260°

Will the Next Xbox Bring Back the Exclusivity We all Know and Love?

Velocity Gamer: Microsoft, take some risks, try something new, play jazz with it; whatever you have to do just make it happen so we have more reason to make the jump to Xbox 720 than Gears 4, Forza 5, Halo 7, and Fable 4.

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velocitygamer.com
NYC_Gamer4578d ago

very doubtful unless MS buy some studios or launch first with the advantage of having 3rd party exclusives

zag4578d ago

MS don't keep 1st party devs.

they only bought them so they had less competition against them, they buy the 3rd party games as they don't have to waste the dev costs on the games, simply pay a couple million to the right dev and you don't have to worry about having to pay people's salaries etc

That's why they don't have any devs at the moment even flight sim devs have been shut down but no one knows what is happening there other than doesn't get made.

I don't think games is what MS is overly fussed about anymore I think they simply want the xbox to be a TV settop box that so happens to play games.

darthv724578d ago

they did not make the xbox to really compete in the console market. They built it to create another multipurpose platform that brings in developers from all walks of life. Much like they did windows.

Their idea is just like the phrase from the movie: if you build it, they will come. They were more concerned about making the platform a user friendly as possible to get programers to make software for it.

Sony and nintendo are more concerned with the games and didnt consider MS a threat until they cut into their market share. Now they have embedded the xbox brand into popular culture like sony did with the playstation brand years ago.

They have a different approach to the same goal as every other player in this game. Sell as many units as you can and get the support wherever its warranted.

EVILDEAD3604578d ago

LMFAO @ the usual fan kid dribble about Xbox exclusives from non-Xbox gamers.

Even the author of this article lost all credibility when he says that Crackdown 'still doesnt have a sequel yet'

The hypocrisy is hilarious when they come at 360 eclusives, yet EVERY other console subscribe to the same mantra..develop strong franchises that can sell future consoles for your system

There simply isn't a bigger franchise for Micrsoft this gen than Halo, it is the roots that the Xbox name is synonymous with.

This gen the 360s strongest exlusive franchises besides Halo are Gears of War, Fable, and Forza.

The numbers don't lie THESE are the exclusives that Xbox gamers 'ALL know and love'

The author can pretend that millions of 360 gamers are clamoring for 'The Outfit' but the game barely pushed 300,000. Same with the sequel to Viva Pinata. He then is claiming that

The funny part is when Micrsoft does publish exclusives like Alan Wake they don't get credit.

You never hear a peep about Sony who follows the same mantra. While last year saw God of War 3 and GTA 5 just look at Sony's PS3 big exclusive releases in 2011

Little Big Planet 2
Motostorm: Apocalypse
Killzone 3
Infamous 2
Resistance 3
Uncharted 3

So why pretend that it's some sort of heinous crime if the 360 does it.

So let's just keep it 100% real and stop the console war bias. Xbox 720, PS4, AND Wii-U will feature sequels to their MOST SUCCESSFUL franchises..Why? Because that's what the actual gamers who actually buy and play games on these consoles want.

Just like you will continue to see sequels to Call of Duty, Battlefield, Assassins Creed etc.

Evil

thats_just_prime4578d ago

MS has a ton of exclusives games. Dance Central and Kinect Sport the people on here really look down on but those 2 are very successful game.

Rare has a great list of game they just need to make more for them. How about Kameo 2 or KI 3 ?.

Personally ithink people on here worry to much about exclusives. I worry more about buying great games that I enjoy playing and not if its exclusive or multi plat

Bigpappy4578d ago

I agree with most of you guys. This song like it was written by a PS3 fan. #60 owners are not mooping around hoping for exclusives to play. Their are more games on 360 than I have time to play as it is. I would take most multiplats over games like Crack down and Heavenly rain, any day of the week.

Just let go of the more exclusive crap already. We are getting games like the witcher, skyrim, ME3, Kingdom of Alamar, DOA5 ... Plus all the shooter and sports games you can shake a stick at. Add weekly releases of great arcade games, and what you have here, is a boat load of core games that would exceed the cravings of any core gamer. M$ also has the casuals covered with plenty of really good Kinect games that keep getting better and better.

