400°

Microsoft explains where the Xbox falls into CEO Satya Nadella's master plan

When Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella first took the job back in early 2014, he laid out a bold vision for the company: "Mobile first, cloud first."

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businessinsider.com
christocolus3140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

"He is fully on board with gaming," Senior Global Product Marketing Manager for Xbox Live Mike Lavin says of Nadella.

That was a nice read. Good to know the CEO is fully committed to gaming.

d_g3140d ago

agree he seems very interested in the cloud and gaming

NewMonday3140d ago

XBL as a service is the new plan, they want to take on Steam now and get off the console competition, moving Halo and Gears to the PC is how they plan to push subscribers

d_g3140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

yeah so you believe that Microsoft going to leave Xbox one and Xbox live Profits to compete with Steam ? not even close

PC gamers not gonna pay for Xbox live Subscription even if they release more Xbox exclusives on PC.

freshslicepizza3140d ago

@NewMonday,
"XBL as a service is the new plan, they want to take on Steam now and get off the console competition, moving Halo and Gears to the PC is how they plan to push subscribers"

did we read the same thing? not sure how you got to that point but it's clear microsoft wants to encompass windows across all devices. it does not mean they are no longer competing with other consoles. what's next, because playstation now is on some tv's that they are going to become like steam and get away from console competition?

lxeasy3140d ago

@NewMonday you are so far off, lmaol
Reread the article

APexGamer453140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

@D_G and moldybread and others...

It seems like you guys are making assumptions to fit what you want to hear and actually reject the article itself...

-"transitioning into a company that doesn't care what device you use,"
-"Want to use Office on an Android tablet? Fine. Want to run Skype on a Mac? Cool."
-"Crossover appeal"
-"making it easier for developers to make a game once and sell it everywhere."
-"enable multiplayer gaming between the PC and console"

He really havent mentioned much about using cloud to push Xbox like you guys have are really hoping...

It really was more about blurring X1 and PC.

d_g3140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

@APexGamer45 "He really havent mentioned much about using cloud to push Xbox like you guys have are really hoping... "

first of all you need to read my comment again

i didn’t mention anything about Xbox one...i just said cloud And Gamaing

also he did say "mobile first, cloud first." and now he’s talking about gaming on windows and Xbox one,dose that make sense to you now ?

stop making conclusions i didn’t say

APexGamer453140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

@D_g

No assumption. you said "cloud and gaming" and i am also basing it off your response to NewMonday.

Except the the article focuses more on sharing software across multiple devices and blurring PC and Xbox.

Nothing much about "cloud and gaming" like you are saying.

I am not making any conclusions, but you need to stop bending stories into what you want to hear.

How many times do we need to go through different secret sauces?? Will we ever learn? or hype on to next secret sauces until this gen is over?

riverstars863140d ago

Read the article, now reading the comments, really lost on where apexgamer45 is coming from...

Sounds good that Microsoft is in gaming for the long run, we need strong competition in this industry, definitely don't want to see anybody leave the console apace.

fr0sty3139d ago (Edited 3139d ago )

d_g

as of now there are no Xbox One profits. The Xbox division has never profited. It lost 4 billion on the first Xbox, and has never recovered from that. 360 lost a billion more on RROD, and Xbox One has lost millions as well that still have yet to be recovered. Xbox Live is a service that can be moved to any platofrm. So, if they cut the unprofitable hardware out of the picture, or if they make Xbox akin to the windows version of a steam machine (where it runs PC games, but in a console form factor), and make Xbox Live the distribution platform for those games, they stand to take a much stronger position in the gaming market. Don't worry, their games make them money, so they'll keep most of the studios they have even if they stop making a dedicated games console as Xbox systems in the past have been.

Foehammer3139d ago

ROFL

I think d_g is smart enough to check the independently audited finial reports for MS.

Xbox has made profit EVERY year since 2008 inclusive.

360 sold better than Original xbox and X1 sells better than 360.

MS stocks are at a 15 year high

That's why we see articles, including this one saying that Xbox consoles aren't going anywhere.

That's why MS can spend BILLIONS on MineCraft and Skype.

That's why MS bought Havok.

