170°

"Absolutely Not" True That Microsoft Is Backing Away From Console Gaming, Xbox Exec Says

"We are more committed to our console and the future of that console than we have ever been."

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gamespot.com
tinynuggins3008d ago

The idea of upgradable consoles shouldn't have a negative impact on consoles. It's simply providing more options and it's how it should have always been in my opinion. As long as you can play the same game on your Xbox one as you can on your new 4k Xbox one and pc, what's the big deal? Developers can develop a game on pc and let it scale down appropriately depending on which device you're running.

Godmars2903008d ago

Thing is console owners are going to run into the same issue PC owners do. Namely, wanting and buying a game then discovering they need to upgrade. With possibly the difference of being able to play it at lower quality.

MCTJim3008d ago

No sir, the universal app will enable it to run across all platforms. Dev's will be able to develop for the highest level and it will step down for those systems with less umph. So if I have the best hardware available and you dont it will run on both. One will be better performing.

Eonjay3008d ago

The thing is, Microsoft still hasn't neen clear about their plans which is really weird because all the wind up doing is causing confusion.

When they make press announcements they need to be clear with their messaging.

No one xan even say with certainty that the supposed upgradable console is even the Xbox One. We donr even know if there is an upgradable console coming or if he is refering to being able to play all you Xbox one games on all Windows 10 devices like tablets and PC.

None of these articles acknowledge that they dont have a damn clue because there are no clues. Only PR

christocolus3008d ago

@Eonjay

"The thing is, Microsoft still hasn't neen clear about their plans which is really weird because all the wind up doing is causing confusion. "

Agreed. We should wait and see what they have to say at GDC and maybe Build and E3 too. They really haven't outlined their plans yet. so we know nothing, all we keep reading are assumptions so farr.

Aenea3008d ago

Yup, seeing a trailer for a game and not knowing how it's going to look on the console you own is a bad thing, I don't like that idea at all.

Already not liking when you don't know if it's PC footage or console footage when you see gameplay, let alone when this is going to happen with console exclusive games and you have no clue yet how it's going to look.

Nope, not liking this idea at all... Well, maybe I have mixed feelings about it.

Aenea3008d ago

@MCTJim

Ahhh, MS and their buzzwords, Universal Apps is the new thing now that everyone seems embrace and looks smitten at.

I just wish people knew what it actually meant and that still all the old issues of having to support and test and debug for different hardware specs is still the same as it always has been.

Only thing that it's making easier is to port programs from one device to the next, but you're forgetting that it means the program needs to only use the common denominator of all the supported devices, sure it might scale certain things like resolution or assets but a program optimised for one set of hardware works best on that particular set of hardware so the program will still contain pieces that will only be used for certain devices otherwise it won't perform well at all.

Thing is, the only difference with the old way and Universal Apps is that with an Universal App all the specific code for all the different devices is all in the same app while with the old way each app version only included the code for the device it was meant to be for.

All the programming hassles are still the same...

Godmars2903008d ago

"We should wait and see what they have to say at GDC and maybe Build and E3 too."

And the thing with that is that we really wont know what MS has planned until its actually out in the world.

mikeslemonade3008d ago

Of course they would say that. That's PR speak. They consoles to sell right now!

freshslicepizza3008d ago

@Godmars290
"Thing is console owners are going to run into the same issue PC owners do. Namely, wanting and buying a game then discovering they need to upgrade."

more fear mongering. nothing phil said or anyone else in the xbox team has said such things. in fact the opposite was said and that is backwards comparability. funny how the one company who is making backwards compatibility for free on the xbox one still has a bunch of folks out there trying their best to do their usual smear campaigning.

"With possibly the difference of being able to play it at lower quality."

what's the problem with that? why is having options now a bad thing? why is having an option to upgrade that could play games like halo 5 in 4k an issue when those who have the original xbox one can still play it?

GameNameFame3008d ago

@MCTJim

Except if that was true, you wouldnt have to upgrade PC.

LOl. I love people damage control this as if this is some new magical thing.

No, PC had this "feature" from the beginning. Upgradeable configuration means less optimization. That means less cost efficiency.

It will be better buying PC instead

_-EDMIX-_3008d ago

Agreed. I think its a bad idea and fragments the market, something that is counter productive to the concept of consoles in the first place.

Developers like knowing that everyone is jumping to the next gen together and on the same page, not this upgrade junk as it also means many developers may not make that jump if they don't see an adoption to the new upgrade fast enough to justify losing money.

Make new hardware and call it a day. I don't see the point in stagnating the generation. They basically could be handing Sony yet another freebie to run the whole next gen with PS5 legit being the only next gen platform in regards to power.

