Why Didn’t Microsoft Attempt to Steal Sony’s Thunder This Week?

Matt Whitaker writes, Phil Spencer and Microsoft’s Xbox division could have done literally anything to take some of the attention away from the overwhelming success of the PlayStation Experience. They could have given us a piece of Gears of War concept art, released updates on the soon-to-be awesome ID@Xbox program (or abolished the disgusting Parity Clause that’s secretly hurting the Xbox One’s library), or put out legitimate information on how Games with Gold is actually going to get better. We could have been talking about the Xbox One instead of all that is PlayStation this week, but instead Microsoft seemed content with letting Sony steal back momentum after losing Black Friday. Microsoft has come full circle after the disastrous television, I mean Xbox One, reveal, but now is the time to start throwing hay-makers. The Xbox One has seemingly climbed back into what was seen as an impossible fight, though it’s impossible to win without attempting to put down the opponent, no matter the cost.

[Abash]

Sony has a lot of PS4 games to talk about coming in the first half of 2015 alone. If Microsoft had more Xbox One games ready for the same release window, we'd be hearing about them, hence why they didn't try to "steal any thunder". It seems like what they have planned for 2015 for Xbox One is happening in the later half of the year.

[MCTJim]

I'll disagree to that. They do have games coming out. But why announce them now? Hype?, because Sony did? I would rather be somewhat surprised about new games coming out rather than already knowing whats laid out the entire year.

I remember when you just got glimpses in magazines and E3 would be their reveal. I also believe MS has an event scheduled for January next year..but its not all about XBox.

[darthv72]

I don't know. Maybe they are taking the higher road and being respectful. Phil might be trying to change the image of the typical MS PR person by saying good job Sony and just keeping it at that.

Not that it would change anyone's perceptions of the platform. Hell, why didnt Nintendo try to steal any of Sony's thunder as well? Arent there 3 horses in this race or did one suddenly not show up at the gate?

[GiggMan]

Why announce them now?

So people can prepare to buy them lol. Games that are coming out in Feb - May should have at least been mentioned by now.

It's not about hype it's about business. If you have a product ready to come to market you announce it then advertise it...

I'm sure MS has big plans but don't expect to see anything until E3. If it's anything like their last one it should be all about "games".

[Jaqen_Hghar]

If that's their strategy then why have they announced 2016 games already? If they had stuff coming they would have announced it at E3. Instead they announced stuff far off just to say they had X number of games at their conference. It's an illusion as listwar.com shows.

[kurruptor]

What an idiotic question, why tell your customers what games are coming in the next 6 months?

Let's not also forget that MS has already been bragging about Holiday 2015. So, explain that one?

They don't have anything major coming out in the near future. They blew their wad this holiday.

[InTheLab]

Why would they do it now? Why not. When Sony unveiled the PS4, MS scrambled and cobbled together a terrible copy showing of their unimpressive (at the time) console.

MS is reactionary like that and if they had any content outside of the usual fall lineup, they'd show it.

[BitbyDeath]

Nintendo aren't racing as they share little in common with the others. They are the perfect companion console.

Xbox just has no games worth mentioning until next Christmas sad but true, no point showing anything till E3.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Look at the number of games both consoles has at the moment.

204 PS4 - 136 Xbox

Sure you could say that 82 of the games on the PS4 list are indies, but 19 of the games on the Xbox One's list are also indies.

Between the consoles there are 102 games that are available on both consoles, leaving 102 games on the PS4 and 34 games on the Xbox One?

The problem with this story is simply this;
How is Microsoft supposed to steal Sony's "thunder" when they don't have anything to show off? Seriously. I'm not trying to be a jerk or a troll or anything, but Microsoft hasn't introduced or released any new trailers or details for any of the games they supposedly have lined up for 2015. I don't understand it. They could at least post some trailers for Tomb Raider one day every other month to generate some interest. How about a new trailer/gameplay for Quantum Break? Does Microsoft have anything at all?

[Double Toasted]

I'd rather have games announced then hitting the date without delay. MS does this preferably. Lol, I honestly can't recall the opposite since being a fan of theirs', as far as Xbox is concerned.

[gaffyh]

MCTJim - You've got valid points, but it is a fact that MS tends to focus all their games in the last 4-5 months of the year. I don't expect any big releases until AT LEAST August. We may get something in March, but if it's not already been announced, I wouldn't expect much.

[mikeslemonade]

Microsoft is too much in the red to show more.

[GameNameFame]

@darth what are you talking about...

Phil has been on PR mode and been trying to hype up x1 as soon as psx hit.

He just didn't have any announcement cause there is nothing to announce.

[4Sh0w]

#1 Microsoft does not need to follow sony and react to everything sony does....nor does sony to microsoft. Consumers aren't buying more ps4's just because sony did a show that basically was all about known stuff with SF being the only real surprise. Nor would Micro gain anything with a "me too" half baked counter show that really was a rushed response rather than a compelling show done the right way.

#2 Microsoft had a great year of exclusives, finishing off with even more awesome exclusives released over the last few months released so why not take a breath and focus on letting those great games plus the value of the bundles boost their hardware sells.

#3 So what are the release dates of sony big AAA games...talking about games coming is great but without release dates WHEN?...even with release dates we've seen alot of games pushed back. It's ironic many are talking about X1 biggest games not coming to the later part of the year but when is UC2 expected??? Also I don’t think there is any confirmed release dates for most of sonys game lineup.

#4 Microsoft has plenty of games for 2015, I'm sure most will release in the later half but I'm sure they will have a few over the first 6 months of 2015 that they haven't confirmed the date yet.

