1080°

Phil Spencer disagrees with Michael Pachter

Phil Spencer, director of Xbox, talked about the price of Xbox Scorpio and the affirmation of the analyst, Michael Pachter , who in recent days said that Microsoft will commit suicide if you put the console more than the $ 399 price. Honcho recognized that the device, scheduled to debut in a year, will be more expensive than the Xbox One S because it is a product for high - end consumers, but denied that Microsoft's success depends only on that decision or that product only .

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Kingthrash3602731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

So it's gunna cost more than $399?
Good luck with that phil.
I normally don't agree with pachter...but I think he is right on this.
Well the way he kept saying premium title and that it will be priced higher than the xbox s Which is what 299 at the lowest. ..you really think ms will jump from 1TB to 6 for 100 bucks more...with a bluray player new cpu/gpu higher ram...production costs...and the extra to make a profit from? Please bro, read between the lines here. If it costs 399.99 that will be cool for all that you get...but this is ms we are talking about. They released an underpowered console for 100$ more than the more power ps4....you really think they are gunna put more power into the scorpio and not make it cost you? ....here's hoping it's 399.99.....but my question to you is if its 499.99 or 599.99.....wold patcher be wrong? Will people flock to buy it? Would you buy that?

christocolus2731d ago (Edited 2729d ago )

"So it's gunna cost more than $399?"

Lol. Did you just pull that out of thin air? Nowhere in that interview does he state that it'll be above $399. He only says it will be priced higher than the Xbox One S and the standard Xbox One S bundle costs $299 and comes bundled with a game.

@Errorist

You ain't MS and until they announce the price, no one here can say what it will cost..and this interview obviously said nothing about that. Just that it will be priced higher than the Xbox One S. Anything outside this is pure speculation. The console will be out in another 12 months.There is plenty of time for MS to come up with a good price and so you know the standard XBS bundle costs $299 not $349

Errorist762731d ago

Are you kidding me?! The X1S 1TB is 349,- and the Scorpio is supposed to be 4 times as fast...do you really think it's gonna cost 399,-?!

GtR35olution2731d ago

I strongly believe the xbox one scorpio will cost $500 or $600 but not less than 500. The scorpio is suppose to have 12gbs of ram with a new cpu and gpu which wont be cheap.

Automatic792731d ago Show
OpieWinston2731d ago Show
blitz06232731d ago

Honestly it's difficult to tell, given how fast the tech moves. But if you look at it from the PS4 pro's perspective, the PS4 came out 3 years ago at 399.99. The Pro is about 2.2x more powerful and priced the same but 3 years later. The Scorpio will be around 1.5x more powerful, but a year later so a reasonable price is around 449.99 to 499.99

ger23962731d ago

So why not announce the price now? Priced higher than Xbox 1 s, which one 500 gb or the 1 to?

Kokyu2731d ago

@blitz

The Pro doesnt have anything new really in terms of tech but 5.0 wifi an hdmi 2.0 the rest is upclocked original Ps4 tech; gpu. Cpu and ram are all the same just up clocked.

The scorpio on the other hand is adding 4 more gigs of ram and a bigger GPU with 2tb hard drive I think 600$ is most likely the actual price.

mark_parch2731d ago

you have to remember it is still 12 months away. ps4 pro will probably be around $350 by then. I predict $450 for scorpio which seems reasonable to me

GrontB2731d ago

No more than 599 but with those specs and targeting native 4k it wouldn't go below 499. I can hardly do 4k with my Gtx 980ti. I'd say 499 is the lowest they could/would go but we will see.

darthv722731d ago

$399-499 for the basic model and $499-599 for the super deluxe model. That is... if they make a super deluxe model

CYCLEGAMER2731d ago

I don't think some of you people realize that the Scorpio doesn't come out until next year. By then the xb1 s will be at a lower price point and the parts for the scorpio will be much cheaper to produce than they are today.

freshslicepizza2731d ago

The Xbox One S starts at $299 with at least one game bundled. Scorpio will be at least $399 is my guess. If Microsoft can prove there is a substantial upgrade over the Pro then they can get away with it being higher than $400.

