chance was Starfield…
How many last chances are there?

@Osbscure
You’re moving the goal posts into places that have no basis in reality anymore.

+ Show (17) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
darthv7212d ago

Life is too short to hold onto grudges. Grudges against a console, game or company is just petty.

isarai12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

Has nothing to do with a grudge. Ive been waiting 12yrs for them to get back to their greatness, im done waiting and have moved onto just watching that ship sink as i play on literally every other platform

darthv7212d ago

^^... I still play on it, as well as the other platforms. Which is why I am not someone who dwells on the negativity like others do. there is always something for me to enjoy in this hobby.

isarai12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

@darth

Again, not dwelling on negativity, they legit haven't made anything i want to play since like gears 3 and halo reach. I did play Crackdown 3 and gears 5 cause i had hope given i was a huge fan of the older games, but that was a dud on both cases.

You're thinking it's way deeper than it is 🤣 make something worth playing and ill play it, i was hoping starfield would be that but again, dud.

darthv7212d ago

^^...I never said YOU were doing that... but its obvious others (here) do. Its all they seem to do is dwell on negativity, especially if its XB related. all im saying is there is more to enjoy than there is to complain about. And this is exactly why I play all the platforms instead of just one. You say you do the same... so just enjoy it.

neomahi12d ago

It's fanbots making their last stand in an attempt to save the Xbox, what more can one expect that the most optimism they've ever had. Xbox can't get a lock in Japan, still, and Europe is about to abandon it as well. What're you gonna do? And what happens IF Japanese generates interest? They'll see Europe losing interest and decide it's not worth it either. And it's not just Xbox, Microsoft as a whole is losing their footing. They've backed on subscriptions with everything they have to offer and it's tanking. Xbox needs to port to PlayStation and Nintendo while they can stay relevant and try to stay relevant, the longer they delay, we could see a complete Microsoft nose dive

S2Killinit11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

And you think MS fans are just dandy? Besides, is it a grudge if MS continues to give reasons for people to despise them?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Markusb3312d ago

when you cant make enough from your own platform and pc and you have to go to ps and nintendo you know its a slow transition to 3rd party publishing, and that is fine. Xb never had the thurst or ambition after the 360

JackBNimble12d ago

The second they decided to put exclusives on the ps5 they blew any chance of redemption

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
-Foxtrot12d ago

Even if they managed to get a win this year it dosent overthrow 10 years of mostly disappointments from Phil’s leadership.

RaidenBlack12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

Then this way, no company can redeem themselves. The very concept of redemption arc becomes impossible if the past is refused to be forgiven, even if the company manages to better themselves.
Then the now popular redemption arc of No Mans Sky or Phantom Liberty wouldn't exist in the gaming community if the same logic is also applied there.
Not defending anyone here but I want gaming to improve, companies to better themselves and most importantly competition to exist so that we get offered the best products to enjoy.
(I know in typical N4G fashion, this comment will be downvoted to oblivion, but I want good games offered from every studios irrespective of publishers.)

staticall12d ago

@RaidenBlack
IMO, what @-Foxtrot means, one years doesn't mean much. It's a start, yes, but they need more, much more.

Look at your own example, No Mans Sky - they didn't just release one patch and everyone started praising them, no. They've been doing this consistently. If Microsoft will start releasing good games consistently, that'll be great, no ifs and/or buts! But hyping them up in advance (no worthy releases yet is what i mean) - dunno, i might be wrong, but i don't think it's healthy or helps anyone.

rippermcrip12d ago

Your analogies are terrible. A company releasing a single game that failed to meet expectations.

Isn't the same as Phil Spencer making mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake, telling lie after lie after lie after lie for 10+ years.

isarai12d ago

Your whole comparison makes no sense. It literally took years for both of those to "redeem" themselves in the container of a single game. MS has been lacking for 12yrs starting with the halo/gears/forza criticism begining in the latter half of the 360. So even by YOUR logic, he's right, it's gonna take a lot more than one game to be redeemed ESPECIALLY after fumbling what many were already holding as their chance at redemption with starfield

Chevalier12d ago

It's not Playstation or Nintendos fault that Xbox poses no competition. They've had more support and more money behind them than Playstation and Nintendo combined!

