100°

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Gets Another Microsoft-Branded Character Illustration

While speculation on the reasons behind the promotional partnership between Microsoft and Square Enix to push Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Windows 8 is still rampant, with many believing it hides a longer-term deal like a possible Xbox 720 release, what is known is that today it generated another beautiful piece of character concept art.

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dualshockers.com
Jek_Porkins4417d ago

Square Enix is supposed to show off something next week, the same time the next Xbox is going to be reveled...megaton incoming?

dktxx24417d ago

Would anything Square Enix does be a megaton?

Jek_Porkins4417d ago

Sure, Versus not being exclusive, an exclusive game for the next Xbox, either would be a megaton. It's more games, next gen games, so of course I'm excited and I just like using the word, never even knew it before coming here.

It'd be foolish to think Microsoft wouldn't have at least a couple of these "megatons" between the reveal and their E3 show.

DOMination-4417d ago

N4G will explode if versus is announced at the xbox reveal. And kinda rightly so. SE surely wouldn't be that dumb.

I actually think that will stay exclusive and theyll show a new rpg next week

Godmars2904417d ago (Edited 4417d ago )

Aside from FF14 being on Xbox3? That is what all this screams.

The "megaton" you're likely looking for would be vs13. And even then Square has to live down all of the mistakes they've made this gen, with the key one being making FF13 multi.

Abriael4417d ago

Umh no. All this screams is that Microsoft wants to push Windows 8 in Japan and is teaming with the only big Japanese-made mainly PC MMORPG for that purpose.

If it had anything to do with the 720, there would be no reason to limit the partnership to Japan.

SDF Repellent4417d ago

FF14, cross-platform play between PC and the new xbox. Oh, any maybe even FF Versus now also went multiplatforms. Megaton incoming 5/21.

Lucreto4417d ago

Not likely.

Microsoft is pushing Windows 8 in Japan and using a big MMORPG like FF XIV is an ideal way of doing that.

I read somewhere that Final Fantasy XIV released date was going to be announced at the end of May.

This could be it.

Jek_Porkins4417d ago

One might agree if the dates didn't line up so well, I have a feeling this is going to be pretty big news and it involves SE, they will most likely be at the big #XboxReveal

Lucreto4416d ago

@Jek_Porkins

It is possible but I doubt it will be Final Fantasy related.

They will show a new Final Fantasy at Sony's E3. It would be bad show to say that at Sony's conference then announce it at Microsofts conference.

KingKelloggTheWH4417d ago

Next xbox unveil next week,square showing something next week.
How much you want to bet it's this?

Abriael4417d ago (Edited 4417d ago )

My bet is that it's not. The reason why FFXIV was never announced for 360 wasn't the hardware, but Xbox Live's policies. I doubt those are going to change with the 720.

But we'll see :D

@Jek_Porkins: About Class4, I'll believe it when it happens. About Lionhead, it's a first party studio, so obviously they don't fall under the same problem, as their servers will be hosted my Microsoft itself.

The main problem with FFXIV is that it involves cross platform gameplay, and the Xbox Live policies are steel clad in that No cross platform is allowed.

KingKelloggTheWH4417d ago

True,but XBOX has made exceptions with their policies before(like the previous ff mmo).

Jek_Porkins4417d ago

Well Class4 is a zombie MMO by Undead Labs that was supposed to come to the Xbox 360, but looks like it's coming to the next Xbox now, and Lionhead is supposedly working on a new IP MMORPG for the next Xbox, so things indeed do and can change.

Microsoft getting something like this would be huge, but I guess we'll find out soon. N4G is going to be a fun place to visit after the #XboxReveal

Abriael4417d ago (Edited 4417d ago )

@KingKellogg: FFXI was not an exception. It was released on 360 before the current xbox live policies were set in place.

To my knowledge no exception has been ever made, in fact no MMORPG has been released on the 360. A few have been anounced, and then canceled when the current policy was set in place.

Personally I would love to see the game on ALL platforms (yes, even Mac, Wii U and Vita). With a MMORPG the more the better, but in this case the hurdle is not technical.

4417d ago
JAMurida4417d ago

I think it would be a good move on MS, as well as SE, for having it on the next Xbox. Would really make me consider getting a next Xbox if that was the case. Of course, unless they announce a PS4 version for XIV, but since they've invested so much into the PS3 version... Idk...

I wish Yoshida would just scrap the PS3 version honesty, since I already just have this feeling it won't run that well performance wise (I can see the bad framerates/freezing already) and just port it to the next gen consoles, that would be better suited for the game. But of course, business wise it wouldn't be smart.

helghast1024417d ago

That's quite a reach, the Windows 8 logo is plastered on there so there also has to be a Microsoft credit on there too.
That's almost as big a reach as saying "Final Fantasy XIV is a videogame, Xbox 360 is a videogame console, therefore it will release on it!".