If Scorpio ends up more than $499 it will cater to only the higher end crowd like those who bought an elite controller. We also have to remember the PS3 sold rather well at $599 so let's stop acting like it's doomed if it's higher than $399.

The PS4 pro mainly upgraded just its GPU, Scorpio will get an all around upgrade. But again Microsoft will have to show actual substance over it and not just specs.

itsmebryan2731d ago

He pulled it out his a$$. Smh

curtis922731d ago

With Phil's response, yes, it will be more than $399. This was Phil's way of explaining WHY it'll be more than $399 without saying it will be more than $399.

Ashlen2731d ago

Of course its going to be more than $399. You can look at what all the parts they are talking about costs assume there will be cheaper when bought in bulk and there is still no way this thing can come in at $399.

A 6 TB GPU is 400, plus you have to factor in RAM the CPU a Motherboard Hard Drive and all the other bits like PSU case the plugs a controller ect. Even with bulk discounts there is no way all of that is coming in at the same price as a GPU alone.

Even as $499 it's unlikely that it will be sold at a profit.

Kurdishcurse2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

scorpio is allegedly able to run native 4k. if you think itll cost 400 then you are delusional. other than that, the graphics cards alone that can handle native 4k cost double or even triple a current gen console. expect scorpio to cost, at the very minimum, 1200$. this is IF it does native 4k in all or most of its games.

lalalala2730d ago

@christoculus - You need to read between the lines. If he disagrees with Pachter on the price, then it's going to be more expensive. It's a very safe assumption, because they did the same thing with the always online stuff before Xbox One launch.

Sounds like it will be at least $449, probably $499 if they follow the Xbox One's initial launch price which Phil thought was a brilliant price until he basically got no applause at the announcement. I seriously doubt it will be more than that.

ShadowKnight2730d ago

@Moldybread

When Sony sold the PS3 for $600 it was a disaster for the company and they learn their lesson from that.

BizarroUltraman2730d ago

The low end sku will cost $399, with the high end model at $449-499. And yes, I would still buy at those prices anything above that and Im out thil price drop. Good day.

DarkZane2730d ago

@christocolus

No he didn't pull that out of thin air. If Pachter says it's suicide to price it above 399.99 and Phil Spencer argues with him, then it's pretty obvious it's gonna be above that otherwise he would not argue.

Also, he did say Xbox 360 BC would not need software wizardry like on the Xbox One and Xbox One S and it would work flawlessly. Even if the Scorpio is more powerful, that's not gonna be possible unless they put the Xbox 360 architecture like Sony did to get PS2 games to run on 20/60GB PS3. Remember how expensive the PS3 was at launch? This was mainly due for that, because even with a blu-ray, if you took out the PS2 architecture, Sony could have shaven off 100$ minimum, probably more.

Spencer did say that it was gonna be a high product, so expect to pay more than 399.99$ for it. Also, if they believe they can make native 4K gaming work at 30fps with 6 teraflops, they're in for a surprise. 6 teraflops isn't enough for native 4K, even 1440p would struggle with this.

yomfweeee2730d ago

He posed it as a question, so no he didn't pull it out of thin air. It is a completely valid question. As others have said, there is no way this can be $399 unless MS takes a huge loss on it... which I don't think they will do. Specifically based on what Spencer said in the interview... they consider it a premium product compare to their existing products... so obviously it is going to sell for more.

+ Show (19) more repliesLast reply 2730d ago
ShadowKnight2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

True Native 4K 60fps console for $399??🤔 I have to see it to believe it😅 I really wanna know what GPU and CPU they'll be using from AMD. I wonder if the Scorpio will have two gpus in crossfire configuration? If it's $399 Microsoft will lose money and profit on every console they sell. Not a win win situation imo. If they want to keep losing money it's on them.

Gazondaily2731d ago

Yeah I agree. Such a beastly specced console can't be that cheap. No way.

