Gamasutra analyst Matt Matthews looks at how new slimlined consoles are driving growth year over year for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms, comparing the two consoles' performance -- and finding the Xbox 360 S is out ahead.
Prior to the launch of the new Xbox 360 S in June of this year, sales of Microsoft's console were already up 6.7 percent in 2010, year-to-date. For a console finishing its fifth year, that's a significant accomplishment.
Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.
i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.
its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.
They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.
They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid
The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.
And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.
Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.
THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.
The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?
There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.
Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.
Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.
From base building to swinging willies, here are the best survival games around, which include a couple of less than obvious picks.
Marketing is everything.
Misleading. The data is US only.
(hey, someone had to point that out)
I would say adding features instead of removing them is a big plus. Whats amazing about the 360S is it didn't get a large pricecut like the PS3 Slim, and its still doing better.
@topgeareasy
Nope, its likely the same in Europe too especially when you consider how much the UK counts and the boost was bigger in the UK than in the US I believe.
@Quagland
Its only ever been slightly more popular and the slim would have tipped the popularity in the 360s favour.
So what about how many actually bought a new 360S because the older versions are not up to par with the new ones.
That's completely uncalled for. You know those rating systems are flawed. They don't take in account houses that have, uh, more than two television sets, and other things of that nature.
Te he he.