Why Microsoft Are Ruining this Console Generation

The first hit for the Xbox One came when they announced the console always had to be online and would not allow games to be traded. The main reason this was annoying was how Microsoft reacted to it. They tried defending the features and tried to convince people how the features would benefit the users while never truly explaining what the true constraints and details of the features were. Like everyone else I had not seen much of the console so I really couldn't bash it on those reasons alone so I gave Microsoft the benefit of the doubt once they announced they had removed these constrains on the system.

[iamnsuperman]

The only reason why some of this stuff has happened is because of the disastrous pre-launch the Xbox One has had. They have had to bend the truth to keep up appearances but these kind of blunders happen when your product gets a bad reaction. Sony told us all to get a second job to afford the PS3. Just the type of things companies say when they panic

Also, buzzwords/ludicrous tag lines from companies seem to be a western problem (and in particular an American PR strategy). So singling out Microsoft isn't really fair since it is common practice. For a start, Microsoft has always done this (even with the 360; look at kinect for a perfect example) and they are not alone. Look at Apple. Their company is built on PR terminology that means nothing. So again it isn't fair since American companies do this quite regularly (it is bad though).

[1nsomniac]

Completely agree, couldn't have said it better myself.

[georgeenoob]

If anything they're making this generation all the more enjoyable with their awesome games line-up.

They are VERY active with customer feedback. How can you "ruin a generation" when you're so vibrant with the gaming community?

[Magicite]

I hate Xbox(MS) with my bones and brains, but even I must admit, they brought also some good things into gaming.

[ZodTheRipper]

I wouldn't judge companies so much by their words but rather by their actions instead. And when I think about Microsoft these things come to mind:
Xbox 360 era:
- they started the trend of "timed exclusivity" - investing lots of money into temporary marketing advantages rather than actual game development or IP building (and they still continue it - see PvZ, Titanfall or Dead Rising)
- a few years after launch they stopped investing into these exclusive deals, probably because they thought that the market is saturated
- they started the trend of charging for an online subscription ...for almost 10 years people paid for XboxLive while most of it's "services" were free on other platforms
- the failure rate of the original 360 was over 50%, that's almost unbelieveable if you compare it to similar products
- they treated indie developers like second rate all the time, you can read some shocking quotes here
http://www.quartertothree.c...

Xbox One:
- they tried many consumer unfriendly things (Used Games, Always online, DRM) with their initial concept and were forced to backpedal when preorders were alarmingly low
- they broke many promises they made before launch during the last few months, here's a few
- they made a big promise at E3 to launch in 21 markets and then they reduced that number to only 13 countries in August
- they promised to their customers that Kinect would always be included in the box, it's integration would grow as time went on and more developers got on board...
- they promised support for their media functions in other countries than the US, but until today there is not muchto be seen there

So all in all I agree with this article, we should ask the question: Which benefits is Microsoft bringing to our industry? And well, I can't find too many to be honest...

[DialgaMarine]

@georgenoob, can you tell us about this awesome games lineup? You talk like you've come from the end of generation where M$ just released thousands of amazing AAA games. Here in reality, we're 8 months in, and they haven't released a single AAA exclusive game since launch day (and no, Titanfall is not exclusive). I only see the same games we've been expecting to hear about at E3 (another Forza, another Fable, another Halo, Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, and that's it. They have no first party studios working on anything besides BT's new GoW, but if you that's only been in development for only a few months, we'll maybe, MAYBE, get a short CGI trailer for it to officially announce it. Gameplay? Not a snowball's chance in hell if BT actually wants people to be impressed by it. So please tell me about these games that, in your magical little world, are the megaton nukes that M$ is preparing to fire and decimate the competition with. Just PM me or something. Hell, maybe you''ll convince me to buy an XBone.

[1nsomniac]

The problem is people think Don Mattrick is new & has turned the company around by being in the position he is in & that's just plain stupid naivety!

He's been a big part of the front line up of Xbox/Microsoft for a long, long time & has made equally stupid & deceitful public comments/decisions for years. Xbox/Microsoft are ONLY saying what they are saying & listening to the public because they have been forced to. Even after publically claiming they will not do what fans ask them to, until the point where the company actually got to the point of the possibility of the Xbox devision having to be sold off. Yet people are still pathetically lapping it up & giving them a free pass.

Don't get me wrong im in no way a fanboy & hold no allegiance to any company. This is exactly the same reason why Sony has had a role reversal this generation because they made equally stupid & deceitful comments/decisions last generation so have also been forced. Albeit there still is a convincing argument that Microsoft continually tried pushing the agenda even through the backlash because they had the money to not have to care about the repercussions at least to an extent. You could say they potentially have also caused a more negative impact in the gaming industry as a whole than any other company.

Sony have at least realised that if there going to backtrack there going to have to backtrack with some conviction rather than just do it to keep the peace with shareholders.

The reason its been much more a public onslaught for Microsoft is that its blatent PR BS there's not even an attempt to cover it up & theres still people with limited IQ that don't understand or ignore it.

[gamertk421]

^^^Do some research. Don Mattrick left. Phil Spencer is running the show, and there's a reason he's all about games, since he's a former dev himself, and previously was running MGS. His vision for Xbox is much more in line with the core gamer, and the turn around has been swift and astonishing.

[1nsomniac]

^^^ OK sorry you know who I meant, Yes Phil Spencer has been there since 1988. I will put you in the latter category rather than the ignorant.

[ShinMaster]

*
I AGREE with almost everything in the article EXCEPT THE TITLE/HEADLINE.

[DigitalRaptor]

Dude. Albert Penello went on NeoGaf to spread lies in a desperate series of spin posts. He tried to lie to a bunch of discerning gamers who simply know better and he was torn down.

That is where you draw the line. I've never seen such obvious corporate deceit in all my time.