#5 Microsoft has a January event dedicated to Windows 10 but there also might be some information on the X1 dashboard update/Windows pass integration, also its an opportunity to maybe highlight Crackdown progress and show more Quantum Break, Scalebound, Fable, Halo5, Phantom Dust, etc but as Phil said its best to wait for the right time when you have something more to shoe and they rather focus on E3 for a full scale game show instead of regurgitating everything we've already seen.

[guitarded77]

@GiggMan is right on. If MS had major release for the 1st HALF of , they are announced already. You don't sit on a major release and not announce it. It's not "hype", it promotion. You don't invest millions and not promote you're coming product.

[larrysdirtydrawss]

ms knows they dont really have anything worth while coming out soon to talk about

[jb227]

I highly doubt there are any secret games w/ zero marketing campaign releasing in the next couple months, or anytime before E3 for that matter...that's just not how it's typically done. MS does have Ori & Screamride coming but if you're expecting much more you'll most likely be disappointed. The MS event scheduled for January is Windows focused, it's not an Xbox event. There could be a showcase on how DX12 will effect games but the chances are mighty slim of anything being announced there at this point, unless they do exactly what Sony did & decide to show off games releasing during the holidazr

[AndrewLB]

Igivehugstonakedmen- PS4 only has 177 games available. Stop trying to add in games that are not released yet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Xbone has 141 available. http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[XanderZane]

They do have at least 28 exclusive & new IP's coming in 2015. Of course more of them will be released in the 2nd half of the year, which is what Microsoft usually does. Why? Because hardcore and casual gamers do more game buying in the 2nd half of the year. That's just a FACT. Microsoft is keeping most of their titles under wraps for the BIG SHOWS like E3, Gamescom and TGS. People think they have no games are going to be in for a rude awakening. They will release a few exclusives before the E3. Microsoft may make a few announcements in February. Microsoft will make their move on their time and not Sony's.

[GiggMan]

True, but I like Sony's strategy.

I would prefer to buy my games spaced out throughout the year (especially exclusives) rather than spend a large lump sum at the end of the year. That's also when all the big multiplats come out which makes it an expensive time of year.

Releasing exclusives throughout the year gives people plenty to do and doesn't hurt as much on the wallet at the end of the year.

[KiwiViper85]

@GiggMan

Just because games release in the Holiday rush doesn't mean you have to buy all of them in that space of time.

I've been playing games constantly all year and I still havn't had time to play Alien: Isolation, Farcry4, Dragonage: Inquisition, Evil Within etc.

Anyone who has played every game out so far, isn't playing them properly

[ABizzel1]

Honestly all 3 have tons of exclusives when you count XBL / PSN / Wii Ware, but retail games are what makes consoles, and there isn't much coming for XBO at the beginning of the year exclusively. It seems like their new strategy is survive off 3rd party and XBLA games for the first half of the year, then put their heavy hitters out the last 4 months of the year to have a great holiday line-up, and have strong sales for the holiday.

They have a good amount of games announced already, but they need to start pinning down release windows for those games. Which ones are first half 2015, which ones are holiday 2015, which ones are 2016.

They had a good 2014, but smashing everything at the end of the year isn't a good strategy IMO. It alienates the potential sales of your games because there's just too much to play during that time.

[GiggMan]

@Kiwi.

I don't have time or the desire to play every game that is released during the holiday season. I do tend to play most of the exclusive games that are released and prefer to play them sprinkled throughout the year. I'm mainly talking exclusives.

If first and third party studios had the same mentality to release all their games at the end of the year the drought at the beginning would be unbearable.

This time of year I'm basically scrambling to do Christmas shopping for the kids. I look forward to picking up something for myself after the Christmas dust has settled down. *Eyeing Bloodborne in Feburay*

[XanderZane]

I'm sure they will have a couple of exclusive before the E3 hits. The PS4 has a few exclusives mainly because their games got delayed from 2014 into 2015. Otherwise they wouldn't have The Order or Bloodborne, if they had released in 2014 like they were suppose to. Besides these two games and their normal MLB 2015, what else do they have for the first 6 months. I know there are a few remasters games coming out for older games.

[jb227]

I would agree w/ the rest about not having to play the games as they come out & spacing the holiday stuff out through the year, but in this day & age it's almost impossible to avoid spoilers, even if they are tagged knowing that there is a spoiler can be a spoiler in itself. Then as far as mp games, a lot of the community will have dried up not far down the line. Still good to be able to wait until reviews hit & bugs are fixed & prices are lower so I usually try my best to ignore the issues.

[souga_houjou_jin]

enjoy then all i know is sony wins this generation and ms can try all they wat...its a loosing battle

hell even all these so called exclusives didnt manage to steal sony domination worldwide

sony win the generation deal with it

[HeMan76]

Lol. You can be sure that MS more exclusives in 2015 which they even plan slide some of them to 2016. Halo 5, ROTTR, Scalebound, Fable Legends, Quantum Break, Phantom Dust,Rare's new Ip according to Spencer even more.

They were silence because preparing thunder.

[ThatOneGuyThere]

its because they unloaded all of their rushed projects that were in production to the first year. they've got almost nothing to offer next year outside of halo.

[Lucreto]

Scalebound and Phantom Dust will be 2016 titles.

Bayonetta was announced in September 2013 and just released this year. They also did that other Avatar game. Some expect this small studio to release a new IP next year.

Phantom Dust will be the same.

[Odoylerules000]

lolololol yes... Preparing thunder...

[gangsta_red]

Why do people keep saying that MS has nothing to offer next year? Why do people say they rushed all their projects to release this year and Sony is set to take 2015..?

I mean with that logic shouldn't we then say that Sony delayed all their projects and pushed them to next year? Isn't that why your 2014 was so bare from Sony's first parties?

I love this thinking that a certain fan group has on this site.