MrBeatdown4578d ago (Edited 4578d ago )

@darthv72

"they did not make the xbox to really compete in the console market. They built it to create another multipurpose platform that brings in developers from all walks of life."

They're not trying to compete in the console market? Really? Well, let's test your theory. They've achieved "multipurpose platform" status. So let me ask you something... the next Xbox's graphical abilities... do you think they'd be comparable to the Wii U, or a next-gen PlayStation?

Because the way I see it, if it's not about competing as a games console, Microsoft wouldn't feel the need to release a new graphical powerhouse to compete only against Sony's next PlayStation and high end gaming PCs, sell it at a loss, and recoup that loss on games. But we all know that's exactly what is going to happen.

If it was about being a "multipurpose platform," Microsoft should be content with the 360-level graphics, seeing as how they can do pretty much everything already at that level, it can be sold at a profit, and at a much lower price. And Wii has proven cutting edge tech isn't needed to sell well.

But that's not going to happen, is it? MS is going to release a console comparable to the PS4 and compete directly with Sony as a top-of-the-line games console. You know that. I know it. Everybody knows that. Don't waste your time trying to pretend MS isn't competing for the console market.

@EVILDEAD

Your words... "develop strong franchises that can sell future consoles for your system"

I find it funny you are claiming hypocrisy, yet you're doing so based on a vague "mantra" (that you came up with) that can be approached and interpreted multiple ways.

Hell, I could say all third-party publishers have a similar mantra of "develop games that will sell well" but it's pretty damn obvious there is a substantial difference in how say, Activision and Rockstar approach it. One stumbles upon successful formulas like Call of Duty, Tony Hawk, or Guitar Hero and runs them into the ground with yearly releases. The other balances new IPs with existing IPs and takes their time with each iteration to innovate and make each game a worthwhile addition to a franchise.

Would you call a Rockstar fan who criticizes Activision hypocritical as well? I wouldn't think so, so why do the same for anyone who criticizes Microsoft but not Sony?

Clearly there is a significant difference between Sony and Microsoft's approach even if they do share that "mantra" you came up with. This year alone Sony released FIVE games in five different franchises that were established this generation. Microsoft have released one (Gears 3). In the past two years, it's two (add Crackdown 2). Go back three years and it's still two.

If you can't see a substantial difference in approach, it's pretty clear that you just don't want to see it.

EVILDEAD3604577d ago

'Clearly there is a significant difference between Sony and Microsoft's approach even if they do share that "mantra" you came up with. This year alone Sony released FIVE games in five different franchises that were established this generation. Microsoft have released one (Gears 3). In the past two years, it's two (add Crackdown 2). Go back three years and it's still two.'

There is no magical Mantra that I created. It's simply all consoles try to build franchises that SELL more consoles..period.

Criticize Micrsofdt all you want, I could care less. But, if you are knocking them for releasing sequels to their biggest franchises, then knock Sony and Nintendo for doing the same.

'Sony released FIVE games in five different franchises that were established this generation'

LOL...no they released 5 sequels PERIOD. It doesn't matter what gen they were established. If that were the case then Nintendo would be out of business.

Of ocurse the two companies have different approaches. One has 20 studios, the other doesnt. Micrcosft's approach has been hugely successful, without having as many studios and have proved that you don't have to emulate Sony's business model to take a huge chunk of the marketshare.

While you PRETEND that in the last 3 years Micrsoft has only released 2 games that strated this gen, ACTUAL 360 gamers know the truth.

Micrsoft's four top franhises are Halo, Gears, Fable, and Forza. These four franchises have delivered multiple games this gen that have had major successes with critical & fan reception as well as retail sales.

Micrsoft has had a great two years of releases IMO.

The released Mass Effect 2,Crackdown 2, Alan wake, Halo Reach, Fable 3 among others.

