by Mike Ybarra, Director of Program Management for Xbox Posted on January 19, 2016
In November, we transformed Xbox One to make it the fastest and most social Xbox experience ever. We continue to evolve the Xbox experience based on your feedback and I’m excited to announce the first of a set of new features releasing in 2016. Rolling out to the Xbox One Preview audience starting today, and to Windows 10 PC & mobile Xbox Beta app members next week, are a host of updates. This month, we’re focused on continuing to improve social features to help you stay connected to the Xbox Live community across console and PC, while bringing these experiences closer together.
The former president of Blizzard Mike Ybarra in a statement on Twitter says Microsoft Gaming CEO is hurting just as much as anyone else following the closure of three studios under Bethesda - Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Studios. Roundhouse Games is also joining ZeniMax Online Studios.
Yeahhh I doubt it's hurting a millionaire as much as it's hurting fans and people who lost their jobs
Mike Ybarra‘s defence of Phil Spencer is the dictionary definition of tone deaf. Even Alanah Pearce, who’s close to Aaron Greenberg and Phil called him out on it.
“Mike, I have a lot of fondness for Phil and don’t doubt he’s incredibly bummed about this, but CEOs can handle some “shots” amidst people having their lives destroyed. Your sympathetic posts should solely be directed at those who’ve lost their jobs.”
https://x.com/charalanahzar...
What makes you think these are Phil's decisions? This is likely coming from Microsoft, and not the Xbox division.
At this moment, even Xbox fanboys are starting to hate Microsoft. It's fu**up, after fu**up, after fu**up... that's the state of Microsoft gaming.
Purchasing developers left and right, then killing them off...
Phil was the worst thing that happend to Xbox. Might as well just shut down their gaming division and fu** off
Poor Phil. He must be crying into his bonus cheques. Makes your heart bleed doesn't it?
I'm sure he'll be upset that those cheques contain a small percentage of money MS is still making from the closed studios games too. Next time someone purchases High-fi Rush or Evil within all that money is now just Microsofts, just think the former devs at Tango who made Hi-fi Rush MS's most highly acclaimed game in years will get nothing more.
MS are buying these publishers for the big IP's like Elder Scrolls and Call of Duty they have little interest in the ones that don't make huge profits... and firing thousands and closing studios looks good on the next quarterly shareholder report. Gotta protect the share price.
This is all coming from the executive who thinks we should have the option to tip devs... apparently so publishers can pay devs minimum wage. Will someone think of the C-suite executives!!!
That was from a former Blizzard exec. Did Phil make a comment on that also?
edit: Oh, it wasn't Phil who said this himself.
Gott alove the tought process on that...gentlemen we need think of more ways to get money out of these..gamers...wait..what if they just gave us their money..like for free.
Yeah, the guy making $10m a year is hurting as much as those who have lost their jobs and are worrying about their future and supporting their family. /s
It takes a real lack of shame to even try put the Good Guy Phil™ spin on this. It's not going to work this time.
He's sitting around feeling sorry when he should of been doing everything in his power to get people jobs in other studios you're telling me after toys for Bob split from Activision there wasn't a opening in the call of duty mines for arkane it's just woah is me.
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra recently suggested an interesting concept that has sparked a debate among gamers - the idea of being able to tip developers after completing a game.
If I had a 100% way to be sure that this money would go to a fund or a reserve dedicated only to the guys who develop the games, be them designers, artists, programmers and so on, I could think about it.
But we all know that this 'tip' would only end up in a publisher's CEO pocket to buy a new yacht, so, no, I ain't tipping anyone anytime soon on this industry
Exactly these companies were raising money for good causes and gamers were donation and come to find out they are keeping a good chunk of be pie
Yeah tip your developer, 5% proceeds go to developer, 95% to the publisher or whoever. Isn't tipping for staff not making minimum wage? How about they just pay their developers properly and like you know, give them fair bonuses? Too much to ask from Blizzard these days, Kotick saw to that and is now laughing all the way to the bank.
It's the t**ts at the top looking at ways to cut devs wages and get the players to tip them like waiting staff, and I'll guarantee a percentage is skimmed and kept by Activision Blizzard. This is 100% for shareholder and CEO playouts.
