260°

There Should Be a Price Drop Coming For Microsoft Shortly

Jeff from Volatile Mode explains the urgency Microsoft should take in responding to the recent price cut by Sony. If not, Microsoft threatens the bleak lead they hold over their biggest competitor.

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avideogamesblog.blogspot.com
gw4k5042d ago

A price cut would only help extend the lead that MS has now. Their sale figures have been impressive for a long time now.

If Sony wants to keep up, they should do another price cut. Hmmm, maybe even go the way of HP and do a fire sale just like the Touchapd.

Speaking of the HP TouchPad, if you missed out on the killer deal, just wait a few weeks. HP is producing another million of them right now. All will be sold for $99!

KingSlayer5042d ago

Sony's really sweatin' that 4 million console lead the 360 has WW. No really, they are.

Abash5042d ago

Would it be the worst thing in the world if the PS3 outsold the 360? I mean, it wouldn't change anything and both Sony and MS are doing great now. There really is no need for a 360 price drop

gw4k5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

The gains that MS is making month after month is enough to make Sony nervous. Think about it man. Stop begin a fan boy for just a moment. I'm not knocking the PS3.

By the way, MS really cares about it's gamers. Sure the bottom line is business but Sony is the same way. It only makes sense.

Also, if Sony out sold the 360 I would congratulate them. I love Sony and own many of their products including the PS3, PSP, TV, etc

darthv725042d ago

it will be on the stand alone kinect unit. I can see them selling for $99. If MS wants to sell kinects to the millions who have the older 360 then that is what needs to be done.

They wont cut the price on the retail 360 but instead add more freebie games to it. Or create various different game bundles.

DebateMaster5042d ago

@gw4k

Why should Sony care more about the profit MS make than their own?

DebateMaster5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

people have to understand that in business, profit is more important than sales.

I swear people on this site seam to think this is a war and not a business.

k-dillinger5042d ago Show
WrAiTh Sp3cTr35042d ago

It would be great to have a price cut, but I personally don't see the need. It's still less than the PS3...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5042d ago
fluffydelusions5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

Ms will price cut and advertise the hell out of it. Still not sure why Sony hasn't advertised anything about their price cut.

tiffac0085042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

Sony actually did with the new KB "Long Live Play" commercial. Not exactly the focused commercial that one would expect like they did when the Slim came out.

Of course there is also the matter of the volume of ads Sony is putting out there because they've already said before they can't out-advertise MS and they probably can't do so either.

As for the 360 price cut. I still think its too early especially if the PS3 price cut doesn't affect the sales of the 360. I see no reason for MS to cut into their profit.

Drastic times calls for drastic measures but this ain't that time not for the 360 anyways.

dangert125042d ago

a £50 price cut off xbl live would see me purchase an xbox otherwise they can drop the console price all they want im not stupid enough to pay back what was knocked off through xbl over the years

darthv725042d ago

is it really such a big deal that it costs $5 a month for live. Break it down even further and it comes out to $.16438356164... per day over the course of a year.

That is cheaper than feeding those starving kids in other countries. Not to mention you get more satisfaction from live than you do wondering if they really are feeding those starving kids in other countries.

dangert125042d ago

im not paying for charities iver
yes the argument is tired but its still valid if you dm paying twice 2 use a p2p connection for gaming ok

kreate5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

Since it isnt a big deal.
Can someone tell MS to just let me play online for free?

I accept ur arguement xboxlive is better than psn.
Just like how the ps3 is better than the xbox360.
Or the pc being better than the ps3.

But I simply cannot afford to pay for that 0.05618 or whatever cents per minute or 60 buck every year becuz I got other expenses I hav to add thats like 0.0049562 per min and it adds up.

I cant even pre-order any games cuz gaming is too expensive. There some games I simply cannot even get or ever play cuz I dont hav enough money to pay for all of them.

kaveti66165042d ago

"im not paying for charities iver"

Wow.

lMHl5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

@dangert12
I guess some can afford it and others cant.

I got a new hobby for ya....Crack

dangert125042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

@kreate

Last pre order game?
3rd strike
Am I a plus member?
yes

so honestly what is your point also £>>>$ It cost more over here and you get less to the service. alot less then the ps3 offers for free,

@kaveti6616 I work for my money and spend It how I want to spend It If I don't feel to give what I worked for to charities I don't this does not make me good or bad positive or negative...

