Microsoft Can’t Save Xbox by Themselves

Microsoft is planning on producing more first-party titles than they have before, but that may not be enough.

[GtR35olution]

Xbox will be a service on pcs soon judging by a lot of moves ive been seeing by microsoft.

[LexHazard79]

Xbox Live is already the service.

[Kingthrash360]

He didn't say xbox live...he said xbox.
I been saying this for a while now. If you look at what they are doing, nothing elae makes sense. They are making xbox hardware lose value. And software gain value. The are a software company, I can't see any other reason why they would eliminate exclusives close studios and force mp games and cancel games that had trouble integrating mp in their once sp games....fable, scalebound are victims of that. They consistently lose money on hardware so why not just make xbox an online service.

[RpgSama]

@Kingthrash360

Even Phantom Dust, before it was cancelled not the current remaster but the remake, they wanted a MP focused game that they wanted to make an eSport Title.

[bluefox755]

Hardware has never really been Microsoft's strong point, certainly not where they make most of their money.

[candystop]

If MS starts bringing the exclusives again plus some I will most definitely support them and dont give a rats azz if they're to appear on PC as well.

[TheCommentator]

Kingthrash: "They are making Xbox hardware lose value."

He didn't say Xbox hardware, he said Xbox. MS software and services are up which adds value to the product line. Xbox hardware is still of value, but now people can play on different devices and aren't limited to having to own the console. Who cares where we choose to play Xbox games? Xbox gamers have choice. Choice adds always adds value.

BTW, if you want to talk about adding value to the HW:

XB1S has a 4K BluRay player, 4K upscaling, HDR, Faster GPU and memory. MS has added BC, Cortana, streamlined the OS and made more power available for games, mod support, crossplay/buy, etc....

[darthv72]

@thrash, since when has hardware ever had any value in any generation? It's always been about software. That is where the real value of a platform is found. MS is a software company that is looking to make playing games available to the masses in varying ways. You want to tell me that is a bad idea? If a consumer buys a system to play the games... good. If they use their PC to play the games... good. Either way they are playing the games. That is what gaming has ALWAYS been about. People playing games no matter what they play them on.

sounds like you want console segregation instead of gaming integration.

[JasonKCK]

All games are software, and MS are a software company. Xbox was designed to push software.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

If Scorpio fails to make an impact, Microsoft will take Xbox all digital and they'll sell plastic boxes with controllers that will allow access to Xbox Live where you'll buy your games on PC and Xbox.

[tinynuggins]

@kingthrash,

what would ms do for the millions of gamers out there that have no desire to buy a gaming pc? Seem like they would be leaving 50+ million console gamers without a place to play games.

[GorillaTact]

You are assuming the Xbox brand is in trouble. It is not.

[yeahright2]

Except it is. Don't just look at sales, you need to keep in mind the shareholders want xbox gone. It doesn't make MS money. Now xbox as a service for PC, that can make money. "Xbox" won't go away as long as they keep the name, their hardcore fans will remain happy and champion the move, probably become PC elitists overnight. I foresee the scorpio being the last traditional console and after that, you'll get an xbox branded PC that will be what steam machines were trying to be.

[goatking]

Fanboys are going to fanboy. First xbox sold horrible compared to the ps2, should 360 not have existed then? Should the switch not exist because of the wii u bomb. They make money on each xbox one sold. For what xbox is to microsoft its just worth keeping around. They may not sell as much as ps4, but its sold a respectable amount that its doing fine. Xbox live and the xbox store make bank and are more than enough to make it worth it for xbox to be kept around.

[andrewsquall]

"their hardcore fans will remain happy and champion the move, probably become PC elitists overnight"
SO true, that actually happened already with a lot of them the day Mark Cerny said "8gbs GDDR5" at the PS4 reveal almost 4 years ago. Suddenly there were thousands more "meh PC gaming is where its at" people that showed up out of nowhere.

[GorillaTact]

It is not in trouble kids, and the shills among you can gtfo. As Ive mentioned before there have only been 2 things that have brought about the catastrophic end to a console brand. One was extremely stagnate software due to a lack of hardware progression. The other was an all or nothing investment without long term sustaining capitol. Xbox has neither of these issues, the current situation is contrary to both of these things actually. What you are seeing is a shill website fear mongering for hits over what amounts to a bump in the road.

[yeahright2]

@goat king, ambiguity, my bad. By doesn't make MS money, I didn't mean it doesn't Microsoft money they can put in the bank. I meant it doesn't make the amount of money MS is used to (ie windows). They make some money, especially now that costs have gone down, but you can tell they're more concerned with XBL numbers than number of X1 units sold.

[morganfell]

It is in trouble. And if Scorpio doesn't sell like the greatest console ever, MS will be out of the console business. Here is their plan:

http://www.pcgamer.com/phil...

With this they can walk away from the hardware business completely. They will then have both of the last two generations on PC while driving sales of a MS staple - Windows OS.

[EpicZinger]

Xbox brand is in trouble. Halo and gears are declining. New IPs are failing miserably. Ps4 is beating the crap outta xbox in sales globally.

"It is not in trouble kids, and the shills among you can gtfo. As Ive mentioned before there have only been 2 things that have brought about the catastrophic end to a console brand. One was extremely stagnate software due to a lack of hardware progression. The other was an all or nothing investment without long term sustaining capitol. Xbox has neither of these issues, the current situation is contrary to both of these things actually. What you are seeing is a shill website fear mongering for hits over what amounts to a bump in the road.
AGREE 2"

Says the microshaft shill. lmao

[GorillaTact]

morganfell
EpicZinger

I was sure there were shills in the group, because an adult wouldnt buy into this middle school playground mentality for free. The middle school playground thought Nintendo was doomed because of the WiiU, they also thought Sony was doomed because of the PS3, and now they think that Xbox is doomed because of the Xbox One. Its not happening, no matter how much you make by posting on key gaming sites and communities.

No one above 15yrs old(and probably quiet a few below that) is buying what you are selling so gtfo. Thanks for giving up your usernames willingly though.

[creeping judas]

@yeahright, any proof that shareholders want the xbox gone? I'd be interested in reading that!

[yeahright2]

@creeping
https://www.washingtonpost....

happy reading. took a 2 second google search to find it.

