250°

Xbox COO Doubts PlayStation Vita

IndustryGamers: Xbox 360 has had tons of momentum of late, bolstered by the success of Kinect. The company doesn't appear to be interested in the portables market and in our recent interview with Xbox COO Dennis Durkin, the executive cast some doubts on both PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS.

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industrygamers.com
Dart894717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

"I’m not sure I would want to be launching a dedicated portable device right now into that market. I think the DS - if you look at the 3DS, certainly versus people’s expectation's it’s not been as successful as people would have thought.

That's because the 3ds didn't have great launch titles where as the PSV will have uncharted etc.Plus you can get the PSV (wifi version)at the same price as the 3ds yet it has so much stuff packed in it.

donniebaseball4717d ago

Uncharted was the only thing worth playing on Vita at E3, so I wouldn't go crazy about Vita's launch lineup just yet either.

Newtype4717d ago

Dragon's Crown is a sick PSv title.

Simon_Brezhnev4717d ago

so donnie what lineup would you go crazy over then?

NukaCola4717d ago

Ruin was awesome, plus PS3 compatibility with that and WipEout is super cool.

Sunhammer4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

Ah, Microsoft. The single console company who thinks they know anything about what gamers want meanwhile they're building all future titles with Kinect in mind.

Microsoft can wake me up when they stop putting out failures like the Kin, Windows phone, and Zune, all of which flopped beyond belief.

The Vita stole the show.

dabri54717d ago

I'm excited about
Dragon's Crown, Uncharted, and Gravity!

blusoops4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

Uncharted
Gravity
Sound Shapes
Super Stardust
Hot Shots Golf
Dragon's Crown

All day one purchases for me

Plus all the back psp games that get upscaled and get dual analog support automatically.
(hoping for Valkyria Chronicles 3 to come to psn).

So yeah, this is a pretty good line up, especially compared to the "other" handhelds recently launched. And we still don't know of all of the launch titles. Specifically from 3rd party.

And to those who say iOS games are the future, you guys are crazy. There's a reason most games are $1 or free with ads. Very shallow and simple. Good for the casuals, but not for me.

darthv724717d ago

do you really want portable versions of the same games you play on the console or would you rather have originality?

Lets face it. PSP started off with "port"able versions of console games but it took some time to grow legs with its own stuff. I like games that you cant play on another system. That to me is what makes it worth purchasing.

Yeah its an exclusive thing when I usually dont go gaga for exclusives. Portable gaming is different for me. I want the original stuff. Uncharted with some new controls is still uncharted.

LocoRoco....now that is fun original game. Cant wait to play a vita version that you control simply by bending the controller in your hands side/side forward/back.

As for MS view.....they dont have a portable (unless you classify wp7) so they should shut it.

chaos-lockheart4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

there was a lot of great games, all confirmed to be launch tittles too, this is the first time i can think of that a system came out with this much great launch tittles.

http://www.pspgweber.com/98...

Uncharted: Golden Abyss Resistance
Killzone
Call of Duty
Sonic Generations
Hustle Kings
BlazBlue Continuum Shift Plus II
Silent Hill: Book of Memories
Mortal Kombat
Lego Harry Potter (5-7 years)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012
F1 2011
Hot Shot Golf (Everybody's Golf)
Wipeout 2048
Smart Ash
Broken
Super Stardust Delta
LittleBigPlanet
Dynasty Warriors
Gelding
Bioshock
Street Fighter Tekken x
ModNation Racers
Virtua Tennis 4
Ridge Racer
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
Gravity
Dust 514
Dragon's Crown
Shinobido 2
Rugby Challenge

theonlylolking4717d ago

@Chaos-Lockheart

I did not know ALL of those games would be on release. That just mkes the PSvita even better from day one.

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Blaze9294717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

But Uncharted doesn't even move that many PS3s. What makes you think that will push the Vita?

I agree with Dennis Durkin, Jeff Gerstmann, Andy McNamara and many more people who has been saying the same thing about the Vita.

I don't think you can blame the 3Ds "below-expected" success solely on the lackluster launch games alone. I think it's just really a different market right now for handhelds and the fight for your pocket.

Consumers want to carry around as little devices as they can and the smaller, the better. The smartphone/tablet space is seriously booming and anyone who can't see that is seriously blind or doesnt want to admit it. It's like AAA games taking off for handhelds, it's the little $5 app games like Angry Birds.

Me personally, I'm excited as hell about the Vita - hardware wise. But the games, to me, it seems like PSP all over again in 2005/2006 where all the games are just console games. There's no defining game to make me go out and buy a Vita if I can just play the same franchise on the PS3. Ports ports ports, seems they didn't learn with the PSP.

And in my lifestyle, I don't even have time to play handhelds for long periods of time, as these games are being made to be, unless I'm on a plane or train.