@lMHl
Never said I needed a new hobbie...crack? are you stupid I have no money problems In the end that can turn out way more exspensive the gaming plus I need not turn to drugs as I have no interest in them

wear does this talk about not having money come from? I said i'd buy an xbox if they got ride of xbl fee's correct me if im wrong but im sure the xbox cost more then 12mnths live

darthv725041d ago

what you are is a hypocrite. Do you even realize that by being a member of "plus" you can really no longer differentiate yourself from the free members?

You have to really think about that but I will save you the time. When you are a paid member of anything there is a different outlook you now hold on what that membership means. You are telling sony that you will pay to play their "free" games for as long as you keep your membership current.

You cant say you can play online for free anymore because you are paying for the service if you use it or not. I am not talking in the sense of required to play but in the simplest of...you are paying for a service you may not take advantage of and sony still get the $$ if you do or dont.

At least with MS they were up front about it. Charging from the first day and ever increasing what you get from that membership. Sony and their free philosophy is going in the opposite direction. We are suddenly seeing a robbing from the poor to give to the rich. Meaning what once was available to the free members is now being restructured into the paid side of things.

Sony may keep online play free but there will be a restriction. Game size caps and player limits will be imposed to those who arent paid members. They know that to get people to sign up they have to slowly start taking things away from them to squeeze them into the corner of plus no longer being an option.

Like I said about live. It was paid from the beginning and has been getting better. So much that they never needed to create a free side but they did and with 90% of the same rights as the paid members. That last 10% is the online play aspect. There are lots of people who dont game online but they use live to chat and download movies and games and yes MS has free stuff too that is free for all with no strings attached.

Sony had to start off free because there wasnt anything their service was good for except the online play. So that is why we will see them setting limits to those free players. And yet they can still proclaim they offer free online play.

MS has made a killing off of live. You dont think sony wants to as well??? Every new feature for PSN will come to the Plus members I guaranty that.

I pay for live but I dont pay for psn. At least for now anyway.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5041d ago
Clarence5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

Your funny. The PS3 has been outselling the 360 for the last 3yrs, and at a higher price point. This year the PS3 has been outselling the 360, this was before the price drop. M$ has had a cheaper console on the market since then gen started. Yet it continues to get outsold.

The only way the 360 will outsell the PS3 is if they do the Fire sale.

@KingSlayer
Sony's not sweating that 4m lead from M$, because its not a 4m lead.

@Kingdoms
What momentum are you talking about? How can M$ have the momentum when they have been outsold for the past 3yrs? Sony is the one with the momentum. Every year the PS3 sells more.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5041d ago
kingdoms5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

A price cut would make sure Sony couldn't gain any ground but MS has a business to run it doesn't matter what us 360 fanboys wan't. MS feels risking a slow down or possible loss in top sales is worth the maximum impact of a real cut later on due to the current momentum being so high now.(they're not only going to risk PS3 outselling the 360, they don't mind too much because they think an official cut later on will have a greater impact than the last one)

After Sony released their figures first for the first time in a long time earlier this year, MS released theirs 2nd showing with out a doubt the 360 was beating PS3 WW, Sony couldn't wait to adjust the real figures after seeing MS's this last time. Sony dropped the price and MS feels bundles will be good enough to combat Sony's cut forced by the 360's momentum.

Zir05042d ago

Pricecut would be overkill, MS likely are biding their time before the final blow.

DebateMaster5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

unlike morons like you, microsoft know profit is more important than sales.

Sometimes just because you sell more, doesnt mean you make more money. Why do yuo think sony doesnt have a 199 ps3 right now? Or why nintendo waited to cut the price of the 3DS?

lMHl5042d ago

hey dont forget what you were looking at when you wrote that comment MS is alot bigger then sony i doubt there going anywhere.

DA_SHREDDER5042d ago (Edited 5042d ago )

I imagine COD sales are gonna break records again if this is true. Everyone and their mom is gonna have one. Especially if they cut it to $100 bucks, my God I would have one in every room in the house.

jacksonmichael5042d ago

There was a Simpsons 360? Damn... I want that now.

Show all comments (43)
260°

AMD CEO Shares Vision Behind Xbox Partnership and Next-Gen Chip Roadmap

AMD CEO Lisa Su talks about the Xbox AMD partnership, next-gen Ryzen + Radeon chips, and AI rendering tech coming to all Xbox devices.

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clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer2d ago

AMD is really building hype around their unique partnership with Microsoft to help and build an advanced and seamless Xbox ecosystem across all Xbox consoles and devices.

