700°

MCV confirms 149$ price tag for Natal

MCV : "MCV has been lead to believe that reports citing a $149 RRP (£103) for Microsoft’s Project Natal are accurate."

Abash5087d ago

Not going to pay that much for it

bioshock12215087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

Yeah I agree that is way to much. I thought it was going to be somewhere around $50-80 but $150 is just way to much for just a camera. Too bad I was really excited for it but if it does turn out to be true then I wont get it. I just can't see myself paying that much for an add on.

-Alpha5087d ago

MS is forcing it like it's attached to the 360 like a Siamese twin. There are rumors of $299 Xbox/Natal packages but as a standalone that is indeed too damn expensive.

Raf1k15087d ago

If it is $150 it'll be about £150 here which is far too much. £60 to £70 is what I'd be willing to pay for it.

Hideo_Kojima5087d ago

I guess that is why Sony said it was too expensive for this generation...

And they went and found a better cheaper and more accurate way of tracking movements in 3D.

Clever.

thor5087d ago

I'm not entirely sure Sony's is the best solution either. It will probably be a bit cheaper; but you need to buy one controller per person unlike Natal and you need to buy the camera as well.

Both devices will fail to capitalize on the existing player base. It's too much to ask people to buy a $150 addon just so they can play with balls in that Ricochet game.

zeeshan5087d ago

This "news" can't be true. I am calling it!

A $150 price tag is too much for an "add-on". Yes, you can say that it is not an add-on and it's a whole new experience blah blah yade yade ya, but to me, it is nothing more but an add-on, an accessory and that's about it. It is one thing to introduce a new console and slap it with a $500 or $600 price tag but it's totally another to introduce an add-on that costs almost about the cost of the console itself.

I really never believed that Natal will help M$ extend the life of Xbox360, not even at the $50 price point let alone $150 which I bet is simply not true.

FanboysWillHateMe5087d ago

That's less than one game, did you really think Natal would cost less than one game? Believe me, people will pay big money to be able to control the dashboard with a flick of their hand. Controller less gaming is something new...for the most part we've always had to play games with something in our hands. Natal is changing that, I think people will buy it just because the technology itself is impressive (like Apple products).

bednet5087d ago

The reason Apple products sell is because they work well.

I'm not saying Natal won't work well, but not all touch devices work as well as Apple products. Let's cross our fingers that Microsoft did their homework.

HolyOrangeCows5087d ago

It's not looking good for Natal. Five or so sources have claimed a price around $150 USD now.

JAMurida5087d ago

Just curious, but wasn't the HD-DVD drive add on like $199.99?

Anon19745087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

FanboysWillHateMe stated "Believe me, people will pay big money to be able to control the dashboard with a flick of their hand."

Are you being serious? 'Cause I gotta say, your statement is on par with "Believe me, people will pay big bucks to wipe their asses with their left hand instead of the right."

Who are these people who would pay big money to control their dashboard with the flick of a hand? Have you asked anyone about this before you stated that?

Here's a suggestion. Ask some gamers if they'd pay "big money" to be able to flick through their dashboard with just their hand. If they won't pay "big money", ask how much they'd be willing to pay extra to replace a button press with a hand flick.

How about you just ask 10 gamers that question, then report back to us and let us know if you're still convinced.

As for this gamer right here, i'd pay NOT have to wave around my hands in the air to navigate the dashboard. That's what a controller is for. You can count me as Gamer #1 in your study. I'm also one of those gamers that think that Natal even at $50 has an uphill battle ahead of it. It's a camera. This isn't new. Why do you suddenly think Natal is going to fly off the shelves? If it didn't before, why would it now? Even if it's a little better than other cameras that came before, the idea that this will start a revolution in games because it's so new and hip is laughable.

SaberEdge5087d ago

Why are some of you acting surprised? This is right around the price that I was expecting.

If it offers a neat experience and has the games to support it I will definitely buy it.

FanboysWillHateMe5087d ago

The same people that paid big money for plastic guitars and drums. The same people who paid big money for a console that features motion controls. Basically, people who can afford it and like to take part in something that hasn't been done before.

Navigating menus without a controller isn't the only reason people are excited about Natal, don't be an idiot, boy. And you go ahead and do that study yourself man, I'll let the sales numbers prove my point when Natal ships. You all underestimate the potential of Natal, and the advertising power of Microsoft.

gaffyh5087d ago

Too much for most consumers. The bundle is a decent price though, but lack of HDD is a little annoying. I think this possibly could be a fake number put out by MS, so that when they announce it for $120 it seems reasonable.