@shaggy. Ah, good point. That would be a challenge as I'm sure they love the xbl numbers. Even if MS tried something with UWP I doubt they'd be willing to deal with the backlash. xbox changing to PC gamers might be ok with it but that wouldn't last. Thanks Shaggy, gave me something to think about.

[Gazondaily]

Lmao at the comments here. Gotta bookmark for the lols

[slate91]

Im not sure whats funnier, the comments or the amount of agrees these clowns get.

[andrewsquall]

And there isn't enough space in the universe to bookmark the articles with your hilarious comments that need coming back to when you get owned/flipflop/180/contradict yourself SO many times.

[denawayne]

The amount of Sony fanboys in MS articles is amazing. Especially in Scorpio articles.

[Gazondaily]

@andrewsquall

Lmao! Sure! You guys get routinely merked. All the time!

@denawayne
Haha of course they are. They pray to whatever deity they worship that Xbox dies. Foolish little souls 😂

[GorillaTact]

lol agreed. Kids and shills man, they cant exist without each other on a gaming site.

[gangsta_red]

@Septic

I remember when MS supposedly abandoned the OG Xbox, it was because they were leaving the console business, then after that Xbox 360 Microsoft was going to sell off the Xbox brand when the Nokia guy was coming on board to MS.

Every now and then we have to be reminded how awful the Xbox is doing and how very soon, whether it's tomorrow, next week or maybe 10 to 10,000 years from now the Xbox won't be around.

[Why o why]

You guys aren't focused on what actually matters. . Games. . .split hairs over who did what properly or the best. . How about being the best by providing the lifeblood of a console. . . Games. . Nothing trumps games lads.

Ms need to amend their ways and stop relying on 3rd parties or hype. They're far from out of this but groundwork that should have been cemented last gen was ineffective or managed badly. Ms can't afford to go into next gen like they did this one. Take the hit now but build for the next battle.

[Gazondaily]

@Why

Oh I agree. But doesn't change the lunacy of the comments on here. Makes work more entertaining mind you xD

[gangsta_red]

@Why O Why

No one is arguing about the games though. The games will come no matter how few or how many. Even though I suspect no matter how many MS pumps out it still won't be enough for them.

What we are all shaking our heads at are the comments that month after month troll on how MS is abandoning the Xbox, how they won't provide any more games ever and other nonsensical comments up and down in what it seems every single Xbox article on this site.

It's getting seriously ridiculous as it was only just comical a year or two ago.

The best part are the VERY well known offenders who continuously push this narrative every single opportunity they get on this site.

[Why o why]

@G red and septic

Definitely, ms aren't going anywhere. I believe they'll continue in the market nor wish otherwise. Of course people troll, and banter. Its always feast or famine or polarizing predictions across the board here from all sides.

Despite that, the notion nothing will ever be enough doesn't detract from the fact ms are punching well below their 'infinite cash' weight. It's not even just externals complaining either so what can you tell those Xbox owners pissed on varying levels why ms aren't competing at a comparable ilk to 'broke' Sony ?

The reasoning, often used of the 1 additional gen Sony had isn't good enough. Ms have had time and resources to build but their laziness and or arrogance stunted their progress on top of their mismanagement of some of the studios they had.

[gangsta_red]

@ Why O

"Xbox owners pissed on varying levels why they aren't competing in at a comparable ilk to 'broke' Sony"

Let's be honest, even with MS supposed infinite amounts of cash it still takes time to make games. Reading these comments and attitudes you would come to the conclusion that MS has absolutely ZERO games coming for their system.

And since you can't edit comments anymore I have to comment on this part that you said...

"Ms need to amend their ways and stop relying on 3rd parties or hype."

Exactly why is this? It's absolutely because of 3rd parties, especially from Japan, that Sony has more games than Xbox. I mean the games released so far and coming in the next months for PS4 are from 3rd parties and are hyped. So why is it MS shouldn't do the same with 3rd parties?

This is where the double standards seems to always come into play. People complain they want more games, but then scoff when they come from 3rd or 2nd party studios. But then are more than willing to get them, celebrate and play them when they come to PS4.

"Ms have had time and resources to build but their laziness and or arrogance stunted their progress"

And Sony has had more time and almost two whole gens (PS1/2) left uncontested and on top to build not only relationships but an absolute dominance in the game space. That has carried over to what we are seeing now. At least MS is trying to right mistakes made in a field of some pretty high level competition that Sony rarely (if ever) had to see.

[XanderZane]

@denawayne
Insecure fear, perhaps.

[Why o why]

@G red
Ms have had enough time. The narrative was games and developers from Asia were being overtaken by their European and American counterparts and were less relevant. Microsoft have had over 15 years in the game. How much time should they be afforded to grow efficient teams and practices. Sony doesn't just rely on 3rd/2nd party titles or developers. They grow their own as well as partnering with 2nd and 3rd parties

My comment about relying on 3rd parties you addressed was in relation to their 100 to 10 drop off last gen. How many games did they release in the last 3 years? I'm not a stickler for who makes the exclusives, just that they have them but when you rely on others and for whatever reason it doesn't pan out you should be able to fall back on internal projects. The management of internal studios and relationships with some externals isn't exempt from scrutiny.

I'm personally not implying ms make zero games . . . That's a tad disingenuous as many bemoan ms's 'go to' trifecta of gears halo Forza all of which are popular games. Let's not forget that there was a time where the term 'no games' was labelled at a certain brand despite that obviously being impossible. Some want more games plus something different on top. That's not being mean or nit picky, just highlighting the thoughts some Xbox owners are now expressing.. check out candystops comments of late. What could you tell him when he is more inline with the groundswell? You could never accuse him ponyisms but there are parallels between what he and 'haters' say unfortunately.

Did you notice I didn't use the V word. . . . .😜 c'mon. . .

[Stogz]

@gangsta_red ya know what's so funny about you xbox fanboys is how quickly you forget facts. How many times did we get articles about Sony's impending doom and bankruptcy? How many times have you and your fellow fanboys said Sony was doomed? Let's stop acting like the victim here and stop pretending this has always been one sided. Both sides have been thru it, but I'm guessing your response will be moving the goalposts like you fanboys always do...

[DeadlyOreo]

Septic must have a rather boring life to have to bookmark a couple of comments. Oh that's right, it's because he has no games to play on his Xbox One.

I guess we had better prepare for a lot more comment bookmarking from old Septic throughout the year then.

