340°

Is Microsoft Trying To Bamboozle Us?

Microsoft issues a new SKU, but is it really beneficial?

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30kpolygons.com
Sitdown3668d ago (Edited 3668d ago )

Until the price is known, this is trying to make something out of nothing. Are you missing the part where a game is included with the original kinect? Perhaps there are cost saving measures this time. Or perhaps this is just typical marketing that gets you to save money by bundling instead of purchasing sperate. Microsoft is not giving the illusion of a price drop, we all know they are taking an item out which by default decreases the value.

user14394143668d ago

Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole of The Law.
I do not think Microsoft are trying to bamboozle anyone, I just think they are doing everything in their power to catch up to the PS4. I wish them luck and I hope that this is not the END for XBOX.

cleft53668d ago (Edited 3668d ago )

The only thing wrong with the Xbox One, after all the of the revisions, was the price tag. A Xbox One at $399 with Kinect was a good value proposition. Without Kinect, then the question is why wouldn't you just buy the more powerful console for the same price? On top of that, Microsoft has constantly said that the Xbox One was designed around the Kinect. Now all of a sudden, we get the Kinectless Xbox One at $399.

The problem with this is that the original concept for the Xbox One was not designed without Kinect in mind. This means that resources and power was allocated to the Kinect. That is one of the reasons that the console is less powerful than the PS4. Now they are taking away a major feature that the Xbox One was designed around, a feature that gamers immediately told them they didn't want, and the end result is a weaker console with no real advantages.

If Microsoft wanted to actually give people what they want, than they would have dropped the price of the console to $399 with Kinect. $399 with Kinect is an amazing deal, without Kinect I am just left wondering why I would pay $399 for a weaker console? Sadly, Microsoft is in a bad situation because this is a decision that should have been made before the console ever released to market and certainly after the price of the PS4 was made public.

headblackman3668d ago

aleister crowley. really??? :-/ (he's the founder of the church of satan for those of you who don't know)

Eonjay3668d ago

@cleft5

Last generation it was revealed that Kinect cost $50 to produce and sold for $149

The price point is intended to cover the cost of manufacturing it, the cost of R&D, advertising and profit of course.

399 for Xbox One and Kinect would be a good price for consumers, but a disaster for Microsoft. At $399 a stand alone Xbox One is a questionable move for Microsoft given the current cost to produce the unit, but it is acceptable if they can attach a bunch of software (enter Halo).

The messaging of the original idea behind Xbox One is past the point of repair, but if they can bundle Kinect with a game at $149, there is a good chance that they can recover the R$D.

user14394143668d ago

@headblackman don't EVER get Crowley mixed up with Anton Lavey. Aleister Crowley had nothing to do satanism. He was a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis and founder of the Thelema religion and the law of Thelema is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will."

Microsoft are really stopping to new lows here sending trolls in here to try and make me out to be some satan worshipper.

LonDonE3668d ago (Edited 3668d ago )

@MrTehDiNGO #1.1
Bubble you down for using a satanic quote, "Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole of The Law."
and if you didn't know where this saying originated then may god forgive u.
If u did, then god help u!

@headblackman
Yes you are right my friend, it is a sad world we live in today! Satanists everywhere, gays everywhere, paedophiles everywhere, war and death everywhere!

all i can say is keep strong in your deen, Mine is Islam, yours may be Christianity, whatever it is may u find peace on the day of judgement! ameen

And happy gaming!!! sorry everyone for bringing religion into the discussion.

BigStoat3668d ago

@LonDonE
"Yes you are right my friend, it is a sad world we live in today! Satanists everywhere, gays everywhere, paedophiles everywhere, war and death everywhere!"

Really dude? Gays are as bad as paedophiles and death? Man, get your priorities right.

MysticStrummer3668d ago (Edited 3668d ago )

"Do what thou wilt" isn't satanic.

If you're going to let a religion rule your life at least know what you're talking about.