I have to agree with this. On the surface tipping devs sounds like a great idea, but in the end it leads to pay cuts and subsidization of pay. Tips then become an expectation or the devs “can’t make a living.” Lastly, especially in the US, tip culture has gotten out of control, and it serves as an excuse not to properly pay employees. Sounds good but doesn’t end well.
@ Popsicle
I think your right on the nose with how much tipping has become rampant. Instead of it being a relationship directly between the customer and the developer or employee, it now has a middle man ingrained in the system. DoorDash is one example. It ends up becoming a metric where the company can measure 'just how much more money you are willing to part with' before raising the price on the main product.
Uh so they’re trying triple dip or more we buy the game that they’re already withholding/cutting content for dlc we was told that season pass would help the developers thrive we felt for it.
Now on top of all that plus their sales bonus they want tips enough is enough whatever happens to you create/built a good game get a bonus for sales milestones you care about your game and community we reward you with more sales not for doing 3/4 of a game then save the other 1/4 for dlc and passes after
Very well said. If it was possible to send the money to either the developer or some organization for the betterment of gaming, sure. But we all know that will not be the case.
No, it would go to those on the top. They will still fire developers, have a bunch of microtransactions, raise prices of games and so on.
So they eventually don't pay their workers and depend on our tips to pay them like the case with waiters!
That kind of practice is only normal in the states, as far as I know anyway, what a backwards system
Ireland is literally the first stop across the pond and we don't have a tipping culture. The only establishments here that would expect a tip are the tourist haunts that Americans visit. Other than that, you might tip in a restaurant as a sign of gratitude for great service and waiting staff would be paid a full wage anyway.
Is this a joke? How about the big wigs giving up some of their pay for their hard working developers.
Former Xbox executive Mike Ybarra has applauded PlayStation first party games as “bangers” that are worth celebrating.
Must be hard if you're passion is gaming and the company you work for only wants to purchase and lock away what's already there. Seeing what Nintendo, PlayStation and independent studios can do with far less recourses just makes MS very unappealing.
How objective can he be? He's right. Most of those games Microsoft's has were 3rd party creations in production that Microsoft would have gotten anyway.
You trying to hide that fact is the actual bullshit we should worry about. Just because he said something nice about PlayStation doesn't change anything about what we already knew.
I don’t think you guys understood z2g.
On topic: yeah, it would have been so bland without PlayStation’s amazing hits.
@StormSnooper
“ I don’t think it should be hard to be objective. ”
Was a response to.
“ Must be hard if your passion is gaming and the company you work for only wants to purchase and lock away what's already there.”
Which was a response to
“ Former Xbox Executive Applauds PlayStation First Party Games As “Bangers””
(Among many comments by Ybarra)
Is that a correct understanding?
I couldn’t agree more with him, but i hope Sony reveal some games in the near future
Actually, they purchased studios, but promised not to lock away any existing franchises. Only future, new IP.
In case you weren't sure... This is the same thing Sony has done for years and it's what got them where they are ...
Microsoft is just catching up with big studios Sony can't afford.
I'll make it easy for you, show me anyone in the industry spending over $80 billion on two publishers and I'll except your point... if not then this "This is the same thing Sony has done for years and it's what got them where they are" is pure BS.
Ohhhh... My bad, so what upsets you is that they paid more than Sony can afford?
You DO realize most of Sony's 1st party studios started off as 3rd party studios, right? They purchased them a long time ago, and now you seem to forget that they grew in the same way Microsoft is today, just Microsoft has a much, much larger bank account....
It's not pure BS, it's a fact.
Naughty Dog was founded in 1984, acquired in 2001 by Sony. That's probably their main one, should I go on? It doesn't take much to Google and see for yourself. I think you need to brush up on your video game history young man...
$80 billion on two multiplatform publishers filled with studios, MS is responsible for the biggest consolidation in the history of the industry and that's all you have as a response!?!... child go home, it's past your bed time.
So again, what upsets you is they bought more than Sony can afford? Sony, over the years, has purchased almost all of their studios. Microsoft just did it quicker and all at once.
I guess you really don't know your video game history...
Yes, Microsoft has made the largest single purchase in video game history. And Sony immediately bought Bungie to keep up. The below might not be the same, but Sony bought studios before Microsoft even got their feet wet in the gaming industry...
Difference is Sony has helped build those studios and put them all under one umbrella that gets their support.