It's okay for Sony to push back and delay a crap load of games and then when they finally release them, Sony is blessing you all with tons of games. As if all is forgotten from the previous long dry spell.

MS on the other hand drops some steady amounts and prepares for next year and because they haven't shown you everything they have or pushed back a ridiculous amount of titles ...now MS has nothing to give in 2015.

The comedy continues here on N4G...we'll be right back.

[MysticStrummer]

@gangsta - "It's okay for Sony to push back and delay a crap load of games…"

Maybe because they still ended up releasing more games this year…?

"MS on the other hand drops some steady amounts"

Of the two, Sony had the steady releases all year while MS waited until the end to give the illusion of more games.

[DigitalRaptor]

@ gangsta_red

"Why do people keep saying that MS has nothing to offer next year? Why do people say they rushed all their projects to release this year and Sony is set to take 2015..?"

People say that they have barely anything worth mentioning until the HOLIDAYS because that is what MS has been doing since the Xbone's launch. Big droughts until the holidays are going to be a staple of Xbox now that Phil in charge and has admitted that he prefers releasing games in the holiday because it's a better time to compete.

People say that they rushed their projects for release (it may not be true in all cases) because they rushed most of their launch lineup to market, they clearly rushed The Master Chief Collection to market, and well… people go off trends.

People say that Sony is set to take 2015, in both sales and game lineup because they are. That is what people mean. The diversity you're going to see on PS4 in 2015 is unbeatable. Sony starts 2015 strong with a good number of AAA games, ambitious AAA/AA indies, tons of quirky bitesize indie games and has almost 3x as many games in total coming to PS4 as Xbone. Games in so many known and unknown categories, that it's almost unreal. They have AAA in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, as well as the wonderful supplementary content. There's also the superior multiplats.

They also have PLENTY of games they can announce at gaming events in 2015 and release them within the same year. I mean they have just TONS of stuff yet to announce, even more than MS can attribute themselves to. Period. MS has announced its 2016 lineup in an attempt to gain momentum on the back of all the negativity and sales numbers, that much is clear.
---------

"It's okay for Sony to push back and delay a crap load of games and then when they finally release them, Sony is blessing you all with tons of games. As if all is forgotten from the previous long dry spell."

It's not a "type of thinking". It's logic and normal behaviour based on what every single PlayStation console in history has offered in its first year. There hasn't been a strong lineup of exclusives in the first year of ANY PlayStation console. Sony gets racked up after about 1-2 years into a generation and after which their production rate just goes mental. No-one reacts to that, because people know what to expect from PS consoles. Stop feeling like the victim, I keep seeing it.

People are observing that MS has nothing of note IN THE FIRST HALF, and it's not looking like any of that is going to change. Remember, you're exaggerating reactions because of your own insecurity, and desire to attack Sony fans for things you wish made no sense, when in fact, they do.

[SoapShoes]

@gangsta red - 2014 wasn't as bare on PS4 as it was Xbox One. Yeah as far as Sony's own first parties go it was slim and they obviously haven't started firing on all cylinders like they were on the PS3 but the PS4 got 3rd party exclusives too and had them spread out more evenly throughout the year whereas the Xbox One had an exclusive in March then nothing all the way until the last day of September. So how exactly has MS been dropping steady amounts again? A gap of over half a year is NOT steady.

[redwin]

@digitalraptor, uh? ... I've been a gamer since colecovision and Atari, so obviously i also owned all the ps consoles, also a few consoles that you've never heard about like turbofx16( bunk was a good game), and I can tell you that ps has always dangled a carrot in front of you (they are not kidding about "greatness awaits" you really have to wait. But they usually come out with the game eventually. Ms can not do an event like psx, they are lots of xbone terrorist that will spin what ms has to say. I like both consoles and they both are great, believe me, Xbox users will have lots of games to play this holiday, and the next. They are talking about that new gears remake for next year, I'm having lots of fun with horizon and the master chief collection. There is no insecurity, none. The first 3 months of 2015 might be your time but there we go with that carrot again.

[MysticStrummer]

@redwin - You may have no insecurity, and that's great, but some of these other folks either have huge insecurity issues or they're putting on a convincing show.

[gangsta_red]

Excellent sales pitch Digital, I swear you must be a marketing tool for Sony because that sounded straight off the back of a Sony PS4 promotion pamphlet.

Funny how you and others can sit and wait patiently for Sony to release their top tier games that they delayed and pushed back from 2014 to 2015. Salivate at games already announced but given no date, but for MS there's nothing more, nothing for 2015, no variety even though MS has given their Xbox just as much variety as you "claim" the PS4 is getting.

MS also has a lot if their Xbox ID games coming in 2015, also Below and Ori, not to mention a lot more AAA titles. Everything you stated for Sony, MS is bringing for 2015 also. But for some reason, you and these "others" don't see this.

"People are observing that MS has nothing of note IN THE FIRST HALF, and it's not looking like any of that is going to change."

Interesting that those same "People" happen to be either Sony trolls or extreme sony fanboys like yourself. I wonder, if Sony wouldn't have delayed Bloodborn or The Order what would you guys have had the first half of 2015 FROM Sony? Lord knows they had a huge dry spell that started after beginning all the way to Driveclub.

"...you're exaggerating reactions because of your own insecurity, and desire to attack Sony fans for things you wish made no sense, when in fact, they do."

The irony of that statement is almost blinding to read. Especially from someone who constantly puts down extreme, exaggerated and overblown Sony marketing PR spin in almost 98.9% of his comments.