PCnPS3Gamer5087d ago

hddvd player 200 dollar add on, ms hdd 60 gb was like 200 dollars. wifi was 129 lol...stop saying its to much for an add on lol when every ms add on costs more or the same as natal...god damn dumb sheep....yeah its too much for an add on but its ms were talking about here, everything is to much even they windows software is like 249 lol bullshit.
i get why people bash the wii its kids toy, i get why people bash natal cuz its for 5 year olds that cant sit fuckin still,

BUT I DO NOT GET WHY PEOPLE BASH THE MOVE. SOME GAMES ARE FUNNER WITH MOTION LIKE BOXING GAMES....DO U EXPECT THE MOVE TOP BE AS CRAPPY AS THE WII..LIKE IM JUST LOST. dont get me wrong i love my controller but i cant deny the move is gunna be fun to mix my gaming up...and the fact that itle be so versatile shooters, sports games, rpgs party games....not to mention the possibilitys of all ur favorite old games getting patched with move....like if you buy the move its not gunna get old because its just like using a different controller to play ur games....you dont get board of joysticks, or racing wheels or fighter controllers. think of the move like a racing wheel or whatever natal is gunna be just as crappy as the ps eye alone difference is ms is gunna advertise it more but us true hardcore gamers will know its crap...im not hopping on the natal smoke and mirrored hype train.

Anon19745087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

Find 10 gamers and ask them if they'd pay big money to be able to navigate the dashboard with hand waves. If they won't pay "big money", ask them how much extra it would be worth to them to replace button presses with hand waves.

There are a couple of accessories that have done well such as Guitar Hero and Wii-Fit, but the scrapheap of history is filled with failed accessories and in this case, it's an accessory that no one has asked for. Have you every said "You know what's really hampering my enjoyment of this game? Buttons! I hate having to use buttons and joysticks to control video games!"
No one has.

That's why I challenge you to go put your theory to 10 gamers and see what their response is. Would you pay "big money" to navigate the dashboard with hand flicks? I'm just using your words. That's what you said, not me. Now back it up. I'm not the one making ridiculous claims of gamers ready to line up to dish out big money for a camera.

chaosatom5087d ago

They can either sell it as a loss or don't succeed in selling enough.

UltraNova5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

I like MS as much as the next guy (not at all basically :p) but as a guy above stated dont underestimate MS's marketing department, it may very well be the most influencing marketing department in history. If MS wants people to buy their stuff they will make you buy it. Personally I can see through them since a long time ago...

Dont forget though that Natal recognizes up to 4 people. If Sony prices the MOVe at around 50 bucks you will need 200 bucks to equip 4 players (for those who want 4 controllers that is). 2 would do for me..

E3 is where all these speculations going to be put to rest...

Immortal Kaim5087d ago

LOL it must be clear to anyone that this site is flooded with PS3 fanboys, look at the rumour bar at the top, they have voted "hopefully" for this price being true :)

The Lazy One5087d ago

He didn't say gamers. He said people.

@ article

Isn't that the UK price. I think most things launch more expensive in the UK than they do in the US. I still think natal's selling point will be in bundles. They'll probably price it high through the holidays to convince people to buy a system and natal to help their numbers, then after the holiday drop the price of natal to it's more realistic price.

commodore645087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

@ FanboysWillHateMe

Dude, you are spot on!

For evidence of success of hardware peripherals that seem to defy logic, the plastic 'drumkits' and 'guitars' of Guitar Hero are a prime example.

I am a semi pro musician in real life and it simply amazes that these plastic gimmicks have sold so well, when in theory they are just junk.

You are most likely right on the money when you assert that consumers will pay good money to control their interface with a 'flick of the hand'. Of course, that is not only what Natal is about - it's just a very small novelty factor. The real benefit will be the potential of awesome fun that can be had - well, fun for everyone that's not a fat, lazy couch potato... lol!

It's certainly possible and highly likely that Natal will entice consumers to hand over good money for this novelty and immersion experience. Plastic drumkits are such an apt metaphor!
If plastic drumkits and 'guitars' with buttons can succeed, then the stage is set for the probable success for Natal, imo.

MS is right behind this one and they will undoubtedly make sure gamers see the real and tangible benefits, apart from the novelty factor.
I'd say the odds are in favour of you being right, FanboysWillHateMe.

I am guessing a good proportion of the ones who are hating on Natal before even trying it, are simply lazy, old and fat, who dislike the idea of being active in any way... or maybe they just like being negative?

