750°

Minecraft to Join Microsoft

Xbox :

"Today is an incredibly exciting day for our team as Mojang and the Minecraft franchise join Microsoft. Minecraft is one of the most popular video games of all time, with more than 100 million downloads, on PC alone, from players since its launch in 2009. Minecraft inspires millions to create together, connects people across the globe, and is a community that is among the most active and passionate in the world."

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
Smurf13508d ago

It did happen. Why did you waste money Microsoft? :/

n4rc3508d ago

While I ask myself the same question..

I can't argue with a company that rakes in the money ms does.. They obviously have a plan for them, we just don't know it yet

Gazondaily3508d ago

This is a big move by MS. I wonder if a Minecraft sequel is in the works? I suspect they have big plans for Mojang beyond just the Xbox One.

uptownsoul3508d ago

Like you all, I don't understand Microsoft's end-game here. They're still going to support Minecraft on all devices, so I'd like to see they plan on doing.

Blastoise3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Minecraft is a huge seller, its not just about the Xbox brand Microsoft would probably get more money by just letting it continue to sell on Playstation & IOS. Plus theres the huge amount of merchandise out there. Thats why they bought it, I assume.

christocolus3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

@n4rc

Totally agree

@septic

They definitly have bigger plans for minecraft, mojang and future ips&it makes me wonder if MS has other plans in the works to aquire more studios.

MeliMel3508d ago

@septic,

I believe so to. Also since Minecraft is an awesome creative game. Do you think Project Spark tool set would somhow be intergrated into the next game along with what Minecraft already has? Maybe im getting way to ahead myself on this one.

MeliMel3508d ago

@ Christocolus,

Its possible. I remember reading here. That MS was looking at acquiring more studios and ips.

ABizzel13508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

$2.5 billion buying a company that you still have to invest in.

Instead of $2.5 billion split among your first party developers. Even at 100m per game that would have been 25 exclusives for the XBO (5 more AAA exclusives to your line-up for the next 5 years).

I understand why they bought them, because how big the company has become, but it was a wasteful move IMO, and the fact they're able to spending that much money on one company goes to show this move wasn't specifically for Xbox, it was for MS.

I guess Minecraft on every PC is the real motivator. It's a way to start selling more computers, and build up their OS offerings. As for XBO it might even be a free game that's part of the Dashboard OS, and push console sales (but you can upgrade for $5, so I don't see how that really helps).

MeliMel3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

@abizzle,

The more i read about how MS should spend the 2billion. The more i forget how much $$$ MS has. I mean, MS has enough money to buy Minecraft for 2bil and still do what you really think they should.

uptownsoul3508d ago

@Blastoise
I get what your saying about Minecraft being a huge seller, but it's not like Microsoft was desperate for money. And what I found odd was the announcement itself…Microsoft has an announcement for the Mojang acquisition but the rest of what they said was just "charlie brown adult talk"

ABizzel13508d ago

@meliMel

It's not even the money that bothers me, we all know MS is a multi-billion dollar company. It's the fact that they're investing so much in acquiring a company, and not in the studios developing games for them, or scouping up 5 mid-sized studios at $500m a piece, or even 25 smaller studios at $100m a piece.

That's why this deal is more for MS than it is for Xbox.

And I truly think MS is reshaping the Xbox brand to be less of a traditional console, into more of a software service of Windows Games (they already have an Xbox app for Windows 8).

I still think we'll see a console next-gen from MS, but it'll probably be a PConsole just like the Steam Machines where it's all off the shelf parts thrown into a console box, but still aimed at core gamers, and at the same time setting the standard for which PC games are developed for hardware wise.

XBLSkull3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

I wouldn't mind that, a more closed console experience at a small base price that would play all games throughout its lifecycle, but people could buy better hardware to get better performance if they so chose. Kind of like the RAM upgrade in the N64.

I love the power of my gaming PC and that I can upgrade it, but Xbox Live is a superior experience to orgin/steam/PSN/etc. Microsoft being such a huge company has nearly limitless potential in the gaming industry

GribbleGrunger3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

It's good news that they openly stated they're going to support the PS versions, so it's not quite as bad as it could have been. How swiftly they support the PS versions and to what standard is another thing.

It's also worth noting that this effectively makes MS a third party developer. Could this perhaps persuade MS to consider going a similar direction with other franchises?