You say you aren't defending Xbox, but, you kind of are. Xbox has been completely mediocre for decades. The last time Xbox was competitive was the 360 era. My 360 collection absolutely demolishes my Xbox One collection and so far Series X hasn't had much reason for me to jump to a purchase.

Can you honestly say Xbox is 'competitive'?! I would say not even close.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 12d ago
Silly Mammo12d ago

With the gaming media, Xbox is always just one game away from redemption and success. It's willful ignorance that they think there's a 'magic bullet' that will somehow erase all the moves by Phil & the gang of the last 2 console generations.

"Well there's always next year!" Should be the official Xbox slogan

Chocoburger11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

100% this Mammo!

They've been screwing up for over a decade! Even if they release a game that's of the highest quality, that's nothing in the grand scheme things.

It also doesn't un-do Kinect (with lies based advertising).

Or Kinect 2 (forcing people to spend $100 extra for something they didn't even want!).

Or releasing two consoles with nothing noteworthy twice in a row (One X, Series S|X).

Or releasing unpolished games such as Re:Core, Sea of Thieves, Halo: MCC, Halo Infinite, Redfall, and Starfield.

Let's not forget canceling games as well such as Scalebound,Project Spark, and the Phantom Dust remake.

Finally let's remember the broken promises of vaporware games, languishing in development Hell, such as Perfect Dark, Fable, Everwild, what else am I forgetting?

Redemption is far far FAR AWAY for Microsoft. It'll take a full decade of only making smart pro-consumer decisions and releasing plenty of amazing games in order to make up for it all.

2024? It ain't gonna do squat on its own.

Rols12d ago

It was the same old story in 2020, 2021,2022 and 2023. XBox has never delivered this gen.

Brazz12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

Xbox360, the last time they delivered the goods, over 10 years Ago.

Skuletor12d ago

This headline just reminds me of the "wait 'til E3" comments we'd hear every year, before it was cancelled.

LG_Fox_Brazil12d ago

I wonder if the 2025's version of this article is already written, probably I would say

lodossrage12d ago

That's the same point I was trying to convey when I replied to Obscure

Hofstaderman12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

#wait till e3 2024

Aloymetal12d ago

''2024 Is A Chance At Redemption For Xbox & Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer''
We've been hearing and reading the same crap since the xbone launch, these shills/journos need to come up with something new. Good thing is most gamers know this is all BS, they all read ''"Step right up folks and hold out your money or sub to our service. You don't know what you are going to get, but like always, take our word for it" Signed Lord Phil.

Show all comments (88)
580°

Phil Spencer blames capitalism for games industry woes.

Spencer said publicly traded companies have to show constant growth or else nobody will give them money. "I don't get [the] luxury of not having to run a profitable growing business"

LG_Fox_Brazil17d ago

I don't know Phil... You've being running, and some will say ruining, the Xbox brand for 10 years now, you know?

Profchaos17d ago

I'd say he'sade the best out of a tremendous cluster fk of a situation he was thrown into after Don tanked the Xbox brand from Kinect to the launch of the X1.

The only reason Xbox isn't in the Ms graveyard right now is because of Phil.

So I don't agree with everything he's done but I can see why these drastic pivots and moves have been made

VenomUK17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

You don’t hear Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa blame capitalism for the phenomenal success of the Switch.

You don’t hear now-departed PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan blame capitalism for the roaring success of the PS5.

Cockney16d ago

He was head of games back in don mattricks day so he should be held accountable for his involvement, the back half of the 360 gen and start of xbone lack of games was all him

Rynxie16d ago

The reason Xbox is not in the Ms graveyard is because of the money they are throwing around to keep the brand alive. Don was just a yes man, the stupidity of the Xbox one was MS doing.

romulus2316d ago

We are well past Don Mattrick at this point, people need to stop using that tired excsue. The issues with xbox for nearly the last ten years have been solely on Phil.

