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Xbox's Phil Spencer Says He's Not Mad at Bungie After Alignment With PlayStation for Destiny

Not so long ago, Microsoft owned Bungie, and the acclaimed developer's Halo titles were released on consoles only for the Xbox platform. But so much has changed. Bungie has since regained its independence with Destiny, and has aligned closely with Sony for the upcoming sci-fi shooter. An alpha for the game was available only on PlayStation consoles, this month's beta will kick off first on PlayStation, and Sony will even offer a special Destiny PS4 bundle. There's also a possibility that copies of Destiny will come pre-loaded with PS4 systems starting this fall

60FramesPerSecond3577d ago

I was, but honestly it does come down to a simple fact. Xbox One fans all know how good Bungie is, but PS fans do not, They need some motavation. It would be like releasing Killzone on Xbox. I know Killzone is great, but people who play only xbox cannot

AngelicIceDiamond3577d ago

Of course Phil's not mad its buissness.

Vitalogy3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

They knew this would happen, didn't happened with last gen so it was expected for the current.

miyamoto3577d ago Show
badz1493577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Pfft...even if he's mad at them, what's he gonna say and do? Bungie is independent and not theirs anymore. They made Bungie went so far as to buy themselves out of them and that's pretty much unheard of in this industry.

But for all we know, maybe Bungie didn't make any of those deals with Sony but Activision did. They already have a lucrative deal with MS over CoD and they must have wanted a similar deal with Sony too. Destiny is a new IP from a highly acclaimed dev team and it has potential to sell bucket loads based on that fact alone. Activision knew it's an offer anyone will find hard to turn down.

BattleTorn3577d ago

How can he be mad?

With the relationship Bungie and Microsoft had previously, they would've had first dibs.

My bet is that after the split, Microsoft either chose not to make them an offer on Destiny, or gave them a terrible one.

The ball was in their court.

pixelsword3577d ago

He can't be mad; pissing-off people that's not under your thumb is a terrible idea. They could soup-up the PS4 version and gimp the Xbox one version just to tick-off Microsoft... and it's not like Microsoft's the top selling console this gen; they're not the top selling console in any major territory at this point as far as I know.

mikeslemonade3577d ago

Like ANgelic said it's a business, and at the end of the day he still gets his pay check.

60frames^
From the experience I had the last great game they put out was Halo 2. But I have high hopes for Destiny since they have been working on this game for a long time.

Pogmathoin3577d ago

And Insomniac aligned with MS..... So what, its business, families to support and so on..... Not just pleasing rabid fanboys.....

guitarded773577d ago

Well, it's not like XBOX isn't getting the game too. It would be another thing if it were exclusive.

Kribwalker3577d ago

Why be mad? It isn't hurting MS's bottom line as they still have equity in bungie, so they are making money no matter what platform destiny is on. As well, they had right of first refusal on all future bungie IP's as part of the split agreement. Don't believe me or feel like disagreeing, just google it, your answers will be right there

TheKing013577d ago

Halo 4 was a terrible game (and looking at it's Metacritic: metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/h alo-4, it's a common sentiment). it completely ignored everything that made the Halo franchise great with it's generic campaign, criminally short co-op, that could be completed in under 4 hours if played with the right amount of participants, and perk-ridden multiplayer.

343 isn't a "step up" from anything. it's a disappointing game made by a company who was trying harder to emulate other games rather than trying to stay true to what made the series unique to begin with.

bennissimo3577d ago

lol

The only reason I'd "boycott" Destiny is because I only have so much time to game and would rather play Halo 2 MP on dedicated servers. I might pick up Destiny in 2015, but given how dense the 2015 AAA release schedule appears to be, perhaps not...

BlackWolf123577d ago

Mad at them?

What the actual f**k?

Who the f**k even asks that question to a serious businessman? only a 10 year old would ask something like that.

I am convinced after seeing the backlash about Bungie going multiplat that Xbox players are all children or mentally deficient adults.

This generation has so far really painted an extremely pathetic picture of the gaming community.

ANYONE who says they are pissed at Bungie for going multiplatform doesn't even deserve the time it takes to reply to their stupid comment.

UltraNova3577d ago

These days exclusives are strictly limited to 1st party, of course with some exceptions where the paycheck is big enough not to be ignored.

Get your game to as many gamers as possible and make more money. Its business as usual and only rabid fanboys get annoyed by devs going multiplatform.

