420°

Xbox Claims Console Market Growth Is Stagnant Since 6 Years, Discusses Call Of Duty On Game Pass

Microsoft has shared plans regarding bringing the Call of Duty series to Xbox Game Pass & has shared some insight on the console market.

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twistedvoxel.com
Kornholic83d ago

Since Xbox Series console sales are even weaker than Xbox One's, stagnant is a bit misleading - it's shrinking!

VenomUK83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

Nintendo would disagree with him, over the last six years it’s had fantastic growth both with Switch hardware and software.

Sony would disagree with him, it launched a new console during the pandemic and eventually got it leading the market in new sales and its subscription service and multi platform game sales are thriving on PS5.

It seems like Phil Spencer is reflecting on stagnant sales of the company he has led for a decade and is disingenuously projecting its failings as a comment on the state of the entire home console industry.

crazyCoconuts83d ago

Technically growing at a slower rate

--Onilink--83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

By that argument, every single Sony and Nintendo console have sold less than the PS2 and DS so they are also shrinking…

I really dont understand why people here keep saying that Nintendo and Sony are proof what he is saying is wrong, both companies most successful devices are 20 years old, and considering that the DS came out at practically the same time as the the Wii, the Switch basically has to compete against both

Assuming the PS5 is literally at the half way point and Sony is already starting to reduce sales forecasts, its likely to at best do around the same numbers as PS4, which are great sales numbers, but not showing growth in market size, if anything, if Xbox is selling less than last gen and Sony sells the same, again they actually failed to capture that market Xbox lost

Yes, Xbox as a brand to sell consoles has gone downhill and they have been terrible at it since the 360 gen ended, but everyone else is literally selling the same or even less consoles than they were 20 years ago, its literally what a stagnant market is…

Software sales are not quite the same as the console side, though given how expensive games have become, being a million seller is usually not enough anymore anyway

peppeaccardo83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

When a company has no vision and the only matter of interest is profit, all the moves it makes are NOT for the players nor for the evolution of the industry, They have played it safe and brought no innovation and relied exclusivelly on a lame subscription model that is backfiring on them on all directions. Typical american corporate greed !

Shikoku83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

That's is on purpose no matter what Spencer says about being committed to "physical media" the CEO of MS has stated the company wants all of it's properties in the cloud and they want every thing digital because then it's a subscription service not ownership. It's a corporate mandate and he just like the Wins team have to comply with the corporate vision. So its by design, this so all to push people further and further to digital only. Mattrick tried it too fast and this is slow death by a thousand cuts. They bought all those studios to bolster game pass not so they could be multiplatform. The multiplatform is so the FTC and others don't claim monopoly on them.

StormSnooper83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

I’m not sure why Xbox fans don’t demand that MS have a VR headset. It’s so strange.

Come to think of it, it’s a sign that MS wants out of console market and into service only future. In the past, this would have been blasphemy to console gaming players…

Einhander197283d ago

It's not profit that drives them, it's control, they want to control gaming the way they control PC.

83d ago Replies(4)
EvertonFC83d ago

I'm Pro playstation as many on here know but laden and Andrew's both said the same.

1Victor83d ago

“SURPRISE “ said no one after reading this
“Spencer mentioned that Microsoft’s intent is to have the full portfolio of games from ZeniMax, Activision Blizzard and Xbox Game Studios day one on its premium subscription service”
Another 180* turn or does that means CoD on PlayStation+ premium day one “free” as well 😱.
A billion dollars franchise dropping to a few millions, this will be the final nail in the eyes of the all powerful investors.

ChasterMies83d ago

A lot of folks like to point to Nintendo as a sign of growth but Nintendo only has one console now compared to two back in the Wii / DS days. Overall, Nintendo is selling 100M fewer units than a couple of generations ago.

PS5 is growing marketshare at the apparent expense of Xbox. Overall the number of potential PS5 and Xbox owners has not increased in the last two generations.