Thantalas3508d ago

Really clever title to the news.

It's not: 'Microsoft BUY Mojang' because it makes it sound like MS are the greedy bad guys buying up the indie companies in an involuntary takeover.

It is: "Mojang JOIN Microsoft" which has a much more friendly angle and makes it sound more like Mojang are voluntarily joining a team.

Clever stuff press releases!

Volkama3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

The way they talk makes it sound like the Minecraft IP really is the motivation for this buyout. But then again it is usually best to try and ignore the things that PR mouthpieces say, so who knows.

I played Minecraft for the first time ever yesterday (because my wife things it would be a good choice for my children). I can understand some of the appeal, but honestly I think Project Spark would be more worthy of any time spent being creative.

gootimes3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

It sells really well on PlayStation, and they put 2.5 billion into it, so they are going to want to sell it on EVERYTHING they can until they get the investment back. That is how I see it... I think it still sells well at least, I haven't really checked lately actually.

SilentNegotiator3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Because everything Microsoft has ever done has made lots of money?

3+ years ago, this might have made a lot more sense. There's no telling if Minecraft will stay this popular and make their money back in a timely fashion.

mikeslemonade3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Good for gamers, good for the industry, and I'm happy. If you can't see it then you lack common sense.

Even if I didn't have a X1 I would be happy. When TR was timed exclusive and I only had a PS4 I was happy too.

InactiveUser3507d ago

That's the first time I've seen Phil not look like a douche. Obviously a lot of corporate talk in there, but it was a professional and quality announcement. I'm surprised he actually said PlayStation. I know the rumored plan was that it wouldn't become exclusive, but I don't think I've heard him mention PlayStation before in an official announcement beyond the twitter 'congratulations on the PS4 launch' type statements.

It probably works out money wise, since the game sells a lot as far as I've heard. I think it was a bad buy though. That money could have funded a lot of quality exclusives. Instead they get a game that looks like it's ~20 years old and won't even be exclusive.

Doubtful at the moment, but is this a sign of Microsoft positioning itself to becoming the next Sega; getting out of the console business and focusing on multiplat software?

MrPink20133507d ago (Edited 3507d ago )

How would the reactions have been if Nintendo bought them? Not nearly as bad or pessimistic I imagine. Which goes to show the responses mainly stem from people who dislike the company yet have very little interest in what Microsoft may do to further innovate the Minecraft franchise. Look at where they took Halo and how they marketed that. You think anyone other than Microsoft has the financial backing and the technology to make it even bigger than it currently is now?

Minecraft had become way too big with way too much responsibility for a small studio to handle. Of course someone was going to take over. What's next is anyone's guess but unlike Angry Birds this has a much longer lasting appeal just like how kids still play Lego after all these years.

miyamoto3507d ago

M$ thinks money can buy success against the PlayStation... but that is all M$has as a company - tons of money.
Other than that.... like brains, creativity, originality, passion, vision, etc.

M$ is the Unicron of gaming.

In every emerging market of computing technology whether:
personal computers (the Apple Macintosh), then MS DOS and Windows
word processing (Word Perfect), then M$ Word
internet browser(Netscape), then IE
video games (PlayStation 2 & PlayStation exclusive games), then Xbox
mp3 players (iPod), then Zune
smartphones (iPhone & Android), then Windows Phone
tablets (iPad & Android), then Surface
search engines(Google) then Bing
etc etc

Microsoft is the unoriginal, second rate trying hard, copycat, money monster bully who always wants to steal market share from the original upstarts, then try to monopolize it and in turn destroying everything!

Minecraft is going to be destroyed like Nokia & Rare its 100% guaranteed.

n4rc3507d ago (Edited 3507d ago )

Have you seen their earnings reports lately dude?

What you just said is a baseless fanboy rant.. If they suck so bad and don't know what they are doing, how do they manage to rake in billions a month?

Or do they "steal" that too? Grow up

All the products you mention were beaten by a better product.. That's how business works..

Do I need to start listing who invented the TV or surround sound or console gaming just to make Sony look bad? Damn second rate copycats!! Lol.. can't they do anything original?

See? Pretty silly yes?

