290°

Xbox Positioned to 'Lead the Way Forward' in Consoles, says Analyst

Xbox 360 in the last couple years has moved more and more into entertainment beyond games, and it would appear that trend will continue with next-gen. According to analyst and marketing expert Scott Steinberg, Microsoft has an advantage over both Sony and Nintendo because of this broader entertainment focus.

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industrygamers.com
donniebaseball4478d ago

Xbox has momentum now for sure, but it's too early to say what will happen in next gen.

GribbleGrunger4478d ago (Edited 4478d ago )

what do you mean by momentum? every Christmas the 360 sales in America put it first in the worldwide sales. this is swiftly followed by the PS3 outselling the 360 every week for the rest of the year... and this year too so far. that's momentum

once again you and others are being fooled by a site only concentrating on American sales.

Cocozero4478d ago

360 has been ahead WW ever since Kinect launched go check Sony/MS financial reports for proof.

GribbleGrunger4478d ago (Edited 4478d ago )

what are you talking about? the gap has reduced from 8 million to 3 million and continues to shrink. what are you going to say when the PS3 is even by the end of this year? are you still going to believe that nonsense? where are you getting this idea from? you just can't keep convincing yourself of these things.

hellzsupernova4478d ago

no offence but weve been hearing the ps3 going to surpass 360 argument for the last 3 years fact is AMerica is the biggest consumer in the world fact is Microsoft saturates the market with advertising and makes the american consumer think its aweosme and fact is they have a good product with a few flaws that stop me buying a new one. Paid online and lack of titles i want to play are the reason i will not buy another 360. but they do know how to market

IRetrouk4478d ago (Edited 4478d ago )

how many of those 360s still work though? the rrod was bad, i bet the actual number of working 360s are lower than that of the ps3

disagree all you want its true, i went through 5 originals and 1 resident evil one and im not the only person that its happened to,the new machines are better but rrod still happened to the originals, if it wasnt for micro replacing the systems i wouldnt be a 360 gamer anymore. like it or not the number of working 360 systems will be far lower than the 66 mill they have sold.

Frankfurt4478d ago

2007 was supposed to be the year of the PS3. Then 2008. Then 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Next gen will roll around, and Sony fans will STILL be saying "this will be the year of the PS3, just you wait".

ZippyZapper4478d ago (Edited 4478d ago )

Cocozero this is N4G you know they ignore the facts, and reality.

Disccordia4478d ago

Regardless of when/whether ps3 overtakes in WW sales the fact is the market share has swung dramatically in MS favour. Considering they were outsold by 100 million units last gen they've really established the Xbox brand this time around.

Biggest4478d ago

"2007 was supposed to be the year of the PS3. Then 2008. Then 2009, 2010 and 2011."

The games released and to be release definitely corroborate that statement. The sales data from those years definitely corroborate that statement.

pc_masterrace4478d ago

Have they lead the way this generation? The last? I see MS has that bullsh*t machine humming along nicely.

Brosy4478d ago Show
GribbleGrunger4478d ago

brosy, dear chap. noone said they didn't lead over the PS3. just keep your eyes open when that gap keeps on shrinking and don't pretend otherwise. that's all that annoys me. it's easy to call someone a fanboy in order to discredit them, but a fanboy is someone who just won't accept the truth. the truth is that the gap has shrunk because the PS3 has outsold the 360 for the last 4 years. please, for goodness sake stop this. it's embarrassing to watch people like you going through it.

PetitPiPi4477d ago Show
Anon19744477d ago Show
4477d ago
+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4477d ago
darthv724478d ago

the momentum is driven by their advertising and continued persistence to be in the popular culture. Both good press and bad. MS is trying to do what Sony did with being showcased in movies and tv shows.

Granted Sony had the edge because it was almost a guarantee that you would see a PSX in a sony picture. MS is counting on this not so obvious type of advertising to keep the momentum going.

Creating buzz around such things as the kinect to get people to "jump in" that have not yet moved from the ps2 gen into current. MS has been working on the tv media center thing since the days of the web tv. So no surprise they are leveraging their experience in that with windows and making their live service more entertainment center oriented.

Sony is no slouch either. Their experience in making rock solid systems the last couple of gens is still something people look for as well. Both companies are learning from each other and trying to blur that line between gaming that was always associated with just kids (aka fun & games) and making a real effort to having everyone get involved.

Lead does not necessarily mean sell the most but more about getting things done that others take notice of.

iceman064478d ago

Excellent assessment of the MS strategy. The Xbox is now the go to name for casuals and outsiders when they refer to a gaming system. How many times have we seen a console get so much press in regular, everyday news? They have done a great job, business-wise, of placing themselves in the competitive position to lead the next generation. However, the caveat to this is that now THEY will be in the position to actually lead. They now have the mind-share and that comes with a huge responsibility. The focus will be on them...much like Sony coming into this generation. They will now have to prove that they ARE a leading company and not just in it for the cash grab. Sure, all businesses are in it for money...but along the way some actually DO try to leave industry better than when they arrived. Either way, it should be interesting.

Drekken4478d ago

Momentum? Xbox is a joke that has dwindled its user base down to casuals that love to flail. It is a joke.

You guys that think the 52% of the original MILLIONS of machines that are still counted as operational count towards a lead are delusional.

I really hate the fact that an inferior console is king of my home (USA). Its really shameful.

KMCROC544478d ago

would you rather the product of a foreign country be king in your country.

darthv724478d ago

I am sure by that you mean the Wii? It isnt uncommon for the system that is out in front is the least powerful of the pack. It has been that way since the 2600.