However,what do you say when a formerly exclusive developer goes exclusive with the other side? E.g. Insomniac effectively aligned with MS for the last few years...I know they are working with Sony on a new RaC but where is it? All I see is xbox support and all I hear from them is 'we wont make anymore Resistance games'. As if they have a problem with the PS platform (just saying)

But that ^^ is still nonsense. Why go exclusive with another company when you wanted- quote "more gamers to experience what Insomniac has to offer" end quote ?

The answer? Big old fat paycheck. Imagine if Destiny was PlayStation exclusive, would it feel like business to you?

So what I'm getting at here is that 'business as usual' can some times be offensive to your long time running fans as well. And fan loyalty goes a long long way when you need it!

E.g. I will buy any game made by Rockstar North and Naughty Dog without even known its name, what kind of game is it and without even watching any trailers on day one. Why? Cause I trust these guys to that extend. That's fan loyalty and that's 60 bucks without even trying.

And when a Suit talk I tend to listen with my bullshit detector on.

Dehnus3576d ago

You make it sound like he's a mobster preparing to have them snuffed.
:"DOn't be mad, it's business"

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 3576d ago
HeWhoWalks3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Um, too many generalizations to take this seriously. "PS fans don't know how good Bungie is". How would you know that? This is a business. Go read up on just WHY Bungie wanted to create their own stuff, free of Halo. Has nothing to do with Sony, PlayStation, or any of its fans.

The fact that it bothered you means you take the console "warz" personally.

60FramesPerSecond3577d ago

i take the console wars personally because i am insulted personally by fanboys on this site.

BlackTar1873577d ago

60frams those 2 things shouldn't go hand and hand and i fail to see the connection of why you would be mad at Bungie due to that fact.

BallsEye3577d ago

PS fans actually were downplaying Bungie and Halo for years, especially on every n4g article with Bungie/Halo on it...ofcourse that changed when they revealed a multiplatform Destiny, which is a copy of halo with rpg elements and more open world, while models, animations and the whole feel of gameplay is almost exactly the same. Ahh n4g..

Magnes3577d ago

@60frames your comments reek of fanboy which you claim to be offended by,and you generalize like a fanboy. You ever think halo fans also owned ps3's I did and alot of ps4 owners had OG xbox and 360's I did. Get off your soap box.

KinjoTakemura3577d ago

@60FramesPerSecond

"i take the console wars personally because i am insulted personally by fanboys on this site"

News flash. You are a fan boy if you actually think there's a console war.

Major_Glitch3577d ago

@HeWhoWalks Agreed. It's funny how some fanboys think that Sony supporters have never played a Bungie game before. I've been supporting Sony since they were producing walk-mans, but that didn't stop me from playing every halo to come out since the original. Just because people prefer Sony doesn't mean they're unable to play games on a rival console.
@60 You're a fanboy. Deal with it.

ALLWRONG3577d ago Show
IndoAssassin3577d ago

@BallsEye

Xbox fans hated on the Ratchet and Clank series all last gen. Of course that changed when Insomniac decided to make Sunset Overdrive exclusive to Xbox One, which has many of the same mechanics as the Ratchet series, and the same art style.

So What's Your Point?

Morgue3577d ago

@60FPS

If you take the " console wars " so seriously then why have this quote on your profile page...

"Quit your petty console war gamers"

solidjun53577d ago

60 FPS : kinda ironic you're insulted by what you are. You reek of it.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 3577d ago
lelo3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Releasing Bungie was one of the biggest mistakes Microsoft has ever done. If they left Bungie alone to make any game they wanted, Destiny would be exclusive to Xbox consoles. Stupid Microsoft.

@60FramesPerSecond
Bungie didn't have to continue the Halo franchise. 343 could do that. Bungie could produce other franchises, like Destiny. From a business stand point, releasing Bungie was a pretty stupid move by Microsoft. It would be like Sony releasing Naughty Dog and they became 3rd party.

@Illusive_Man
Microsoft could still compose 343i and leave Bungie alone to do what ever they wanted... and keep Bungie as 1st party.

60FramesPerSecond3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Honestly i think bungie was holding halo back. they were not the perfect dev to continue a 10 year old franchise, and im happy 343 is in charge. also, now i get both halo and new bungie games.

BlackTar1873577d ago

Holding Halo back?

You mean how they've been less awesome little by little since Bungie stopped making them?

Holding Halo back.......................... ...........

Now i've heard it all

Illusive_Man3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Not really when 343i is composed mostly former Bungie employees. Plus MS still has a minority stake in Bungie.