+ Show (18) more repliesLast reply 3507d ago
nX3508d ago

Because they are bold and shameless, they should've made that deal 3 years ago. I wouldn't say it's too late now but it's very risky since everyone and their mother owns Minecraft already. The good thing is that we'll probably get a heavily funded Minecraft 2 out of this.

equal_youth3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

do you think we will be getting minecraft 2 on playstation as well? i am just curious as i would think they will bring it exclusively to xbox brand and pc.

nX3508d ago

^I'm almost sure it will be PC/Xbox/Windows Phone exclusive. I'm fine with that as long as I don't need a Xbox for it.

Lawboy23508d ago

@ equal youth.

He said that it will continue on playstation

Dontworrybhappy3508d ago

Why not keep it on Playstation as well as bringing it to Nintendo? Would'nt they make more money selling it on more platforms.

Tuviejacalata3508d ago

Awesome deal. Congrats to mojang. Can't wait to see what they do next. Minecraft 2 has the potential to be the most addicting game ever with all the resources they have now.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3508d ago
equal_youth3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

i had so much hope in notch doing the right thing. its like george lucas had sold the star wars franchise to FOX in the 70s.

Edit @ Bloodborn: Yeah but my thought was that it may make more money for notch over the time he is living when he keeps the rights for himself and his company.

nX3508d ago

You would do the same, just like the Oculus guys selling out to Facebook. Money makes this world go round, I wouldn't care about the "right thing" when there are billions at stake that will change your live forever.

jackanderson19853508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

didn't necessarily waste any money (although most definitely spent some cash)... they could have opted for a share transfer or share transfer/cash ...Notch gets 1 bil worth of shares (less than .06% of MS total worth), the other guy gets .8bil and then 700mil cash split between them in whatever percentages.

Also MS get all assets and investments that Mojang are in so that also gets added back to MS.

Once the deal is finalized the actual money cost to MS will pop up and i honestly doubt it'll be that much considering the size of the deal

finally, MS are expecting to make the 2.5billion back by the end of FY15 so they obviously know something is up

blackout3508d ago

I also read something about Microsoft recouping the money back by the end of 2015/16. Also this, Just think of the tool set that will be used for future Minecrafe and Project Spake games. The possibilities are endless with this purchase. I'm in the clouds just thinking of a Project Spark & Minecrafe high-bred. WoW, and it's going to stay on all platforms. Get that money Microsoft.

3508d ago
mark3214uk3508d ago

they criticized oculus for selling out to facebook now they have done the same, bunch of hypocrite

-Foxtrot3508d ago

Never really thought of that

DarkOcelet3508d ago

Oh well there goes the money for 25 new AAA IPs :/

Trolltroll3508d ago

$$$$$$$$

Lets do some quick math if they release Mincraft 2 or Minecraft MMO (this will happen) and lets just say they sell the same quantity of PC only games that is 100mil plus. Lets pretend that make 20$ per game that is 100mil×20$= 2billion + the new minecraft is windows & xbox one exclucives.

have a good day everyone. A lot of good games are comming our way soon.

lelo2play3508d ago

Such insanity. Minecraft is not worth 2.5 billion. So many studios and games Microsoft could fund with this money.

otherZinc3508d ago

This purchase is to the individuals that thought the XBOX ONE & XBOX Division wasn't "profitable", it is.

M$ is investing in the XBOX ONE, heavily, in:
343 Industries:Halo
Gears Franchise
Turn 10:Motorsport & Horizon
NFL
Minecraft
Kinect:it isn't going anywhere
Remedy:Quantum Break
App Functionality
XBOX Live

And, if you only care about games, XBOX ONE has more AAA exclusives than the PS4 at the time.

BallsEye3508d ago

Mojang is probably working on Minecraft 2 for a long time now. I doubt all ttheir manpower goes toward a sh!tty texture packs and occasional update. Ofcourse in addition to that, now MS will get money from every copy sold, even on PSN.

ZombieGamerMan3508d ago

@ GribbleGrunger Well guess Sony won this war then if MS are now supporting the PS4 with a game, the Sega approach.

Berenwulf3508d ago

That's why I don't like Microsoft... Minecraft will never be the same!

Ulf3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

They didn't waste money at all.

Let me point out some facts that most people ignore, and let readers draw conclusions as to why Minecraft is worth $2.5B:

First, the obvious, but not most important reason:
0) Minecraft makes money... over $1B to date.