M$ clearly does not support their acquisitions or want them to grow like Sony does with theirs. Studios have been built up under Sony’s guidance, whereas M$ bought already established third party in the industry and is leaving them hanging, blowing in the breeze, as evidenced by Redfall—that Nintendo seal of quality or Sony oversight is clearly lacking when even their biggest game, Halo, wasn’t supported the way it should have been and just pushed out the door for money.
M$ doesn’t want to sell you high quality entertainment and enjoyment, the want you to buy into their ecosystem where you rent for perpetuity.
Do you see the difference now?
So you think Sony doesn't want you to buy into their ecosystem? You think they bought these studios and made first party exclusives diy any reason other than to get you to buy into their ecosystem? I hate to tell you, but it's the same thing. Sony has better PR right now due to fanboy mentality.
Also, Sony didn't communicate these studios, they grew. Come back in 10 years, since it took Sony 15 years for most of the studios to develop, and let's see where Microsoft is...
Honestly, the double standard is huge with fanboys.
"Also, Sony didn't communicate these studios, they grew. Come back in 10 years, since it took Sony 15 years for most of the studios to develop, and let's see where Microsoft is..."
Didn't you just mention double standards?! Why does Xbox get a pass for not developing the studios they own over the last 15 years then? Playstation studios and even Nintendo studios have developed light years ahead of Xbox studios and it didn't take them making $80 Billion in purchases.
Xbox studios have overall been pretty terrible in terms of quality over the same span.
Playstation and Nintendo developed or further developed new/old IP like Uncharted, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn, TLOU, Xenoblade Chronicles, Fire Emblem, Zelda, Smash, Pokemon. Whereas Xbox in that same time has what Recore? Sea of Thieves? And AA IPs?
I'm not casting a double standard, I'm asking you to give Microsoft the same time that it took Sony to develop anything worthwhile...
Also let's not forget they've closed studios and dumped staff also...
As far as developing new IP, Guerilla Games was purchased in 2005 by Sony. Horizon Zero Dawn was release 2017.
My point? Why don't you give Microsoft 12 years with these studios before you judge them? They aren't going to just shit out banger after banger... Even Bethesda dropped a few average games, but they still produced some solid games as well with Microsoft.
You are being very one sided.
Since you don't know your video game history, here's a site that shows you all of their studios, and when they bought them. Please note the major ones, like Naughty Dog, Guerilla Games, all started off as 3rd party studios.
https://gameworldobserver.c...
I get that and actually agree with you. Still, buying COD and Bethesda and Id is a little different than Guerilla or ND 15 years ago.
Plus, you are still Missing my point that Sony supports theirs while M$ does not.
Also, I lived through all of gaming history, I’m old! Bought Xbox in the past and probably will again, so yeah, that’s part of the reason I’m not supporting them now. They seem to not care about the day one product.
So your problem is that they bought studios that already proved their value? Well, that's why they paid so much instead of gambling like Sony did for years. Sony took a lot of chances because the competition was slim. Microsoft doesn't have the luxury of time, because fanboys are criticizing everything they do. Because of that, they have to spend larger amounts of money on studios that already have a proven value and IP because they don't have 20 years to let it grow, they have to catch up now!
@ Abear21
A complete lack of understanding is used as their defence, one company grows industry while the other spends more than any other in the industry's history to consolidate a mammoth part of it.
It's like saying a brick is the same as a house.
Edit: actually just ignore him, looking down the comments it just seems like they are having one of those days.
So when Sony buys companies, and 15 years later they produce good games, they are growing the industry. When Microsoft buys companies, they need to produce a hit immediately, and already they are just consolidating the industry and killing gaming and locking up exclusives...
Well, that seems like the most double standard thing said on this thread...
Naughty Dogs about to fall. Neil Druckmanns ego has gotten the better of him and it's put a choke collar on the dog. Naughty Dog, also, hasn't been able to stay out of the woke/political game going after a small audience that's stirring up the bigger audience they should have more interest in, and Druckmann knows better. His upbringing has taught him doing the right thing brings success and going against what you know is right leaves one to themself.
It's great Druckmanns had success with The Last of Us, but it's all about him at this point. Naughty Dog have had a set pattern, there's a formula as well to keep things fresh and that vision is dying, plus, Druckmann doesn't have an opposing opinion to balance him like Wells and Balestra or Gavin and Ruben had. Naughty Dog have been focusing on remakes and remasters and that's not what Naughty Dog does. They were the pride of PlayStation at one time but, Druckmann has a choke collar on his teams. Also, keep in mind TEAMS. Naughty Dog ought to have two games ready to go, one to announce and other waiting to support that one.