And I'm just just stating my opinion but Halo was getting stale with Bungie. 343i took the single player game to another level. For the first time we got a very story driven game paired with arguably the best graphics of last gen, along with the staple of excellent gameplay we all expect from Halo.

I think 343i is a more talented studio but a lot of people still think the current Bungie is the same Bungie of old. A lot of people jumped shipped to 343i.

BlackTar1873577d ago

Illusive man pleae explain to me why Halo 2 is still the best Halo MP of all time?

You guys are ridiculous i would cite Metacritic but it's not helpful imo since it's a scam of a site.

shadyiswin3577d ago

I agree, in enjoyed odst just cause it was something new but it was the shortest halo game I played. Not surprising it was more of a dlc kind of thing, firefight mode was awesome though. Reach sucked,didn't bother to buy it till 2 weeks before halo 4 dropped. Still don't remember the story or anyone names,graphics were terrible and on levels with rain the frame drops was insane. Then I pop in halo 4 and its like holy shit! That first moment you are able to control it you are like whoa I thought this was a cutscene. The epic ass introduction of the forerunner gave me chills. 343 is doing a great job and yes most of the core bungie guys are now 343 guys (frank O'Connor) . After I saw destiny at Sony's 2013 conference it was huge turn off,looked boring as hell. E3 2014 hasn't changed my mind one bit. I was going to go with evolved over destiny but now the master chief collection is coming and evolve and destiny are only rentals my book. Seriously destiny looks very boring,after halo 3 bungie fell off,some say halo 2 but I enjoyed the bubble shields and all that madness.

sinspirit3577d ago

@Illusive-Man

Only like 4 Bungie employees at most work for 343i and they have common roles, none are the more important figures from the company.

Halo wasn't getting stale from Bungie. It was getting stale, period. Halo 4 isn't even a true Halo game. It is a generic sequel where just after all the enemies are gone and Earth is safe, surpise! Another enemy bigger than ever before is here and coincidentally crosses paths with the lead character before anything. Then, surprise! Somehow there are hundreds of super soldiers over only 3 or 4 years when previously it took several more years and even then the casualty rate was very high. And then, to top it off. The stupid "Gotta add more drama!" crap with Cortana freaking out, drastically changing how she looks to try and make her eye candy, and even though Master Chief saved the human race, knows what he is up against, is a seasoned war hero and top of the line super soldier, there are character that know that and try to order him what to do as if he's a child, a generic attempt at drama and to add yelling to try and convey emotion and struggle like any generic action-oriented sequel has done in many movies and games.

Microsoft forced dead-lines on Bungie, tried to keep Halo from PC, and only released Halo 2 on PC(3 years after XBox launch) to try and push Windows Vista's launch, which was an inexcusable mess. So much content was cut out of Halo 1 that was in 2 and the same happened with 2, which would have been an astronomical success if it simultaneously launched on PC with a Halo 2 Custom Edition to allow map editing. But, Microsoft doesn't even care about their PC platform to risk any possible dent in their console sales.

"arguably the best graphics of last gen". Lol.

Halo 4 multiplayer got even worse. It has started to become more like other mainstream shooters. Halo 2 was and will likely always be the best Halo.

@60FramesPerSecond

New Bungie games, yes. But, there is no need for new Halo games. Halo remakes? Yes. So, the new console gets updated versions of the best Halo games and their multiplayer is revisited. A new story, so soon after the trilogy is supposed to be over and we have a prequel as well as the ODST spinoff from Bungie, as well as Halo Wars from another studio? A remake is fine, for clear reasons, but to try and make sequel after sequel of a game without even a clear idea of what to do with the story and with nothing but cliche's in mind it's just ridiculous. It's exactly what milking is. When your game is out of content and has nothing new for itself and yet you keep trying to get more out of it just because you have no more ideas or just want to exploit the franchise name.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3577d ago
joab7773577d ago

MS got Halo and Insomniac in exchange. And Destiny is coming to xbone anyway.

ShadowWolf7123577d ago

Insomniac is third party and still making games for Sony, man.

shinrock3577d ago

Theyy said they will be making exclusives for both x1\p4.

Goku7813577d ago

That statement is kind of ignorant. Although my opinion is that PS4 is a much better quality system with better quality games, doesn't mean I don't or haven't played Xbox games. I am well aware of Bungie and how good they are. Just because someone won't buy the system doesn't mean they haven't or won't play the games. I will play Gears and Halo 5 if they are good, but I just refuse to buy an Xbox One as it is not worth it to me, and don't want to fund MS for its shady dealings.