Plague-Doctor2716d ago

The PS3 tanked Sony and they recovered during the same generation. The Wii U tanked Nintendo and they delivered a record setting console only a few years later. At the launch of X1 it was keeping pace with the PS4 and in the US was occasionally beating it.

jwillj2k416d ago (Edited 16d ago )

All he had to do was say “the way forward is to make great games.”, drop the mic and make it happen by any means necessary. If you listen to the interview he gave after redfall came out, you’ll hear him say he thought the game was good to go and the internal team rated the game 85 out of 100. 85!! This shows how out of touch he is. He’s literally an empty vessel just collecting his check, running the division off of data-driven analytics, he doesn’t care about xbox and now pulls a Trump, blaming the clouds for his failures.

Cacabunga16d ago

Says the biggest capitalist company.. this moron should stop talking

sinspirit16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

No.. Phil was in charge of European studios and Kinect implementation since 2008. Those European studios he was in charge of were then full time Kinect developers as he was now in charge of all XBox game studios in 2010. This is why game quality has sucked ever since he was in charge and directly why the legendary Lionhead and the actual Rare devs are not there anymore. Phil is actually more to blame than anyone for the bad game quality and the Kinect push. And especially for the terrible XBox One launch.

He was the spearhead implemented employee for Kinect and Microsoft's new vision. The others were the talking heads appointed by XBox. And, honestly watching some of those old interviews it seemed like those XBox employees were possibly maliciously complient by telling exactly what Microsoft's new agenda was with Kinect and always online without dressing it up.

And directly on topic. No, Phil. Capitalism is voting with your wallet. XBox doing bad financially is in fact because of bad products, disappointments, failed deadlines, and especially lying, misleading, and broken promises for products. If you just released really good games and tried to innovate then you'd had a lot of sales.. oh and GamePass is losing out on a ton of sales which can not be recovered from a few microtransaction purchases, monthly sub costs, or even whales. The math is simple when you could have sold a $70 game 5 million times but instead maybe sold 1 million tops and now have to recoup a quarter billion of revenue from lost sales potential of the one title alone. But now you also don't want to release a lot of first party titles because of the direct loss in sales revenue from day 1 GamePass, and you don't want them to release really good games that take a little more time and money to make because you want them to be cost effective for GamePass release. So you intentionally plan to release a lot of AAA shortcomings at this point because the AAA badge is needed but you can't do it too well or GamePass will never actually profit. Even though they had said GamePass is profitable, it is absolutely not by much and never will be. And, they said that Zune was profitable a long time ago but they combined it with an entire category of products when Zune itself was bleeding money. They lose far too many direct sales that even the most generous math can not see how they could be making much money if any at all to make up for this business practice. This is what happens when marketing and trend chasing fool a business into pursuing the wrong thing to stay relevant when the clear answer all along was that they always did good when they just supported developers making genuinely full and good games.

Babadook716d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I kind of agree with you, but Phil is partly to blame.

I blame Peter Moore (for leaving). Everything went to pot soon after.

PapaBop15d ago

How many years ago was this now? I'll give him some credit for what he inherited but lets be honest, he hasn't exactly done anything praise worthy and has done a terrible job managing the studios Microsoft owns.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 15d ago
Eonjay17d ago

I thought he said it was Gen Z. I can't keep up.

Hofstaderman17d ago

Its Gen Z who are extremely capitilist. Lol, Phil is a clown of note.

16d ago
fr0sty16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

He's kinda right, shareholders expect constant growth, which is unsustainable, but it is what they expect nonetheless. That's why, even though the games industry is healthy as it has ever been, because it isn't growing, everyone in the industry is panicking. Even though we're still selling just as many consoles as ever, they expect each generation to just keep on growing and growing, and when that doesn't happen, they start to freak out.