A few instances where the more technical has lead but mostly it is the least technical that sells the most.

Captain Qwark 94478d ago

sorry dude but the wii owns them both. beyond that 360 is a great product despite the huge stumbles it had in the beginning. both the 360 and ps3 have their flaws and their perfections which is why we need both. im not sure the 360 will lead next gen if it doesn't step it up in the software department, its lack of exclusives is becoming a little ridiculous at this point but it still wont stop me from buying the new one since i like the UI, controller, and live significantly better than xmb, psn, and the playstation controller. ill just do what i do now and buy multiplats for the next box and ps4 i will use for its exclusives

4477d ago
slampunk4477d ago

I was a sony fan for PS1 and 2 and never played a single game on the original xbox......but....

Sony have failed miserably this gen from a business side of things..... i think between last gen and this gen they have lost around 50% of their market shar to MS.......There online was horrific early this gen and although it's ok now i'd still prefer to pay for Xbox live....

The architecture of the PS3 was an absolute failure......just look at how long it took developers to get the most out of the system (except for some exclusives such as UC) MS has also gained multiplatform rights to some / most old PS exclusives and nearly all multiplats are better on 360.......failure sony.....why make it hard for developers...???? fail

The controller was such a bad design too......I always loved the ps2 controller...but....The triggers which are barely used are bypassed by developers as primary buttons in most cases......this is not by choice as i'm sure they're meant to be used like the 360 triggers.....

PS move......LOL....enough said......If sony could swap move for kinect would they? of course they would.......Fail again sony.....

To sony's credit they have invested heavily in producing some good exclusive games for the system over the last 2 years but i think this was in an attempt to try and claw back there losses from early this gen, not just for their fanbase.....Add to that the fact that PS3 exclusives sell very poorly such as Resistance 3!!! which is now dead!!!!

Online hack.........fail again

I know if i was an investor which company i'd be investing with......MS taking 40-50% market share in 1 gen makes MS the clear winner this gen......

If at the end of last gen, you told sony they would lose the amount of market share they have this gen, they probably would have laughed in your face.....

My loyalty isn't with one system / company and i'm glad that MS have now got the market share they have......Why......more competition means for money spent on us, the consumers.....

Bring on next gen..........

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4477d ago
thedude444478d ago (Edited 4478d ago )

they want to lead the way without buying much studios and releasing timed dlc?not happening.

Disccordia4478d ago

Microsoft have one studio less than Sony now.....

morkendo234478d ago (Edited 4478d ago )

FROM HELLZSUPERNOVA

no offence but weve been hearing the ps3 going to surpass 360 argument for the last 3 years fact is AMerica is the biggest consumer in the world fact is Microsoft saturates the market with advertising and makes the american consumer think its aweosme and fact is they have a good product with a few flaws that stop me buying a new one. Paid online and lack of titles i want to play are the reason i will not buy another 360. but they do know how to market
............................. ............................... ............................... ...............
MICROSOFT may have saturated american consumers with their lies and OUTRAGES advertisments but NEVER!!!! once has it compeled me to buy a 360 plus pay online service killed me, having the thought of paying for what sony offer for free is CRAZY.

thedude444478d ago

same here man, its sad though that many much of america is brainwashed so easily. well said.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4477d ago
smashcrashbash4477d ago

Kinect is for the hardcore too. 'rolls eyes'

KeybladeMaster4478d ago

Lol.... oh.... this wasn't a joke?

francknara64478d ago

Lead the Video Game Industry without Games.

Lol.

metsgaming4478d ago

timed exclusive demo ftw ! /s

kurochi4478d ago

well said, you two..... LMFAO

iceman064478d ago

Actually, it has worked thus far. MS has managed to assert itself as THE console to have. Mind-share is powerful marketing. When the average person thinks of playing games (not hardcore gamers, but suburban soccer mom) they now utter Xbox as the console of choice. This is HUGE marketing dollars and pop culture penetration at it's best. You don't really need games if your "target" audience doesn't truly care about games. This is NOT to say that it will work again. They will NEED the hardcore gamers to really launch their system. That will require their go to IP's AND something fresh and original.
I have not been convinced to buy and Xbox or 360. But, I have to admire what they have been able (somehow...someway) to accomplish in such a short time in the gaming industry.

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

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twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest6d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN5d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan5d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor5d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic5d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv725d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts5d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares6d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv726d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka5d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion6d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer6d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow15d ago (Edited 5d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer5d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

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news.xbox.com
bionicstar6d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn6d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18816d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast6d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

6d ago
Lightning776d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole5d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

6d ago
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6d ago Replies(1)
Lightning776d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

6d ago
anast5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning775d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast5d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning775d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast5d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
darthv726d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes6d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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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
darthv7211d 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.

solideagle10d ago

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

Sonic188110d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10d 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:

Lightning7710d ago

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

Cacabunga10d 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.

darthv729d 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.

neutralgamer19929d 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

shinoff218310d 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.

Cacabunga10d 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

itsmebryan10d 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

S2Killinit9d 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.

romulus2310d ago

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

darthv7210d 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.

TheEroica9d ago (Edited 9d 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.

Chevalier9d 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/...

itsmebryan9d ago

@chevalier

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

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
purple10110d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos10d ago

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

DOMination-10d 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.

XBManiac10d ago

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

SimpleDad10d ago (Edited 10d 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.

purple10110d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos10d ago (Edited 10d 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

Kornholic10d ago

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

MrDead10d 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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