1020°

Phil Spencer: VR will come to Project Scorpio when it doesn’t feel like “demos and experiments”

Stevivor -- Xbox's Phil Spencer weighs in on the state of VR today, and what it will take to introduce the functionality on Project Scorpio.

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Mrveryodd3149d ago

these consoles are going to send me broke ....

GottaBjimmyb3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

I love my PSVR, but his statement is neither untrue nor unfounded. If MS is going to wait out the market, they might as well wait out the market. There are certainly possible downsides to waiting, but there are upsides too.

I don't regret a single bit my PSVR purchase, but if I had to choose with my business, I would probably wait it out to, let the market grow and actual build up. Realistically, the market is pretty saturated as is and IMHO, I don't think ANYONE could do too much better than sony/vive. (depending on your price of entry)

I would say this is also a bit of an excuse for being late too though. I would say that part most mostly a planned choice on their behalf though.

GrontB3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

As an owner of HTC vive and oculus rift and a huge vr supporter....can't argue with that decision. I have spent over 200 on strictly VR games and many of them feel like demos or a stepping stone to the real experiences and games to come. But I will defend that PSVR is the best attempt yet at full games. Some exciting launch window titles coming to PSVR, hope to get it around the Christmas season!

uptownsoul3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

@GottaBjimmb -- "There are certainly possible downsides to waiting, but there are upsides too."

I agree. The upside to jumping in early is: getting in on the ground floor & gaining larger marketshare...The downside to jumping in early is: the risk/failure rate is higher

The upside to waiting is: Less risk & less chance of failure...The downside to waiting is: Missing out on the large marketshare

I think that VR is a perfect microcosm of what Microsoft & Sony do differently in gaming:

Sony jumps out & takes those risks & because of that they have several failed products & IPs that dont sell as well. But on the positive side for Sony, they have a way more diverse library & larger marketshare (both in genre of software and worldwide hardware marketshare)

Microsoft usually holds back & sees if things take off. So they have less failed products & their core IP sell well. But they don't have that diverse of a library & a smaller marketshare (in genre of software and worldwide hardware marketshare)

PrinterMan3149d ago Show
Godmars2903149d ago Show
bouzebbal3149d ago

nice PR spin.
If he had the headset ready would he still wait to release it because there is only demos and exeriments?
Spare us the BS and get things straight.

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

His statements are merely PR Talk for why his bosses won't give him the green light to develop games and tech for VR. "Microsoft Executive Damage Controlling."

UltraNova3149d ago

Ok so VR isnt ready until MS says so? Ok MS whatever you say. Meanwhile the rest of the world will keep putting in money and effort to make it work so you can jump in when you see fit and boast like you have always supported VR or even made it better, somehow.

Typical MS...

Fatal-Aim3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

BS...

and I guess Kinect was ready and didn't feel like a demo, right?

They simply didn't see VR coming is why he's saying that. And with Sony way ahead of them in launch, they are garnering a HUGE following as well as increasing PlayStation awareness with absolutely no way for Phil and his Xbox team to counter them other than selling the XB1 S as a BluRay player or hyping the Scorpio for late next year.

They said the same about BluRay when Sony had it in the PS3 to make it the standard media format when it was first going up against HD DVD. Meanwhile, Microsoft was stuck with DVD in the 360 and backing HD DVD as an add-on for the XB 360 to prolong the war and disrupt Sony's BluRay strategy so that they could benefit from digital sales, which Sony was able to defeat back then. Now they are suddenly claiming victory with Sony's BluRay format in the XB1 S after Sony succeeded in making it a proven format. LoL!

Now Sony is doing it once again but with VR this time with Microsoft on the sidelines yelling foul once again.

IamTylerDurden13149d ago

It's Microsoft barely puts any money back into R&D, they take minimal risk. They do the same with games, that's why Microsoft is so known for the same old games. Taking risks means the potential to fail and lose money. Microsoft only jumped into VR after it seemed like a relatively sure thing, and even then they are taking minimal risk bc they aren't even developing their own headset.

Have you ever heard their internal business mantra? Embrace, extend, exterminate. These guys are hyper focused on profit by any means necessary. It seems like ppl are starting to finally see it for what it is.

