160°

Microsoft is giving us choices, we should be happy

Robert Kingett, DarkZero: "The choices presented are pretty staggering, though they should have happened sooner and not just a few days ago, but still, people have many more options now. Developers will have a better understanding of the market because they will know that some people will have the Kinect bundled Xbox and the Kinect-less Xbox. "

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darkzero.co.uk
Ballsack3635d ago

Microsoft are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts

I'm happy that gamers have finally realised we can talk with our wallets and make billion dollar companies bow to our demands ..Microsoft have had their tail between their legs ever since they tried to screw us over..they are literally begging us to take notice of them again with the amount of 180s they have done ..

we now need to this with certain game publishers and their microtransactions etc

Mikelarry3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

"we now need to this with certain game publishers and their microtransactions etc"

ever since the MS fiasco i have hope that when push comes to shove majority of gamers will stand together for the better good of the industry. all those publishers that are milking dlc,season pass and what-like should enjoy it now because i know that type off business is not sustainable in the long run same goes for publishers and dev who are on a re-release agenda not willing to take risk on new ideas and IP's they will only have themselves to blame once the bubble bust.

OT: I am happy MS are now giving us more choices so happy that I am now a proud owner of an xbox one and I say bring on E3

ZodTheRipper3635d ago

Of course people on this site are happy that MS is going the gamers route again ...but it was certainly not because of goodwill or "to please the fans". Sales were simply below expectations and that said I don't even think that siding with the gamers again will save them. Especially WE know exactly how soon MS abandoned the X360 and how timed exclusives came to PS3 a few years later ...and we know exactly which console is more powerful and yet cheaper... and who has the better support from developers and the superior first party lineup. These are things that MS can't influence at all and that is the reason why gamers won't be happy with them anytime soon.

supes_243635d ago

@Milkelarry,
Same here. I now have an x1 also. I wish I wouldn't have started wolfenstein on my PS4, or got it for my x1, because I want to get in to my new system so bad. But once I start something I have to finish it. I set up my x1 when I bought it and I love it and Ryse is sitting there waiting for me to play it.

amiga-man3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

Correction MS are giving us choices now!! after trying and failing (thank goodness) to take our choices away and they deserve no credit for putting right something that should never have been done in the first place

user14394143635d ago

MS will only follow what Sony do, they cannot lead the way they just wait for someone to innovate and then copy them and try and exploit gamers with false hopes. Like all this talk of the power of the cloud and DX12, until I see it working and they show us it working on an XB1 its then I am not interested. Sony will continue to lead the way and Microsoft will continue to follow behind. Microsoft tried to lead the way and look what happened they wanted an always online console with no way to trade your games that is the future what Microsoft want.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3635d ago
aceitman3635d ago

Well at 1st it seemed like they did do it to give gamers a choice(they said they did it cause the fans wanted it. :o ) but after the sales numbers came out it open the eyes of many(not all) that it was removed to lower cost and see if the sales would pick up. Which from the looks at things it's not changing things it's looking worst, the preorders for kinect less x1is at amazons 285 spot even for preorders that's not good at all. And the titanfall bundle is at 58 and dropping more in the past few weeks. It would have been something to be happy about if it where true that they did it for choices , but it left ms no choice at all but to disconnect something they said they will NEVER do . ( go kinect less) I don't care what anyone says they did it for lack of sales. They gave gamers a better choice when they had the kinect bundles with games for 399-449$. And at that time is when they did not sell to expectations , so how is a 399$ kinectless X1 without a game a better choice, now it's barebones . Which one do u think will sell better a kinect less 399$ or a bundle with kinect and a game for 399-449$ for some it's easy to pick for some it will be blinding to see. And will defend the one that is not the better choice because they feel ms did it for them.

Sloth-Eater3635d ago

I 100% agree. Having both the ps3 & 360 I knew from last E3 I wouldn't be touching Xbox this gen. Some people have too short a memory.

