Microsoft Just Bought a Company That’ll Help the Xbox Win Your Living Room

Microsoft just bought R2 Studios, a company that Apple and Google were both after, to help the Xbox continue its assault on living rooms across the world. R2 Studios, which was founded by Blake Krikorian (the guy who also made the Slingbox), apparently "works on" technology related to distributing and displaying digital media on televisions.

[Godchild1020]

"Microsoft just bought R2 Studios, a company that Apple and Google were both after,"

Money talks and Bull-ish walks and Microsoft's money was doing a lot of talking or a lot of persuading.

[Munky]

Either way, from the looks of it MS is swinging for the fences with the "NextBox".

[Yi-Long]

MS has been trying to win my living room for the past 3-4 years....
... and in doing so, with a focus mainly on Kinect and apps for the dashboard, it has only managed to push me away as a gamer.

It doesn't help much that here in Europe we only get a fraction of what XBL Gold subscribers get in the USA, yet we pay more for our subscription.

Anyway, I feel MS has lost me due to their focus on turning the 360 into a media-machine, somehow they have seemed to forget that I bought a 360 TO PLAY GAMES. Luckily 3rd party support and XBLA is still very good, but it's a shame there have been no new interesting IPs and exclusives coming from MS or 3rd parties the last 3-4 years, so I think next-gen I'll go for a 'Steam Box' instead.

I trust Valve more with looking after my needs as a GAMER.

[NiceGuy360]

@Yi Long, it isn't necessarily YOUR living room they're after then. In losing you as a gamer, they've probably gained 2 others in your place.

[AAACE5]

They need to buy the company that allows gamers to play online for free! I loved playing on xbl, but everytime it was time to renew it got harder and harder to justify paying. Especially when i kept looking over at my ps3.

[KwietStorm]

Yea, as far as all this entertainment nonsense.

[Mocat]

@Yi-Long i Was looking at the apps today and i was thinking what the hell is this crap, but yeah i could not agree with you more, fucking skydrive, in what point in your life will you say i want too see some of my pictures let me turn on my xbox. Definitely not buying another xbox well see how good the steambox is and if it isn't so great well then ill have to with ps4.

[NukaCola]

The Kinect, it's casual games, expensive forced LIVE accounts, apps or the horrendous dashboard abomination aren't the issues for me. I don't care what they do to appeal to the masses but the fact is they aren't appealing to a lot of core gamers anymore. MS doesn't make many games at all. They kill franchises and ruin companies. No incentive to play on 360 anymore. I like gaming and do not need a twitter box. All those entertainment bonus are great but MS has completely abandoned the reason we game, for the games...the games are gone. Where are the game MS?!!!

[DOMination-]

Luckily for you they now have almost double the first party studios that sony has (21 to 12) and you can bet they are all working on next gen titles many are new ip.

[Aceman18]

for me even though i have a 360 i will not be buying their next system. they haven't provided with games that i'm interesting in from their very small list of 1st party studios, and i really dont care about the social media apps they have on it either.

paying to play online is definitely a no-go in my book. hell i had to sign up for Gamefly to actually get use out of my 360 now.

[nukeitall]

@Yi-Long:

You aren't the norm, and in fact isn't likely the norm when it comes to gaming habits either. Most of my friends on my Xbox 360 friends list use a variety of apps on the console. So do I, and they successfully made me use the Xbox 360 in place of my PC in the living room.

You complain about games, but most of my friends has no problems finding games to play, exclusive or mutli-platform. Their only complaint is, I don't have enough time (or in some rare instances money).

"It doesn't help much that here in Europe we only get a fraction of what XBL Gold subscribers get in the USA, yet we pay more for our subscription."

It is because of the fractured reality of Europe. Different languages, different accessibility. I mean, nordic countries just got Netflix two months ago. Other than UK, I don't think many other countries has it. Which is one example. Can't provide an app for a service that doesn't work in another country.

Media content has complex rights in Europe that doesn't transfer between countries which makes it extremely hard to target the whole area, not to mention the damn cost. Everything is heavily taxed here. On top of that, you have to have the language translated for each country and so on. A lot, and I mean a *LOT* of people don't speak English.

[morkendo23]

It dose not matter if MS bought the moon, Halo,Forza,Mass Effect,GOD OF WAR will not intice me to buy the 720 need more than 4 games........ XBL need to be free.