Corpser3149d ago

VR owner and he's right, it's all demos and experiences right now

yeahokwhatever3149d ago

He's going to say whatever he needs to say to try to sell his console, lets be honest. Remember, xbox promised hololens, which is never coming to console. MS brought us the Kinect, which was a horrible, horrible, thing. Forcing users to use a kinect for voice commands when thats a SOFTWARE function is absurd, and further cements MS into the realm of a bad idea factory. MS, at this point, HAS to take a "wait and see" approach, as every time they don't wait, they fail. They should just rename Scorpio "Project Coattails". I made the mistake of buying a Microsoft piece of hardware twice. I should have learned the first time. Playstation/Nintendo/PC or GTFO.

mark3214uk3149d ago (Edited 3148d ago )

i bought the vr on day one and havnt played it since, it is good but there is no content really out yet for me, il get resi 7 in jan but not sure what else is coming out that interests me

plus as my ps4 is on a floating shelf so it is a nightmare conencting all those cables and that second box

edit: not sure why the disagree's am i not allowed to have an opinion on it,or did i say somthing that you think is not true?

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TKCMuzzer3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Tethered is a great VR game, I hope more strategy games are made in VR, the experience is brilliant.

yeahokwhatever3149d ago

I've been playing Driveclub, Valkrie, and Rigs a lot. To call them demos or experiments is shameful, dishonest, and absolutely reeks of desperation.

Angeljuice3149d ago

Except PC support is piecemeal, PSVR is a much more comprehensive experience.
PC is not the place to experience non tech demo content.

NohansenBoy3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Aren't a lot of VR specific games on the PS4 getting low reviews and not really selling well?

VR as a whole seems like a giant tech demo. I think VR will only mean something if we can go full Sword Art Online honestly. Moving around with headsets appear clunky and awkward.

XanderZane3149d ago

Don't think people even read the article before comment. Phil isn't bashing VR.

"“What experiences do you put in people’s hands to have a long term engagement? Most of these things I’m playing now feel like demos and experiments, which I actually think it’s absolutely the right thing to have happened. That’s not a criticism at all, but should be happening. But I think it will take time.”"

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Spurg3149d ago

Well we can all agree that VR at this moment are demos and experiments.

Ju3149d ago

Because you have never tried one?

Eonjay3149d ago

But how do they just announce a full range of VR devices? You can't endorse VR and talk bad about it at the same time. All for PlayStation. That spin. Rite round.

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Trekster_Gamer3149d ago

I haven't tried one but I've seen enough footage and read enough reviews for those that get sick while playing certain games and other games seem like Tech demos vs truly immersive experiences.

its_JEFF3149d ago

What constitutes a AAA title? Cause I really don't know. Is it just a publisher? The amount of hours? The production value or the polish?

If those things are what constitutes a AAA title, wouldn't having the Last of Us, or any big game, on PSVR/Vive/Oculus be considered a AAA title? I don't think that would be the case. VR is a different thing than regular games, I think. I don't think we've defined what a "AAA" VR title is... right?

Ju3149d ago

If you haven't tried one, you simply have no idea. No flat media can accurately give you a description of a real VR experience.

BG115793149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

It is amazing on how MS went from "We are not interested in VR. It has no future." to "We'll go on to VR when it's not gimmicks". Last phrase to be translated as making money with a solid market. From the beginning they were dishing out VR for AR. Now that a rival company is trying something, VR seems to interest them.
MS were the funding AR Tech we want? Stop copying other and bring something new to the table and stop following others damn it!

Errorist763149d ago

@Eonjay

Those devices they just 'announced' are again nothing but another PR spin to shoot against PSVR.

Mystogan3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Out of the hundreds of VR games. There are only a handful of games that feel like actual games. Rigs is one that comes to mind. Not counting full games that just added VR support like Driveclub and Project Cars. They were full games to begin with. Most of The ones that are build up with VR in mind all feel like tech demos.

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Maxor3149d ago

Most of the VR games are like this. The only ones that doesn't feel like a demo are the core games that offer VR support like Elite Dangerous, Project Cars and War Thunder. With these games VR feels completely organic instead of some sort of VR try hard.

Essentially I think this is the way forward for VR, games should be games first then VR experience second.

Ju3149d ago

Eve Valkire is a full VR experience. RIGS is. DC VR is.