LonDonE3668d ago (Edited 3668d ago )

@BigStoat and @MrTehDiNGO
My priorities are right, its your priorities which are all wrong! just like the majority of the world today.

And aliester crowley was a devil worshipper who practised black magick, he sacrificed and ate children, go watch his documentary or better yet read his biography!! also "do what thou wilt, was revealed to him by a demon spirit named Aiwass,who possessed crowleys wife while in Egypt in the great pyramid! this same demon helped crowley write the book of the law!

The very essence of do what thou wilt is against everything which has to do with god, and god fearing people, who are supposed to live by gods law and no just do whatever they want and desire.

Go watch this documentary! and stop believing wikipedia so easily! it is biased when it comes to illuminati/masons/satanists.
Alistair worshipped demon spirits! this is well known.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

And watch this,

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

I hope they will open your eyes if not then you have no hope.

Engaging in magick is devil worship, these spirits they invoke are demons.

@MrTehDiNGO
"Microsoft are really stopping to new lows here sending trolls in here to try and make me out to be some satan worshipper".

Dude i am no Microsoft dude, look at my profile pic/avatar, I OWN AND GAME ON ALL PLATFORMS! MY PIC PROVES THIS! unlike the majority of liars here on N4G who claim they own every platform!

I am not saying you are satanic, i am saying "Do what thou wilt" is a satanic statement! please watch the documentaries above!
"We are Legion we are many" is also another well documented satanic saying which Satan said and which allot of people use without realising where its from.

sAVAge_bEaST3668d ago (Edited 3668d ago )

" Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole of The Law."- http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Why bring Satanism into this?
_____________________________ _______________
I would rather live by the Tenets of the Shaolin

1. Motivation - something that causes a person to act

2. Confidence - faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper or effective way

3. Discipline - orderly conduct or pattern of behavior

4. Perseverance - continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

6. Respect - high or special regard

7. Community - a unified body of individuals

8. Righteousness - acting in accord with moral law

9. Tolerance - sympathy for beliefs or practices differing from one's own

MRMagoo1233667d ago

@londone

"I am not saying you are satanic, i am saying "Do what thou wilt" is a satanic statement! please watch the documentaries above!
"We are Legion we are many" is also another well documented satanic saying which Satan said and which allot of people use without realising where its from" You do know god and satan are as real as the tooth fairy and the flying spaghetti monster right ? there for satan didnt say anything at all because he did and does not exist, you are a wacko.

tommygunzII3667d ago (Edited 3667d ago )

I don't think that "Do what thou wilt" is satanic in its self but it does sum up the current society we live in which is likely just as bad.

If I did what I wanted I would eradicate fat and lazy people, so pray this law never takes hold :)

jivah3667d ago

Why get all up and arms over a quote that may or may not be associated with satanism. A harmless quote at that. Regardless satanism actually doesn't worship satan or even have a god for that reason. If you ever did some research you would see that they are athiest or ithiest and dont believe in god or satan or lucifer heaven or hell .. none of it. Oh well(ignorance is bliss they say)

http://www.churchofsatan.co...

Im hoping microsoft reaaaallly come out of the slumber they are in right now. Even tho im more of a PC/PS4 guy im not close minded in the way that i know microsoft had a very important part into making gaming what it is now. Competition is needed. Unless they wanna get out of the industry and well ..........Dreamcast 2! I can only dream. Sigh

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3667d ago
URNightmare3668d ago

But they said before that Kinect as a stand alone would cost $150. This was back in November when trying to justify the $500 price tag.

greenlantern28143667d ago

Or more so really it should be 350$ without Kinect

Pogmathoin3668d ago

People here will find negative in world peace and prosperity for mankind....

liamn3668d ago

I think this is a stupid move by Microsoft to remove kinect from consoles.

solo45r3668d ago

I kind of agree with your comment. I think they should have price dropped the current SKU, and still added another SKU for people who don't like Kinect.

ziggurcat3668d ago

i'm pretty sure that's the situation anyway... two SKUs available for sale - one with kinect, one without.

and a price drop on the original SKU is inevitable.