[Tvensky]

I hate when huge companies buy smaller ones! In the end they will control everything and that is a very bad thing...

and I buy consoles because of games..! I can build my own living room setup I want, I dont need x box for that! I want high quality games and more big and small companies working together to make them... not one big company trying to control everything... in the end that could be a fail..

[Munky]

You can speculate about the supposed specs, or gripe about the current game/new ip situation with the 360. But the fact is that outside the few people who are directly involved in the development process for the "Nextbox", the rest of us have no clue what the console will include in terms hardware, online features, user interface and most importantly the games. If this gen is any indication of how unpredictable things may turn out, all we "know" may be totally incorrect. I'm personally going to save judgement until the official spec sheets and a list of games are released. Getting back to the game situation, there must be a reason why MS Studios is currently so inactive in terms of churning out games... All fingers point towards them focusing on the launch titles for the consoles. There has been no better time to be gamer, with the PS3 and the 360 already out there and with the next gen consoles releasing. Peaz

[Enemy]

Actually they're trying to win casual gamers just like they tried to do with Kinect. Microsoft is saying goodbye to hardcore.

[zeal0us]

MS, Sony and Nintendo won't be winning my living room until I get some real high speed internet in my area and not that hughes net, excede or wildblue bs either.

[sikbeta]

The reason of WHY XBOX exist is exactly because MS want the living room for themselves, smart enough to realise that Game Consoles are an excellent way to achieve that goal, so they'll push it as hard as they can to take the crown...

XBX3 will be more than a gaming system, it'll cater everyone with games + apps + multimedia and more, don't know why people complain about this, as long as games keep coming out, no one should be against a more varied console

In reality, it's not different from what Sony does to push their tech stuff

PS1 = CD
PS2 = DVD
PS3 = Blu-Ray + 3D

[bozebo]

It's to help them gain royalties for their portfolio of patents. They don't need to acquire the company simply to employ related technology.

[otherZinc]

M$ is way ahead in the nextgen race.

All next gen consoles will charge for online. I don't consider Wii U next gen.

M$ will be backwards compatible PS4 won't. But SONY will charge for remakes as they're doing now, as they've taken BC from the PS3.

[Godchild1020]

How can we tell who is really ahead in the next gen race, before we even know anything about the consoles? At far as the eighth Generation of consoles go, the Wii U is ahead, just based on sales, because it's the first console out of the gate.

I doubt Sony will charge for to play online, it was their tag line on the PS2 and on the PS3. They will have a subscription base thing, similar to PlayStation Plus. But what that entails, I don't know. Also, they have the Vita, which would hurt them, if they would charge to play online. I'm sure they will keep the online passes though.

Microsoft charged for a remake as well, so don't single out Sony for doing it. Some of us like the fact that we can play some of the remakes in HD. And as long as the remakes are not PS3 remakes on the PS4, I don't think I would have a problem with it. They could gladly keep doing PS2 HD remakes.

[trouble_bubble]

lol, pretty darn sure MS charges for remakes as well!

RE4 HD, RE:CodeVeronica HD, DMC HD, Silent Hill HD, Zone of the Enders HD, MGS HD, PeaceWalker HD, the upcoming Hitman HD. Try walking out of Walmart with Halo Anniversary without paying for it. I'd like to know what happens. :p

[Lvl_up_gamer]

What otherZinc is saying is that if you want to play your PS2 games on your PS3, you can't. Instead Sony is remaking them and then you HAVE to buy the remake in order to play it.

On the 360, you have the OPTION (MS seems to always allow for options, what a great company) to either play your XBOX game on the 360 with last gen graphics OR buy the HD version for the 360.

Difference here is that MS allows for the option while Sony doesn't.

As for Online, anyone who thinks that Sony won't charge for online multiplayer are delusional especially in the current financial state Sony is in. MS's XBL generates billions for MS, you don't think Sony would like to tap into that market?

Sony didn't charge for online this gen because online wasn't added until late in the development for the PS3. It was originally NOT going to have online. Sony knows very well nobody would have paid for online in the state that PSN was launched in.

Now that Sony is getting a better online network, you can bet your bottom dollar that Sony will charge for next gen. Especially when you see 70+ million 360 are sold this gen WITH an online paid subscription. Sony has only managed to keep up with MS with console sales so if MS can sell just as many 360's as Sony can sell PS3 while MS charges for online multiplayer, Sony is just chomping on the bit looking forward in doing the same thing.