And now to GOOD reasons:
1) Mincraft is written in Java. Java is a language owned by the Oracle corporation, and Oracle makes zillions from letting Java run on over 3 billion devices.

2) Microsoft has a language similar to Java (but better), called C#, which is slowly gaining traction, but its too slow to overtake Java, really.

3) Minecraft is a game, and is fun to mod. LOTS of young people learn Java for pretty much this reason alone. Minecraft is, in fact, used in some countries (and now some parts of the US), to TEACH PROGRAMMING... in Java.

...and now.. the thrilling conclusion, for those who haven't figured it out:

4) Minecraft 2.0... could be now be written in C#, and would then only run on devices that are running C#, giving C# a HUGE leg up against Java, its primary competitor.

Microsoft makes a game console to support the rest of their business, folks. They make DirectX/3D so that you will game on a Windows platform, and they make a console with a PC-like API so that game developers will NOT abandon Windows gaming. MS knows that $2.5 billion is worth it, if C# gets a shot at beating Java as the byte-code cross-platform language of choice in the future.

Owning the biggest reason for kids to learn Java, over C#, is a big step for them.

HugoDrax3508d ago

Interesting! and an intelligent analysis my friend. Bubble + for you :-)

silvacrest3507d ago

interesting analysis but what if minecraft loses popularity before microsofts master plans takes shape?

gangsta_red3507d ago

Very intelligent Ulf.

Good to see some like you are thinking the long term and outside the box and not just the standard "MS wasted their money" or "MS should have bout more____".

Minecraft is a huge IP and with it being on virtually every system including the PS brand it will only rake in more money for MS. Not to mention any other project Majong may be working on.

mcarsehat3508d ago

I....what? Waste????

This can only spell good things for Microsoft, they bought one of the biggest companies on the planet, they have bought into a game that is home to millions of players that isn't just a game, it is a tool, it is big in schools, it can help autistic children interact and learn in new ways. They could even make a professional Minecraft for Builders and Graphic Designers (that last bit was a joke but you never know) and it will get them billions int he process.

I don't even play Minecraft and i know how good the possibilities could be.

ziggurcat3507d ago

"It did happen. Why did you waste money Microsoft?"

because they obviously would much rather rest on the laurels of an existing franchise rather than spend that money on taking a few risks with new IPs...

C-H-E-F3507d ago

Because Microsoft is worth over 280billion and can do that?? LMFAO. I'm not a fan of Minecraft actually never owned an Xbox but when you have the funds to disrupt others financial flow from which you are at competition with. Well, you do what you have to do to get it done. Was it worth the purchase? Time will tell, but sheesh that money could've went in soooooooo many other places for the overall game division.

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 3507d ago
Paprika3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Mojang to work on kinect sports titles. Bingo, classic exclusives. Yeah... right!

Mojang is not minecraft in its entirety. Minecraft was gold, is mojang truly going to continue producing blockbusters? No... not IMO.

gamerfan09093508d ago

So they bought the studio to not have them keep making Minecraft? How does that make any sense in your logic whatsoever?

Jdoki3508d ago

Well, not saying I agree with Paprika, but you could use Rare as a measure.

After Perfect Dark on the 360 how many of Rare's old IP have they developed?

Rare had tonnes of AAA IP when MS bought them, and not only have Rare not developed those, but the new IP they did create (Viva Pinata, Kameo, Ghoulies) have disappeared too. Instead they have been making mostly Kinect shovelware

So I don't think there is any guarantee that Mojang will be on Minecraft for the long term. Many of the ports have already been spun off to other devs - such as the popular 360 version.

Paprika3508d ago

When did I say they'd ditch minecraft? Buying mojang is the headline, they are basically buying the IP minecraft this is the value not the dev. Minecraft has however peaked massively and I don't see a sequel creating as much hype as the original did. Myopinion, its pretty obvious the money used to buy "minecraft" could've been used to create flagship games halo sized with core gamers.

I understand why ms bought it, its great business as a brand they now control. But it largely changes nothing for us, minus maybe mc2 bring exclusive.... which I don't care as its better on PC anyway

jrshankill3508d ago

While I agree that it will be difficult to capture lightning in a bottle twice, it is still a good acquisition for any company. It has made Mojang a ton of money. I feel a lot of negativity here comes from the fact that it was Microsoft who bought Mojang. If it was Sony I am sure the comments here would be different.
No one knows for sure but I would expect Minecraft 2 to be an exclusive. I also see a high res remake of Mincecraft in the pipeline for Xbox One only. It may take away the charm, but it will still take away the money from parent's pockets.
Money is being made, companies are happy, the fans get new releases with a load of cash and resources (excuse the pun) put behind it.... win win.

