230°

Microsoft’s Absence from Gamescom, TGS Shows Publisher’s Hand

Put simply, Microsoft doesn’t have the bridge titles to set up good gamer sentiment going into next generation. After the past three years at E3, the focus has been drifting away from the system-sellers that core players are looking for.

Chuk54485d ago

The funny thing is, people make all these apocalyptic predictions about the 360having a bad year. People said it in 2010 and 2011, 360 still had a great year sales wise. I will full admit that ms better have some plans for some new ip or dip into rare's cookie jar going into next-gen, but the xbox is still selling so they must be doing something right.

Biggest4485d ago

They sure are. It's called advertising. Stop defending their lack of substance. While the article does assume more than they should about sales, the focus should be on what matters (should matter) to the readers. Games.

Patriots_Pride4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Products are advisertised all the time, that does not mean that they are guranteed to sell.

Maybe some people bought a 360 becuse they saw the 360 in a commercial but why cant people just buy one becuase to them the 360 is all they need and are happy with 3rd party games and the little bit of exclusives.

Or maybe American just feel patriotic and want to support an American corp instead of a Japanese corp - Japan is a perfect example of being patriotic.

Your the Biggest (Pun intented) PS3 fanboy on this site so your comment is mute.

LOGICWINS4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

From Microsoft's point of view, they ARE focusing on games...just not exclusive games as you would like them too. And guess what, they probably never will as long as the Halo, Gears, and COD franchises sell as well as they do. My question is, why do people keep whining about it?

We all know that Microsoft can skip E3 and Gamescom every year and still have a fantastic year saleswise with their comfort zone franchises(Halo, Forza, Gears, COD, Fable etc.). So..why not just accept whats going on and game on another console that fits your needs?

The only way you'll get what you want is by hurting Microsoft's bottom line, and if beating your chest about it on N4G is your means to do that...your simply going to be a very angry person for a very long time.

WeskerChildReborned4485d ago

Yea, i would wan't more focus on some big time games instead of Kinect.

pixelsword4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

I don't have a problem if the focus on Kinect, but if they do, RESEARCH the device and put some real effort into it so the games will resonate with core gamers!

That's the main reason why the Wii took first this gen: they actually made games for the device. Conversely, Sony not only neglected the Sixaxis (in my opinion, the best motion control device because I have my buttons and I didn't have to stand up if I didn't want to) but the Move, which came out way later than the Wii BUT RESEARCHED EARLIER didn't have half of the quality of games the Wii had in terms of it's motion control.

Granted, I loved using the Sixaxis for Lair and Warhawk, but in other games it was relegated to simple work like it Killaone when they could have used the sixaxis to have you pop-out over cover, freeing the control buttons up so they can bring back the alt-fire for their weapons (Man, I miss that!)

I believe that Microsoft CAN capture the core gamer, but they have to be honest with themselves in terms of the abilities of kinect and work around what does and doesn't work. Then CUSTOM MAKE kinect games and controls for games instead of tacking on kinect features.

EVILDEAD3604485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Micrsoft doesn't need Gamescom or Tokyo at all this year. E3 was all that was needed this year.

Basically Ripten is pitting MS against Sony and claiming that MS is at some sort of major disadvantage. Let's look at the reasoning.

The author says that although MS has games coming 'few' are exclusive while Sony is 'pumping' exclusive titles.

His Sony list..Sly Cooper, God of War: Ascension, All-star Battle Royale, a new Ratchet & Clank, Little Big Planet Karting, Last of Us, Quantum's Beyond. A total of 7 games..

His Xbox list he says MS 'ONLY' brought Halo 4, Forza Horizon, Gears of War Judgement. a total of 3 games because he 'won't count Kinect'

So let's get this straight, he won't list MS Kinect games like Fable: The Journey & Dance Central 3, but he will list a new Ratchet and Clank which is a PSN only title (and didn't make the E3 stage at all)

Which then opens up the question as to why he ommitted all the MS XBLA games that were shown like Ascend: new god, Loco Cycle, and Matter.

He then pretends MS is shifting away from sytem sellers that core players are looking for..

This couldnt be further from the truth..

Sony's 2 big new IPs as it stands won't even hit retail for over a year. Meaning after next E3. God of War won't hit retail until March 2013.

So from HIS list that leaves in Holiday 2012

Sony: Sly, All-Star, and, Little Big Planet Karting

vs.