This is true of any industry, and it's why anytime a company goes public, their products usually end up going to shit. The shareholders expect more and more and more growth, cuz they want that stock price to keep climbing, and so eventually corners start getting cut, wages start getting cut, employees start getting cut, they start cutting away everywhere they can to try to squeeze a little bit more money out of the product, until they ruin it, and then they move on to the next product.

buffig16d ago

Yeah, but everyone knows how capitalism works. This part didn't need explaining. The problem is that they bought massive plublishers for a gazillion dollars, to the detriment of the industry and now he's acting like he has no choice but to fire thousands of people because he just found out about nasty capitalism

TheEnigma31316d ago

Why I'm glad companies like Valve stayed private.

SyntheticForm16d ago

He'd never blame himself, so he's trying to score points with the kids by blaming capitalism. One of the biggest capitalists is blaming capitalism for his and Xbox's failure.

fr0sty15d ago

I agree with you, which is why I said he's "kinda" right... he's right in the fact that capitalism is behind a lot of investors freaking out that the games industry, while still healthy, is not continually growing unsustainably, but he's also being hypocritical in the same breath after buying half the industry and then laying off thousands of them, and using his own business practices as an excuse to cover for his failures.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 15d ago
mandf17d ago

It won't be until halo and gears are on playstation that xbox fans see phil for who he is. A snake fighting only for himself. The video game industry means nothing to him just his paycheck to those who believe phil is passionate and loves video games you are part of the problem. You never hold ms accountable.

Minute Man 72117d ago

Halo and Gears only when Microsoft drops outta the console market

-Foxtrot17d ago

They don't need to drop out of the market for that to happen

They will always have some kind of console going forward but Halo and Gears could only be a few years away at this rate.

Next gen might look completely different

Tacoboto17d ago

I'd actually hope for Halo to come to PS and Nintendo at this point.

The community rejected a mictotransaction option so MCC is no longer maintained - no new revenue streams and Microsoft listened. Infinite is on Content Updates now instead of Seasons - dwindling playerbase and less excitement. If MS wants the franchise to thrive, that's free money and the same could essentially be said for Gears bringing them abroad.

FinalFantasyFanatic16d ago

@Tacoboto,
To be fair, Halo Infinite had a rocky start to begin with, I think they improved for a while, but fell behind again.

shinoff218316d ago

The writings on the all in huge fking letters. Just read it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 16d ago
phoenixwing17d ago

I don't blame Phil for that in the slightest. If you were offered to be an executive of a company 9 out of 10 ppl would take the job for the salary and give little crap about how they feel about any given product they sell. He's not wrong that capitalism drives greedy companies but you have to take the good with the bad.

staticall17d ago

@phoenixwing
But the person is doing a bad job and the company (including customers) are suffering because of that, how can you not blame him? The reason for high paying is the decisions you make and the responsibility you take for your actions steering the company in the right direction (if company is doing bad, it's your fault; if company is doing good, it's because of your decisions).

It reminds me of that South Park Bill Owens parody ("Follow that egg" episode), a governor who wants all the money and recognition/respect, but doesn't want to take any responsibility, how backwards is that?!

Petebloodyonion16d ago

@Staticall
Agree but what are your metrics for doing a bad job?
Is Microsoft's share value tanking due to its decision?
Is brand awareness worse than in 2016?

As someone who works in investment, this is how I see it and why Spencer's still around.
1) Grow the Xbox brand awareness by including PC and Gamepass making it a stronger brand by name versus 2015.
2) Showed a plan to evolve profitability by having multiple sources of recurrent income with Gamepass, PC gaming, streaming, and now other platforms
3) made new market integration possible via PC and cloud.
4) Can make hard decisions for the good of the company like cutting jobs.

staticall15d ago

@Petebloodyonion
I would say, we shouldn't look at Microsoft themselves, they have a ton of revenue streams - Windows sales, hardware sales, Office sales, Azure, government contracts, certification programs, etc. We need to look at Xbox - hardware sales are in decline (Xbox 360 > Xbox One > Xbox Series S + X combined). GamePass subscribers aren't growing enough and, according to the Microsoft docs, are at plateau. Games sales are abysmal (both physical and digital, thanks to "Day one on GamePass"). Xbox exclusives doesn't exist anymore (every game is coming to PC). And it didn't start yesterday, this was happening for a long-long time.