4Sh0w3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

Godmars290
"Namely, wanting and buying a game then discovering they need to upgrade. With possibly the difference of being able to play it at lower quality."

-but that's normal, if you paid for a particular setup, thats what you get to play. pc gamers never cry like it's their right to play a new game on ultra settings when they did not invest the money into the latest high end rig to do so.

Aenea
"Yup, seeing a trailer for a game and not knowing how it's going to look on the console you own is a bad thing, I don't like that idea at all."

-Really?, 99% of the games released get verified pc & console gameplay footage shown off across the internet BEFORE release, in the odd case you don't see it how about wait 1 day after release when there's footage of tons of gamers out their playing.(not that I've never seen enough difference through pc vs console trailers to ever care)

Godsmars290
"And the thing with that is that we really wont know what MS has planned until its actually out in the world."

-Well not exactly I'm sure their plans will at least be discussed in more detail poor to release >>IF<< indeed this is the direction they are going in, but either way it doesnt make much sense to get to far ahead of ourselves before we know what they're doing.

EDMIX
"I think its a bad idea and fragments the market, something that is counter productive to the concept of consoles in the first place."

-Hold on, I've heard for a very long time now that Xbox pc exclusives meant you don't need a Xbox, so wouldn't their market already be fragmented? X1 on its way to likely 24-25 million sold by years end, OK so that's not as great as ps4 but why can't the next Xbox continue to co-exist with pc even closer? Assuming the next Xbox is a hybrid console/pc setup why is that evolution bad when ps4 will still be a great alternative and those same Xbox games will be on pc? I like the idea because maybe just maybe such a hybrid will be the middle ground home console-pc box that may appeal to alot of folks.

lol, aren't we forgetting that if you don't like this idea you will still be able to play Xbox games on pc? It's very different if for example this was Sony releasing the ps4 with some very, very fundamental changes to the traditional console with no there option of playing Sony exclusives....no here you have another well known pc platform to access Xbox games.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3008d ago
rdgneoz33008d ago

No where in the article does it mention anything about upgradeable consoles... It was only talking about xbox one games coming to the PC.

As for upgradeable consoles, you tread a fine line if you do that. Graphics aren't the only thing that can be improved upon, destruction and the size of the map can be increased as well. If someone goes into a store, sees a game that says xbox one, buys it, and goes home. How would they feel when they pop it in and see that features are missing because they didn't have an add-on, so the console "scaled" it down for them?

donthate3008d ago

It is isn't even clear if the console is more of a model refresh as opposed to a upgrade part. I vote the former as more likely ala iPhone type release schedule.

That said, yeah this is going to be great for Xbox games. You will now have opportunity to get faster innovation into consoles instead of being stuck with stale and static hardware for a half a decade or more.

AizenSosuke3008d ago

Um there are backing away from console business and going into the steambox business because upgradable consoles sounds like a steam box to me.

UKmilitia3008d ago

i disagree.
i game on consoles so that everyone is playing the same way as me,the only exception is differnt tv and maybe a differnt pad.
not with an unlevel playing field like on pc.

Erik73573008d ago

Well duh guys no one is gonna openly say they are leaving it ..

TheSaint3007d ago (Edited 3007d ago )

"We will never sell Xbox without Kinect"

"Absolutely not true that Microsoft is backing away from console gaming"

We'll see.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3007d ago
Godmars2903008d ago

They're just putting themselves in a position where they can.

WeAreLegion3008d ago

Depends. Will the Xbox Two be a PC with Windows 10 and the Xbox logo slapped on it?

The line between console and PC is blurring.

donthate3008d ago

This line has been blurring for a long time, but the defining factor of a console has always been 10-feet user interface, ease of use, instantness and controller.

In recent time, it also means universal features (as opposed to PCs fragmented) such as game chat, party chat and so on.

All of this will be retained and the hardware below it has never really mattered.

slasaru013008d ago

If PC means you can run PhotoShop and recode videos, than NO. Xbox "PC" will only be able to play games with some standard universal apps. No nude mods for you

Overload3008d ago

"We are more committed to our console and the future of that console than we have ever been."

That doesn't make any sense.

You've taken exclusive games from one platform and put them on another making them console exclusives. That is by definition having less commitment to the Xbox One than you previously did.

TwoForce3008d ago

That's just odd for them to say that.

ThePope3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

If they are able to bring some games that were/are/would be exclusive to PC to X1 because of the shared architecture would that amount to more commitment to you?

Is the ONLY way to judge commitment by how many exclusives a console has?

Would a "console" exclusive i.e. not on PS4 be beneficial to the X1?

If MS releases more "console" exclusives than it did last gen, would you consider that increased commitment?