CartBlanche3139d ago

I agree with @NewMonday. Microsoft have lost 2 console generations, albeit very closely last gen, but this gen is another clear loss, in terms of pure units sold and number of gamers picking up an Xbox One. If they can't shift product, from a purely business stand point, there are not many compelling reasons to stay in that game.

Xbox Live is profitable for them and having it on everything from PC to mobiles and it being a service makes sense. Expect to see Xbox Live on iOS and Android soon enough. This also explains Microsoft's shift from console units to Xbox Live usership. If Xbox Live wasn't going to be that big a deal, they wouldn't have stopped mentioning console sales in favour of XBL usership, as was announced last week.

Think folks, all the hints are out there ;)

sonarus3139d ago

I wouldnt say they lost last gen. In fact i would say last gen was VERY successful for them at least compared to 1st xbox and xbox1. In fact i would say the reason why PS4 has done a lot better is because they learned A LOT from the lagging position when Xbox was ahead of them. Xbox on the other hand seemed to get cocky and lost its way.

@D_G i am pretty sure the Xbox division is a loss for MS right now. Ms however is a big company that can swallow those losses. But not forever because shareholders don't like losing money. Share holder pressure eventually is the only thing that can really force MS out of the gaming sphere. Regardless there is money to be made in gaming and i don't think Microsoft will try to leave but i expect they will tweak their strategy somewhat to ensure better profitability in the future. Like Sony tweaked their strategy after PS3 and realized coming out with a 600 dollar console wasnt good business.

Tzuno3139d ago

yes yes the cloud aka always online.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 3139d ago
ABizzel13140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

I remember saying this is the direction MS should go what.... almost 2 years ago now, and was swarmed with disagrees. But now it's all "yes MS, this is the way to go, love it...., etc..."

As I said once before, MS needs to use Xbox as a brand that bridges console and PC gaming, it gives them a much larger audience to sell to, and it removes them from being a direct competitor to PS. There are hundreds of millions of PCs out there, and XB4 could be a viable option for many of those PC users.

Each console could have it's own niche, and reach maximum success.

PS for traditional console gaming (although it'll probably dive much deeper into Linux and partner up more if XBL does make an impact on PC).

Nintendo for their first party offerings (although if NX struggles, Nintendo might go handheld only, which to me wouldn't be bad at all)

and

Xbox aka the PConsole, that blends the line between desktop and gaming console.

Each has it's on niche and market to sell to, so each platform can reach max success without having to compete against one another as much.

RiseofScorpio3140d ago

That is pointless. PC lamers aren't gonna pay for Live plus there is piracy concerns.

BitbyDeath3140d ago

Live will probably be free for PC gamers.
Good to hear the vision finally laid out, hopefully Xbox unifying with PC will end the console wars.

donthate3140d ago

Waluigi:

Why wouldn't PC gamers pay for Live?

Live offers free games monthly, and it would be really cool if those same games worked on the PC.... 2x Xbox One games and 2x Xbox 360 games every month!

Sounds like a good deal to me! :)

hiredhelp3140d ago

Waluigi:

Why wouldn't PC gamers pay for Live?

Live offers free games monthly, and it would be really cool if those same games worked on the PC.... 2x Xbox One games and 2x Xbox 360 games every month!

Sounds like a good deal to me! :)
—---------------------------- ------------------
Because we in all the years of windows launched never been forced to pay to play online free games or not.
We have a voice PC have always been vocal stand our ground MS tried the stunt with paying GFWL before within year failed flat on there face gamers for most part never botherd with it, This is what we do inturn MS made GFWL free because we stood our ground.
One the many reasons I respect PC Community.
MS stated They will not take on steam but gladly work with them.
MS could say right no steam on my platform that be worst thing for PC Gamers But nightmare for MS as Valve now has steam OS ppl simply download there OS on there computer continue to use there purchases but that wont happen.
Thing is MS and sony have worked with PC bringing games over to pc too I hope one day all platforms can work together.

JOHN_DOH3140d ago

The problem with xbox live on pc is they don't have enough of their own games. For example, if a xbox user wants to play battlefield online they need xbox live. But on pc if you want to play battlefield, you need origin. (even their "exclusive" titanfall plays on origin) Also the xbox marketplace can't compete on digital distribution on pc. So they have forza, halo, and gears, which could bring some gamers over but most probably won't pay a subscription to play those games online.

dcbronco3139d ago

If Microsoft offered two free PC, Xbox and 360, plus two phone games and PC gamers still don't want to pay then fine. It's hard to get them to change after years of not paying for online. And you can't force them to pay for sales and compete with Steam. The best Microsoft can do is offer games that play across multiple platforms for Live Gold and free online for PC with no free games.