In my eyes, brand recognition doesn't mean much, if it doesn't translate to console sales, because Phil took away every reason to buy Xbox console for a regular customer (i used to own Xbox 360 and saw 0 reasons to own Xbox One or Xbox Series).

I would also argue that he didn't make any hard decisions, at least when it comes to games: Crackdown 3, Redfall, Halo Infinite - he was saying that those games are looking fine only to be laughed at on presentation/release. But i would consider that a low blow, because he did cut some jobs. But not from top management (who are responsible for the decisions).

In my eyes, as a console owner/gamer, doing good job as a platform holder = supporting your console with high quality exclusive games (like Nintendo and Sony are doing). I'm fine with releasing the games afterwards on PC, but not right away (otherwise, what's the point of a console?!). Extra services are fine (like PS+ or GamePass, or cloud stuff), but they wouldn't be a reason to buy a console for me. Phil is overfocusing on extra services, not on games. And it doesn't work out and haven't worked out for what, 10 years already? Sorry, i feel like i'm rambling at this point.

Nooderus16d ago

He's a Microsoft executive. Duh

S2Killinit16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

Agree except I think the real snake is MS itself. They are a terrible company. This clown is just the hired man for the job.

phoenixwing16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

Thats basically what I'm trying to say and if you really want to get down to it. It's the board of directors for the company who makes this stuff happen.

jznrpg16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

@Phoenixeing it’s his job as the head of the division to tell those people I think you are wrong and for success we need to this - that’s literally his job. MS motto is a big problem and Phil going a long with it is also his fault. He’s the one guy who can say something.

Abear2116d ago

Agreed they are the problem.

M$ doesn’t care about the quality of the game, they care about the profitability of the game.

When you work for a Co. like M$ you know this. It’s all about money—not the “art” or what’s healthy in the industry for devs and/or the consumers.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 15d ago
M3talDiamond17d ago

First its Gen Z now its capitalism but we can all agree that it definitely isn't Phil

JackBNimble16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

If it wasn't for capitalism there would be no xbox or Microsoft for that matter. But as the head of xbox division it is his responsibility no matter good or bad .... that's what it means to be the boss. If that's to much for him, then he needs to resign.

-Foxtrot17d ago

Kind of funny because when it comes to capitalism Microsoft is one of those great big American companies that just screams it.

They spent billions on Minecraft, Zenimax and Activision yet couldn't afford to save all those jobs they cut. With the money they make within a year they could have, someway.

PhillyDonJawn17d ago ShowReplies(3)
FinalFantasyFanatic16d ago

They've been swallowing up a lot of AI companies too and spending big on that area.

S2Killinit16d ago

If MS gets into AI they will cause the end of humanity the way they are causing the end of console gaming.

FinalFantasyFanatic15d ago

@S2Killinit,

It's between Microsoft and Google, the chances are one of those two will take the AI crown considering the amount of cash they're throwing at that sector. I suppose Microsoft might be the worst out of the two, but Google hasn't been exactly great compared to the old days when they threw around their old adage of "do no evil".

Silly Mammo16d ago

MS is making millions of dollars annually with the Xbox brand. Unfortunately, they're spending billions on acquisitions too

8bitAssassin16d ago

Game Pass games are not free.

Christopher16d ago

He also blames his bank account balance on capitalism.

PhillyDonJawn16d ago

I don't think it work like that. MS is the parent company. The branch has its own budget to maintain.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 15d ago
thorstein17d ago

Making millions, taking million dollar salaries and bonuses but it's the dev in the chair that's preventing profit?

Yeah okay, Phil.

Show all comments (146)
320°

Phil Spencer, long cast as Xbox's saviour, may be remembered as the man who killed it

Nathan Brown: "Phil Spencer spoke to the press at GDC last week, offering some context/spin on Microsoft’s recent manoeuvres, while dropping a few now-customary hints about the Xbox division’s future plans. I take one issue with this: I am no longer sure Xbox has much of a future to speak of. Moreover: I think Phil Spencer, for so long cast as Xbox’s saviour, may ultimately be remembered as the man who killed it."