Hardcore_gamerxbox3577d ago

Can you tell me how come ps4 was worth of buying ?

lfc_4eva3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Dude Killzone is far from great.
I played KZ2 for a while. It looks pretty but it couldn't keep my attention.

Of course thats only my opinion.

IVanSpinal3577d ago ShowReplies(1)
Magicite3577d ago

Did anyone expect saying he is mad?
He might as well say he is not mad that x360 users switched to ps4 instead of x1.

sic_chops3577d ago

Im a PlayStation fan and I know how good bungie is.

Sheikh Yerbouti3577d ago

I had Marathon on my Mac, so I knew before XBox or Halo.

shinrock3577d ago

I played oni on p2. Its not Bungies 1st time on ps.

Aceman183577d ago

@60frames

i mostly played on PS platforms with the occasional play on my GC, Wii, Xbox, and 360. i played a couple of the halo games, and even though the franchise isn't my cup of tea i knew how good Bungie is so i don't need motivation to be excited for Destiny i was in the beta, and i loved what i played.

lfc_4eva3577d ago

@Aceman18

Its good to hear a gamer speak. You don't have to love something to appreciate it.

Aceman183577d ago

@ifc

thx, yea statements like that make no damn sense to me, and just sound completely stupid.

Hardcore_gamerxbox3577d ago

Funny thing is Sony fans used to say bungie is shit now because they making a game for ps console and got exclusive content for it they are amazing now

King-u-mad3577d ago

Incorrect... Casual gamers who happened to own a playstation probably said bungie is shit... You can't count the casual audience. They are a plague to gaming. Completely worthless.

King-u-mad3577d ago

I dunno what is up with people getting butthurt over it... It's called marketing, just because Bungie had some deals with sony, doesnt really mean anything. NO ONE Complains or Complained about the CONTINUING timed exclusivity (Stuff like DLC being first on xbox) or exclusive (Insomniac made games exclusively for sony at one point) content coming to xbox.

"Xbox One fans all know how good Bungie is, but PS fans do not"

That is completely garbage... I am a sony fan, but I know all to well what bungie can do. I own every console, and adamantly play on all of them. I know good games, I know good company's. My preferred platform does not depict what I know... As with others like me... That was a stupid fucking statement. Same goes for your Killzone statement... The only people who would not know how good a game or company is, are casual gamers... You sir sound very casual based on your opinionated facts spewed on here.

windblowsagain3577d ago

I'm not surprised he isn't mad.

Bungie is the reason for xbox existing. Without HALO. Xbox would have long died off. Everything was Halo Halo Halo.

It's like PSplayers moaning about Sunset Overdrive, The thing is you never bought Insomniac's games that's why they went to MS>

I bought Resistance1,2,3. All good games.

I find it funny, hated resistance1 mp, but really enjoyed res2 and 3 mp.

IVIEDICATED3576d ago

Insomniac has a habit of over promising and under delivering and Sunset OD will be much of the same maybe worse. It being their first xbox game and all there's a good bet it won't be as advertised. They killed the Resistance series butchered R & C series and IF they were anywhere near as capable as you want them to be Sony would've done what they had to for SO to be on the PS4. Sure Sony wanted to retain the rights to the IP but come on given insomniacs history that certainly was a factor also. And in the end it's insomniac that loses out. The PS4 is the market leader by a 2 to 1 ratio they're losing money going only xbone and the game at best might get 2 million sold that's being generous but rest assured like Titanfall Sunset OD WILL eventually make its way to the PS4 it's really only a matter of time.

Revengeance3577d ago

Wow what an ignorant comment. You do know there were PS fans that played Halo 1 and 2 on the original Xbox right?

ghostface93577d ago

metal gear solid would have been the perfect example for this seeing how its the same thing in reverse even though it was only third party for sony instead of bungie being first same concept though

GrandpaSnake3577d ago

completely disagree, fans of games alike will now how good bungie is, compared to other games/genres it can be a bit stale for poeple looking for more than high jumps and sci fi spraying and flying. FPS games have been around for ever and it is not like playstation only players never got substantial fps games.

