240°

Are Microsoft finally getting it right with the Xbox One?

I am the first to admit that I was not a fan of the Xbox One when it was first talked about early last year, the issues surrounding the original announcement have been well documented, but now six months after launch and with what feels like a complete 360 over nearly every feature and idea they originally talked about and Microsoft might finally be on the right track with the console. Focusing on what the public might actually have wanted to buy, an entertainment unit priced reasonably.

christocolus4056d ago

They definitly are..atleast I've noticed that some of my pals (who wernt interested in the console before) are now looking forward to owning one.

XiSasukeUchiha4056d ago

I do agree with you Xbone at first left a bad impression or taste in my mouth, put now I'm starting to like it for what it its!

Ballsack4056d ago

I am waiting till e3

but so far Xbox one is now starting to look like something I will purchase come end of the year

nosferatuzodd4056d ago

i will never buy a xbone never their desperate so they'll do anything to sell

user14394144056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

We all know that Microsoft screwed up big time with the XBOX ONE but maybe they can fix the mess they are in. Hopefully a new console is announced this year at E3 from Microsoft and PS4 can have a contender.

smoothdude4056d ago

I can't wait to play Halo 5, so I'll end up getting one eventually!

Kavorklestein4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

@MrTehDiNGO

If they were to announce another console, it would wipe the floor with the PS4's entrails... They wouldn't make the same power/performance mistake twice.

Hell, for all we know, the eSRAM could be used in conjunction with the cloud or DX12 to make the Xbox one not only compete, but set it's own standards. I dunno the future, and I doubt it's really possible, but I have been surprised in my lifetime too.

Now as far as saying that the xbox one is somehow not competition, is plain stupid. It may not be as powerful as the PS4, but that's not the end-all and be-all of the competitive factors brought to the table with both consoles.

And the biggest factor we have to focus on is exclusive games.
After E3, we'll actually have a REAL idea what we can expect from these boxes.

I mean, we can't call it quits before the first E3 of the consoles' lifespans can we???
That would be plain and simple, extremely blind and foolish.

GameNameFame4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

@KavorKlestein

We live in a world everything follows logic not some voodoo magic or secret sauces.

You talk as esram, dx12 and cloud as some magical mythical power. Either you are just desperate or you dont get a thing.

-Esram offers no real advantage over GDDR5. It adds more complication. It can never sustain its peak. It is small.
Tell me which is better? small fast ram? or big and fast ram? Any software that benefits with esram works with GDDR5.

-DX12. Most of the DX12 highlights and improvement figures are for PC. even MS's own slide said "giving console like API to PC".

Its benefits are referring to PC not xbox one. Desperate fanboys decided to take it out of context. MS's own word says for PC.
Any minor benefit on X1 will just get ported to PS4 instantaneously. Literally, PS4 already has DX11 ported to it. They have such similar architecture that they both benefit from same software.

-Cloud. It has been a joke for a long time. First MS offered 0.3 tflop power which is very small power. Problem is, no one can find a use for this power for graphics in practical manner. lolol

Forza was first one to use it, but they couldnt figure out a way to use it. lol

Titanfall was another. AI? yes. My 10 year old PC and some PS3 games already run AI on server. TF looked graphically weak.

Kavorklestein4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

@Games Name fame
I never said I believe these things, but then again, you and I could BOTH be wrong and these things COULD end up helping the xbox 1.

I'm just saying we can't call it so soon, we gotta give them more time, etc...

I know both sides to the DX12/Cloud/eSRAM arguments, and I am not able to quite place my thumb on what is true or not.

I am not gonna assume that I have all the knowledge in the world however, because I could very well be WRONG about it all.

I'm just saying a little open-mindedness when approaching others,and their opinions, couldn't hurt, especially when WE have no idea of what Sony or Microsoft are truly capable of, or have up their sleeves.

If we knew all that, then I'd dare say we know EVERYTHING, and that I should get stock market, relationship, career, sex, political, financial, and any other kind of advice advice from you, or fellow N4G members.

Some people may have some good ideas, but just because one isn't the "norm", or the typical opinion, doesn't mean we need to burn people at the stake over it... in fact, it makes it look more like those in fear of new ideas or opinions are actually afraid that their OWN ideas stand risk to burn at the stake OR cease to exist within the parameters of known society/technology/reality.

