280°

Microsoft Abandons Games as Focus: Adds Google to List of Next Gen Competitors

BigBoxGaming- "Microsoft is likely planning on using gamers to get their new “media features” into homes they otherwise wouldn’t have access to. The question gamers will have is, to what extent will the gaming experience we have become accustomed to with past Xboxs suffer, if at all, for the sake of this new focus."

Read Full Story >>
bigboxgaming.com
gabescow4062d ago

Brings up a good point that Microsoft and Sony have been offering lots of non-gaming features on their consoles for awhile now.

I am waiting to see if this is Microsoft's new -focus-. If it is, the gaming experience will suffer and they will lose ground this next gen.

Sony learned that lesson last gen and has been showing they are on the right track this time around. Not to say the PS3 was bad, Sony just gave up more than they needed too with their self inflicted bumps in the road.

HammadTheBeast4062d ago

I feel bad for Microsoft. They can't go up against Google. It'll **** them up. Just look at that fail that is Bing. And this just opens up a wide door for Sony and Nintendo for that Market share.

Army_of_Darkness4062d ago

This is what I'm predicting... subscription fee required as soon as you boot up your Xbox 720.
But on a brighter note, you have the ps4 as your alternative if you just want to play some good old fashion games;-)

JBSleek4062d ago

Microsoft has a 90% hold of the PC market. They are no little player.

Campy da Camper4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

I have never heard anyone ever say, "just Bing it." I hate ms commercials so much. They try so hard to be cool. That latest one for surface tablet with all those hipsters dancing around the table to McDonalds music is cringe worthy. Especially that guy doing the arm circle around his face. I hate that guy.

nukeitall4062d ago

Yet, MS is the only one able to gain slow, but gain marketshare from Google with Bing.

MS also went up against the monopoly that Playstation had with the PS2 and we know how that market got divided.

Look at the facts, look at the history and take off the fanboy glasses. MS' Xbox division know what the f' they are doing.

nveenio4062d ago

I also feel they're behind the "Scroogled" ads. Like we (they e-generation) care if Google tracks our internet usage in order to provide better content. They may be able to scare some older folks away from Google, but that generation is dying out. Microsoft is really stupid sometimes.

ShinMaster4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

This was Microsoft's plan all along, since they never intended to get into console gaming in the first place. The Xbox was just a way to infiltrate your living rooms. That's why they've been focusing on non-gaming related media apps.
At least with Sony focuses more on gaming with PlayStation.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4062d ago
caleb47794062d ago

The new features could be how they justify their subscription next gen.

Parapraxis4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

I'm pretty sure that the PS4 is going to have all the features that were missing (cross game chat/party system/custom soundtrack for all games) from the PS3 with the PS4.
Aside from possibly having a few different apps than the PS4, I really find it hard to see how MS would justify charging for XBOX Live with the next XBOX.
But I suppose even when bested by PSN/PS+, hardcore XBOX fans will still cough up the dough and....deal with it.

RuleofOne343 4062d ago

hardcore XBOX fans will still cough up the dough , I know I will just cause I don't really like sony & have outgrown Nintendo.

FATALVISI0N4062d ago

@parapraxis
I love my Xbox 360 and weeks ago I'd say anyone is a fool to think the PS4 would surpass the Next Xbox. Until these last few days. But even tho the rumors give bad press, today I found on M$'s own blog that says Microsoft will "commit 100 percent of its focus on consumer TV strategy with Xbox."

I dont need the next xbox to give these features I'll never use. I'm a gamer, and I want a gaming console. So I disagree, not every Xbox fan will cough up the dough and deal with it! I'll deal with it by coughig up the dough and buy a PS4!!! And the Xbox gaming community I'm apart of the majority also feels the same.

(link to my quote from microsoft: http://blogs.technet.com/b/...

JeffGUNZ4062d ago

@ Parapraxis,

Man, I hate to break it to you but if you are eager for the cloud based features and Gaiki of the PS4, get ready to pay for it. All PSN+ did was test the waters of how a paid subscription would go for their users. Sony was taking a loss with each PS3 sold, they see a subscription based service a great add on of investment. Don't mistake what I am saying, I am confident we will see a "free" basic PSN version, but it will be stripped bare of all the cool stuff they have shown and will show off at E3. Sony is slowly transitioning to a paid subscription base and I am fine with that, as long as the product justifies the price.

Godmars2904062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

So just have to wait and see how much of their focus remains on games. Then deal with it.

Belking4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

It's smart of them to keep an eye on Google. Look at what happened to sony when they ignored Samsung and Apple. Samsung has passed sony in the TV market and Apple killed them in the portable music player market. Now MS has stolen considerable marketshare from them in the US.