Utalkin2me2731d ago

@Septic

Where are you getting your info for specs? I would like to read up on it. Cause i have yet to find full specs of the console.

Razrye22731d ago

Yeah septic let's see a link to these specs. Also xbox one and the Scorpio have to play the same games. There will be no Scorpio exclusive games. Making the extra power redundant.

Braveheart_NZ2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

The rumor is that the Scorpio will be using the new AMD Vega for graphics and an AMD Zen processor when both technologies get released next year, well before the release of Xbox Scorpio. Obviously those two technologies will be in a Vega + Zen SoC ( APU ). The links are posted if you want to read about the tech and both look very promising on delivering a lot of graphical and processing power. http://wccftech.com/amd-veg...
http://wccftech.com/amd-zen...

Christopher2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

***Where are you getting your info for specs?***

Just logical reasoning. @ShadowKnight mentioned "True Native 4k 60fps console" and to reach that, it would need to be a beastly console. Much more than what we have now. And it's not just GPU, it would need a much upgrade CPU as well. Remember, the requirements for doing 4k60fps on PC continues to increase as does the technology surrounding our medium. To think that consoles can come in at low 4k60fps gaming from 5 years ago and be okay going forward is ridiculous. We're going to be missing out on so much by doing that.

***Also xbox one and the Scorpio have to play the same games. There will be no Scorpio exclusive games. Making the extra power redundant.***

What? How is extra power redundant? If you want extra power, you get it. Just because you don't need it doesn't make it redundant. A PC gamer can build a godly machine and play games at ridiculous specs if they want, or they can build a mid-range or even a low-range PC. It all depends on what they prioritize, price or performance/looks. The Scorpio and Pro are doing just that. None of that makes any machine redundant, only an option.

freshslicepizza2731d ago

On the Pro it is a bit redundant if Sony is throttling the system back to make sure the games run like they do on the regular PS4. The Xbox One S had shown a different direction where that slight boost is there without an update by developers.

Plus it is unwise to compare specs with the PC. A closed system can do a lot more with less. Look at what the regular PS4 has done with its parts. Look at what Microsoft and the team that made forza horizon 3 and what they were able to do.

Mystogan2731d ago

If its a Zen CPU with a Vega GPU. 500-600 will be well worth it.

ChristopherJack2731d ago

PlayStation 1 & 2 built their success on selling at a loss & making it all back on licensing.

Kiwi662731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

If its around the $399 price range that is a good deal for what you get

Utalkin2me2731d ago

Again all rumors and blah blah blah. Nobody again has evidence of exactly what the console is. Soon as someone can post evidence of that, then get out of here with that bs stuff of rumors and such.

Christopher2731d ago

***On the Pro it is a bit redundant if Sony is throttling the system back to make sure the games run like they do on the regular PS4.***

That would be up to the developers, not Sony. Sony doesn't demand developers do this.

***Plus it is unwise to compare specs with the PC. ***

It would be even more unwise to ignore them as they have set a precedent of when people were capable of 4k on PC as well as what technology has come along since the release of the current consoles that have been implemented and widely used on PCs. Let alone the metrics of what is capable of 4k and what isn't as far as measurement of system capabilities. Optimization is a great thing, current systems are proof of that, but that doesn't suddenly mean you're going to get native 4k games that are going to meet the visual/quality expectations of what we have now with 1080p. Kind of the same way PSVR is an eye opener to what happens when you are the cheaper PSVR option with a weaker-then-the-normal-VR-PC behind it. You can hope, but to act as if it's a certainty when technology isn't pointing in that direction...

cyclindk2731d ago

If you could play any PC game on it, I would consider it. Otherwise it's potential for failure would be too risky to invest in it.

2731d ago
FITSniper2730d ago

Console hardware sales have typically been loss leaders for a few years before the company starts to break even. The terrible state of the global economy is what changed that.

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 2730d ago
Bigpappy2731d ago

Even at $499 it would sell well. What you are getting at that price point would be easily worth it for 6tf, 12G, RAM and supper high bandwidth .