[tgunzz]

All companies use similar tactics (even the one's we all work for), just because you like a brand or whatever, don't think for one minute that it's not happening. As far as the drm/online policies go. How many of you gamers on here subscribe to, or subcribed to itunes, and other streaming services? How many of you pay to play all those games, and use all those features on your cell phones?? Please tell me that most are not using cable, or satellite services... And I take it, that the majority of gamers on here that continue to attack the initial reveal doesn't have ps plus, or xb live gold, (speaking of gold, there was a silver package during the early yrs of live) right? Speaking of plus, online gaming was free on the ps. The gaming industry is a group (like all others), and will change as a group like all others. How many of you die hard ps fans abandoned the ps3 when sony announced that the ps3 was not just a gaming machine, and the price reflected that? Did you lose faith, did you feel that attack on your hardcore gaming roots, and more important, did it stop you from purchasing the console (didn't stop me)?? As for used games trade ins, as much as I am apart of it, I am sure that we all can see it going away (this has the same impact on games pricing/costs/profits as piracy do for movies). Ms/Sony/Nintendo, are not non profit organizations.... I will say this, out of all 3 of my consoles, the only disks that I am purchasing is on the wiiu. How many of you out there are still purchasing disk games only for you ps4, or xb1 (and not downloading indie games because they don't offer the disk)? Just curious....

[Magnes]

Exactly this article just hit the 30 foot wide nail right in the head with a 10 ton sledgehammer.

[johndoe11211]

@tgunzz

the minute you try to justify drm, the rest of your argument becomes pointless.

[tgunzz]

@johndoe, No need in justifying something that will be embraced as the gaming industry continue to change. What's interesting is arguing of something that a most are participating in... Those ps plus /xb live accounts are growing, and growing be it monthly charge, or annual... What I am really waiting on is those surveys showing the % of growth of digital downloads vs disk sales... This gen will be very interesting....

[DigitalRaptor]

@ tgunzz

You're essentially defending DRM on physical discs, and promoting consoles that we no longer own/have control over to play content we OWN as a good thing/natural progression.

1) It's not the future.

2) It's not going to happen as long as people value their consumer rights.

3) Only Microsoft would be careless enough to initiate such a mechanism for their entire ecosystem.

You prefer draconian policies/dystopian control.

We prefer to value what is right.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

I agree with you Superman aka Clark Kent oops I shouldn't have say it watch out!

Off topic: Superman in his latest movie was so boring i should of kill him with a chidori!

[XiNarutoUzumaki]

Hahaha. Superman has always been boring. The latest film was entertaining.

[Not-A-Cat]

...They're starting to multiply.

[Retroman]

WHAT'D?????? Clark kent really SUPERman good golly miss molly . Barry allen must be Bruce wayne haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa fastest bat alive .........j/k

[Blaze929]

"Microsoft are clearly taking advantage of the fact that a lot of people on the internet will read anything in an image and believe it. "

Right...I'm sure they took full advantage of Xbox One being called an NSA spy device on the internet.

Author sounds personally upset.

[miyamoto]

Really?

How NSA access was built into Windows
Careless mistake reveals subversion of Windows by NSA.
A CARELESS mistake by Microsoft programmers has revealed that special access codes prepared by the US National Security Agency have been secretly built into Windows. The NSA access system is built into every version of the Windows operating system now in use, except early releases of Windows 95 (and its predecessors). The discovery comes close on the heels of the revelations earlier this year that another US software giant, Lotus, had built an NSA "help information" trapdoor into its Notes system, and that security functions on other software systems had been deliberately crippled.

The first discovery of the new NSA access system was made two years ago by British researcher Dr Nicko van Someren. But it was only a few weeks ago when a second researcher rediscovered the access system. With it, he found the evidence linking it to NSA.

Careless or intentional?

http://bigstory.ap.org/arti...

MICROSOFT SAYS IT SNOOPED ON HOTMAIL TO TRACK LEAK

Earlier in the week the hypocrisy of the big tech firms was exposed when the NSA's senior lawyers "busted" their lies by explaining they knew full-well that they were engaged in the surveillance-state. Today comes yet more 'elite' hypocrisy as AP reports, Microsoft, which has skewered rival Google for going through customer emails to deliver ads, acknowledged Thursday it had searched emails in a blogger's Hotmail account to track down who was leaking company secrets. Scroogled, indeed.

We do spy and search your data - but only if we really need it... (via AP)
We do spy and search your data - but only if we really need it...
We do spy and search your data - but only if we really need it...

the software company "took extraordinary actions in this case."

In the future, he said, Microsoft would consult an outside attorney who is a former judge to determine if a court order would have allowed such a search.

The case involves former employee Alex Kibkalo, a Russian native who worked for Microsoft as a software architect in Lebanon.
...

Besides the email search, Microsoft also combed through instant messages the two exchanged that September. Microsoft also examined files in Kibkalo's cloud storage account, which until last month was called SkyDrive. Kibkalo is accused of using SkyDrive to share files with the blogger.

NSA HAS TOTAL ACCESS VIA MICROSOFT WINDOWS
'They can effectively compromise your entire operating system'
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/...

Microsoft Admits Its Datacenters Are Wide Open To NSA Attacks
https://www.techdirt.com/ar...

Its a good thing many gamers are not stupid enough to be fooled by Kinect!
M$ thinks consumers are stupid now it backfires on them.

[Pogmathoin]

I am sorry, but Fanboys on all sides are ruining this generation.... A scourge on the industry.....

[christocolus]

I agree with you and blaze, I think MS has done a great job,every company messes up with pr or directiojn once in a while. I love the copmpany,they are one of the most sucessful companies ever, they have managed to remain relevant through out the years and they are a giant in their field,very few companys can boast of being this successfull and they are one of the largest employers of labor worlwide. I love ms,they are a great corporation,I use their products and I've never had reasons to complain and that's the truth,i love the xbx brand and the competition it brings to the industry,its made sony step up their game too.hate timed exclusives or money hatting(as its called here) the truth is they are in a competiton to sell more hardware than their rivals.it would be naïve to think sony and nintendo wouldnt do same if they had the finacial power at ms does.people will always talk about them,hate on them,complain about their bad pr(sometimes) and questionable business practices but in the end they are a company that many out there wish they could be. It would be even more weird if a company as huge and successfull as MS wasn't getting this much hate. Success this big usually brings about the most criticism. I wish them all the best and I wish others same.