PS+ is just a temporary test to see the markets reaction....and it's looking pretty positive.

[Mr_Writer85]

On the 360, you have the OPTION (MS seems to always allow for options, what a great company) to either play your XBOX game on the 360 with last gen graphics OR buy the HD version for the 360.

Errmmmm no they don't.

I had a 4gb slim and it told me I can't play original Xbox games without a HDD.

Also not all original games work and some have game breaking bugs.

[DigitalRaptor]

"On the 360, you have the OPTION (MS seems to always allow for options, what a great company) to either play your XBOX game on the 360 with last gen graphics OR buy the HD version for the 360."

You are honestly just as biased as any PS3 fan on this site. Since when was playing the online half of all the games you own an option on Xbox? Since when was the drop in support for Xbox in favour of a new console a choice? Since when were forced ads on a paid subscription service an option? Since when was lack of hard drive space to play games in their entirety something that was an option? Overpriced peripherals, lack of exclusives that aren't via Kinect (in recent years). The list goes on.

As far as that BC excuse goes, sure MS has been known to offer backwards compatibility, it's not perfect nor does it work for all games. All the gamers I know have kept their old consoles out of pure collector's sake and personal attachment to a device that has seen them hundreds if not thousands of hours of satisfaction. I still have my fully working launch PS2, Dreamcast, N64, MegaDrive, GameBoy, even though you can get these games elsewhere via emulation for free and easy. I'm attached to games I've played in my past as as such, am attached to the consoles that ran them, and can still play them.

The real truth is, Sony has given you more options than Microsoft ever has in their time in the gaming market. And the truth is that whilst both companies have both options and restrictions, to say that Microsoft offer you more whilst praising things that are anti-consumer, is utterly ridiculous.

"As for Online, anyone who thinks that Sony won't charge for online multiplayer are delusional especially in the current financial state Sony is in. MS's XBL generates billions for MS, you don't think Sony would like to tap into that market?"

They won't, and it's far, FAR from delusional to consider so. There are what.. 40-50 million Live members and roughly 20 million are paying Gold subscriptions.

Sony has their business model in PlayStation Plus. That is tapping into the market. Do you think Microsoft gained 20+ million XBL subscribers in 2 years, from its inception? There are already millions of subscribers for PS+ service and it's only been around for about 2 years. You should have observed by now that Sony are a long-term company. With what they have been offering, and continuing to offer and with the perceived value of a huge value games rental and great extra features is only going to grow both on PS3, Vita and then PS4. THINK... LONG-TERM.

You seem to have grown so accustomed to paying for P2P online gameplay that you think Sony will follow the same rip-off methodology of forcing their customer base to pay for basic connected play. That's laugh out loud hilarious.

"Sony didn't charge for online this gen because online wasn't added until late in the development for the PS3. It was originally NOT going to have online."

Literally the DUMBEST thing I've ever heard. They didn't charge because they weren't going to regardless. With thriving game communities like Socom on PS2, you think think they were going to drop online functionality? HA! 2005 - Internet connectivity is booming and you think that Sony almost didn't understand that there was an audience for that? Wow.

What you're confusing Sony's underestimation of the importance of online play with, is with them being absolute utter retards. Something's not right there, surely...

[Ezz2013]

@Lvl_up_gamer
as always you have no idea what you are talking about

[doogiebear]

Google is worth just as much as MS ($200 Million) and Apple's net worth is more than both of them combined. Plus Apple is invested more into TV (via Apple TV box device).

So with all of Apple's money, I wonder how MS got the upper hand. Maybe Apple realized it wasn't really worth purchasing in the end.

[1nsaint]

Lol Microsoft's net worth isn't 200 million, its 200 billion xD

[doogiebear]

Lol yeah i meant billion. I didnt sleep well especially since New Years lol

[hazardman]

MS is worth more than 200 MIL, that much I know!

[kevnb]

apple has a little bit of money too, i guess microsoft just wanted it more.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

They probably bought them because apple wanted them so they can think like apple one step ahead of apple.

@Bar_Brothers
"Sony buys EMI publishing for $2.2 billion"
http://www.engadget.com/201...

They will have the biggest music collection and 2 million+ copyrights.

just sayin..

MS still shooting their machine check gun and still on have 3 AAA games and 61 kinect exlcusives with 23 more announced? ok.. Best game company ever!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

"Rare hiring new developers for Kinect 2 and Xbox 720 games"
http://www.digitaltrends.co...