S2Killinit2731d ago

yeah I don't know about that.

Obscure_Observer2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

@S2Killinit

Yeah you know. Ps3 was a 600 bucks worth machine at release against the Xbox 360 costing 200 bucks less and showing no superior performance on games whatsoever despise all that it manages to sell quite well.

If the Scorpio manages to deliver superior experiences and performance over the Pro and the Switch at 500 plus bucks price tag, you can bet your @$$ it will sale. ;)

2731d ago
MRMagoo1232730d ago

@obscure

it's sell not sale for a start. Your whole point is invalid anyway considering the ps3 was Sony and Sony sells always has MS on the other hand is not liked by most of the world.

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GUTZnPAPERCUTZ2731d ago

Scorpio has some serious power advantages compared to PS4 Pro... 12gb 320+gb/sec GDDR5 compared to 8gb 208gb/sec GDDR5, 6TFLOP GPU compared to a 4.2TFLOP GPU and most likely an 8 core ZEN CPU compared to a slightly over clocked PS4/X1 Jaguar CPU. I would bet it would be $450 or $500, no more and no less.

ShadowKnight2731d ago (Edited 2729d ago )

If it's $450 with tax it will still be almost $500 dollars in US 🤔 😅

S2Killinit2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

if people thought the jump from 1.3/1.8TFLP to Pro's 4.2TFLP was not a big deal, they will feel even less enthused about the Scorpio's power bump compared to the Pro.

Obscure_Observer2731d ago

@S2Killinit

"if people thought the jump from 1.3/1.8TFLP to Pro's 4.2TFLP was not a big deal, they will feel even less enthused about the Scorpio's power bump compared to the Pro."

Only in your world. The Pro is 2.5 more powerfull than the OG Ps4! It´s powerfull machine gimped by the OG Ps4´s parity clause. Studios starting developing for the OG Ps4 then enhance Ps4 games for the Pro. Sad but true. The soon devs start developing PS4 games with the Pro as the primary platform THEN will see the real power of the Pro.

Same applies to the Scorpio. ;)

GUTZnPAPERCUTZ2731d ago

The RAM difference alone screams 4k... GPU is not everything, most Console exclusive owners don't realize everything that goes into making games run the best with the hardware presented. CPU and RAM is a huge bottleneck for frame rate and 4k textures on the pro... The NEW CPU and Higher Bandwidth/More RAM will allow for this to become a reality, with PS4 pro running some games at native 4k and 30fps we should see Scorpio achieve the same graphical fidelity while running a native 4k frame and 60fps with out an issue!

BizarroUltraman2730d ago

@Shadow,

And the PS4 Pro was $425 after taxes for me. So whats your point. Im sure it will be just as or more expensive in your neck of the woods.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2730d ago
BossBattle2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

The Scorpio will be worth it for it's targeted consumers. It's for the same audience that would buy an elite controller for $150.

Razrye22730d ago

The Scorpio is no good without decent games. Which it sorely lacks

2731d ago Replies(3)
2731d ago
Trekster_Gamer2731d ago

King thrash speaks trash film at eleven

LastCenturyRob2731d ago

Kingthrash.... Even if it comes out at $499, that will be a steal for what you are getting under the hood. If that is too much there is the X1s which is a great system for the price.

2731d ago Replies(1)
Obscure_Observer2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

@Kingthrash360

"So it's gunna cost more than $399?"

Yes. It´s a PREMIUM console after all. But you know already knew this don´t you? ;) The funniest part about it? YOU GONNA PAY FOR IT!!!

So just stop pretending you´re concerned about the Scorpio´s future. ;)

trainsgofast2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

If MS paid 1.5B to AMD that puts you at next year at a cost of $400 - $500.
Without R&D on a new controller.