[Gazondaily]

@DeadlyOreo

"Oh that's right, it's because he has no games to play on his Xbox One. "

But I have games on my PS4! Why you here in a Xbox thread when you have so many games to play?😁 Come let's play rocket league! 😂😂😂

[gangsta_red]

@why

"Sony doesn't just rely on 3rd/2nd party titles or developers. They grow their own as well as partnering with 2nd and 3rd parties"

And MS doesn't do the same? There has been missteps from MS that are certainly well documented but again this site and many of its users like to shine a huge light on MS's missteps while sweeping Sony's under the rug.

Has MS cancelled games? Yes, as well as other developers and publishers. Has MS closed studios? Yes, as well as other developers and publishers. Has MS delayed games, paid for exclusives, paid for timed DLC? Yes, as well as, etc etc.

Point is, there seems to be this absolute meltdown when MS does these things.

"Asia were being overtaken by their European and American counterparts and were less relevant"

And in actuality they have been over taken. But that doesn't mean they are completely irrelevant. MS doesnt have the Japanese support, it's unfortunate but that is the way it is. MS is making due in other areas.

"How many games did they release in the last 3 years? "

There was also a drop in Sony's offerings from their first party studios. They even said themselves that their offerings would be sparse. Again, there is a double standard that MS has to put out double the amount of games that 3rd parties and Sony own studios release for PS4. Some on this site are setting some extremely high standards or bar and applying it to MS only.

The comedy of this is that those setting this bar are not and have never been interested in the Xbox in the first place.

"Some want more games plus something different on top."

I want the same and I think MS has been pretty good at offering their main titles like Gears and Forza and also something different like QB, Ori, KI and other stuff.

My point, main point for the last few days it seems (at least) is no matter what MS does on this site, it will never be good enough as the complaints and goals shift for only MS.

@Stogz

"know what's so funny about you xbox fanboys is how quickly you forget facts."

Naw, didnt forget a thing because i am constantly reminded by folks like you how super awful you had it way back when back in 2006. Damn near a decade ago.

I guess it's suppose to justify you and others continuing the tradition. Which is sad because it means you had 10 years to get over it and grow up.

"How many times have you and your fellow fanboys said Sony was doomed?"

I said Sony was doomed? Please show me where I said Sony was doomed, that they would leave the console business or anything as mentally challenged related.

"How many times did we get articles about Sony's impending doom and bankruptcy"

And am I suppose to be blamed for those articles being submitted to N4G?

"will be moving the goalposts like you fanboys always do..."

Moving goal posts? Stogz I have read more tha. Enough comments from you to know that you have nothing of importance to add to any conversation or discussion. All you do is stalk down supposed "fanboys" who like or prefer Xbox and then accuse them of some low tier bullshit. Why should I move the goal posts when the things you and others regurly accuse xbox fans of doing, Sony fans will do a week later.

[Why o why]

Yeah, like I said g red. Feast or famine. There's no middle ground when dealing with the opposition from any side.

Calling Sony's offerings sparse is a little misleading. Its first party plus 2nd and 3rd. Grouping the two is only telling half of the story.

[gangsta_red]

@Why

Feast or famine? Only proves the extremes some here like to take their perception of things.

"Calling Sony's offerings sparse is a little misleading"

No more misleading than the narrative and mind set of most of these views and comments found right here about Xbox and MS.

[Stogz]

@gangsta_red there's a reason why you're known to be one of the biggest fanboys on this site. For that recognition you have no one to blame but yourself. You say I add nothing to these conversations but what have you ever added as well? You talk down to Sony fanboys constantly and white knight for MS. No one here ever cares about your opinion because we all know how you are. I'm sorry if the truth hurts, but just look at the replies you literally always get here, you'd think after all this time you'd learn, guess not...
Also, this is my favorite bit of nonsense from your post:
"How many times did we get articles about Sony's impending doom and bankruptcy"

And am I suppose to be blamed for those articles being submitted to N4G?

I'll bookmark this for the next time I see you whining about stories that are posted here that are anti xbox...

[Major_Glitch]

LOL. Septic talking about bookmarking others? That's rich. Hey Septic, Titanfall sell 10 million copies yet? How did MS "best holiday" work out again? Has that "cloud powerz" gimmick finally made your Xbone stronger than a PS4? Did Kinect become the revolution in gaming you said it was? Poor delusional Xbox fanboys. They can't even define the word "exclusives" properly.

[Gazondaily]

Yo Major Glitch. What happened to the SDF hate for titanfall? You guys are sucking off the new game now. Where's the usual culprit concern trolling about all things Titanfall now?

10 million copies sold? Well now it's on PS it's sequel sold less lmao. 😂😂😂

[Christopher]

I hope you bookmark them right next to those people who said Sony would be closing down last gen.

Crazy how crazy exists on every position, no?

[ShowanW]

@GtR35olution @Kingthrash360

xbox has already started it's evolution into a platform/service...
why be constrained to the confines of a single box.

sorry but PC's and computing overall is changing rapidly and game consoles have no choice but to evolve...
if consoles chose to remain stuck in the old archaic ways, the industry console industry will either fold or become to expensive for mainstream...

Even Sony recognizes this... you think Andrew House made his statements about PC in jest?
have you not paid attention to the amount of services Sony has launched in such a short time frame?
Sony isn't dumb either... They are more subtle with it, so the customer isn't overwhelmed by it.

Also, notice how I used Sony in context (not in a negative fashion either)...

[gangsta_red]

It truly is amazing that certain folks can't see this. That Sony has the same plans as any other media service on the market competing for users today. We can already see the many similarities with both MS and Sony on how they handle their networks and consoles.

"sorry but PC's and computing overall is changing rapidly and game consoles have no choice but to evolve"

We can already see this with mid gen upgrades, something that both MS and Sony are doing.

Sony has made huge steps over the years to eventually turn into a service also. All these companies know that the money isn't in hardware but services that charge monthly/yearly memberships and also provides multiple transactions within that membership period.

And you are right and I have also said this, Sony is much more subtle about this than the competition. Even though I believe members on this site like to only shine a huge spotlight on MS. But we have seen Sony also also put focus on other aspects on the Playstation that does not involve gaming, something that was frowned on when MS talked about for their Xbox. Sony has also incorporated a lot of other practices into their service that MS was vilified for not long ago.

