890°

Microsoft Hiring “Super Creator” To Develop The Next Xbox Hardware; Aims to Improve Game Dev Tools

Microsoft just launched the Xbox One a few months ago, but the company is already looking at the future.

Read Full Story >>
dualshockers.com
Concertoine4004d ago

I hope MS makes some profit this gen. They're working hard to turn it around. I do think with the smaller loss on hardware they have a better chance to do so even if it is less popular than 360.

I should point out that this isn't definitive proof they do plan to make another xbox, Sega actually had a dreamcast successor at least in the conceptual stage before they pulled the plug.

MrSwankSinatra4004d ago

The xbox consoles historically have never been profitable for microsoft, microsoft makes their money back on xbox live subscriptions and software sales.

Theyellowflash304004d ago

Microsoft "leads you to believe" they make back their money on Xbox Live Subscriptions and software sales.

But the reality is they don't make anything, they actually loose money, then hide it in Android Patent royalties.
http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

This was revealed by a real Microsoft analyst Rick Sherlund

Ezz20134004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

@theyellowflash30

hmmm,didn't know that

MultiConsoleGamer4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

"The xbox consoles historically have never been profitable for microsoft."

Wrong.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

http://www.extremetech.com/...

zeuanimals4004d ago

That's almost all consoles, though, not just MS's. Software sales have always made the bulk of the money for consoles while console sales are just the catalyst for the software.

MS also made money from ads on the 360.

kickerz4004d ago

Maybe the hardware they're talking about is VR or something like that. Just a thought

BitbyDeath4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

@McG, you must have missed Theyellowflash30's post.
Those links you posted are not just Xbox but the entire division which includes the android patents mentioned above.

rawz4004d ago

@MultiConsoleGamer

"The xbox consoles historically have never been profitable for microsoft."

Right. If you finish reading his message, he clearly meant xbox 360 _hardware_ hasn't been profitable. The money comes from the software sales and live subscriptions.

jcnba284004d ago

Neither have sony consoles, Nintendo have always made a profit on their hardware.

shaenoide4004d ago

they have never made money with the xbox brand. Even with games or live subs. They hide this fact by merging the xbox brand with more lucrative activities (Entertainment & Devices).

shaenoide4004d ago

1.1.4

And wrong...

C'mon First line.

"The Entertainment and Devices Division of Microsoft, which includes the Xbox 360, PC games, and Windows Phone, took in a profit of $32 million on top of revenues of $1.49 billion"

The Entertainment and Devices Division is not the xbox only. THey merged the xbox brand here because it was doing poorly. The money comes from the android royalties.

creeping judas4004d ago

@yellowflash

So when does working for another company make you an employee of MS. This is from the story you posted.

"Microsoft is hiding billions in losses from its Xbox gaming business, according to Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund."

Where does it say that Rick Sherlund is a MS analyst? Can you please let me know?

It's always awesome how you guys twists things to fit into your agenda!

alexkoepp4004d ago Show
Mr Pumblechook4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

I get the impression that Microsoft will want to end this lost generation and will be looking to release the Xbone Two sooner rather than later.

Tito084003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

@alexkoepp- Cool story, want a cookie?

Arkardo4003d ago

@alexkoepp

Wow man breath for God's sake!

You know there is nothing left here for you, you clearly are the most biased chap around here, even Trufan1 vows on your sight.

Trying to sound like a pro just leaves you more in shame, we normal people are not on your league so you will always know more than us we get it.

Keep playing Halo till end of times and let gamers enjoy new games ahead.

Revengeance4003d ago

@alexkoepp

Lol. Wow you're a bona-fide Xbox drone. Micro$oft brainwashed you good. Let me know when you come back to reality where Xbox will NEVER be as good as PlayStation, and that's a FACT! Dealwithit :)

UltraNova4003d ago

After reading Alex's biography especially this

"Microsoft makes amazing stuff. I was a PlayStation guy, until the day I played Halo. The day I touched that at a friends house, well, I went out immediately bought an Xbox, and never again touched my PS2. Halo occupied me (and all gamers) for the next year. LAN gaming, oh my, greatest console experience ever. After that I was luck enough to be a beta tester for Xbox Live, first dibs on gamertag, F yeah!"