Micrsoft: Halo 4 and Forza Horizon

So which system is moving away from system sellers that core player look for?

Which brings MS into 2013..

They are still supporting the 360 with the big titles Gars of War: Judgement and post E3 the new Bungie MMO shooter which is exclusive to the 360 this gen.

Next E3 will see a new 720 announced so why would you care about announcing anything else.

Ripten says there are no 'Bridge' titles into next gen, but I guess they never got the memo that Halo 4 is the start of a new trilogy, Forza Horizon is the start of a new Forza open world IP that will surely see next gen, Forza 5 will be next gen, Fable 4 will be next gen, Bungies shooter will also see multiple titles going into next gen and this is only a fraction of what we know thus far as MS has studios set up soley for next gen.

Just my take

Evil

Biggest4485d ago

"From Microsoft's point of view, they ARE focusing on games...just not exclusive games as you would like them too."

If Microsoft is focusing on games that aren't exclusive, then doesn't that mean that Microsoft isn't focusing on games? That means someone else is focusing on games and Microsoft is just one of the guys using them, right? It's not whining. It's conversation. I am not allowed to take credit for the work of some other guy. Let's not allow Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo to pass of multiplatform games as their own. It's just conversation. I already "hurt" Microsoft's bottom line.

mewhy324485d ago

I'm not sure what the author was trying to accomplish here. This article basically sounded like it was written by an employee of Sony. My take on this is that Microsoft has had such tremendous success in this market segment that they don't feel the need for the added expense of attending these secondary shows. TGS would be a waste of time and money, as the japanese market has notoriously been very hostile to imported/non-domestic products in general. Not just Xbox. For such a small closed market, spending that money and time for TGS would be a very unwise business decision. Being absent from these shows has much, much more to do with money and time rather than the obviously Sony slanted author's rant that I just read in that article.
With that said, I'm still waiting on The Last Guardian for my PS3?????

gaffyh4484d ago

GamesCom and TGS are region-specific events for the most part. Not going to these events shows a lack of commitment from the publishers, or a lack of funds (talking about publishers in general). MS seems to be giving up on Japan which is a major problem, because they won't get much Japanese support next gen. Unless of course they spend over the odds buying exclusives in the first few years like they did this gen, and forgetting about core gamers towards the end.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4484d ago
SpinalRemains1384485d ago

Yeah, they're producing faulty machines. I don't think 10 million a year are rushing out for Kinect lol.

The 360 is only pumping out the same IPs every year.
The Kinect is the only place where you can play a new one, but that's not what most people want.

Microsoft advertises. They offer nothing new or innovative at all. Their sales are definitely not indicative of the quality. Those numbers rarely equate. Look at the Wii and the Vita. 1 is a novelty and 1 is a beast and the numbers don't pan out that way.

dcbronco4485d ago

The Vita doesn't sell because Sony doean't have sense enough to price it to the market. No one is paying $300 for a handheld and additional cost to get a memory card. An overpriced card.

Sony did this to themselves. They made mistakes with the PS3 and it trickled down and hurt the rest of the business. No advertising, inability to make deals with other companies and it killed their credit.

Maybe they can't afford to cut the Vita. They will have a hard time explaining missing projections again. MS and Nintendo make money. They will continue to do things at a reasonable pace. The need to please your fanboys will ruin a company.

LOGICWINS4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

"Their sales are definitely not indicative of the quality."

LOL thats not your call. If a yearly franchise sells at least 6 million units on your console, the only thing your concerned about is what the people spending money think. If people are buying the SAME thing every year, basic deductive reasoning will tell Microsoft, "Hey, they must like this COD thing, lets give em more!"

The definition of quality is different for everyone. You can't pretend that everyones definition will coincide with yours.

pixelsword4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Microsoft made faulty 360s, but Sony made faulty PS3s as well.

Right now I'm debating on weather to get my 60Gb PS3 fixed again or buying a newer one or get another Microsoft 'box. Either way it goes, I'll have spent over $1000 on the PS3 hardware (and close to that on Microsoft) for hardware. Screw that. When the next consoles come out, Lord willing I'll be able to buy a gaming PC and I'll wait for two things:

1. the prices to drop
2. to see if the consoles will fail like they did last gen.