I have to say I am getting kind of sick of seeing the 'old anti MS guard' infest innovation and progress with their constant negativity.
Sadly, it has become a hallmark of N4g.
In virtually every 360 article, the same trolls crop up.

In any case, it is time for the new generation of gamers to speak up and vote with their wallets.
I am guessing MS is talking to them, not the familiar n4g trolls.

- Ghost of Sparta -5087d ago

You could buy two PS Move controllers and the total price would still not amount to the overpriced-for-no-reason Natal.

The Lazy One5087d ago

2 PSmove controllers supports 2 players for some games (1 for others).

Natal can register a whole body on 4 players.

cryymoar5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

"Natal can register a whole body on 4 players."
in theory.

I don't think i've seen a single working demo of a Natal game that uses 4 people, especially in an average lit room, that isn't pre-rendered CG.

Remember what happened when they tried using Natal with just one person.
"Bam! There it is!"

chazjamie5086d ago

people will pay for this. it will sell no matter how you look at. just look at how the ipad did. its supposed to be a recession. yeah right. natal will sell. i am surprised they didnt ask for more.

bootsielon5086d ago

Maybe it would sell that way

+ Show (22) more repliesLast reply 5086d ago
Al Bundy5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

Why are you guys surprised? This is the same company that charged $180 for a 120gb HDD.

EDIT: If you disagree-ers are calling me a liar then go look it up. It's true.

AtatakaiSamurai5087d ago

and $50 per year to access the other half online portion of the games disc you already purchased and yes people will still go out and buy it. they were buy hddvds on sale even after it went under for heaven sakes

Shane Kim5087d ago Show
Philaroni5087d ago

Im not many do not know that this is not exactly a cheep cam you get in your cell phone. If this comes with maybe a game or 2 then 149$ is not too bad. All comes down to the kind of support it gets. You have to remember unlike Move you only need 1 Natal. So the price has some justification in many ways.

Dance5087d ago

2 controllers priced at around 40 each and it also requires the ps eye

Celeras5087d ago

Or $100 wireless adapters... rofl.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5087d ago
xTruthx5087d ago

Y is this under rumors if its confirmed ?

BRG90005087d ago

Probably because MCV is just another game site and has no authority to confirm anything.

SuperStrokey11235087d ago

It sounds as though they have had it confirmed by a secondary source as well, of course the wording is suspicious so who knows.

jack_burt0n5087d ago

retailers are recieving POS details MCV has heard from 2 different sources the same price no one seems to be leaking the name though.

8thnightvolley5087d ago

i believe that price tag is something microsoft would slap on.. and its abit high to be honest.. might not buy it at lunch.. except i was flowing in cash then.. but that is high

NexGen5087d ago

Perhaps you would like to buy it at dinner then?

On topic: the title says this is confirmed, but the story says "we are lead to believe this is true." That isn't quite a confirmation now, is it?

Anarki5087d ago

Same here... Sorry, but if Microsoft want this to win. they're going to have to cut that hefty price...

VileAndVicious5087d ago

You might as well buy a ps3 lol. But seriously I hope that this isn't set in stone.as far as the price goes. Cuz ms might have a hard time convincing consumers to buy.

Pennywise5087d ago

What did those customers ever do to you to deserve that treatment? lol

BattleAxe5087d ago

Its a rip off just like all Microsofts other periferals. It will be interesting to see what kind of quality Natals hardware is going to be.

boodybandit5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

Confirmed and only a rumor?
It's under rumor.

If this is true? MS is delusional.

ProjectVulcan5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

If it really does cost that much.....Would mean at least 100 pounds in the uk. Possibly more. This is also with NO full games of course, you arent gonna be playing your collection on this all of a sudden.

But the real problem here could be that wii/motion plus + wii sports/resort can be had for under 200 dollars- now. If there is a price cut later this year(nintendo have denied it however), then microsoft could easily be asking nearly as much for this camera and a game as nintendo want for a brand new wii bundle.

Surely that could be a factor. If you wanted motion, then you could do worse than get a console where every game is designed for it.

niceguywii605087d ago ShowReplies(1)
ManGastaS5087d ago Show
Inside_out5087d ago

M$ is looking to grab the Wii market share here...$300 with a game sounds fair to me...IF TRUE...my guess will be some crappy version of Wii sports...Milo and Fable will be heavily demoed...Capcom, ubi-soft...the gangs all there...