Software_Lover83d ago

I don't think you know what growth means.

porkChop83d ago

Nah, he's not wrong. Though it's been longer than 6 years. The console market has been comprised of roughly 200-250 million gamers for decades. It hasn't actually grown at all. Market share between the 3 manufacturers change but the overall size of the pie is still the same.

shinoff218383d ago

Mnot back in the ps2 Era. Under 200 mill for the 360 ps3 wii Era also.

porkChop82d ago

The PS3, 360, and Wii totalled out to around 275 million units. Considering the 360s RROD and PS3s YLOD and accounting for replacing broken systems, that would still be in the 200-250 million range.

The PS2, Xbox, and GameCube totalled out to just over 203 million. Bricked consoles were far less common that gen, though it could technically have been slightly under 200 million.

343_Guilty_Spark83d ago

The entire market is stagnant. Show us the console with 300 million sales.

Christopher83d ago

What's interesting is that the console market overall hasn't 'grown' but Xbox has shrunk while PS and Switch have grown to fill in their loss of market. So, yeah, he's right, but the phrasing is interesting since the console market has shrunk for them and grown for the others.

343_Guilty_Spark82d ago

It’s still largely the same overall numbers of console gamers just that market share structure has changed.

Christopher82d ago

Yes.... I just specified how that market share structure has changed. But, yeah, you can say exactly what I said with less info?

neutralgamer199282d ago (Edited 82d ago )

phil it has been like this because xbox brand hasn't been helping grow the industry. If xbox console were at 40 million instead of 26 we would have healthier industry

BillyCrystals82d ago (Edited 82d ago )

Console sales
10 million - Game Gear
10 million - TurboGrafx-16
9 million - Dreamcast
9 million - Sega Saturn
6 million - Series X

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 82d ago
Jingsing83d ago

The only thing that is stagnant is Phil Spencer. Time to go.

DarXyde83d ago

I don't see the point. Nothing would change.

Honestly, I don't see much difference between what the Xbox One was supposed to be under Mattrick and where they're going now.

People worried about used games going away. Now you've got game pass and you can't really share that.

People worried about DRM and always online. You need a connection for the sub service.

People were worried about MS spying on your consumption habits. They kind of come out and tell you as much with game statics, don't they?

I don't think Microsoft has changed their trajectory with the difference in leadership. They just package the same vision in a way that is now palatable.

I see them though. They've got the average muppet fooled, but not me.

Shikoku83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

They haven't because it wasn't Mattrick that was behind that it was a corporate strategy for all MS properties. Mattrick just tried to do it too quickly. Phil is lubing you up before he slides it in, while Mattrick just tried to ram it home dry, by pushing the BS "power of the cloud" nonsense.

FinalFantasyFanatic83d ago

I think it's going to be hard to salvage the brand at this point, no one is buying Xboxes, and it's got a reputation that there are more games on other systems. They would need to push out a slew of high quality exclusives over a consistent period of time, that means that they would have to change the way they manage the entire brand. I also don't think the Xbox has a killer app/game, I struggle to think of anything that I consider to be a big system seller for them after the 360 days (Halo isn't what it used to be).

NotoriousWhiz83d ago

Xbox's market is shrinking for sure, but PS5 is also behind PS4 (but just barely).

https://www.vgchartz.com/ar...

S2Killinit83d ago

He only does what MS wants. He is just a suit dressed up as a gamer.

BrainSyphoned83d ago

On today's episode of "Phil says" we gleen "Insight"
From a guy that has been having to hide his brand's numbers for years because he hasn't managed anything besides trying to copying Netflix with the world's largest corporate spending account. Unlike Phil, Netflix actually manages to release quality in-house content and is a good place to find Japanese and Korean titles. But yes, the console market is a stable slow growing market. How about you leave it and go play on PC where your company that runs the world's computers already failed with their own storefronts and has to release their games on Steam.

gold_drake83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

for them? yes.

look no further than the ps4, ps5 and the switch and hpw successful they've been in the last 6 years

Workshyskiver83d ago

That's missing the point though. Even when you look at Playstation, the market leader, its not really grown the total pool of people buying their consoles. Its just capturing the majority of what has been a fairly stagnant market since the sixth generation.