I doubt Vita too. I don't think because he works for Microsoft that he should automatically get backlash. He has good reason to doubt in this crowded and rapid changing handheld space.

David Jaffe himself even summed it up nicely:

"I will work with Sony as long as they will have me, but they have an uphill climb - this entire industry has an uphill climb now - because of the iPhone and the iPad. Unless we as an industry get to cloud computing and gaming sooner rather than later, I think we'll have to get used to a noticeably smaller piece of the overall pie.

I think a large number of people are satisfied with the cheaper, downloadable gaming experiences on their phones. Even if you're talking PlayStation Suite, so I'm not saying Sony doesn't have some of that pie. People always have their phones with them, because they're a one-shop device. That means traditional [console / handheld] games have to be so much better in order to get enough people away from their phone to game. I think that's why you see less games [at E3], because publishers have to put so much money into the games they do make to compete at that high level. [The iPhone] is such a fucking disruptor. It will be an interesting thing to watch over the next couple of years."

http://www.gamingunion.net/...

Simon_Brezhnev4717d ago

knowing you your not getting it unless you can use homebrew

Oxymoron0284717d ago

Portable gaming devices =/= Tablet's/Smartphones.

There is still demand for portable gaming devices, and I wish people would stop comparing the markets.

blusoops4717d ago

"Consumers want to carry around as little devices as they can and the smaller, the better."

How do tablets fit with this statement? They're not exactly pocket sized, and on top of that only the iPad is highly successful, not ALL tablets.

Also, i don't think the Vita will be EXACTLY like the psp. 2 reasons why the psp wasn't as successful as it could've been, no dual analog and lack of good connectivity.

Vita seems to be addressing both of those issues. You quoted some industry figures but many others have expressed their excitement for this device.

Maybe we just need to wait and see. IMO the 3ds didn't succeed cuase the 3d sucks, too expensive for what it does, not a huge leap from the DS, and of course...lack of compelling launch software. Vita doesn't SEEM to have these problems, but there's no way to tell for sure until it's out in the market.

StbI9904717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

The more i think about it, the more i see things clear, vita is good and all, but if i were to choose in the long run, i would simply go with a smartphone that do everything, browsing, calls, gaming, movies, music, etc.

Until a smartphone with switchable pad and keyboard tho xD.

jetlian4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

l would agree with you however tablets and phones arent in the same market. Gamers will go with vita/3ds and casuals will stick to apps!

3ds isn't just a lack of games its over priced and most people don't use the 3d. It also lacks 3rd party support like most recent nintendo systems!

main reason why l won't get one till after resdient evil rev and more games hit.

vita has uncharted, gravity,modnation,wipeout, psp games(l got KZ:l and modnation from welcome back), reality fighters,dragons crown and shinobido

plenty of games close if not day 1

gamingdroid4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

"How do tablets fit with this statement? They're not exactly pocket sized, and on top of that only the iPad is highly successful, not ALL tablets."

Tablets are getting more success now, but the statement is probably meant to say that iPads are taking the place of laptops. They are certainly more portable than laptop.

@Blaze929:

I agree with you. It used to be that the only portable gaming option you had was a handheld device like PSP or NDS. Now a days, the smart phone has taken entirely over. Sure the quality isn't as good in most cases, but it is good enough for that little fix. Otherwise people will just game on the console.

Handheld market will undoubtedly shrink significantly moving forward to favor smart phones.

The dedicated gamer willing to carry another brick in their pocket is shrinking every day.

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pain777pas4717d ago

Gamescom and TGS will be the events where the Vita lineup will either be finalized or take shape. Everyone should relax. Remember once some of us get our hands on the machine I think we will be sold like everyone else. The control inputs and horsepower will give this system longevity.

LostDjinn4717d ago

Why is MS talking so much about what everyone else is doing of late? Seems strange.

news4geeks4717d ago

because when you're asked questions you answer them. It doesn't then follow that all they can talk about is the competition.

Max_Dissatisfaction4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

Because the interviewer asked them? I mean whats the poor guy supposed to do when he is confronted with such a question? Ignore it? You don't want Microsoft talking about their competitors? Then ask your gaming websites to stop asking them about them. Problem solved...but thats just my opinion, there's really no need to go spreading it

BrutallyBlunt4717d ago

Why is Jack Tretton talking about the 3DS earlier?

Funny how articles pertaining to Microsoft are often met with criticism and pessimism yet anything related to Sony is usually full of optimism here on N4G.

Vita and the 3DS are now competing in a totally different environment thanks in large part to tablets and smartphones.

LostDjinn4717d ago

Looks like two of you one bubble wonders are down to using your multi's for this comment section from here on out.