I don't think they're doing as well as you're giving them credit for
I have yet to play Rise of the Ronin, but other that that, yeah, the PS5 is killing in this first quarter of 2024, I still can't get enough of Helldivers 2 and FFVII is probably a very strong contender to be GotY
I've hear tremendous things regarding ff7 but yeah....helldivers 2 is keeping me really busy. Spreading democracy is hard work!
It is a surprisingly fun game.... I hope it holds my attention now than 6 months, I fear it might get repetitive faster than bigger games do...
Oh I get it you’re a troll. Being paid by M$ or not getting laid, or both.
M$ puts their games on Gamepass day one to sway you to not buy the game but rent the service, Sony doesn’t do this. It’s safe to buy their games day one.
Microsoft’s problem isn’t the “fanboys” it’s the fact that blind loyalists such as yourself don’t realize the “fanboys” are responding to how M$ has moved.
Wake me up when they release something noteworthy from one of the giant can’t miss game companies they bought up.
Can’t wait to play another Doom or Elder Scrolls. Those will be the only games worth playing and I’m sure they won’t be as good as their past games because, as I’ve stated but you seem to ignore, they will get no support and probable be forced to release the game even if it’s not complete.
I'm a troll because I like Helldivers 2 and I'm worried if it's going to still be fun in 6 months?
Sony has multiple banger exclusives, which is why I have a PS5. God of War is still my favorite, although Uncharted is my favorite franchise. I still didn't finish TLOU or TLOU2, but I enjoyed what I played of the remake of the first one.
I still like GT over Forza, but I sometimes think it's a color palette thing. That being said, old GT is better than new GT.
This is how I know people are fanboys though... God forbid you say anything about Sony that isn't praise, and they come after you. Just buy both damn consoles and stop being such a troll yourself...
I'm loving rise of ronin alot more than i was expecting. the reviews didn't cover half the stuff the game does well.
@elda
I just got it yesterday and played at night and morning. I have off till Wed. To play it
I rarely compare games, folks got on my mf nerves with comparing it to tsushima, they're not even tryna be like that game, I'm definitely gone cope rise of ronin soon it looks fun af
I'm loving rebirth even remake. I'm also one of the ones that hate modern ff games. Ff7 trilogy is actually really dope.
I've got no interest in helldivers. I just don't play online games. Sounds good for those that do.
Not trying to convince you at all but I never played an online game either.
180 hours later
Even Phil, when he's posted about playing PS titles.
It's undeniable that PS Studios lead the industry in consistency, even with the recent GaaS blunders except Helldivers 2
While I do agree that Sony puts out bangers, the consistency part imo goes to Nintendo, they rarely, if ever put out bad games. The only thing that may make a Nintendo game seem weak is, another Nintendo game lol. Like Galaxy being better than Sunshine, Metroid prime being better than prime 3, ect.
Even their smaller projects are tons of fun.
I've gotta agree. Luigi's Mansion and Metroid Prime are some of my favorite games of that generation, but Sony takes the crown for the narrative, deeper experiences that Nintendo doesn't try to venture into
No one is denying it Microsoft stated for years they would internally review PlayStation exclusive games and it's been shown that they would detail how incredible games like tlou are internally along with public tweets congratulating both Sony and Nintendo on their big launches like tears of the kingdom.
Some people are not going to like this story, while others will do their best to avoid commenting.
I'm observing this conversation to see who you might be talking about. Intently watching.
Well that's true Abnor
But look at it this way, this isn't the first time we heard what a former Xbox exec really thinks of Playstation. Remember when Peter Moore spoke about how obsessed Xbox execs were with Sony? He even OPENLY admitted that his company intentionally pushed the "console war" narrative to help sales
And before someone says I'm lying about that, here is Peter Moore's interview
https://metro.co.uk/2022/07...
They really do deliver the goods and consistently. You gotta love PlayStation even of you hate PlayStation.
Awesome stuff! No backwards compatible games mentioned though? :(
Wow. Loads of features coming next month! Looking forward to getting the achievement leaderboard back!
I hope to God and his son Jesus that the reintroduction of the avatar store means that Full House Poker will finally get ported, backcompat and/or a full sequel on X1.
Nice update.