"Halo 5 release teased by 343 Industries director "
http://www.trustedreviews.c...

"Forza 5 In Development At Turn 10"
http://www.nowgamer.com/new...

"Fable 4 hinted to be in development"
http://stickskills.com/2012...

Alan Wake was the last new game..
When will you guys catch on?

[BitbyDeath]

Did not hear about the EMI publishing buyout.
Have a 'Interesting' bubble

[r1sh12]

its not really about the money, because both apple and google could easily afford it too.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Why oh why? Why can't game console manufacturers try to win the living room with games and game features? Xbox Live didn't come to dominate console online gaming by integrating Netflix and Avatars. No. It rose to the top with GAMING features.

What I hate most about console manufacturers including all of this "media integration" crap in their consoles is that it simply turns me off to their system. I already have a PS3 blu ray player. I already have my PC hooked up to my big screen. I don't NEED an "all in one" streaming box. I want a game console.

[ThanatosDMC]

Dont forget most new tvs will have online connection too with built in youtube app, facebook, netflix, etc.

[Gamer1982]

This has nothing to do with Gaming though so the article is pointless. It will probably not be used in the nextbox. If it is then like Nintdo it will show MS is losing touch with there demographic. 360 gamers looking to upgrade want games and quality games not technology's like this that to be fair MS could have created themselves.

[turnerdc]

Ummmmmmm, Apple is the richest tech company in the world and Google is the second richest tech company in the world.

[Tr10wn]

is not like apple or google are short of money.

[Bar_Brothers]

MS has the Money
And they know how to use it.

You cant beat Microsoft at their own game $$$$$$

[Riderz1337]

Maybe they should use some of that money to make exclusives other than Halo, Forza and Gears.

[Conzul]

Wouldn't that be awesome? Might persuade me to get a nextbox over a PS4...

....naaaaaaaaaaah.

[ALLWRONG]

You know in "reality" the 360 has more exclusives than the PS3.

It's a fact, look it up.

[ALLWRONG]

See

PS3 (multiplatform: 615; exclusive: 137; console exclusive: 8) http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... and PSN http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

360 (multi-platform: 721; exclusive: 127; console exclusive: 82)<-console exclusives push it over http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

When you add Kinect games http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... and Arcade games http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... and Indie games http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... the list gets even longer. 360 has more exclusive games and content in just about every category and it's BC with over 300+ Xbox games.

Therefore it is a fact that the 360 has more exclusive games :)

[WeAreLegion]

inFamous
inFamous 2
God of War III
Heavenly Sword
Killzone 2
Killzone 3
Socom: Confrontation
Socom 4
MAG
Uncharted
Uncharted 2
Uncharted 3

Looks like more than 8, already. What are you talking about?

[EeJLP-]

@ALLWRONG

http://factsvsfanboys.com/
(Hasn't been updated in ~7 months, but you get the idea. Get some criteria.)

Wikipedia = "This is an incomplete list"

Sort PS3 by date first released. You really think only 14 total games released in the past 9+ months? A few release every week, which would be closer to 114 than just 14.

You have zero criteria. More exclusives doesn't equal more quality exclusives. You're including more horrible exclusives rated in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, etc.

Kinect = extra equipment needed, same with Move. That's why they're normally not included by any reasonable person.

You could do a comparison between Kinect & Move if you wanted to, but then you'll end up with Kinect Star Wars & Kinectimals & Kinect Adventures & Dance Central, etc. vs. Heavy Rain & Killzone 3 & Resistance 3 & LittleBigPlanet 2, etc. If you end up with 'more' Kinect exclusives (as opposed to more Quality extra equipment exclusives), you can keep em. I'm pretty sure nobody here plans on jumping ship for Kinectimals.

"it's BC with over 300+ Xbox games." -ALLWRONG
>> 968 according to wiki.
And all PS3 consoles are backwards compatible with "2,418"+ PS1 games.

The older PS3s are also BC with "2,016"+ PS2 games.

[MrBeatdown]

@ALLWRONG

Well said, ALLWRONG! Just look at this list of fine 360 exclusives...