Looking forward to E3.

[Aussiebeachbabe]

I hate fanboys. We are all gamers and should stick together. I would love to smash a fanboys console to watch them cry. Ha ha ha.

[harrisk954]

Good luck, MS. MS has a lot to prove at E3, but that is only the beginning. MS needs to SHOW, not just talk... They are great at press conferences (Cirque du Soliel, Kinect/Project Natal faked, etc.), but this time is different... gamers are skeptical of them this time around.

For anyone who thinks that the new "Kinectless" XB1 will just outsell PS4, keep dreaming. May happen (I guess), but the day before launch of the new sku, PS4 is still at number 6 on Amazon (U.S.) (never been out of top 10) while the Kinectless $399 XB1 is at number 57 (and the Titanfall bundle is at number 45). http://www.amazon.com/best-...

Now, MS is again MISREPRESENTING to the general public with a new Aaron Paul ad showing him playing Titanfall on his XB1 using Kinect for voice commands... yet, the ad ends with "XB1, Starting at $399.00" (asterisk.... fine print... "Kinect sold separately"... "Some features require Kinect - Coming Fall 2014 - Retail prices may vary")... seriously, MS. Just stop it already. https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[ThePope]

I love this kind of comment. I'm assuming you're on other forums complaining that in Mc Donald's commercials the hamburgers look to juicy. Commercials across all products show optional equipment. Are you saying they can only talk about the base model if they say it starts at $399.

That's the problem with this site. It's a big bandwagon of haters. For example people are sooo shortsighted they think the used game policy was to screw consumers, when in fact it was done in an effort to help developers of the games we love make more money so they CAN MAKE MORE GAMES. No one complains about game stop when they take a ton of your money, and are hurting the market. But you fools complain about how DLC should have been part of the game the whole time. How do you expect companies to make money, which they have to, if they don't do things like this? You can't have it both ways.

The best part is so many people said they hated the idea of downloading games saying "I want the physical copy" yet digital downloads have skyrocketed this gen. You can't resell those.

It's forums like this if a non gamer were to look at it, they would say gamers are an unintelligent, uninformed, selfish group of people living in a lala land where they think everything should be free and that companies should never make 1 dollar if we the gamers feel it's mean.

Grow up.

Now you,can down vote me. But remember pretending or saying it's not true doesn't change the fact that it is

[snookiegamer]

@iamnsuperman

Yeah I can kinda agree on the whole N. American PR thing, it happens, but that is no excuse as far as consumer relations, ultimately leading to brand mistrust. If we're totally candid, surely we can agree MS seem to be making more PR mishaps than Apple, Sony & Google put together.

@ZodTheRipper

Everything you typed was 100% fact, so those disagreeing are in a deep state of denial. However, we all make mistakes and nothing's ever perfect.

MS can and will fix this eventually, but this generation is lost to Xbox One, pretty much in the same way how PS3 lost market leadership for the most part of last gen, in spite of the amazing games.

In all honesty, Microsoft should be eternally grateful to have such a forgiving fan base.

#swingsnroundabouts

[Spotie]

Sony told no one to get a second job. Rather, they said they thought the quality of the PS3 was such that people would think "I will get a second job to own one." That's very different from telling people, "if you can't afford one, get a second job."

Microsoft was the one that talked about Toy Story graphics, not Sony.

The PS4 never had drm, and was never gonna be more than $400.

Let's get these things right, shall we?

[Godmars290]

When Sony made "their" comment it was one man, one high up, saying something off the cuff with little thought or consideration. That cost him his job.

With MS on the other hand, had plenty of forewarning when several of their execs said what they did in attempted damage control.

[Copen]

They haven't "bent" the truth they've straight up lied about numerous things.

[ALLWRONG]

It's just normal anti MS FUD. It's worse now because E3 is coming up and Sony fans are afraid. N4G is the FOX news of the gaming world.

[BX81]

Lmao that's funny and true. N4g thrives off of rumors and scare articles for hits.

I laugh when people openly admit to watching Fox News.

[3-4-5]

I loved my 360, I liked the games for the original xbox even more, but I just don't trust them now.

They are too fake and they use too many fake corporate words that don't really mean anything at all.

* They are in the business of making you think A, when it's really B.

Not just them....it's how big business in America is run, but ACTUAL intelligent people see right through it.

* I tried to pretend everything was cool last gen but there are MAYBE 2-3 games from last gen for xbox 360 that I'd ever even want to play again.

Most were reliant upon an online community that no-longer exists for said games.

[HonestDragon]

Very true. The Xbox One reveal conference, E3 2013, and the interviews and information that followed spelled disaster for the Xbox One at launch. Microsoft left a bad impression on many people. Quite a number of those people were Xbox 360 owners. People in rural areas, armed forces, and even entire countries were shunned from Microsoft with what they had planned for the new generation. 2013 was not a good year for Microsoft's Xbox brand.

Now, while many of the policies they originally had for the Xbox One and the damage control being done from last year has settled, I do agree with you in that buzzwords and certain tag lines are ridiculous. It is predominantly a Western thing. Many companies do it in an effort to make their product seem like it's better than what media outlets say.

That being said, the Xbox One is in much better shape than it was last year. Are there still issues? Without a doubt. Does that mean that Microsoft can't address them and do something about them? Of course not. They have the chance to turn things around.

While making a Kinect-less SKU console was a step in the right direction (considering how bad of a reputation Kinect has and no one wanted a forced peripheral in the first place), I have read a lot of comments from first day buyers that are sore about it. Namely, if they had just waited, they could have spent less and play their Xbox One without a forced Kinect. We shall see tomorrow at E3 if they can get back into the race, but they still a ways to go.

[Cueil]

how dare you bring intelligent and informative post here to N4G DISLIKE!!!!!1!1!1111!!!!eleven !!!

[miyamoto]

M$ has brought everything I hated into console gaming!!!