Redgehammer3508d ago

Minecraft is a timeless game, a great entry point for all types of individuals into the world of gaming. My sons still play it, I play it, and kids in diapers now, will be playing it in their future. A future, I believe, that is more guaranteed. The digital cousin to Legos, Minecraft, too, will never go out of stile. I think its a great acquisition, as long as all platforms are supported.

3508d ago
Hellsvacancy3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Does anyone know how much money Microsoft invested in the XB1? MS could've bought loads studios etc with that 2.5 billion, they've basically given the people at Mogang eary retirement money

hello123508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

They've set up five new first party studios already it was discovered a few months back and those studios are hiring at the moment

http://static1.gamespot.com...

Microsoft has 86 billion to invest in new projects, so they can do what they like if the choose to.

lol the reason i gave for Microsoft buying Minecraft turns out to be true. I said last night on N4G it was due to activity charts for 360 showing Minecraft in the top three most played games. Phil Spencer just said it there too.

Minecraft was a huge game on 360 and no surprise Microsoft wanted it.

Kayant@ They're studios hiring at the moment, we see if games will come from them.

Kayant3508d ago

Those studios also don't seem to be full development studios from the info found. They are more support helping out other studios/incubation as of now.

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

Above is the source from where this was discovered.

uptownsoul3508d ago

I agree that Microsoft has plenty of money $86B to invest. But Microsoft has been making poor choices with their money…Prime example: Why take the Kinect out of the box. Microsoft has now made 2 separate classes of Xbox One owner (those with Kinect and those without). Some can use all the Xbox One features (snap, xbox on, record that), some can't…And all of that could have been avoided had Microsoft used a fraction of that $86B to just drop the Xbox One w/Kinect down to $399. If they did that, then people could leave the kinect in the box until they heard about a feature that intrigued them. Instead, 2 separate classes of Xbox One owner (those with Kinect and those without)

ABizzel13508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Those aren't "new studios". They were second teams that supported games from the larger studios, usually making DLC and assisting with development when needed, or former Kinect studios.

The fact is 2 or 3 of their games have been scrapped, curiosity of Phil which is why the Tomb Raider deal was made. MS was trying to make their Uncharted, and didn't like what was being done.

I truly don't understand what MS was thinking here They could have invested 100m dollars in 25 New Exclusives for the same price as buying Mojang. It just doesn't make sense, unless their goal is to sale computers by having Mojang free in every new PC.

This purchase has to be greater than the Xbox division, because there's no way they spent 2.5 billion to buy just 1 developer, a bigger developer with multiple IPs under their belt.

Once again this is really has me believing that the next Xbox will be heavily PC focused, and be a PConsole. Like the Nintendo rumors have me believing their next console will be a handheld-hybrid.

If all this pans out, I want my royalties MS and Nintendo, cause you've been reading my blogs and comments. I want my check, and I'll gladly settle for a few million each. And Sony I want my check for giving each platform the space to grow and dominate your own market of gaming, so send a few million my way too.

Baka-akaB3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

I dunno how why time is wasted defending this from a gamer's viewpoint . It's a great move on the financial end for MS and Mojang most likely .

But are we accountants , share holders and do we work for those people ? for the most part nope .

So on our end , as gamers , and regardless of how much MS already invested in new studios ... it's still 2 bellions (last i heard) being poured into a single game studio , when it could be used to create and push more games .

This deal mostly help the minecraft franchise , and the wallet , not so much the rest .. at least not directly

imt5583508d ago

Looks like studios ( except Good Science ) are for technology or something.

https://careers.microsoft.c...

Maybe it will be some new IP.

Well, not all of these studios are game makers.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3508d ago
nX3508d ago

Notch will probably celebrate this every day for the rest of his life, he probably became the Bill Gates of gaming today.

tablecloth3508d ago

True, they could have made new studios but they come at risks whether they would succeed or not.
Minecraft could be compared to Mario, in a sense that it has a wide range of audience if not bigger. Merchandise, conventions and lots of word of mouth. It surely will be interesting to see what Microsoft will do with it.
Xbox/PC/Windows Phone exclusive for the next Minecraft perhaps and if not, they could probably earn their money back if they go multi-platform if they play it right.

blackout3508d ago

Thank you. Someone with a brain. This is huge news.