The idea that this is a way to move away and competition what Sony is a joke. I'm sure Sony sees it as a threat. The ability to buy once across all platforms for one price when that includes PC and phone beats what Sony has to offer with Vita.

Add the fact that its all one OS and the developers only code once with minor adjustments means this is far cheaper to do so and easier to do so. Cost matter a ton to the developer. Despite the current size of Windows phone user base a twenty million dollar game that releases on phone, PC and Xbox does so to an install base of hundreds of millions. On Sony's platform you will spend additional money getting it on phone, Vita and PC. For smaller developers Windows means opportunity. For larger developers it means savings.

Microsoft has been working on this for years. But so have a lot of others including Apple. But for right now Microsoft has the advantage. And surveys have shown its working because a lot more developers are working on Windows universal apps than were working on Windows phone in the past.

nitus103139d ago (Edited 3139d ago )

For well over 15 years Linux distributions have used application servers to distribute updates and install packages. This is exactly how Android and IOS (Apple) work with regard to updates and package installs as well.

Basically Microsoft has been very late to the party but this is the way they are now going by having what is called "Software as a Service" (nothing new here either). Yes Microsoft updates have been around for many years but only for Microsoft products.

Having and controlling application servers for all things PC related gives Microsoft a tremendous advantage since it is very easy for them to force users to only use their services and Microsoft is no stranger to doing this.

EEE or Embrace, Extend, Extinguish is still the mentality of Microsoft it is now just wrapped up in more eloquent market speech.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3139d ago
Famous3140d ago

No one is questioning their commitment to gaming in some shape or form, people are questioning if Xbox as a console will be part of that future.

They seem to be all about unification at the same time as pushing away from Xbox and the console competition space in general.

For example. They won't give shipping numbers for the Xbox One, Phil Spencer saying he wants 360 games on PC and many other things as of late seems distant to Xbox while becoming more close with PC.

They pretty much don't talk about Xbox without mentioning the PC. This did not happen last gen.

For starters, look how many times PC was mentioned in this very article.

christocolus3140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

Didnt Phil just say there would be another xbox and maybe you should go back and read Nadellas mission statement(June 2015).

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

Even if gaming across xbox, hololens and windows is unified, there will still be another xbox console and each windows device will play its part in the new MS ecosystem. Nothing stops MS from doing this. They have a steady fanbase and acording to the CEO xbox has a vital role to play in ther future plans nothing they have said points to xbox as a console going away. Again Phil talked about this just yesterday.

3140d ago
Famous3140d ago

Companies say alot of things.

How many times has Microsoft said a game was exclusive to Xbox and said game ended up on other platforms?

They very well could be, but their actions lately don't say that, in my opinion.

RiseofScorpio3140d ago

He wants 360 games on PC because he doesn't want pirates to steal all those games via emulation.

FlexLuger3140d ago

@Famous

They are talking about the unification of windows across all MS hardware. NOT putting xbox games on every windows device...you can play xbox games on tablet and PC though...its called streaming and you still need an xbox and a xbox copy of the game for that. Thats how this all works. Do pay attention to the facts, instead of running off on your own conjecture.

You get so carried away with your wishful thinking, that you forget about the facts. Whats even funnier Is the way you are in EVERY xbox article trolling the shit out of it. and you dont even own an xbox. You try so hard to convince people of whatever negative shite you have to say about the xbox. You remind me of Magicite AKA dimitri and I have strong reason to beleive you are just another of his dupe accounts...you say the same shit and you have the same motives...you even have the same typing style...Conicidence? I think not.

