290°

PS4: will the next-gen start when Microsoft says it does?

Xbox’s next-gen aspirations were dealt a bloody nose by Sony in New York last week: everyone’s talking about PlayStation 4. Going first works, says Patrick Garratt, and Microsoft has missed a great opportunity.

“We’ve got a year to sell as many of these things as possible.”

Two Xbox bosses bellowed at each other in the aftermath of 360′s Games Convention press conference in 2005. The atmosphere crackled with “go”. Xbox 360 was to beat PlayStation 3 to market and Microsoft knew it had sledgehammered its way into the console industry’s executive bathroom. Chests were puffed. Sony was stuffed. Microsoft benefited greatly from an early Xbox 360 release, especially in America. You have no competition if you’re the only option available.

eagle214076d ago ShowReplies(4)
Knight_Crawler4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

Only time will tell but I hope we don't have to get two jobs to afford a 720 :)

user39158004076d ago

Its next gen when the vita comes out.
Oh wait its next gen when the wiiu comes out.
Wait its next gen when every new console comes out.
WIIU current gen.

For the money PS4 AND 720 are the only 2 next gen.

Next gen is the console you buy for sure, whatever console that might be, case closed.

T24076d ago

Next gen started Feb 20... Anyone who wants on this train better start now .

RememberThe3574076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

I think it's clear that Sony got the ball rolling. But I think you'd have to be insane to not want to see MS come out and blow us all away. We should temper our expectations, but it's healthy to hope for a lot.

It seems to me that MS is going to keep pushing for Kinect and I don't like that. But Halo is their bread and butter and they're not going to abandon that fan base. I think they're going to try to quart the more casual fans like they did with last years E3 but I also think they're going to do some cool stuff with their network and software partners. I just hope the system offers enough for core gamers, because they seem to by straying from us.

slayorofgods4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

I'd even argue that kinect is what allowed Sony to overtake MS this generation. MS kind of strayed away from the core gamers and did pick up a few new gamers with kinect, but Sony maintained a much more broad strategy of satisfying all gamers instead of strictly investing in move. That really showed towards the end of this generation.

Of course if MS gets a back to its roots and gets as aggressive as they were to begin this generation then we may have a good competition on our hands.

ALLWRONG4076d ago

Doesn't the PS4 have a Kinect like device?

slayorofgods4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

@allwrong

Who cares no one wants either console for motion control. It's all about the games.

nukeitall4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

@slayorofgods:

"I'd even argue that kinect is what allowed Sony to overtake MS this generation."

Are you serious?

Kinect is what pushed Xbox 360 sales, because core gamers are already saturated in MS main markets.

I bet the vast majority of core gamers already own an Xbox 360 or PS3. If you haven't, no amount of new IPs is likely to change your mind.

"Sony maintained a much more broad strategy of satisfying all gamers instead of strictly investing in move."

Actually, Sony doesn't appear to have a broad strategy at all. They are strictly focusing on games, and mostly core games with the odd casual game every now and then. PS Move was left to die a quick death.

MS is the one that has a broad strategy, but people fail to see that. Don't people see that the complaint about MS is really them just diversifying their audience?

"Who cares no one wants either console for motion control. It's all about the games."

Tell that to all the Wii owners which outnumbers PS3 or Xbox 360 user base. Tell that to the masses that bought Kinect and made it the fastest selling device and maintained MS price dominance this generation as Sony had to drop their price multiple times to compete. Heck, in Europe the PS3 is actually cheaper than the 250GB Xbox 360 bundle, because they don't sell the core 4GB Xbox 360 only bundle.

It's a myth people don't want motion control. They aren't just here voicing their opinion!

@ALLWRONG:

"Doesn't the PS4 have a Kinect like device?"

The PS4 has a dual camera, but it is unclear what it's capabilities are. If anything, it will be heavily light sensitive (since it lacks the infrared sensor that Kinect uses) and likely be far more rudimentary due to being behind MS. That is all of course speculation, because Sony hasn't really talked about it. We don't even know if it included in the box by default, which is detrimental to it's success.

That said, we just have to wait and see how this pans out in the next 1-2 years.

slayorofgods4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

@nukeitall I sure am serious.

The 360 had a firm lead and the PS3 was in crises mode to start this generation. When the PS3 started focusing on actual games and when the 360 lessened their exclusives and how aggressive they were to start this generation the PS3 caught up.. And the PS3 overtook the 360 during the Kenect years of this generation. Talk about who has the broadest strategy all you want, but the PS3 HAS finally sold more consoles then the 360 this generation and overtook them right at the end of it.

"Tell that to all the Wii owners which outnumbers PS3 or Xbox 360 user base."