Mikelarry3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

But the same could be said about sony last gen as they were arrogant with statements like you will have to get another job to own a ps3 or leaving the UK in the cold for awhile before it was launched in our region or the premium price the ps3 originally launched at. They realised thier mistakes and gamers gave them another chance so why cant that same logic be applied to MS, they have realised thier faults due to aony kicking thier ass noone is saying they are making all theaw choices from the goodness of thier hearts so they ahould be giving another chance

Why o why3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

Mike, although I agree with your sentiment, the 'two jobs' statement if you ever actually read it has ben misconstrued to the point there's no point explaining it again. Mud sticks, even if it shouldn't. The difference between the two in my opinion is that ms were doing dodgy arrogant sh%t from last gen too. The final 3rd took the piss, their fanboys were way too happy to wave the multiplat flag on top of the 'na only matters' flag because MS would make a point of each (greenberg)

Like many have mentioned, ms isn't doing this for the love. They have been forced to. Either way its benificial for gamers, forced or not but it still leaves a bitter taste in many gamers mouths.

Obviously, those who defended each crap policy that ms has now reversed didn't see any faults so speaking to them was pointless and ms already 'had' them. Enough of the world did see fault and ms had to respond to increase appeal to them or risk falling even further behind sony.

Pogmathoin3635d ago

Regardless, whether it is for out of kindness or desperation, there are more choices, that many here asked for, will have cheaper, kinect free X1.... Many games being announced, many exciting things happening. Now is the time to see those who have talked the talk non stop here, if they will walk the walk, and do what they have been saying non stop last 6 months..... I would buy an Xbox if MS did this..... Did that....... Does it matter how it was done?? Prove yourselves, or just stop the bitter complaining about a company and grow a pair.....

Mikelarry3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

@ why

Trust me i understand that ms is not doing it from the goodness of thier hearts and only made theae changes to save face what i am trying to get across is all these companies have sometimes in the past shot themselves in the foot even nintendo back in the day with the way they treated developers putting games on thier console but they realised thier faults for whatever reason and should be giving a fair chance if they have backed tracked on the policies gamers / developers were upset about

Yetter3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

Funny, I feel the exact same feelings towards Sony.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3635d ago
gamer78043635d ago

Its a business for MS and Sony. It would be terrible if they made decisions based on the goodness of their hearts

Darkstares3635d ago

I buy products based on what it offers. Not on what was said in the past. After all, are we not paying for experiences? Seems like a complete waste of time going on and on about what Microsoft was proposing in the past. The vocal minority either need to just come out and say they will never buy the XB1, move on, and stop talking about it. Or explain what's stopping them from buying one right now which would only include software, price, or hardware related matters.

rainslacker3635d ago

What's kept me from buying one day one, and right now is their initial policies with the system.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy that they reversed them, and I do like all the moves they're making now to make the console better, but I've watched MS business moves since I was old enough to understand them.

The initial X1 reveal only reaffirmed to me that MS is still the same company they have always been. Anti-consumer, and only interested in pushing their own agenda regardless of the benefit to their customers. This same sentiment is what made me hold off on the 360 until it got to a point where I didn't need one because the PS3 was more than delivering content.

There are games I want to play on the X1. I was ready to buy one day one. But MS has to do a lot more than just put on a good show to make me think that I should support their overall hostile mentality towards customers. When a company goes decades doing the same thing over and over again, and then "fixing" their products after they realize people won't buy it is not a company that listens to customers. It's a company that constantly backpedals on it's policies to remain relevant and line their own coffers. A company that listens to consumers fixes these issues early, and not after sales numbers come out.

There is absolutely no way that MS didn't know what kind of backlash they would have gotten. They are too big and too smart to not do focus research. Even if they didn't do all that, their potential customers were extremely vocal about what they though before the reveal. They didn't care, because they thought they were important enough for people to just accept it like most people do with their windows OS. I have no doubt that many higher ups in MS put their OS mentality into the X1 reveal and release.

I'll probably get an X1 by the end of the year but only to play those few games that I feel I absolutely want to play. The only other thing that would make me get one sooner is them opening up dev kit access to the system.