260°

AMD CEO Shares Vision Behind Xbox Partnership and Next-Gen Chip Roadmap

AMD CEO Lisa Su talks about the Xbox AMD partnership, next-gen Ryzen + Radeon chips, and AI rendering tech coming to all Xbox devices.

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clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer2d ago

AMD is really building hype around their unique partnership with Microsoft to help and build an advanced and seamless Xbox ecosystem across all Xbox consoles and devices.

I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimized chips" though? Seems ambitious.

Next year´s Xbox Showcase already looks promising and exciting. Here´s hoping they deliver.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

They had best show 3yrs in a row. Heading for another

VenomUK1d 17h ago

Obscure_Observer said “I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimised chips" though? Seems ambitious.” To me, I interpret this to mean rather than having a couple of X/S products for launch and a handheld there is a longer term plan to release new products with higher specs at timed intervals. I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec.

Agent751d 7h ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 12h ago

It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever.

Ganif1d 11h ago

Correct.

"Sony's PlayStation 6 reportedly will feature an AMD semi-custom APU with a Zen 5 CPU and UDNA GPU, capable of 4K 120FPS and 8K 60FPS gaming. The console will include X3D cache and advanced AI upscaling technology."

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

Obscure_Observer1d 7h ago

"It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever."

I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released.

Notellin1d 7h ago

You should have just lead this comment with the fact that you have zero understanding of technology in the consoles and instead have a Toms Hardware online forum level of education.

Agent751d 7h ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer1d 7h ago

@VenomUK

"I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec."

Very interesting theory. Still not sure how MS would actually make it work.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 3h ago

"I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released."

How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is.

Obscure_Observer8h ago(Edited 7h ago)

"How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is."

Dude, what I know for certain is that a tech as old as X3D chips which is actually *older* than both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, is hardly the reason behind this new partnership between AMD and MS to build new *custom silicon* for next generation of consoles.

And yes it´s a huge announcement since AMD is working closely with MS to co-develop custom SoC which will allow backwards compatibility across all MS´s next gen devices allowing seamless integration between devices and full backwards compatibility across all generations of Xbox consoles.

I also know is that this announcement don´t have anything to do with Playstation and their strategy with AMD for the PS6, so stop comparing the two pretending that you know what´s going on, because you clearly don´t.

If Sony is working on something remotely similar, that´s remain to be seen.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 8h ago
Fishy Fingers2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Some odd, deliberate wording, no branding, not 'Xbox consoles, Xbox handhelds' specifically, feels and sounds like they're building towards hardware that anyone can be used or licensed to/by themselves and other manufacturers.

Multiplatform software and hardware 'Xbox/AMD APU'.

Obscure_Observer2d ago

I guess you missed Sarah Bond´s next generation Xbox announcement this week, were she clearly states:

"I´m thrilled to share that we´ve established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including, *our* next generation *Xbox consoles*."

But hey, I don´t think you´re entirely wrong, maybe MS will build their own Xbox consoles while licencing other manufactures to build and sell their own Xbox branded consoles. Who knows

BeHunted2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I think you watched the wrong video. It's below the description, or you can watch it directly on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kprpRvsOua...

HyperMoused2d ago

Shares vision....we provide chips for money, this deal will sell many chips, we will make lots of money...good vision

Christopher2d ago

The marketing behind this is so heavy that I worry about the actual outcome. Why are they just not showing us the product, why all this talking in market speak?

Lightning772d ago

Probably because the next xbox isn't ready to release yet?

The marketing and rumors seem to be heavy out of no where. The rumor was a 27 release but it maybe it could be 26 new console launch instead.

Who knows.

Eonjay1d 12h ago

There PR is alrways super heavy handed. No one is acutally buying an Xbox as is.
Also it is very early to be talking so much about a next gen console.

Obscure_Observer1d 7h ago

There´s a lot of people interested on Xbox Next and its ability to run games from major stores like Steam.

We know that the PS6 is just around the corner as well, but so far, no news on what it might improve over the PS5 or PS5 Pro.

However, Sony already made public that their priority and actual focus is the PS6. So its not "very early" to talk about next gen when the very console manufactures are talking about it.

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210°

Activision Forces Adverts into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Loadouts

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

21d ago
21d ago
lukasmain20d ago

Putting Ads in a pay-to-play Premium title? Well done Microsoft. Well done /s This is really scummy.

jjb198120d ago

This game will never change because these sweatlords love buying up all the skins and bundles that become obsolete the following year. They're the ones perpetuating Activision's greed.