As long as both consoles have shoddy workmanship and until Nintendo wants to start keeping up with the cutting edge tech in consoles, I don't see a reason why I should ever again buy either one of those brands on day one like I did this time around. That's why I didn't get a Vita (on top of my hatred for handhelds, but Killzone on the Vita might change my mind). Granted, that's the reason why I got out of gaming PCs because my cards kept on failing and the expense was too much if you're trying to keep or start up a business, but this is ridiculous; I have old Ataris and Nintendos in the basement that'll probably start right up.

ShaunCameron4485d ago

<Yeah, they're producing faulty machines. I don't think 10 million a year are rushing out for Kinect lol.>

Umm. You know that ever since the slim 360 model came out the failure rate drastically dropped right?

<The 360 is only pumping out the same IPs every year.
The Kinect is the only place where you can play a new one, but that's not what most people want.>

Yeah while the PS3 is only pumping out IP's that barely a fraction of its own userbase care about.

<Microsoft advertises. They offer nothing new or innovative at all. Their sales are definitely not indicative of the quality. Those numbers rarely equate. Look at the Wii and the Vita. 1 is a novelty and 1 is a beast and the numbers don't pan out that way.>

And quality isn't exactly indicative of sales either.

For the novelty that the Wii was, it still had some games that interested the mass market. The Vita doesn't have a game that the mass market is interested in yet to justify spending $250 on. It's just a watered-down PS3.

shinrock4484d ago

BEST COMMENT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4484d ago
supraking9514485d ago

yeah its selling to the wrong crowd which is why its pissing everyone off. I dont care if MS sells the most systems anymore, good for them. Your number one please prove it and show us why. Sony is lessing far less, has money woes yet its giving us MORE games, MORE exclusives, PSN+ is handing out free games left n right. What's MS doing with all its money? As a gamer and owner of a 360 this is rather embarassing.
There milking the gamer knowing that they have nothing and instead of making the new console they continue to work on a system thats shown its full potential years ago.

NastyLeftHook04485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

this isnt about sales.

ex.

guy 1 (maserati) i won because i had better performance and i was much faster.

guy 2...yeah...well...my honda sells more so my car is better!

makes no sense.

creatchee4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Counterexample:

Guy 1 (Maserati): I won because I am prettier and got there faster.

Guy 2 (Honda): Oh yeah, well I got to same place that you did while spending 125,000 dollars less and getting 30 more miles per gallon. Plus I'm not bad looking.

Perfect sense.

LOGICWINS4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Erm, actually it is about sales. The very fact that Microsoft knows that Halo 4 and Black Ops 2 will sell like McDonalds nuggets is the reason why they don't feel the urgency to perform well at(or show up to) these press conference.

As long as gamers continue to make them comfortable by buying the same franchises each year, Microsoft will respond accordingly, by giving you the SAME franchises that you have voted with your dollars as most desirable.

If 360 gamers ask for stale bread every year, what incentive is there to give them a cake?

pixelsword4484d ago (Edited 4484d ago )

@ creatchee

Yeah, the Honda may get to the same places as the Maserati, but that Honda ain't gonna' get there in style... and what I mean by that is if Crysis 2 is your graphical highlight versus a Killzone 2 or 3, we'll both get our jollies, but dangit if K2/3 ain't slapping me up with a sick-stick all of the way through.

rmedtx4485d ago

Why the 360 it's selling so well is a mystery to me after neglecting consumers the way they're doing it. Maybe a great marketing team...Shame on MS for not focusing on services rather than gaming. I buy consoles to play.

LOGICWINS4485d ago

"I buy consoles to play"

You doesn't equal everyone. The 360 sells so well because it caters to various audiences, not just the ones that want to play games.

Jazz41084485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

The reason ms sells so well is the world does not equal a bunch of n4g sony lovers. God help us if it did. Just read the article and it really sounds like it was written by a fanboy and then I see the authur comment on n4g a known sony fan site and I understand clearly what I read now.

DFresh4484d ago

Sales don't mean shit to gamers.
We buy gaming platforms to play games.
It's that easy.
This applies to every company making video games and not just M$.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4484d ago
KingNintendoFanboy4485d ago

I think Nintendo could really capitalize on this with the Wii U. Not only will they have a full year head start on Sony/Microsoft (with tons of Nintendo exclusives), they will probably have even more new titles to show off on their new console at E3 2013. More than, I'm guessing, the competition will have especially after reading this piece.

This next gen console war will sure be interesting, but then again when aren't they?