$150 is not the end of the world and you don't have to buy a NEW TV to play it...see...smiles all round....can't wait to slap Milo... :D

Vip3r5087d ago

$150 isn't £150. Next time use a currency converter.

Jdoki5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

Unfortunately when it comes to pricing UK often get close to a 1:1 USD to GBP exchange rate!! :(

EDIT: But personally I think a price of either £99 or £119.99

mythamp5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

you are a complete idiot! ROFL.

It seems someone just had his first eco class. mwhahaha

Vip3r5086d ago

http://www.xe.com/ucc/conve...

Try this idiot.

Given the fact that it's only been rumoured as $150 is it only logical to use a currency converter to work out roughly the UK price.

Anorexorcist5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

With the batch of other criminally-overpriced Xbox 360 peripherals like the HDD and wireless adaptor, did anyone really think Microsoft would have learned their lesson and learned to include a more rational price for Natal?

I had SOME faith that MS would wisen up, but alas I should have just continued to expect the norm from them.

Edit: Rumor or confirmed? With the way MS is desperately trying to market Natal as some kind of trail-blazing peripheral, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the true price come it's release. All the early adaptors are going to believe the marketing propaganda and pay whatever MS demands.

FanboysWillHateMe5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

to be able to navigate the dashboard with flick of the hand? Controllerless gaming is new; the idea of playing a game without something in your hand is an attractive concept, and I'm pretty sure people will buy this just because the technology is impressive (like Apple products).

A $150 price tag is interesting and I don't know how well that would be received by the public, but if you really didn't think Natal would be successful at $50, you gotta get off the drugs, man.

Edit: I don't know how many articles I've read that featured all these game developers praising the technology behind Natal- a lot, that's for sure. Hideo Kojima himself was amazed by it, among a bunch of others. And you were hoping for a $50 price tag? Are you all poor or something?

Dunebuggy below makes an excellent point. Lots of people paid over a hundred for plastic drumsets and guitars. You don't think those same people will pay the same price to be able to control menus and play games with just your hands? I sure as hell would. I find Natal to be a lot more exciting than a Rock Band instruments, and I'm sure a ton of others agree.

Redlogic5087d ago

by saying that, you obviously don't have rent, car, internet, cable bills to pay for, do you? I know its easy to afford an $150 add-on when you get to stash your entire pay check from CVS, but to us adults that is too much to spend. I bet you bought Tony Hawk: Ride too!

You will eventually learn the value of a dollar.

strickers5087d ago

Controllerless gaming is not new.It's quite old.

jmare5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

You seem to think that people will pay a shitload of money for something that requires them to exert more energy. The home of the 360 (America) is a monument to the path of least resistance. You really think people will spend $150 to move their whole arms and hands to control the dashboard versus paying nothing and moving their thumbs? These are the same people who drive to the end of the street or ride a Segway to get the mail rather than walk. Or buy one remote control to cover everything rather than have to keep track of several.

Natal is a novelty, just like the Wii, just like Move, just like 3d gaming (for now). Some people will buy Natal for the novelty, but unless MS makes it required for the next Halo or Gears, most people won't, at least not at $150. And MS can't require Natal because it drives up the price to $210 separately, possibly $180 in a bundle.

And your, "People paid for plastic drums and guitars" argument is flawed as well. Guitar Hero started out at $70-$80 when it first came out. And as the price started to go up, fewer people were buying the bundles. Rockband started out at $150 and people went for it because it was new, compared to Guitar Hero. Rockband 2 didn't sell as many full sets and Beatles Rockband sold hardly any. If anything all Guitar Hero/Rockband has done is made the average consumer more wary of overpriced add-ons.

Darrius Cole5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

The question is whether on not Microsoft is going to cut the price of the stand-alone Xbox 360 arcade unit, or even offer it.

If M$ offers the arcade for $149 and the Natal pack for $149, then the Natal pack won't matter; it(Natal) also won't sell. Sales of the arcade will take off because of the $150 price point and only a small percentage will come back for the Natal. However, I suspect that Microsoft knows that and that is why I suspect that Microsoft will not cut the price of the Arcade unit.

We will have the choice of buying either the Elite unit for $299 or the Natal unit for $299.

P.S.

I believe that the $200 unit price was real at the time. I think they leaked it in order to gauge the public reaction. When the gaming community responded with a collective "WTF" Microsoft decided to lower the price to $150 in order to prevent riots.

morganfell5087d ago

Ah, this explains the rumored name change from Natal. Fatal now seems to be the more appropriate name.

sikbeta5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

It's really expensive for what I was expecting, is this a rumor more than something sure, right?

mcgrawgamer5087d ago

if that price is indeed accurate. This is what we call Corporate Suicide. I see why J. Allard left his vision is being tainted by corporate greed.