But then in November they launched Kinect with 17 games. 10 were exclusives.

Then they sat back and collected the rewards for all of their hard work., wisely pushing Gears back to this Fall Slot.

Now they have Gears 3, Forza 4, and Halo Anniversary back to back.

Mixed with the two most successful franchises for Kinect with Dance Central 2 and Kinect Sports 2.

So it matters little what the detractors say, Micrsoft is doing exactly what they need to be doing for THEIR current and future install base, just as Sony and Nintendo do for theirs.

Evil

MrBeatdown4576d ago (Edited 4576d ago )

@EVIL

You seem pretty dead set on overlooking the obvious.

Sony releases sequels. Microsoft releases sequels. I never bashed either for doing so. But Sony keeps working on new IPs. Microsoft doesn't. THAT'S what I'm criticizing them for. Stagnation. Over-reliance on a select few IPs, and a lack of effort to try to expand their library if it doesn't get grandma and the five year olds on board. You'd rather pretend that's irrelevant, and that's too bad, because Microsoft will keep churning out Halo, Fable, Gears, and Forza, throw in some more shovelware Kinect titles, and expect you to lap it up, just like you're doing now. I love sequels, but I'm not blind enough to think that creating new core IPs is unimportant. What happens when Epic wants to move on from Gears? What happens when Fable loses steam? What happens when this new Halo trilogy ends? Are we going to get a third Halo trilogy? Is Kinectimals going to fill that void?

Sounds like an absurd suggestion doesn't it? That's because the vast majority of Kinect games are shallow, simplistic shovelware. Seriously, how many of those 10 Kinect exclusives you mentioned have you bought? Looking forward to seeing those IPs evolve? Going to be pre-ordering Kinectimals 2? Are they a suitable replacement for, say, PGR5 or Alan Wake 2, or Lost Odyssey 2, or a new IP all together?

If you really want to be anal about it, sure you can call Kinect Adventures and Kinectimals new IPs. You can cite your hollow numbers bolstered by crummy Kinect titles to prove me "technically" wrong. But it won't change that fact that I'm talking about stuff that's actually good, with compelling single player and addictive multiplayer, not casual market cash-ins. Sorry, but jumping up and down in a pretend raft doesn't quite interest me. Nor does petting an invisible tiger. But clearly, that's right up your alley and a suitable replacement for shooters, racing, RPGs and action games.

I don't care about "marketshare". It seems that always comes up. Any time a discussions of the games comes up from the perspective of the gamer, someone always tries to turn it into how great it's worked out for Microsoft, as if that's what we should care about. It's sad that the 360 was built and marketed for, and embraced by, the core gamers, yet Microsoft has abandoned any push toward new IPs that cater to that market. And it's too bad most of those early adopters would rather win a forum argument by bringing up Kinect exclusives and marketshare than hold Microsoft to the standard they set for exclusives from 2005 to 2008, and Sony has since surpassed.

Let me ask you something. Are you truly happy with ten Kinect exclusives? You think all the gamers that bought a 360 pre-Kinect are happy with Kinectimals, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, and whatever other Kinect-crap games there are out there rather than new core IP? You think those gamers wouldn't be happier with quality controller-based games? I wouldn't think so, but then again, I wouldn't think someone would bring up cookie-cutter casual games and marketshare in a discussion of quality exclusive IPs.

EVILDEAD3604576d ago (Edited 4576d ago )

Lol...I'm not 'overlooking' anything..your comment makes your stance on the 360 pretty obvious. In fact it's pretty much the same stance regurgitated from the fan kids, fan blogger and detractors all year.

So we already know how this works..