11eyes CrossOver (Console exclusive)
A-Train HX
Absolute: Blazing Infinity
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Akai Katana Shin
Alien Breed Trilogy (Isn't this on PSN? No, of course not! NOBODY CHECK!)
America's Army: True Soldiers
Amped 3
Apocalypse: Desire Next
AquaZone: Life Simulator
Arcania: Gothic 4 (Console exclusive)
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Battlestations: Midway (Console exclusive)
Battlestations: Pacific (Console exclusive)
Beautiful Katamari
Black College Football: The Xperience (Console exclusive)
Blue Dragon
Bomberman: Act Zero
Bullet Witch

And that's just the A's and B's! You sure showed him! Microsoft doesn't need to expand beyond Halo, Forza, and Gears! The 360 has Bulletwitch and oddball Japanese games nobody has ever heard of. High five!

Oh wait... Crap! He didn't say anything about the total number of games. He was talking Microsoft's over-reliance on Halo, Forza, and Gears. Not a problem. We can still prove him wrong. Don't worry. I got this! Let's look at all of Microsoft's 2012 releases on that non-Kinect Wikipedia list...

Halo 4
Forza Horizon

Hmmm... well... uh... maybe 2012 was just an off year. It was probably much better in 2011...

Forza Motorsport 4
Gears of War 3
Halo Anniversary

Okay. I know this looks bad... but things have gotta pick up in 2013...

Gears of War: Judgment

Aw dang.

[Blacktric]

@ALLWRONG

-Look at the name
-Look at the comment
-Reealize everything is wrong

My head is spinning from too much irony.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

Allwrong just quit the console battles already. You end up making yourself look silly. Especially when you have very little knowledge of the console you're bashing.

[EeJLP-]

@Me above
The 968 I said above is actually the total amount of Xbox games released according to wiki. The Xbox 360 supposedly supports backwards compatiblity of 478 of them in North America.

So it looks like it's 2,418 to 4,434+ (more PS2 games have been released since this count) depending which PS3 model you have vs. 478 for the Xbox 360 as far as the BC comparison goes..

About a 5x advantage to all PS3s and 10x advantage to the original phatties with PS2 hardware built in.

[DiRtY]

ALLWRONG is right (lol)

The Xbox 360 has the most games this gen. Retail and digital.

You can't disagree with facts. And MS has the most 1st party studios ready for next gen. Another fact.

Halo 4 sold more copies in 7 weeks than GT5 in its first year. Another fact.

I can't wait to get disagrees for that. It is nonsense to diagree with facts, but it will happen.

And btw. whoever said the PS3 has got more games due to PS2 games is a genius. That is just gold.

[bozebo]

PS3 has more interesting/important exclusives.

MS's business is vendor locking. Sony's business is providing entertainment.

[trouble_bubble]

@Dirty
Facts? How did Forza Horizons and Forza 4 do -combined- next to the very same GT5, or GT5 Prologue demo? http://www.polyphony.co.jp/...
http://www.vgchartz.com/gam...
http://www.vgchartz.com/gam...

Hmm. Facts indeed.

[ThanatosDMC]

"Halo 4 sold more copies in 7 weeks than GT5 in its first year. Another fact."

That's what happens when there's a drought in great exclusive games.

[insomnium2]

"Halo 4 sold more copies in 7 weeks than GT5 in its first year. Another fact. "

Oh it's ZALES now again is it dirty? Really? In 7 weeks? I'm telling you all you are doing is making yourself ridiculous cherry picking things like this. Or by thinking things like this matters... This is not even funny anymore.

[hazardman]

@ all wrong, your right! Its just we just count AAA exclusive and not KINECT/Arcade or PSN exclusive. That being said MS AAA exclusives do sell well above the competition.. just sayin..

[TheRealSpy]

Comments like this make no sense!

Their own game? the business game? pretty sure all businesses are in that game. what business thinks it's going to thrive by not spending money?

go read an economics book, then spread this silly hatred towards a company for doing very well what a company is meant to do.

[cannon8800]

@ALLWRONG

sure... if it was opposite day.

[animegamingnerd]

sony and nintendo have been not just beating but also raping M$ when comes to exclusive

[WetN00dle69]

And Sony has been raping itself with the multi billion dollar debt. Its a surprise its even on its feet.

[Tvensky]

MS has the Money
.. thats about it..

[americanGTA]

Who are you? Bizarreo Chad Warren?

[ElementX]

@supersonic266
Funny, even the NES was called Nintendo Entertainment System. Entertainment can be more than games. The PS3 commercials mention Blu-ray and it's mentioned on the box as a movie device with streaming. Phones have now turned into entertainment devices as well as computers. What's your point?

