430°

Microsoft rebrands Xbox Live to Xbox network

The name change follows other changes to Xbox Live Gold recently.

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theverge.com
darthv721154d ago

So if Xbox Live is now called Xbox Network... does that mean Playstation Network will be called Playstation Live?

Darkborn1154d ago

No, but it means they can try to double the price of Xbox network now because its a "new" service. Just you wait, they purposely wanted to double the price before and they'll try again.

TheGreatGazoo301154d ago

Didn't read the article did you. The Xbox Network refers to the network that backends everything. Xbox Live Gold is still the service you pay to access online games on it (except free tk play games which don't need Xbox live).

Mr Pumblechook1154d ago (Edited 1154d ago )

Make no mistake, this is a reaction after its price raising debacle, this is a move to weaken Xbox Live Gold so it can get rid of it by the back door. Up until now Xbox Live has meant the online part of the platform. Now, the platform gets its own name, so people can become detached from the Xbox Live name which Spencer felt the Xbox community was too loyal too. People say ‘Good guy Phil’ but this is a grubby move.

Also, of all the names Microsoft could have come up Spencer authorises the same name of his arch rival? Lookout for a revised Xbox controller sooner than you think.

Darkborn1154d ago

@thegreatgazoo30 it doesn't matter if I did. Microsoft wants money and tried to pull a greedy move overnight and then backpedled like they usually do. This is only like the 30th time they've done something like this, and this was fairly recent.

RaiderNation1154d ago

@The GreatGazoo30

That makes sense. MS has been "backending" their Xbox fanbase for years now.

OneLove1153d ago

😂😂 you sound like a conspiracy nut.

4Sh0w1153d ago (Edited 1153d ago )

Imagine that one day Microsoft will be the first in gaming to increase pricing.

Maybe next they'll try expensive accessories, another first in gaming.

Shiken1153d ago

Lot of tin foil hats in here...

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 1153d ago
Jin_Sakai1154d ago

Or does it mean Games with Gold is no more?

RazzerRedux1154d ago

Xbox Live Gold isn't changing.

“The update from ‘Xbox Live’ to ‘Xbox network’ is intended to distinguish the underlying service from Xbox Live Gold memberships.”

Xbox network is what they call non-Gold access.

RazzerRedux1154d ago

Xbox network. Lower case N. Weird name. But of course it is a weird name. It's Microsoft.

darthv721154d ago

Ohhhhh..... It is the Silver side of Live. I gotcha

crazyCoconuts1154d ago

They should have called it Xbox Series Network :-)

1Victor1154d ago (Edited 1154d ago )

🤦🏿
🤷🏿
🤣
I want to see the hardcore like moldybrain that said PlayStation network was a stupid name say the same thing noe. 😂

darthv721153d ago

I see you don't get the joke. Sony and MS have trade off on things from time to time. 360 had removable faceplates, PS4 did the same thing. PS+ added free games, Gold did the same thing. MS charged for online play, Sony did the same thing. XB had an all digital console, PS did the same thing. It goes back and forth between these two.

BehindTheRows1153d ago

@darthv72

Or maybe you're just poor at presenting said joke ;)

In any event, all I see is companies going after what works in the given time. Not particularly a 'trade'. Why they're choosing to call Xbox LIVE 'Network' now is anyone's guess.

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Father__Merrin1154d ago

Price increases incoming. There are those on n4g who will claim Microsoft would never do such a thing......

gamer78041154d ago

Companies will always try raising prices... I haven’t heard antyone say otherwise

andy851154d ago

There's a bit of a difference between a price increase and a 100% price increase

LucasRuinedChildhood1153d ago

"Microsoft are going to make Xbox Live free. It was be a glorious utopia!!!" - some Xbox fans even after MS tried to double the price. haha

Tedakin1154d ago

You mean like Sony raised the price of their games to 70 dollars?

andy851153d ago (Edited 1153d ago )

Right? Is that double though. No it's a 17% increase. We should be thankful it's only happening now. Some games in the 90s went up to 60-70. With inflation that's 100+. Look at the quality and development put into games now as well compared to then. You should try being in the UK where they are £70

gamer78041152d ago

@andy85 but they stuck with the decision...

Zeref1153d ago (Edited 1153d ago )

Price increase for what? If you're talking about Gold, They tried raising the price and it was reversed because of the outrage.

If you understand what Xbox is trying to do you would know that if anything they're going to get rid of Gold entirely, it makes no sense for their gamepass strategy.

The only reason they haven't gotten rid of it yet is because it's a significant revenue stream. It's difficult to justify removing it to shareholders.

DaveZero1153d ago

Well if that's the case you just pay for gamepass ultimate without the word gold included because gold was removed and your now granted full access if pay the sub fee.

People are making a massive deal out if nothing here.. ridiculous and as usual the fanboys are being total prats.

russo1211153d ago

But when MS will increase price (because they definitely will) you'll see an army defending it accompanied with a legion of bs articles saying how good and marvellous their price hike helps the industry, good for gamers and makes Xbox network better.