If the 360 releases it's biggest franchises to amazing reception from it's install base (Reach generated 200 Million in it's first day) and critical accolades (Forza is the highest rated racer this year)...that somehow equates to the 360 is 'stagnated'

If the 360 releases franchises like Mass Effect (the 2nd a year early), Crackdown, Splinter Cell, Left 4 Dead etc. then somewhow people forget they even exist

If the 360 releases new Ips like Alan Wake and yearly critically acclaimed games through Live arcade then you will say 'Sony releases new Ips micrsoft don't'

But, in a year that saw LBP2, Killzone 3, Infamous 2, Resistance 3, Motorstorm: Apocolypse, MLB the Show, Yakuza 4, and Uncharted 3; I ask YOU to back up your claim and list all of these significant NEW IPs that Sony released THIS year?

Or does the fact prove that Sony relied heavily on sequels to select franchises that appeal to the install base? (just like Micrsoft)

And the best, now is if ANY exclusive is released for Kinect then it's automatically 'shovelware' and the only game the fan kids mention when trying to downplay Kinect is 'Kinectimals'..typical fan kid mentality.
When even critics can't deny games like Gunslinger and Dance Central 2 are 'quality' game and FAR from shovelware. Both of which your 'gramma' would break her hip playing.

'But clearly, that's right up your alley and a suitable replacement for shooters, racing, RPGs and action games'

Why does Kinect have to 'replace' anything or any genre? Shooters? Owning Kinect didn't stop 360 owners from playing Halo Reach, Gears of War 3, Rage Call of Duty: MW3 or Battlefield 3.

RPGs? It doesnt stop anyone from playing Deus Ex, Dark Souls, or Skyrim. Fable is getting it's own kinect game and Mass Effect 3 will use Kinect as well.

Racers? I'm using Kinect for Autovista and arcade driving for Forza 4 right now.

Nex year we will be using Kinect for Madden, Fifa, and Tiger as well.

At the end of the day, criticize Micrsoft all you want. But, it won't stop 360 gamers from enjoying supporting games on the system and it won't stop anyone from seeing through the hypocrisy.

Evil

MrBeatdown4576d ago (Edited 4576d ago )

"Why does Kinect have to 'replace' anything or any genre?"

It doesn't. And it shouldn't. Kinect should be supplemental to the existing line-up in the same way Move is to PS3, but you bring it up as Microsoft's defense as to why new core IPs are few and far between. If you think it shouldn't "replace" anything, maybe you should stop using it as an crutch to explain the absence on non-Kinect games.

It's a $150 accessory that the vast majority of 360 owners don't own, with a lacking line-up. Gunstringer, or a dancing game doesn't cut it. It doesn't justify the purchase, and it sure doesn't cater to the kind of gamer Microsoft targeted, marketed to, and sold their console to, like me, from 2005 to 2009.

I didn't buy my 360 for dancing games and tiger cub simulators, or for any other game like Gunstringer that you deem so wonderful. I bought it for traditional core controller-based games. More specifically, ones I couldn't get anywhere else. Multiplatform games don't cut it. I don't buy multiple consoles just to have multiple ways to play the same game.

But of course, in your warped view of things, expecting more than that makes me just like the "fan kids".

I didn't buy a Wii. You know why? Because Nintendo didn't market it as a hardcore games machine with an exclusive line-up that was second to none. Microsoft did. And that's why I bought a 360. I'm going to hold them to the promises they made and the expectations they themselves instilled in their customers until the next Xbox arrives. Shifting focus to casual Kinect stuff to expand their marketshare now that they've sold me a 360 doesn't sit well with me. Nor does offering up sequel after sequel in the same handful of franchises with only the odd new IP like Alan Wake thrown in ever few years. Hell, Alan Wake had been delayed so many times, it's a bit of joke to even considering that a recent effort by Microsoft to invest in new IP. Sequels are fine. Kinect is fine. It's the complacency Microsoft has with it's four core IPs that bother me.

You name dropped a few 360 games...

"Mass Effect (the 2nd a year early), Crackdown, Splinter Cell, Left 4 Dead etc."