I was like what the hell I'm I doing with this piece oh shit..._looks at the ps4 and slightly dusty ps3 underneath it_

Not really.

OT: Lets hope they wont abandon ship, again, just like they did with the first xbox and the second (for the last couple years) and leave all those XB1 owners left hanging...

Who I'm I to say history does not repeat its self?

Aloren4003d ago

I doubt MS is losing any money on 360 hardware nowadays; considering the cheapest is still about 200 bucks, there hasn't been any significant price cut in years. I bought mine in 2008 for the same price... I don't think I've ever seen any 9 years old console that expensive.

coolbeans4003d ago

Sure, that was the case in the past.

But reports I've seen suggest both MS and Sony are selling their consoles at a profit right out the gate.

http://venturebeat.com/2013...

Sitdown4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

@theyellowflash
That article was pure speculation... And what makes him a real Microsoft analyst? Here, let's do since basic math.. According to this link http://www.gameinformer.com... Microsoft had 46 million subscribers in 2013. Let's say only half (23 million) paid for gold, and let's make the funny assumption that on average they pay below retail price(which is $60, but let's go $40. If you do the math, in one year alone, Xbox live should bring in a year over $500 million. I didn't use $920 million, cause I don't know the operational cost of live. If Xbox was really bleeding that heavily, I think investors would have been had their day... As it's been common knowledge regarding android royalties. But then again, my thinking appears too simple... So it's probably wrong.

@coolbeans
Exactly

Concertoine4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

Wow, you think i don't know that? That doesnt change the fact that the smaller hardware loss means it'll be easier to make their money back and even start profitting on the hardware units sold. It'll be easier to make back on a 50 dollar loss than a 200 one.

Cant believe everyone assumed i didn't know the basics.

kreate4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

"I hope MS makes some profit this gen"

Microsoft always profits. period.
so don't worry.

*we also know there would be another generation after this generation, whose the one who said this gen will be the last?

Gamer6664003d ago

Nobody makes significant money on hardware.

Money is made on tied services and software always.

hkgamer4003d ago

disagree.

1st xbox wasnt succesful in turning profits but it was more of an investment into the industry.

360 was profitable. exclude the XBL and it was still profitable. you really believe that the amount of 360 they sold with almost every single one making profit did not cover R&D? I highly doubt that.

also cnsoles make money from game sales. do we need to include that as console making money? 360 made tons of money from software sales, almost every multiplat sold more on 360 and the exclusives made crazy numbers.

Pro Racer4003d ago

I bet it's to develop Kinect 3.0

pixelsword4003d ago

Wheeze, you know when the XboX one is doing bad when Microsoft's talking up the next console more then their current one.

LonDonE4003d ago

IN OTHER WORDS THEY ARE GOING TO COPY SONY YET AGAIN!!! LMAO!! seriously this company has no direction whatsoever they have back peddled on EVERYTHING and have just copied Sony and its getting embarrassing! crazy how a company with so much money hasn't got a single clue!

They saw how Sony nailed everything with mark cerny at the helm and now are going to copy even that aspect of the Playstation division.

This is getting more and more pathetic day by day.

DeadManMMX4003d ago

The number one reason the xbox 360 was not profitable was all the money they spend making up for the RROD. All that money spent on exchanges techs to fix the systems, postage, etc. If they can avoid that kind of pitfall this time it will be profitable.

ma1asiah4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

No matter how they make their money, they are not the company as a whole (not just games division) that reported a billion dollar plus debt. Hate on MS all you like, the company is still very profitable where as, its closest competitor whom maybe winning in console sales the globe over, but at the end of the day will it really be enough to get them out of so much friggen debt.

In fact how many consoles would a company need to sell to recoup that kind of deficit.

Haters gonna hate no matter what

bigbic4003d ago

The thing Microsoft needed to improve on was reliability of their hardware, it got taken care of with the X1. Their next console they need a good, consumer friendly strategy at the console reveal to develop consumer trust from the get go. They obviously know this already.

Now Sony needs to not get overly confident about the success they have had, and keep improving their console/business.

