Xbox Series X – Microsoft Committed to Worldwide Launch, Games “Making Progress”

Despite a global pandemic, Microsoft’s progress with its Xbox Series X marketing has been progressing steadily. The pre-order page for the console is currently up and the next showcase, focusing on first-party titles, will be held in July. In the meantime, Xbox boss Phil Spencer offered some assurance about the supply chain while chatting with former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime on Talking Games.

[FallenAngel1984]

Will that global launch include Japan this time?

[BLUEBLASTER]

I would like to know this as well. I think it would be wise to focus on other markets where it sells better

[TheEnigma313]

They won't sell anything in Japan.

[Obscure_Observer]

"Will that global launch include Japan this time?"

Hopefully.

[rainslacker]

I'm sure theyll have a few tens of XSXs available to carry them through the generation in Japan.

[Software_Lover]

Why does it matter?

[pwnmaster3000]

Anyone notice every time Sony does something MS becomes more talkative then usual lol...
Got to commend there internet awareness I guess.

[waverider]

Its normal. They need to try and stay relevant. They need to be talked about. The last weeks were terrible for them, in term of PR.

[Atom666]

And the media crazed mob moved onto the next topic days later. As they'll do again and again ad nauseam.

There is definitely a PR game that gets played by all the companies to stay in the limelight. We saw that play out a bit earlier this year with the XSX teardown getting published days before the Cerny talk.

But this "article" comes from a (really great) charity podcast series put on by Reggie and the people at the New York Videogame Critics Circle. Of course, 5 minutes of the multi-part series will get exploited for clicks for the console war, but so far they've been great to listen to. The one with Spencer was mainly about gaming music, and it was fun to hear Reggie's passion about it. But if you mention Spencer and next gen....fanboys come running.

So I agree with you. The tit-for-tat PR war is normal. Also, people not realizing shitty "journalists" like those at Gamingbolt are just using innocuous content to timely stir the fanboy pot is also all too normal.

[rainslacker]

I think the past couple weeks may have actually been more about them trying to stay off the radar after that game play showing flop. Sony hasn't been that quiet the past couple weeks, although they were talking about current gen. MS did have some things to say after the Epic demo though. But yeah, their marketing hasn't been as good as it has been these past couple weeks.

[chiefJohn117]

Sony's been pretty quiet. What did Sony do? Phil's always been in touch with the community.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Sony's just had 2 State of Plays that generated more hype than anything ms has shown.

Of course ms is feeling the heat, they're already on the back foot.

Their gameplay event went down so well with gamers.

[Kavorklestein]

@chiefJohn,
that is Not true at all bro Sony has done things lately, and they showed good previews for TLOU II and Ghost of Tsushima.
Also, they are Presenting 1st Party games First in June.
Yes Phil is Good with the Xbox Community, I like him a lot personally and think he's doing good for what he was given to handle for Microsoft.

But PLEASE- don't just make crap up just cuz you like Xbox more than Playstation.
Makes some of us Xbox gamers look full of it.

[pwnmaster3000]

Lol did I hurt you, I didn’t mean anything by it. Go look through my comment history, I always praised MS PR

[Obscure_Observer]

"Sony's just had 2 State of Plays that generated more hype than anything ms has shown."

Really? What´s up with all the commotion regarding Scorn been a Series X console exclusive? I thought most of non Xbox gamers on N4G had a powerful PC that blows SX out of water. /S

[rainslacker]

"What did Sony do?"

Release quality games all gen at fairly regular intervals. Have enough in production that delays didnt mean going years with high profile games. Continue high profile support of this gen through the entire, and up until the end of the generation.

More recently, showing off two remarkable looking games in excess, one of which is a new IP they could have easily pushed off as a new IP to launch with PS5, but didnt

You know, nothing major that xbox fanboys care anything about.

I agree that Phil does engage the community, but that's just another marketing tactic for him. His only care is putting out PR, not having a real dialogue with the customers.

[chiefJohn117]

Oldboy you can keep shouting that every article but it still won't make it true. FR calm down cause you sound like you bout to have. A heart attack every Xbox article lmao

Ah so last gen news, gotcha. Anyway as I was saying what have they done?

@Rainlacker I was speaking about next gen btw I see you forgot SparseGate lol so your comment is untrue. A SheHe with a golf club? Yeah imma pass

[OB1Biker]

I dont know. There are times when he doesnt talk?

[3-4-5]

They both do it....stop pandering

[Masterchief_thegoat]

Ps5 again will be the better console. M$ will never learn

[FyBy]

Sony is much more consistent with predictable message to gamers. MS isnt (or it changes every gen). So it depends on svereal factors:
1)How many people buy according to brand - I think Playstation brand has much higher momentum.
2)How many people buy according to power - MS will have slight advantage here this gen
3)How many people buy accordgin to great exclusives - here Sony has its edge
4)How many people need more casual things - like media functionality, apps, etc... - here MS has the power
5)How many people prefer to subscribe to game pass instead of buying games - again here MS has I think better solution (game pass, play anywhere, cross buy, etc...)