3508d ago Replies(1)
GUTZnPAPERCUTZ3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

They bought a "Proven" developer, instead of potentially wasting money on supporting new ones that are unproven, play the best hand dealt.

LordMaim3508d ago

Rare was a proven developer too.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3508d ago
Kayant3508d ago

"At Microsoft, we believe in the power of content to unite people. Minecraft adds diversity to our game portfolio and helps us reach new gamers across multiple platforms. Gaming is the top activity across devices and we see great potential to continue to grow the Minecraft community and nurture the franchise. That is why we plan to continue to make Minecraft available across platforms – including iOS, Android and PlayStation, in addition to Xbox and PC. " - Well looks like bloomberg were right unsurprisingly. I wonder if Minecraft 2 is in the works and how that will be handled. I expect marketing to be Xbox/PC/WP centred.

SoulWarrior3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

Good of them to allow it to release and be supported across all platforms, it would hinder the game to keep it exclusive and glad MS saw sense in this, and it will net them loads of extra cash.

Hope the other platform holders don't have any problems with this.

Kayant3508d ago

"Hope the other platform holders don't have problems with this." Would be stupid if they did. The game prints money on EVERY platform it's on.

jrshankill3508d ago

but wait.. Microsoft is evil and want to monopolize gaming!! How dare they let their property be on different consoles??!!

mark3214uk3508d ago

if they make a sequel i can guarantee you it will be exclusive to x1

Cherchez La Ghost3508d ago

It seems like people don't know how much money this will bring to MS. It takes money to make money.

Baka-akaB3508d ago (Edited 3508d ago )

I just question how much of that profits will translate into more games for us . I'm sure some of it will , but i feel we'd benefits from more directly with even a portion of the sum invested in other games .

It's one issue i already had with the 360 days . Sure MS being financially healty was nice , but it could have translated into more of the benefits poured into more games for 360 , especially last year , at the "end" of it's cycle and before the shift to xb1 .

Show all comments (198)
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?"

purple1019d 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 ☝️

Zeref9d 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.

DarXyde9d 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.

PhillyDonJawn9d ago (Edited 9d 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.

Einhander19728d 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.

MrBaskerville8d 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.

shinoff21838d 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.

Profchaos8d 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 8d ago
isarai9d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref9d 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.

MrNinosan9d ago

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

mkis0078d ago (Edited 8d ago )

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

Einhander19729d 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.

9d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19729d ago

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

9d ago
9d ago
Zeref9d 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.

DarXyde9d 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.

Einhander19729d 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.

Einhander19729d 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.

BehindTheRows9d ago (Edited 9d 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.

Zeref8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

Chevalier8d 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.

Tacoboto8d 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.

shinoff21838d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto8d 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 8d ago
Hofstaderman9d 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?

crazyCoconuts8d 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.

Xeofate8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

crazyCoconuts8d 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

FinalFantasyFanatic8d 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.

Show all comments (43)
370°

Could Xbox Soon Become The Next Dreamcast?

Microsoft's future in the video game space is murky right now, so let's break it all down.

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
ApocalypseShadow21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Not anytime soon. But they're on that path.

One thing not mentioned in the article is Microsoft's money bags. If Sega had Microsoft's money, they would have still been around as a hardware manufacturer. Xbox as a platform only survives because of the money bags. They can continue making consoles for the core and port to PC.

The multiplatform strategy is only the result of arrogance and misguided leadership that blew up in their face. They thought gamers would jump on Xbox in droves if they knew that many of their favorite games would be only on Xbox. But that's not happening at all. Sales didn't increase. They decreased. Why? Because the dumb asses thought giving away these expensively made games in a cheap service would also turn the tide.

Gamers on other platforms are willing to buy quality. They don't need to be handed nearly free games in a service that aren't even finished and sometimes average in their development. Gamers buy Nintendo games. They buy Sony games. Microsoft groomed their base to not buy games. Even the quality ones. It has always been their plan to go digital. But most gamers still like single player gaming. Still like physical releases.