Here's the PS3 website: http://us.playstation.com/p...
"Only console with a built in Blu-ray™ player
Watch or stream thousands of movies in high definition"

All of the companies are moving toward multiple use entertainment systems, it gets it into more living rooms than just a "gaming machine"

[soljah]

well i guess that seals the deal.
its going from xbox gaming system to netbox the cable box.
wish they had spent the money buying some game studio's.
hey microsoft how about investing some money in game development the industry that helped made the xbox a success.

[akaakaaka]

If you disagree with this you are not a gamer but just a fanboy..

Why is wrong for a gamer to ask for more good games?
I instead of useles features? (For gaming)

[DiRtY]

Well you should do a research instead of complaining. Here is what MS did in 2010, 2011 and 2012 within the Microsoft studios.

2010

Microsoft Studios formed a Mobile Gaming studio focused on developing gaming and entertainment multimedia for Windows Phone.[6]
Microsoft Studios forms new internal studio named Microsoft Game Studios - Vancouver.[7]
Microsoft Studios forms new internal studio named Microsoft Flight Development Team to bring Microsoft Flight to PC.[8]

2011

Microsoft Studios opens new development studios in Soho London, Redmond, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia.[9][10][11]

Microsoft Studios acquires indie game developer Twisted Pixel Games, known for developing titles including 'Splosion Man and The Gunstringer.[12][13]

2012

Phil Harrison, the former Sony world wide studios head joined Microsoft as head of Microsoft European Studios and IEB.[14]

Microsoft Studios recruits for new development studios in Redmond — Microsoft Studios - Playful Learning.[15]

Microsoft Studios recruits for new development studios in Redmond — Microsoft Studios - The Connected Experiences.[16]

Microsoft Studios acquires developer Press Play, known for developing Tentacles and Max & the Magic Marker.[17]

Microsoft Studios announces plans to expand Microsoft Studios Victoria to between 80-100 people.[18]

Microsoft reveals the final name of their sports entertainment development studio - Skybox Sports - in a recruitment release.[19]

Microsoft reveals plans to open a new games development studio in London, England to develop various free-to-play, online and social games for Xbox platforms.[20]

Microsoft downsizes Microsoft Studios - Vancouver due to cancellation of Kinect family title "Project Columbia" and announces ongoing development of free-to-play PC title, Microsoft Flight has ceased due to portfolio evaluation.[21]

Microsoft Studios - Vancouver is officially renamed Black Tusk Studios. They aim to create Microsoft Studios' next big IP to rival their most successful series, Halo.

Microsoft recruits for a new development studio in Los Angeles, California to develop interactive Televised Entertainment for Microsoft platforms - Microsoft Studios - LA[22]

[freezola75]

You have to be silly to think that M$ does not have some ish up their sleeve for the next X-Box. Nuff respect.

I hope that gamers will get excited over this! Peace

[doogiebear]

With what evidence. They lost Bungie, embarrassed Rare studios by forcing them to make Kinect games, and haven't had many exclusives in 3-4 years.

Tell yourself what u wanna hear, but there's little evidence for me to think MS will return to the core. So i'm with Sony now.

Peace out.

[hazardman]

I understand your point but lets wait and see dude. MS does have great IPs that can make a difference. The only thing that gets me upset is MS doesnt make effort to atleast rehash some of them. Either way I hate coming on this site at times because its always about MS vs Sony and your stuck in middle trying to defend both.

[knifefight]

Everyone's a winner in my living room.

It's more like my loving room, honestly.

[IRetrouk]

I always thought the bedroom was the loving room........ might try it your way :-p

[knifefight]

I am a man with no secrets.

It's true freedom.

[Sp1d3ynut]

If I ever come to play games at your house, I'm bringing my own bottle of rubbing alcohol for the controller...and my own seat cushion. 0_o

[majiebeast]

Lets just hope Microsoft doesnt think they can get through next gen with third party games and live. So they actually make some new IP's cause that is long over due, and not shitty kinect games.

[USMC_POLICE]

Best thing we did was trade in our 360 for a 2nd ps3. Don't miss the 360 and mass effect 1 just came out on ps3 so Sony has been king of the hill here and will remain.

[JamieL]

Sorry man, but Sony is only the “king” of new ip's anymore. There days of dominating the console business are over. I know it’s hard to admit after the last 2 outings, but they are just another player in the game now, nothing more.

[USMC_POLICE]

in europe and japan sony is #1 xbox is only a huge deal in the us.