Total sales across all relevant platforms
6th Gen- 209 Million Total: PS2 155m, Xbox 24m,GC 22m, DC 9m
7th Gen- 273 Million: PS3 87m, X360 84, Wii 101m
8th Gen- 289 Million: PS4 117m, XBO 58, Switch 125m

The only real driver of growth has been both the Wii and now the Switch. The others have just been split between Playstation and whoever the other competitor has been.

shinoff218383d ago

I swore ps3 was 89

Also where the wii u

TheCaptainKuchiki83d ago

Lmaooooo, PS and Nintendo would highly disagree

The_Hooligan83d ago

Both Sony and Nintendo have done great this gen, especially Nintendo. I mean anytime you sell more than 100 mil consoles in a generation is a huge accomplishment. I am sure PS5 will do more than 100 mil as well. I do however agree that the growth rate of the consoles has not seen a steady increase. This does not mean the consoles are not selling because the numbers for PS and Switch are amazing or the gaming market size as a whole is not growing, it means there are other means by which people can access games and that has caused the growth rate of the gaming industry to grow but the consoles themselves have not seen a huge growth rate. PS2 for now is the best selling console (switch might take that crown), so if we were to add all the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube (~204 mil total) add all PS3, X360, Wii (~274 mil) add PS4, Xbox1, WiiU (~189 mil) and the current gen with PS5, Xbox series, Switch (~210 and counting), the numbers for each generation has not grown as much. This is just my opinion based on the numbers I see, it does not make me right.

Off topic: Kuchiki, I thought you had died by your own bankai! lol

TheCaptainKuchiki83d ago (Edited 83d ago )

Xbox is the only one holding the gen back as far as growth rates are concerned. Both the PS5 and Switch are outpacing their predecessors and setting new sales records, which should mean higher growth rates. However because the XSX is selling slower than the XBO, it lowers the overall growth rate of the sector.
Xbox is the weakest link. Therefore, the claim is WRONG, the growth rate isn't stagnant for the other 2.

OptimusDK83d ago

As the most here you dont really understand the concept of a market.

TheCaptainKuchiki83d ago

Blablabla. The market isn't stagnant, especially not with the covid boost.

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40°

The Big Inworld AI Q&A - 'Everyone in Gaming Sees the Potential of Generative AI'

Wccftech interviewed Nathan Yu from Inworld AI to discuss the dynamic NPC tech's applications to games as well as potential issues like costs.

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wccftech.com
160°

Xbox President Sarah Bond's Bloomberg Interview Is Corporate Fakery At Its Best

Saad from eXputer: "After Arkane Austin & Tango were shutdown, Xbox President Sarah Bond spoke with Bloomberg in what I believe to be utter corporate fakery."

gold_drake1d 7h ago

im not really surprised by that, shes always been more a "let me talk about something else than what u want to know" kinda gal

Cacabunga23h ago

If what they are doing is that good, what’s the point of hiding the true story?

anast1d 4h ago

She's a caricature of the shareholders.

PRIMORDUS1d 2h ago

"Shareholders" I call them cancer, they are already rich to begin with but need more and more. It's like a disease, with no cure.

__y2jb9h ago

If you have a pension then you are likely to be a shareholder in these big tech companies yourself. To demonize them as 'heartless rich people' shows you have no idea what you're talking about.

anast8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

@Y2

Of course, it isn't about that. You are attempting to set up a self-righteous strawman to stir up some kind of ignorant mob mentality.

And by the way, most everyone is a touch heartless or we wouldn't be able to consume the products we do knowing very well how they are made. People have to be this way because of self-preservation and convenience.

__y2jb5h ago

@anast please explain to me how what i said is self righteous or a strawman. I simply pointed out that categorizing all shareholders as cancer is ridiculous.

Leeroyw23h ago

I own shares in game companies. I'm not anything near a major share holder. I just want them to make good games and be successful because of that. I think it's the senior management that's the problem. They are the ones that should be making it clear to the shareholders what creates growth and ensures a future of their business. Not this weasle words garbage that she did on the interview. It was horrific. I don't know a shareholder that would be happy with any of them for this.