Cataract4485d ago

Interesting stuff. I don't know where Microsoft is planning on going with the Xbox brand, but they seem to be stagnating. Hopefully that's just them getting ready to change things up.

astar1234567894485d ago

What are they really going to show, nothing new, just the same Halo stuff, Gears, Forza, why should they go we saw everything at E3.

AngelicIceDiamond4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Dang, I was hoping they were going to show off the rumored Alan Wake 2 or something.

Show all comments (53)
790°

State of Play returns tomorrow

State of Play is back tomorrow, September 24! Tune in live for news and updates on more than 20 upcoming PS5 and PS VR2 games from studios around the world.

Read Full Story >>
blog.playstation.com
Sonic18811d 15h ago

Hopefully not a lot of remasters

Eonjay1d 14h ago

Agreed, but if I could pick one game to remaster first it would be Killzone 2. If you had to pick one which would it be?

Mr_cheese1d 14h ago

I know it's not the same but I'd love a reboot of resistance or warhawk

u-bEttA-rUn1d 14h ago

If they announce Kill Zone 2 remake or resistance 2 that multiplayer would be crazy. But Warhawk I would cry like a 2 year old 😂😂😂 give me bloody roar

ravens521d 14h ago

God of War 1-3, Ascension, Ghost of Sparta and Chains of Olympus all in One.

RaiderNation1d 13h ago

I love Killzone, but I would prefer a complete reboot of the franchise, using the newest version of the Decima engine, rather than simply a remaster of part 2.

SimpleDad1d 12h ago

Sony will not do Killzone 2 or any Killzone because they don't have plans for it in the future... No TV shows, no sequel, no Lego game, no multiplayer...

This is dead for Herman... Only Aloy.
And that's sad.

Zero hype for tomorrow.

Kingrizzy901d 12h ago

legacy of kane, resistance, or just something totally new that hasnt been already done

Cacabunga1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

Hopefully zero gaas, will show that they’re starting to reason!!!
And yeah the remaster trend must also stop.
PS5 exclusives or nothing go home

A new Killzone, Uncharted, Tsushima, inFamous, Resistance, Wolverine or something original single player.

CobraKai1d 11h ago

Killzone 1. In think that needs a retelling

Profchaos1d 10h ago

I either want something from the infamous franchise or the cheeky answer is being lemmings back as that's now Sony

DarXyde1d 6h ago

Killzone 2 I think falls into remake territory.

I'll take a Warhawk remake or even a remaster but that's it, really.

Any remasters for a last generation game on a backwards compatible console is just insulting.

fr0sty23h ago

If they do any online only live service stuff, give us MAG or Warhawk, games that actually perfected that formula.

Eonjay16h ago

@Kingrizzy90

Wow. And it looks like you are the winner. Completely was not expecting that.

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 16h ago
IAMRealHooman1d 14h ago

only remasters, even remasters of games that aren't even out yet

DodoDojo1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

Wrong, there will also be a 2 minute snippet of Lego Horizon.

bloop1d 11h ago

If they don't show something from a couple of their big studios after the absolute disaster they've had with Concord then I'll lose all hope. This generation has been a complete letdown so far and there's very little to look forward to at the moment.

RaidenBlack1d 14h ago

Pretty sure : RE9, Days Gone Remaster, HZD Remaster, 1 last SH2 trailer, Wolverine trailer, Until Dawn trailer
Maybe(s) : GoT 2 announcement, DS2 (but already happening@ TGS), Pragmata, TLOU2 or SpiderMan 2 PC announcement,
Wishlist : Santa Monica & Naughty Dog's new project tease, Marathon gameplay trailer
Don't Want : Any AC Shadows trailer, Any more remasters other than the ones leaked

Eonjay1d 14h ago

You really think that other remaster is Days Gone? And my God what happened to Pragmata?!?

seanpitt231d 14h ago

It’s 30 minutes, I think you’re being optimistic there, don’t have high expectations, I know mine are the lowest they have ever been since what i have witnessed these past 4 years!

crazyCoconuts1d 14h ago

Agreed w/ Sean. Keep expectations low.

Juiceup1d 4h ago

jfc what is this trash lineup Sony please

Rainbowcookie15h ago

Injustice 3 I'm calling it 😃

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 15h ago
Christopher1d 14h ago

Only 5 remasters. They had to cut back to squeeze in 1 new announcement. They will have another SoP next month to cover the other 12 remasters.

