210°

Sony, Microsoft, Google and Nvidia Show Little Interest in Becoming "The Netflix of Video Games"

“The Netflix of video games” is a label thrown around like confetti at a victory parade. It’s held out as the prize that awaits the winner in the burgeoning game streaming arena. How close are current or near-future game streaming services to being the Netflix of games? Are the services even trying to emulate the Netflix model or are they aiming at something different?

Bigman4k1742d ago (Edited 1742d ago )

I disagree Microsoft xbox game pass is taking steps to try and be like netflix of gaming and I think sony will follow starting next generation with their ps now

Applejack1741d ago

If Sony does decide to go that route, then they better keep the quality up for it. I’ve personally tried PS Now and although I enjoyed playing games I never would have otherwise, I can’t get over the issues that came with it.

Spurg1741d ago

Psnow shouldn't be a way to measure how cloud gaming will be in the future. Sony has neglected to update the infrastructure of the service. If Sony thinks it still acceptable to be streaming games at 720p late in his gen then they are way behind times.

Obscure_Observer1741d ago

@Spurg

"Psnow shouldn't be a way to measure how cloud gaming will be in the future."

Why not? Ryan already said that Sony will be taking PS Now to the "Next Level" later this year and the service will be renamed to Playstation Streaming. I think it´s part of their partnership with Microsoft.

ILostMyMind1741d ago

The main feature of Netflix is to be streaming. The second is to be on all media platforms. How does the GP compare to that?

LabRat1741d ago (Edited 1741d ago )

@ ilostmymind - I think they mean you get access to tons of games for a low monthly subscription. Also, gaming is a different media type then shows and movies, where you want to download the game to have good frames and reduce input lag etc.

SocialDanny1231741d ago

The main feature of Netflix is the monthly subscription to access all their games, not streaming itself.

Steveoreno11741d ago

Sony won't do a game pass because their exclusive actually sell.

SocialDanny1231741d ago (Edited 1741d ago )

Sorry if they don't do a Game Pass, their PSNow service is guaranteed to be a failure.

Why would anyone subscribe to Sony's service over Game Pass? Right now PSNow content is absolute garbage. Game Pass gets good releases of games whereas PSNow only has very old titles.

rainslacker1741d ago

Hasn't MS explicitly used the term "Netflix of gaming" in one of their PR interviews?

I'm also pretty sure that Forbes of all sites had used the term more than any other site over the years...so if they are writing this article now, are they saying they've been wrong all these years?

ShadowWolf7121741d ago

Gamepass is losing money right now, MS just reported revenue for services is down 3%. Meaning that price is gonna be creeping up soon and we'll likely see quality take a hit on games for that service.

Not sure that's the route I want gaming to go at all.

SocialDanny1231741d ago

Microsoft is a company that is willing to take a short term pain for long term gain. If loosing money will allow Microsoft to gain a massive user base, they would take it.

jsiddlehfx1740d ago

ps now is... a streaming gaming service already implimented

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1740d ago
jeb691741d ago

This is interesting but in the case of video game publishers they were already offering cloud-based and downloadable games. With movies and TV, Netflix beat the studios to the punch and now you see them catching up. Eventually Netflix may only offer their own content.

PhoenixUp1741d ago

Netflix would never give up on licensed content

Sono4211741d ago

What is this article on about? How is Google NOT trying to become the Netflix of gaming? They are the ones putting in the biggest effort to do so, with Microsoft taking a good second, and Sony in third.

Meanwhile you got Nintendo in a corner over there by themselves still trying to figure out how to get regular online play to work.

ShadowWolf7121741d ago

@Sono because Google is not trying to be the Netflix of gaming. They themselves have said they're more akin to PS Plus and Games with Gold; an occasional free title, with anything else requiring a full-price purchase.

PhoenixUp1740d ago

@ Son

“What is this article on about? How is Google NOT trying to become the Netflix of gaming?”

If you actually read the article then you’d know. Stadia isn’t an on demand service. You have to buy each game individually, which isn’t the case with Netflix

XiNatsuDragnel1741d ago

I absolutely disagree with Microsoft with this, because they stated they wanted to be the netflix lol

Stanjara1741d ago

This Guy who wrote this totally can't see the tree from the forest. The whole point of games on subscription is Netflix model. The problem I have with that model is that companies will be putting fast, mediocre content on that services.

It's like moaning about Witcher series not having the right armor, or music, or cast, or whatever. Yeah, its Netflix people. They are investing in lot of shows.

Spurg1741d ago

You will get a range of different types of games. Not all games are going to be AAA quality IP. There will be gems on Netflix and there is also crap you can't have only AAA. The whole idea is to give people choice and will break the cost barrier to try a new game.
Speaking of difference in the quality of games it is easy to go for only buying games that an 80+ on Metacritic but there are some seriously underrated games like Vampr, Call of Cthulhu and many more around the 70 range that are more fun and memorable than AAA games. Service like Gamepass will allow players to try those game without needing to buy it outright and if they like it the choice is still there for them to buy.

Stanjara1741d ago

I agree, but also like to buy those 70ish games on sale to own them. Great response. I just afraid that we are not going to support great product from these subscription, but something else.

rainslacker1741d ago

I can see it being the same. Netflix, o tend to binge watch older shows through to the end. I wouldn't do that with games, as long series of games get tiresome when played in succession.

With Netflix I'll watch the new Netflix produced stuff that comes out if I'm interested. I'd do the same with games.

With netflix, I'll watch newish movies that come out if in interested. I'd do the same with games.

With netflix I'll watch some older stuff on occassion if it interests me. I'd do the same with games.

Overall, it's not much different.

One difference is I'm not going to sub to a game streaming service, because I like to own my games, and I'm not opposed to buying hardware.

PhoenixUp1741d ago

You’re never going to have a 1-1 comparison with Netflix, but on-demand gaming does exist

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80°

The Epic Games Store Has Two More Freebies this Week

It's time to add two more games to your library for free from the Epic Games Store.

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terminalgamer.com
270°

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

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

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theverge.com
darthv721d 2h ago

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

solideagle13h ago

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

Sonic188110h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10h ago

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

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

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

MS:

Lightning775h ago

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

Cacabunga12h ago

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

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

shinoff218311h ago

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

Cacabunga10h ago

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

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

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

itsmebryan6h ago

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

romulus235h ago

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

darthv725h ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
purple10115h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos14h ago

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

DOMination-4h ago

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

XBManiac14h ago

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

SimpleDad13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

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

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

purple10113h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

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

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

Kornholic11h ago

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

MrDead4h ago

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

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80°

Razer Kishi Ultra Review - Remote Play and Mobile Gaming Goes XL

PSLS writes: I have traveled across the country using the Razer Kishi Ultra in airports and hotels for both PlayStation Remote Play and mobile gaming in general, and I am thoroughly impressed.

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playstationlifestyle.net