The Wii U isn't selling. It is considered a flop of a system.. The Wii hasn't been selling. The PS3 has been outselling that console for about a year now. Motion control was a fad. Its over now.

Let's face it Kenect and PS3 motion controls did not capture that market, they only slightly expanded theirs. Thankfully Sony didn't head dive into that strategy.

Here's a question. Since the 360 was ahead of the PS3... How many core gamers did they lose from the Kenect experiment vs how many new gamers did they generate. They kind of did turn their backs on the core gamers.

nukeitall4075d ago

"The 360 had a firm lead and the PS3 was in crises mode to start this generation. When the PS3 started focusing on actual games and when the 360 lessened their exclusives and how aggressive they were to start this generation the PS3 caught up."

The Xbox 360 would have been far worse if it wasn't for Kinect.

Let's face it, the Playstation and Sony brand in the rest of the world is far stronger. Almost any place in Europe prefers the Sony brand. It's presence in TV, cameras and so on.

If you take out Japan, which has around 7 million units sold the picture suddenly gets clear. Xbox 360 has almost always been on par in sales as PS3. When the PS3 was released, there was about a 6 million unit gap between the two.

"PS3 HAS finally sold more consoles then the 360 this generation and overtook them right at the end of it."

It still hasn't actually. As of the official last count from each company directly, the PS3 is actually still beind.

"The Wii U isn't selling. It is considered a flop of a system."

It is off to a slow start, but so did the 3DS and look where it is now. On the flip side, PS3 started strong, then weakened and same thing with PS Vita that still is heading downwards.

Point being, it is too early to tell with Wii U. It can still turn around, and we won't know for another 10-12 months or maybe longer.

"How many core gamers did they lose from the Kenect experiment vs how many new gamers did they generate."

I don't know, but I do know MS sold over 20 million Kinects and Kinects is what keeps the Xbox 360 selling. The core gamers in MS main markets are all tapped.

"They kind of did turn their backs on the core gamers."

I think that is mostly fanboy fanatics speaking, because my online friends like me use the Xbox 360 more than ever. To watch Netflix, listen to music, watching ESPN and so on in addition to gaming. We still have plenty of games to play, and I still have that backlog. Still looking forward to Metal Gear Rising, Gears of War: Judgement, Dead Space 2 & 3, Dishonored, Walking Dead and so on.

It's just a small section of people that complain there are "exclusives" specifically as if that is the main criteria what people look for in a game. The general core gamer don't care if it is exclusive or not, only if it is good and if they like the setting.

So get over it!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4075d ago
Dylila4076d ago

if next gen didnt start with the arrival of the wii u then why would it start when the xbox 720 is released.

next gen starts when ps4 is here

MysticStrummer4076d ago

Yeah it's funny that no one but Nintendo fans think of WiiU as "next gen". As for MS telling us when next gen starts, I think they should have to win a generation before trying to declare when another one starts. But, this is an obvious flamebait title so I hope no one clicked to read the whole thing.

WildArmed4076d ago

It may not meet "next gen" standards, but it is def. a 8th gen console.

It feels like after Wii, Nintendo has been lagging behind in tech compared to their competitors

xursz4076d ago

The Wiiu is a good little machine but I think that if Nintendo wants a core gamer crowd they need to show us the benefits of owning a Wiiu over (or in addition to) other next gen platforms, aside from a lower entry cost. I don't think core gamers are fussed over entry costs.

AngelicIceDiamond4076d ago

"next gen starts when ps4 is here"

Lol gotta love the internet, you people are amusing.

user39158004076d ago

For the same reason we have standards, superior to mediocre, the judgement its always on the very best gaming has to offer and that we dont know yet. We know PS4 its more powerfull than wiiu, but MS its a whole different beast.

We will see if it is the standard by which we judge or not. We will know soon enough.

BitbyDeath4076d ago (Edited 4076d ago )

I think the term means 'last one out of the gate' / Beginning of the end.

Sony said next gen started with them cause PS3 was the last to release just as the XboxNext may also be this time around.

Nothing implied meaning more/less power etc

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4076d ago
OneAboveAll4076d ago ShowReplies(1)
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260°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere13h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN10h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos8h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo2h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

PassNextquestion12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger10h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Profchaos12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto12h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos12h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long9h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel11h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator10h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg14h ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos13h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola8h ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10111d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref11d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde11d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197210d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville10d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218310d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos10d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
isarai11d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref11d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan11d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00710d ago (Edited 10d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197211d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

11d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

11d ago
11d ago
Zeref11d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde11d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197211d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier10d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto10d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218310d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto10d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
Hofstaderman11d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts10d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts10d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic10d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

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