330°

Microsoft's Games With Gold Promotion Sucks

Justin McBride for The Mind of Game writes - "I know it’s considered quite tacky to complain about free stuff. It makes you seem ungrateful, entitled, spoiled and bratty. But I’ve held my tongue long enough. Microsoft, your Games with Gold promotion sucks. There. I said it.

Granted, a few of the games I’ve gotten through the promotion have been games I’ve never owned or played, like Dead Rising 2, A World of Keflings and Assassin’s Creed 2. For those games, I’m grateful. I really am.

But when news broke that the first game featured as part of December’s two game lineup was the seven-year old Gears of War, I decided that I was done defending it. No longer can I defend it from PlayStation Plus subscribers who have ridiculed the lackluster lineup of games given away throughout the promotion."

Read Full Story >>
themindofgame.com
Neonridr3805d ago

is Microsoft's promotion only for those 2 games? Each month 2 games are featured but the previous months games are now gone?

The_Game21x3805d ago

Yep. Once the promo period expires, the games aren't available to download anymore.

Neonridr3805d ago

which is terrible to be honest. At least with PS+ you can download games from previous months that year.

Kayant3804d ago

@Neonridr

The difference is you get to keep the games forever which is great however it makes it very limited in what they can offer as we have seen. Most games are very old and don't exceed £15 in value.

IMO they should scrap this implementation & move it towards one like IGC where they can offer newer games & for longer periods.

thereapersson3804d ago

Kayant, you can keep the games as long as you want, even if your Live subscription lapses? On PS+ you lose the license to play the games if your PS+ subscription lapses. Makes sense; who is going to just throw games out there with no cost attached and allow free reign regarding use / ownership? Publishers / devs would have a conniption fit.

UnHoly_One3804d ago

Yes, you get to keep them no matter what.

Theoretically, you could use a free trial card to get Gold long enough to download the game, and then it's yours forever.

Captain Qwark 93804d ago

the problem is, they are giving away shit games or games literally everyone already owns like halo 3 and gears. if they want to give away old games instead of new games, they should give away lesser known titles like eternal sonata or something. a quality game that few people played. this way people will want to try soemthing new for free even if its old, everybody and their grandma didnt already play and beat it so it still has value and who knows, maybe they spark interest in a franchise that may have failed and can reignite interest in it again.

eternal sonata
bayoneta
lost odessy
banjo kazooie
darksiders
kingdom of amalur
halo wars

those a few that come to mind that are very good but didnt sell too hot but with no entry fee, perhaps more gamers can see the quality behind them.

once again, halo 3 and gears are great games but prob half the user base of 360 or more has played and beat these titles to death, nobody wants them anymore

Shadonic3804d ago

@Kayant >.> that's like having the choice of gamefly or blockbuster and you get some of the latest games at gamefly but you have to give them back once you cant afford the 5 bucks a month or Blockbuster where you get 7 year old games that you have most likely played for 1000 of hours already but you can keep them because they wont make a profit off them anyway (save for maybe Halo and the locking of other gamemodes because of 6 year old DLC.

sincitysir13804d ago

That "we keep them forever" excuse is bullcrap. Ur telling me ur fine getting a 5 dollar game and being it able to play it. Beat it. Come back in 5 years and play it again? Yeah I'd rather get 30 dollar games for the year I'm subscribed. Beat it delete it and move on to the next delicious blockbuster waiting for me

Kayant3804d ago (Edited 3804d ago )

@thereapersson

"you can keep the games as long as you want, even if your Live subscription lapses?"

Yep that's how I got halo 3/Fable 3 ;) No strings attached.

But really I much prefer Sony's way as you get access to newer games & it's a better incentive for me to buy a yearly sub than only when I need online.

The only way MS can change this is to go with Sony's setup because they are not going to be giving away £25+ free games to 40+ million people monthly which is understandable.

Even though I got into X360 gaming late I would much rather have access to newer games than having very old games given to me for free.

MightyNoX3804d ago

@Kayant

Not only does Sony give us access to newer games, it's also a great incentive to get people to purchase sequels.

I wasn't interested in Darksiders II till I played Darksiders one on PS+. Same goes for X-Com: Enemy Within. Both were free games and both made go out and buy their sequels. :)

GameSpawn3804d ago (Edited 3804d ago )

@MightyNoX

I agree. I had ZERO interest in Saints Row until I got Saints Row 3 with PS+. I had such a freaking blast with the game that as soon as I had the chance I preordered Saints Row 4.

Another PS+ game I had fun with was "The Cave". I would have never gone out on a limb to buy it, but since I had PS+ there was nothing to lose and it was a fun little game. If they ever make a sequel you can bet that I'll grab it.

The only games that are on PS+ or have been on PS+ since I subscribed that I already own are Uncharted 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur -- technically ICO and Shadow of the Colossus too, but I have those for the PS2.

Benchm4rk3804d ago

@UnHolyOne

Not true for all trial cards. I had a few stored up and though I would use one for my sons 360 and get some games for him. Most trial cards allow for limited access to gold functions. Most only allow for online multiplayer gameplay

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3804d ago
AngelicIceDiamond3804d ago

It would be fine if they were newer games.

Mystogan3804d ago

Wait, so this guy is telling me that getting free shit sucks?...

Hicken3804d ago

FREE LOBOTOMY FOR MYSTOGAN! How about it? Everything that's free is good, right?