-Foxtrot1d 13h ago

*monkey paw curls*

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

Gravity Rush 1 & 2 Remastered

Until Dawn Remastered

DarXyde1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

In the case of Gravity Rush, a remaster of a remaster that plays on PS5 now would be bizarre. Then again, so does Horizon.

This only makes sense if it means a PC release, but they still closed the studio and releasing this would be very poor taste.

potatoseal1d 13h ago

I'm presonally looking forward to a Days Gone one. Would love any excuse to play that game again. I loved it

darthv721d 8h ago

Why wait for an excuse... just go play it now.

CobraKai1d 11h ago

Im thinking showcasing Pro versions of existing games.

neutralgamer19921d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

They could do a lot right by simply announcing a blood-borne remastered so many people have been waiting for it and they should not only bring it to PlayStation 5 but also PC

If they are all intent on doing a lot of remasters, how about doing some of the remasters from the games during the PlayStation 2 and three generation instead of PlayStation 4 games?

Can we get infamous collection? Can we please get Socom from the PlayStation 2 generation? Uncharted trilogy God of war trilogy twisted metal collection, kill zone trilogy, resistance trilogy some of these games they can simply just unlock online multiplayer. They’re only one need to do a lot of work and people would enjoy them

But instead, let’s just remastered the last of us horizon zero down the God of war 2018 this PlayStation Sony executive bosses are some of the most idiotic in the past 10 years

PlayStation has such a long history. They can simply do a lot of fun service and get so much positive PR but they keep making the same mistake again and again and again.

Rimeskeem1d 8h ago

I would honestly prefer remasters/remakes/reboots of games than GaaS they have tried to push.

TheEroica1d 7h ago

Release the remastered games on the sheep!

JackBNimble1d 4h ago

Hahaha... I was going to make the same joke.
That's all they have

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 15h ago
RaidenBlack19h ago(Edited 19h ago)

Lol, but like most I was expecting a 'Playstation showcase' but looking at how brief the Pro reveal was ... I am guessing these short State of Plays á la N.Direct style is how Sony is going to continue.
The next big PS showcase is gonna be the PS6 event. Till then all will be SoPs.

1d 15h ago Replies(2)
Relientk771d 15h ago

Hopefully there's good games, but we'll see. Going in with low hype, and I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Show all comments (118)
350°

Microsoft Reportedly Spends $1 Billion Annually To Get Third-Party Games On Game Pass

Uncover the spending behind Xbox's Game Pass subscription. Discover how Microsoft invests a billion dollars annually in securing third-party games for the service.

Read Full Story >>
gamersocialclub.ca
Obscure_Observer4d ago

Good.

Now that you´re releasing games and making big money from every gaming platform, you should double that amount and give us even more day one third party games!

Jin_Sakai4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

You’re delusional beyond belief. Businesses wise it doesn’t make sense and sooner or later they’ll be raising prices again to cover that billion they’re blowing every year.

outsider16244d ago

Lucky for xbox that papa microsoft is rich.

purple1014d ago (Edited 4d ago )

As someone else said earlier today, they are past the growth stage, it’s been stagnent for last 3 years, they are now in the money making stage, prepare to be goosed for as many dollars as possible for the least amount of content. It may not be bad now, (actually it is) but it will be soon (even worse) this year you got hellblade and starfirld and a load of other games that could be bought in bargain bins for about $5-30 and for that you pay them monthly

To add I honestly don’t know how you put up with the barrage of Xbox negativity (which is deserved). I put it down to:

A) you are being paid
B) you may have a problem thinking clearly
C) prefer rooting for the underdog, that’s a legit thing too. English people do it by default

Profchaos4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Yeah Aussies also love an underdog as long as that underdog isn't Xbox as they were too of the game with the 360 then lost their minds

Chevalier4d ago

3 straight years of missing Gamepass targets. Some people are just blinded by their own idiocy. Will be interesting to see if COD does anything this fall

CosmicTurtle4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

He is a troll. Designed to stoke people up on here. We know this.

It’s quite funny.

Popsicle4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Yet people still allow the troll to derail an entire topic. I don’t understand how moderation allows it.

I literally just skip the comment. This may be the best comment obscure ever made. I don’t know because I didn’t read it. I have read to many thread derailing post from this person to ever devote any time to reading another.

I wish everyone would ignore the trolls so we can have a genuine discussion. Stop feeding it and it will go away. Even just hitting the disagree button feeds it. Thats what it wants. This is the last post I will ever post about obscure because I am feeding them now.