It should be an interesting battle between the two going forward.

ma1asiah4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

looks up and notices peeps be hitting that disagree without doing their homework

http://www.techspot.com/new...

http://abcnews.go.com/Busin...

Though to be fair they have made up for a world record reported loss in 2012

http://www.dailytech.com/So...

ArmrdChaos4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

Pretty amusing read LonDonE. MS copying everything Sony does...really. Tell me this...

Why does the PS4 have a traditional CPU in it instead of the ALL POWERFUL CELL?

Why was their console cheaper this time?

Why did they release their console sooner this time?

Why is their console easier to develop for this time?

I could keep going...all the things MS established last gen. It's funny how that works.

pyramidshead4003d ago

Damn so glad Alex got marked for trolling for that paragraph of made up nonsense. Such hot hot nonsense from that user. Quite the Microsoft apologist, taking it to new levels.

OT: Is this MS finally admitting they ballsed up their specs? I think it is. Those bottlenecks will be with them this entire gen. A damned shame I bet. Feel sorry for Phil Spencer having to keep a straight face as he's lumped with a tainted product from clouded product vision from people who've all up and left the Xbox team.

It better bring its A game though as you know full well Cerny already has the PS5 planned out

gamerhecz4003d ago

alright thats why sony has lost millions of dollars as well because of their gaming franchise?

UltraNova4003d ago

@pyramidshead

"It better bring its A game though as you know full well Cerny already has the PS5 planned out"

What?

Where did you hear that? Dont keep these things to yourself man!

Link/s please!

Giul_Xainx4003d ago

News headlines like this scares gamers.

And fanboys love seeing news like this.

They better take that article down before people get the wrong idea.

They are talking about the future but.... this headline.... doesn't a very good image make.

Patrick_pk444003d ago

Incorrect, the Xbox division is not profitable, and there are many executives from the company who would rather sell the division off.

+ Show (36) more repliesLast reply 4003d ago
Godmars2904004d ago

The Dreamcast was a successor system to the Saturn, which itself was pretty much dumped on the market.

And its not going to be a good thing in general if there's an XB2 out in 3-5 years. At the very least its going to lead to confusing the market, especially when no one has really shown what the current consoles can do yet talk about them as if they're under-powered.

Darkstares4003d ago

Most consoles have a shelf life of 5-6 years. Last generation was an anomaly. The first XBox was only out for 4 years and Microsoft managed to do very well with the XBox 360. They dumped it because it was bleeding them money and the PS2 was already dominating the market. They also couldn't get as much game support as Sony at the time.

That's not to suggest coming out with a new Xbox is a good idea in 3 years. Once the system is 5 years old or older it's totally acceptable to have new hardware come out and Nintendo has already confused the market with the Wii U.

loulou4003d ago

Agreed godmars... Except the 360 launched 4 years after the original Xbox and that did not confuse the market.

Try again.

On topic, this will be a short gen for Microsoft. I expect a new Xbox in 2017.... Unless they really turn things around.

Now they have put the Xbox division into the OS division, all losses for this gen, and costs for next gen are already covered

ma1asiah4003d ago

People are reading far to much into this, SONY started RnD for what was to become the PS4 2 years into the PS3's life cycle and yet the PS3 is going on 8 years and counting.

If you don't believe me go google it Mark Cerny was quite adament about when the PS4 development or RnD started.

You also have to take into account that the Xbox One design was more or less driven by Don Mattrick at the helm. Phil Spencer can't do much hardware wise so ensuring that they don't repeat the same fate next gen is smart thinking.

Funantic14004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

We all know that this gen of consoles won't last as long as before. The next Xbox will be out in about 5 years. That'll force Sony to come out with a console too. I think next time MS will invest heavily in hardware. They learned many things this time and got rid of the dead weight like Don Mattrick and hired the right people. Sony has learned a few things too like security issues and server problems. Both companies have had trial and error. I hope both companies give us more powerful consoles. Both are underpowered. Devs were asking for 16GB before they released. They both came up short.

rawz4003d ago

Buy a PC if you want more powerful gaming device. It's really not the devs that whine about 'underpowered console', it's you and the master race. Instead, devs are happy to get rid of PS3 & the 360.

