210°

Microsoft Back ‘In the Game’ With Xbox One Changes

OXCGN

"Nobody has been more critical of Microsoft’s ill-advised move into the digital world beyond what consumers are willing to take than the gaming media, including us...

But just as Sony is dealing with a firmware update issue that actually can brick (freeze) your PS3, Microsoft strikes back."

gaminoz4395d ago

I think they are back in the game, especially in Oz where there is only AU$50 difference. This will make a BIG difference.

BadboyCivic4395d ago

Microsoft decided suicide was not a good idea.
Now they have that extra $100 to deal with and the fact that the PS4 is more powerful.

HammadTheBeast4395d ago

And Sony hasn't even pulled out the game guns yet.

August 21st - Gamescom 2013

aceitman4395d ago

and then Tokyo game show :)))

creatchee4395d ago

Wait. You're saying "wait for teh games"? Why weren't Microsoft fans allowed to do that before E3? The games didn't matter, if memory serves me right.

dedicatedtogamers4395d ago

Even though I will never - personally - get an Xbox One, I'm glad that there will be a real race this time around. Sony's no-DRM and the consumer backlash obviously forced Microsoft to adjust, and I hope that if Xbox One-Eighty has features superior to the PS4 that Sony will be smart enough to adjust, too.

The only problem is the arrogance. Has the damage been done? The die-hard Xbox fans (who are likely to reply to me) were already getting an X180, even before the policy change. However, will Microsoft have enough time to reverse all the negative reactions? Remember, there are people in the general public who think PS3 charges for online like Xbox Live, and who think the Wii-U tablet is just an additional controller for the Wii (yes, people still think this).

It will take an equally-widespread media effort to counter all of the negative news, but I think it is impossible at this point to wipe the slate clean.

gamertk4214395d ago

Sony overcame Kutaragi's arrogance, and I don't know if you noticed, but Sony's execs looked awfully smug at E3.

Gaming_Guru4395d ago

There is not such thing as arrogance when it comes to business, a person represents a company that sells a product that will eventually pay the bills. If you work for Ford and have to sell a vehicle to make money, you are going to have to sell that vehicle as if it's the best vehicle in the world.

This is why journalist exist, to cypher out the PR stuff. Being a consumer it can be jarring, but it's business nothing personal.

4395d ago
s8anicslayer4395d ago

So Microsoft has decided not to mandate these rediculous policies because of consumer backlash after they boldley stated that they stand firm with their beliefs to within days reverse the whole damn conspiracy you guys are saying your ok with that? What about their credability? What makes you think that they won't go back on it again after they get you to purchase their product?

Timmey4394d ago

Sony ALREADY showed their games. Gamescom maybe showing EVEN MORE games, considering a lot of Sony's first parties didn't even reveal their projects (Naughty Dog, Santa Monica, MM, even Quantic Dream didn't reveal their game completely).

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4394d ago
BadCircuit4395d ago

I agree with the author that MS timed it well to go with the big stuff up by Sony on its PS3 firmware update.

Still torn over which to get though.

True_Samurai4395d ago (Edited 4395d ago )

Xbox One my friend simple
↓↓
Why you so mad son??? Pope Kaz??? Haha

HammadTheBeast4395d ago

I dunno, Sony update only affected those with huge harddrives.

I'm still on for PS4, I'll be heavily swayed when they reveal the rest of their 16 first party games later this year.

gaminoz4395d ago

The PS4 is still a great piece of kit at excellent value.

It's just that now we have two (Wii U...meh) big challengers which will push each other hard to provide great things for gamers...and they will now know to LISTEN TO THE CONSUMER!

Urusernamesucks4394d ago

Wich is the majority of ps4 owners..

DeusExer4395d ago

Smart move considering the backlash, the consoles are starting to even up.

The debate over consoles should be over which exclusives are better, none of this Used Game nonsense.

Proeliator4395d ago

Now people will realize: Xbox One has a great lineup! Your move Sony.

BadCircuit4395d ago

And that online fees apply to Sony as well this gen.

BadboyCivic4395d ago

Real talk...Sony has a better line up

RememberThe3574395d ago

I actually have no idea what the Xbone has as far as exclusives go, other than Ryse. And lets be honest, Sony doesn't need to make anymore moves they're pretty happy right now. MS still has that damn camera staring at me at all times and I have more of a problem with that than the DRM. But MS is paying attention to where we spend our money and right now it mostly been on the PS4.

No_Limit4395d ago (Edited 4395d ago )

Xbox One definitely have a better Lineup.

This is my Day One purchase:
Xbox One Day One Edition
Forza 5
Dead Rising 3
Killer Instinct 3
Battle Field 4
NBA 2K14
Ryse
Watchdog
Extra Controller

xXxSeTTriPxXx4395d ago

You do realize that sony hands down would win a war of exclusive right?

creatchee4395d ago

I dunno - they showed mostly multiplatform games and indies at their E3 conference. So no, I don't realize that.

I'm all sorts of excited about inFamous Second Son though. Microsoft has a better launch lineup though.

papashango4395d ago

dont forget to mention that its the watch dogs bundle selling the most.

No_Limit4395d ago (Edited 4395d ago )

In terms of quantity, yes. But in my eyes, other than Uncharted and God of War, I really have no interest in any of Sony's exclusives tbh. But that is just my personal preference.

Titanfall, Halo 5, Quantum Break, and Project Spark are 2014 games that I am looking forward to plus the launch lineups sealed the deal for me.

Swiggins4395d ago

For the PS3 that's a nobrainer, but MS did actually show off quite a few exclusives that look great, so for the PS4/Xbox1 that's more debatable.

The only PS4 exclusive I saw that had me genuinely excited was Killzone Shadowfall

The Xbox One on the other hand had Crimson Dragon, Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, RYSE and Titanfall.

Now I'll admit, I'm most excited for the multiplat games that were revealed like BF4, The Division and MGS:V.

Urusernamesucks4394d ago

4 years Later...

SONY HAS NO GAIMZ.

callahan094394d ago

@No_Limit, you're going to sit there and say only God of War and Uncharted interest you from the Sony exclusives, but you're excited for Quantum Break and Project Spark? So are you just conveniently forgetting about Quantic Dreams' games and Media Molecule? I don't see how Quantum Break and Project Spark can interest you without also being interested in Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, LittleBigPlanet, etc. Oh, and what about The Last of Us? All of these games are extremely well done examples of genres you've displayed an interest in, so why can't you find interest in them?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4394d ago
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GameCents4395d ago

All about the games now. So far, leaning towards Xbox One personally.

BadCircuit4395d ago

I was always impressed with the games but not the fact that if servers went down gaming would be over...or that they could turn the servers off and the console would be over.

This changes a lot for me. I was Sony all the way before. Now I want both...need...money...now.

Show all comments (56)
170°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
10h ago
lukasmain6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

5h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer5h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif3h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

2h ago
Obscure_Observer36m ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

Hereandthere3h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

3h ago
Lightning773h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot2h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer8818m ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer6m ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

Show all comments (17)
240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
2d ago Replies(3)
Goodguy012d ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

2d ago
GamerRN1d 7h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga1d 6h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6381d 4h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein1d 3h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

GamerRN22h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 22h ago
crazyCoconuts1d 5h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

2d ago
Futureshark1d 16h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (66)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
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