SA1NTofKILLERS5087d ago

I could not be any less excited for this.

shoddy5087d ago

at least it's better than $199 rumour.

drewboy7045087d ago

I don't think alone it'll be 150. It might come bundled with 2 natal based games. Ala Xbox sports and something else. Thats most likely what'll happen and it'll be around 50 alone. Why are sony Fanboys complaining. PS Move is like 40 to 50 bucks a controller. get 4 of them and boom $200 bucks. Also think of the add ons such as The eye and nunchuk type things. It's a good deal compared to PS Move. Take that fanboys.

Pika-pie5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

But Patcher said it would be $50.. Patcher is never wrong!!!!!!! Hes an almighty god!!!

WhittO5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

Actually Sony is selling their Motion Controller at almost half that price, not just a "bit" less! And that includes the PS Eye too.

vhero5087d ago

Now we see why Sony turned away this technology it really isn't cost effective and after the whole too expensive PS3 debacle this would be the last thing they needed. NATAL will fail at this price point I also agree in UK this will be more thanks to tax etc.. so it will be about £129.99.

Leathersoup5086d ago

Hey Microsoft. I'm voting with my dollars and you aren't receiving my vote.

+ Show (24) more repliesLast reply 5086d ago
NYC_Gamer5087d ago

they should have learned from their last add-on...

xaviertooth5087d ago

i want to know what 360 fans say about this.

NYC_Gamer5087d ago

well they are used to paying for overpriced items...

sikbeta5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

You know what I was thinking, IF Sony said in the GDC that Move will be less than $100, I thought, well, MS will make it more "affordable" in order to compete directly against the wii, seems like it's a totally different thing..

Even if the rumor of the x360+natal bundle for $300 is real, people still have the wii @ lower price + mario or wii-sports bundles, so this is not going Anywhere...

vhero5087d ago

Sony claim MOVE will be no more expensive than a wii-mote if this is true then I think we have a winner out the 2 big boys however we still have to wait on Sonys price point.

Petro895087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

$79 would have been passable, but $149 is taking the biscuit.

If this is true, then MS better hope that their software can do the talking.

himdeel5087d ago

Anyway I kind of doubt that this is true for now HOWEVER it does seem to fall in line with MS usual over pricing structure for add-ons. Oh well here's to hoping that it's not true.

Michael-Jackson5087d ago

They are used to it by now, a response from them is not needed.

PandemicPrawn05087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

I honestly cannot say if I would be able to justify a Natal purchase at that price (even more in NZD).

But I will see what it is capable of at E3 and make a decision based on what I see there.
I mean for all we know the thing might be so awesome that it’s actually worth the price.

But from what I know about it, and have seen of it I simply cannot even consider buying it at that price.

It’s a shame really, as I am interested in it and would like to see it do well.

The Great Melon5087d ago (Edited 5087d ago )

This seems a little too much to me also. Being the gamer that I am I convert prices to the units of games. $150 would typically get me like 5 games. Will I even buy 5 games for the Natal? Unless Microsoft is going to push this hard, I don't see this becoming a standard peripheral just like the EyeToy wasn't a standard item for the PS2 and it was significantly cheaper.

Omega45087d ago ShowReplies(7)
Show all comments (249)
290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv724d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle3d ago

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

Sonic18813d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio3d ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning773d ago

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

Cacabunga3d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv723d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19923d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21833d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga3d ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan3d ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit3d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus233d ago

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

darthv723d ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier3d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan2d ago

@chevalier

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

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
purple1014d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos4d ago

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

DOMination-3d ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac3d ago

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

SimpleDad3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1013d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic3d ago

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

MrDead3d ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere5d ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN5d ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos5d ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN4d ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo4d ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies4d ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger5d ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic4d ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows904d ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger3d ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto5d ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos5d ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long5d ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel5d ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator5d ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10116d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref15d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde15d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197215d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville15d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218315d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos15d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

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isarai16d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref15d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan15d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00715d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197216d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

16d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197216d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

16d ago
16d ago
Zeref15d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde15d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197215d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197215d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier15d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto15d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218315d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto15d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

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Hofstaderman15d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts15d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts14d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic15d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

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