Dannylew4004d ago

Microsoft work hard only to make huge numbers for investors.. but definitely a company without a soul... without a direction...

next xbox hardware cost 800$ and have a snapdragon 850 for cpu and 32 gb lpddr2...

Nanux4003d ago

MS has interesting luck. Look at windows 95 be, 98 nice, Me be, XP nice, Vista be, 7 nice, 8 be. xbox be, xbox 360 nice, xbox one be. But it mite change look at surface 1 be, 2 be, 3 nice. They hapen to be ahead of time, but alone and misunderstood.

CaptainObvious8784003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

I'm very surprised shareholders have great lighted another xbox after ms fumbled badly out of the gate with the xbone.

I mean, how many millions have been wasted on kinect 2.0 R&D alone for them to unbox it half a year later?

What about the millions spent of the Titanfall bundle advertising which still lost to the PS4 in the NPD report?

If they really are making another console, hopefully this time they will actually focus on games and specs this time and not even consider DRM.

k3rn3ll4003d ago

So when a public company wants to make a new product they dont have to ask permission from shareholders. Alls the shareholders can do is complain to board members. The board only has any actual power. But even then the CEO has more power than any board member. In order for the board to trump the CEO, they would have to vote on replacing the CEO with someone of there choosing and have a majority vote. Seeing as Nadella was just put in office a couple months ago, and came in with the mindset of keeping xbox alive because it was crucial to the companies plan, I think the board is pro xbox ATM despite the rumors. The only real shareholders that have publicly said to get rid of xbox, is a trust that just recently (within a couple years) bought a LARGE amount of shares. So they are new to the company and even though they bought Alot of shares they dont have alot of power. The MS plan is still to gain a large foothold in consumer's home and Xbox is crucial tonight considering how everyone is moving more away from using PCs as a homes main internet access. That is where the cloud comes into play as they push more into a interconnectivity of all of your devices under one ecosystem.

4003d ago Replies(4)
Magicite4003d ago

''lesson learned'', but then again do You think Sony isnt preparing for PS5?

Kidmyst4003d ago

This is quite early to look at a new console development. Thinking of Sega's rushing of the Dreamcast after the Saturn was still new.

hkgamer4003d ago

they definitely going to make profit this gen.

R&D couldn't have cost them too much, consoles making profit already, sales are healthy and should easily go over 30million. XBL should keep revenue up.

Concertoine4003d ago

Thats what i was trying to say, the XB1 has more potential than either of its predecessors to make money. It'll probably sell 40 million to 60 million depending on how long this gen is.

Its coming off the heels of a popular system and isnt being sold at a ridiculous loss.

wynams4003d ago

I hope they lose their arse on the X1 tbh, prolly won't happen cuz #teamDorito in the US of A but MS deserves it for the crapola they continue to pull (reverse 2013 E3, reneg on DevKit promises, etc etc etc etc)

k3rn3ll4003d ago

Damn people really do beleive everything they read on here. Even when the statements are proved by another more trusted site to be wrong. You kids these days. Please stop with ur anger and hatred. It makes you look childish

kenshiro1004003d ago

alex, is that supposed to be English? Because none of what you said made any logical sense.

And McG, you need to do a little something called reading comprehension instead of blindly rushing to defend Microsoft, as usual.

Gantrfaxx4003d ago

I hope MS doesn't announce new console in two years if X One proves to be a failure.

TBONEJF4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

Why do u even care bout a company gaining profit for? When we buy their consoles it goes to their pockets. I'd rather be worrying bout more new powerful graphics and better games for this generation and next. you do realize M$ is a billion dollar company. At lease SONY listen to the DEV and makes a processor that everyone can understand and program great games this gen

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 4003d ago
Ezz20134004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

Super Creator ??

Abriael4004d ago

That's how they call it. Basically someone at the very top of the design food chain.

Ezz20134004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

yeah, it seem that way
but still the name is really silly unless hmmm....can he fly ?!

Kingthrash3604004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

Agreed...super creator ...o.O...hell lets call the next Xbox 'super Xbox' ...the seed of the super creator.

My question is
why so soon?
Why announce it?
.....And Why not call him super-mega-ultra-typhoon-sport scar-leglock-explosion creator?