[MRMagoo123]

lol the old "Sony too" again 😂 you guys really need to trademark it fast before it gets taken

[ShowanW]

@MrMagoo123...

i did not bring up Sony just as a "Me too" "monkey see, monkey do"

I brought them up as they are much smarter than their mostly not too bright fanbas on N4G. Who doesn't understand times are changing and either evolve wit it or die in yesteryear...

[Imalwaysright]

A comment like this getting 42 agrees when the Scorpio is coming later this year is like punching reality in the face.

Edit

@ bluefox755

None of the big 3 makes the most of their money from hardware. Software is where the money is.

[NatFanBoyRestricted]

The insecurity is real. Plastic box fan boys the first to comment on every article about a brand they have nothing to do with.

[thexmanone]

You do know that they are coming out with a new console this year right.

[Vandamme21]

Halo 4 ODLC, Halo 5 ODLC and Halo 6 will save the Xbox.

[UCForce]

I don't think so this time. MS really need a new Ip and new flag ship to save Xbox.

[skydragoonityx]

M$ was never really dedicated to the xbox

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Yes..they have. Tf are you talking about?

[Kingthrash360]

They never innovated on anything gaming. They only found new ways to reach in gamers pockets.
Xbl costs and itmakes them money so they invest and brag about their servers. They dont invest in making new experiances for gamers. Halo is still what they push, gears, forza. All have online play all have microtransations. All have has at least 2 games in 3 years on xbo. All in total have 5+ games each. The xbo is their worst console yet, not due to power but in content. They are not supporting it...in fact thay are hurting it! No matter what anyone says no exclusives for a console is just unheard-of. All they care about is EZ money. Remember the kinect was to be used to watch us and sell the data to advertising companies. That why it could read heart rates and stuff. Name a game that took advantage of this. They invested millions into the kinect just for that purpose...not gaming. Then they show off shot never ment for the xbox like the halo-lens that would have been cool but naw they wanted 2000 bucks and the games were just a demo. It's sold to large companies not gamers. They literally have done nothing this generation as far and making games and new experiances. Thas what he is talking about. Face it MS is a sleezy company that lacks the innovation to run a gaming console.
Everyone talks bad about nintendo, but I think they should be praised for leading gaming in innovative products and risk taking for the sake of gamers and gaming entertainment.

[Cy]

It's cool to crap all over Microsoft in the comments on this site, even when that means saying dumb shit like that. Just ignore them.

[GorillaTact]

Kingsthrash360

I can only assume you must be younger than 15yrs old, since Xbox Live is 15yrs old.

[trooper_]

If they were, then we would see more risks being made.

[Gazondaily]

@kingthrash
"They never innovated on anything gaming."

Nah they didn't school the console industry and show them how online gaming is done right? Or achievements? The PS4 is a direct result of the lessons Sony learnt from the 360.

"Face it MS is a sleezy company that lacks the innovation to run a gaming console. "

Ah yes this hyperbole from the serial MS commentator.

"They literally have done nothing this generation as far and making games and new experiances. "

You need to be careful with your use of the word 'literal'.

"Remember the kinect was to be used to watch us and sell the data to advertising companies."

#tinfoilhat

The comments are getting crazier by the day

[AngelicIceDiamond]

You can believe and roll in your own BS many tend to here live a complete lie in your own little made up fairy tale world. MS never innovated with Xbox or brought anything new gee I guess PSN/party chat, Avatar, media function on console, trophies, DLC, cloud services & BC & Forward Compatibility was pure genius and popularized by Sony first right since we're doing everything ass backwards here and clearly don't have our head on straight.

People literally get dumber and dumber by the day here

"The xbo is their worst console yet, not due to power but in content."

So its not power anymore right? almost 4 years later it has nothing to do with power. Well damn you're a little late to the party only the most logical and sensible gamers called that when the consoles got revealed omg we must be gaming prophets, we're so wise and clairvoyant! But fanboy eyes, fanboy brain, fanboy comments. In other words the dumbest type of gamers known in the gaming industry fanboys "thought" they knew better but they don't know anything nice flip flop looking forward to the next one.
.

[Gazondaily]

@Nasebot

"What did they school the console industry about? "

The whole online gaming setup! Matchmaking. Party chat! Their competitors couldn't even do party chat lol.

It's because of the 360 PS4 is easy to develop, has a mic (albeit a shit one) with the console and has party chat.

The online was so far behind on PS3 that it forced the birth of PS Plus. So PlayStation gamers should thank Xbox for the service 😊

Don't take these things for granted breh

[gangsta_red]

@TitaniumRx

"we should thank the dumbarse xbots who bent over to their overlords at M$ and got suckered into paying for online gaming."

I guess Sony saw how easy it was to get some ass and followed it up with their own fanbase.

@Kingthrash360

"They never innovated on anything gaming."

How can you say this and then in other past comments claim to be a fan of Xbox and want them to succeed?

"No matter what anyone says no exclusives for a console is just unheard-of."

Here's what I don't understand, isn't the Win 10 a MS platform on PC. Can you only get their first party games through the Win 10 store that only MS provides? Shouldn't that be considered their own service? So how in the heck does that translate to no exclusives when the Win 10 platform is nothing more than an extension of the Xbox?

And further more why would that even matter or why should that get you even a little upset? Are the games not as enjoyable anymore because someone is playing it on PC?

"xbox like the halo-lens that would have been cool but naw they wanted 2000 bucks"

Are we seriously now complaining about Hololens? New tech that is not tethered and was always being pushed for businesses and not necessarily for the Xbox but compatible. You mean this new tech costs a lot of money, the nerve of MS. I wonder how much Google Glass cost when it first came out?

"Remember the kinect was to be used to watch us and sell the data to advertising companies."

Except it never was and never did. But boy did the Sony fanbase conglomerate try and make it seem like MS was going to sell their info to the highest bidder. You know something EVERY other social media site does as well.

"They invested millions into the kinect just for that purpose...not gaming."

Except that the Kinect HAD games for it. Maybe not very good games, but game regardless. But I suppose you have a problem with MS supporting a peripheral with a wide VARIETY of content. I guess MS should be now faulted for trying to push Kinect for something more as well as gaming.

"They literally have done nothing this generation as far and making games and new experiances."

And what brand new experiences have Sony graced us with? VR? The cheapest VR headset on the market besides mobile with hardly any worth while games for it?