If MS was able to make more money releasing on PC/X1 and in turn make more games would that be good? Or does it have to come to the X1 and ONLY the X1 to be considered a good thing?

slate913008d ago

For forum-warriors they need it be the X1 or PS4 only. They dont see the business side of this industry, only the imaginary war.

Overload3008d ago

The Xbox One is the first console in history to have 0 fully exclusive games.

ThePope3008d ago

@Overlord

And with 20 million consoles sold. What does that mean?

DragonDDark3008d ago

20M sold before we knew they were doing this plan

FTFY

christocolus3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

@Pope

Well said. Until MS goes into more detail about their plans nobody knows anything so for now people will just keep assuming and looking for ways to downplay this. let them.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3008d ago
Manic20143008d ago

Technically for them Xbox One and Wind10 is becoming a single platform. With universal apps, they're aiming to merge the two. That's been their aim since Windows 10 announcement. I think right now we only see the benefit being one sided, with games going from Xbox to PC but their end game is to make it work both ways. Xbox to PC, PC to Xbox.

https://twitter.com/Prophec...

Phil also stated Cross buy is also their future for exclusives, so that's another thing I for one would appreciate, as I have both Xbox One and a Gaming PC.

Automatic793008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

@Manic

Well said, additionally, a new Forza got teased for E3 recently coming to Xbox One plus more new game announces and more games are in development for Xbox One. I dont see nothing negative. Can't wait for E3.

christocolus3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

The new upgradable Xbox should be called Xbox Infinity. :)

donthate3008d ago

How is that less commitment?

Before and after, you still have the same games, and can do the exact same thing with your console. On top of this, you now have more benefits.

That said, in a twisted fanboy world you lost "value", which is really just you feeling as if you lost something yet the console is exactly the same with more features.

Go figure!

DragonDDark3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

Let me ask you something.
I now have a Ps4 and a very good windows 10 PC.

Can you list me why I should buy an XB1 now? I was leaning to buying it because of the exclusives but after all of this happened, i don't really have any reason to buy it.

So most gamers who do have a capable PC won't really give an eye to the XB1. Which also means Less hardware sales for MS. But of course, more software sales.

Please say that i'm wrong now.

christocolus3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

@Dragondark

You are the exact type of gamer MS wants to bring into the windows/xbox ecosystem. They are giving you more options..You don't need to buy an xbox console but you get to pay for and play Xbox software on your windows PC. win win...

DragonDDark3008d ago (Edited 3008d ago )

@chris
So hardware doesn't matter to MS anymore or what?
I wouldn't buy an XB1.. how can they sell more xb1s like that?

xasz3008d ago

@dragonddark

The main goal for platform holders is not to sell you hardware.

It's to make money off of software, online subscriptions and 3rd party licenses.

They merely use hardware as a tool to do that. That's why consoles are considered loss leaders.

Any profit they get from the hardware itself is a bonus, but traditionally, console hardware tends to sell at either a loss or at least a break-even point. But then platform holders don't mind because they're making money off of software and services.

donothate3008d ago

dragonddark:

You should buy an Xbox now because you already are familiar with MS first party games that you enjoy, already own the games as cross-buy i.e. invested into the platform, find the hardware cheaper than PC and would like to play games in the living room with unified friend/chat system, and all the conveniences of a console.

That is why!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3008d ago
gangsta_red3008d ago

Times are changing. It's obvious that consoles in the traditional sense are no more.

We already have consoles doing a lot more than just gaming. We have both companies trying to expand into the living room, both companies trying to have services that seamlessly work across multiple devices.

MS is pushing Win 10/PC as their own platform. Their games can only be purchased from their store and used on their OS.

Think of it as when a game releases at the same time for PS3/PS4 and Vita. Sony is supporting all their platforms with these type of games. MS is doing the same thing.

xasz3008d ago

How many console-only owners are going to spend money on a PC able to run those games?

What exact percentage of the console market would do that?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3008d ago
esmittystud1013008d ago

Okay, I'm starting to feel a little better about this. My whole thing is, what is upgradable that the consumer could handle doing. Swapping out an internal HDD for PS4 or X1 is pretty easy for the most part but anything else might have the consumer a little confused. I'm not gonna lie though, I bought an Xbox One for exclusive games. So yeah, theses announcements have not been the most exciting times ever.

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80°

Boosteroid Plans On Adding More AAAA Titles Exclusively To The Service

The VP of Marketing at Boosteroid revealed that the company is in talks with major publishers to secure exclusive games on the service.

Relientk771d 17h ago

So they're adding Skull and Bones to their service? That doesn't seem exciting at all lol.

150°

10 Biggest Xbox Mistakes of All Time (So Far)

The Xbox brand has done a lot of good over the years, but their various blunders are pretty wild to look back on in their magnitude.