CertifiedGamer3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

In the end X1 is still getting the game the same time as Sony so it Destiny doesn't give X1 fans a motive to jump ship to PS4 for that specific game. On the other hand, if PS4 fans want to play Insomniac games new game called Sunset overdrive then they will have to buy the X1 from Microsoft. I do believe Microsoft being the publisher will eventually sell the license back to the Insomniac games once the game sales begin to die out just like they did with EA/Mass Effect1 for PS3 under a different publisher. For those of you who don't remember Microsoft published the first Mass Effect game which ended up on PS3, and also funded Grand Theft Auto 4 DLC, as far as having one of the R* members say that it wouldn't come out on PS3 similar to what is happening with Sunset overdrive right now. I have a feeling both Microsoft and Sony work together behind closed doors, Sony has allowed movies based games to come out on every Microsoft consoles as well.

InTheZoneAC3577d ago

sorry but bungie released a somewhat decent game on a system with no games, that's why it took off...

Sevir3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

MS actually had first dibs on Bungie's future IP, it was apart of their buyout to independce contract. In fact it was discovered initially from The Lawsuit with Infinityward and Jason\Vince vs Activision Lawsuit that Destiny was initially going to be a timed exclusive for XBO(XB720 back then) and XB360 with future iteration landing on PS3 and future PS consoles... What happened is that Sony out bid MS because they wanted badly for the new IP to be aligned with PS, and for Bungie it made better sense. If you're going to launch a new IP, there's a whole other potential 85+ million consumers who has who never bothered with a Bungie experience since they owned only a PS3. So business dictated that a new alliance be formed with the other elephant in the room and that was Sony.

Sony paid top dollar to get Bungie to break their previous contract with MS. And since MS wasn't going to get into a bidding war, they chose to let the game go fully multiplatform and take their money to further invest in the Halo IP. Halo Anniversary, Halo 4, The Master Chief Collection and Halo 5:Guardians with 343i is showing the fruits of its labor...

Xb diehards are upset because it appears as if Bungie had abandoned the house that supported them when in fact the game is coming day and date to their black boxes, sans exclusive contents. Its a multiplatform IP coming to 4 platforms. Sony just wants to make sure That Destiny is experience on PS4\PS3 the way MS fans experienced Halo. And exclusive content was the best they could do, because getting the game exclusive would probably cost way too much money and Activision needs to break even with their investment. Bungie is pretty close to a billion dollar company, just about every one of their games have sold 8+ million units. They deliver the goods, clearly.

MS fans complaining about this is silly just like Sony fans complaining about Insomniac is silly. Its business, MS siezed an opportunity with Insomniac. They are still
committed to Sony. They'll be showing off a new PS4 exclusive this August at Gamescon, so neither Bungie or Insomniac has turned their back on the fan bases that made them the great devhouse they've become. But fanboys don't know the console business.

Phil isn't mad, and he's got no ill will towards the dev that brought them the IP that revolutionized FPS multiplayer and made Xbox a house hold name. And Shuhei feels the same way toward Insomniac, Shu saids its "Insomniac growing up" and he's "excited to see them branch out to make new experiences for other platforms"

So seriously diehards from both camps can let it die already. Its pointless, we all benefit in the end.

IVIEDICATED3576d ago Show
Sevir3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

Inchoherent!? DUDE! how do you think BUNGIE Became independent in the first place!?

To break a partnership of any sort or to strike a partnership take MONEY! And Simply PUT, Sony OUTBID MS in an effort to strke up this partnership.... ITs Business 101. TAKE a Course, read a book. EVERYTHING happening with EXCLUSIVE partnerships between third party and platform holders isn't formulated by a simple conversation. Maybe the thought that Sony Outbids MS is something farfetched, its popular belief that MS dumps truck loads of money on a developer/publisher's lawn. BUT SONY Does it too.

There are situations where something is announced exclusive years prior and is suddenly realigned with another partner... Its a bidding war. who throws up the most money gets the golden ticket...

Bungie bought their independence from MS and became and announced it in 2010... shortly after that announcement, MS released a press release stating that Their standing with Bungie is great and as part of an agreement MS has the right to first approach on what ever they create to foster association with MS's platform... Destiny was announced in 2013 and days after their announcement. Bungie shows up at Sony's PS4 reveal announcing a partnership with SONY...

Is it not feasible that over the course of 4 years since its standing with MS that Sony couldn't have worked out a more profitable deal to strike a partnership with them instead of going forward with MS. I've laid it all oout their. this isn't incherent BS. Youre just a pissed idiot who knows nothing about how the industry truly work. Don't attack me unless you can DISPROVE anything I said. and I can definitely provide links if you feel like challenging me!