Politics
Bribery
Money hatting
Media buyout
Stealing exclusives by bribery instead of

Over commercialism
Celebrities Star Power in gaming???
the usual casual tropes
Justin Bieber
Hype train
Hollywood style Sensationalism
Sales figures obsession instead of games

Project Natal Milo smokes and mirrors
lies, lies, and more lies

Their money was used for all the wrong reasons and brought in more harm more than ever.

Now the gamers say STOP!

[Matt666]

People who write these articles have they actually even played on a Xbox One, it a great console, also before anyone thinks I a fanboy, I have both a PS4 and Xbox One and I enjoy the exclusive games on both. Yes every company makes mistakes and yes as a consumer you have the right to complain and moan but only if you own that console. Then if they don't change anything stop supporting them.

[Azzanation]

The problem with kids today is that they don't understand the industry. They believe gaming consoles will be around forever. Sad truth is in time there's not going to be a point in consoles. Everything is becoming multi functional devices. What MS was trying to do is implement the future with current tech while keeping gaming alive (like what Nintendo did with the Wii) In time when Smart Phones and Tablets and TVs can run games better then Ryss and Infamous then what's the point in owning a game console.

[nabeelfarooqui98]

Im still with SOny

[MeliMel]

Im with both! Dont judge me. Haha....

[djplonker]

"Reports from around the world have confirmed that almost all major retailers were sold out of PlayStation 4 consoles. Within a few days of the launch of the Xbox One Microsoft tweeted stating that the Xbox One was sold out across the globe"

http://www.365games.co.uk/x...

day one edition anyone?

lol desperate lying to make the system seem more popular XD

[harrisk954]

Day One editions of the XB1 are STILL in stock on Amazon (U.S.)!! http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-...

I mean, really?? MS is the master of spin and this time, it blew up in their face. There have been so many issues with MS and the XB1 since the reveal, it is almost comical. Sony may have had a few blunders with the launch of PS3 (price, get a second job, etc.), but it pales in comparison to MS's gaffs. So, MS reversed policy on everything that made the XB1 different from the PS4... Spin it to say "We are listening to our customers" blah, blah, blah... It is because of sales and getting their butts kicked by Sony. All of this may have been the leadership at the time (Balmer, Mattrick, etc.), but no excuse. IMO, they have a lot more to prove to gain gamers' trust back.

[beans]

You guys sound like you simply just don't like the Xbox brand and nothing more. I do however believe that they have a lot to prove to gamers but that's what e3 is all about. One thing I know for certain is that whatever they were at last years e3 is nothing like they're at this year's e3.

[XStation]

People fails to remember that people wanted the DRM back after they took it out.

[F4sterTh4nFTL]

They are not ruining this console generation but only ruining themselves. Same goes for Nintendo with the WiiU. Sony seems to doing everything right by simply doing the exact opposite of what Microsoft wanted to do.

[gamer1138]

Yet out of the three Sony is the one strugling the most finanacialy. Go figure.

[NerdBurglars]

sonys financial troubles are nothing to do with playstation. if anything playstation is the reason sony are still in business

[F4sterTh4nFTL]

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Sony has no more margin for error so they are doing everything in their power to make PS4 the best console experience possible and gamers are picking up on that and hence the PS4 sales.

[nucky64]

and yet, while microsoft and nintendo seem to have a clear financial edge, sonys ps4 is whipping their @sses.......go figure.

see, that can work both ways.

[n4rc]

In what?

The minds of fanboys? This is business boys, making money is what counts..

Ot.. Another useless article.. The only thing being ruined are the moods of fanboys that want a product to fail and it isnt

[kneon]

Sony's financials are positively impacted by the PS4, the opposite is true for Microsoft and the Xb1.

That's why we periodically get Microsoft investors pushing to spin off the Xbox division, it's a drag on Microsoft financials.

[eferreira]

I think all 3 have their pros and cons but Sony's playstation division still turned a profit. A huge chunk of their loss was from other divisions as well as R&D for the ps4.

[styferion]

It has nothing to do with PS division, if anything PS division contributes to reduce the losses.
Also MS's huge profit came from computer software not XB division, why do you think MS's shareholder wants to spin off XB division?

[gamer1138]

To all those saying the PS4 has been a positive boost to Sony can I just say...the playstation division returned to loss for 2013-2104, the fourth time it has posted a loss in the last five years. This is fact. Hopefully moving forward the playstation division will return to profit. BUT it cannot save Sony as a whole. How long Sony can live with the Playstation division posting either a loss or a marginal profit is questionable.

Also, just imagine for one second if they hadn't made PS plus mandatory for PS4...What would the loss be like then for the division?

@nuck64 that is a way you can spin it yes. The question becomes how sustainable is that business model? The only thing I can say to that is it's a race to see who blinks first. Will MS keep throwing money at xbox and wait for Sony to really struggle financially? OR will MS throw in the towel and be content with 2nd place(those who think the x1 won't pull ahead of the WiiU are some kind of crazy) and leave Sony to dominate.

@Keon. MS gaming division posts £800 million profit for 2013-2014. Sony posts $80million loss and in your head PS4 makes sony money, X1 loses MS money. Take off those shades.

It's all business and I think that's where Sony rises and falls. They have great artistic passion and want to make great games no matter what, which is great! But when you can't balance your books and your business as a whole begins to fail you have to remember you're in it to make money and right now, Sony and PS need to start making profit.

To quote Blade Runner "The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long"

Also, this is way off topic here. Just responding to comments.

[Mikeyy]

@n4rc

Get real dude. You know full well the Xbox "Brand" hasn't made a dime of profit since inception.

All the R&D on top of the ludicrous advertising budget Microsoft has ensures all potential profit gets eaten up.

The Xbox survives on the grace of windows money. This is a fact from financial sheets.

[Phatty]

And also out of the three, Sony is the only one with nothing negative to say about their gaming division. So people resort to taking pot shots at the companies overall financials.

I personally think that it was the best thing that could have ever happened to Sony, they needed a restructuring desperately. They are looking to profit from it after the next wave of losses due to a horrid PC business etc..