D3ATH_DRIV3R_7773668d ago

I'm not a xbox one owner, but you are correct! the kinect is what made it
different and unique from the PS4, and now they remove it, it's not unique anymore. MS is so desperate to get more sold that they want it removed to reduce the price of the system to match it with their competitor. I to think that it's a dumb move they did!

jacobvogel3668d ago

I do believe Microsoft marketing did it wrong as you stated in the article. Best price drop for Kinect-less console is $349.99.

solo45r3668d ago

That is exactly what I thought the price should be. It helps undercut the PS4 value if they did it like that.

WeAreLegion3668d ago

Is it beneficial? Yes, it's beneficial.

WeAreLegion3667d ago

Pre-orders for the new XBO without Kinect are very high. The system will sell much better without Kinect. It is beneficial.

mhunterjr3668d ago

This is a pretty stupid article. Bundles are almost always a better value than buying items separately. That's kind of the point... It's not tricky marketing at all...

People that don't want kinect are saving fifty dollars by not purchasing something they don't want. People that do want kinect can save money upfront by getting the bundle. Everybody wins.

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300°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct

Xbox writes: "Join us for a double feature on June 9, 10am PT - Xbox Games Showcase immediately followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct.  The Xbox Games Showcase is your look at the new games from Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, Bethesda, as well as our partners from around the globe. Immediately following the Showcase, stay tuned for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct for a special deep-dive into the beloved franchise."

ravens522h ago

I'm here. Waiting in anticipation to see some games 🤙🏽

GamerRN1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

I'll be honest, if they don't announce some major shit, this could be the nail in the coffin.

If I hear about major 1st party titles going multiplatform, it's over.

They need to build the brand trust right now. A lot of damage has been done.

We need bangers, AND some news about next Gen.

Flawlessmic1h ago

It's just started 4 games in and it's already been a fantastic show.

This is gonna be the best showcase in years

VersusDMC1h ago

New Doom dark ages anounced for PS5 as well...

GamerRN1h ago

So far this is a great show, and mostly all GamePass games? Looks like the bangers are finally coming!

Investments finally paying off.

Now they need new hardware so they can start over

Sonic18811h ago(Edited 1h ago)

So far the best showcase this year

Flawlessmic1h ago

At this rate, best show of the last 2-4 years, been an absolute bangerrrrr so far!!!

Pixykont1h ago

Perfect dark looks incredible

Lightning772h ago

Very certain Perfect Dark will show up. fable showing up and 2025 release date.

Unpopular opinion here but INL think Final Fantasy 16 will release on Xbox. I dunno if it'll be on Gamepass but I think it's going to other platforms now.

1h agoReplies(1)
Obscure_Observer1h ago

HERE WE GOOO!!!

Time to see what amazing games Xbox Game Studios has been cooking for us, boys!!!

THE HYPE IS REAL!!!

Sonic18815m ago(Edited 1m ago)

I'm glad Microsoft had a great show. Hopefully this show potentially wakes up Sony and Nintendo. Competition is good for the industry. We don't need publishers and developers to get comfortable and get lazy on us. Keep them thinking and on their toes

Kurisu1h ago

I'm tuned in now. I can't say I've ever been big in to Xbox, but I got myself a Series S when it launched. Can't say I've used it much but I'm intrigued to see what's in the pipeline.

Show all comments (56)
270°

Xbox Games Summer Showcase 2024 start date, time, exciting leaks and how to watch

Here is the start date and time for the Xbox Games Summer Showcase 2024 with bundles of exciting leaks and how to watch.

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videogamer.com
gold_drake2d ago

10AM PT/1PM ET/6PM london time.
on June 9th.

this is so odd. we had ps before the summer fest and now xbox after.

lelo2play7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Summer Fest and the Sony show were both crap, let's hope Microsoft and Ubisoft shows are decent.