Maxor3149d ago

Without VR nobody would give a damn about RIGS or EVE Valk. In short they're not fully fledged out games that can stand on their own without the vR experience. Take War Thunder for instance. There's millions of players online on both consoles and PC with a ton of content and it's VR experience is just as compelling, if not more so than any VR exclusives.

uth113149d ago

What works in traditional gaming may not work well in VR. And what works in VR may not work well on a TV

So what? Rigs is fun in VR, who cares if it didn't standalone on its own?

Roronoa04113149d ago

How would Rigs not stand alone without VR? I find this hilarious considering that a game most people were looking forward to and were comparing it to things like Rocket League (one of the best and most played games this generation) and a mech game that everyone has been asking for. Rigs would easily sell and be a great game outside of VR. Obviously your just pushing your own agenda.

Goldby3149d ago

Maxor.

Just because games are made for VR doesnt mean they aren't fleshed out games. Basing something like if a game is "complete" based on peripherals required or not is no way to judge games.

Without Xbox, No body would give a damn about Halo or Forza, do you see how that sounds extremely stupid.

There are going to be games that require VR, there are going to be games that have optional VR and there are going to be games that don't use VR. guess what though, they are all games.

yeahokwhatever3149d ago

"Without VR nobody would give a damn about RIGS or EVE Valk." and without 3d graphics nobody would give 2 shits about halo. Whats your point, exactly?

BlackTar1873149d ago

What kind of statment that a VR game without VR no one would care about? Well NO CRAP. Keep up the good work though

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k2d3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Yes , Phil.. downplay VR without bringing any form of effort towards the cause. Let everyone else do the hard work, and swoop in at the end to steal the glory.

Utalkin2me3149d ago

Thats the MS way. Lol, they even bought there first operating system from Tim Paterson called MS-Dos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

Leave that for all the disagree's im going to get. Cause the younger group that follows MS have no clue.

I hate MS but Phil for the most part seems like a decent guy. I do not like this comment from him. Just seems awful salty being the VR is doing so well, and he is just trying to downplay

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OB1Biker3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

I'm sorry but that statement from Phil sounds totally like console war BS waving the flag for fans to cheer.

4Sh0w3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Nah, he is just saying they (Microsoft) don't want to put out half azz VR games...after Kinect, I agree if you don't have something worthwhile take your time until you do.

I think some just are reading into what he is saying because 'teh cinsole war.

Utalkin2me3149d ago

@4Sh0w

"Nah, he is just saying they (Microsoft) don't want to put out half azz VR games...after Kinect, I agree if you don't have something worthwhile take your time until you do. "

Thats right people he just said this. I mean it's ok to half azz putting out a console A.K.A the 360 with a 50%+ failure rate. Or Half azz put out games in the last 3 years of the 360's life cycle. Or Half azz the kinect 2.0 with software that was supposed to be the next coming of christ, then pull support.

Nah, he is just saying that MS is upset that VR is doing so well and they are not on board yet. So i (phil) will try to downplay. Cause i am jealous.

OOMagnum3149d ago

@eonjay, Those headsets are not made by MS and they come out next year (along with MS entry into vr with scorpio). So explain to me how saying vr isn't ready because the experiences arent up to snuff yet spinning, when theyre clearly waiting. So the only one Spinning is you as always.

OB1Biker3149d ago

'I’ve used the PlayStation [VR] device a lot in demos and stuff.”'
'I don’t think the creators in the game space have yet found – well, they haven’t obviously perfected the craft of building VR games,”
'I’ve seen great video uses of VR, like taking you to places you can never time travel, just the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or they simulate the surface of Mars, some really cool experiences users can see.”

Seriously it sounds like it would hurt his mouth to say he tried a game in VR. Sounds either ignorant or trully spinning 'demo and stuff' denying there are games.

Youngindy213149d ago

Yeah Spencer is right. I tried VR recently and it does feel like it is just demoey and not an full VR game experience. Nonetheless, it is still a very cool piece of tech.

XanderZane3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Most of the games out so far play that way. Not all of them though. Of course fanboys will tell you otherwise. May people have tried it already.

@Eonjay
Those VR device aren't being developers by Microsoft and they are for the PC right now, not the XBox Scorpio. Phil is talking about VR for the Scorpio.

Babadook73149d ago

"Well we can all agree that VR at this moment are demos and experiments."