ThanatosDMC4004d ago

Maybe drop Xbox One like the original xbox and come out with Xbox 1080?

Yeah, it is weird that they would even announce it.

ravinash4004d ago

"why so soon"?

Because there will be 5 years worth of research, design and management.

The things they will need to do is:
1. Review everything that happened in Xbox this and previous gens.
2. Review everything that happen to all the other consoles.
3. Look at the current tech out there, history and trends.
4. Look at what tech is coming out in the years to come.
5. Settle of a format of how the games will be stored (On line, disk or what ever).
6. Get the right processor.
7. get the right graphics card.
8. design a dedicated system to get the most out of the CPU and graphics card.
9. incorporate any extra peripherals the company wants to push.
10. keep an eye on the price of research, production and the final product.
11. try and keep a head of the curve with the tech so it's powerful but at a good price.
12. Make sure you end up with a better product than the other consoles.

Someone would be very busy in the next 5 years!

Kemo_Spear4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

@ ravinash ,
Then please explain what the XB1 devs were doing for the past 5 years. Because it is obvious that they weren't doing any of those things you mentioned.
lol j/k

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4003d ago
Ballsack4004d ago

Sony caught Ms soo off guard with the ps4 reveal they have been back peddling ever since... Let's be real about it.

Everything Ms has done since (reversals, games with xbl, apps no longer behind a paywall)is an attempt to match sony which is great because it benefits us, but unfortunately hardware is hardware an Ms are stuck with the inferior specs that no amount of buzzwords like 'cloud and dx12' will change.

Ms will not want to be caught out again specs wise so it's good they are planning from now

Kudos ms

DLConspiracy4003d ago (Edited 4003d ago )

If you read the article all companies right now are looking at the next console. They would be completely stupid not to. Super Creator is a term? I have no clue.

I don't know what you are going on about. When you spend this kind of money to mass produce hardware you take your time and research the crap out of it and get well qualified people on board.. No reason to turn this into something its not by making a lot of assumptions. Perhaps they are just looking for a go getter?

MightyNoX4004d ago

Buzz word. They like using baby terms to simplify things.

Ballsack4004d ago

But that's the problem they not only use buzzwords but they also make ridiculous statements to save face and stop their fanboys from slitting their wrists

We all know dx12 will primarily boost PC Ms tried to hype soo much for Xbox one they had to recently simmer expectations because they know it will look worse for them in the long run

The whole cloud talk with 'will make the Xbox one ten times more powerful' has got to be my favourite though..

You just never know what to believe with Ms.. How many contridictions have we had from them so far this gen and this gen us only eight months old..

That has what has stopped me from picking one up (pun intended). The wii u looks more tempting right now.. But that could change with sunset overdrive my money's ready just stop the crap Ms and focus on the games

sAVAge_bEaST4004d ago

Yes, as in Superior to God,- Mind$et of M$.

don't believe me? that's oK. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bill+g...

Jdoki4004d ago

That would be amazing.

I can only imagine what Kraziness he would conjure up with the backing of MS billions.

Kinda reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons where Homer designs the ultimate car.

kratoz12094004d ago

It must be the villain on lbp 2 or perhaps sackboy he is always creating new ideas

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4003d ago
LGM3134004d ago

Maybe they will release another xbox in 5 years.

KRUSSIDULL4004d ago

It's possible with the x86 architecture it's possible that both Xbox One and PS4 will see their successors sooner rather than later and still have software support because of the unified architecture. This is taking for granted that next gen consoles will still use x86 architecture.

RichardDawkins4004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

Sony has Microsoft going back to the drawing board and it hasn't even been a year.

cl19834004d ago

Both Sony and Microsoft have already started working on their next gen systems. They always start looking at the future once they get their new systems out. This has nothing to do with Microsoft being scared.