[souga_houjou_jin]

wow sony are soooo afraid lol
we saw what happened with the milked collection lol broken game and failed to sell boxes worldwide

scalebound will flop platinum games right ?
fable legends ? dude dont make me laugh fable died with fable 2

quantum break new ip i bet it wont surpass 1.5mil with that pathetic worldwide install base the xbox has

phantom dust what fail game is that lol

deal with it 2015 is sony year now go back and play halo the complete broken milked collection kkthxbb

[DigitalRaptor]

@ gangsta_red

You asked questions. I gave you VALID answers. Jesus christ dude. I love the "you must work for X" responses, because those really prove nothing but insecurity from the accuser. I form my comments with coherence and flair, and all of a sudden, I have to be a Sony employee because I'm providing logic.

Hey, at least if I were a Sony salesperson, I'd be honest… right? Well of course you wouldn't agree because you have a stick up your ass that both consoles have to have equal lineups next year, but they simply don't, so I'd still be an honest salesperson.

You simply can't accept what many others with half a brain have already noticed. Name me all of those AAA exclusives coming from Microsoft in the first half of the year. Name me all those ambitious indie games. Name me all those high-budget free-to-play games. Do it. You won't be able to.
----------

Notice, how I'm not denying Microsoft's diversity in 2015. Notice how I'm not saying that they have a bad games lineup. I'm saying that Sony has a MUCH, MUCH stronger lineup of games throughout 2015. I'm also saying that Microsoft has a TERRIBLE way of pacing their exclusives, because that is absolutely true.

Your insecurity makes it seem to you that I'm saying MS has nothing worthy in 2015, when in fact, all I'm saying is that Sony has more of everything. A LOT more.
-------

"Everything you stated for Sony, MS is bringing for 2015 also. But for some reason, you and these "others" don't see this. "

No they aren't. It's not even close. Do me a favour and prove otherwise.
--------

Notice how you also deflected my point about Sony taking 1-2 years with EVERY PlayStation console to get their exclusive lineup on point. Suddenly, it becomes about apologetics, when in fact shoving all their games into the holiday season is what Microsoft will be doing by Phil Spencer's own admission.

That's right Mr. Insecure. Phil Spencer, said it… not me.
--------

"The irony of that statement is almost blinding to read."

Until you prove me wrong in this case of PS4 having an unequivocally stronger 2015 than Xbox, that's nothing but irrelevant conjecture.

[ThatOneGuyThere]

their only plan was to try to undercut the competition price-wise, since they really cant sell the systems any other way. sound familiar? 360 did it, too. High failure rates, minimal first party exclusives, cheap price. at least the xb1 had a decent first year, game-wise, and it seems to be more stable hardware-wise. XB1 is definitely going to have to keep their 349 price point. microsoft really cant compete on a first party studio level. next year is going to be painful for their fans if they cant put some games together. only offering halo isnt the way to do it.

[yarbie1000]

I'm aware you're trying to paint Microsoft as desperate.

But your comment painted a better picture of desperation

[etownone]

Painful?

Quantum Break
HALO 5
Tomb Raider

Those are 3 exclusives I'm looking forward to next year from MS

Then there's Fable Legends, Phantom Dust, Scalebound, Crackdown 3.

And sure there are some I'm missing and some that will be announced at E3 like MS alwasy does.

I didn't see anything new from Sony this week.... Just updates on 4 games we already know about. And then there's SF5... In 2018 which is just irrelevant to think of for now.

[ThatOneGuyThere]

i actually praised MS for having a solid line up this year, and for making better hardware than they did with the 360..but whatever. I dont think MS is "desperate" at all, I think they're trying to stay competitive. the ONLY way they're positioned to be competitive right now is to offer their product for less money than their immediate competition. They KNOW how their product stacks up on level price points, (hint: it doesnt) so they are going to plan b, sell it for way less. as for exclusives, im not sure if your reading comprehension is up to task, so ill try again, in caps. MICROSOFT DOES NOT HAVE AS MANY FIRST PARTY STUDIOS AS SONY. Literally Halo is the only game anyone cares about for next year on the system. by anyone i mean the casual MS player that makes up the vast majority of their audience. If sony only had Uncharted next year, they might have to drop their price too.

[SoapShoes]

@etownone - Now I know you're trolling. Nothing new from Sony this week and 2018 for SFV? Lying to yourself about what Sony has to offer... Wow, what some people will do to justify themselves.

[NuggetsOfGod]

@That one troll there

Who told u only halo is coming??

[AngelicIceDiamond]

The answer is simple really MS burned themselves out at E3 and Gamescom.

Phil Spencer had to give us all he had planned at those 2 events.

Plus MS releases info on different trademarks on different games here and there such as Battletoads trade mark, Twisted Pixel's new game, Rares new game, Black tusk's Gears updates.

Sony is more in your face while MS casually updates, hints/ announces projects on a more regular basis.

MS has NEVER been this looses/consistent with its 1st party updates and its all thanks to Phil.

So while MS may have two main stages to talk about and announce the biggest games Sony has more events planned through out the year to announce more stuff than MS.

But MS is very consistent on regular days giving us more info about their first party stuff.

So can't really say MS isn't doing anything.

[miyamoto]

From the get go, since its announcement, Xbox One has proven it has no clear vision of the future of gaming or where it is going at. M$ was more focused on the digital rights management, politics, money making matters, its partnerships with other companies like television companies and network, cable networks, media conglomerates, US government agencies like the NSA, and everything else with video games as second best priority.

So when their plan backfired they are in a big mess. Scrambling to pick up the bits and pieces they find out that its too late now as the PS4 has made so much progress with the inroads inside game developers' trust and confidence. In fact many have seen the outcome of this competition already hence deals like Street Fighter V exclusivity happened.

M$ and Xbox has lost its way.

That $150 price cut is really an act of reactive desperation. They have fired all their guns last Black Friday. And there is not much left.