"Face it MS is a sleezy company that lacks the innovation to run a gaming console."

Lmao...no seriously...LMAO.

"Everyone talks bad about nintendo,..."

Actually only a very few talks bad about Nintendo's contributions to gaming. The majority on this site recognizes innovations, contributions and games from each company that includes Nintendo, Sony and Micorsoft.

It just seems there is a "certain" fanbase that likes to make up fairy tales and awesome science fiction when talking about Microsoft.

[Eonjay]

Xbox was originally 2 things, one a way to get Windows into the living room and two a gruge against Sony for not making PS2 a windows machine. Which are both fine reasons for Xbox to exist. Xbox is literally a product of Sony's decision making and it will always be a byproduct of PlayStation.

[Gazondaily]

@Eonjay

"Xbox is literally a product of Sony's decision making and it will always be a byproduct of PlayStation."

What's funny is, PlayStation is literally a product of Nintendo's decision making and it will always be that.

Crazy swings and falafels

[goatking]

Ever played an online game, xbox says your welcome.

[Lon3wolf]

My first online gaming via console was on the Dreamcast (Quake 3 ruined my life), unless I am misreading what you mean?

[BlackTar187]

My forst online games were Starcraft, Warcraft and Counterstrike followed up by Socom.

Not sure what you're implying but you have no idea what you're saying. IMO party chat ruined online game lobbies anyways credit them for that if you want.

[goatking]

The essentially made what we think of online gaming. Sure dreamcast had online, but see how that did. Sony has never really made anything first, does that mean that they never innovated? Microsoft was the first to do modern online, matchmaking, achievements, party chat, cloud servers, dedicated servers, making online gaming something gamers actually use.

[Liqu1d]

You guys get dumber everyday.

[andrewsquall]

No you are thinking of Kinect 2.0.

[Mrveryodd]

Then why build it... What you say makes no sence

[alfcrippinjr]

you are so correct on this one shame others do not see it also
all they wanted to do is input there media box in every home
which we would use everyday that it
they do not care about gaming at all if they did then we would had seen a lot of good games out for it

[Herbalistic]

Its all about Windows / pushing Xbox more into service with Microsoft.They even report on the brand likes its a service with mostly downloads/users/headshots and other stats.

[LexHazard79]

Xbox devices are Microsofts "steambox".
And last I checked Xbox Live is already a service on Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Windows platform. Thanks for reading my comment.

[goatking]

I mean, ps4 is sony's steambox. The steambox was pretty much valve making a console.

[Automatic79]

Hold up producing more first party titles is a bad thing. Since when. Smh at some of these opinion pieces.

[slavish0]

N4g, enough said 😒

[trooper_]

No one claimed it was a bad thing. There just needs to be less talking and more showing.

[NatFanBoyRestricted]

Shown 7 years in advance lol

[PhoenixUp]

"Microsoft can’t save the Xbox from the onslaught of Nintendo and Sony exclusives that are about to flood the marketplace. We’re already seeing it from Sony’s end. Nioh, Resident Evil 7 VR, Gravity Rush 2, and Yakuza 0"

While I agree that Microsoft's first party isn't as strong as its competitors, Nintendo's exclusives didn't help GameCube outsell Xbox in the end. I also have issue with you calling RE7 VR an exclusive game when it's just a mode in an preexisting multiplatform game.

"Halo Wars 2 is a bit of a niche title."

The original Halo Wars sold 2.63 million copies. I wouldn't call that niche. It's also hypocritical of you to list Yakuza 0, a niche title, but then later chastise another title that you downplay because you perceive it to be niche.

"As for Crackdown 3, its development process has been littered with red flags."

Man the only reason people are even interested in that game is the supposed "powah uv teh clowd." You never saw previous installments in this franchise garner so much attention outside of being games that were bundled in with Halo 3 and Halo Reach betas.

[yeahright2]

I agree on Yakuza being niche. But while over 2 million is not niche for a regular game, it seems small for a halo title.
I also agree on RE7. Article does seem biased. and I admit, I've been hard on MS lately, but that's just me being salty over some of the recent decisions made. Being just a casual fan of xbox, I felt like all the reasons I bought my xbox for got taken away with sunset overdrive being the only reason I was still hanging on to it.
I wanted scalebound, canceled
I was excited for quantum break, let down
I wanted cloud computing, still waiting (only ever seen it in a highly controller environment)
I wanted a new fable, canceled
I got excited for phantom dust, got booted down to a remaster
And even looking forward to game MS might bring, that point is moot to me as I own a gaming PC, so I just play them there.
Like I said, I'm salty, I can admit that, but I bought an xbox on the promise of announced titles and the expectation of more coming. only to have the majority of those titles canceled or not live up to expectations. Then even if I were to have faith that MS would bring out new games just as good if not better than those titles, they make the move of making my xbox redundant due to having a PC.
Sorry for the rant, and I know the majority of what I said has got nothing to do with your comment, it's just I don't want Sony, or any console manufacturer to be at the top of the hill uncontested and Xbox, if we're being real here, is the only real threat to Sony right now. And all signs I see point to them not effectively filling that role.

[Automatic79]

@yeahright2

Seems like you are hard to please are you this critical with other platforms.

[yeahright2]

Not hard to please, just expect them to deliver on the games they show us. I don't care about halo gears and forza. But I did care about quantum break, scalebound and sunset overdrive. Sony didn't cancel all but one of their exclusives that I was looking forward to. Nintendo didn't put all their exclusives on PC.
Now I can be hard on Nintendo as well, hence why I won't buy a switch. Sony has the least negatives for me this gen, but as I said, I don't want them unopposed. I remember the PS3 launch days. not a Sony I want them to go back to.

[goatking]

Yea, because wii u having exclusives helped it so much.

[BlackTar187]

lol it was the only reason i bought the console.

[Lon3wolf]

You actually bothered reading it? Hats off to you.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Its funny to me when comparing exclusives they always pare Sony and Nintendo's against Xbox for PS it makes sense they have ton of games. But suddenly beef up Nintendo's shallow line up, shallow that its ever been is hilarious. And please quit with the temporary tag team Sony Nintendo VS Xbox and trying to act Neutral in attempt to bring down Xbox. Then downplay Nintendo in another article.