I'm waiting...

awi59513577d ago

The xbox guys have been proven to buy more games per console. They may have cost themselves allot of sales.The xbox fans hold grudges. See what happened to the dead rising series. It sold over 2 million as a xbox exclusive the second game after it was announced as multiplatform it barley sold 500k on xbox. So bungie better walk a fine line because they may find out the xbox crowd decide to sit their game out. Just look at the COD numbers way more were sold on xbox.

CertifiedGamer3576d ago

Awi5951 tell me about the watch_dogs numbers? Also explain to me how FIFA 14 which practically came free with an X1 in UK still got crushed by the PS4 game of the same region. If you think Xbox fans are going to hold out on playing a good game, you must be smoking crack because that has nothing to do with it. Gears of War 3 was exclusive to 360 and still managed to sell a third of what the second installment sold.

awi59513576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

@CertifiedGamer

Yes and how many ps 3 exclusives sold more than 3 million. The others sold 8 mill each. They still buy more your point is still mute. And look at the number of 1 million at least sales on each console last get its not even close xbox 360 won by miles.

Gunners143577d ago

People on this site disgust me

to them bungie sucked until they went multiplatform

this is one of the most biast fanboy infested sites and most people here DONT KNOW WHAT OWNING MULTIPLE CONSOLES MEANS...

lol entertain me some more you fools

kewlkat0073577d ago

"PS fans actually were downplaying Bungie and Halo for years,"

I remember them days..now it's different..lol

I remember halo was to cartoony and the colors or something to that effect..

CertifiedGamer3576d ago

@kewlkat007 two can play that game on X1 fanboys too.

Remember when 360 fanboys used to do graphic comparison with the 360 and PS3 version of multi plats and that took place up until the PS4 launched.

kewlkat0073576d ago

Dude mocking a dev constantly because they chose a visual look for a game has nothing to do about graphics between consolse..

Just sayin, bungie right now by psfans...another sci-fi looking game with similar colors. .

Azzanation3576d ago

Umm Bungie can make what ever games they want on other platforms, the difference is Halo isn't on PS just like Killzone isn't on X1. I honestly don't get your point. Destiny isn't Halo, there 2 completely different games. Just because its Bungie doesn't mean fans of Halo are automaticly going to fall in love with Destiny.

Its just like saying Sunset Overdrive is going to make PS fans unset. Completely different games. Apples to Oranges .

Azzanation3576d ago

Umm Bungie can make what ever games they want on other platforms, the difference is Halo isn't on PS just like Killzone isn't on X1. I honestly don't get your point. Destiny isn't Halo, there 2 completely different games. Just because its Bungie doesn't mean fans of Halo are automatically going to fall in love with Destiny.

Its just like saying Sunset Overdrive is going to make PS fans unset. Completely different games. Apples to Oranges .

lowkey100113576d ago

Why would he be mad he has halo and laughing all the way to the bank. Destiny will be good but will never top halos 50mill sales.

http://vgsales.wikia.com/wi...

Volkama3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

I don't think it has anything to do with Bungie trying to cosy up to PS fans or favour them over XBox fans.

This is all about the publishing deal with Activision. Activision do not want to put all their eggs in 1 basket, and they want to keep both platform holders on-side. They are doing that by striking major deals with both platform holders. COD, Destiny.

And it is working for them. Surely you noticed that both Sony and Microsoft opened up their E3 presentations with a showcase of their respective Activision property? Bobby Kotick is laughing it up.

+ Show (23) more repliesLast reply 3576d ago
Eonjay3577d ago

It all business. Can't be made at that. Microsoft has also engaged in situations where they have paid for preferential treatment as well. Good for Bungie because it gives them the chance to get PS gamers on board with the company whose work is already know to many Xbox Vets. It just so happens that they might have bet on the right horse. Destiny will sell gangbusters on both.

Bigpappy3577d ago

Way too much posturing in this thread. One guy above even asked what could he do about it. This is NOT a significant development.

I don't think they were betting on any horse. They left M$ to have creative freedom. To get out of the culture they were in, they moved to Activision not Sony. Having exclusive content on PS4 doesn't mean they are favoring the PS4 over X1, it simply means that that they was a business deal made with Sony to use the game to promote PS4.

Why would anyone, at M$, be mad at Bungie because Sony has a deal for exclusive content? M$ does these types of deals all the time. Look no further than Titan Falls, where they actually got a real EXCLUSIVE deal.

I am sure some one asked and he just game an answer. It is not like he held a press conference to announce this.