[harrisk954]

You do realize that Sony's PS division is the most profitable division for Sony... It is the TV and computer divisions that hurt Sony, not their gaming interests. Read up on it, rather than just spouting some nonsense. You may want to consider applying for a job at Fox News.

[snookiegamer]

@harrisk954

LMAO Fox News, loool that's awesome!!

Bill O'Reily is looking for interns for his 'Factor' spin show, maybe he could spread his propaganda there?

OT

Microsoft is ruining this gen for themselves, so don't worry, Nintendo & Sony will be fine. Both Consoles existed just fine without MS entering the market...go figure?

Some fan boys are so jaded ;/

[xxLuckyStrike]

Sony sat back an waited to see what MS was going to do then ran in the other direction. Sony put 8gb ram last minute to counter M$ 8gb. Since launch Sony hasn't exactly been cranking out new exclusives. No NEW eye popping games come to mind. You got Another Killzone another infamous, Drive club was significantly delayed. Uncharted and god of war are rumored once again. Sony now charges for online. Point is WHEN MS makes another gears halo or forza I don't wanna here shit from all the Sony Fan boys. They Come in articles High fiving bros and patting each other on the back, Going on how Sony does no wrong an hope for Xbox to fail. TBH Sony has ZERO room for errors or its their last PS. Give credit to Sony for being the gamers best buddy while MS blundered. Also Credit MS for cleaning house an ditching the cracked out business model and getting back to what made them successful last Gen. An gamers who told me HELL NO

[Shinox]

I mean HELLO PEOPLE ಠ_ಠ
They been ruining the gaming industry since the reveal of Xbox 360 and nobody notice that

[OpieWinston]

I would love to see how long that slump would've lasted with the PS3. Because if it wasn't for competition they wouldn't have been pushed to release games and hit off with the PS4.

And the reveal of the 360 wasn't bad... It was the kinect focused E3s that didn't make sense. Back in the Original Xbox days they actually had amazing E3s.

[Geoff900]

MS's biggest problem with the 360 was the RROD, other than that the 360 was a great console.

Sony has a lot riding on the PS4 to do well, hence them making sure the same mistakes they made with the PS3 aren't reoccurring.

Then again MS has only been in the console industry for around 10 years, whereas Sony has been in the industry for around 20. Sony is primarily a hardware manufacture, MS has a lot to learn over a very short space of time.

I think people seem to forget one primary thing, the industry needs competition, MS has brought things to the table, and so has Sony.

[Concertoine]

What was wrong with the 360 reveal...? How did anything they say threaten the future of gaming? I can understand that with the xbone but i think the 360 is a damn fine console that could've been even better if MS didnt twist its future around 2010.

Both the original Xbox and 360 were good systems (i'd argue that original Xbox is among the most underrated systems ever), i'm hoping by the end of its life i can look at a solid library on Xbox One too. I'm not getting caught up in gaming politics and letting my disdain for a company prevent me from getting a Xbox One if it turns into something great. If im still not comfortable supporting MS i'll buy it used because i gotta follow good games.

[xx4xx]

Are you 10 years old?

[Software_Lover]

Um, this article is a bunch of rehashed dribble that doesn't explain exactly how they are ruining this generation. It's basically a summary from the reveal until now. All I have to say is.........

Microsoft NEVER stated you couldn't trade your games
No Microsoft no cheaper ps3 so fast
No Microsoft no free games with PS+
No Microsoft no trophies
No Microsoft no inexpensive ps4
No Microsoft no 8gb GDDR5
No Microsoft no better PlayStation online infrastructure

[iamnsuperman]

Although I agree with you overall point there are some issues:

1. The article talks about this generation not the last (the author's point is this generation that is happening right now not the PS3,360,Wii era) which makes points 2,3,4,7 irrelevant.

2. Actually we probably would have got 8gb of GDDR5 without Microsoft (remember it was the devs who told Sony to put it in) but the mark up price would have been a lot high (relates to point 6)

I don't think the author is saying Microsoft has ruined console gaming but his point seems to be around what they have done this generation (though you can see my feelings towards that point at comment #1

[Volkama]

What made devs so keen on unified GDDR memory though? You'd think the 360 put those words into their mouths.

For reference, 360 had 512mb of GDDR3 shared between CPU and GPU, with 10mb EDRAM too.

But that's just a bit of useless trivia really, just kind of interesting when you look at the current consoles.

[sic_chops]

Here ya go software lover No Sony Playstation, no xbox.

[Software_Lover]

.......... This article is about Microsoft ruining this generation. I could say no Nintendo, no Sony PlayStation. I could also say no Atari no NES. I could even say no pong no Atari. No hopscotch no video games. All that is pointless though.

[MeliMel]

Hahahahaha....you must be very young. Respect your elders. Atari, Nintendo and Sega say hello......

[Geoff900]

There might of been an Xbox, Sega might of still been around if it wasn't for Sony.

But then again, it's all 'IFS' and you cannot work on the principle of what IF only what has happened.

MS pushed Sony into areas that they never even considered, Sony has no real interest with online with the PS2 it wasn't until the PS3 that they changed that for example.

[hello12]

Why Microsoft Are Ruining this Console Generation?

Can we please have some moderation please. Moderators if you want this site to be just a Sony site, tell us, i'll go and will not post here again.

Djplonker@ N4G shouldn't have an x box 1 section, then. Why have it if you're going to trash the x box 1?

360 lost last generation you should do some research on that! 360 leads the PS3 will sales.

[troylazlow]

Really feels that way doesn't it?

[sic_chops]

No it doesn't ^^^^^ even vg charts has ps3 on top. Just saying.

[sic_chops]

You should do some research on that!

1. Nintendo wii
2. PS3
3. Xbox 360

[SoulSercher620]

LMAO if you still think the 360 leads the PS3 in sales you NEED to do some research

[djplonker]

@shinox

The xbox and the xbox 360 came in last place in sales compaired the gamecube/wii and ps2/ps3...

@knws

maybe you belong on the xbox forums since you dont like people picking on your console of choice...

[gjruk]

Your name fits you perfectly.