I didn't need your rushed assembly of "Facts"
of why anything being touted by MS or the Xb1/dx12 as being false.

I've done my own research, and have actually probably spent more time researching it if I'm willing to admit that its not likely, but still within the realm of possibility. But, Who knows?
Not you.
Not Me.

Basically, if you don't have a time machine, you're not right.

And neither am I.

We just gotta wait and see.
Period.
That's all I'm trying to say, and that all I've ever really tried to say about anything concerning the console's futures.

kickerz4056d ago

Pretty good read. Although the article states Titanfall didn't sell that well yet it nearly sold 2 million copies which ain't too bad

4056d ago
+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4056d ago
Elit3Nick4056d ago

@Xavy what part of "opinion" didn't your little fanboy brain comprehend?

marlinfan104056d ago

@elite

in a fanboys mind, no ones opinion can be different from theirs

MetalProxy4056d ago

Haha oh hell no! (Opinion)

Spotie4056d ago

So you're all saying Xavy can't have an opinion about sometime else's opinion? Do you realize the irony in you expressing your opinion that Xavy can't express his opinion on psychotic's opinion?

marlinfan104056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

@spotie

"lmao just NO" isn't much of an opinion if you ask me.

if he said no and said why he doesn't agree that'd be one thing, but he didnt. all he did was tell the guy he was wrong and laugh

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4056d ago
SniperControl4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

I definitely want one, but over here in the UK, the dis-kinected X1 is a total rip off.

I can buy the Titanfall Bundle with kinect for £350, the same price MS are gonna be selling the new bundle.
Even at full price the TF bundle is £380, so MS are basiclly saying kinect is only worth £40. Absolute BS

New dis-kinected bundle should be around the £310 - £320 mark.

I will get mine during the Christmas sales or January sales, hopefully should be around the £300 mark.

incendy354056d ago

Or you could look at it, as they are giving away Kinect for 40 dollars and you get Titanfall. That is an awesome deal.

Saints944056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

Incendy.... You don't know what 350£ value in dollars do you?

Or 40£ from the looks of it...

iain044056d ago

Agree about lack of value with kinect less console. Just picked up Xbone Titanfall pack with an additional pad free from Argos £380. Pure bargain.

Baccra174056d ago

Definitely looking like a second console choice now, can't wait to see what Capt. Phil has in store for us to wash away the bad taste Mattrick left. I think MS E3 will pleasantly surprise many this year.

christocolus4056d ago

“ Can't wait to see what Capt. Phil has in store for us to wash away the bad taste Mattrick left.”

Lol.. I can't wait either. E3 will be the start of many good things to come.

3-4-54056d ago

* My Video game experience from 2007-2012 consisted solely of gaming on the Xbox 360.

Before that I had an OG xbox.

I play other systems and PC but during that time that was all I had.

* What Microsoft did with XB1 was like a kick to the sack.

* I went out and got a Wii U a month ago and I LOVE it.

* I'm still debating on which PS4/XB1 I will bet getting at some point, but since Sony fixed the controller issues I HAD with Dual Shock, there is almost no reason for me to get a XB1.

I think I'll get a PS4 eventually even though I've never owned a Sony console.

I just kind of felt betrayed. Not personally, but I was so excited to get an XB1, and then they announced it and then I was like " wHHHHATT...bb.b..u.WHY!!!!!!&q uot;

* I like that they put Phil in charge now but they really need to impress me this E3 to win me back.

Sucks because 360 controller is my favorite of all time, and xb1 is 95% the same, but I just can't do it.

I have a choice.

rainslacker4056d ago

It's hard for me to hate the console now. Some of the upcoming exclusives are quite appealing to me.