Eonjay3577d ago

Actually I think Microsoft should be proud of Bungie. This is their first effort since Halo, and its looking like a hit. And they have been able to successful impress Sony fans. This means that they were really good, not just hype.

Volkama3576d ago

Still find it odd that they left MS because they didn't want to keep making Halo games, and ended up signing a deal with Activision to make was is essentially a Halo game by another name.

I would have thought they'd attempt a bigger departure from their tried and tested. Maybe revisit the RTS genre that Halo was original heading to be before MS bought them.

But I suspect Activision paid them boatloads of cash to do what they're good at.

Bigpappy3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

I don't get that Eonjay. Why do you think for one second the Phil isn't proud of what Bungie accomplished with Dynasty? Where did that even come from?

"And they have been able to successful impress Sony fans. This means that they were really good, not just hype." Ofcouse they have. PS4 guys had pre-orders in long before even seeing any footage. Bungie did not go out seeking approval and legitimacy from PS4 fans, they already had that swag from the first Halo. What they success (whether on Xbox or PS) will prove is that they are not just good at making Halo. Halo was not successful on hype. That is the PS fanboy narrative. You seem to be getting caught up in that. That's a shame too because most of what you write actually makes sense. I am not expecting you to cater to me obviously, but what you are saying here is insulting to Bungie and all the people who have been their fans over a decade. This include many who played in competitions and professionally, along with many in the media.

You are also talking like the game is exclusive to PS.

Eonjay3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

I was trying to compliment them. See, years from now, when theses systems are gone and we are looking back at Bungie, we are going to have to pay homage to their origins... and that is something Microsoft can be proud of.

You know, not every comment is meant to be insulting or pervasive. I say what I mean. I am not caught up on anything. I am one of those people who played Destiny and was impressed. The hype is in reference to what Activision said months ago proclaiming this to be the biggest new IP of all time. It doesn't matter if it sucked and their is NO WAY to know these things unless you play it. So I stand by my statement because I am a reflection of that reality.

Its not only about their pedigree as you proclaim, because I could very easily make the argument that of course the game would get a lot of preorders with all the 360 converts.

mrpsychoticstalker3577d ago

No one is upset Phil! I like how this guy is always diplomatic, not like other execs taking jabs at the competition.
That said. I'm sure the new Halo will be a hit, the master chief collection has already created controversy by having so much value for only $60. Halo 5 will redefine the Halo franchise of course we will never forget that bungie did a great job. But I think the new studio will do an even better job.

Same with the new Gears of War.

-Foxtrot3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Jabs at the competition

http://www.abload.de/img/xb...

Yeah Microsoft are innocent alright...both of them do it but that boat thing was at the PS3 launch party in France, you can't get worse then that.

I'll tell you something if the shoe was on the other foot someone like Phil would be taking jabs at Sony constantly, he's that type of person. The only reason this guy comes off as some sort of "down to earth" gamer is because they are trailing behind and it would make him look bad.

I wouldn't really say Sony is taking full on jabs at them...just pointing out their obvious mistakes.

spy1173577d ago

Sony takes jabs at nintendo and microsoft all the time dont even try to downplay that.

JBSleek3577d ago

Isn't a jab just simply pointing out the competitors mistakes? No one would jab about what the competition is doing right.

AngelicIceDiamond3577d ago

@Fox "I'll tell you something if the shoe was on the other foot someone like Phil would be taking jabs at Sony constantly, he's that type of person."

I doubt it because the guy freely talks about Sony and Nintendo whenever he gets interviewed.

He even mentioned them at there press conference basically stating no matter where you decide to game all three will have something for you.

Phil hasn't shown nor hinted at anything to be hostile at the competition and I don't see signs of him doing it even if the shoe was on the other foot.

"I wouldn't really say Sony is taking full on jabs at them...just pointing out their obvious mistakes."

So that boat was the last major jab MS did to Sony which was ages ago now.

But as of last year Sony has been taking jabs whenever they can it seems.

So your saying MS made the biggest jab therefor they are the worst ones still? but lately Sony hasn't? Just pointing out mistakes?

Your spinning things here Sony lately has been making jabs.

You have a see no evil hear no evil mentality goin on here.

TheWatercooler3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

@Angelic Diamond.
"So that boat was the last major jab MS did to Sony which was ages ago now"

Umm. I believe last year Microsoft said. "we're gonna kill sony at e3". That is worse than anything sony have ever said. It's vile and disgusting.