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
piroh4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Ironically number 9 can save them at this point (releasing games on multiple platforms)

ChasterMies3d ago

By “save them” you mean make more profit for Microsoft. Xbox will still be a dying hardware platform.

OtterX3d ago

You could add the naming scheme for the consoles, it just confuses customers. I know they wanted to avoid traditional numbering bc it would always be lower than their competitor, but this whole 360 then One then Series thing is confusing af. Imagine a Soccer Mom trying to figure this stuff out. I still mistakenly call the Series X the One from time to time on accident.

RNTody3d ago

Don't forget about the Xbox One, Xbox One X and Xbox Series X! Good luck to Soccer moms around the world.

S2Killinit3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

They did that on purpose to confuse and direct attention away from the generational numbering.

MS doesn’t like reminding people that they joined the industry after others had already been involved in gaming.

For instance, they called the xbox “360” to combat PlayStation “3” because they wanted to seem like “more” than “3”, so instead of xbox 2, they opted for xbox 360. Also this had the additional benefit of selling consoles to uninformed parents who might purchase a “360” instead of a “3” by mistake, or because they thought 360 was more than 3. Kind of a disingenuous move.

They have been continuing with their confusing naming patterns for pretty much the same reasons. Frankly, it fits with who and what they are as a brand.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

I can understand their reasoning, but whoever came up with that naming scheme should be fired, bad naming schemes have killed consoles (I'm pretty sure it was the major reason for the downfall of the WiiU). They should have had unqiue names like Nintendo and Sega have had for their consoles, far less confusing for the consumer.

Cacabunga3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Phil Spencer is the worst that has happened to Xbox.
They built a respectable brand up to Xbox one. Then this guy took over and things became a joke

Reaper22_3d ago

He still has his job. Something you can't say about Jim Ryan.

Cacabunga3d ago

Both bad execs. One is on job and one thankfully retired.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I didn't like either person, both people damaged their respective brands and produced worse outcomes, but Phil did save the Xbox brand from being retired by Microsoft. Although in hindsight, he should have just let it die, rather than languish in limbo like it is now.

Rainbowcookie2d ago

Yeah but the one that was "bad" didn't even affect sales.

bunt-custardly3d ago

Phil Spencer was also on the team back when 360 was around, alongside Shane Kim, Peter Moore etc. I think the damage that did the most harm was the Don Mattrick "Always Online" console (ahead of its time basically). They handed Sony and Nintendo a free-pass when that was revealed. It went downhill from there. Then the corporate machine went into full swing to try and recover. They have to a degree as a games company for the masses, and less so for the core gamer. Outside USA, the Xbox brand does not sell as well as Japanese based consoles (citation needed).

Cacabunga3d ago

Want a decision maker. The always online and TV plans was a disaster yes, but they caught up by announcing 1st party games that gamers actually kept the hype going.. until this moron took over and introduced the PC day one release.. e all know where that ended..

S2Killinit3d ago

I dont think they were ever a respectable brand, not since the beginning, when their goal was never to be involved and share in the gaming space. I think the OG xbox was an exception because MS as a brand was still getting its foot in and so the people behind that were people of the gaming industry.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

The 360 was the brand in its prime though, everything went downhill towards the end of that generation. Its staple games like Halo, Forza and Gears are what kept the console relevant and afloat for so long.

MaximusPrime_3d ago

Really good video.

I remember the days with RRoD was big news on here, N4G.

Microsoft had it turbulence number of years.

Looking at the success of Sea of Thieves despite being 6 years old, time to release Halo, Forza horizon 4 & 5 on PS5. It'll help their revenue

shinoff21833d ago (Edited 3d ago )

2 of the 4 games they did already sold really well. So it's definitely going down. Idk about halo or forza but I feel those studios they've bought in the last 5 years, their coming

ChasterMies3d ago

I found this video painful to watch. Can someone list them out?

Top 10 for me from are:
1. 2013 reveal presentation
2. Bundling Kinect 2 with Xbox One
3. RRoD or why rushing to market with hardware is always a bad idea.
4. Buying studios only to close them.
5. Ads on the Home Screen
6. Letting Halo die.
7. Letting Geard of War die.
8. Every console name
9. Charging for Xbox Live on Xbox 360 when Sony let PS3 players play online for free.
10. Cancelling release of OG Xbox games after the Xbox 360 launched.

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60°

CRKD and Limited Run Games Team Up for Special Edition Tomb Raider Controllers

CRKD, and Limited Run Games announced a special Tomb Raider edition of CRKD's popular NEO S, and Nitro Deck+ controller. - IS

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infinitestart.com