XXanderXX2731d ago

Think deal was more like 3 billion

2731d ago
XanderZane2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

The price of the Xbox One Slims will be lower by the time the Scorpio is released. The 2TB XB1 S will most likely be $350 by then. All those consoles will drop down at least $50. Scorpio will most likely be between 399.99 - 499.99

@Gaming_Cousin
It won't be $600. That would be suicide. That would be almost twice the price of the competition. If they released it today, yes, it probably would be $550 or $600, but it's a year away.

game4funz2731d ago

Xbox one s came out at 299$

#facts

Fantasticzig2731d ago

My prediction is that Xbox is just replacing the Steambox model, and there will ultimately be different tiers of Xbox for different graphics optimizations. If so, they could have models that cost thousands and basically market them as Surface PCs with an Xbox virtual console. Who knows.

Mrveryodd2731d ago

I paid 2 times that for a ps3 a decade ago so no I dont agree that it is dead out the gate , I will buy it no problem

noksucow732730d ago

I'd buy it at 499, but not over that. If it's over that I'll wait for a price drop. If it's what they say it is, with the specs and all, then I'd get it for 499. My Sega saturn cost me that much at launch. Lol

Deeke2730d ago

If Project Scorpio is able to hit native 4K and true 4K at 60FPS, it'll need to tap AMD's new hardware, including Vega and Zen. Polaris won't be strong enough to hit native 4K.

So...if this is true, it absolutely will be more than $399. Microsoft has already said that the console will be priced at a premium.

That being said, I disagree with Pachter. I think a lot of us do. He's not very succinct, and honestly I don't see how he still has his job. He can't properly explain specifications, can't explain basic things about the games industry very well.

daBUSHwhaka2730d ago

$450 for a PS3 at launch didn't stop sales so why would this be any different..

MRMagoo1232730d ago

cos this isn't Sony it's Microsoft only the usa likes them

nowitzki20042730d ago

I dont see it costing less than $499.

2730d ago
trooper_2730d ago

Can't see this being any less than $499+.

LordMaim2730d ago

@Moldy: Literally in every interview Spencer has given on Project Scorpio, he has repeated the messaging "Premium Price", to set the correct expectations. He is laying the groundwork for people not to get sticker shock on the PS3 level of pricing that a 6TF console is going to carry at launch.

+ Show (22) more repliesLast reply 2730d ago
ArchangelMike2731d ago

When corporate heads use phrases like " higher-end", or "premium" you immediately know that they are trying to justify why the product they are holding is going to be more expensive than it needs to be.

2731d ago Replies(2)
ArchangelMike2731d ago

To honest I don't think anyone was expecting the price of the PS4Pro to be $399. It'll be hard to beat though.

rdgneoz32731d ago

And MS wasn't expecting the PS4 to release as soon as it did (with a lower price the the xbone) and the Pro as well. Sony keeps throwing them for loops.

If it's more than $399, it'll be hard for MS sales wise. When the PS3 released at it's original price, people criticized it in comparison to the 360. And at that time, it was also the only console with built in wifi and a blu ray player. With the 1 year lead and lower price, it took the PS3 a while to catch up in sales.

starchild2731d ago

I did. In multiple comments I predicted $399 would be the price of the Pro.

I also predict the Scorpio will cost somewhere between $399 and $499.

Mystogan2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

Its a premium product because it wont replace the xbox one s. Its made to sit alongside it. Just like the Elite Controller.

If its a Zen CPU with a Vega GPU. 500-600 will be well worth it.

cyber_daemonx2731d ago

@rook, yeah and its only $399. You need to hope scorpio hits the same price bracket or it'll go the same way as the bone. You really think UHD blue ray is gonna make a difference. Fat chance.

TruM06072731d ago

Well when I look at what the pro offers and then look at it's price to me it looks about right. For 399 u r basically getting the poor mans upgrade. With to me the only toutable upgrade being the 4.2 tflops of power which will help it to run better looking games at a upscale 4K image and some older and less demanding games at native 4K. Everything else is basically the same as the old PS4. With Scorpio ms is looking to bring u a console that will look to bring u the performance of a high end thousands of dollars pc to yr living room and that's accourding to Arron Greenberg not me they have a interview of him saying that in another article here on n4g. So with a performance jump like that I would say that's a premium product and I'm looking to spend around 500 to 600 on this thing if it is cheaper that would be nice but I don't think much more than that since Phil already said it would b reasonably price as far as consoles go.

blackout2731d ago

Dude your in EVERY ARTICLE. This site must be your life.