I think we can all agree that most people disagree with this statement based on the dislikes handed to you.

yeahokwhatever3149d ago

No, we can't. Step away from the Koolaid.

2cents3149d ago

ADR1FT and esper 2 felt like full VR games to me that were very well suited to VR.

Just about to try Alice, which also looks like a proper VR game.

There are some good times to be had but the majority are too simple. Slowly we will get more bang for 'The buck as developers feed of user feedback and adapt and respond with ever evolving experiences.

I find it fun to be part of the journey though.

Soldierone3148d ago

This will make people mad, but anyone that disagrees with you either wasted money on VR or is sipping on Sony Kool-aid hoping PSVR doesn't turn into Vita 2.0.

How many stand still and shoot at waves of whatever do we need?

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen3146d ago

RIGS, Driveclub, and Eve Valkyrie are not demos or experiments.

Neither are Here They Lie or Batman Arkham VR. Batman was short, but it sure as hell was interesting to play being fully immersed in a 360 degree 3D world.

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ArchangelMike3149d ago ShowReplies(12)
-Foxtrot3149d ago

Yet if he thought of VR sooner and brought his out way before the others it would be totally different

Besides wasn't that Kinect in a nutshell.

Muzikguy3149d ago

Of course! Maybe he's just downplaying it since Kinect flopped..... Twice.

LandCruiser3149d ago Show
lastking953149d ago Show
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XbKiGaandMaar3149d ago

"Besides wasn't that Kinect in a nutshell."

That's what I was thinking. MS sure loves to talk a lot of BS.

SquidBuck3149d ago

Sony/Oculus/Vive = Pied Piper, and MS = Hooli lmao

Kryptix3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

Not only that, but the way I see it, Phil is trying his hardest to cover their slow progress and falling behind.

So when something like Resident Evil 7 in VR comes out, a full experience, with others, will VR come out for Scorpio?

Oh wait, it won't. It's a whole year away and this is just Phil downplaying the success of PSVR, pretending he knows what he's talking about.

It's like Don Mattrick is ghost writing Phil's script recently. It really is starting to show.

Also, Microsoft showed a $299 VR headset, supported by them so they're all in it regardless if it feels like "demos and experiments" which I'm 100% sure it will be available on Scorpio day 1.

Trying real hard with that contradiction...
...not gonna work.

And he just told current VR developers to F off. What a smart business move. lol That VR competitive struggle is going to be real.

Darkfist_Flames3149d ago

"Besides wasn't that Kinect in a nutshell"

lol was thinking the same thing, also dont forget about the "power of the cloud", and these fanboys still believe them xD.

PistolsAtDawn3149d ago (Edited 3148d ago )

You do realize it's HoloLens tech that is making their partnered vr devices better and cheaper than current devices right? ...and that tech has been around more than 5 years and before PSVR was a thing. So it sounds like he's telling the truth....they've had the tech...just waiting to move on it

@goldby 10 years and they still have issues with their device? Besides, it's clear that your definition of being in development for 10 years is WILDLY leinient. By that definition, ANY VR device has been in development for more than 10 years. NONE of that will get rid of the fact that MS' s advances in this area are letting other companies release better devices at a cheaper price.

Goldby3149d ago

PSVR has been in development for over 10 years.

Look up Richard Marks and Future Labs

Star513149d ago

Yeah, he's definitely spinning as fast as he can. Either commit to VR now, or shut up. Microsoft hardly ever innovates. They need to take a leap of faith.

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TGGJustin3149d ago

So in other words screw all the developers who want to make VR games now and figure out what works best. Microsoft doesn't want to be part of helping them learn. Scumbags.

Ju3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

They want to piggy pack on current development and then rip off their investment when it matures. Why doesn't that surprise me.

Death3149d ago

You do know Rift and Vive came out 7 months ago, right? Unless you have one of those, you can STFU. You simply waited for your team to jump in before supporting the format. Props to those that bought DK1 and DK2 years ago.

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fromchildren3149d ago

Piggy pack is actually a really smart move, this minimises risks and losses for Microsoft and the whole company and fanbase is happy.

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Errorist763149d ago

@Death

You do know Sony had headsets on the market even before Oculus started development.

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mhunterjr3149d ago

How are they screwing developers? Developers have plenty of VR sdks to support (oculus, vive, psvr, open VR, etc), and Scorpio will likely support at least one of the existing options.