These points are long time analyzed by marketing divisions of both companies. They calculate, how to attract more people to buy into their ecosystem. Thats only thing that matters. From our point of view it seems like Phil cares about players that Sony is doing best games for the players. No way. Its only about money. Companies do things, which are better for them and their profit.

And we dont know, how many people are in either of group above. I will buy PS5 but I think MS can attract lot of people. Maybe some people from PC world, if they want to play their favourite game pass pay anywhere games in bedroom or on vacation. You can simply grab lower end xbox and continue where you ended. This aspect can be strong.

And its good for both camps. If MS will be successful, Sony will need to push harder . Win-Win

[Tacoboto]

Sony makes the best games, but consistent?
They suggested people should work a second job to afford a PS3.
Remember that same PS3 launched with full backwards compatibility, too? Then each hardware revision took more away.
Remember PSN being free to play multiplayer? Remember PSN also going offline for over a month because of hackers, but cross-play is bad because PSN is the best place to play?
Remember how awful Microsoft was for timed-exclusive DLC when they were winning, and now Sony's been doing exactly that?

They both have horrendously inconsistent marketing and messaging. But only one has the games that make it easier to turn the other cheek on their behavior

[FyBy]

@Tacoboto I know what you mean. I meant target group and quality games. In other words always targeting core gamers and delivering good games. What you are writing about is reducing hardware because of expenses, evolving of own network, etc... Maybe I put it too general. MS and Sony both tried different thing but Sony always delivered console for core gamers.

[lazyboyblue]

If you mean specs, no it's already confirmed to be less powerful, but I'm guessing you mean other things like software, haptic, ssd speed and 3d audio? The kind of things that can't possibly be judged by anyone until they've actually tried them.
People leaped to their conclusions that the Xbox one was going to be this mythical epicly great machine and ps4 wasn't worthy of consideration - right up to that reveal.
I'm going to wait and see.

[Kavorklestein]

I think Microsoft is TRYING to learn, but they are definitely not on Sony's page of prestige and support yet.

I think there is plenty of room for Sony, MS, Nintendo, and Steam, and GOG, and Epic Game Store, and Android/iOs gamers to play in peace.

It's just a shame there seems to be a die hard "my dad can beat up your dad" battle that never ends, and hardly anyone tries to have meaningful conversations or comparisons.

I do think that MS is still growing and shaping Xbox into the Brand they want it to be.

Sony is handling there games with good moves as usual.

Maybe someday there will be tons of good games for all consoles and people will have more respect for the Hobby itself, instead of verbally trying to kill people who like different things.

Hopefully we can evolve a bit.

I say just game on and have a good time everyone...
Lots of exciting stuff coming next gen!

Speaking of "next gen" I wonder WTH the next move for Nintendo's hardware will be. I'm hoping for a Switch Pro or something.

[zsquaresoff]

Microsoft better talk and get everything out of the way now because once Ps5 is revealed, they're so called 'next-gen news' iis going to struggle to be featured anywhere relevant.

[chiefJohn117]

Like PS4 pro?

[Traecy]

Wrong analogy.

[lazyboyblue]

Jesus Christ! I've always owned Sony machines but sometimes I root for Xbox because of Fanboys like this. That post is rife with smug and makes me nauseous 🤢.

[Kavorklestein]

I completely agree. Sometimes the tone comes across as if they don't think we deserve to live at all because we like Xbox a bit more. The main reason you see me getting into it with somebody on here is because the circles folks will spin in just to sound like they are superior is ridiculous. And I like flipping the script back on them and turning the tables to see if their selective logic still applies when the shoe is on the other foot.

[TheHan]

Makes sense if you want everyone to game around the world around the same time.

[rlow1]

Looks like MS has planned really well this time.

[Bronxs15]

I’m getting more excited and interested in getting xsx at launch. Xbox has a lot going for it now. really cool the thought of playing some of my old favorite games from the ps360 gen again like sprinter cell conviction Alan wake sonic unleashed bayonetta enslaved etc from previous gens at 4K 60 FPS. And for free as a feature. Amazing. Plus I’m sure they’ll add a lot to the gamepass catalogue. Good job ms.

Oh and the fact that for the first time I already have an extra controller Cus my one x controller will work. Sweet!

Edit and in HDR. And I didn’t realize 30 FPS games doubling to 60. But also 60 FPS games doubling to 120. I hope rocket league gets updated to 120fps!

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Well we'll see how well it's received with just multiplats.