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corroios2731d ago

Spencer, just say the price...Afraid are you?

2731d ago Replies(2)
Gazondaily2731d ago

Let them show the console first...

Utalkin2me2731d ago

You act like it's already out, roflmao. Link me to where you are getting your full specs from, that you keep claiming about.

Gazondaily2731d ago

What full spec? It's running 6TF no? Or do you think it will be a lie?

On paper, it looks like a beastly console. Based on whatever little we know. VR support with third party peripherals, supposedly native 4k on first party titles and being approximately 43% more powerful than the Pro. Forty three percent. That's pretty mad no? Or do you think it would happen?

Utalkin2me2731d ago

@Septic

Again, i will embarass you one more time. Link me to your paper that youre getting your specs from. We dont want rumors or assumptions.

game4funz2731d ago

Don't worry septic. Some people here don't watch e3 and are badly informed.

Gazondaily2731d ago

@Utalkin2me

You're only embarrassing yourself. Is or is the Scorpio not 6TF? You guys are pretending that the Scorpio won't even exist next year. Let's see your hilarious u turn in Digital Foundry articles next year. That will be fun 😆

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Bahamut2731d ago

@R0-okie_4_President

You're 12 years old, I take it?

starchild2731d ago

He doesn't act differently than many people on N4G. I see so many people calling out Rookie but most of them are just as bad or worse.

Kryptix2731d ago

Didn't know there were other N4G users who make 30 accounts in one month like Rookie. Now, that's on another level of pathetic than your typical fanboy spinners.

2731d ago
spicelicka2731d ago

Um pretty sure they have policies regarding what to reveal when. I don't think you understand how business works.

Auron2731d ago

Why should he? its a year away and tech goes down in price so fast and im sure the scorpio isnt even near the production stage so there is no point.

MyDietEqualsGames2731d ago (Edited 2731d ago )

They probably don't even have a solid spec yet. Also, these companies almost never display a price unless it's along side a reveal.

Obscure_Observer2731d ago

@corroios

Are you anxious? Why would him tell the price and lose all the E3´s spootlight while giving competition the edge?

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 2731d ago
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70°

Next Battlefield Game Already Playable and Being Built by “Largest BF Team in History"

EA says the next Battlefield game is being built by the "largest Battlefield team in history," and confirms the game is in a playable state.

Kaii22h ago

“I’ve just spent a whole bunch of time with the collective Battlefield team, playing what they’re building and it is going to be another tremendous live service.”
It's just what gamers want, more live service garbage.

XiNatsuDragnel20h ago

Ik more live service is what I want /s.

_SilverHawk_19h ago

I'd like a lot more live service game / hi 5

RaidenBlack16h ago

What Henderson has leaked so far is that ... even though the dev size's large, they are playing safe this time,
so I am guessing big budgeted BF3 2.0 ... fingers crossed

Yi-Long27m ago(Edited 26m ago)

We don't need thousands of workers wasting their time and effort, for many years, on a live-service project nobody asked for.

Just take a dedicated small team and create a cool Battlefield GAME. Not a service, but a game. As in 10-12 Conquest maps, 4 classes, cool gameplay, done. That's it.

That doesn't need 3-4 years of development. That doesn't need thousands of employees. Just go back to basics; Release a cool game, let gamers buy and enjoy that game, and 1-2 years later you release a sequel. No 'service', no subsciption, no DLC, no seasons. Just a game. On its own. Done. 50 bucks.