They aren't stopping developers in anyway.

Ju3149d ago

If MS wants to do VR they either have to license an API or write their own... Which means it'll clone an existing one and push them out. Which hasn't happened before, right?

BG115793149d ago

Or MS is just waiting one failing commercially and then acquired its assets. When they saved Nokia by acquiring it, they entered in the mobile branch. That's classic MS for you.

mhunterjr3149d ago

@Ju

Or they'll all and existing API on their platform and support it with their own tech... which is exactly what they are doing btw.

Ju3149d ago

I doubt this will happen in a closed console environment. If they bring one, MS must define the standards. Since they don't have any, they usually go buy one and sell it as their own.

mhunterjr3149d ago

@Ju just about every VR sdk is compatible with Win10, which is kernal Scorpio will run on. MS controls the SDK and can whitelist 3rd party HMD hardware for the console... they'd also be responsible for what calls the Xbox SDK will respond to. They can control that aspect of the standard all they want, and still support 3rd party HMDs.

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oSHINSAo3149d ago

Developers just want to sell, not to make VR, if the base installment is short, why would they create something for selling just a few (compared with the non VR audience)

PistolsAtDawn3149d ago (Edited 3149d ago )

....yet all those developers they just announced are making their massive strides in vr development from MS tech from HoloLens and DX12....clearly you aren't paying attention at all

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220°

John Marston Voice Actor Teases "Exciting" Red Dead Redemption News

During a livestream on his personal Twitch channel, Rob Wiethoff (who voices John Marston in the Red Dead Redemption series) hinted at "exciting news" to be revealed next week. According to Wiethoff, the news will be announced "before Friday".

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powerupgaming.co.uk
jznrpg1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

PS5/Pro/Switch 2 version of RDR2 seems most likely. I’d love a RDR3 but that seems years away

Cacabunga23h ago

Id be happy for just a 60fps patch

OmegaSoldati22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Agreed, but at the same time RD2 came out in 2018. Could it be a remake of Red Dead 1?

Spoiler:

Marston died in the end of Red Dead and Red Dead 2 is set before that. Im curious now. What news could it be?

mkis00715h ago

I'm pretty sure the next game will be another prequel as the story really has no where to go as far as being a western after red dead redemption. The next game will end with the ferry boat incident.

Profchaos1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

Their contracts are iron clas if they leak anything legit they are threatened with immense legal action.

My hopes for what this is are minimal its probably a meet and greet with the cast

I dont see why they would be involved in a upgraded version of rdr2 when the dialogue hasn't changed

thorstein21h ago

He seems to have been cleared to do this as he purposely picked up the game, streamed it, and made the announcement.

70°

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 devs praise games like Space Marine 2 for "lowering the barrier"

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 developers discuss the huge success of Space Marine 2 and its effect on the series as a whole.

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videogamer.com
Jingsing3d ago

How about an official level editor for Boltgun?

jznrpg1d ago

I’ll get Space Marine 2 when it’s cheaper. I don’t pay more than half price for short games.

220°

Phil Spencer Teases 2026 As A "Really Special Year" For Xbox

2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and Phil Spencer has teased it as a "really special year" for the games division.

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twistedvoxel.com
TheEroica4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

You got downvotes by pathetic gamers for feeling hopeful about good games coming out next year. Imagine how small your brain must be to downvote someone excited for future gaming joy? It is pretty neat to see people's world view blow up in front of them as they realize Microsoft has put themselves in a driver's seat that Sony hasn't been able to touch all generation.... What's even more pathetic is the same people downvoting you are the same people wishlisting Microsoft games on their ps5s 😂

P_Bomb4d ago

“Imagine how small your brain must be to downvote someone excited for future gaming joy?”

My dude your post history shits on EVERYTHING. You never have a good thing to say about anything lol! 🤣

PanicMechanic3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

“Getting ready for those GaaS reveals! Sony is a shadow of themselves this gen.”

You literally said this a couple of days ago. Start applying the clown make up, you hypocritical jester

derek4d ago

Yep we'll see, they have alot releasing next year.