They don't have a Mario killer like the Genesis had. Nor a Crash Bandicoot because quality games is not the Xbox One's priority which is evident with the hardware.

I tell you guys, Xbox One will stay reactive to PS4 for the rest of its life cycle even to the point that they will again jump the gun again with a new 4K Gaming Console with a one year head start like they did last gen.

Oh yeah, I can see it coming now.

[Spid3r6]

They have the windows 10 event coming in January and Phil Spencer will be present for that event. Might have some goodies stored there.

[kstap33]

I'm happy that they are release heavy in the fall. Gives me time to catch up, and at discounted prices ;)
Those PS4 games that finally get released next year will cost you all full price. Just another way to look at it.

[2v1]

I also believe MS has an event scheduled for January next year..but its not all about XBox.

I also believe that im going to hit the lotto next week.

[FanboyKilla]

lol this is childish. the author literally tells you his mind works like or less than a middle school kiddie. if your gonna do that im gonna do this. lol why does something positive for someone have o be negative for the other? sighs tis the way of the world. sad. dont mind me, carry on.

[GameLover56]

Lmfao Sony fan you are delusional please name the Multiplats and Indies you will be getting for 2015 Umm Uncharted 4 won't be out t'ill late 2016 so lets start
bloodborne delayed
the order febuary

what else ??? lmfao exactly right indies do not count as exclusives so please spare me from laughing

Xbox One will own 2015 with new Ips tons of exclusives and pact with other goodness from features and what not

[yarbie1000]

Why don't multi-million $ companies do knee-jerk reactions like gamers do with tit for tat announcements /s

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Agreed..no reason for MS to jump just because Sony had a good event. Right now price is really working in MS's favor for holiday deals so they have the ability to let that work for them and take a little bit of time to craft their own kind of showcase (if they do) for early 2015.

[FriedGoat]

True that, they're practically giving xbox away for free.

[Sevir]

Lol. The amount of knee jerk reactions MS did in 2013 and even into 2014 was enough to make ones head spin... The botched abysmal XBO announcement in May, the E3 showing, then a week after E3 the policy reversal, then they discounted the XBO with Titan Fall after sales paled in comparison to Sony, then in May 2014 they dropped Kinect and changed policies on Games with gold, launched the indie program, and when nothing sales wise happened, they did a fire sale took a big loss on the hardware and bundled the console with its biggest games for the holidays and then discounted those bundles even more over black Friday weekend just so they can remain competitive this holiday season. From $500 to $350 ($329 the weekend of black Friday) in one year is knee jerk... And that $350 price point is only until Xmas season is over.

[URNightmare]

Because the got nothing. They didn't even have any presence at the VGA's.

[darthv72]

I didnt know there were rules for such things.

I thought these companies make their own plans but if you are saying that no presence at the VGA's means they have nothing then... +bub for you mr. insider.

[URNightmare]

Microsoft has been REACTING to Sony's ACTIONS ever since the PS4 reveal back in February 2013.

Maybe that's why it was surprising they didn't do anything this time? They just don't have anything to show right now.

But according Major Nelson on.Twitter last week, they are now doing something about it, it was something like "thought it was going to be a quiet week. Looks like that's not the case anymore."

Sounds like another REACTION to yet another ACTION by Sony is comimg soon.

[ScorpiusX]

They were at Experience with Mojang Minecraft update . Lol

[RosweeSon]

Yeah that one update will keep them afloat with no other games to show and a weaker console, good luck to em they gonna need it. People can say the line up is lacking all they want as I agree luckily I've had a massive last gen backlog so I've not even noticed but at the end of the day 15 million plus people are clearly happy enough with the games line up to go out and purchase the console, smart move if you ask me. As even myself who hasn't barely used it apart from the last month or so now has over a year worth of free games and the console hasn't dropped in price in the slightest and yet they say early adopters get shafted!!' Times are changing as is the dominant force in the gaming marketplace, Sony are back get used to it, they haven't just celebrated their 20th anniversary through chance.

Etownone... That's less than 1 game a month hope they live up to their hype... Schedule looks barren and tomb raiders about a year off and will jump ship once they want to start shifting some serious numbers. Not to mention you say Sony have showed nothing new yet the games you listed are 90% sequels, fable, tomb raider crackdown 3 and halo 5 yeah proper new.

[Clarence]

They don't have anything to steal it.

[Spid3r6]

That is because Xbox owner are pretty happy with what they have delivered to us so far. Xbox Owners had the better line up this year, and one of the reasons Sony had to keep showing the same games they have already shown in other events.

[Clarence]

I'm a PS4 owner and I think the PS4 line up is better. I'm very happy with the PS4.
Did you know that SFV was going to be announced? What about actual gameplay of Uncharted 4? Meanwhile M$ shows Halo and Forza.

M$ had to keep lowering the price and giving away free games, just to win Black Friday. They still ended up losing WW.

The PS4 is a beast and its only going to get better. 2015 is right around the corner. Nothing but games for the PS4. I never worry Sony and games, because they always bring something new to the table. The PS4 is in the driver seat this gen. M$ can only sit back and watch.

Just wait until Sony decides to drop the price on the PS4.

[Rimeskeem]

They don't have anything to use to steal it

[XanderZane]

@Letthewookiewin
You do realize that Nov & Dec are the most important months of the year in the U.S. right? Winning these months are like winning 2-3 regular months in the year since the sales are so high. The XB1 has 6 highly rated console exclusives in the last 4 months of the year with Horizon 2, D4, Dance Central Spot Light, Sunset Overdrive. Fantasia: Music Evolved & Halo: MCC. This is just the beginning to what's to come next year. Microsoft doesn't need to steal anyone thunder, as they will just make their own when the time is right.

[Rimeskeem]

You actually put Fantasia, Dance Central and D4 on highly rated?