[deadfrag]

Well this crap dont interesse the european market,all EU people that are about to join the next generation of consoles must make a choise,go with M$ and all this crap they are announcing that is mostLY; like 90% gears to the US market and the casual or jump in the Sony wagon that is much more related to gaming and with much more support in aplications to the EU market!Frankly all this moves from M$ is only going to benifit US consumers!EU gamers should take notes that we europeans are not going to have access to the majoraty of the next xbox experience especially the ones related to media and apps.For EU gamers that have to chose between the two console brands the choise seems obvious!

[FunkMacNasty]

^^^^^^^And people think American's have poor grammar?

His comment literally only half-sense but because he's defending Sony: N4G unanimously agrees.

*shakes head

[theEx1Le]

You do know that since he is looking at the article from an EU perspective he may be from somewhere in Europe, meaning his native tongue may not be English? Your ignorance is showing...

[2pacalypsenow]

What about Games!

[Dlacy13g]

there are plenty of games... your point?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref...

[modesign]

microsoft is still trying to play catchup with sony, how cute.

[dee-ecks]

Try as they might, but they just can't seem to do it!

[jocomat9]

K now its personal. . .

PRRFF... I almost said that with a straight face.. 8D

[BlmThug]

Catchup?! :L MS is making money left right and center whilst Sony is in trouble. Who's really playing catchup? Btw I am no fanboy of any console, I have been a PS gamer since the PS1 and own a 360 too

[WetN00dle69]

LMFAO!!! Really catch up?? For what??? Ohh you mean to fall into a Multi Billion Dollar dept........nah Ms will never be that stupid.

[profgerbik]

digital media on televisions? Isn't that what consoles do already? Aren't they connected to TV's am I missing something?

Home automation? Does this mean I can flush my toilet now with pressing a button on a Xbox controller?

I feel like Microsoft invests in the dumbest shit, just like how they invested so much in windows 8 and tablet PC's but now someone invented something where you don't even need to touch the screen which they should have seen that coming...

So when is Windows 9 coming out soon probably? I fucking loath 8 bunch of fucking noobs with their phones and tablets would love that crap..

I guess if you have the money to spend stupidly have at it.

[Dlacy13g]

This is more about streaming media to other devices from your Xbox that aren't connected. Kinda like what media center does but this is more hardware based then software. So you have your phone or your pc you can access your xbox. It wont matter what device you are on you will have access to your content. That in essence is what sling box does if I am understanding it correctly.

I am also guessing this purchase has more to do with what sling box is working on next than what it has already done.

[talisker]

I do that with a free app which allows me to access my PC from a tablet and a phone, every day. Very handy indeed. No need to buy Microsoft hardware for the purpose.

[RuperttheBear]

@talisker

I do that too. But you and I are not the world, so for many more people other than ourselves this will be beneficial to them.

[KrisButtar]

well look at how much they spent to change there logo.
http://www.psfk.com/2012/08...

i didnt even notice the difference until someone told me about it. it was a waste of money

[witwicky343]

The article states that it would have cost upwards of half a million , but it turned out to be free cause it was done in house.

[witwicky343]

Looking forward to this & next Xbox + all it features .

[tommygunzII]

Microsoft is good at spending money.

[Hicken]

Just not on the right things, in my opinion. They want in my living room?

Buy gaming studios. Develop a plethora of varied (non-Kinect, as I don't like motion controls from anybody) exclusives, and continue to support them. Don't overuse them, but give them at least a FEW releases in a generation.

AND MAKE ONLINE PLAY FREE.

If it's not free, I may still get one, but I refuse to play anything online if I have to pay for it.

[god_mode]

"Buy gaming studios. Develop a plethora of varied exclusives"

Buy gaming studios? A plethora? How is that working out for Sony and its "supposed" many exclusives that fail hard?

People need to realize that consoles can't just play games anymore but they have to do so much more to gain people's interest and MS realizes this.

This is partly due to the rise of smartphones and tablets and other media devices that have multiple functions.
It's why we see the 3DS and Vita trying to expand in features and not just be a portable gaming machine only.

"If it's not free, I may still get one,"

Stop it, if you haven't got one by now then you are not getting one. And a one time year fee is all of a sudden a financial burden? There's even deals to get live for $30 dollars.

[hazardman]

Sony is good at losing money so whats your point.

