150°

Can we rely on Microsoft to deliver at e3?

Casually Addicted's Craig Shields has his take on what Microsoft need to focus on at e3:

"It’s been a week now since the tragic reveal of the Xbox One. And not tragic for just anyone in particular either, it’s been a PR disaster for Microsoft.

The taunts and jeers from across the internet about TV, Sports and a severe lack of games has hurt Microsoft in a console announcement that was truly spectacular for all the wrong reasons."

Read Full Story >>
casually-addicted.net
ZodTheRipper4407d ago

It'll be hard to meet the expectations people now have of Microsofts E3 conference ...it'll be even harder to surpass Sony with their conference. This will definately be one of the most interesting E3's yet.

MikeMichaels4407d ago

MS is boned. They took their eye off the prize and its going to bite them.

Damage control like "We'll throw 1 billion dollars at games" isnt going to fix anything. Great titles and dev teams take years and iterations to mature.

Sony spent a generation producing hits and misses, learning, and its about to pay off for them. They are laser focused.

Maybe next gen MS.

Sitdown4407d ago

That is where you are wrong, keeping their eye on the prize, is what is the cause of concern. Since the days of the original xbox, Microsoft has been trying to position itself at the center of the living room. Microsoft understood the move away from traditional PC, and has been trying to make sure they have a firm position when things shifted. Microsoft can easily right the wrong at E3, while easily putting a spin on the "rumors".

HammadTheBeast4407d ago

MS has some massive competition. They will likely lose the first party race, but even third parties might not hold up when Sony has Destiny and others on their side.

They've got a long climb ahead.

Hundreds of Xbox fans have been saying "wait for E3". Well. I'm waiting.

fermcr4407d ago (Edited 4407d ago )

If Microsoft wants to recover from the backlash, a E3 as good as Sony won't cut it, they need a better E3 then Sony... and in all honesty i don't believe they will have a better E3 then Sony.

Microsoft need big and great surprises (game related) at E3. Can they deliver... hummm...

OrangePowerz4407d ago

The problem MS has now is that they need to outperform Sony at the E3. If they are just on par it won't be good enough because of all the bad PR since march and the failed presentation.

Retroman4407d ago (Edited 4407d ago )

"CAN WE RELY ON MS TO DELIVER @ E3"

i rather rely on a skunk smelling bad than anything from MS.....(credibility)..... and that is a difficult smell to deal with.

THE-COMMANDER4407d ago

Yeah,i really can't wait!
2 weeks to go.

ABizzel14407d ago

If they don't deliver their done.

That being said I truly want to see these 15 exclusives, and again if a good portion of those exclusives are Kinect games (potentially excluding Ryse) or XBLA games, then they're done.

Also we have to remember they said 15 exclusives in the first year (which could mean 2013 - 2014, unlike a lot of people who are expecting by the end of the 2013).

UNGR4407d ago

"It'll be hard to meet the expectations people now have of Microsoft's E3 conference" They said the games are coming, probably more details on the console. If they do those, and clarify (while fixing) some issues people have, they'll nail it. As for Sony's conference. "it'll be even harder to surpass Sony with their conference." How do you know it'll be good? What if they tank it? None of know. All we can do is hope they both do good, speculation is for fools. If this kind of speculation is held acceptable then what isn't? It's almost more annoying than the "end of the world, 2012" crap we saw. Nobody know's jack except for the ones in charge, and they're not saying anything until E3. Wait and see, it's all you can do.

Veneno4407d ago

Jeez lighten up and have some fun.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4407d ago
Rainstorm814407d ago

It's going to be very difficult. Sony has to be given credit for the superb chess game they have been playing with MS. Sony had their announcement first and created a huge buzz within the gaming community, forcing MS to answer back with their own event which has been very Anti-gamer.

Now June 10 MS goes first and if they don't blow the socks off gamers everywhere, they will be Bookended between Sony Press conferences. Well played so far by Sony.

E3 isn't far off and MS can turn it around...but they didnt do themselves any favors in a gaming community that already feels like they aren't the primary focus

KillrateOmega4407d ago

It'll be difficult. Damn difficult.

They'll have to somehow show gamers that they still care about them and manage to overturn A LOT of negative press and opinions.

MikeMyers4407d ago

Difficult but possible. Their track record hasn't been the greatest but if there ever was a time for them to have to deliver at E3 this is it.

HammadTheBeast4407d ago

Unless they change the DRM and used games policy, they might as well save the billion they've put into games.

Hicken4407d ago

Possible but improbable. That very same E3 track record you mention, combined with their gaming policies these past few years and the recent reveal of the XBOne, say it's not likely.

We can expect Call of Duty, Halo, and a few other things that have been staples, even during their less than stellar showings. But beyond that, there's not really anything we can expect from them.

We can HOPE for more, for better, for them to renounce these ridiculous plans they have.

But should we expect it? No.

wishingW3L4407d ago

they said they have 15 exclusives

Mustang300C20124407d ago

And that is just MS not other publishers that may announce additional exclusive games and or content.

HammadTheBeast4407d ago

15 exclusives in the first year.

They haven't said how many will be for Kinect (Ryze is one) and how many are small downloadables etc.

OrangePowerz4407d ago

15 exclusives can mean a lot. I remember the year Kinect came out and MS saying they have tons of exclusives and a lot of them turned out to be Kinect games.

I don't want to see Kinect games at the presentation, just like I dont want to see Move games at the Sony presentation.

Salvadore4407d ago

Who said they couldn't, but that is all dependent on whether the damn fools at MS can get their marketing department; i.e. unless you are otherwise advised to don't say anything.

FrigidDARKNESS4407d ago

Of course cant wait to see Respawn.

Show all comments (61)
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.

Read Full Story >>
clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer1d 11h 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.

InUrFoxHole1d 5h ago

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

VenomUK23h 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.

Agent7512h ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM18h ago

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

Ganif16h 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_Observer12h 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.

Notellin12h 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.

Agent7512h ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer12h 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_BLM8h 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.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 8h ago
Fishy Fingers1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h 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_Observer1d 10h 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

BeHunted1d 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h 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...

PRIMORDUS1d 10h ago Show
HyperMoused1d 10h ago

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

Christopher1d 10h 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?

Lightning771d 6h 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.

Eonjay17h 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_Observer12h 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.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 12h ago
Show all comments (38)
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.

20d ago
20d ago
lukasmain20d ago

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

jjb198119d 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.

VenomUK18d 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?!

crazyCoconuts18d ago

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

VenomUK18d ago

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

19d ago
Show all comments (19)
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.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
22d ago
22d ago
22d ago
shadowT22d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits21d 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).

RaidenBlack21d ago (Edited 21d 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.

ABizzel121d 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).

Kosic21d 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

ABizzel120d 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 =.

TheEroica21d ago

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

badz14921d ago

@shadowT

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

Cacabunga20d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 20d ago
CrashMania21d 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.

crazyCoconuts21d 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?

Lightning7721d ago

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

Outside_ofthe_Box21d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7721d 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?

crazyCoconuts21d 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_Box21d ago (Edited 21d 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?

Lightning7721d ago (Edited 21d 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
BLow21d 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?

RaidenBlack21d ago (Edited 21d 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_Box21d 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...

21d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

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

21d ago
1Victor21d 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.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
Show all comments (77)