(the way this is going, I'm not asking for good/great shows, simply asking for decent shows...)

I miss E3.

RupeeHoarder6h ago

State of Play is a 30 minute sizzle reel. It is not meant to compete with the yearly Xbox showcase.

gold_drake2h ago

best e3 was when they showcased breath of the wild with the nintendo tree people i watched that quite a few times ha.

Daver5h ago

Diablo 4 expansion? Even if the game is bad.

Crows905h ago

I'm definitely of the mind that d4 was complete crap at release...but the state of it right this moment is not complete crap. They've simplified a lot which actually helped their overtly stupid itemization.

End game content is still kind of stupid but at least progression and itemization is better.

Daver4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

@crows90

Maybe but it is still boring. It might be a little bit better but it is not a good game.

Profchaos3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

Xbox had typically kept the old e3 dates alive it seems to always fall on Queens / Kings birthday holiday in Aus only reason I've noticed as it used to be a day off to engross myself in e3 showcases but nowadays it's nothing

Lightning772d ago

The rumor is 30 games with a nearly 2 hour show. I hope so I, been saying they need to go balls to the wall with their showcase. That's according to Grubb again. Yeah a huge pinch of salt he's only been wrong or half right about some stuff.

There's also suppose to be a Wu Tang Clan game that's a kungfu action RPG featuring the legendary hip hop group New Yorks own Wu Tang Clan. You read right Wu Tang Clan kungfu action RPG.

Sounds weird, random and quirky but hey I'm down to see it.

dRanzer1d 1h ago

Looking forward to gears 6

romulus231d ago

Bet the title has Shaolin in it.

purple10121h ago

State of decay 3 info is leaking on twitter!

Looks good. Personally don’t play horror/ zombie games, but I appreciate it’s a good game so that’s a win for Xbox fans.

Lord knows they need a win at the moment

ThinkThink18h ago

Appreciate the concern, but I think we'll be just fine. Hope you all enjoy tomorrow's show.

16h ago
Obscure_Observer7h ago

"The rumor is 30 games with a nearly 2 hour show. I hope so I, been saying they need to go balls to the wall with their showcase."

MS had the best showcases in the last few years.

This year, the bar is so low with those last showcases, that imo, MS and Ubisoft doesn´t even need to make much of an effort to beat them.

"That's according to Grubb again. Yeah a huge pinch of salt he's only been wrong or half right about some stuff."

Grubb was right about the last State of Play. Just a few days for the end of the month, he´d continued and insisted that it was going to happen. And he was right! Sony made a last minute announcement for whatever reason, but the guy was spot on.

Lightning771h ago

Grubb was only half right. He only got the month down, which was late last month for a PS event but wrong on it being a PS showcase.

Half right at best. He's still not that credible these days. He definitely wasn't spot on.

derek4h ago

Grubb has been pretty spot on in his comments regarding showcases. You can tell he's not guessing, he knows in advance.

Sonic18813h ago(Edited 3h ago)

Microsoft has had the best showcases for the last 3-4 years. The problem with Microsoft and the Xbox division is their reputation and trademark around the world. That's what's really affecting them.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
anast1d ago

This show is going to be painful.

Elda1d ago

Hopefully not knowing most games shown will be multiplats & some eventually multiplats.

anast1d ago

The presentation is going to be the painful part. There might be some good games though.

21h ago
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ArmrdChaos12h ago

You can always make a drinking game out of it for every time they say the words "Made for a modern audience".

Crows905h ago

I'd like to be able to watch it through to the end though...

8h agoReplies(3)
anast6h ago

This is fun. Some back and forth.

No, but those emojis sure seem like you might be.