As for the article, Its interesting how things are "dire" now When that wasn't the case late last summer through out the holidays, but fair enough MS 1st party needs some serious over hauling.

[Gazondaily]

Haha spot on.

[SpaceRanger]

Spot on? Lol OK

You've definitely gotta be dense if you think that Nintendo's lineup doesn't carry weight against MS' sparce 2017. Zelda alone takes the cake for the first half of the year...or are you gonna tell me that Phantom Dust HD is more of a heavy hitter? Lol

[SpaceRanger]

When a weaker console is coming out with more AAA first party support than their closest competitor (yup in regards to sales, Xbox is closer in sales to Switch than PS4), it's only natural to get downplay on Nintendo. Granted Nintedo's lineup isn't close to PlayStation's, you can't say that MS' is more stellar. Zelda alone holds its own against anything this year.

[slavish0]

Lol wtf Nintendo just failed... If what you said was true or people cared what happened to Wii u? I got a feeling u r going to be crying in a corner because history will repeat itself. The switch hasn't change and is in the same place as Wii u. It will launch sell and two months later nobody will care. Sorry only the same people who go the Wii u are interested AGAIN. They did nothing to expand to new customers except raise there price and lower the tech. Sony will destroy them again. This system at best is a second/ backup system like Wii u and most people only choice one that's why sony and m$ will continue to get the attention and you'll be here in 3years saying switch2 will be different... It has Zelda or metro 🤣😭

[slate91]

Turning a sinking titanic around doesnt happen in 2 years. Lets see what phil has been cookin up going into his 3rd year I say. Gaming takes a lot of time and resources. Im confident. And if halo wars 2, crackdown 3, sea of thieves, cup head, state of decay 2 all ship this year, I say thats a pretty successful year.
Also taking in the fact any unannounced titles released this year or shown at e3 :)

[goatking]

I wouldn't call it sinking titanic, more like a hole that needed to be patched up. Its sold enough to be considered a success going by how we view all other consoles.

[slate91]

This is true. But I feel like there was a wide range of negativity surrounding it and if that would have kept up then the brand could have suffered heavily.

[Movefasta1993]

if i were microsoft,i'd have brought bungie a loooong time ago,so that destiny would have been the big exclusive ip for themthis gen along with creating more halo games.I would have brought cd project red after tw2 success,and fused them with lionhead to create witcher and fable gameand sso that's the rpg side sorted.And instead of that money spent to buy mojang,i would have brought capcom and mistwalker or whatever to get the jap/western audience. Oh and i would have made them all exclusive to 1 platform
I would have done a way better job than phil spencer,but they ignored my personal statement .
And instead of sea of thieves,i would have them create a blockbuster single player(story driven) pirate platforming game with coop .

[Letthewookiewin]

They can't save it at all. It's done. From now on it will just exist maybe in 2nd place maybe 3rd. And that's ok. Scorpio won't fare any better.

[Espangerish]

No one will agree with me I know but if Microsoft released the Xbox as a pc app and moved the whole existing and future libraries onto it so that you could on your pc fire up an Xbox dashboard and run games at pc level graphics and a full universal achievements system and with a console style ecosystem..well I'd be very happy with that.

[yeahright2]

I personally think that's what they're doing. But also xbox will be a brand name PC they come out with, like an alienware PC.

[Skankinruby]

Yes they can, they just don't care enough to do it. The strategies they've been using show the lack of interest in the xbox division. Spending more time and money on timed exclusives than expanding their developers and putting variety in their games. A company doesn't become that valuable by committing to bad investments, I'm calling it now, xbox one will be their last console.

[NextGenCeo]

Sony save Playstation 3 with exclusive games. Because Sony biggest First Party developer on the world. I think 14 developer studio they have if i`m not wrong. So Sony was losing battle against Xbox 360 just like Xbox One but Sony start cutting price and pumping best exclusive games and content for Playstation 3 owners. After that in a couple years we are start getting news from `PS3 pass Xbox 360 total sales on Europe market`...

Microsoft doesn`t have power like that. They don`t have much First Party studio plus they don`t have anymore exclusive content or games! Because every single mid range Windows 10 PC can run Xbox One games. So on that point Xbox Scorpio or Xbox One S you don`t need to play Xbox games. If you have mid range new or year old PC!
My tought Microsoft already quit from console market but they just not putting name and not calling `We are quit` because this is give really bad reputation and economic problems to them but they going different strategy and going like Steam Box mentality . What is that mentality `Powerfull PC`s with small from factor case under the TV` and every TV became a gaming PC!

Yes Microsoft can do this with Xbox brand but they are not gone alone and they have big competitor like Apple like Steam like Google... But far as i know one thing people still doesn`t want to believe `Microsoft already QUIT` from console market. Windows 10 and Scorpio already offical proof for that.
(ESL guy here so sorry for English)

[Lon3wolf]

Not everyone wants a PC though, they prefer the simplicity that consoles provide. It is natural for MSoft to bring their console titles to PC as not every PC owner wants a console (so extra software sales which is all good). I still think there is a market for Xbox consoles I wouldn't say MSoft are finished just yet.

[andrewsquall]

Of course they can't that's why they buy up what ever exclusives anybody will desperately allow them to anymore and can't even make their own dedicated VR headset.

[Petebloodyonion]

And since when did "Xbox" was in need of saving?
Sorry but exclusive and 1st party means only something to fanatics on a website like N4g.

For the average joe, a game is a game and has the same value as another one. Meaning: that Resident Evil7 is equal to the new Halo or Forza.
FIFA is always a top seller, same with COD, NHL, NFL and others popular 3rd party game like FFXV.

What MS has to do is make the platform viable so publisher and dev produce content.
Heck On PC Valve practically stopped making games and Steam is still the leading gaming platform on PC.

Also, it's important to remember that 3rd parties are also customers of Sony and MS and want the best possible success for their game (meaning sales). Yes we're all happy when Sony or MS produce AAA titles that sell in million, but that's not the case for 3rd parties who Halo or Uncharted as unfair competition that will eat at potential sales.

There's a reason why there are no AAA games on the WII or WIU from a 3rd party and the reasons were that they could not compete with Nintendo in term of quality of game for the selling price.

And last, let's all remember that if 1st party were a must than Sega would still be the leading brand in the Bizness.

[zb1ftw777]

Lol fake news.

It doesn't need saving.