Still not a big fan of MS due to seeing how they work for the past few decades, but I do want an X1. I'm thinking by the end of the year, or sooner if they open up dev kit access or Kinect for PC access before that.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4056d ago
TimeSkipLuffy4056d ago

While I still remain a PS fan and nothing probably will change that because I started with the amazing PS1 and the legendary PS2 after that I agree that MS is now pulling all the right triggers for me to make me buy a secondary console (which I already did). I am a gamer first. All console competitors should learn from each other and take the best part out of it to make their console the best for their fans! You gain nothing but praise from your fans for keep improving and admitting wrongs and doing things better and better!

shinrock4056d ago

Ahhhhhh! Ps1, the. 75-80 hour console. Likes to lay on it top! Lol! The good ol days.

choujij4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

While I agree they're definitely improving, I think whatever success they have from these changes will still be limited. Improving your reputation is a very hard thing to do, and takes many years. It's not as simple as a "okay, you can have your way now" to surefire success. Yes, a lot of fence sitters may be persuaded now, but the general public aren't so forgiving. And it's not so much the brand in this case, as it is the platform. So in my opinion, in all likelihood the Xbox One will be stunted this gen, no matter what they do.

christocolus4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

People said the same thing about the ps3 at launch,especially after their bad pr,higher price tag and lofty expectations of the cell but it worked out for them. They made the necessary changes, including the removal of ken kutaragi as the face and chief pr person for PS. MS is doing same and its already obvious the changes are yielding some good fruit. For one the bad press/image is changing, Phil is now the head and they have a new CEO who actually sees a long term plan for the console and is actually investing in games and new studios.

“So in my opinion, in all likelihood the Xbox One will be stunted this gen, no matter what they do.”

All the mishaps the ps3 faced at launch didn't stunt its sales so why would it stop the xbox one? I know atleast 5 of my friends getting the xbox one after E3 and funny thing is most of these guys didn't give a damn about the console until recently. Ms has been making the right moves it can only get better dude. Go on forums now and various game threads the xbox one is now being talked about in a more positive light..I was at neogaf recently and it was shocking to see a lot of gamers there talking about picking up an xbox one now.

choujij4054d ago (Edited 4054d ago )

Did it really work out for them? I guess that's a matter of opinion. Let's consider that it barely sold more than half of what it's predecessor the PS2 did (80m compared to 150m), and the fact that it actually cost Sony money. Lots of money. In the billions actually. On top of that, it took 7 to 8 years to catchup to 360's install base numbers and even then it only squeezed into second place behind the runaway success that was the Wii.

While you're more than welcome to think the PS3 was a resounding success, from the looks of it, I'd have to disagree and also use the PS3 as my example and state, it too was stunted. Don't get me wrong tho, tt's one of my favorite systems of all time. But it was still stunted and cost the company billions.

No_Limit4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

The most important to come away with this is that they are giving us options that the majority have been craving for for the longest, so in that sense, they are doing it right.

-People complain about too much TV. Haven't heard a thing about TV ever since the first reveal in May of last year, it is all about games. checked

-People complain that apps shouldn't be behind paywall and a model similar to PSN+ regarding free games should be implemented. Checked

-People want discount of XB1 digital games. Starting in Jun, each month will have discounts on XB1 digital games up to 50-70% off. checked

-Gamers want a Kinect free sku at a cheaper price. checked

-Gamers want to use their own external hardrive, not forced into buying a more expensive proprietary HDD. checked and it is up to 16tb

We can keep saying 180 or they lost their original vision all we want and no doubt MS is doing this mostly to compete better and getting trust from gamers, but it is a good thing that they are listening and actually doing what they said they were going to do. That is a win in my book.

KonsoruMasuta4056d ago

Yup, now all they have to do is get rid of the paywall for F2P games and subscription MMOs and get rid of the parity clause.

Microsoft definitely has my attention now.

Edward754056d ago

The subscription MMOs are up to the developer. Unless I am missing something and paying for FInal Fantasy ARR on PS4 when I don't need too lol,

Or if Elder Scrolls online will be free to play on ps4 and subscription based on xbone.

MMOs pay type has nothing to do with the system it is on, but up to the company putting it out there.

KonsoruMasuta4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

Edward, learn how to read. I'm talking about Microsoft's paywall, not the subscription fee.

You need XboxLive Gold to play subscription MMOs. You don't need PS+ to play Subscription MMOs on PS4.

You don't need PS+ to play Elder Scrolls Online on PS4. You need XboxLive Gold to play it on XboxOne.

Reading comprehension does wonders.

Funky Town_TX4056d ago

Some people just hate M$ and there is nothing M$ can do about it.

hello124056d ago

In fairness even x box fan if their been truthful will admit they had a terrible pre-launch all of they're own making really.