RaidenBlack4d ago

NGL, next year might be one of the best years in gaming ... starting off with RE9 and GTA VI ...
and then all the good games that's been cooking
Pragmata, Sands of Time, Saros, Gears E-Day, 007 First Light, Blood of Dawnwalker,
Mortal Shell II, Onimusha, Marvel1943: Rise of Hydra
current-gen only Infinity Ward's CoD, Duskbloods
+ My guess: Wolverine, Exodus, Mudang, Crimson Desert, Clockwork etc ...
~ seems like it might get too stacked

1Victor3d ago

@rokos:”Hopefully “
I downvoted you not for been hopeful but because I have seen the same “NEXT YEAR WILL BE SPECIAL “ comment for the last 10+ and hasn’t seen anything special from Microsoft.
I hope next year will be the one that everyone been waiting for since the last 3 years of the Xbox 360, it have to be after over $80 billions spent on acquisitions.

Lightning773d ago

So the new excuse is they don't count because it's from the ABK now huh. I guess all those 3rd party games count even less because they don't own them. According to your always crappy logic.

InUrFoxHole3d ago

Lol. You haven't seen anything special? Do you even game?

OtterX4d ago

Always with the "next year..."! 😂

neutralgamer19924d ago

I don't know they have delivered this year and even last year. And they have a lot more content in the pipeline right now than anyone else. We can't just keep hating on MS

Indiana Jones
South of midnight
Avowed
Flight simulator
Hell Blade 2
Minecraft update
Gears of war reloaded
Indian Jones:expansion
Gears E day
Clockwork revolution
Fable
Doom the dark ages
The outer worlds 2
Grounded 2
Call of duty

OtterX4d ago

How many of those titles were just buyouts of companies that were going about making their games anyways? *Throws cash - "Oh look what we made!"

dveio4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

This list, that's been posted again, and again, and again in every single topic like this, contains almost nothing, literally almost nothing from Microsoft's own creational thoughtprocess.

It's a bunch of former 3rd party IPs.

Now even slowly returning to Playstation in some cases like Indiana, Hellblade, probably Starfield soon too, after they were made exclusively to Xbox on purpose.

Due to Microsoft's lack for own IP material except Halo & Forza. Which, the lack of, was the sole reason for all of it to happen in the first place anyway. Please don't pretend it wasn't.

And just look at all the games that come from Obsidian alone.

You really think Obsidian wasn't already working on Avowed and South of Midnight even without Microsoft buying Zenimax?

Microsoft delivered nothing but cheques.

OtterX4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@dveio THIS. Lol, this dude thinks Call of Duty wouldn't exist without Microsoft! smh 😂

neutralgamer19924d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Common narrative I see often — that Microsoft shouldn’t get credit for the games its studios release because they “just bought them.” But this viewpoint ignores key context and sets a double standard that other platform holders aren’t held to

No one is saying these games wouldn't exist at all without Microsoft. But let’s not pretend that having a trillion-dollar company backing a studio doesn’t make a massive difference. Obsidian never had AAA funding before the Xbox acquisition. Pillars of Eternity was crowdfunded, and their resources were always stretched thin. Now they’re working on Avowed, with proper support behind it.

Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was made by around 20 people, using borrowed equipment and doing mocap in a boardroom. It was a passion project held together by tape and willpower. Today, Hellblade II exists because they were given resources, time, and freedom — something many developers don’t get unless they’re owned by a company that believes in their vision.

ZeniMax (Bethesda’s parent company) was in real financial trouble before the Microsoft acquisition. Reports and insider accounts have pointed out how much they needed a cash infusion. And while some people want to write off Xbox’s ownership of Bethesda titles, they forget the alternative could have meant layoffs or even closures.

The same goes for Activision Blizzard. Would you really prefer the company to stay under Bobby Kotick, after all the documented workplace misconduct and toxic leadership issues? Say what you want about Microsoft, but their acquisition brought accountability and change to a company that desperately needed it.

At the same time, Xbox gets hated on for doing what every major company does. Sony bought Housemarque, Bluepoint, Insomniac — but no one says Spider-Man 2 “doesn’t count” because of that. Why does Xbox get treated differently for acquiring struggling or undervalued developers and giving them a chance to thrive?

And the idea that Xbox locks games away is outdated. They're pushing cross-platform releases, cloud gaming, Game Pass, and backward compatibility more than any other platform holder. They're not forcing all studios into live service. If anything, their upcoming lineup is less GAAS-heavy and more focused on narrative and creativity — Avowed, South of Midnight, Clockwork Revolution, Fable, Perfect Dark, Towerborne, and others show real variety.