Microsoft's problem has always been that they don't produce high quality games at the same output as Nintendo and Sony. Actually, they should be producing quite a lot more because they're worth over 2 TRILLION. How they don't have more is ridiculous and no excuse. Buying publishers to take away from competition only backfired. Because it still takes millions of dollars to continue to make those games from the publishers they snatched. Their only choice was to crawl back to their competitors to help sustain those developers because Nintendo and Sony platforms were the ones buying games.

Am I sorry for Microsoft? Hell no! They deserved last place for putting in the least effort. They deserved the fallout for buying up the industry and didn't make a single blip on the radar against their competitors where they now need those same gamers they took away games from to support them. Part of it may have been to cash in on their competition. But the result is the slow death of their platform. They may go 3rd party. They may keep making hardware. I don't give a shit about them to worry about it. I only give a shit about the destructive nature of their industry moves that only negatively affect gamers. They could sell and drop out of the industry and I wouldn't blink. Probably laugh. But not blink. They deserve whatever comes to them. At least Sega put in the effort when it came to games. They just had poor leadership. Microsoft has poor leadership and barely makes memorable games. That's a killer combination. And not in a good way.

Cacabunga21d ago

That would be an insult to Dreamcast.. it had a crazy line up of legendary critically acclaimed games.

Crows9021d ago

I was thinking the same. Dreamcast had incredible games in such a short amount of time. It was truly exceptional.

darthv7220d ago

...and yet all those great games were not enough to sway people from the looming release of the PS2 at the time. Sony just has that kind of brand loyalty.

Cacabunga20d ago

Darth

I do not agree.. Sony had even better games thanks to an unprecedented 3rd party support..
DC had amazing lineup but 90% were arcade games..

88320d ago

@darth:
And Sony showed off "The Emotion Engine" and their real time demos that made everyone think they would miss out on REAL next gen 128bit magic if they jumped in before PS2s polygon pushing monster (and early lack of anti-aliasing with a healthy heap of shimmer + DVD playback) stepped up. PS2 was a fantastic system though with amazing games.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 20d ago
blacktiger21d ago

That's not true. Just because Microsoft has the money doesn't mean Microsoft can allow xbox to bleed entire Microsoft money. It doesn't work like they. Also SEC will be watching and investor won't allow it. Lot of reasons why Microsoft can not continue even if they wanted to. SEC regulations is expensive.

fr0sty21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Exactly this... Microsoft is a publicly traded company, mostly owned by their shareholders (Approximately 59.24% of the company's stock is owned by Institutional Investors, 7.73% is owned by Insiders and 33.03% is owned by Public Companies and Individual Investors.). Their shareholders call the shots on the business decisions, and their shareholders want one thing and one thing only, for their stock price to go up. Losses do not make stock prices go up... so if the division continually posts losses on hardware, but shows profits on software and services (which has been the case with Xbox its entire lifespan, for over 20 years now), the shareholders are going to grow impatient and demand they stop making hardware and focus on the only thing that has ever made them money, software and services.

When Microsoft bought Blizzard and Activision for almost 100 billion, I knew that was the nail in the coffin for Xbox as a console... as the shareholders were going to expect a quick return on that investment, and when it didn't materialize, they were going to be out for blood... out to force Xbox to sell those games on as many consoles as possible, "and while you're at it, sell those first party exclusives that aren't selling well on other consoles as well... hell, just stop making consoles and sell games."

If there is another Xbox console generation, it will definitely be the last, but I doubt there even will be one at this point. I think the Xbox division planning on it just in case, but I don't think the project has been greenlit from Microsoft itself. The rumors that they have not yet even secured the chips needed from the chip fabrication facilities ties into this.

shinoff218321d ago

While I usually agree with you . Alot of what was said can just also be asked before any of that.