Legit question to Mods. After such a long history of being a troll, how has this poster not been banned?

Profchaos3d ago

Is he though or does he just blindly love Xbox in the same way Sega fans loved the Dreamcast even though it was clearly dead they thought it could be redeemed

Ok yeah he's saracstic and does troll but I enjoy seeing what he comes out with it would be boring here if we never had conflicting opinions

Sonic18814d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Are you insane? You want them to double the amount when the Xbox is already struggling and losing money 🤔

Hofstaderman4d ago

Correction....XBOX is already dead.

Obscure_Observer4d ago

"Are you insane? You want them to double the amount when the Xbox is already struggling and losing money"

As long we get the games I couldn´t care less about a trillion dollar company losing money. That´s their business to worry about. I only care about the games.

And "struggling and losing money"? Really?

"Microsoft reports Xbox’s revenue is up 61% in Q4 FY24 thanks to Activision"

https://venturebeat.com/gam...

61% more revenue and BO6 is not even out yet.

MS will make a sh!t ton of money with that game alone in all platforms. So 2 Billion yearly invested in their *core* business is nothing!

So yeah, I want them to double the investments on Gamepass. Period.

Sonic18814d ago (Edited 4d ago )

"So yeah, I want them to double the investments on Gamepass. Period."

That ain't going to happen. Just because you want it 😂

fr0sty4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

They'll do that, after creating 4 more higher-priced tiers and making the one that currently includes everything only contain games that have been on the market for 4 years.

"Gamepass Ultra to the MAX: Now only $299 per year!"

MrNinosan2d ago

Already $240/year, so we're there within a year, without new tiers.

jznrpg2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It will be 29.99$ a month eventually 360 a year

Profchaos4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

They are trying to get a return on abk and Bethesda they won't double day one we're lucky we are still getting them now that day one has been removed from base tiers

They want to make money not give it away

OlderGamer174d ago

Sorry O_O, I tought you where loosing it, but i now come to the conclusion that you realy lost it.
The coping from you is not on a stellarr level....

Flakegriffin3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Homie got 77 dislike and his brain rot will still help him think that he’s right.

3d ago
+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
MrDead4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I like how they twist cannibalising game sales into "invests".

No lifetime sales with MS, they'll F-up gaming the same as streaming services have done to the movie industry and it's workforce.

Fishy Fingers4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Out of interest do you think those 3rd parties signing the deal are unhappy with the severence and have a gun to their head?

Bro probably has a PS+ sub and has library full of Epic launcher free games.

TheNamelessOne4d ago

lol

Pretty much. There's a lot of hate on this site for Gamepass, but put games on the different tiers of the PS subscription, and whenever they get that free day one release, it's an entirely different tune. No talk about how this choice is killing devs.

DarXyde4d ago

Do we think they're unhappy?

Umm...YES...?

They literally need to be paid up front to put games on the service. It's become a way to gain a foothold on the platform.

Do you think Atlus would launch on Game Pass otherwise?

MrDead3d ago

"Out of interest do you think those 3rd parties signing the deal are unhappy with the severence and have a gun to their head?"

I think you mean severance... and I've noticed you don't know what it means either, MS aren't firing the third-parties they're purchasing from.

"Bro probably has a PS+ sub and has library full of Epic launcher free games."

I'm not a console gamer, but yes I do have Epic with a library full of free games... but guess what Epic rotating free games every week doesn't do. It doesn't destroy lifetime sales and cut workers out of residuals. Then you bring up PS+ a service that also doesn't destroy lifetime sales as their model allows for new releases to earn.

DivineHand1254d ago

There are pros and cons to everything. Streaming services like Netflix is no different than cable tv except it is on demand. Services like Netflix has made it so that more studios can get a share in the profit where they can reach more consumers worldwide compared to the old days where the masses will only watch a few new titles per month.

The only negative about streaming services is that it no longer makes any sense to sell DVDs and Blu-rays though it can be argued that those persons may have moved on to building digital libraries for the sake of convenience.

The reason Xbox is doing so poorly is because they are not doing enough to be competitive. Their output of AA and AAA exclusive titles are extremely low compared to the competition and they haven't had a game of the year nominee in years.

Releasing their games the same date on PC is also hurting their console and it would have been more strategic for them to delay those releases by a year similar to what Sony does to maximize profits.

Gamepass alone is not to blame for Xbox's current position because it can be argued that if the service didn't exist and they had the same gaming output as they have now, they would be in an even worst spot.