Crows905h ago

You'd think that every now and then even these dispassionate fools may do a good job...they've disappointed every single year since before release of Xbox one....that's a really long streak of disappointments...lol

anast5h ago

For sure. they have the money to put on a top tier show, but I'm afraid it will look like an event where super rich people are noticeably trying to be cheap. And they have this strange smile like they know they are trying o get over on people. It just makes for an awkward and tasteless showing.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
Elda1d ago

I hope it's a good showing knowing most games that will be shown will be multiplats & XB timed exclusives that'll eventually become multi-plats.

Tacoboto21h ago

It is what it is at this point.

At least the good games will have a chance to be bought, take advantage of the superior DualSense, and *maybe* give those studios a better shot at survival.

They'll also have better shadows, and run with higher dynamic res on the PS5 Pro.

Lightning7718h ago(Edited 18h ago)

So if they're multiplat would you suddenly like Xbox games?

You never have before you've made that clear several times over.

Elda17h ago

I have an XBSX. I also own a PS5 & a Switch. What's your point??

Lightning7716h ago

My point is what I said. You don't like Xbox games, you've said it repeatedly. So would you suddenly like Xbox games if they were available on PS5.

Show all comments (64)
240°

Why Microsoft Putting Black Ops 6 On Game Pass Is The Ultimate Test

By putting Black Ops 6 on Game Pass, Microsoft plans to gauge its growth, pricing, and monetization changes, at the cost of less game sales.

rlow14d ago

If they have follow up games that are bangers, then this strategy will work. But if it’s Call of Duty followed another dead period then it won’t last.

crazyCoconuts4d ago

From MS financial perspective I think it may be the opposite.
A year of GamePass on PC is less than the price of two full price games. For all the people that would have bought COD for $70 but instead started subbing for GP, MS will get an extra $50/year which is good.
However, for each banger that MS puts out, that's lost potential revenue because the GP sub won't need to buy it.
So it only makes sense where the new GP customers would have otherwise not spent more money with MS... Which is the case if MS puts out low quality shovelware.

rlow14d ago

If you’re looking at the short term you are correct. But if Xbox can have multiple bangers then subscriptions should increase. Which is what they want, recurring revenue.

S2Killinit3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I think this is more about microtransactions. MS wants to see if the upfront losses will be offset by more people login into the “free” game and buying more microtransactions to justify not selling as much COD games.

I honestly not sure. I feel like everyone who likes COD is already playing/buying it so I’m not sure how much more engagement they can get by putting it on gamepass. On the other hand, I also feel a lot of COD players are casual gamers, and they are the type to click on anything that is “free” ex: mobile gaming style

Sonic18814d ago

I don't see it working if Call of Duty makes less money and profits over time from gamepass 🤔

blackblades4d ago

I dont understand why have it on it when we all know it sells with the name alone. Seems stupid to lose so much sales and $ just to have it on game pass. They basically shooting themselves in the foot with a already injured foot from all the other times they shoot themselves in the foot.

CrashMania4d ago

@blackblades, that's my exact point, even on xbox where most software sells poorly CoD still sells millions, but the thing is, if you don't put it on GP you kinda shatter the whole idea they've build GP up to be, they've dug this hole themselves.

I think it might tick up subscribers a bit, but warzone is already free and gets millions of players regardless of GP. But where will those extra subs come from? Xbox sales are dropping like a rock, PC gamers are very firmly rooted in Steam and will just buy it there.

Tacoboto4d ago

@black

If they don't include it on Game Pass, they lose the claim of First-Party Day-One on Game Pass, and thus would begin the slippery slope of what's-ok-to-not-include and the devaluing of the service, and further sinking Microsoft/Xbox's already tarnished reputation.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place and this move buys them time to work out more future-math.

crazyCoconuts4d ago

I still expect a price increase in GP to compensate but who knows. With all the factors in play like COD points there are too many variables for someone on the outside to predict what will happen. I assume they have a forecast model where this all looks peachy.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4d ago
Garethvk4d ago

When the game does not hit 1 Billion in revenue in under two weeks they will wonder why and the next thing you know; Season Updates will no longer be free.