[Illusive_Man]

Because Greatness is here already and all throughout 2015 on Xbox.

Also because PLaystation brand is essentially Sonys last hope of a successful business. They need to push PLaystation everywhere. If Sony goes into making hi tech toasters, damn it they better call it PLaystation Toaster.

[Christopher]

You obviously haven't seen how much profit Sony makes in selling camera parts and similar things to other cell phone and laptop manufacturers.

[kenshiro100]

Desperately clinging to financials as usual.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

They have nothing left. They already revealed things farther away than is tradition at E3 just to support the incorrect notion that it has a better lineup. Now they without a whole lot to show unless they show concept art or something for their 2017 games. They already have cut price $150 in a year and completely took the black out of black Friday. Investors won't let them drop any further or even keep the price down in January most likely. Dangerous times for the MS games segment unfortunately.

[jcole97]

I'm sure Microsoft has something up their sleeves. Also, where are you getting this information from? It seems that you just want Microsoft to be in "dangerous times ".

[SoapShoes]

I'm sure they have things planned too but that doesn't mean Sony does not and they are already ahead in games/events. Sony have announced 47 new PS4 games since September while Microsoft announced 0. More are indies but they are games none the less.

[RevengeOfTheSeth]

Because the Thunder knocked them out?

[Yaay4me]

I dont think they have as much as Sony to talk about. This was the second conference that went unanswered by xbox. I think they are reserving their guns for E3.

[wotta]

Respect perhaps? Maybe MS was just being nice. 20 years of PlayStation is something to be celebrated.

Also, I'm not sure MS has much left to say. Remember, Sony has a lot more studios working on games than MS does. MS has revealed a lot of its titles already, it's other games are likely 2016 releases.

[Angeljuice]

Sony acknowledged that they couldn't (and wouldn't) match Microsoft's aggressive advertising and price cuts prior to Black Friday, and that Microsoft would likely do well over the Christmas period.
Both companies just seem to be respectful of each others positions and circumstances at the moment.

A knee-jerk reaction would just have looked cheap and desperate.

[RosweeSon]

Because they couldnt? Bit like how they've stopped producing all these graphs with all their console sales. If they ain't got it they can't shout about it and currently xbox one is lacking where it counts most... The games. That playststion experience was endless so many great games coming out over the next year or so.

[marlinfan10]

Remind me, which console has the better holiday lineup? Ill give you a hint, its the one youre saying is lacking in games. Why focus on whats coming out a year from now when we have great games already. All because sony decided to have a conference? Give me a break. Theres already plenty of announced titles for next year and I guarantee there will be plenty more.

[MasterCornholio]

"Why focus on whats coming out a year from now when we have great games already."

Like when Microsoft announced Crackdown and Scalebound right?

Sometimes its good to inform consumers on what's coming to the system.

"Remind me, which console has the better holiday lineup?"

And I'll remind you that its just your opinion.

"Theres already plenty of announced titles for next year and I guarantee there will be plenty more."

What Sony did was announce a ton of titles for the first half of the year. And you can be sure that they will announce plenty more at E3, Gamescom and TGS.

Why are you defending Microsoft so much and bashing Sony for having PSEx?

[ShwankyShpanky]

Microsoft has more "AAA" exclusives releasing for the holiday season. So Sony's holiday "AAA" holiday exclusive lineup is lacking.

PS4 has more games released (and releasing in the next year), overall. So the One's library is lacking, overall.

[Spotie]

Why focus only on what's coming out during the holiday when we play and buy games all year round?

You guys kill me. "Oh yeah? Well, if you cut out the 11 months where we're losing, we're beating the competition!"

[SoapShoes]

Yeah but let me remind you which console had the better year overall. Hint: not the one with the arguably better holiday lineup.

[Spid3r6]

Marlin has a point...Smoke and Mirror from Sony all the way to the end. Nothing but promises that someday the PS4 will be great. Forget about sells you cant go by sells only because Sony had a $100 dollar advantage from the get go. Microsoft drops $50 and you will see people grab the cheaper console bottom line. I would bet a million dollars if Microsoft Drops their console to 300 dollars I would like to see Sony keep up. Game wise Microsoft delivered With Forza 5, Killer Instinct, Ryse Son of Rome and Deadrising 3 from the jump, then in March we got Titanfall and yes despite the lack of story the game is a better buy then Killzone any day then he had the pleasure of receiving buy the end of the year 3 incredible titles Forza Horizon 2, Sunset Overdrive and Halo MCC which is a gift that keeps on giving. .. We are good and broke at the same time right so. We need a break and I know Scream ride and Ori is on the way. I wish I could show you guys my stash of games..I have 16 physical titles and many downloaded ones.

[CaptainObvious878]

Remind me, which console had a 7 month drought without a single notable exclusive?

There's this little thing you're forgetting. It's called the other 10 months of the year.

[jcole97]

Xbox is lacking games? I still have plenty to play on my Xbox. It's my ps4 that is lacking atm. I haven't used it in a while but I'll happily use it again in 2015 because they have a good lineup.

[marlinfan10]

MS has released a few great exclusives the past few months, they dont need a conference or game announcements right now. If they are gonna do one itd be much smarter to do it around the time of the big ps4 releases early next year.(bloodborne and the order).

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Because it not needed. Why do people assumes that everymove either of the two make one must respond.

[Jamaicangmr]

With what?... Sony was prepared anything less that steller from MS would've backfired and resulted in them looking foolish.

[SliceOfTruth888]

Honestly aside from uncharted 4 and the hilarious trolling of final fantasy fans the entire thing was pretty meh. They showed bloodborne AGAIN they showed the order AGAIN but xbox i am already playing Sunset Overdrive, Forza Horizon 2 and KI Season 2. Sony hasnt answered with anything for this holiday they just showed games they have been telling us about for months now. Microsoft at e3 has the potential to knock it out the park with a Rare resurgence, Halo 5, Tomb Raider and so on.....