"They pretty much don't talk about Xbox without mentioning the PC"

There are plenty where they dont talk about the PC, and they get submitted here. Funniliy you are not in them, because there is nothing for you to spin.....Conincidence? I think not

On a side note...Im watching lighting clouds from above...scary shit. some bermuda triangle shit going on outside the window of this plane! lol. Last post from me for the next two weeks anyway. I land in two hours, yay!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3140d ago
Automatic793140d ago

Well said Christocolus

MS is aligning themselves for the future. So many changes have come this generation with MS and all changes have been good. For us gamers the biggest change was MS going back to the Original Xbox when it was all about exclusives. MS is known for incubating some big blockbuster games, lead with software upgrades and continue to push Xbox Live. So far the Windows 10 on all MS devices shows that MS is definitely believing in Xbox One, games will lead windows 10 and all its devices hence reason Satya is fully on board with gaming more specifically Xbox One.

CaptainObvious8783139d ago

It's really amazing to see investor's keep letting MS build new consoles to receive little return.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3139d ago
Fro_xoxo3140d ago

The CEO is on board, and Phil said earlier he fully expects another Xbox. There's nothing to worry 'bout.

--

There will be many attempts to troll here, do your best to ignore.

CaptainObvious8783139d ago

I'm sure that's relieving for some, but how many times have MS executives flat out lied?

Sure, all companies lie, but MS is on a whole other level.

n4rc3140d ago

"The real crux of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella vision is the idea of putting the user first. Want to use Office on an Android tablet? Fine. Want to run Skype on a Mac? Cool."

love it..

TheUndertaker853140d ago

Those features are already available and have been...

I've been able to download Office for my Android for some time. Apple products have also been able to use Skype.

n4rc3140d ago

i know.. but i love that they are expanding on the idea

3140d ago
3140d ago Replies(1)
343_Guilty_Spark3140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

Xbox games on Console and Windows 10 PC. Shared storefront, cross buy, cross play on Xbox Live. Possibility of Universal Xbox games optimized for PC and the next console.

Xbox Mobile games on iOS, Android, and WIndows 10 phones.

Mkcrosoft is a devices and services company.

They aren't going anywhere.

343_Guilty_Spark3140d ago (Edited 3140d ago )

I'd love see someone explain the disagrees. Are people afraid this might further make their console war propaganda a meaninglessly stupid debate?

Microsoft is all about giving users options. Just look at their latest example the Surface Book: it's a powerful notebook, a tablet, it has touch, pen support, and an extremely versatile OS.

nitus103139d ago

All Microsoft only products so the Embrace, Extend, Extinguish saying is still alive and well but only wrapped up in market speak.

There are alternatives however most people don't know of them and most likely don't care since a Microsoft OS is good enough for them. It is different in the smart phone area though were Linux (Android - 83%) and IOS (Apple - 14%) dominate.

Don't believe those figures then look up the following: http://www.idc.com/prodserv...

3140d ago Replies(2)
Maxor3140d ago

I wonder if this is nothing more than PR empty promises. Gears of War is out for the Xbox One while the PC version is no where in sight and without a release date. Cross play sounds good on paper but without a multiplat release date then it's pointless.

Show all comments (62)
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
piroh6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

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

ChasterMies5d ago

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

OtterX5d 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.

RNTody5d ago

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

S2Killinit5d ago (Edited 5d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic4d 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.

rob-GP1d 8h ago

@FinalFantasyFanatic "They should have had unqiue names like Nintendo..."

lol, you mean:

NES, SNES
GameBoy, GameBoy Advanced, GameBoy Colour, GameBoy SP
DS, DSi, DSXL
3DS, 3DS XL, New 3DS, New 3DS XL
Wii, Wii U
Switch, Switch OLED

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 8h ago
Cacabunga5d ago (Edited 5d 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_5d ago

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

Cacabunga5d ago

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

FinalFantasyFanatic4d ago (Edited 4d 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.

Rainbowcookie3d ago

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

bunt-custardly5d 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).

Cacabunga5d 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..

S2Killinit5d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic4d 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_5d 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

shinoff21835d ago (Edited 5d 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

ChasterMies5d 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 (31)
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 Fingers10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

F*** AI

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

Einhander197210d 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.

10d ago
10d ago
10d ago
darthv729d 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.

Einhander19728d ago (Edited 8d 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 8d ago
CaptainFaisal9d 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.

MrDead9d 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_Batman9d ago (Edited 9d 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.

Number1TailzFan9d 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

helicoptergirl9d ago

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

BlackDoomAx8d ago

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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 8d 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
Psychonaut8513d ago

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