Hey, I've got a free rusted out hunk of junk to give you, too.

And a free dead dog.

To top it all off, here's a free butt-kicking! No strings attached!

... yeah, free doesn't automatically equal good. If it's crap, or doesn't have much value anymore, it's not like being free does anything for it.

frostypants3804d ago

This would be like PSN giving away Folklore or something. "Er...thanks?"

sobekflakmonkey3804d ago

its funny, I kinda agree with you but I kinda don't, I actually never bought Folklore I had only played a demo or something, never got into it, if that popped up for free in PS+, I'd probably be pretty stoked, it seemed like a decent game.

But anyways, yeah, I don't mind not keeping the games forever, I usually beat a game and stop playing it, I actually have a stack of PS3 games that I've beaten and I'm not planning on going back to ever again, just collecting dust next to my PS3, same goes for digital psn games, I usually download them, beat them, and then delete them, because I'm finished with em, so yeah, I mean I guess it's nice to always have it, but majority of the games are games you can pretty much just get rid of, so I'm defs on board with PS+.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3804d ago
The_Game21x3804d ago

I don't care how they do it, I just want them to step their game up. I just re-upped my subscription to PS Plus for a year on Black Friday because Sony has brought their A-Game with PS Plus. Microsoft has to do better with this promo if they want to compete.

KonsoruMasuta3804d ago

The best games they had were Dead Rising 2, Halo 3, Assassin's Creed 2, and probably Fable 3. The rest were terrible arcade games.

They said it was going to get better but it got worst. And before the fanboys try to attack me, I'll state it right now, I have a 360 and was actually looking forward to this at first.

Software_Lover3804d ago (Edited 3804d ago )

LOL.

Let them learn. It will change in the near future. They will have to make changes to compete. People expect way too much too early now a days. PS+ was in it's infancy at one point also.

Atleast you can keep the games forever...........if you want them.

Mac4203804d ago

Who cares AC3, Spec Ops The Line, Grid 2.... Meanwhile Gears of War, Halo 3, AC2, they haven't even given us a game that has came out in past 3 years. Course they let us keep them without gold, games are ancient. I have a 360 but plan on switching to Ps4 mainly because XBL is no longer worth it, party chat was the only up they had an now Ps4 has it.

That's the problem with people on XBL, Just because's it has a subscription fee people feel any other service is inferior, they just all buy into the bs MS gives us.

I have always been a Big MS fan but as of late, They have been slipping an a lot of people I play with an even fellow friends feel the need to defend them around me it's sad step your game up.

Dedicated Halo Fan.

BitbyDeath3804d ago

PS+ had an infancy stage because it began with 0 subscribers. Xbox already has millions so the money should already exist to compete with Sony

Why o why3804d ago (Edited 3804d ago )

Both camps have had me too tactics but this me too tactic isnt even comparable to ps+ when in launched. Again, both have adopted me too tactics.

Ps+ is the defacto even if some call it a glorified rental service. Keeping 3, 4+ year old games isn't a unique selling point in my opinion. A year rental is more than enough and IF you really want the game that badly after your subscription expires it'll probably be dirt cheap so buying it instead of renewing shouldnt really be an issue. The only negative is if the game is released towards the latter end of your subscription meaning you could effectively have less than a calender month to enjoy the title. Apart from that, its the best service of its kind on console.

speedforce1313804d ago

I don't know why the guy was defending it in the first place LOL! Games with Gold is laughable. To even bring it up to compare to Playstation Plus is laughable.

Show all comments (51)
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
EasilyTheBest4d ago

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

GamerRN3d ago

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

Number1TailzFan3d 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.

1Victor2d ago

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

Kosic2d ago

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

darthv722d ago

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

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts2d 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.

KicksnSnares4d ago

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

darthv723d 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.

mudakoshaka3d 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.

PassNextquestion3d 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.

TiredGamer3d 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?

rlow13d ago (Edited 3d 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.

Traecy3d ago (Edited 3d 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.

TiredGamer3d 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
bionicstar3d ago

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

PhillyDonJawn3d ago

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

RaidenBlack3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

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

Sonic18813d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast3d ago

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

3d ago
Lightning773d ago

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

Make smarter comments for once.

anast3d ago (Edited 3d 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.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

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

3d ago
3d ago
3d ago
3d ago Replies(1)
Lightning773d ago (Edited 3d 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.

3d ago
anast3d ago (Edited 3d 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.

Lightning773d 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.

anast3d ago

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

Lightning773d ago

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

Again make smart comments for once.

anast2d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
darthv723d ago

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

jimb0j0nes3d 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
darthv728d 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.

solideagle8d ago

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

Sonic18818d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio7d 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:

Lightning777d ago

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

Cacabunga8d 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.

darthv727d 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.

neutralgamer19927d 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

shinoff21838d 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.

Cacabunga8d 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

itsmebryan7d 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

S2Killinit7d 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.

romulus237d ago

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

darthv727d 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.

TheEroica7d ago (Edited 7d 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.

Chevalier7d 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/...

itsmebryan6d ago

@chevalier

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

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 6d ago
purple1018d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos8d ago

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

DOMination-7d 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.

XBManiac8d ago

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

SimpleDad8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

purple1018d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos8d ago (Edited 8d 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

Kornholic8d ago

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

MrDead7d 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 7d ago
Show all comments (46)