So, you're trying to tell me that Microsoft offers up as much originality as Sony, yet you mention a timed exclusive from EA, a game from 2007 which went down the toilet with it's latest incarnation, a Ubisoft game, and Left 4 Dead, which came out in 2009. Really? You know why you need to do that? It's because Alan Wake is the only new noteworthy non-Kinect IP Microsoft has produced in three years. In that same time, Sony has come up with Infamous, Modnation Racers, MAG, and Heavy Rain. Valve, EA, and Ubisoft aren't going to pick up Microsoft's slack anymore. Valve is now fully committed to PS3. Mass Effect 3 will release on PS3 and PC the same day it releases on 360. Ubisoft released the Splinter Cell collection exclusively on PS3. It's Microsoft's job to provide exclusives. Real exclusives. Not timed DLC. Not games that only the fraction of 360 owners who own Kinect can play. Not small Arcade games. Full retail games. XBLA can have all the original games in the world. It doesn't matter because Arcade games are not retail games. They don't look the same and they don't play the same. There's a reason for the $45-$50 price difference.

Oh, and you said, "I ask YOU to back up your claim and list all of these significant NEW IPs that Sony released THIS year?"

Guess what? I don't have to. Because I never made that claim. I never said anything specifying that Sony released new IPs THIS YEAR. So, uh, reading comprehension FTW.

EVILDEAD3604576d ago (Edited 4576d ago )

LOL @ it not even being worth it to continue going back and forth with you.

There's a reason why your using all your bubbles in multiple articles about 360 exclusives CLEARLY from the perspective of someone who doesn't play them. It's because you don't.

I'm LOL @ you continually changing your argument everytime they get smacked down. NOW your NEW argument is...

Bu-bu-but 'you're trying to tell me that Microsoft offers up as much originality as Sony, yet you mention a timed exclusive from EA, a game from 2007 which went down the toilet with it's latest incarnation.

LMFAO @ you resorting to pretending Mass Effect 2 (96 Metacritic btw) 'went down the toilet'..just to win an excluives argument on the net?

Then it's pretend time when you say...'you're trying to tell me that Microsoft offers up as much originality as Sony'

So please feel free to show me where this mythological 'originality' argument started.
You can't because it never did..follow your own advice..'Reading comprehension FTW'

So back to when I said back up your false claim that 'Sony makes new Ips, Micrsoft don't'..

I said show me one new Ip that Sony released this year. But you can't even produce one game.

Which basically proves my original point ALL consoles (not just Microsoft) rely on sequels to successful franchises to continue to sell software and hardware.

It's hilarious that you pretend that because games are released for Kinmect that they arent new IPs.But,the FACT is that Kinect Sports and Dance Central are two new exclusive IPs on the Xbox 360. Who cares if your silly point is bu-bu-but it's only offered to a fraction of the install base. That means absolutely nothing. Both games sold 3 million in year and some games never reach that lifetime.

LOl..again the hypocrisy and fan kid mantra still come from people who CLEARLY weren't hardcore 360 gamers in the first place.

Back to Forza 4 for me..

Evil

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4576d ago
dark-hollow4578d ago

They should care about exclusives more.
The fact that they let bioware go away from their hands and closing ensemble studios is just down right stupid.

darthv724578d ago

but they dont like people would want them to. Then again, they dont have to to what the other companies do to be in this business.

They have done alright so far.

kreate4578d ago (Edited 4578d ago )

yeah thats the problem.
MS refuses to buy game studios like Sony. Instead they downsize it.

Im sure nobody here knows why MS is taking this approach but with the next gen consoles coming soon... MS next gen strategy is full of question marks.

perhaps they are taking a apple type of approach where they will try to sell the system with more 2nd and 3rd party software and adding a bunch of features into the box to distinguish itself unique and different from other consoles on the market with a huge advertising budget.

the new trend going on with the xbox is turning the xbox into a tv console than a gaming console.