MrDead3d ago

"Streaming services like Netflix is no different than cable tv except it is on demand."

It's nothing like cable. My comment isn't a guess lifetime sale of films has shrunk to a point it's almost gone and so has the revenue it generated, that is money from competing TV networks, cable/satellite and physical media sales.

Lack of revenue transparency with streaming has meant workers job security and pay has massively diminished, earnings from residuals is almost gone for example the writer for Squid Games because of streaming gets no royalties despite series earning $900 million for Netflix, before streaming he would have royalties form lifetime sales.
Or another example Willow the series was pulled and is no longer watchable here's why: “Willow” was one of nearly 50 titles that Disney+ pulled from its streaming library in May. Other titles included the series “The Mysterious Benedict Society” and the feature film “The One and Only Ivan.” Disney CFO Christine McCarthy explained that Disney was expecting to take a write-down in the June quarter of $1.5 billion-$1.8 billion by removing content from its streaming platforms. By writing down the value of the content assets, Disney can remove that from its balance sheet and reduce its tax bill." Also when you pull a show you no longer need to pay residuals to the workers.

Have you also noticed the drop in quality on sfx or thought some older films look so much better then they do now? This is because the industry now relies on cheap labour for sfx outsourcing abroad, more green screen instead of location shooting and a lot less real extras bring life to a scene.

Streaming in gaming is going to be far worse as we've seen with MS consolidating a massive part of the industry to try and make the service sustainable, lifetime sales being cannibalised by gamespass and a work force that has no unions like SAG is already paying the price.

All streaming does is remove income transparency, cuts the workers from the money and sets flat rates and removes consumer ownership... but CEO's and shareholders will still be ok as they benefit from the industry consolidation.

Huey_My_D_Long3d ago

MrDead is absolutely on fire with the post.

Nothing else I have to add other than that.

DivineHand1253d ago

@MrDead like I said pros and cons. Some of those issues can alleviated with alleviated with regulatory intervention to give more transparency to the industry but unlikely anytime soon with all the lobbying going on.

The issue with the squid game's writer can be attributed to the terms and conditions he agreed to. It happens often in business as no one really knows how popular something will be until you catch that lightning in a bottle. I remember reading about how Nintendo hardly made anything off Pokemon Go dispite Niantic making Billions.

I don't blame streaming services for studios finding was to reduce the cost of making films. That stuff would have happened regardless because of the greed of these corporations. We see that same cost reduction happening in every industry from food to Aerospace.

shadowT4d ago ShowReplies(2)
CrimsonGuardVII4d ago

@badz148 its not, it just straight lied.

gold_drake4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

we know this, we have known this since last year.

this is not new or news.

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440°

Report: Microsoft Cutting 650 More Jobs From Gaming Division Per Phil Spencer's Letter to Employees

Phil Spencer has sent a letter out to employees informing them that 650 jobs would be cut from Microsoft's gaming division.

VenomUK12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

‘Good guy Phil’?

The truth likely is that the decision was not his to make and is possibly a direct consequence of cutting costs following the ABK deal.

XiNatsuDragnel12d ago

Lol good guy Phil lmfao crazy

DodoDojo12d ago

Would be nice if he'd mail one of those letters to himself.

RhinoGamer8812d ago

Cut costs -> no bonus, stock options, raises for Phil and his leadership team.

Lightning7712d ago

"Good guy Phil" is comical. You have to bleed green to see that. I'm only a matter of time until MS, that's right MS even in ages themselves from the industry.

Sad, people and even sadder and pathetic company.

fr0sty12d ago

If they keep this up, they won't even be able to go third party anymore after they stop making Xbox hardware.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 12d ago
bionicstar12d ago

game devs aren't being let go.

“As part of aligning our post-acquisition team structure and managing our business, we have made the decision to eliminate approximately 650 roles across Microsoft Gaming—mostly corporate and supporting functions—to organize our business for long term success.”

darthv7212d ago

getting rid of some suits... now this news isnt so bad. Too many suits makes all the wrong decisions, esp the top dogs.

Michiel198912d ago

@darth they arent suits, they are people that work in administration, customer support and that kinda stuff

ZacultronTheFirst12d ago

Probably people from much needed Marketing department.

Nacho_Z12d ago

It doesn't make it any better if they aren't devs being fired.