Kingthrash3604004d ago (Edited 4004d ago )

My question is then why mention it. They might not be scared of Sony but they are scared of losing money. This Imo, is ms trying to get buyers to buy the Xbox brand...just like the cloud and dx12 talk. It's just to give their loyalists something to brag about and get some kind of hype around the Xbox brand. A lot has failed with the x1.... TV, kinect, specs, DRM, now the unpacked x1 still hasn't helped much. I'm sure they are in a scramble and at a loss of what to do next. I start to feel bad for ms...until I remember the greed and anticonsumerism they displayed and the cockyness they had. The lies..the kinect made to watch us and sell the information to other companies for ad revenue... The no trade ins..the always online. I'm happy they 180ed MOST of this but I won't forget the line they crossed so casually.
I hope this serves as a lesson to ALL gaming companies... Don't step on gamers toes....we will END YOU.
Rant done...mabad.

Kemo_Spear4003d ago

@ Kingthrash360,
It is rather a foolish PR stunt when you think about it.
The XB1 is doing bad in sales already, So, why hamper the sales even more by announcing that they are already working on a new one (even though both Sony and MS started working on them quite a while ago)? Consumers who have not bought an XB1 and see a story like this will make them think "Why should I get an XB1 when they might be coming out with a new one? Ill wait."

Show all comments (175)
660°

Microsoft planning “major” Xbox layoffs next week

The cuts are expected to be announced next week.

Microsoft is also planning thousands of job cuts that will impact other parts of it businesses

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
1d 13h ago Replies(1)
1d 13h ago Replies(1)
Obscure_Observer1d 13h ago

MFs has been beating their chests over great quarterly results and big profits to shareholders while firing people by the thousands just like Sony.

I wonder if at the top of those rumored layoffs they´ll also cancel upcoming or unannounced games while shutting down more studios as well.

1d 13h ago
pwnmaster30001d 13h ago

Always got to throw shade at Sony smh.
Yes we get it,
MS good Sony bad
MS bad Sony is also bad lmao

1d 13h ago
Obscure_Observer1d 13h ago

F* them both!

Just for the record, I don´t care about your victim complex crap either. Find someone else who cares.

Terry_B1d 12h ago

Yeah..its super annoying.

blacktiger1d 11h ago

He was talking about both. Why you getting offended when he's using both names

pwnmaster30001d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

@Blacktiger

Im not offended , that’s just his formula lol
He can’t help help himself, he needs to bring Sony down when the topic involves MS.
Whether is good news for MS or bad, it some how leads to Sony doing bad lmao.
It’s actually hilarious.

InUrFoxHole1d 6h ago

He's not wrong but im tracking what youre saying. In this case is should just be MS bad. Thats a lot of people fired

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1d 6h ago
Tacoboto1d 12h ago

"just like Sony"

Gosh you're insufferable, not everything needs to be both-sides'd. Sony's had layoffs, but nothing like what Microsoft has been doing and is continuing to do.

CrimsonWing691d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

I mean, no offense, but this is why you’re not some corporate business person running a major corporation. Big profits don’t mean jobs are safe. Do you understand why things like this happen:

Cutting jobs to maintain or increase profitability, especially in underperforming divisions like parts of Xbox like other gaming divisions.

Corporate restructuring and relocating resources for strategic stability in ever changing markets and consumer behaviors.

Investor expectations and optimizing operations to maintain investor confidence. Whatever boosts stock prices and improves future margins.

And there’s many other factors at play. It’s never as simple as business doing well, everyone’s safe. That’s just you not understanding at all how corporations work and have been working since the beginning. This isn’t something that’s specific to Xbox, you can bet your ass Sony and Nintendo do this and if it’s not clear by now, game development is not a stable job nor has it ever been for many. A lot of developers are contractors and guess what happens when a project is done?

Ganif1d 11h ago

Nintendo said they have no plans for layoffs, and you can't seriously claim that the scale of Sony's layoffs most of which involved Bungie which is self managed as even close to the same scale as what Microsoft has done since they purchased Zenimax. And that significantly less layoffs would have happened if those publishers had stayed independent. Keep in mind that much of these layoffs have been due to redundancies specifically related to these buyouts.

CrimsonWing691d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

@Ganif

Nintendo:

https://gamerant.com/ninten...

Sony:

https://gamerant.com/playst...

https://techxplore.com/news...