Profchaos22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Same and I'm not rich by any stretch like most people's I'm just trying to keep my head above water these days most company's shareholders are made up of everyday people it's amazing how companies think we want something but the reality is we don't.

Disney are probably the worse at the moment it's shareholders voted on ending a lot of the crap and outing the current execs the execs turned around and said no we disagree with the shareholder vote

PRIMORDUS17h ago

I meant at the rich fucks who have millions in the bank already. They are making so much per year, that if they don't make what they are expecting they go into a panic, when in reality it will not even hurt them at all. Those are greedy assholes.

anast8h ago

"you have a pension then you are likely to be a shareholder"

Pensioners don't make any decisions about anything. Obviously that is not what this is about.

CrimsonWing691d 3h ago

Yea, it was and it’s insulting that they think we’re dumb enough to fall for this. Look, the truth was you took a gamble on these studios and while they released some games to critical praise and great reception they just aren’t bringing in a ROI. Be transparent, you’re not a politician.

Just tell everyone you spend money on projects big and small and when money isn’t being made you go over the potential of revenue a studio can bring in vs those that can’t and make the hard decision to chop them.

She says this whole thing about “success” doesn’t fit one meaning for each studio. Well yea, a small budget production isn’t going to expect to sell the same as a large budget production.

One thing I wish they did though was let Tango be an independent studio.

TheGamingHounds1d 3h ago

disheartening to see no regard for the human cost of business anymore
the bad decisions and judgements of these CEOs severely impact the frontliners
these fake responses are just salt on wounds

RoadRacer1d 3h ago

imagine havin the audacity to say "we need more games like hifi rush" right after closing the studio that made it lol
followin up with this show of "deflecting every question" was in poor taste

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70°

XCOM 2 Director Says He's Never Seen Such "Horrific Layoffs" In His 25 Years In The Industry

Firaxis veteran Jake Solomon hasn't seen mass layoffs like this in his whole 25-year career.

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dualshockers.com
CrimsonWing691d 4h ago

Alot’s changed in 25 years. We have games with $300 mill budgets, people not interested in games other than Fortnite and Minecraft, the older generation of gamers giving up the hobby or dying off, a period of super bad inflation where the industry decided to hike up prices on games, Gamepass harming game sales, GaaS games being pushed left and right with obnoxious monetization and worse looking/playing (Suicide Squad vs Arkham Knight).

The industry is just shite right now. Games ain’t selling, games cost massive amounts, businesses can’t bleed money and this is what happens. Part of it is on them and part of it is on consumers not buying.

Yi-Long17h ago

Consumers ain't buying because of what they're selling; There is no new SSX or Burnout, everything is now Online Required, everything is 'service', etc.

Indies are still delivering the goods, perhaps even better than ever, because those are often the guys and gals who know what they want to make and just make that and hopefully we dig it as well and support it ...

... but when you look at those multi-million budget AAA games, are they improving on what we have had before? Is the new Forza Motorsport better than a Forza Mototsport 4? Is Halo Infinite better than Halo 3? Is Dragon Age 2 such a huge improvement over the first Dragon Age? Etcetc.

Yeah, graphics have gotten better, worlds have gotten better, but I think a gaming generations stands or falls with diversity and experiences, and a few gens ago we had access to whatever we wanted, so if we wanted a boxing game we picked up one of the boxing games, if we wanted snowboarding we'd pick up one of the snowboarding games, if we wanted to do a rythm game we had DJ Hero, or Guitar Hero, or Rockband. If we wanted to sneak around we had Splinter Cell or MGS or whatever.

We had variety and we had options, and that makes or breaks a generation, imo. You're in a foodcourt of games and they're serving all kinds of different cuisines, and so you'd pick and choose whatever you felt like that day.

Right now, you're in a restaurant, and you're only allowed to pick from one menu, and there's a dress-code, and you have to register, and you have to stay in your seat, etc etc.