I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimized chips" though? Seems ambitious.

Next year´s Xbox Showcase already looks promising and exciting. Here´s hoping they deliver.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

They had best show 3yrs in a row. Heading for another

VenomUK2d ago

Obscure_Observer said “I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimised chips" though? Seems ambitious.” To me, I interpret this to mean rather than having a couple of X/S products for launch and a handheld there is a longer term plan to release new products with higher specs at timed intervals. I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec.

Agent751d 15h ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 21h ago

It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever.

Ganif1d 19h ago

Correct.

"Sony's PlayStation 6 reportedly will feature an AMD semi-custom APU with a Zen 5 CPU and UDNA GPU, capable of 4K 120FPS and 8K 60FPS gaming. The console will include X3D cache and advanced AI upscaling technology."

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

Obscure_Observer1d 15h ago

"It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever."

I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released.

Notellin1d 15h ago

You should have just lead this comment with the fact that you have zero understanding of technology in the consoles and instead have a Toms Hardware online forum level of education.

Agent751d 15h ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer1d 15h ago

@VenomUK

"I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec."

Very interesting theory. Still not sure how MS would actually make it work.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 11h ago

"I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released."

How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is.

Obscure_Observer16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

"How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is."

Dude, what I know for certain is that a tech as old as X3D chips which is actually *older* than both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, is hardly the reason behind this new partnership between AMD and MS to build new *custom silicon* for next generation of consoles.

And yes it´s a huge announcement since AMD is working closely with MS to co-develop custom SoC which will allow backwards compatibility across all MS´s next gen devices allowing seamless integration between devices and full backwards compatibility across all generations of Xbox consoles.

I also know is that this announcement don´t have anything to do with Playstation and their strategy with AMD for the PS6, so stop comparing the two pretending that you know what´s going on, because you clearly don´t.

If Sony is working on something remotely similar, that´s remain to be seen.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 16h ago
Fishy Fingers2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Some odd, deliberate wording, no branding, not 'Xbox consoles, Xbox handhelds' specifically, feels and sounds like they're building towards hardware that anyone can be used or licensed to/by themselves and other manufacturers.

Multiplatform software and hardware 'Xbox/AMD APU'.

Obscure_Observer2d ago

I guess you missed Sarah Bond´s next generation Xbox announcement this week, were she clearly states:

"I´m thrilled to share that we´ve established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including, *our* next generation *Xbox consoles*."

But hey, I don´t think you´re entirely wrong, maybe MS will build their own Xbox consoles while licencing other manufactures to build and sell their own Xbox branded consoles. Who knows

BeHunted2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I think you watched the wrong video. It's below the description, or you can watch it directly on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kprpRvsOua...

HyperMoused2d ago

Shares vision....we provide chips for money, this deal will sell many chips, we will make lots of money...good vision

Christopher2d ago

The marketing behind this is so heavy that I worry about the actual outcome. Why are they just not showing us the product, why all this talking in market speak?

Lightning772d ago

Probably because the next xbox isn't ready to release yet?

The marketing and rumors seem to be heavy out of no where. The rumor was a 27 release but it maybe it could be 26 new console launch instead.

Who knows.

Eonjay1d 20h ago

There PR is alrways super heavy handed. No one is acutally buying an Xbox as is.
Also it is very early to be talking so much about a next gen console.

Obscure_Observer1d 15h ago

There´s a lot of people interested on Xbox Next and its ability to run games from major stores like Steam.

We know that the PS6 is just around the corner as well, but so far, no news on what it might improve over the PS5 or PS5 Pro.

However, Sony already made public that their priority and actual focus is the PS6. So its not "very early" to talk about next gen when the very console manufactures are talking about it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 15h ago
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210°

Activision Forces Adverts into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Loadouts

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

21d ago
21d ago
lukasmain21d ago

Putting Ads in a pay-to-play Premium title? Well done Microsoft. Well done /s This is really scummy.

jjb198120d ago

This game will never change because these sweatlords love buying up all the skins and bundles that become obsolete the following year. They're the ones perpetuating Activision's greed.

VenomUK19d ago

If Microsoft introduces adverts into its other games I hope it can do them without disrupting the immersion of the game world. So for example in the new Fable game it would look out of place if there was a billboard advertising Cadillacs.