GundalfDeGrej3635d ago

Happy customers are paying customers. Them trying to make us happy is a good thing for everyone.

marlinfan103635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

when sony dropped the ps3 price last gen do you think it was out of the goodness of their heart? companies do what they can to get sales. after all, thats the point of the company, to earn money. you fanboys think these companies are here purely to make the customer happy and do whatever they can for us. in reality, none of the big companies are. thats just the real world.

No_Limit3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

"Microsoft are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts "

LOL, give me one company that is doing anything out of the kindness of their heart other than either trying to compete or gain more customer's support? Even non-profit organizations like Salvation army are known to scam customers.

On the videogame front, do you think:

-Nintendo is giving an extra download game voucher with the purchase of Mario Kart 8 is due to the kindness of their heart or it is due to the fact that they want to gain more console sales?

-Sony providing "playstation Now" over Gaikai is because they are doing it just for fan service or because they can charge an extra monthly fee out of it?

-MS is no different with dropping the Kinect because they are not doing it compete and gain more marketshare. Simple as that.

But all that really doesn't matter to us gamers because it all benefit us due to healthy competition so fans of XB1, including myself, will just pretend it is out of the kindness of their heart. Speaking of which, I was at the MS store yesterday and got a great deal on 3 XB1 games for $60 for the memorial day sale. I think MS might be loosing money on that end, so who knows, maybe that is out of the kindness of their heart. :)

3-4-53635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

" Staggering" choices ?

Definition:

Stagger - walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.

^ Anyone else pick up on that?

Joey_Leone3635d ago

The damage has been done, Xbox is trash/a scam to me.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3635d ago
akaFullMetal3635d ago

It's good that Microsoft is giving us options because options are always good. But to look at this as if Microsoft is doing this out of the goodness of there heart, no, they are doing this because they are way below sale expectations compared to there competitor. In order to become competitive they are 180ing everything that people have been complaining about since the reveal a year ago, it just took a sales beating for them to finally give us (quotation marks) choices.

DLConspiracy3635d ago

People feel the same way about Sony. I heard a guy say they wanted to raise donations for Sony because of the sales they lost in other divisions. Nobody should think a corporation cares.

Darkstares3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

Well of course they are doing these things because they want to remain competitive.You think Sony is now charging to play online for the PS4 because it's thew goodness of their hearts? You think they dropped PS2 functionality on the PS3 because of the goodness of our hearts?

All companies will either have to make changes or face low sales. Nintendo is learning that with the Wii U as well, it's why they reduced the price. How long before the Wii dropped in price compared o the PS3? You think Sony dropping servers for many games is all goodwill?

snookiegamer3635d ago

Askin' gamers to be happy is like askin' the sun not to shine in California ;/

Whitey2k3635d ago

Hardware design is at its worst aswell even the 360 is a better design the the x1

christocolus3635d ago (Edited 3635d ago )

Errm, how is that even related to the article?

dream21003635d ago

Man or girl take your ass to sleep

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest6d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN5d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan5d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor5d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic5d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv725d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts5d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares6d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv726d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka5d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion5d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer5d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow15d ago (Edited 5d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer5d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

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news.xbox.com
bionicstar6d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn6d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18815d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast6d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

6d ago
Lightning776d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole5d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

6d ago
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6d ago Replies(1)
Lightning776d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

6d ago
anast5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning775d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast5d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning775d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast5d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
darthv726d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes6d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

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
darthv7211d 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.

solideagle10d ago

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

Sonic188110d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10d 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:

Lightning7710d ago

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

Cacabunga10d 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.

darthv729d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19929d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff218310d 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.

Cacabunga10d 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

itsmebryan10d 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

S2Killinit9d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2310d ago

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

darthv7210d 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.

TheEroica9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier9d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan9d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
purple10110d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos10d ago

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

DOMination-10d 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.

XBManiac10d ago

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

SimpleDad10d ago (Edited 10d 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.

purple10110d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos10d ago (Edited 10d 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

Kornholic10d ago

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

MrDead10d 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.

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