Father__Merrin1153d ago

Yes this.

They will defend no matter what

DaveZero1153d ago (Edited 1153d ago )

If by any chance a price increase happened and it was buy an extra few quid, so what have you seen all the games that have been added as if late.

You would have to be pretty daft that even if they took it to 14.99 19.99 GBP that so long as your enjoying yourself and making use of it then why the hell should those of you who don't have it even care what others pay.

I don't think MS will raise the price all because a name change but guess what someone out of Sony or ms sooner or later is going to do it but guess what because ms did it first they are the enemy as usual around here.

darthv721153d ago

this has been talked to death. Yes, we all know they will raise the price at some point. So no... you wont see what you are saying because it will already be anticipated. So that way no one is surprised when it does happen.

Petebloodyonion1153d ago

@Russo121 I find your comment quite funny because didn't MS backtrack day 1 regarding the price hike?
Now I'm sure they did that because the loyal Sony/Nintendo fan who doesn't pay Xbox live asked right?

But on the other side of the spectrum, I do see ppl happy about re-buying remasters like Spiderman or (tlou back in the ps4 days) and defending the practice or defending no cross-play.

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waverider1154d ago

it seems a easier name. Good move.

CantThinkOfAUsername1154d ago

Hmmm? From a linguistic point of view, that's not true. Network is 2 syllables while Live is 1. The rule of thumb is, fewer syllables = easier reading and pronunciation.

Also, Xbox is 2 syllables, followed by another 2 syllables prevents it from rolling off the tongue. Live is a better word and it's been crucial to Xbox's identity as a multiplayer platform.

In the end, none of this matters to the average gamer, anyway.

Skate-AK1154d ago

All that but you couldn't come up with a username?

Futureshark1154d ago

Sounds a bit more like 'social network' now.

FallenAngel19841154d ago

PlayStation Network
Nintendo Network was a service
& now Xbox Network

Why the homogenized naming scheme

1Victor1154d ago

@fallen because when something succeeds the copiers take note just look at PlayStation + then Disney + now everyone gotta be a ______ +

Orchard1154d ago (Edited 1154d ago )

Bit of a stretch to claim Disney copied Sony but okay. Also Sony weren’t the first to use “plus” as a brand.

1Victor1154d ago

@orchard ok a example would give more validation to your comment otherwise my still stand

Atom6661154d ago

Google+ and Hulu+ are two older ones I can think of.

Disney+ came after its own service (ESPN+). That's probably where they borrowed from.

Disney likely doesn't look for naming conventions in the gaming space. "+" was branded in streaming world early on. These guys aren't that creative.

1Victor1153d ago

@atom I totally forgot about google plus as it got closed a few years ago, Hulu I don’t think it is but might be wrong on it. So you’re right about that

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1153d ago
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60°

Call Of Duty On Game Pass Is A Big Risk Big Reward Gamble

Discover the impact of Microsoft's decision to include Call Of Duty in Game Pass. Explore the pros and cons and speculate about future changes.

Read Full Story >>
gamersocialclub.ca
Elda14h ago

Most folks that have a Gamepass subscription will not spend the $70, they will use Gamepass instead to play COD. MS will most likely make their money from some solely PC players & some solely PS5 owners. Even some PC players may opt to use Gamepass instead of spending $70. I would think MS would want to make every dime they could from retail sales. As long as they put new releases of COD day one on Gamepass, MS will lose out on some sales of COD.

porkChop12h ago

COD makes truck loads of money on microtransactions. That's likely the play. Get more people in the door through Game Pass and sell more microtransactions. Have a steady stream of events to keep people interested so they keep their sub, and then just the sub alone would double the revenue from that player each year.

Elda9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Buying the game at $70 a pop including the deluxe versions is much better than people subs for a dollar to $15 a month. Die hard fans that usually buy the game also buy into the transactions. Again putting any new COD day one on Gamepass is definitely a sure loss of making some retail money for every copy of COD. With the last iteration of COD being bad most likely people are going to sub to Gamepass to play COD basically saving themselves $70, that is a loss of retail sales.

Kakashi Hatake12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Most that don't have Gamepass will just buy the game and he done with it. People that do will just result in a retail sale being lost. Some will buy the subscription for the month then be done. This is lose lose. Casuals aren't going to pay almost 300 dollars a year for COD.

ApocalypseShadow9h ago

The reality is that Microsoft already knows the answer as stated by them in their documents. PlayStation gamers have built up an ecosystem of games and they aren't migrating over and dropping what they have to buy an Xbox to play one game in a service you have to pay monthly for. Cheaper to just buy the game. And, I'd bet many casual COD players don't know or care about the acquisition.

Which is why Jim Ryan pushed to make sure that that one game continues to be sold as usual on Sony's platform to keep the status quo. Every other IP owned by Activision are worthless. And Activision has shown they don't care about other IP like Tony Hawk by cancelling them.