[boybato]

a winner is you

[jocomat9]

thank you 8)

[TheKayle]

finally someone wake up and understand that console need to do more than just games in the living room....cant be bored to switch between 200000 controller and interfaces.....mySkyHD or other topbox/xbox/ps/smartTV....i need a freakin machine that make me stream movies/video/audio...give me games ...1party and 3party...online gaming....internet browser...cable tv /tv on demand....media storage ...social networks....motion gaming.....best os/interface.....variety in apps

go MS go i love what u r doing it ....i sold my ps3 1 month ago....( so i could still get good money on it) trusting that u r doing the good things!

[monkey nuts]

All new smart hdtv's are doing everything you stated now. Today. My new LG has apps, games, internet, seamless wifi to all wifi enable devices so pics,tunes and videos can be watched on the tv. Movie rentals, DVR functionality and all can be operated with the remote which is kind of like the wii controller. Or as I am doing now can be controlled on a tablet or smart phone which is by far the most fun I've had for days lol. People will buy tvs before consols and imo if the tv can do all that a console can do except play AAA games then ms and sony should stop wasting money on services that will not get used by the majority of consumers. Plus it would keep costs down, benefitting everyone.

[TheKayle]

re read my comment....about the controllers/interfaces etc etc

[talisker]

"continue its assault on living rooms across the world"

It seems Gizmodo are clueless how poor Microsoft media services are outside US/UK. Instead of an assault, I'd rather call it a disaster.

[Freak of Nature]

Microsoft do everything you are doing, that's fine, go for it, you should, but for all the God's above please bring along new Exclusive IP's....I am into the games #1, and that's my number 1 criteria, extras and bonus this and that is fine, even great depending on individual's needs, but speaking for myself games, not just XBL and Multi-plats, but new "exclusive IP's" is what I want most!

[KingKevo]

Ikea?!

[wiiulee]

lol...microsoft will not win the living room battle if the microsoft surface is anything to go by

[AlphaTauri]

Glad that Microsoft isn't being one-dimensional! I play games but enjoy many other forms of digital entertainment as well, and I'm excited that I can have one piece of hardware as my entertainment hub.

[FunkMacNasty]

In theory, The more MS acquires in terms of other tech companies, the more competitive they will be and the more their console will have to offer. I love how these articles always turn into "BUT DEH XshBOXsh HAZ NOOO GAMEZZ!!!"

At the end of the day, we know that it all just comes down to personal preference. I know that I prefer my 360 over my ps3 for just about every feature except Netlfix which works way better on ps3. I play just about every multiplat release on 360, unless the ps3 version has a wealth of exclusive bonus content. I think the last time I even turned on my ps3 was late this summer when I went through a GT5 addiction phase..Then October came, and i bought all the great multi's for 360, havent turned on my ps3 since. I dont see myself playing a lot on the ps3 until The Last of Us comes out in May.

So yea, 360 doesnt have a wealth of "core" exclusives outside of the 3 or 4 everyone can name, but that doesn't stop serious gamers from playing tons of great games on the 360. So you folks who are bitching that your gonna trade in your xbox because "theres no games" are full of Sh*t trolls who don't own an Xbox.

[Knight_Crawler]

Well said. If the Xbox has no games like the hundreds of Sony fans on here are claiming then WTF are people playing on Live?

MS must have did something right this gen becuase as soon as something positive is mentioned about MS they Sony fans jump to downplay it.

Who would have thought that the Xbox would become such a power house.

[jay2]

So the only real {next gen console will be the PS4, just like PS3 was the console that pushed the boundaries but was held back due to the external HDDVD failing side of things.

[Kidmyst]

Hopefully it doesn't become a DVR type of unit, focus first on games, then second on media.

[Max-Zorin]

I see people are still commenting on articles for games they don't know about. Out of nowhere they're like ''yo, exclusives''.

[isyourhouseonfire]

This purchase is big news. Heads up, sony!!!

[Kingthrash360]

Xbox had already won my livingroom....but after I suffered 2 redring deaths its sits next to my ps3 and the only time I buy a game to play on it is if its an exclusive. Otherwise I'm too scared to use it.
I love my Xbox but I don't want to buy a new one every year or so

[maniacmayhem]

The new slims and even the model before that never Red Rings. Nothing to be scared about if you have a later model.

[Kingthrash360]

Yeah I know, but I don't want to buy another one. I bought 2 already,I shouldn't have to buy a 3rd, they should have given the new ones away free because of the old ones defect. I'd rather wait for nextbox.