[KenichiEbina]

Lol true news.

It doesn't need saving because it's already dead in Rotw. 😂

[zb1ftw777]

Xbox brand is flying in usa and uk.

Since i live in UK, i don't care about rotw.

I want rotw not to buy it so i don't have to play with non English speaking Europeans who are annoying as fuck.

[Officialxandr]

Like Nintendo, they're their biggest enemies.

[LandCruiser]

Couldn't care less about this dogshit brand. Feel free to die any time but i'll make sure I am present to piss on its grave.

[KenichiEbina]

Great article. Loved reading it. Keep spreading the truth no matter how much x fantards are hurt.

[EpicZinger]

Xbox can die today and nothing of importance would be lost.

[Lennoxb63]

You can't sit here and act like MS and the Xbox had no influence on what is required for a modern day console. The standard for online, hard drives, and many other features are all considered to be standard to be considered a worthy console. You see how much backlash the Switch is getting for not meeting some of them?

[BlackTar187]

HDD is a evolution in gaming not a revolution from microsoft. The standard for online okay i can get on baord with the presentation but online gaming was also a natural evolution that was happening with or without MS.

[BigGamersSmallTalk]

Save Xbox? Dafaq?
I guess it needs saving and we'd know this because they literally just announced 2 new consoles at last E3, the Xbox One S, which is seeing incredible success, and we're getting the most powerful console ever created with Scorpio this holiday.
How does this trash even get approved?

[Cohagen420]

Because cancelling games and failing to reveal sales numbers due how embarrassing they are just scream stability...

[UCForce]

@bg116 Because MS isn't willing to let Halo go. MS is afraid of making new IP.

[yeahright2]

@bg116 Fans like you are the problem. No matter what MS does with xbox it's good in your eyes and you defend everything they say. They should let go of Halo or at the very least broaden their scope beyond it. sure it still sells, so does uncharted, but we're getting the last of us out of naughty dog. Killzone sells well enough to keep it going, but we're getting horizon. Infamous sells, but we got a new IP coming. Halo sells, but we're getting... more halo.
Why would they go outside of their comfort zone when people like you keep telling them how great they are and every decision they make gets nothing but praise from you lot.

[BigGamersSmallTalk]

So according to you, a game cancellation means a company is in danger? You do realize Sony has cancelled games, right? I mean Sony Santa Monica laid off half their employees, cancelled a brand new IP and decided to get a third party marketing deal with Destiny instead.
Game cancellations happen, particularly when you company you're paying to make a game funnels the money out to complete other projects and makes no headway on that game in over a year.

By your logic, PlayStation has been in danger for a long, long time. SMH...

[kevnb]

I'm sure they could if they really wanted to, its probably just not a huge priority for them. Also, by all accounts the xbox brand is doing good enough and makes some profit. It would take some convincing from xbox heads to get more investment and put a larger focus on the brand.

[Bismarn]

Fortunately they have Nintendo's help. oooooohhhh

[Fist4achin]

Xbox consoles are being treated like Sony did with the Vita in the states. Pull support, release fewer and fewer first party games and watch it dwindle.

If MS would just spend more on game development, everything would be good.

[TheColbertinator]

Xbox will be saved by Nintendo

[UCForce]

Nope. That's not gonna happen. They need to save themselves by action than talk.

[sdplisken]

MS does not and will never care about the hardcore gamer
I feel sorry for their brainwashed fanbase

[Max-Zorin]

The gaming community need saving. No matter the console, the gaming community is HORRIBLE, especially on this site. If N4G was a High School, we would have to go through two metal detectors and a pat down, and it would probably have an infirmary.

[TechnoGoat]

The investors will pull the plug if they feel it necessary regardless, hell they are already asking for it. But with the right moves the division can get them off their back.

Scorpio will either make the Xbox brand or break it, if it cost too much to produce and not enough people buy it, you can bet your butt investors will go insane.

[Kingdomcome247]

I haven't had much time for gaming over the past few months, as I've been working to maintain a business that I've just recently gotten off of the ground, and expanded. I'm terribly embarrassed to admit that I'm just now learning of Scalebound's cancellation. That's awful, as it was easily among my most highly anticipated games, right after Horizon: Zero Dawn and God of War. That sucks.

[TheColbertinator]

Congrats on your business

[Zarock]

If Xbox turns Into a service for PCs It will face a bigger problem aka Steam. Staying In both console and PC markets Is a much better approach, which will make them more money In the long run.

[yeahright2]

Remember Sweeney talking about UWP? It's kinda all coming together now. Shareholders want Xbox gone, they getting killed in sales, play anywhere, adding it all up it paints a picture showing MS getting out of traditional consoles and moving to PC. Keeping "xbox" in name only to appease both fanboys and shareholders. To the fans like crap gamer:" look see! it says "xbox" right there. xbox is still around. To the shareholders "Don't worry "xbox is gone we just slapped the name on there to let the fans think it's still around to avoid backlash. Best of both worlds. I think "xbox" will become a brand name of a PC and it will be what steam machines tried to be. UWP will be there to take on steam.

[I-wear-clothes]

I think they will be fine if they start picking up the pace with first party titles.

[alfcrippinjr]

xbox one simply answer to it

there library of games suck big-time

[Saranya]

That because Microsoft games policy's sucked.

[windblowsagain]

xboxone is being outsold 3/1 worldwide.

Hardware is the least of their concerns.

[NohansenBoy]

So. PC market's already bigger than console. I think MS should just jump ship and focus on PC.

[Poseph]

Let's remove Xbox and Nintendo, this will end well for gamers. Can't wait to pay 700 bucks for a Sony console and 100 for a game because monopoly is surely a nice thing :)

[ultimize]

XBOX = WINDOWS PC
At the end

[corroios]

The next E3 will be very importante and not because of hardware, but games. Microsoft need to show new games for the coming years.

Something besides the old formula (Forza (any type) Gears and Halo.

If their show is mainly about the Scorpio and PR talk about the power 4k, 4k, 4k, more powerfull then everything, then it will only get worst. They need to show news games and im not talking about CGI trailers (That PR Stunt doesnt work, except on blind gamers).

If they dont, Sony will keep walking all over them in every market and the gap will get even bigger

[wutang4ever]

i blame gamers for not buying enough xbox 1 consoles. it's their fault MS is doing bad.

