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."

[gaminoz]

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

[BadboyCivic]

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.

[HammadTheBeast]

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

August 21st - Gamescom 2013

[aceitman]

and then Tokyo game show :)))

[creatchee]

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.

[dedicatedtogamers]

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.

[gamertk421]

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

[Gaming_Guru]

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.

[s8anicslayer]

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?

[Timmey]

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).

[BadCircuit]

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_Samurai]

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

[HammadTheBeast]

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.

[gaminoz]

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!

[Urusernamesucks]

Wich is the majority of ps4 owners..

[BadboyCivic]

PS4... You can do it

[DeusExer]

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.

[Proeliator]

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

[BadCircuit]

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

[BadboyCivic]

Real talk...Sony has a better line up

[gamertk421]

Not seeing a /s

[RememberThe357]

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_Limit]

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

[xXxSeTTriPxXx]

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

[creatchee]

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.

[papashango]

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

[No_Limit]

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.

[Swiggins]

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.

[Urusernamesucks]

4 years Later...

SONY HAS NO GAIMZ.

[callahan09]

@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?

[GameCents]

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

[BadCircuit]

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.

[BootHammer]

If you think about it, this information was released just a few days before E3. Why not wait till the big show?

It was to gauge consumer reaction and they got it. I didn't think they would drop the policies that fast but they obviously wised up and saw the wormhole they were going down with those policies in place at launch or after. Now we can get back to focusing on where it really matters...the Games =)

[BadCircuit]

Too right!

They knew from their early press conference that things weren't going to plan, and then Sony came out and did the opposite and were cheered for it.

Now they knew for sure what they had to do. This is going to be a much closer race now, and games and services will be better for it.

[gaminoz]

For $AUD 50 more I get a Kinect 2.

Sure I won't be able to play MMOs games or Forza 5 the way they are intended unless I'm online, but I have the CHOICE!!!!

[BootHammer]

I think when their solution for the 24 hour check-in was the Xbox 360, they finally hit rock bottom and had to seriously take in all the negative press from the reveal and E3.

You have to come out of the gates strong (positive press, tons of hype) and had those strict DRM policies been in place, I just didn't see that happening for Xbox One. Now they have a fighting chance.

[IQUITN4G]

Bloody fantastic news. I basically wasn't going to get one on the strength of these absurd aspects that clearly aren't required for everything. Happy to get an X1 now though and continue enjoying the franchises I like best- really wasn't pleased that I was about to pass playing Halo5 but it's all go again

[DjKiba]

The Only Problem I had with Xbone was the fact that if something happened to the internet for more than a day i was going to be screwed. If they would have just gotten rid of being locked out of your game things would be a lot different.

[Soldierone]

Where is that guy that said "Dealwithit" now? Who was right? Not him! BOOM!

[gaminoz]

F* yeah!

[BabyTownFrolics]

Now I can buy both consoles with no reservations, f&ck this noise. Lets get back to what's good about gaming. Bitching, moaning, and arguing is getting boring.

[RememberThe357]

I have to agree, even though I've been throwing my own gas on these flames. This is the only E3 I've seen were we're not talking about the games that were shown. I want to talk about The Division. I want to argue over which shooter looks the best. I want to find out about all the games I missed because N4G has been flooded with Xbone vs PS4 bullshit (excuse me bullcrap*; don't want to lose a bubble lol).

[gaminoz]

Great comment: bubbles!

[ylwzx3]

MS is full of BS.. Did anyone read this headline from earlier..

"Microsoft’s eyebrow-raising reversal of its Xbox One DRM policies has been in the works for some time, corporate vice president of Xbox Marc Whitten has said, but Microsoft wanted to tell the “complete story” before it made such a dramatic public reversal."

http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

[ylwzx3]

.

[ylwzx3]

...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media...

[NateCole]

Which is what many ps fans want as well.

Now there will be real competition.

[GameCents]

Okay but Forza 5 though!! I can finally look forward to a F5 filled future!! I was so depressed.

[ylwzx3]

I have one thing to say if you watched this video.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media...

[Mikeyy]

At least the X1 isnt a 1 legged man in an ass kicking contest anymore.

It still has a hell of a fight ahead of it. The Xbone gets none of the advantages it got with the 360 last gen.

I still think they won't pull it off, MS's focus has always been wrong, they are all about Paying out money for timed exclusives, when they should be investing that money in 1st party studios like Sony has been all along.

Getting the COD maps 1 month earlier, has NEVER been a selling point for any xbox console, there is barely a difference in sales numbers between the PS3 and XB360 versions to justify this mindless strategy. I was really shocked when they announced this stupid crap will continue next get.

[EverydayGuy]

Hope Microsoft drop the Kinect and make the XB1 $399.99

[Swiggins]

They do that and I'll actually get one over the PS4, I highly doubt they will though. At least not at launch.

[Urusernamesucks]

They showed games at e3, dropped drm, dropping kinnect is very possible if you look at They're recent track record.

[justicizms2099]

Is it just me, or did I not see a strong line up of games for the PS4? Xbox One is going to be hard to beat the next 10 years.