620°

Earning Achievements now unlocks discounts on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Microsoft has launched a new Xbox LIVE Rewards scheme entitling players who have passed certain Gamerscore milestones to additional discounts on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
claud34235d ago (Edited 4235d ago )

Talk about late with the idea, we all wanted a use for them dumb achievements. But I still hate them and will not get them for discounts on Xbox live, since I never buy anything from it and never will. GAME OF THE YEAR EDITIONS I wait for and those are the ones I like and would never buy of Xbox live. I am not even connected to live what so ever and never will. I will not pay £16 or £25 or even £40 for a gold member ship since i think because its a total waste of money and it sucks as a service big time. Never will i be connected with this new scheme and I am glad I never get sucked into its lies

HarryMasonHerpderp4235d ago (Edited 4235d ago )

It's better than nothing but I would of thought Microsoft would try and compete with Playstation Plus a bit more.
Competition is great for the gamers and Xbox Live users would only benefit from Microsoft rising up to Sonys challenge.
Sadly this doesn't seem like the case.

chuckyj14235d ago

umm...MS makes Billions off of xbox live...While Sony is yet to turn a profit off of Playstation Online service....

Who needs to compete with who? I think you have that mixed around.

HarryMasonHerpderp4235d ago

I think you're confused with company profit and what really matters to us as gamers. I'm talking about what's best for the consumer.
Not Microsofts billions.

ABizzel14235d ago

WTF is 2% off going to do. $1.20 off of a $60?

It's great that they're using their system based off achievements because it rewards gamers who game the most, but come on 2% at least 5% - 10%.

chuckyj14235d ago

If a service doesn't make money and bleeds a company out...See how long that service is offered.

If a service is not profitable for a company it will eventually be shut down.

HarryMasonHerpderp4235d ago

Let Microsoft and Sony's accountants worry about their profit margins.

DragonKnight4234d ago

chuckyj1: PSN+ doesn't make Sony money? Home transactions doesn't make Sony money? See, unlike MS, Sony do not believe you should have to pay your ISP for internet access and then Sony themselves to access the online content of a game you paid $60 for already. They make money in such a way that isn't a huge rip off to consumers.

AIndoria4234d ago

@chuckyj1

PlayStation Network is free, unless you're living in a cave?

darthv724234d ago

You do know you dont have to be a gold member to get achievements and make purchases on xblive...right?

Silver members may not be able to play online and access things like netflix and facebook but they can still earn achievements and buy stuff through the marketplace.

Irishguy954234d ago

HarryMason, you should care who earns profits, for all you know Sony could end up out of business with the way they have been playing the game up until now

nukeitall4234d ago

I find it funny that MS gives gamers something, and people complain. I guess they could give you nothing and you would have nothing to complain about.

Then again, it seems the usual fanboys are the ones complaining.

EVILDEAD3604234d ago

Loved achievements anyway..

I'll take a free discount for earning like I wouldve anyway.

One of the most persistant requests about Xbox Live achievements was that they should mean more and be put towards something financially.

Bam..it's here and there are still complaints?

LOL

Evil

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4234d ago
ALLWRONG4235d ago

"Talk about late with the idea" Who else is doing this?

SPAM-FRITTER-1234235d ago

Steam do it over the holidays.

complete a task in a selected game and earn discount on games.

Ron_Danger4235d ago

PS+ also offers 10% discounts on day 1 download games. I already preordered Doom 3 BFG Edition

TheLeapist4234d ago

I think he's referring to the fact that we're nearing the end of the 360's life cycle.

darthv724234d ago

This really isnt about the 360 if you think about it. While the discounts may apply to related content for 360 games, the Live service is exactly that. A service.

So just as it went from the original xbox to the 360, it will likely transcend to the next xbox as well as windows8 and WP7 & 8.

Achievements will be available in many different titles on various MS products. Marketplace content will be available for the different MS platforms as well. Not just the 360 anymore.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4234d ago
Tzuno4234d ago Show
DOMination-4234d ago ShowReplies(2)
Trenta274234d ago

" Birthday Gift (approximate retail value ("ARV"): $0.25 USD)"

Seriously?!

vitorizzo4234d ago

meanwhile on ps+ they are giving away games new and old for free

darthv724234d ago

meanwhile, on ps+, they are giving away games (new and old) for free for the duration of your membership.

All fixed. Punctuation and context.

Ron_Danger4234d ago (Edited 4234d ago )

Hey darthv

Before you pat yourself too much on the back with that comment, remember a similar thing could be said about Live: once your subscription runs out, you can't play the online portion of all your games anymore

darthv724234d ago (Edited 4234d ago )

I was simply correcting a common context error many seem to make.

The punctuation part...just needed to be done.

Oh and to add to yours: "once your subscription runs out, you can't play the online portion of all your games or any other gold related features."

You know, because some people use a gold membership for more than competitive play. You get an agree from me.

Ron_Danger4234d ago (Edited 4234d ago )

Word

And an agree from me

ALLWRONG4234d ago

"meanwhile on ps+ they are giving away games new and old for free"

Stop paying for PSN+ and see if Sony lets you keep those games.

That's what I thought. NEXT!

lodossrage4232d ago

Stop paying for Xbox Live and see if you can still play your games online or use ANY of the services you ALREADY pay for if you use them in the first place.

That's what I thought. NEXT!!!!

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4232d ago
FamilyGuy4234d ago

It's crazy. when Live first launched with its "point system" for making payments I always was thinking "hey, they should make achievement points translate to money or discounts". Now, years later, they finally do it... kinda.

Better than nothing indeed.

omi25p4234d ago (Edited 4234d ago )

Well you are clearly completely against Microsoft no matter what they do.