[Concertoine]

You have to be an absolute imbecile to think anyone of these big companies cares what "place" they end up in. I bet MS is thrilled with the 360, just like Sega was with the Genesis. They both started off small and took huge marketshare from the industry leader. When the difference is like 2 million anyway, what's the point of "places"?

Oh yeah, original xbox outsold gamecube by 2 million. Guess that number doesn't matter when it doesn't benefit MS.

[lonelyplayer]

I don't want to sound like a troll or something but Microsoft ruin every market they touch

[iistuii]

People always moan about them but what they did for pc's creating windows was truly groundbreaking.

[lonelyplayer]

I don't think windows is that good. In fact I think it held back the industry and still is.

Besides they didn't create the concept. They stole it from apple. Read the history.

I can support what I said but n4g is not a good platform for discussions.

[BitbyDeath]

That was a stolen idea though which is why Steve Jobs went to his grave hating Bill Gates.

[troylazlow]

so the business world, home computers, emergency equipment (police, fire, and hospital), 90% of the home computers out there... ok

[n4rc]

Being wildly successful means ruining now.. Awesome..

Didn't customers speak with their wallets? Seems customers are saying the opposite of what you claim then.

[DigitalRaptor]

This isn't entirely true.

MS didn't ruin the PC market. They just have a monopoly on it.

The real problem is that because they have this monopoly, they think they are entitled to have one in the gaming industry. They want to turn gaming into something that it's not, just to gain the monopoly and control over our basic consumer rights. But gamers are more resilient than they anticipated.

They think they can swing their weight to gain market share and consumers suffer for it. So if they had their way, gaming would be destroyed and that is no hyperbole. Make no mistake Microsoft have brought a lot of great things to gaming, but just as many detrimental factors, and the industry could move on and prosper without their casual, non-gaming influence.

[Back-to-Back]

Linux is better than any OS MS has ever made.

[ironwolf714]

I bought an xbox one because I prefer the games it has than the ps4. It has a better variety. People here suffer from nostalgia when it comes to sony. I've moved on because I dont wonna be stuck with indie titles mostly.

[iamnsuperman]

You buying and Xbox One because of the launch titles is fine and I do agree that a lot of people have nostalgia issues but I don't think that is with companies but more to do with franchises (which Sony has completely gutted in the PS3 era and started again so nostalgia isn't the right word)

But I have to point out how ludicrous your last point is. "I've moved on because I dont wonna be stuck with indie titles mostly". I hope you have noticed by Microsoft has gone that way as well and for good reasons. That is where the market is heading. They are the new tier 2 games and will be released more frequently. Looking at the launch both parties have been lackluster and indies (as well as third parties) are propping these systems up till 2015 comes around

[NerdBurglars]

indie titles are some of the best games that have been released in general over the past few years. just because it doesnt have a huge budget and a huge publisher behind it doesnt mean it isnt going to be a good game. look at minecraft!

[sic_chops]

@ironwolf you have no clue. Good luck.

[BitbyDeath]

Back in the PS2 days we called it shovelware.
Which was actually a better description cause the title 'indies' lumps the good and bad together.
Shovelware, you dig but there are some damn good treasures in the pile.
Only the best selling consoles get em.
Wii had it lastgen, PS4 got em this gen and as mentioned PS2 had it way back when.

[Fasttrack76]

Who cares, i brought both consoles day one. Win win

[Destiny1080]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[TheWatercooler]

Fully Agree.

[No_Limit]

I think this article have it backwards. It is the cult-like fanb@ys that are ruining this console generation with articles like these that have no merit on gaming but to start an imaginary war. It is sickening that people can hope for something harmful or bad for another competing console while they tend to forget that without competition in any industry, they will be at the mercy of the brand or company that they support.

[SpiralTear]

Bubble for you. Couldn't agree more.

[HonestDragon]

Fanboyism ruins everything. Just causes nothing but smugness all around.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

Blah blah blah, instead of bashing other peoples console of choice go and enjoy your own.

It is so pathetic...if you don't like something just don't buy it. Don't whine on about it for months on end!

These articles must be written by total losers.

[Igniter]

This is what happens when it's too easy to create your own web site. You have a couple of Turdburglars posing as a news site when they are truly nothing more than a blog! N4G really needs a ban list on blogs posing as news.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

If people want to write terrible blogs like this, fine by me. But I visit N4G to read "News for Gamers", not "crap by fanboys". This site should be renamed CBF.
Whoever is approving these posts needs banning from the internet for life.

[No_Limit]

@Clown_syndrome,

The problem is that the moderators or admins are also the cause of this mess as they are mainly the first ones to approve and promote xbox hate articles to attract viewers.

[Steppenwolfmother]

Seriously people.... Both consoles are great in their own way. I have both and will probably buy a wii u soon, coz of the GAMES. All have some great games. Just get over yourselves.
I love home some people talk like they are "experts" on not only technology but also business.
Consoles dont hold back gaming, yeah pcs can have alot more power, but developers cant optimise their games for high end pcs anyway coz not everyone has 3k gaming rigs. They have to allow for people who have lower end pcs. Anyone who has seen or played the last of us on ps3 would tell you that that game looks amazing. But at the end of the day, look at the most played games in the world, wow, cod, dota, etc. are any of those graphically demanding? Fuck no. But people play the shit out of those games coz they like them. All you fan boys are whats ruining the industry. Hate and anger can ruin a game before it even releases.

Oh and on all the stuff that microsoft announced back on the xbone reveal, isnt that kinda what steam does? Cant trade in your steam games can you? I think the fact that microsoft where going to provide a means for your friends to play your games by digitally swapping would have been awesome. And second hand game sales are just hurting the industry. Buying second hand games means that the pupblisher/developer doesnt get $$ for that copy. Why do you think so many game studios suffer from layoffs and closures now?

Are we all so priveliged that companies such as microsoft and sony need to bend a knee at our whim? I

Oh and xbox one isnt a failure as alot of people seem to make out. Its the third most succesful console launch in history behind wii and ps4 respectivly. Its out pacing 360 and ps2 even at this stage

[Belasco]

I absolutely refuse to support the second hand games industry. This has effectively made me far more particular in what games I spend my money on, but that's a good thing.As for this article, it's trash. I really do think N4G should just become a Sony gaming site, but then again with no competition to bash, the clicks would go away.