Whether people like it or not, Xbox is now the biggest publisher in the industry and owns the most gaming IPs. But what matters more is how they treat their studios. Most of these teams were previously stuck making AA games with limited scope — now they’re getting the tools and support to aim higher.

So when people say “Microsoft didn’t make those games,” they’re missing the point. It’s not about who started the studio — it’s about who enabled them to do their best work. You don’t have to love Xbox to admit they’ve helped a lot of developers and are taking a player-first approach.

Instead of writing off everything they do, maybe try recognizing the good they’re doing for both devs and gamers. At the end of the day, we should want more studios to succeed — no matter who owns them

BeHunted4d ago

I'm surprised Clockwork Revolution (BioShock meets Dishonored) isn't getting more media attention. The game looks interesting and reminds me of the old RPG games.

anast4d ago

The only good game on that list is Flight sim. The rest are either average or will be average. It's not a good look for MS.

TheEroica4d ago

My god.... Look how many comments are upset about microsoft's successes... 😂 This may be my new favorite thread. Not one gamer saying thanks for all the goodness coming their way, just bitter anger and downvoting the very games they themselves will purchase throughout 2026.... Sony really worked you guys over this generation.... Condolences.

DivineHand1254d ago

@neutralgamer1992 You said what needed to be said.

I have heard for years from older gamers that fanboys are the biggest issue with any fanbase. They will defend or gloss over negative news as long as the correct logo is on the box and they bash the competing platform no matter how much good they are trying to bring.

Right now their advocacy for PlayStation is elevating that platform so high that Sony no longer believes they need to do anything to satisfy their loyal fanbase like they did in the PS4 days.

I just hope most of them will eventually start advocating for themselves and encourage others to do the same. No one should blindly support one platform because these companies do not care about anything other than profit.

neutralgamer19924d ago

Hunted

And first proper game done by the studio with proper AAA budget and saying it will be released when ready

Anast

I believe we went through this before that you are objectively wrong. Meta critic, user reviews, game sales. In Playstation top 10 best selling games were 5 from Microsoft studios

Otter

No this dude is saying so many other studios wouldn't be thriving without MS money and people would be getting abused physically and mentally with Bobby kotick and his side kicks

Also maybe look up how the original founder of Bethesda and zenimax was kicked out of his own company by his best friend lawyer. So that was always a shady place and had been struggling financially before MS paid a premium of almost 7 billion

Eroica

I use to be a die hard Playstation fan and now I only have a Pc. I see how these fans are so toxic. They just can't handle any positive news regarding Xbox. When the best selling games on playstation are Xbox titles. Look at Forza horizon being best seller and that's years old game by MS. I guess ms don't deserve credit for that success too since they are the only company in gaming making acquisitions

Forget the fact Sony paid 3.6 billion for bungie and MS 6.9 for zenimax. Which investment has turned out better

Destiny and marathon with a lot of controversy

While zenimax output is nothing short of amazing compared to what bungie has released

crazyCoconuts4d ago

Yeah it's tricky. "Xbox" has morphed to mean different things to different people.
Console, now Windows, GamePass, and the cross platform games. There's a mix of attitudes towards all those things individually, and maybe an overarching attitude towards MS. But can't argue that the game companies MS recently bought continue to flourish, and GamePass PC has been a great value over the last year.

InUrFoxHole3d ago

@OtterX
You're the dude mad at your exes new guy. She's with someone else... get over it.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
Lightning774d ago (Edited 4d ago )

They've had good output so far. So waiting for those games shouldn't be a problem.

Who cares if they're buy outs of companies or whatever excuse you want to make. They're games that are being distributed to other console. Play the games and enjoy it instead of fanboying or complaining.

ocelot074d ago

They going to be a he best and biggest publisher on Xbox, Playstation and PC next year. They not really said anything about Switch 2 though spite claiming to be big supporters.

quenomamen4d ago

If you call making one last Xbox before going full Sega, as Great. Then yea.

TheEroica4d ago

Doesn't feel like you're paying attention to what's happening.

RhinoGamer884d ago

It will be, his net work will hit 50 million and he plans to buy a new mansion in Cape Cod. Thanks everyone! #failup

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