270°

Xbox One Exclusive Scalebound Will Have "Broader Appeal"

Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising: Revengance developer Platinum Games' upcoming Xbox One exclusive, Scalebound, is a "gift" for Microsoft, marketing executive Aaron Greenberg says in a new interview. When asked if Microsoft might be challenged to the market the game widely, considering it's from a Japanese developer that people may not be familiar with, Greenberg said it's actually an opportunity.

"It's another gift for us," he told DualShockers. "If you think about what [game director Hideki Kamiya] has created, and his history of just creating incredibly unique games, that are such high quality and that are loved by core gamers… To be able to have him making a new IP exclusive for us and a big title, I think it's something we're really excited about."

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gamespot.com
Sonyslave33053d ago

I been saying this since day one about ScaleBound it a Jrpg with a Fable appeal I can see it selling 2 or 3mil.

GrubsterBeater3053d ago (Edited 3053d ago )

If that many people don't buy XBox's biggest games, or any XBox One exclusives, I don't see Scalebound being the highest selling game on the XBox One.

Plus, this is what XBox fans would call a "niche title".

Concertoine3053d ago

I love how everyone just generalizes a variety of opinions into the opinion they want to see and then call it "_______ fans" as if a pool of N4G fools represents any kind of majority.

poppinslops3053d ago

Most of my 20-something XO games are either full or console-exclusive titles - how many PS4 owners can say the same thing?

And how is an open-world RPG with dragons 'niche'? Skyrim wasn't niche.

Abracadabra3053d ago

Remember that we only get (occasional) physical number sales... nobody knows what are the digital number sales of console games.

Take the example of the sales season Microsoft are doing December 22, 2015 – January 7, 2016. Don't you think there will be a crap load of digital sales during that time.

Claiming that people don't buy Xbox's biggest games without real numbers or facts is presumptuous.

GrubsterBeater3053d ago

@ all of the above

Apparently you all didn't understand. This is a JRPG game, which MOST XBox fans would call a "niche title". The same fans that say these type of titles are niche and don't count as games that entice a broader audience, but now that this "niche" style game is on XBox, it's not niche, and it appeal to a broader audience, and will sell gang-busters.

I'm not saying all XBox fans are like that, but the majority are.

This is not your average XBox game, and more close to a "niche JRPG", that won't sell boatloads. At least that's what is said about all PS4 JRPG's...

guyman3052d ago (Edited 3052d ago )

Poppinslops

Lol. There are far more console exclusives, and outright exclusives than the xbox one. You're lying to yourself if you think otherwise. People forget about games that come from japan such as Yakuza and guilty gear. Like it or not, there are more exclusives on the ps4.

remixx1163052d ago

@Grubster

Gotta give it up to you my dude, you are mad right.

If you bring up any jrpg on ps4 in a discussion with an Xbox fan, 90% of the time they will call it "niche" and throw the word around as an insult or something........at least from my experience.

I've had an Xbox fan tell me "that stuffs for weeboos".....

Eve n had one tell ni no kuni wasn't AAA, though the respective budget, production value, amount of content and musical score was all that of a AAA and in some instances surpassed it.

But all of a sudden scalebound is this huge Xbox AAA game which they will get offended if it is called "niche"
......lol as if it burns.

There's nothing wrong with a game being niche, it doesn't equate to a bad game, all it means is that its not mainstream.........mainstream doesn't immediately equal an amazing game. Look at yearly shell out of COD, assassins creed, madden and so on........

GrubsterBeater3052d ago (Edited 3052d ago )

@Remix

Thank you! That is exactly my point. Somebody gets it!

There is nothing wrong with small titles or niche titles or even indie titles on PS4 or XBox One, and it's nice to see XBox finally try something new for a change. It's a shame that it will (most likely) not sell that much, due to the game not being something that fits the mold of your average XBox player.

Concertoine3052d ago (Edited 3052d ago )

To be fair, the xbox platforms have zero presence in Japan, and that's where a lot of those sales come from.

You say "a majority of xbox fans", but JRPGs dont sell to a majority of "Playstation fans" either, assuming you are talking about general consumers (since identification of a fan is totally indeterminable otherwise). I believe FF XIII was the best selling JRPG of last gen, and it sold to 1/16 of PS3 owners.

So what constitutes and how big is this "majority"? Where do we stop counting consumers as fans? This is all stuff you cannot answer, but people will continue to say this puzzling and vacuous statement.

"At least that's what is said about all PS4 JRPG's..."

There you go, generalizing based on N4G trolls. You let them get to you enough to assume so much about so many people?

GrubsterBeater3052d ago (Edited 3052d ago )

@Concertoine

Just stop.

Everyone knows I'm right, so quit the "stop generalizing us". You may not fall into said category of XBox fans, so congratulations on being the 1%, but the other 99% are the majority.