280°

Phil Spencer trends on Twitter amid calls for him to resign

Phil Spencer and Microsoft have come under fire following the closure of multiple Bethesda-owned studios including Tango Gameworks.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
gold_drake8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

wow haha.

i dont think he will resign. or will be kicked off.

if hes still here after everything in the past, this wont affect him unfortunately.

RhinoGamer886h ago

He and his cronies have a sweet deal. Even if they are fired, stock options and parachutes will mean they never need to work again. Cronyism at its worst.

neutralgamer19925h ago(Edited 5h ago)

I think his days are numbered TBH. Spending 80 million of all acquisitions yet can’t even compete with others it’s insane

This also proves gamepass isn’t as profitable as Xbox fanboys make it out to be

RaidenBlack4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

That huge Acti-Blizz acquisition wasn't worth it ... They should've stopped at Zenimax and instead focused "rescuing" individual studios like Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, Crytek, Volition or Gearbox etc (much better than trying to devour the whole of one of the largest gaming publisher)
IMHO, with no $70 Billion deficit, these studio closures would not have happened ...

6h agoReplies(1)
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260°

Xbox Has No Idea What They're Doing, and I'm Not Sure They Ever Did

Nirav from GL writes: "If the makers of a GOTY competitor that outdid sales and Game Pass expectations and owned by the richest company in the world cannot stay open - what hope is there for everyone else?"

Read Full Story >>
gameluster.com
Christopher10h ago

***If the makers of a GOTY competitor that outdid sales and Game Pass expectations and owned by the richest company in the world cannot stay open - what hope is there for everyone else?***

None if you stay in an arena of corporate driven metrics. And this is what happens when you allow publishers to buy up massive amounts of studios and IPs. There's only so much internal competition and the focus in the end will remain on those who look best on a spreadsheet.

Players can be so driven by what is best for them and only see what is put right in front of them. But that's not what is best for them. They are being lied to constantly, as seen by Microsoft's ridiculous praise for Hi-Fi Rush and Phil's lies about Redfall prior to release and how big of a supporter of both studios he has been. But, instead of thinking "wait, this corporation wants me to think this way, should I be listening to them and believing them?" players eat it up and go "OMG, did you hear what they said! They're just like us and they know what's best for the industry."

And because of this single-mindedness of the majority of gamers, we are where we are now. Massive layoffs. Massive studio closures. Games that we were told were representative of the core values of said corporations shelved and studios behind them shuttered. The truth is coming to bear because the truth all along was only what the numbers in an excel spreadsheet told the corporate suits.

If you truly want what is best for the industry, what is best for developers, then you need to support Indie games, support developers that maintain control over their IPs and direction, support boutique publishers who only exist to help Indies make it out the door and don't own the IP. Stop supporting major corporations with your money or you devotion. Stop playing their games, and I don't mean video games, but their marketing, their double speak, their guy without a tie who says things you want to hear PR, their future of video gaming concepts as if we were hurting for new ways to play games other than installing/downloading and playing them, and especially any slogan from them that gives the impression that they are for you, the consumer. They are not. You're merely a value on a spreadsheet.

Christopher9h ago

Sure, I'm the one drinking the koolaid. Keep believing in the corporations. They definitely have your best interests in mind. All hail the Big Green, For You Blue, and Nostalgia Red! All praise big corporations buying up other publishers. All praise the inevitable spreadsheet adjustments. For greed, not the players.

Crows902h ago

I'd like to but I think you drank it all...

anast7h ago

"then you need to support Indie games"

Get punk rock with it.

rlow13h ago

I don’t always agree with you. But you are correct and well said. It amazes me on what used to be a pretty straightforward industry has turned into such a greedy mess. Layoffs galore across the industry and corporates pushing/firing whatever is going to move the bean counters. With no regard for the people making the games. I’m tired of hearing these rich companies saying it’s just business, or an adjustment needed to be made, but it’s not personal. Then on top of it they have to inject corporate inclusivity into every game. On top of releasing broken games and expect people to pay top dollar.

But again well said and we as the consumer need to not only speak up but vote with our wallets.