[remixx116]

Then we didn't watch the same conference I'm guessing.

I saw super star dust ultra, new resogun dlc, drawn to death, dungeon defenders 2 getting announced as a PS4 exclusive, street fighter 5 getting announced as a ps4 exclusive, confirmation that a new god of war is in the works, mlb the show 2015 got announced, until dawn got a release date, new gameplay for uncharted, new gameplay for bloodborne, new gameplay for the order, fat princess adventures got announced, street fighter 4 is a ps4 exclusive, new gameplay for until dawn and a couple other things.

Yeah in positive we didn't watch the same conference.

[crashbash]

I'm trying to think of any games I was interested in this year on Sony's side....hmmm....nothing.

Next year....Bloodborne and UC4 (if it gets released next year, it is only in Alpha stages at the moment, although apparently the footage shown recently was 'Pre-Alpha). Apart from that I can't think of any.

MS.....Quantum Break and Halo 5.

Yep, pretty equal in my eyes.

[ShwankyShpanky]

You forgot that come February, the One will be out of Order (error code: 1886).

[crashbash]

Lol, The Order looks crap. Unless you have Sony Fanboi Glasses, then it looks great.

[ShwankyShpanky]

Ahahahaha... "crap," huh? Mm-kay, guy.

[Lucreto]

Microsoft is going into its off year while Sony is going to its on year.

Scalebound and Phantom Dust will be 2016 titles. Tomb Raider exclusivity shows they are trying to shore up their next Christmas releases.

Sony have announced 47 new PS4 games since September while Microsoft announced 0. More are indies but they are games none the less.

[benji101]

Most of the 47 games are ports. Sony is getting a reputation of going to companies and paying massive amounts to buy exclusivity for ports. Sony is wasting great deals of talent that could be used making new games porting 3rd party, and indie games.
I have serious doubts that sf5 is really sf5 and not just sf4 with some graphic improvements.

[Lucreto]

Nope it is Microsoft's parity clause that is stopping Xbox getting these games. Pc ports for games I never played and now get the chance.
These indies are the developers of tomorrow and they can source great talent from them in the future.
Those third party games are from a list we the gamers created and Sony acting on.

[Ra3030]

I think it's great the the X1 sold well during the last couple months no mater how it being sold. What I don't get is the big deal the Media is making over the X1 out selling the PS4 on Black Friday like its the only day of the year that matters and when you add to that the PS4 outsold again the X1 for the week of Black Friday and the month of Black Friday it just makes no sense.

[chaosx]

Maybe Phil is not a hit them while they are down kind of guy. Sony has not had a great month with the latest hack. North Korea already stole enough from Sony.

[marlinfan10]

Everyones saying MS didnt show anything because of a lack of games. You ever think sony held the conference because of their lack of games right now? Their big exclusives over the past few months have been DC which was a disappointment and LBP which is a pretty niche title. Maybe they did the event to take the focus off that and onto next year, and it seems as if it worked.

@master

xbox has had more and higher rated games this holiday. Theyve picked up a ton of momentum the past few months, it was smart to hold one now on sonys part. If MS is planning something itd be stupid to react and do it right now instead of waiting to try and kill some of the bloodbirne and order hype a few months from now.

Im not saying sony doesnt have games planned cause its obvious they do, but theres no denying whos picked up the most hype and had the better games recently.

[MasterCornholio]

What about Microsofts lack of games?

Its only been a year so it's only normal that the two systems dont have a huge variety of games.

Anyways Sony had the event and announced all those games because they really do have a lot of games coming out in 2015 and they have to make room for more important announcements at E3, TGS and Gamescom.

[ShwankyShpanky]

I'm sure the 20th anniversary of PlayStation had nothing to do with the PSX timing. It was just because "PS4 haz no gaemz."

[brew]

If LPB is pretty niche , then Forza Horizon 2 and Sunset Overdrive are niche.

You really think Sony held a conference because of a collection of old Halo games ?

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@marlinfan10

"Im not saying sony doesnt have games planned cause its obvious they do, but theres no denying whos picked up the most hype and had the better games recently."

Only 3 games for the Xbox One came out recently and none of them moved any mountains or parted the seas. The price cuts and free games promotions are the only things that did.

[BladerunnerZX]

First : the Xbox One sold more consoles on Black Friday in the U.S.
The Xbox One is dead everywhere besides the U.S. and Europe where it sells half of what the PS4 is selling.

Second : after the debacle that was the Master Chief Collection I would not trust Microsoft with Anything they say about upcoming games especially the new Gears of War.

Microsoft did not "steal Sonys thunder" because Microsoft has nothing to show for the Xbox One. Its that simple.

[jcole97]

So after drive club, do you still trust Sony?

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@jcole97

Evolution Studios and Sony gave those who bought DriveClub, like myself, an apology and DLC that included more cars, more tracks, and an incredibly stunning weather update all to make amends for releasing the game without the online features properly working.

So what did 343 and Microsoft give you for Halo MCC being broken?

Updates?

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

With the console price cut and massive game bundling, I think paying for their own convention right now... most likely isn't in the budget! and don't give me that s#!t about their deep pockets!

[NeoGamer232]

Why do so many articles on N4G try to entice fanboyism?

Does Sony have to steal MS thunder? No...

Does MS have to steal Sony thunder? No...

I have an idea that always gets disagrees... Let's talk about games and the games industry rather than corporate performance and fanboyism...

[SaveFerris]

Because they've been 'Thunderstruck!'