Also, you couldn't pay me to play FFXIII, true Final Fantasy fans (majority is on PS), would never praise FFXIII, let alone spend money on that piece of trash. More XBox owners bought it because it appeals more to the XBox fanbase, because it's more of a mindless action game than a real FF game.

Also, using the "XBox has no presence in Japan" excuse, is no good reason as to why XBox owners don't support their own games, even if they are closer to a JRPG style. (Mark my words, when Scalebound doesn't sell well, that is going to be the damage control excuse used).

I don't let trolls get to me either. I'm not a little girl who calls the emotion police because someone hurt my little feelers. I just observe the MAJORITY of XBox fans, and draw obvious conclusions based on the attitudes and comments towards "niche", indy, or JRPG games.

AngelicIceDiamond3052d ago

The games very much a niche title. Something the Xbox definitely needs. Which is diversity, not every game needs to be "shoot first ask questions later" AAA. And I'm glad Phil Spencer understands this. I like the fact Phil Spencer is letting the GAMER in him taking over the Xbox One. Again, glad MS is realizing they need to branch out and experiment.

Tobsesan3052d ago

@GrubsterBeater

The reason why so many people call PS4 JRPGS niche is because they are REALLY niche. Scalebound and recore are made with a western appeal by a well known def together with MS. On the other side you get games like Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force, Gundam G Generation Genesis, Nobunaga’s Ambition, Valkyria: Azure Revolution, Yakuza: Kiwami, Ys VIII, Earth Defense Force 4.1.

Those are niche games you guys claim as AAA games, they are an insult for AAA games.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3052d ago
3053d ago Replies(7)
FlipSwitch3053d ago

We'll see. Personally I think this will only sell a few hundred thousand

die_fiend3052d ago

It won't have a broader appeal if it's on the console with the fewest sales and least Japanese influence

xasz3052d ago (Edited 3052d ago )

So Xbox should have NO games then?

"Broader appeal" means targeted towards various audiences.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3052d ago
FallenAngel19843053d ago

Seeing that this is a Japanese RPG developed by Platinum Games and looking at how past JRPGs and games developed by Platinum Games sold on Xbox consoles, I see this game unfortunately flopping in sales seeing it's both.

d_g3053d ago (Edited 3053d ago )

you really want this game to flop don’t you ?

i see you saying the same thing in every Scalebound article

on topic

Scalebound looks very promising...can’t wait to play this game

nix3053d ago (Edited 3052d ago )

dg,

He doesn't want it to flop but it's going to because xbox gamers don't buy such games. Tomb Raiders didn't sell enough. How is Scalebound - the niche "Japanese" game - going to survive?

And those talking about digital sales constantly.. It goes same for the other games and consoles too. 95% of my games on PS4 are digital. I think we can add 20% to the total sales as digital unless the game is only digital.

All in all, i would like to see games like Scalebound and Quantum Break sell in large numbers.

WiiU-Dude3052d ago

@RAINSLACKER: I think every thing you said was the likely close to verbatim what I would say. Platinum Games is almost always a critical darling whose games almost never sell as well as they should. Actually, I don't know is ANY Platinum Games made game that has sold multi million units. You would have to return to Capcom for that. However, I don't know that Nintendo with Bayonetta, nor Microsoft with a fresh new IP in Scalebound actually care about the final numbers. Nintendo saw a great opportunity to gain a known property that gained a cult following and was about to whither in the vine, likely scratching their collective head wondering why Sony or Microsoft didn't jump on the opportunity and said, heck lets snag that. It sold marginally well when you take into account the small user base as well as being you have to almost half the user base because it being a mature title on a family friendly system. They wanted the quality, critical acclaim for a title on Wii U and publicity. The Wonderful 101 was a great new IP, but that's what new IP on an underselling system brings - obscurity and low sales. Microsoft needs both new IP and a dev with an incredibly solid track record. I almost guarantee they aren't fretting over sales. The same for Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Let me add, When people scoff at Microsoft and laugh at sales...um, Microsoft could buy and sell Sony and Nintendo together many times and as a company barely feel it. So don't worry about Microsoft.
@d_g- just because you are excited for a title and can't wait to play it doesn't mean it's going to sell well. I will be all over Scalebound. I'm betting Rainslacker will too and many more commenting here...the thing is, these people represent more of the hardcore. Will the slightly less dedicated buy it and then will the masses. Doubtful, but who knows. Rainslacker was saying and I agree, history gives us a glimpse that says it's not going to do gangbusters, but here's hoping it sells solid. Now having said that, great selling IPs have to start somewhere maybe this is the one? We all hope so.

remixx1163052d ago

@WiiU_Dude

Pretty well said for the mast of you comment, scalebound does look mad unique MS tryna diversify their properties which is great.