Achievements arent dumb, they have added literally days more playing time to the shortest game for me and the people who love unlocking them.

Xbox live is well worth the money for one reason alone. Party chat, I dont pay a home phone bill because of it.

Instead of paying a randomly generated number to talk to sales reps i pay a fixed amount of money to talk to friends and family while fighting dragons in Skyrim or beating those same friends and family in any number of competitive multiplayer games.

Anything else that comes with a Gold membership is an added bonus for me.

I have nearly 100.000 gamescore so just for enjoying playing lots of games and earning achievements in them i get 2% knocked off of what is basically my phone bill.

(Im usually spend hours a day just in party chat. It would cost a ton to do that with a phone)

slimpickens4234d ago

Now I agree Live is nice to have and don't mind paying but your comment has confused me. Why would you not buy a home phone just because of party chat? Sure it's a great feature but if you're serious about it I'm just a little confused.

born2live4234d ago

@Claud3

"I am not even connected to live what so ever and never will. I will not pay £16 or £25 or even £40 for a gold member ship since i think because its a total waste of money and it sucks as a service big time."

Nice trolling, but how would you know if the service sucks when you've never been connected to it (in your own words)?

Zachmo1824234d ago

Thank you, Microsoft for saving me a whole $1.20 OFF a 60 game. With those savings I can now afford a Double Cheeseburger from McDonald's.

Aghashie4234d ago

@Zachmo

U make me laugh. Bubbles for you :)

videoxgamexfanboy4234d ago

It's unbelievable that you managed to get 28 agree's for such a ridiculous rant....Then again this is n4g sooooooo...

Gamer19824234d ago

Still stupid this idea as its so easy to exploit achievements. I remember when they first started that guy who had 100k in a few months he had the EU,US and Jap version all 1000GS in several games. All it takes is a save game editor and a few other things so I read. This is not possible on ps3 as achievements are not done in the same way, so you cannot just load up a save and get achievements at least for most games. Some games its still possible.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4232d ago
iamnsuperman4235d ago (Edited 4235d ago )

What is the special gift considering its value is only 15p?????

I am not so knowledgable about the live gamer score thing but how hard is it to get to this level

ShadowKingx4235d ago

Probably a party hat or a present as a avatar item.

FragMnTagM4234d ago

every retail game is 1,000 gamer score. Some have more with additional DLC.

So about 25 games maxed out.

Arcade games are like 200, but I think they raised it.

TekoIie4234d ago

Some games go to 400 now but to my knowledge thats only minecraft.

Gazondaily4235d ago

1% rebate on all purchases

-___-

Can't be arsed with that...

jambola4235d ago

i always thought microsoft were cheap
now it's confirmed
seriously 2%..... really?

AzaziL4234d ago

$1.20 off a year of live with 25k gamerscore

whoop dee doo..... -__-

-MD-4235d ago

A 2% rebate? Really? How about something I'll actually notice.

brish4235d ago

Don't think of it as 2% off. Think of it as for every $3,000 dollars you spend you get a free game!

/s

JAM_brz4235d ago

LOL

Just thinking so to not being so disappointed

Bimkoblerutso4235d ago

One of the article comments had it right. If they really wanted to give us a reward without really giving us anything, they would let us pay without going through their insulting points system.

LOOK_AT_THIS_I4234d ago

I see them not attaching a monetary value to so it tricks the brain into thinking you are getting more /spending less than you actually are. (Not trolling) Kind of like in a casino, sit down at a slot machine or anything electronic and you can go through a bunch of money looking at credits rather than actual money. It's a sub conscious thing.

You ever sit down at a quarter machine at a carnival where you push coins/prizes off a ledge. I will spend 10 dollars on those easily to knock a shot glass filled with quarters worth about 3 dollars. You start with a dollar and use the winnings then add just a little bit more over and over. You end up spending more in the long run because you are not handing over dollars you are using credits.

WiiLovePS3604234d ago

LOOK_AT_THIS_I is right, but the main reason was so they had a universal price for content.

They release a game or piece of content and simply have 1 price attached to it, say 400MS. Sony have to release a game and then say "ok it will be US$5, but 3.5£, 6 Deutschmark, etc". Then you get people from different regions complaining saying "it's cheaper in region x than it is here".

Microsoft have one price for all, it's just the conversion rate of $ to MS points that changes.

LOOK_AT_THIS_I4234d ago

@wiilove
That actually makes a lot of sense. Points are points regardless of where you are. Not sure the rate of exchange but I know Aussies were always bitching about how expensive a lot of content is there. You may spend more for the card but its advertised at the same rate

Show all comments (139)
300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest2d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN2d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan2d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor1d 17h ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic1d 16h ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv721d 18h ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts1d 15h ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares2d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv722d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka2d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion2d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer2d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow12d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer2d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

Show all comments (51)
310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
bionicstar2d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn2d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18812d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast2d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

2d ago
Lightning772d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole1d 20h ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

2d ago
2d ago
2d ago
2d ago Replies(1)
Lightning772d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

2d ago
anast2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning772d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast2d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning772d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast1d 22h ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 1d 20h ago
darthv722d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes2d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

Show all comments (44)
290°

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.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv727d 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.

solideagle7d ago

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

Sonic18816d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio6d 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:

Lightning776d ago

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

Cacabunga7d 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.

darthv726d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19926d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21836d 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.

Cacabunga6d 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

itsmebryan6d 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

S2Killinit6d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus236d ago

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

darthv726d 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.

TheEroica6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier6d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan5d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
purple1017d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos7d ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-6d 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.

XBManiac7d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad7d ago (Edited 7d 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.

purple1017d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos7d ago (Edited 7d 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

Kornholic6d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead6d 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 6d ago
Show all comments (46)