VenomUK19d ago

If Microsoft introduces adverts into its other games I hope it can do them without disrupting the immersion of the game world. So for example in the new Fable game it would look out of place if there was a billboard advertising Cadillacs.

A far better way to do it would be to have a wizard conjure a 'dream cloud' in front of your character and then in the cloud you can see the Cadillac car and see the text with price and availability and hear a booming sales voice promoting the car. That would work so well as it wouldn't be a billboard and completely, 100%, fit in with your character's adventuring in Albion. Doesn't that sound so much better?!

crazyCoconuts19d ago

@venom, or how about our of 100 farts in Albion, 1 of them has a Cadillac pop out

VenomUK19d ago

@crazyCoconuts That’s undeniably off-beat - but it could really work!

20d ago
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410°

Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

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windowscentral.com
23d ago
22d ago
22d ago
shadowT22d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits22d ago

If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).

RaidenBlack22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

I am kinda low-key happy this happened.
Dont want another Series S situation (games to be designed from 4 to 12TF scale and not 10 to 12TF).
Hope PS follows suit as well. Tablet SKU sharing with console for 10th gen, will just continue the cross gen -esque development/design phase/nature.
Want a proper 20+ only TF rasterized next-gen plz (+ frame-gen and the lot).
If anybody wants to continue the cross-gen, the Series S|X, PS5 will remain for that. And Switch 2, if you gotta go even lower in the TF range.

ABizzel122d ago

Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).

These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.

Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).

Kosic22d ago

Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.

Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.

I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.

I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.

GamerRN21d ago

Did you just imply that Sony can make a better stronger handheld than Microsoft? You do realize we are talking about Microsoft, the tech giant, right? If Microsoft can't make one that's cost effective, Sony definitely can't...

Brand and market share means nothing when you are a trillion dollar company

ABizzel121d ago

@GamerRN

It has nothing to do with what company can do it, or what company can spend.

For anyone taking a basic business class there is a term called ROI, and Xbox home consoles are selling at an all time low, meaning their ROI on a handheld is a risk that doesn’t make sense, even if they can afford it. Businesses are there to make money and it doesn’t make sene for MS to invest in a handheld that’s a companion device when their current home consoles they’ve spent 20 years working on are at an all time-low, when they can invest with little risk with what ASUS already has to offer.

This is why Sony can build a better device, because they have less risk involved, meaning they can invest more in their own product, and they already have an exclusive partnership with AMD on creating features and hardware. So in this specific case, YES Sony can built a better handheld, due to custom hardware, customer tools, low level APIs, compared to an off the shelf product running Windows or a Window Xbox kernel =.

TheEroica22d ago

I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.

badz14922d ago

@shadowT

The Switch is a handheld, so will the Switch 2. what are you on about?

Cacabunga21d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
CrashMania22d ago

Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.

Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.

crazyCoconuts22d ago

It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?

Lightning7722d ago

Except there is. That project is reportedly full speed ahead.

Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7722d ago

@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?

crazyCoconuts22d ago

@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?

Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

@Lightning

Here we go with having to spell everything out.

If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"

My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?

Lightning7722d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Box me in? No you said the same thing you've always been saying for years now. Those are the rumors to have Steam integration.

What about it

If you told me they were gonna cancel it tomorrow it would nothing more than fanboy talking points. I only wait for credible sources not what someone else says.

Also this is the handheld not a full blown new console. The Asus is yet to release and they're waiting to see how that thing does. Critical thinking is my strong suit you should try it some time if you can. But Ok cool well you hang your hat on that I guess. Main New console is gonna get cancelled even though the handheld is a different marketing device than the main the console itself.

__y2jb21d ago

I think there is a 75% chance there will not be another Xbox. There is zero reason to buy one now. No way it can possibly sell more than 10m units after Xbox went third party.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
BLow22d ago

That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.

I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?

Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?

RaidenBlack22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

The Rog Ally one is gen agnostic ... as you deciphered, it was to be the updated Rog Ally but just with Xbox branding. PC handheld with some Xbox features.
The handheld Xbox is/was supposed to be sharing the same gen/ecosystem with the next-gen (10th gen) Xbox. Think Series S but handheld ... it'll run the Xbox OS or whatever the next Xbox will run.
...
As for anybody wondering/confused why MS is doing another Xbox console ... coz mainly its the 10th gen of home consoles next, which started wayy back in 1972 for the 1st gen. And MS wanna be part in it, in the 10th anniversary gen of consoles. If they gotta bow out, they can't do that at 9th i.e just before 10th. They wanna stick around till the 10th or the X-th gen and check what the fuss happens.

Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago

Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...

22d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.

22d ago
1Victor22d ago

asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.

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