Tody_ZA7h ago

This should not be surprising to any of you. We have been saying for MONTHS that Game Pass is not sustainable and that these acquisitions will come at a massive cost to the industry. People refused to grasp the difference between buying and investing in a developer like Insomniac or Housemarque, and buying the entire publisher. People refused to accept that spending billions to acquire the biggest publishers in gaming means you have to RECOUP those costs, and you aren't going to do it without consolidation, focusing on core IP that sells, creating revenue streams via ownership and releasing on other platforms, and closing down studios that are superfluous to the budget requirements. You will not recoup those costs by investing in risky new IP or creative new games and studios.

No, people cheered Microsoft on like they were delivering GOTY titles to their door and pouring money into the industry to grow Indies and triple A projects.

You are getting what you deserve. You take the consequences of the practices you supported.

Layoffs happen. Some games don't succeed. Everyone has seen it happen. Happens even to the winners.

This, however, is goddamn shambolic and if you can't see it now then there's no helping you and you should keep enjoying the "value" of Game Pass while contributing nothing to this industry.

I've never seen the developer of one of the best games of the year get axed before.

Ninja Theory is next after Hellblade 2, I can see them going independent again. There's more to come from MS.

TiredGamer7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

This is exactly it. There is more of this coming. MS runs from one bad idea to the next, and GamePass is an unsustainable train wreck that we get to watch in real time.

GamePass is stalled for subscriber growth, and all that they can hope for is to either A) Reduce the quantity of games (i.e. shutter game studios), B) Reduce the quality of games (to make more mediocre but lower budget offerings), or C) Raise prices on existing customers. Or some combination of those.

MS does not have a passion for the industry. The XBox project, from the beginning, was sparked from the fear that someone else would eat their PC market lunch by making a games machine that replaced the PC. THAT was the entire motivation for getting into the games industry.

Profchaos6h ago

I saw it from the outset of day 1 on Xbox it's unsustainable no one was buying their games and a noticeable decline in quality and a push to live service elements to keep subscriptions active was obvious.

I saw it every time I'd go to a physical game shop for a Multi plat pre order no one was there for the Xbox version.

I'd go to CeX or other used game stores and be able to pick up the full range of Xbox studios first party games for 20 bucks and change while on the PlayStation side 20 bucks might get me two PS4 launch games and wouldn't even get me a single Nintendo first party game.

-Foxtrot5h ago

"Ninja Theory is next after Hellblade 2"

Anyone think it's weird it comes out in 2 weeks and there's hardly anything on it

MrBeatdown7h ago

But hey, at least we get Call of Duty free on game pass*

*eventually?

anast7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

They know what they are doing. If 'you' treat them like "good 'ol simple minded folk", then 'you' are relieving them from blame via ignorance. They knew that they were going all live service, streaming and mobile a long time ago, The Oracle tends to see the obvious. While companies patronize gamers like they are children, which most of them are, may be confused for stupidity, they are also not so stupid they don't understand the decisions that they are making toward the overall direction of their company.

*None of their games were even close to competing for GOTY. They paid for names to be mentioned.

Profchaos5h ago

Xbox survived it's first gen by pure luck halo became a hit and it was huge followed up by halo 2 which had one of the biggest marketing campaigns I can remember seeing in the early 00s we had guys in master chief outfits on the sidelines of state of origin as a promo it blew my mind.

Then the 360 fell under the excellent leadership of Peter Moore and outpaced the PS3 for the first three quarters of that generation the only time anyone has ever done that.

Since losing Peter Moore it's been a rapid decline and buying up the industry stank of a desperate move along with the idea of gamepass itself stank of desperation to me no one was buying the X1 they needed something to get people interested and here we are.

I would happily lose gamepass if Xbox could go back to the 360 era style of focused heavy hitters and solid games.

The championing of consolidation they did was disgusting and what's happened as a result is proof they never had gamers or the industry at heart they need their ROI and that's all they cared about big daddy ms has signed a number of blank checks getting them here and it's coming to collect on their debts

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