[Cobra951]

Save it from what? It's making money hand over fist. Good God. Has everyone drunk this negative kool aid?

[zerocarnage]

ms idea is make as many deviçes as possible and get them in the hands of people, so long as there service and software is winning the battle if they are taking a loss on hardware, which I don't see it with millions of owners who have an Xbox. If a loss on hardware is minimal compared to service and software, damn I'd do the same too. It's like building a house of cards, they all work together and just because one isn't put in place as strong as the other doesn't mean the house can not be built still. They have people managing the weak links of the chain, so long as the strong links keep improving the weak links can support the strong.

Nine heads a hydra has, not all of those heads would work the same, some would have to act differently. Cogs in a clock are not all the same strength or size yet they all work together spinning to make the hands of time carry on ticking..

[Prather]

This goes for people who prefer the Sony platform, You do not want to see Xbox fail. Once less company means less competition and innovation.While owning an Xbox the biggest issue for me is lack of AAA exclusives, Indies arn't my thing. We all know this though it is a shame so many people want it gone. I wish there would be a day where we arn't so one sided, wishful thinking ha. Just my thoughts on it I support them all! I own both Xbox and PS4 Pro, and preordered my switch <3.

[Angel911]

@Kingsthrash360

MS did nothing for gaming? OK.

THINGS IT DID BEST:

This is a lit of all the things that the Xbox 360 still does best, even ten years after launch.

The Best Controller: The Xbox 360 controller still is the best controller design ever. It was ergonomically perfect, and functionally just perfect. Plus it introduced the Guide button to consoles, and that is probably one of the most important parts of the modern console experience.
The Best Interface: BLADES.Unfortunately, Microsoft phased out the Blades about three years into the console's life, and in spite of all the improvements and upgrades that the NXE got, it was never quite as good as the Blades UI, which remains to this day the single best console UI ever- fast, slick, simple, well organized, and with no nonsense.
Online: The Xbox 360 arguably did online better than even any of the modern consoles- not only was it a pioneer in the online space, with features like Achievements and Party Chat, it also to this day is ahead of the PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U in some very basic ways- friend notifications, beacons, player reputation are all ways in which the Xbox 360 is still doing online better than what came after.

THINGS IT DID FIRST:

The Xbox 360 was a pioneering console. Here is a list of all the things it did first:

Standardized wireless controllers coming with the console
Standardizing console online, with multiple new features, such as Party Chat
Standardizing player Achievements
Standardizing console DLC
The first console to bring indie games to the console market
The first HD console
The first modern 'media' console. While the PS3 launched as a media system, it was stuck in the past, and relied on local media. Microsoft's Xbox 360 was prescient in how it offloaded its media capabilities to web based services via apps, a model used for media even today, not just by consoles, but also TV set top boxes, tablets, and smartphones
The first console to have a Guide button
The first console to receive continual updates for its home menu
The first console to introduce a guide button, and an in game OS to navigate
The first console to have an OS, over just a BIOS or firmware
The first console to allow for digital distribution of its games, via Games on Demand.

Xbox one launch was rough coz of messaging and PR but they changed things around quite quickly with One S, They were making loss over Fat Xbox but they are making profit on every Xbox One S which is much cheaper to produce than og xbox one...Don't think you are aware that electronics prices go down every year..

[yeahright2]

PS2 did HD via component cable. And using things it standardized in a list of things it did first seems a little shady.

Other than that you make valid points, the problem is the follow through. Others end up doing some of those things better or they are subjective. Things like having the best controller or user interface vary from person to person. indies is pretty much dominated by PC and PS these days, or the online apps, took xbox forever and a day to drop the paywall.

But yes, I agree with the overall point, xbox doesn't get enough credit in this area.

[Angel911]

Those who want Xbox dead.. You do realize competition is important if you want games and consoles at cheap price?

When their is no competiton we get shitty WWE games, madden games nd other sports games which are more of same every year...

Why would Sony invest in exclusives and release console for $299 with game if there is no competition? They will just sit back and let yearly 3rd party games do the talking.

I Don't think Xbox is going anywhere..It's the only popular and known hardware brand from MS. They have enough money to keep supporting Xbox. They just made over 2billion in earning from Xbox live service alone...So, they not gonna ditch it anytime soon.

plus they just launched 2 consoles and launching a 3rd one this year lol..

[MasterCornholio]

It's not that people want Xbox dead it's just people want Xbox to be a better competitor. That's up to Microsoft to achieve. You really can't blame Sony for giving Microsoft some brutal competition. If Microsoft did the same and just gave gamers what they want, their system would be selling alot closer to the PS4.

P.S Sony launched the PS4 at 399€ not 299€. Because of Sony Microsoft dropped the price of the Xbox One (499€) shortly after the systems launch.

[obidanshinobi]

The Sony fanboys on here are insane, batshit crazy.
I really wonder about their state of mind and motivations.
Would make an interesting essay / paper.
Just pure hate for such silly reasons, it's a just a games console yet some people on here hate it like it's negatively impacting their lives.
Such bizarre behaviour it almost fascinates me.

They can be very funny though in an unintentional way.
I remember a post when Scalebound was cancelled where a Pony was berating MS for announcing a game too early at E3. He/She was totally serious as well based on their previous comments , no sign of sarcasm at all.
Oh the hypocrisy of a Pony crying that MS reveal games too early. Hilarious.

Let's face it, the majority of fanboys on both sides are school kids who's parent/s only let them have one games console for Xmas/Birthday and can't afford to buy both an XB1 and a PS4 themselves because they have little if any income. Or they are absolute social reject man children who are fanboys because it makes them feel like they are part of something in their sad and lonely lives.
Trouble is that they're are a lot more Sony fanboys stinking up the internet than MS ones so there is this constant bias and you get morons like the "journalist" who wrote this article playing up to that bias and feeding it for attention.

[YAO-BLING]

xbox was doa

[obidanshinobi]

Not enough for what ?
The XB1 is selling well in it's main markets.
Not as good as the PS4 but it's still making MS profit.
The whole notion that the Xbox needs "saving" is a complete joke.
Does Pepsi need saving because they are out-sold by Coca Cola ? Of course not.
Two similar products can co-exist and both be profitable.

Funny how the PS4 finally gets more than a few decent exclusives in one year and suddenly the Xbox is doomed.
Still shows the laughable media bias towards the PS4,