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
19d ago
gold_drake19d ago

his decisions over the years were definitely questionable at best.

but MS let him be the head of xbox for this long, so they either dont have anyone else for the job or .. we'll i dont rly know any other reason haha.

-Foxtrot19d ago (Edited 19d ago )

Basically when we had that awful Xbox One reveal in 2013 and Don Mattrick was thrown under the bus as the companies scape goat Phil was pretty much the only one they had who wasn't a typical looking "corporate suit".

Despite the fact him being the head of Microsoft Game Studios and gladly going along with the lack of games nearing the end of the Xbox 360 life where it was basically Kinect, Sports, TV along with the same 3-4 IPs like Halo or Gears he was the best person they had for the job.

They didn't have anyone else basically and from that day onward he was seen as good guy Phil turning the studio around when all he was doing was reversing the silly decisions made and going along with whatever the higher ups or the board wanted for Xbox. Didn't make a difference in the end because everything they "reversed" with the awful Xbox One reveal ended up being implemented in small different ways surgically in recent years with Gamepass.

The guy apparently is such a huge gamer yet played Crackdown 3 and Redfall, thought they were good and released them anyway in those states.

PapaBop19d ago (Edited 19d ago )

Not a typical looking corporate suit? The guy straight up looks like a used car salesman lol. To be fair, after Mattrick, I think anyone with half a brain could succeed him and look semi decent, whenever I think of his name, I immediately remember that "this is how to share your games" video from Sony.

S2Killinit18d ago

when I look at him, its cringe. The guy dresses casually to fool people. But he is as corporate as it gets.

fr0sty18d ago

His cocky smirk I've always found to be incredibly annoying...

MrDead18d ago

I would say his "why bother making games when others are already" decision is what has lead them here. MS does this, but they just buy companies that they want to do a thing then asset strip it and dump it, you can't do that in gaming.

Tody_ZA18d ago

He's the head of Xbox because Microsoft isn't a gaming company and they haven't done anything for gaming in more than a decade. They're a parent company looking to buy more kids to raise as investments. They will profit off ownership, off their games releasing on other platforms, because they can't create anything themselves. Slowly they'll make Xbox as a console completely irrelevant under the mantra of play anywhere. That's why Phil is still there. He shares their corporate vision of making bucks and doing nothing for the gaming industry.

SubtilizZer19d ago

“If they don’t have a story these days they’ll make one”
Drake.

RhinoGamer8819d ago

Phil's top skill is keeping his job, growing his net worth to over $25million, all while underperforming...

SeTTriP19d ago

Gotta respect it, he went from a gaming studio head to making 70billion dollar deals...he is the main character I gotta admit.he looks fun to hang around too.

MrDead18d ago

...why do I feel like I need a shower after reading that? One of the grossest thing I've heard, S tier blowing bubbles grovelling.

jznrpg18d ago (Edited 18d ago )

I don’t respect moves that make gaming worse long term

XBManiac18d ago (Edited 18d ago )

(Phil 'wait for next year' Spencer)
Microsoft made the 71,933 millions deal because it was already started and, with Microsoft, it is not possible to go back and stop it. Does anybody think that deal would be an option in 2023 or 2024, with the nowadays sitiation of the industry? And in 2022? No, nobody would pay that money for Activision-blizzard-king... because it would not be recovered in more than 20 years of really hard and good work. Everybody are selling for less, not buying for more (Embracer, Tencent...). But bad decisions in a company like Microsoft are impossible to fix. It is like a very big Ministery, where if something starts, it can't be stopped. It happened before and Microsoft will do the same again, as they have enough money to burn... well... I hope, because if Microsoft dies... it will be the end of our known world. What could substitute it?

_Decadent_Descent18d ago

I mean, that does take a certain skill. lol

FinalFantasyFanatic18d ago

I guess he has skill as a salesman, look how long he managed to get people to wait on Xbox.

Show all comments (54)