I don’t think it’s realistic to treat Sony’s layoffs as somehow outside the norm for the industry right now. Even if Bungie is self-managed, Sony’s cuts went far beyond that like Naughty Dog, Insomniac, London Studio being shut down completely, and multiple teams across the globe took hits. These weren’t just minor adjustments.

Nintendo, I had to look up and you’re right. They seem to be an outlier, but rest assured at some point it happens. And even then there’s been layoffs, albeit a smaller amount and contractors.

Would fewer layoffs have happened if studios from acquisitions stayed independent? Maybe. But even independents have been hit hard and look at what’s happened with Embracer’s fallout, or smaller devs like Digic, Roll7, or Volition. This isn’t just a “Microsoft problem” or strictly tied to acquisitions; it’s a broader correction happening across the whole industry, and unfortunately, layoffs are a big part of that process right now.

Ganif1d 10h ago

From your article:

"According to reports, Nintendo of America restructured its testing operations, leading to layoffs of about 120 contractors, part of a strategy for global integration.

Nintendo of America, publisher of iconic franchises like Mario and Zelda, is shifting some contractors to full-time roles for better development integration."

Contractors are not employees, and even if you want to count them as that, it's 120 people vs around 7500 since Microsoft purchased Zenimax.

In an era of game industry layoffs, Nintendo is hiring more people
https://automaton-media.com...

Nintendo Announces 10 Percent Pay Raise For Devs Despite Lower Profits
https://kotaku.com/nintendo...

Nintendo CEO’s refusal to layoff staff goes viral following industry-wide cuts
"Satoru Iwata took pay cuts to ensure staff didn’t have to be let go"
https://www.nme.com/news/ga...

And as for Sony you're comparing less than 1000 total jobs to an estimated7500

Has the industry faced layoffs, yes, but that still doesn't account for the mass layoffs due to redundancies that was easily predictable, or that fact that at least 1/3 of Microsoft's layoffs and studio closures happened before the industry downturn.

thorstein1d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

Take the L, Crimson.

People hate Nintendo, but Ganif proved why they deserve support.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 9h ago
-Foxtrot1d 12h ago

It's like banging your head off a wall, he just can't help himself.

Microsoft can do no wrong, Sony sucks at everything and Nintendo is bigged up because it's less hassle than trying to defend Microsoft all the time

What's going to happen when Microsoft finally turn completely third party, then what?

anast1d 11h ago

I enjoy Obscure. Obscure does good work.

crazyCoconuts1d 11h ago

Did you know that the first n4g was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered, where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the program.

Tacoboto1d 11h ago

I wouldn't be surprised at this point if anast and osbcure were both alts for the Admin.

We know how Obscure especially drums up additional comments and clicks with his spam-worthy remarks that somehow never get moderated

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 11h ago
LoveSpuds1d 8h ago Show
Profchaos1d 8h ago

Thats business present a strong front to your shareholders while your company burns around you.

Keep shareholders happy at all costs andnif not happy keep them numb to the reality of you organisation

Angyobangyo23h ago

" Just for the record, I don´t care about your victim complex crap either. Find someone else who cares. "

Just for the record, you clearly you do if you have to vent this hard.

TheExecutioner20h ago

Basically you think like kids when it come to choose between candy or chocolate.

Sonic188119h ago(Edited 19h ago)

Are you and Anast the same person?

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 19h ago
1d 12h ago
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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_Observer6d 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.

InUrFoxHole6d ago

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

VenomUK5d 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.

Agent755d ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM5d ago

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

Ganif5d 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_Observer5d 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.

Notellin5d 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.

Obscure_Observer2d ago

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

I´d told you were on some bs

https://www.pcgamesn.com/wp...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2d ago
Agent755d ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer5d 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_BLM5d 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_Observer4d ago (Edited 4d 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 2d ago
Fishy Fingers6d ago (Edited 6d 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_Observer6d 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

BeHunted6d ago (Edited 6d 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...

HyperMoused6d ago

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

Christopher6d 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?

Lightning776d 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.

Eonjay5d 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_Observer5d 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.

25d ago
25d ago
lukasmain25d ago

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

jjb198124d 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.

VenomUK23d 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?!

crazyCoconuts23d ago

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

VenomUK23d ago

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

24d ago
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