Godmars2904062d ago

Not really like they've ever ignored what Google was doing either. They bought into Yahoo, created Bing and even used Google to support Bing to their self-embarrassment.

Belking4062d ago

MS is very alive. They stumble here and there but they have huge sums of money to fall back on. It's sony that has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. They didn't change CEOs because they are doing well. If things don't improve for them in the next few years you will see them slowly turn to a only software in the gaming market which may not be a bad idea since no one profits off of hardware anyway.

Skips4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

But this is about their next gen console. Last time I checked, Google isn't or will not be entering the console gaming business.

So for Microsoft to list Google as a competitor for their NEXT GEN CONSOLE.

Means that whatever they'll push out will be more akin to a cable box/Google T.V. wannabe (As pretty much EVERY RUMOR OUT THERE HAS SUGGESTED) more than an actual machine meant for gaming.

Hence why "Microsoft Abandons Games as Focus".

@below

That was like what 7 years ago? Lol Back when the PS3 launched, it didn't have many exclusive games to push for so of course they would market what it's strength's were.

But when the exclusive games started coming in, around 2007/2008, Sony jumped right back into focusing on games. And for the past 5 years, they've pretty much done mostly that.

Hence why SONY'S NEXT GEN CONSOLE, will be MUCH MUCH more about games.

http://www.vg247.com/2013/0...
Sony: "PS4 is a gaming console at heart"

http://www.playstationlifes...
Sony: "We're all about the gamers"

And are you talking about Microsoft taking Sony's lead about wanting to make their console a multimedia device? Because Microsoft has been wanting to do that since day one. LMAO.

jimbobwahey4062d ago

With the PS3 Sony had a heavy focus on Blu-Ray movies and media content, before stretching out to trying to push 3D content etc quite heavily.

Did it mean that Sony abandoned games? Not at all. It looks like with the next Xbox, Microsoft is just following Sony's lead and thinking "Hey, we should probably start chasing down these features too".

I'm confused at how Sony can have such a heavy focus on non-gaming features and content and nobody bats an eyelid, but when Microsoft decides to do the same thing it's suddenly the worst thing ever?

AkatsukiPain4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

@jimbobwahey

There is a big difference with doing other things for your console like kinect, move, blu ray, etc etc. There is one thing to focus on another area but to have your focus all in that area & alienate the other half is never a good thing for any corporation.

While microsoft has been focusing more on casual gamers they have left out the core audience with no new games to offer for the past few years. Sony on the other hand has been doing a great job delivering new content to all its users not leaving any of them unhappy with tons of new content year after year.

RuleofOne343 4062d ago

*But this is about their next gen console. Last time I checked, Google isn't or will not be entering the console gaming business. * Neither was MS back in 1999- 2000 but look where their at now.

Skips4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

^^^

"Look where they're at now"

Their Xbox brand?

http://megagames.com/news/m...

Yup, I agree.

Anyways, back in 2000, people actually knew Microsoft were going to enter the console business. lmao. Not so with Google.

Why the hell WOULD Google want to enter the console business in the first place (to conquer the living room or whatever), when they already have Google T.V.?

Which will apparently be a rival to Microsoft's "Family Friendly Entertainment Center". <--- (Microsoft's words, not mine.)

Godmars2904062d ago

"Because Microsoft has been wanting to do that since day one."

Their defenders keep saying this, yet the 1st Xbox only played games out of the box whereas the PS2 played games and movies.

Yes MS later made a kit where hackers had converted their console's DVD drive, but that was too little too late.

Heck, maybe they actually had been thinking along those lines, but if they had like the DVD movie player kit, it was at added expense to consumers.

nosferatuzodd4062d ago (Edited 4062d ago )

That's Microsoft for ya greedy to the core
They want to do search engine
They want to do games Zune fail miserably
They want to do google tv now
They want to do iPad
They want to do phones
Jack of all trade and master of none because of their greed
Instead of focusing on one thing they want to do it all
Zodd the immortal

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4062d ago
Software_Lover4062d ago

They haven't shown anything yet, games or media services. But I like how when media services rumors come out we get tons and tons of articles on that topic.

Show all comments (78)
150°

10 Biggest Xbox Mistakes of All Time (So Far)

The Xbox brand has done a lot of good over the years, but their various blunders are pretty wild to look back on in their magnitude.

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
piroh4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Ironically number 9 can save them at this point (releasing games on multiple platforms)

ChasterMies2d ago

By “save them” you mean make more profit for Microsoft. Xbox will still be a dying hardware platform.

OtterX3d ago

You could add the naming scheme for the consoles, it just confuses customers. I know they wanted to avoid traditional numbering bc it would always be lower than their competitor, but this whole 360 then One then Series thing is confusing af. Imagine a Soccer Mom trying to figure this stuff out. I still mistakenly call the Series X the One from time to time on accident.