12d ago
+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 12d ago
Petebloodyonion12d ago

The original story is from IGN as they are the ones who got the memo.
https://www.ign.com/article...

Still sucks!

badboyz0912d ago

The day we hear that Xbox is no more is vastly approaching.

12d ago Replies(2)
Obscure_Observer12d ago

"The day we hear that Xbox is no more is vastly approaching."

Not sure Sony is doing any better with all that money lost on GaaS and all that worldwide backlash regarding the Pro.

1Victor12d ago

@obscured: “ Not sure Sony is doing any better with all that money lost on GaaS and all that worldwide backlash regarding the Pro.”
.
Welcome back we missed you said no one 🤣

.
I don’t remember Sony cutting over 1900 employees then Less than 7 months later get a leak for another 600 to be on the chopping board but hey let’s equate that to a few people not been happy about a mid gen system refresh price 🤦🏿.

12d ago
1Victor12d ago

@obscured: “
They also casually forget that Sony have been laying off thousands of people too”
Yeeesh I got a better help discount code for you

BehindTheRows12d ago

Uh, thr Pro "backlash" is hardly something that's going to tank their business. Unless you've been living under a rock, there's no question that Xbox is in the gutter.

Quit pivoting to Sony because you don't like the subject matter. Their game division isn't in the toilet.

DodoDojo12d ago

Well Sony isn't selling more copies of their games on a rival system yet so they must be doing alright.

12d ago
Mr_cheese11d ago

@obscure

Saves some straws for the rest of us will you

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
343_Guilty_Spark11d ago

Vastly approaching is a weird phrase… vastly is typically used to convey the degree of some size or length or time.

Vastly approaching makes no sense.

You mean rapidly approaching.

MrDead12d ago

A combined $80 billion spent on consolidating a massive part of the industry, thousands fired all to line the pockets of the already wealthy and turn the gaming industry into a rental service.

FU MS.

crazyCoconuts12d ago

MS is a publicly traded company. If you have a 401K you yourself might own MS stocks.
I'm definitely not a MS fan, but CEOs need to keep returns high to keep their jobs if nothing else. They don't get to transfer the salaries to their accounts.
I blame MS for failed strategies, poor execution, lack of vision, etc.
These layoffs are just the result of those things.

MrDead12d ago

That's the weakest excuse for a giant monopoly I've ever seen... also companies like MS are more likely to damage people's 401k through monopolistic practices.

Obscure_Observer12d ago

"FU MS."

I love how you act all enraged and bully when it´s MS firing people.

"It´s all about the workers" at least they´re Sony´s employees, right? If they´re Sony they can go f* themselves right? It´s all justified and the blame lies elsewhere on some widespread industry problem, right? Right?

We been seeing some of Sony recent bs moves and you know what´s coming, right?

I´m expecting you to disappear the same way you do every time Sony layoff hundreds of people or get a whole studio shut down.

You´ll do anything to avoid and hold them accountable. But that's OK. You´are not biased, right?

1Victor12d ago

@obscured: “ "It´s all about the workers" at least they´re Sony´s employees, right? If they´re Sony they can go f* themselves right? It´s all justified and the blame lies elsewhere on some widespread industry problem, right? Right?”

.
Well Sony didn’t overreached and spend over 80 BILLION$ to acquire mayor 3rd party game developers and one MAYOR publisher the owner of the BIGGEST FPS just hoping to keeping it exclusive to their system and now having to fire thousands of employees to valance their books one more quarter.
Now Microsoft is beginning and going to kiss Sony dark ring and publish their “first party games “ on PlayStation. Regardless of who it is it’s wrong to do an acquisition and then fire people.
I applaud Microsoft for at least giving them a severance package and assistance getting a new job 👍👍.

MrDead12d ago

Chill out kid... also why bring up Sony, have they just spent 80 billion to consolidate a massive part of the industry to the detriment of thousands of workers?

MS lines their pockets whilst firing thousands, such a shame you support this.

Chevalier12d ago

Gee someone here said Xbox would NEVER release 1st party games on Playstation or competing platforms again?! Never tired to see you eat crow again.

12d ago
OlderGamer1711d ago

But but Sony bad...thats the normal damagecontroll from O_O. Dude its time to sing another song, this one is sounding like a broken record......

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
LG_Fox_Brazil12d ago

Not sure about the rest of the world, but here in Brazil we have a say that goes like this:

'May the last one to leave please turn off the lights'

What the heck is MS even doing right now?

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