[_FantasmA_]

Its not like M$ to just be quiet and sit down. Usually they troll or brag about some temporary exclusive as being actually exclusive. I guess even M$ knew they had now answer for all the Sony news.

[Jazz4108]

Maybe not everything has to be about a console war or who's better. This article is so flame bait it's not funny.

[kenwonobi]

Its because they have nothing to come back with. Yeah sure they could keep showing the exact same stuff from years past they showed. I dont necessarily view Xbox taking a month in sales from Sony in only the American territory which Xbox usually does well in those 2 months as a comeback either. Sony still won worldwide in those months. it will go back to normal Sony winning every territory after the month is over. Back to the same global and North American domination by Sony of Microsoft. Sony is just making sure they keep it that way.

[kenwonobi]

Well Microsoft may almost pull even in North America in sales at some point farther down the road. Thats reallly really far off at this point now though. Maybe if they string a few Christmas seasons together outselling PS4 during only those months. It tends to go back to Sony when those months end.

[Revengeance]

How can they steal it when they have nothing to steal it with? They went balls to the wall for the holiday season and for what? To win one month out of the 12? Go ahead take one month out of twelve while Sony continues to take 11. Let's see how far one month in the year takes the Xbox.

[illtornworld]

Am i the only one thats gonna say its called respect? What was PlayStation Experience? it was PlayStations 20th anniversary! Its like a birthday party, would you want a family to show up trying to steal your kids birthday? no because thatd be rude as fuck. these companies do respect each other as gaming companies So why dont we start respecting each other! stop the fanboyism remarks. you cant call yourself a gamer if you bash and hate everything on anothers system. just saying lol. im a Sony fan. but thats not to say i dont think the WiiU is actually pretty cool. or Xbox Ones dashboard actually looks better than PS4. Lets just be gamers, and cut through the political bullshit.

[ironmonkey]

ms will try and do something but unfortunately ms has been playing catch up since launch even with the their oodles of cash. sony hasn't had to do anything but make games and be approached from devs with their games. face it, the ps4 is a success since launch.

[S2Killinit]

didn't Spencer say "i didn't see any release dates" or something to that effect?
I think that was their best attempt. Other than that they will release bundle after bundle to battle the games releases on PS4. I don't think MS has enough games to show at the moment. Thats why two conferences have now gone without any answers from MS.

[Flames76]

XOne has been dominating the ps4 since novemeber so there is no need to steal thunder when there isn't any.Plus microsoft has class while sony likes to talk trash.Its sonys 20 years on the market they should enjoy it now before the company goes under next year.Damn have you seen the billion's sony has lost in the past 8 years?2015 is going to be worse so no need to do anything their a sinking ship.Everything i have said is fact so lets bring on the hate bubble's i know people hates the truth

[Brettman2008]

Dominating one month in US and UK, the rest of the world will be dominated by Sony.

[pop-voxuli]

Steal it with what????

[iiorestesii]

This article should instead be titled The Lonely Fanboy. Haha

[BX81]

Yeah some people just can't keep MS out of their mouth.

[DaGamingKing]

I think MS is rising above the political beauracracy and name calling. MS knows whats its doing and its done well this year. Sony ran their mouth a fair bit and a lot failed to live up to the hype. Its better to be humble in your successes rather than shout claims at the top of ones lungs. Good on you MS, be that quiet achiever.

my 2cents, and I'm Kent Brockman!

[urwifeminder]

No one cared about Sony presentation but its fans so no need to respond.

[Trekster_Gamer]

I hope MS follows Sony's lead. Forget E3
..A different show for all three at different times during the year.

I have loved my xbox one since day one, but no man's sky for the Ps4 look like an awesome game.

Mass Effect devs take note!!!

[spoonard]

Microsoft isn't in the position to steal anything from Sony right now.

[tekksin]

Simple. Sony has things. Microsoft does not.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

They didn't have to.

[Burning_Typhoon]

Maybe microsoft knows that if they pull something now, sony will pull something during a microsoft presentation.

[GODOKUNODAN]

One, N4G is an unprofessional douche site for posting fan-boy op-eds. Two, Xbox didn't steal PS4s thunder because the cant . Xbone is a garbage DDR3 , obsolete-upon-launch DOAsystem. If you're brain-dead enough to be devoted to that console, your attention will be focused on it no matter what Sony does. MsoftXNA secures garbage like Minecraft exclusivity AFTER Sony already gets Minecraft on PS4 and Vita. Brilliant. Sony secured Street Fighter 5, something people actually want.

Look , basically companies don't make money on selling hardware, they make money on selling software. Look at the sales chart for every multipolar form game, PS4 versions are outselling XB versions 2 to 1. Until that changes , the Xbone is in the gutter, and all the attempts to "steal thunder" are desperate flails from a drowning man.

[crosstrigger]

Kinda feel Sony shot themselves in the foot a little bit. Unless of course they have a tonne of unannounced games for E3 to reveal or a megaton announcement set. PSX was cool but I don't think it was perfect by any means. Xbox has a lot of cards to play next year and they already had a pretty solid line up this holiday season so I don't think Phil thought it crucial to try and steal some thunder. But man.... how good does Uncharted 4 look?!

[FATHASUN]

Can't steal Thunder without any Lightning.

[BillytheBarbarian]

MS is always careful to allow what's out now to have their time in the spotlight to sell. While MS would spread out their exclusives, Sony would bring it all at you at the same time. Example was 2006 to 2011, it was Gears 06, Halo 07, Gears 2 08, Halo 09, Halo 10, Gears 11, Gears 12...etc. MS was also careful to come out a month or two before Call of Duty. Sony just sporadically released their games whenever and probably the reason Resistance and Killzone didn't do as well as they could have. Timing is everything.