Noskypeno4d ago

Yup, the CEO needs a new yacht and private jet

Abear214d ago

Yeah I expect paid DLC and season pass in your face, now you are buying for a game you are renting

neomahi3d ago

That's where they're relying on PC and PlayStation gamers to pick up the slack. They know their business model isn't lasting so in order to give it away "free" for Xbox, they're banking on PC and PS5 customers to make up for the sales loss on Xbox, otherwise they wouldn't be able to pull this off like they want to. Xbots don't see it but, it's their gaming brethren that'll keep their console manufacturer afloat a little longer because the service they hold so dear isn't viable anymore. So, it's by the good graces of their fellow gamers they live to fight another day.

Consumers don't understand how Xbox Game Pass really works. It's not about the volume, and maybe Xbox doesn't want them to know. It's not about how many games you play. Developers don't make money by how many people play their game, it's HOW LONG you play. How many hours to put in.

Customers like David Jaffe that only like to sample don't help the service succed. Jaffe is a cheapskate stoner who spends all his money on Diet Coke, Jolly Ranchers, and weed to fry his brains (it's medically proven, sorry to disappoint) but Jaffe wants as much as he can get for as little so, he's not much of an advocate. But he also plays games for a little while and then gives up, it's just his personality, maybe A.D.D. or something, but Game Pass is dependent on how long a gamer sinks hours in. Why do you think Phil Spencer wants Helldivers 2? Because gamers don't put it down. Hellblade II, they'll play the campaign and then be done. Games like that sink to the bottom of the pile, they disappear. Xbox LIKES Games as a Service business models because it sells their service, but that model doesn't work for Sony, Helldivers was a stroke a luck, lightning that won't hit twice because PS fans don't want that. But that's how Xbox keeps it's games at the top of the list and on their service. The longer you play a single game, that's how devs make money

purple1014d ago

subscribers go up, execs celebrate win, get bonus, price goes up, subscribers go down,

execs dont care, got their bonus,

MrDead4d ago

If it works CEOs and shareholders get a payday and if it doesn't even more studios get closed by MS so CEOs and shareholders get a payday.

Elda4d ago

It will sell on PC & PS but as long as COD is for rent on Gamepass it will not sell well on the XB platform. Most folks such as myself that like COD just for the campaign would rather rent it for that month instead of paying $70 plus tax for the game.

IAMRealHooman4d ago

Your smart.
its 70 for base plus 10 to 20 for a season pass plus another 30 for there better season pass,

darthv724d ago

...now you are finally getting how to use GP. No commitments, just play what is offered. if you like it so much and want to keep a copy for yourself... you can buy it when you want to. I used to buy games based on if they looked appealing and have been burned many times on things. With this, I can try before I buy. And I have actually bought several games after having rented them in the service. It literally is like the old days of renting only you get the whole store instead of pay per rental.

Elda4d ago

I've been knowing how to use Gamepass. I sub the service yearly & I play games on the service that I don't have to pay the full price for such as Persona 3:Reload. I mostly play & pay for games on my PS5 but if a game lands on GP that I'm interested in playing & I don't have to buy a copy for the PS5 I'll definitely play it on Gamepass.

MrDead3d ago

And there you have it, it's like you actively want to destroy the industry. Just rent the games and then buy them, knowing that doesn't happen and the actual cost of pushing a rental service is studios closures and firings.

So far MS has done nothing with Bethesda and Activision except limit where they sell, close successful studies, fire thousands and mass industry consolidation. No new games are being made that weren't already coming and some like Tangos future titles that they were working on we will never get to see now because of MS and their greed.

Massive industry consultation benefits only the company doing it, consumers and the workforce always lose out because of it. What MS is doing leads to cuts and a lesser end product. If MS had spent the money on making games instead of taking them away we would have a far healthier industry, instead we have the same games but with restrictions and a service that has cannibalised sales.

Garethvk3d ago

PC Games are also on Gamepass.

Show all comments (37)