RNTody3d ago

Don't forget about the Xbox One, Xbox One X and Xbox Series X! Good luck to Soccer moms around the world.

S2Killinit2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

They did that on purpose to confuse and direct attention away from the generational numbering.

MS doesn’t like reminding people that they joined the industry after others had already been involved in gaming.

For instance, they called the xbox “360” to combat PlayStation “3” because they wanted to seem like “more” than “3”, so instead of xbox 2, they opted for xbox 360. Also this had the additional benefit of selling consoles to uninformed parents who might purchase a “360” instead of a “3” by mistake, or because they thought 360 was more than 3. Kind of a disingenuous move.

They have been continuing with their confusing naming patterns for pretty much the same reasons. Frankly, it fits with who and what they are as a brand.

FinalFantasyFanatic2d ago

I can understand their reasoning, but whoever came up with that naming scheme should be fired, bad naming schemes have killed consoles (I'm pretty sure it was the major reason for the downfall of the WiiU). They should have had unqiue names like Nintendo and Sega have had for their consoles, far less confusing for the consumer.

Cacabunga3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Phil Spencer is the worst that has happened to Xbox.
They built a respectable brand up to Xbox one. Then this guy took over and things became a joke

Reaper22_3d ago

He still has his job. Something you can't say about Jim Ryan.

Cacabunga3d ago

Both bad execs. One is on job and one thankfully retired.

FinalFantasyFanatic2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I didn't like either person, both people damaged their respective brands and produced worse outcomes, but Phil did save the Xbox brand from being retired by Microsoft. Although in hindsight, he should have just let it die, rather than languish in limbo like it is now.

Rainbowcookie1d 13h ago

Yeah but the one that was "bad" didn't even affect sales.

bunt-custardly2d ago

Phil Spencer was also on the team back when 360 was around, alongside Shane Kim, Peter Moore etc. I think the damage that did the most harm was the Don Mattrick "Always Online" console (ahead of its time basically). They handed Sony and Nintendo a free-pass when that was revealed. It went downhill from there. Then the corporate machine went into full swing to try and recover. They have to a degree as a games company for the masses, and less so for the core gamer. Outside USA, the Xbox brand does not sell as well as Japanese based consoles (citation needed).

Cacabunga2d ago

Want a decision maker. The always online and TV plans was a disaster yes, but they caught up by announcing 1st party games that gamers actually kept the hype going.. until this moron took over and introduced the PC day one release.. e all know where that ended..

S2Killinit2d ago

I dont think they were ever a respectable brand, not since the beginning, when their goal was never to be involved and share in the gaming space. I think the OG xbox was an exception because MS as a brand was still getting its foot in and so the people behind that were people of the gaming industry.

FinalFantasyFanatic2d ago

The 360 was the brand in its prime though, everything went downhill towards the end of that generation. Its staple games like Halo, Forza and Gears are what kept the console relevant and afloat for so long.

MaximusPrime_3d ago

Really good video.

I remember the days with RRoD was big news on here, N4G.

Microsoft had it turbulence number of years.

Looking at the success of Sea of Thieves despite being 6 years old, time to release Halo, Forza horizon 4 & 5 on PS5. It'll help their revenue

shinoff21833d ago (Edited 3d ago )

2 of the 4 games they did already sold really well. So it's definitely going down. Idk about halo or forza but I feel those studios they've bought in the last 5 years, their coming

ChasterMies2d ago

I found this video painful to watch. Can someone list them out?

Top 10 for me from are:
1. 2013 reveal presentation
2. Bundling Kinect 2 with Xbox One
3. RRoD or why rushing to market with hardware is always a bad idea.
4. Buying studios only to close them.
5. Ads on the Home Screen
6. Letting Halo die.
7. Letting Geard of War die.
8. Every console name
9. Charging for Xbox Live on Xbox 360 when Sony let PS3 players play online for free.
10. Cancelling release of OG Xbox games after the Xbox 360 launched.

Show all comments (30)
150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

Read Full Story >>
xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19727d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

7d ago
7d ago
7d ago
darthv726d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19726d ago (Edited 6d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 6d ago
CaptainFaisal7d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead7d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan7d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl7d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx6d ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 6d ago
Show all comments (19)
70°

Activision team is opening a new game studio in Poland 'Elsewhere Entertainment' to build new AAA IP

Microsoft's Activision subsidiary announced today that it is opening a new game development studio to take advantage of the huge talent pool growing in Poland. It'll be the second Activision studio based in the region, joining Infinity Ward Krakow, although this studio is, in fact, not working on Call of Duty.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
Psychonaut8511d ago

They’re not working on Call of Duty? Give it time.