As for you LH I can't abide any company talking crap about another. It's pointless. That said, how many articles about the 3DS being commented on by Jack Trenton made an appearance on the FP? How many from MS about Sony/Nintendo have there been in the past 24 hours?

Funny how people ignore what you don't want to see.

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Surfaced4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

"I’m not sure I would want to be launching a dedicated portable device right now into that market. I think the DS - if you look at the 3DS, certainly versus people’s expectation's it’s not been as successful as people would have thought. So that’s a very crowded market and a very, very red ocean right now with a lot of change happening."

Focus on that "very, very red ocean" statement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

I think it sums up everyone's real concern about PS Vita, or any dedicated gaming handheld trying to survive in the current market. There is insane competition operating just on the outskirts of Nintendo's & Sony's acknowledged territory, and they are posing a critical threat to the very idea of 3DS/Vita's viability. I'm of course talking about smartphones. Sony thinks they're making the right moves to just skim past that danger, but the result of this remains to be seen; especially considering how smartphones continue to rapidly evolve.

So he's acknowledging a very fair and reasonable doubt here, even as someone with little involvement in the portable market. Everything is pointing toward mobile convergence, and most people seem to be growing less inclined toward carrying more than one device.

Tru_Ray4717d ago

True, but if you have a great product people will purchase it in spite of the market conditions. I am gamer and I do not presently own a smartphone. I have a PSP, an iPod touch, and I have every intention of purchasing the PS Vita on Day 1.

IMO, I think that many analysts are going to be surprised by its success. The Vita has one of the best launch lineups that we have seen for any platform.

Surfaced4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

I'm certain PS Vita will sell respectably, but Kaz Hirai has outlined hopes that it will eventually not only match PSP's install base, but go beyond it as well.

I think they integrated the right hardware for achieving that, and the first wave of games is alright. I'm definitely buying one, but I can't speak for the masses. I feel that the entire dedicated gaming handheld market may be facing a decline.

However, I'd love to be wrong about all of this. If dedicated gaming handhelds die out, I will mourn it.

joeorc4717d ago

OMFG:

:Sony thinks they're making the right moves to just skim past that danger, but the result of this remains to be seen; especially considering how smartphones continue to rapidly evolve. "

SONY SKIMMING?

YEA their skimming alright:

S1 gaming Tablet
S2 Gaming Tablet
Xperia-Play

all of which run Android, an which all run the "playstation Suite"

Which by the Way the PSVita already will Run..so if putting out 4 game centric Handhelds is just Skimming, to avoid the danger what would you consider taking on the danger Head on?

I mean 4 count them 4 game centric Handhelds all of which running a unified Game development Platform

skim past the danger..oh please what ever man.

Surfaced4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

Sorry, I should've been more specific.

I'm strictly referring to SCE's PS Vita.

Sony Electronics has a good foothold with their tablet devices and the Xperia Play. Those aren't primarily made for videogames; gaming is just another emphasized feature among many others.

However, Sony Computer Entertainment's PS Vita is designed specifically for gaming, and I feel that the 'dedicated gaming handheld' market is being marginalized.

Also you called them "4 game centric handhelds".
Understand that is false; check how Sony markets the other devices.

From what I know about the Sony tablets, they look like iPad competitors. Also, they are called S1 & S2, but they are *NOT* sold as "S1 Gaming Tablet" and "S2 Gaming Tablet". Gaming is not the primary function, and by selling it under that name, they diminish the broad appeal it may have had.

The Xperia Play is a phone first, then a gaming device second. That's why you can conceal its PlayStation controls.

Consumers seem to have no problem adopting and carrying devices like those; they are multifunctional, and socially acceptable almost everywhere.

But devices like Vita and 3DS are designed around a singular function: gaming.

I am concerned solely for devices like the Vita and 3DS, because they only do one thing extremely well; whereas those smartphones and tablets can do many things with varying degrees of excellence.

So considering the price and the usefulness, what are most people going to buy and carry in their pocket?
An iPhone or a 3DS?
An Xperia Play or a Vita?

I fear that many people will face decisions like this, and that they will ultimately chose the smartphone that plays some games and does a million other things too.

Silly gameAr4717d ago

Spent a second talking about portable devices, and an hour gloating about 360 and Kinect. Headline has done it's job. I knew I shouldn't have clicked.

I'm sure he would rather people get a Windows 7 phone instead of a portable that's dedicated to gaming anyway.

Simco8764717d ago

Can't agree more.

Also, without the Vita or PSP, handhelds would be exclusive to children under 16 years old.

dragonelite4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

Phone and tablet market has made 100% portable gaming platforms a thing of the past.

Unless sony is willing to release a stronger sku every year the vita will be obsolete very fast when talking about processing power. But yeah can't beat a 100% gaming device on games with mobile. But if i had to choose i rather play Angry birds in public then i would to whip out a pspVita or 3DS.