Don Mattrick internet comment was a disaster. Buy a 360 if you don't have internet?

No Don people will just go buy a PS4, you dumb fool.

I'm glad he's gone and was not a good boss for x box.

Phil Spencers gets it least it seems like he does?

marlinfan104056d ago

@funky

i don't think they're too worried about the little kid fanboys that hate "M$" for reasons the fanboys don't even know themselves. you can't please the unpleaseable...unless you're sony of course right?

Salooh4056d ago

Quantum break is an awesome start for me. Sunset drive looks great but it's not a must buy for me. I'm more into serious games. Hope they do the same with gears of war , the darker , more serious it become the better. And bigger multiplayer =/= better . I love gears 1 so i hope they make it more like it or give us modes like it. I am mostly looking forward for these two games.

All they need to do is to be reasonable with the fans + never stop focusing on games.

For me it will take all this gen to win me. I'm not falling for another 360. So if that happen i won't fall for another One in next gen too lol .

I'm hoping success for them but i'm not gonna forget the past just because they did few good things after a disaster.

It's good that you people satisfied of what they offer though ^^ .

rainslacker4056d ago

I want dev kit access on the console and PC access to the Kinect. MS said they would bring that, and that would make me get one today if it was in the next update.

Only thing that turned me off was the DRM/24-hour check in, other than that none of the other stuff mattered to me.

Otherwise I agree with you.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4056d ago
Funky Town_TX4056d ago

Make the games and everything else will follow. It's not rocket science.

snookiegamer4056d ago

Xbox One will be just fine. All the bad publicity will die down soon enough...and if it doesn't?

I'm sure it won't prevent X1 owners from enjoying the games/experiences.

Shame we all just can't move on now though.

KonsoruMasuta4056d ago

Thing is, people won't forget. Buying a game console is like making an investment, you give them your money and they deliver the content and features.

As an investor, would you just randomly give your money to a company that has proven themselves to be unreliable in the past? No, just like any other person, you will be cautious.

You can't just say "Forget about all those bad things they did, just give them $400! You need to learn to move on!"

Salooh4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

Don't see why there are disagrees , even the fans knows that 360 had that fate. Even they complained . I don't see a reason to defend this fate. If people acknowledge what they did and demanded for focusing on real games x1 wouldn't have the same fate too .

Defending wrong things will make the fans regret it . Then they deserve it xP

snookiegamer4056d ago (Edited 4056d ago )

@KonsoruMasuta

Hi :) I can agree that a console is an investment yes, and a very longterm, expensive one at that.

..but I would suggest anyone unhappy with their investment to sell their console and go with one that makes you 'happier', be that PC, Wii U, PS4 or whatever. Rather than complain, or dump on Xbox One, mostly coming from non-X1 users.

Consoles are not an object you're stuck with, and I never mentioned 'forgetting' the Xbox One's negative publicity, I only stated we can move on now.

X1 price, X1 resolution, X1 Kinectless, X1 eSRAM bottlenecks, X1 180's ALL old news now. Can't keep repeating the same old, same old. Utterly depressing when it was PS3 last gen, and it's totally depressing to a gamer this gen...and this is coming from a PS4 user.

maniacmayhem4056d ago

"Thing is, people won't forget."

Correction, certain fanboys won't forget. So far Xbox One is delivering on content and definitely features.

Every company has had their missteps and mistakes and those companies have been forgiven by the many fans on this site and outside, so to place this unrealistic expectation on one is not being fair.

Show all comments (66)
190°

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
13h ago
lukasmain9h ago(Edited 9h 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

7h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer7h 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.

Ganif5h 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.

5h ago
Obscure_Observer3h ago

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

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

1dmj1h ago

He doesn’t have any sources lol

He also forgot that Sony does layoffs too

Hereandthere6h ago

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

6h ago
Lightning775h ago

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

-Foxtrot5h 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.

RhinoGamer882h ago

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

Obscure_Observer2h 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 (19)
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 9h 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 8h ago

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

Flewid6381d 7h ago

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

thorstein1d 6h ago

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

GamerRN1d 1h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 1h ago
crazyCoconuts1d 7h 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 18h 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)
Show all comments (63)