PS break that post up into subsequent paragraphs big homie, lol I got lost twice.

Don't do it like edmix though where every sentence gets its own line and space.

ScorpiusX3052d ago

Scary thing all of these commenters think their negativity is going to change the status of this game being exclusive . With sale this or JRPG that . very funny

TheDivine3052d ago

Reminds me of Xenoblade X mixed with Devil May Cry. That's a very good mix. Hopefully its heavy on the rpg and not just an action game. Either way day 1.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3052d ago
DeadlyOreo3053d ago

It's sad, because this game looks fantastic. Why develop it on for the Xbox when it clearly isn't going to sell well at all. I really wish Xbox users would support their software a little more instead of letting great games go to die, most exclusives barely break a million.

I know I'll probably get hated for this, but if this game was on PS4 you could expect huge sales. Xbox users just don't buy these games.

Godmars2903053d ago

Because MS commissioned it? They made some assurance to Platinum which otherwise caused the game to be made?

For me, as a Panzer Dragoon fan, I'd rather see a Saga 2 than what this comes off as. The co-op is a more than bit of a turn off and i'm not seeing how this is an RPG much less a JRPG.

Need to what the flying sections look like/play out.

xasz3053d ago

"Why develop it on for the Xbox when it clearly isn't going to sell well at all."

Because MS owns the IP, is publishing the game, and is fully funding the game's development.

What proof is there that this game is going to "die"?

If they market it well enough and don't pit it against other big releases, it should do fine.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the game.

Hercules1893053d ago

There's plenty of fails on PS4 also. We could also say that if Killzone were on Xbox it would be a much more successful IP than it is that might even be second to Halo.

spicelicka3053d ago (Edited 3053d ago )

Wtff what a horrible comment. People buy what they want, you can't ask millions of people to just "support your software".

Like you want us to go buy 2 copies each? I don't understand the point of this request.

Youngindy213053d ago

How about them Tearaway Unfolded sales? What's that? Crickets........ Game released in September and some estimates have it not even selling 100 thousand copies yet.

So yeah. It's not just Xbox exclusives that struggle.

DeadlyOreo3053d ago (Edited 3053d ago )

You don't need proof to know it's going to die, it's just common sense based on the past. If one of the biggest AAA franchises like Tomb Raider doesn't even sell on the Xbox this sure won't, and that's a real shame.

@Hercules

Killzone may or may not have sold better on Xbox One, but the sales on PS4 were hardly disappointing, I remember it selling way past expectations.

@youngindy

Don't take this the wrong way but that is a horrible comparison.

1) Tearaway Unfolded is a remaster of a game that was hugely popular and successful

2) Even at 100,000 copies it definitely made some profit back, it's a remaster and they can be very cost effective

@ spicelicka

I think you're missing the point, and no it's not a horrible comment is it. I'm saying for the install base, more Xbox One users should be buying some of these good AAA exclusives and it'll support developers for future games. Why would you buy 2 copies each? What a silly thing to say.

The truth is, fantastic exclusive games that the Xbox One have, such as Sunset Overdrive, Forza, Fable, Tomb Raider sell very disappointingly, with each not even selling a million. Heck even Halo 5 has only topped 2 million which is astounding.

As a gamer I really want Scalebound to sell well, because it looks really good, and deserves to.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3053d ago
Barnaby-Jones3053d ago

Can't wait to see how the co-op gameplay looks. I'm betting this game will be very awesome and a lot of fun. Highly anticipating this!

DevilOgreFish3053d ago (Edited 3053d ago )

People don't have much to judge about this game, except for the pre-alpha footage which is half a year old now. with it's RPG elements and traversal scale, i'm sure they aim to be going places. especially with those dragons. I'm expecting to see massive scale environments.

TheColbertinator3053d ago

It will be a good game. No doubt on my end.

Show all comments (74)
80°

One Fenix Down Interview: Dev Talks Making a '90s-Inspired RPG in 2024

In a Game Rant interview, One Fenix Down's developer talks about how '90s RPGs influenced the development, story, and world of the game.

Read Full Story >>
gamerant.com
290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv722d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle1d 18h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18811d 16h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio1d 15h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning771d 11h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga1d 18h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv721d 4h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer199223h ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21831d 17h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga1d 16h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan1d 12h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit1d 5h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus231d 11h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv721d 11h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier23h ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan15h ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 15h ago
purple1011d 21h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos1d 20h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-1d 10h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac1d 19h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1011d 19h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic1d 17h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead1d 10h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 10h ago
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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere3d ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN3d ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos2d ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN2d ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo2d ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies2d ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger3d ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic2d ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows902d ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger1d 8h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto3d ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos3d ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long3d ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel3d ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator3d ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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