GodHandDee4717d ago

that just means you are not the target market and Sony have specified this very clearly. For example I AM in the target market, I rather play Uncharted or Gravity instead of angry birds any day.

and also no mobile device will beat PSV in game performance for a loooong time. That's the beauty of it being a dedicated gaming device.

iceman064717d ago

Well, firstly the PSV is not a 100% gaming platform...though it IS highly focused on delivering a great gaming experience. It is still meant to be as versatile as the PSP was planned to be. Now, true enough, the PSP's multifunction nature was never truly released. But, I think that now more than ever people will be more opt to take a plunge.
I have recently gotten an IPOD touch and will play Angry Birds for a quick diversion. However, if I were looking for an engrossing experience in mobile gaming I would be hard pressed to find one. Enter 3DS and PSV. THIS is where they will thrive. They might not get the casual reach that they once had (until prices reach that sweet spot). But, as I gamer on the go, they are perfect.

zinkabass4717d ago (Edited 4717d ago )

I will take any Gameboy, Gamegear or Atari Lynyx game, over any game that is on iphone or any other ios device,..

At least these 20+year old systems can make experiences and interactions complex and deep enough that you can actually call it gaming,..

thank you.

kikizoo4717d ago

"that just means you are not the target market and Sony have specified this very clearly"

that just means he's not a gamer, but it's not a surprise, since he is a xfanboy trolling ps3/sony everydays..

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150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

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xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19723d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

3d ago
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darthv722d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19722d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

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CaptainFaisal3d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead3d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan2d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl3d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx1d 18h ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

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70°

Activision team is opening a new game studio in Poland 'Elsewhere Entertainment' to build new AAA IP

Microsoft's Activision subsidiary announced today that it is opening a new game development studio to take advantage of the huge talent pool growing in Poland. It'll be the second Activision studio based in the region, joining Infinity Ward Krakow, although this studio is, in fact, not working on Call of Duty.

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windowscentral.com
Psychonaut856d ago

They’re not working on Call of Duty? Give it time.

380°

Microsoft's quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond

Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.

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windowscentral.com
Brazz8d ago

"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "

Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.

Xeofate8d ago

"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."

It's for the best.

Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.

crazyCoconuts8d ago

Take good care of those Xboxes if you have 'em ...

outsider16248d ago

An Xbox game on a Playstation. Never in my years of gaming did i ever thought this was gonna happen.

jznrpg8d ago

It is dying anyway so doesn’t make much of a difference

VersusDMC8d ago

No way can they get rid of the hardware as probably 90% of game pass subscribers are hardware users.

Highly doubtful those users will move to PC or Cloud to subscribe there and the competition (Sony and Nin) will never have gamepass on their system.

If they want to keep the current subscribers, they need to keep releasing new hardware.

PSPSA8d ago

I'm not convinced, why then announce that they're actually working on the next-generation Xbox with “the largest technical leap”, and also looking into handhelds now?

Rols7d ago

Not like MS don’t drop things a hot potato if it is not performing. Look at MS history to see products or platforms discontinued. Xbox is not a charity for MS, it needs to make money and the ABK was the last roll of the dice for Xbox.

purple1017d ago

Xbox hardware team members have been incorporated into surface team

This perhaps shows they are not expecting big things from Xbox as a separate entity

Abear217d ago

Seems like they are planning to win next gen. All the acquisitions were this generation and nobody except Xbox fans expect games from the acquisitions any time soon.

I’m sure Microsoft can afford to lose money on the short term, pretty sure they do risk assessment when acquiring many companies and spending billions, they’ll be fine lol.

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gold_drake8d ago

i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.

but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.

S2Killinit8d ago

They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.

PRIMORDUS8d ago

It would be best if Xbox goes the way of Sega, just make and publish games. I know I myself will not support them at all with buying games from them, you all can. 🙃

ChasterMies8d ago

The Xbox brand will live for the games. I don’t expect Microsoft to entirely drop out of gaming hardware. They make Surface tablets and laptops. They’ll make Xbox branded hardware for those that want it.

shadowT8d ago

"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"

Forza and Starfield next?

Skuletor8d ago

Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.

shinoff21838d ago

Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.

-Foxtrot8d ago

In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year

“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"

S2Killinit8d ago

Yup. MS are a cancer to console gaming.

Aloymetal8d ago

100%!!
I wonder what happened to that dude that was always here posting those court articles with cartoons about MS spending all those billions in studios. He suddenly disappeared, I guess he doesn't like bad news when the green brand is in trouble. No new articles from him as of late...

PRIMORDUS8d ago

Yup, and it's only going to keep spreading.

Outside_ofthe_Box8d ago

Phil Spencer's words always comes back to bite him lol

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