Sony will most likely continue their current strategy with bringing the most first party exclusives to the consumers, becoming the only hardcore gaming console in the next gen market, hence the sales will probably struggle becuz of that at least in the US.

we'll see as more info gets leaked out throughout the coming years.

darthv724578d ago

is buying studios a requirement to play in this game? Whatever their strategy is, it's working for them. Will it have the same results next time.....?

kreate4578d ago

'since when....
is buying studios a requirement to play in this game?'

never was ... what's ur point? o_0;;

'Whatever their strategy is, it's working for them. Will it have the same results next time.....?'

hopefully it does, and hopefully it does throughout the world as well.
evaluating MS right now, im sure the next xbox will be just as successful as the current one if not more.

Godmars2904578d ago (Edited 4578d ago )

How when MS are the ones who ruined the concept in the first place? Overtly bought 1st rights to 3rd party "exclusives" as well as DLC.

And then there's the question that one asks about MS's ability to foster in-house IPs. The only thing they've got that's in-house, 1st party and proven is Turn 10. Gears is Epic, Bungie is gone and Lionheart has Molyneux making promises they can't keep.

"Next Gen" is going to be a refinment and afterthought of the current one.

dark-hollow4578d ago

Ruined the concept???

I call it smart business move and great for gamers overall.
Ms would be f**ked without the major pre-sony exclusives and games that weren't on the original xbox.

RE5, FFXIII, DMC and a lot more.

sashimi4578d ago

Those games don't sell the xobx, mass advertisement with celebrities in NA do, not to mention call of duty/halo/gears and now kinect?
But really its all about advertisements for NA since i'm pretty sure that is where they spend majority of their budget.

Op244578d ago

I sure hope so. Gears and Halo aren't going to cut it for much longer in my opinion.

Fishy Fingers4578d ago

They'll be first to market, so snapping up some "exclusives" shouldnt be to tricky.

Although, they've shown, you can easily compete with a few BIG name exclusives and good multiplat support. I dont think they'll deviate from that to much.

Noticeably_FAT4578d ago

They don't need to take many risks, I wouldn't if I were them. We've seen a ton of new IP's flop and fail to make money, while Gears, Forza, Fable, Halo, Crackdown, Splinter Cell ect.. all sell very well.

Hopefully they incorporate some more Alan Wake into the mix next gen as well. No need complaining about new IP's when nobody is buying them.

RedHotChiliPepaSpray4578d ago

Noticeably FAT drop us a beat! .......... Sorry, had to do it...

boommuffin4578d ago

honestly MS had a whole box of notable seies they good have brought like a sequel to perfect dark,maybe turn banjo into their main platformer(they REALY have like no platformers lol) when bungie was still with them they could have made use of the Marathon ip. Conker was a fun game they should have brought back too. im sure their are some other games in Rare's & the original xbox's catalog

Noticeably_FAT4578d ago

Well maybe Twisted Pixel will be able to work on something they already own? I doubt they are going to be doing XBLA games anymore.

DigitalRaptor4578d ago (Edited 4578d ago )

The advantage gamers playing on Sony platforms have is the great choice of exclusive content on a pretty damn regular schedule.

Sony haven't been making huge bucks on many of their less popular exclusive franchises, but continue to pump out new sequels and fresh IPs with all things considered. Look at their 'Pub Fund' scheme for PSN. That's what I will continue to prefer as a gamer who plays diverse. And holy crap - as if Microsoft can't afford to bring sequels to much loved franchises: Banjo, Conker, Kameo, Jade Empire, Project Gotham Racing etc. Do it for the fans M$!

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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 1h 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.

solideagle12h ago

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

Sonic18819h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio9h 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:

Lightning774h ago

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

Cacabunga11h 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.

Cacabunga9h 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

itsmebryan5h 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

romulus234h ago

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

darthv724h 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 4h ago
purple10114h 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-3h 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.

XBManiac13h 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.

purple10112h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos12h ago(Edited 12h 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.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4h ago
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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 21h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 19h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 16h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 9h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 11h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 7h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 19h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 5h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 4h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger1h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 21h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 20h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 17h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 20h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 19h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (23)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10113d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde12d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197212d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville12d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai13d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde12d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197212d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier12d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto12d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts12d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts11d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)