[iistuii]

I see where your coming from. However, I'm on the other side of this. I buy all my games new, but I'm the sort of person that sells them after completion. I dread to think how much money I would lose buy not being able to sell my games. Don't forget it gives me money to buy more games. Take Wolfenstein & watchdogs for eg. Both SP focused games, I've completed Wolfenstein twice & although it was a great game I'm done with it. There's no online to keep me playing it. So if i couldn't sell it, it would just sit on my shelf gathering dust until I threw it out in years to come. Now if Microsoft had a way that you could buy a game digitally, then sell it digitally with the proceeds going to the dev's, then I'm all for that too.
As for Steam, I have nearly 100 of those for my gaming rig, but I usually buy them either in the sales or get a steam key of a new game for 1/4 of the price of the steam store. But if I could sell or trade them with other users that would be good too.

[Steppenwolfmother]

@iistuii but then the people who buy your games? Where does their money go? Either way its hurting the industry financially.

[jessupj]

I guess some people are just never going to forgive them for their attempted DRM.

Can't really blame those people to be honest.

[Belasco]

So I take it you have never used Steam? So sick of this site. It looks like the Sony fanboys are all on the clock, hitting refresh in Google news waiting for a negative article about the X1 so they can spread it before Microsoft has what is shaping up to be a great E3. It's painfully obvious what you all are doing, and it sickens me.

[GameDev1]

I have used steam so? Except I registered with steam for FREE and bought games with great deals. while in the case of MS, You would have to buy the console,pay for my broadband, pay for Xbox live then pay for digital games that cost more than physical games and I can only play on my Xbox One.

There is a difference between steam and MS way

[y7jzdgy]

Sony quietly reversed their own DRM policies at last E3 and SCE president Shuhei Yoshida admitted this, yet there are still ignorant people who bag on MS about it. On top of that Sony recently suffered a backlash from the PS community over the DRM that was in Driveclub; Sony quickly changed that. Where's all the Sony hate?

Both corporations are guilty of the same thing except one is up front about it while the other prefers to be sneaky.

http://ps4daily.com/2013/06...

http://psx-scene.com/forums...

[GameDev1]

Sony had no DRM policy similar to MS, why release tha used games video that took a shot at MS policy. Next gen consoles stopping people from playing used games was always speculated until MS confirmed it on their console.

You can't compare a single game policy to a whole consoles policy that would change the whole of gaming. Drive club was a case of confirmation, it took them less than a day to turn what was announced around. MS wanted to make their DRM policy standard for gaming and only did a 360 knowing they were going to lose sales

[Belasco]

It was all a matter of timing, and Sony deftly allowed MS to be the canary in the coal mine. It's disgusting to me how much adulation and goodwill was heaped upon Sony when anyone with half a brain knows they planned the same DRM policies:
http://ps4daily.com/2013/06...

This is just one example of many. Looks like y7jzdgy beat me to it lol.

@GameDev1- It wasn't "just one game" originally, Sony just did a 180 before MS did.

[y7jzdgy]

Ps4 TOS prohibit reselling games.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[DigitalRaptor]

Good god you Xboys are delusional.

So desperate and angry that Microsoft received justified hate that PHYSICAL discs had DRM, and that their entire vision for the Xbone was anti-consumer that you have to reach and spin and grasp straws to try and make Sony look as bad as the corporation that almost managed to screw over gaming as we know it.

No Shuhei did not admit that they reversed their policies. They said that it wouldn't have DRM on physical discs in February, waaay before MS announced the DRM sh*t. And here is proof: http://www.dailytech.com/So... FEBRUARY!!!

Your first link is an article that doesn't source the information it claims.

Your second one is about DriveClub PS+, where the policy of ownership was reversed IMMEDIATELY. Not reversed months after people were complaining about DRM and went ahead with it anyway, but IMMEDIATELY.

So that goes for both of you boys. Posting links with no facts or sources attached. How utterly amazing of you.

-----

@ Belasco

Microsoft may have a great E3 upcoming but that doesn't give you the right to compare Steam to what MS was trying to do with the Xbone. Steam is not the only point of sale on a PC/Mac. Steam is a service on an open platform, with crazy deals and great features for free. With Xbone, and Microsoft's original policies you would have had to deal with their controlling anti-consumer policies on their closed platform. They would control your content and your access to that content, even on discs you owned. So you buy a disc at retail for $60 and it's not even yours to do what you want with.

It would not have been YOUR console, it would have been Microsoft's.

When you have PlayStation or Nintendo console it would ALWAY be yours. If you have PC hardware, it will always be yours to do what you want with. Microsoft wanted different on Xbone. This is nothing like Steam and it's a bit sad that you are trying to compare it to that.

[mhunterjr]

How can one company ruin a console generation, when there are too others to choose from? also, the Xbox 1 is a great product, with great games available now, and more on the way...

[OpenGL]

I don't understand how it is "ruining a console generation" either.

I own a PS4 and while I'm not in a rush to get an Xbox One, I'll probably get one when a true price drop hits and more games are available.

[xx4xx]

Were still talking about this? X1 reveal reada year ago. Let's move on.

Reading some of these 'Microsoft destroys gaming' comments. It's like they're are s bunch of term year old boys on this site. Probably not far off.

[SliceOfTruth888]

Its embarrassing when the first sentence of the article is wrong. The system was not always online it needed to do a check in every 24 hours which was a file in kilobytes that allowed Microsoft to know which games you still owned since you would have been sharing all of your games online with up to 10 of your friends. The file was going to be so small it would have taken the worst aol dial up connection seconds to upload and would have been able to be performed using smart glass....