How long will the shareholders wait? It doesn't appear long at all

Babadook720d ago

I think I get your point. Like just because MS has money does not mean they are content to throw it away on a dying ecosystem. Xbox has to be profitable or “what’s the point?”

ifinitygamer21d ago

Money bags, yes, but are we ignoring that Xbox actually makes a profit on games and GamePass? Hardware is often a loss leader, and they're probably making profit 4 years into the life cycle, but games and services revenue have been very profitable while other parts of Microsoft's business is struggling. Say what you will about the quality of those games, of course, but this is kind of a reverse Dreamcast situation, where the console was dragging down the company and put it at risk of shuttering entirely. Killing that console saved the business and allowed it to continue to make games on multiple platforms. In this case, the service is very profitable, as are the games, and they're also double-dipping into Multiplatform to extend this further, while their hardware is just sort of what they believe to be the best for gamers and their own titles (whether that is the case or not...)

fr0sty21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

The issue is, they aren't selling enough hardware to make their exclusives profitable, and now that they've bought half the gaming publisher/dev industry, they have no choice but to go third party to make a profit... and that is making their shareholders take a real close look at their hardware division under the microscope... why keep making the hardware if the software is all that is making them money, and they continually, generation after generation come in dead last with hardware sales?

Look at a game like Spiderman 2... if it had been an Xbox exclusive, with the amount it cost to develop, it would have been a huge failure... simply not enough consoles out there to sell it on. They would have been lucky to break even.

ifinitygamer20d ago

@fr0sty agreed completely, which is why they're hedging by releasing other games to multiplatform, plus they have PC to make up for the difference in a lot of ways, which is why their games are not complete money pits. It brings up the question of whether or not those exclusives would drive sales of consoles, though. Let's say Spiderman 2 was an Xbox exclusive, it would certainly have pushed console sales, though who's to say how much is anyone's guess.

fr0sty20d ago

That's why you can't rely on just one exclusive, Sony has always delivered on a wide range of solid exclusives, even this generation (even if they haven't been strong on the first party exclusives, they've made up for it with third party). They don't rely on just one "system seller", they have a portfolio of them.

20d ago
JBlaze22620d ago

ApocalypseShadow To be honest Sony has more of a chance to go 3rd party because like you said Microsoft has money, Sony does not. Sony does not have games, Only games they have come from 3rd party. Sony has been losing money for years and you. Saying Microsoft has been putting the least effort just proves you have no idea what's been going on. All Sony has done is repeat and recycle, never innovating or doing something new. All Sony has is brand loyalty nothing else and it shows.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 20d ago
LG_Fox_Brazil21d ago

Not sure about that. It's been two decades and I still think about Power Stone, Shenmue, Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Seaman and others, but I'm not sure I'll remember Xbox Series X/S games in a few years from now... Maybe I'll remember about the franchises that the Xbox brand spawned, but I don't believe that the Xbox Series lives up to the late Dreamcast or even to the Xbox name itself. I do have great memories about the 360 with Blue Dragon, Gears 2 and Lost Odyssey though

isarai21d ago

Nah, sega actually makes good games

Becuzisaid21d ago

No, Dreamcast was ahead of it's time and most still have very fond memories of it that had one. It also had some good games on it even in it's short lifespan. Xbox has none of these qualities.

Profchaos21d ago

I remember it coming out at the time in a really bad place they hit the market before the PS2 but it was during this transitional time when Sony was promoting the power of the PS2 and so many of the Dreamcast games were awesome but often third parties simply ported the PS1 version increased resolution and performance but rarely fully utilise the capabilities of the console.

I think in the end bad marketing done it in and like the GameCube so many people are fond of it now but at the time it was looked at in the lense of the day and it didn't stack up.

Personally I miss Sega in hardware they took risks that many companies won't

Becuzisaid21d ago

I never owned it, and got the PS2 right when it launched. But there were certain games it had that I was always jealous of that I didn't have access to - Sonic adventure, crazy taxi, power Stone, code Veronica, shenmue, skies of Arcadia. I always thought it was a really cool machine though. I've never heard a bad thing about it though from those that had it.

FinalFantasyFanatic20d ago

I only ever saw one Dreamcast, and that was one my friend owned, pity I never got to play it, I wonder what games he had for it?

It would be nice if some of those games got ported to modern systems.

Profchaos21d ago

Oh man sonic adventure on the Dreamcast made me so jealous as a huge sonic fan on the mega drive who also moved to PlayStation 2 I never got the chance to play it back in the day either. The Dreamcast in Australia where I am was always relegated to the smallest corner of EB Games it was kind of a strong first indicator that things were not going well at the time.

Show all comments (72)
80°

Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox and weekly streaks to be killed off soon

Microsoft has announced the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox will be discontinued in April and has confirmed that weekly streaks will also be coming to an end.

Read Full Story >>
trueachievements.com