A far better way to do it would be to have a wizard conjure a 'dream cloud' in front of your character and then in the cloud you can see the Cadillac car and see the text with price and availability and hear a booming sales voice promoting the car. That would work so well as it wouldn't be a billboard and completely, 100%, fit in with your character's adventuring in Albion. Doesn't that sound so much better?!

crazyCoconuts19d ago

@venom, or how about our of 100 farts in Albion, 1 of them has a Cadillac pop out

VenomUK19d ago

@crazyCoconuts That’s undeniably off-beat - but it could really work!

20d ago
Show all comments (19)
410°

Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
23d ago
23d ago
23d ago
shadowT23d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits22d ago

If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).

RaidenBlack22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

I am kinda low-key happy this happened.
Dont want another Series S situation (games to be designed from 4 to 12TF scale and not 10 to 12TF).
Hope PS follows suit as well. Tablet SKU sharing with console for 10th gen, will just continue the cross gen -esque development/design phase/nature.
Want a proper 20+ only TF rasterized next-gen plz (+ frame-gen and the lot).
If anybody wants to continue the cross-gen, the Series S|X, PS5 will remain for that. And Switch 2, if you gotta go even lower in the TF range.

ABizzel122d ago

Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).

These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.

Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).

Kosic22d ago

Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.

Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.

I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.

I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.

GamerRN22d ago

Did you just imply that Sony can make a better stronger handheld than Microsoft? You do realize we are talking about Microsoft, the tech giant, right? If Microsoft can't make one that's cost effective, Sony definitely can't...

Brand and market share means nothing when you are a trillion dollar company

ABizzel121d ago

@GamerRN

It has nothing to do with what company can do it, or what company can spend.

For anyone taking a basic business class there is a term called ROI, and Xbox home consoles are selling at an all time low, meaning their ROI on a handheld is a risk that doesn’t make sense, even if they can afford it. Businesses are there to make money and it doesn’t make sene for MS to invest in a handheld that’s a companion device when their current home consoles they’ve spent 20 years working on are at an all time-low, when they can invest with little risk with what ASUS already has to offer.

This is why Sony can build a better device, because they have less risk involved, meaning they can invest more in their own product, and they already have an exclusive partnership with AMD on creating features and hardware. So in this specific case, YES Sony can built a better handheld, due to custom hardware, customer tools, low level APIs, compared to an off the shelf product running Windows or a Window Xbox kernel =.

TheEroica22d ago

I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.

badz14922d ago

@shadowT

The Switch is a handheld, so will the Switch 2. what are you on about?

Cacabunga22d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
CrashMania23d ago

Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.

Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.

crazyCoconuts22d ago

It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?

Lightning7722d ago

Except there is. That project is reportedly full speed ahead.

Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7722d ago

@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?

crazyCoconuts22d ago

@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?

Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

@Lightning

Here we go with having to spell everything out.

If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"

My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?

Lightning7722d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Box me in? No you said the same thing you've always been saying for years now. Those are the rumors to have Steam integration.

What about it

If you told me they were gonna cancel it tomorrow it would nothing more than fanboy talking points. I only wait for credible sources not what someone else says.

Also this is the handheld not a full blown new console. The Asus is yet to release and they're waiting to see how that thing does. Critical thinking is my strong suit you should try it some time if you can. But Ok cool well you hang your hat on that I guess. Main New console is gonna get cancelled even though the handheld is a different marketing device than the main the console itself.

__y2jb22d ago

I think there is a 75% chance there will not be another Xbox. There is zero reason to buy one now. No way it can possibly sell more than 10m units after Xbox went third party.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 22d ago
BLow22d ago

That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.

I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?

Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?

RaidenBlack22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

The Rog Ally one is gen agnostic ... as you deciphered, it was to be the updated Rog Ally but just with Xbox branding. PC handheld with some Xbox features.
The handheld Xbox is/was supposed to be sharing the same gen/ecosystem with the next-gen (10th gen) Xbox. Think Series S but handheld ... it'll run the Xbox OS or whatever the next Xbox will run.
...
As for anybody wondering/confused why MS is doing another Xbox console ... coz mainly its the 10th gen of home consoles next, which started wayy back in 1972 for the 1st gen. And MS wanna be part in it, in the 10th anniversary gen of consoles. If they gotta bow out, they can't do that at 9th i.e just before 10th. They wanna stick around till the 10th or the X-th gen and check what the fuss happens.

Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago

Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...

22d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.

22d ago
1Victor22d ago

asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 22d ago
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