[Steppenwolfmother]

No your wrong...
The guy who wrote this knows everything and is a genius cant you see that? Clearly he should be appointed the head of microsoft on all his wisdom

[Psygnosis333]

lol 'needed to do a check in every 24 hours which was a file in kilobytes that allowed Microsoft to know which games you still owned'..that what it scared me..in future your conslole would be dead if you wanted to replay your older games(i want to have control of my own game )

about sharing 10 games..MS didn't have reason to abandon that awesome feature

[Gore-Content]

Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading this article.

[MeliMel]

I hope MS keeps ruining this generation then because I'm having alot of fun on my Xbox One. I would like it very much if MS ruined E3, with a little Doom on top.

[Artista]

Someone wants to beat a dead horse just one more time before all the positive news begin to pour in tomorrow.

What better way to obtain the hits than to post on N4G? :)

[SoulSercher620]

That's going a little far. I wouldn't say ruin the console generation but if anything MS would've ruined themselves with the BS they tried to pull in the beginning.

[DJustinUNCHAIND]

You'd think the Xbox One murdered this guy's family.

It's a plastic box. It just sits there.

[Milesprowers]

Was the article written by a 5 year old?

[Peternorth]

Let's be real here the death of real gaming journalist and what gaf has become and half the articles that get pushed on here by insecure bandwagon fanboys are what is killing gaming not ms,sony,or nintendo. The self entitled I want it now generation of armchair devs and wanna be insiders are.

[Artemidorus]

"The ps4 has good hardware inside but it is nowhere near supercomputer power, in fact it is just scraping close to a good gaming PC spec" It's no where near a good gaming PC spec.

Another butthurt Pony who keeps talking about Microsoft's Xbox. They screwed up and are now back on track, keep making excuses for not playing Playstation and keep talking Xbox.

[hairy]

I seriously hope they drop out of the console business, games will never be taken seriously as long as it's segmented like this. 3 companies is just to much, imagine you couldn't watch the latest movie unless you had a certain blue ray player. it's all bullshit

[Flames76]

Look another sony fanboy article how pathetic.Every quarter sony keeps posting loss for their company.This past quarter they posted a 1.2 billion loss and $200 million was from the playstation division.Its been over 8 years since the playstation division has made a profit.Fact is sony is done and the fanboys are scared so they keep doing articles like this.Microsoft is giving people a choice with the console and the kinect thats all.The Xbox fans love it and the playstation fans are scared its that simple.Now bring on E3 where the Xbox One is already releasing games after games announcments

[corvusmd]

Obvious fanboy article. Most of the issues are old issues, some before the console even released (and some that we forget Sony was considering too until they saw the backlash MS was receiving pre-E3...don't believe me, look it up Yoshida himself admitted it...the only difference is WHEN Sony and MS changed their mind on the idea).

As far as the "supercomputer" comment, MS has been very clear that they are talking about the architecture of the X1, not raw power and in that regard they are correct. Not a lie.

As far as the "power of the cloud" MS, said from the very beginning that it wouldn't be prominent in the beginning and would only grow with the generation as internet service got more reliable...it's only been 6 months, and two games use it rather heavily... not to render graphics, but to provide important parts to the game. In one case, the Dev has repeatedly said the game wouldn't work without it. MS didn't lie.

The problem here is that when people write articles like this, they get very hypocritical and forget all the "lies" that their console has told and focus on the "lies" that the other has....however, 9 times out of 10, it's not really a lie at all...it's a quote taken out of context (people tend to forget words like "potentially" "goal" etc.) or one that has been run through the fanboy filter so much that it's not even recognizable anymore (like how I hear Sony fanboys trying to claim that MS said the cloud will make X1 32 times more powerful...that quote doesn't exist, I promise...hint look up Japanese X1 reveal). These accusations of lies need to come with source info from now on. In fact, the only time I can think of ANY console ACTUALLY lying this gen is when Sony said that KZ runs at native 1080p...that was a true flat out lie.

However, EVEN IF nearly a year ago, MS made these claims, the company and system aren't nearly the same, so we can stop living in the past now. Many of the things that are being complained about now are things that MS heard the fanbase complain about, and then switched to what you "wanted" ...how is that "ruining a gen"? Are you seriously saying you DON'T want a company to listen to your concerns? Are we SO spoiled that even when we get what we want we complain about it? If any company has learned about the always online and no disc trade fiasco (which btw they NEVER said you couldn't trade a disc, there was just an extra step that actually would have helped smaller studios that keep going out of business get a piece of the trade, and the Dev could have waived it...MS would have made nothing on the deal...please look up your facts first).

SO YES you were lied to, but it wasn't by MS (removing Kinect and changing policies isn't a lie, it's a business decision). I don't see how providing a great gaming system is in anyway "ruining a gen". Promising games, then pushing them all to 2015 or cancelling them is more likely ruining a gen. Just cut all the false drama and play games, FANBOYS are ruining this Gen.

[KinjoTakemura]

Shouldn't the title read, Why Microsoft "IS" ruining this console generation?

N4G's standards are falling off a bit.

[bLueCrow]

gamers are too stupid of a crowd to please. plain and simple :D

[PS4isTHEkneesOFbees]

Rabid playstation idiots and clueless armchair developers (zomg, the lazy devs!!!) are ruining this generation, not MS.

[MrZweistein]

I have no idea why such article get approved here day by day. Thats not news or rumors only opinions from some guys next door .... But these days all nobodies needs their 15 seconds of internet fame. I am glad I reduced my view time here. I get more Gamer News on NEOGAF at the moment than here.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

If I were a die hard fan of the Xbox brand I would read a title like this one, realize that I could never get a fair and balanced opinion from this site, and never return to this site again.

[Max-Zorin]

Don Mattrick must have bombed this journalist's car.

[JasonKCK]

WTF did I just read?

[xDHAV0K24x]

Oh shut up! Don't quit ur day job!

[Goku781]

Because they try to buy out everything without making or bring anything to the table themselves. Dominance of the market thru brute force and money is all they know. They wanna dominate not innovate.

[urwifeminder]

As long as it isn't a sony I don't care what I play on to tell you the truth it is great how upset the sony guys get hysterical.

[Mikethejew]

Wow, i cant take an article seriously when they cant even use proper grammar in the title.