Sony "we offered the ps camera as an option from the start" - Oh yeah. Thats a real bad jab there

Xboxfanboys like you only see what they want to

LazyGoron3577d ago

@angelic

All 3 companies will complement and praise the other, and also all 3 will take jabs when needed.

What jabs has Sony done, in your opinion, recently? I do not consider ND devs or other PS4 devs saying negative things about the X1 the same thing as "Sony taking jabs at MS"

The 360 boat thing, that was a corporate MS decision to do that. That wasn't devs speaking in an interview or a company throwing stats out, etc. I don't think Sony has ever or will ever do that, namely they are an Asian company and their culture is much more steeped in respect and a "live with" approach.

MS (american culture) is based on winning, succeeding, completing, etc. - respect to the competition comes second.

xHeavYx3577d ago

So, telling the truth = taking jabs?
Didn't know that

Sitdown3577d ago

@lazycoron,
That's not american culture, just certain pockets.

Darkstares3577d ago

These jabs have been going on for years. People at Sony called the XBox 360 the Xbox 1.5. Jack Tretton called the DS for children. It's all just business tactics so why do we the consumers care at all? The product speaks for itself and right now the PS4 is doing everything right. The XBox 360 was the go to platform for third party developers, not bad for a Xbox 1.5. Now it's Sony turn to have the system third party favor so far.

It's amazing how many comments have been made so far out of one small tweet. I think Sony fans would be more upset Sunset Overdrive is exclusive to the XB1. They used to be exclusive to Sony. Bungie is still making Destiny for the XBox 360 and XB1 but they do have some DLC timed for the PS4.

At the end of the day it's all business. Bungie likely got sick of being tied to Halo which Microsoft wants to keep milking and Insomniac just like Bungie wants to own there own ip's and make games they want to make.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3577d ago
Mikelarry3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

"not like other execs taking jabs at the competition"

the reason why MS are not taking jabs is because they are not winning. last gen they ran adverts adverts and the like poking fun at the competition. there was a a major nelson podcast where he dedicated almost 20mins talking abut how sony didn't not provide hdmi in the box with ps3. last gen they were the bullies. MS takes jabs at apple all the time the hypocrisy of some gamers. is it right for sony to take jabs maybe not but MS are not innocent and if the tables were turned will be doing the same

izumo_lee3577d ago

Yeah these jabs has mAde the Xboxone into a better system than it originally was. The removal of drm, the exclusion of Xbox live for some apps, the lowering of the price by making the kinect optional. All these were a result of jabs made by the rival company.

Last gen it was Microsoft making all the jabs and you know what i thank them for that cause it resulted in the creation of the PS4 and Sony's new attitude.

Snookies123577d ago

"the master chief collection has already created controversy by having so much value for only $60."

How is that a controversy...? It's a really great deal, don't get me wrong, but it hasn't stirred up any sort of controversy.

shadyiswin3577d ago

The controversy is it makes games like tomb raider,last of us remastered and any other HD remake look like a rip off by giving us 4 games and 100 maps for $60. Basically its a slap in the right direction,already the last of us remastered has taking a $10 hit. Not that it needed to,Sony fans are dying for something since February's imfamous ss -.-

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3577d ago
Kayant3577d ago

Why would he be mad they could to keep their money maker Halo. It's business you gain partners all the time as you go along.

truefan13577d ago

Why would he be, MSFT still owns equity in Bungie.

ThinkThink3577d ago

I wonder how that works. Like, how much does Microsoft make off of Destiny on the PS4?

"Microsoft Corp. today announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of the “Halo” franchise, to embark on a path to become an independent company. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in Bungie, at the same time continuing its long-standing publishing agreement between Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie for the Microsoft-owned “Halo” intellectual property as well as other future properties developed by Bungie".

http://blog.seattlepi.com/m...

GodGinrai3577d ago

@thinkthink

I remember this..funny how people forget these kinds of details.

Eonjay3577d ago (Edited 3577d ago )

Well, I suppose that means Microsoft is rooting for the success of the bundle and all versions of Destiny.

pyramidshead3576d ago

Then they'll be thanking Sony for the amazing sales that will happen on PS4.

Show all comments (178)
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.

Read Full Story >>
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

TheTony31611d 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

JackBNimble11d 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?

Profchaos16d 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

VenomUK16d ago (Edited 16d 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
Eonjay16d ago

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

Hofstaderman16d 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.

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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

Tacoboto16d 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.

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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.

staticall16d 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.

PhillyDonJawn16d 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.

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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...

SeTTriP18d 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.

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