Sales WILL be lost on Xbox. That's for certain. Microsoft can only hope that Xbox gamers continue to buy up those micro transactions to make up for those lost sales. Only positive for Microsoft is that they get to dip into PlayStation game sales that we all know from history and NPD, that Sony's console sells more games. But increase subs from Sony fans for game pass? Not happening in any way that matters.

Sony, on the other hand, can have their cake and eat it too. They get COD and they can continue dropping more content for their fastest selling GaaS game which is Hell Divers 2. As the game passes 12 million sales and doesn't beat you over the head with micro transactions, Sony has a win win situation and can support the game getting more content to keep players engaged.

As a side note, COD is probably going to turn into some version of Sea of Fortnite Duty. Games as a service sitting in game pass being milked dry with micro transactions and constant updates making you feel you're playing an unfinished game that keeps going and going with no soul.

Tedakin9h ago

I'm not sure why everyone is acting like COD is a surprise. That was always the plan. They said in court during the FTC case they were doing this. They have said repeatedly and recently all first party games are going to Gamepass.

badboyz091h ago

gamepass like PS Plus are rental services. Games like COD you buy not rent. So in my case unless I plan on keeping gamepass for 2yrs minimum than the benefit of adding cod is pointless.

220°

Ghost of Tsushima PC has 84% positive reviews and a peak online audience of 72 thousand people

On 16 May, the long-awaited release of the PC version of Ghost of Tsushima took place. And the game proved to be a great success on the first day.

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gagadget.com
PrinceOfAnger1d 20h ago

69,477
all-time peak 3 minutes ago.

thorstein1d 20h ago

Nice. It's really cool that PC players get to play this masterpiece.

PrinceOfAnger1d 20h ago

It has surpassed spider man now
it's 71k+
game did this with way shorter time than spider man.

itsmebryan22h ago(Edited 21h ago)

@prince
I'm confused. Does that number mean total players at one time playing like a snapshot
or total sales? If it's the former that's not very accurate because I know I'm not the only person that buys games and plays them later and that number is not included.

RNTody1d 18h ago

Great, I loved this game. Definitely think it's Sucker Punch's best work to date!

rippermcrip1d 18h ago

Is this going to be the new thing thing? Articles about Steam reviews? Which of course was in response to the false article about the review bombings in the first place.

Christopher1d 15h ago

Hey, just a heads up that the new owners did open news to Steam updates, but we try our best to not allow them to go on daily updates unless relevant to some other news. I understand this isn't everyone's cup and tea and sympathize, but the door has been open. If you feel it's 'too much' please do PM me or submit a ticket to the mod team. Thank you.

1d 9h ago
shinoff21831d 7h ago

I came here to post this link in that specific article. 84 perce t is pretty good. How many bad reviews were there like 5

GamerzElite1d 17h ago

This is good game and Ghost eliminate all fake outrage.

CrimsonWing691d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

I always get confused by this, but is 72k good sales numbers for a game? I keep seeing games fail at selling 2.5 million and that they need to be on multiple platforms but is an additional 72k adding much?

Fishy Fingers1d 16h ago

Im not sure how its confusing :\

72k actively playing. Not 72k sold.

A good example is Helldivers 2, 6m sold, 450k (at its peak) active players.

But how many swords swung is what we're all really waiting for.

shinoff21831d 7h ago

Lmao. How many swords swung. I was hoping for how many steps

wesnytsfs20h ago

And its how many years old from initial release.

Crows901d 15h ago

72k is concurrent
...that is not the sold figure.

Michiel19891d 15h ago

for one they already had a huge launch on the playstation, they don't need to sell 5m to make the porting to pc profitable and as pointed out below that number you see is just the people playing it at this moment.

Plague-Doctor271d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

Also from the insomniac leak we know these PC ports are a quick turnaround and budgeted around $2-4 million. At 100k sales they break even including Steams cut. They may not sell millions but they are a great ROI

elazz1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

72k concurrent. That is a global number. People who bought the game are not playing at the same time because of timezones, working schedules, holidays, events... There is no good rule of thumb but you can extrapolate based on other games that also released sales data. Then it is clear that the PC release alone accounts for at least 500K copies sold on steam, maybe closer to 700-800K. Probably will sell over a million this extended weekend.

According to steamspy and other data gathering sites games like Days Gone, Spider Man, God Of War, Horizon Zero Dawn have sold 2 to 5 million copies on Steam. So I expect Ghost to reach similar numbers. Probably even surpass it.

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140°

PSN Store "Weekend Offer" Includes Loads of AAA Titles, Here's the Full List

Sony has also launched the PSN Store "Weekend Offer" this May 17, and this one includes a lot of AAA titles, and 2K-published games.

TwoPicklesGood1d 20h ago

Some good games but they are all old and should be a lot cheaper than what they are on that sale. Hard pass.