Tag: Sony - Page 2
News Phil Spencer: Sony Wants To 'Make Xbox Smaller' To Protect PlayStation's Dominance
"They have a very different view of the industry"
Before all the Game Awards and FTC lawsuit madness that took place this week, Xbox boss Phil Spencer made an appearance on the
News Microsoft Shows Frustration As Sony Fails To Respond To 10-Year Call Of Duty Offer
"It’s clear they’re spending more time with the regulators"
Earlier today, Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed the news that a 10-year commitment has been agreed to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo (and Steam) following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but as of right now, we still haven't heard about what's happening with Sony and...
Report Microsoft 'Held Meetings' With Sony Last Week To Discuss Activision Blizzard Deal
FTC expected to make a decision in January
The latest update in the ongoing Activision Blizzard saga has arrived this week courtesy of Seeking Alpha, with the outlet reporting that Microsoft and Sony "held meetings" to discuss the acquisition this past weekend. The report mentions that Microsoft is "working to give assurances to Sony that it will...
News 'Microsoft Wants PlayStation To Become Like Nintendo', Claims Sony
That's one way to look at it!
As you've probably already seen, Sony Interactive Entertainment's "Observations on the CMA's Issues Statement" from October 2022 was publicly revealed earlier today as part of the ongoing investigation into Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition, and it's basically a long list of reasons why Sony doesn't think the...
News Jim Ryan Denies Sony Is Misleading Regulators Over Xbox's Activision Blizzard Deal
The PlayStation boss speaks out
The saga continues! Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan has expressed a few words today as part of a New York Times report concerning Xbox's attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard, denying claims that Sony has been misleading regulators throughout the process. In recent weeks, Microsoft has...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Chimes In On Sony's God Of War Ragnarok Launch
You love to see it
Ahead of God of War Ragnarok's PS5 launch, Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg popped up on Twitter last week to express his excitement about playing Sony's latest exclusive title. This is a typical sight for an Xbox exec at this point; the team is open and honest about what they're playing! Well, now that the game is out there in the wild,...
News Microsoft Reacts To EU's 'In-Depth' Investigation Of Activision Blizzard Deal
"We want people to have more access to games, not less"
The European Commission is the latest authority to launch a deeper investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with the region now looking at all aspects of the deal. The EU has set itself a March 2023 deadline to make a call on the merger, and Microsoft could then be...
News Sony Could 'Respond' To ActiBlizz Deal By Improving PS Plus, Suggests Microsoft
"Sony has the ability to respond competitively"
There's been a lot of talk over the past week about the CMA's investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and in Microsoft's response to the authority, we found some interesting comments about PlayStation Plus. Basically, the document goes into detail about why Microsoft thinks...
News Microsoft Intended To Release Xbox Game Pass On PlayStation, Sony 'Blocked' It
PlayStation Game Pass?
More and more information from the UK authority's scrutiny of Xbox's ActiBlizz deal is starting to trickle out, and this drop is a juicy one. Again via The Verge's Tom Warren, Microsoft has discussed Game Pass and the fact that the service could have been on PlayStation, had Sony wanted it. In defending its Activision...
News Xbox Argues With UK Regulator Over Activision Blizzard Deal
"The CMA's concerns are misplaced..."
Right, the gloves have come off over at Microsoft HQ it seems. The Xbox owners have begun, well, arguing with the UK's competition regulator regarding its 'Phase 2' analysis of the Activision Blizzard merger. In short, Microsoft is accusing the UK CMA of taking Sony's comments into serious consideration without...
News Phil Spencer Passionately Defends Xbox Game Pass Over Call Of Duty Concerns
"Competition is about driving competitors to innovate"
As we've already mentioned today, Xbox boss Phil Spencer was recently interviewed by CNBC on a wide variety of topics as part of Tokyo Game Show 2022, including Sony's recent concerns with the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Spencer talked about vari
Reaction More Gaming Acquisitions Doesn't Necessarily Mean More Exclusives
The tides are changing
We seem to be caught in a whirlwind of gaming acquisition news as of late, from progress on the Xbox ActiBlizz deal, to Embracer buying a bunch of studios, to rumours about an EA deal, and even more besides. While these deals often bring out both supporters and sceptics in
Reaction Will Xbox Follow PlayStation In Raising Console Prices?
Update: Microsoft issues a response
Update: It looks like we've got our answer! Microsoft has issued a statement today to various outlets suggesting that the price of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will remain the same - at least for the forseeable future. Phew! Here's the full quote: “We are constantly evaluating our business to o
News Sony Didn't Pay To Keep 'Cult Of The Lamb' Off Xbox Game Pass, Says Publisher
Update: "This is absolutely untrue"
Update: Devolver Digital, which publishes Cult of the Lamb, has since reached out to TheGamer about this story to state that the rumour is "absolutely untrue" and Sony didn't pay to keep the game off Xbox Game Pass. "This is absolutely untrue". Original story: There's been a lot going around lately about how...
News Xbox Says Sony's Concerns About Call Of Duty Are 'Simply Unjustifiable'
The fight continues
Scrutiny surrounding Xbox's Activision Blizzard deal is increasing, especially as Microsoft has seemingly submitted all of the required info to the FTC. While such a process is formality in a deal of this nature, we're now seeing Xbox react to other opposing parties. In the gaming space specifically, Xbox appears to believe Sony...
News Xbox Accuses Sony Of 'Paying' To Block Games From Game Pass
Fiery comments from Microsoft
Earlier today, details on an Xbox-related document filed by Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) were uncovered, and one of the claims is that Sony is paying to block content from appearing on Game Pass. The report and these comments are related to the impending acquisition of Activision...
News PlayStation Seems Worried About Xbox Owning Call Of Duty
Sony says the series 'has no rival'
We all know how incredibly popular Call of Duty is, and just how big of a deal Xbox owning the brand could potentially be. However, most of us don't have quite as much stock in the series as Sony does, and what happens to CoD is clearly of huge interest to the PlayStation owner. In a Q&A between Sony and a...
News Xbox Series X|S Has Outsold PS5 In Japan, Again
Similar results came last month
Xbox Series X|S seems to be doing pretty well in Japan, all things considered. While beating out the PS5 for any given period is largely down to supply constraints, the fact that the system is really selling at all over there is a big improvement on last generation. Well, just as it did for a week in May, the console...
News PlayStation's Jim Ryan Continues To Dismiss Game Pass-Style Launches
The Xbox model is a "significant risk" for PS5 first-party games
It seems that people just can't move away from Xbox Game Pass when talking about the new PlayStation Plus revamp. In a recent investor Q&A, PlayStation's Jim Ryan was once again asked about comparisons to Xbox's service, and whether launching first party games there is something...
News Xbox Series S Just Outsold Both PS5 Models In Japan
It's been a successful week for Xbox in Japan
2022 has been a good year for Xbox hardware sales. Back in February, Series X|S outsold PS5 in both the US and Europe, having never done so before in the latter region. Now, Xbox Series S has outsold PS5 in Japan for the very first time, and it didn't even need the help of its big brother. This data...
News Early Look At PS Plus Premium Shows How It Compares To Xbox Game Pass
Let the battle commence
Right, Sony has finally revealed more information on its huge overhaul of PlayStation Plus, and it's starting to compare quite heavily to Xbox Game Pass. While Sony has confirmed that its first party games won't launch on any tier of PS Plus, its newly revealed game list shows a huge reliance on classic PlayStation first...
News Sony CFO Says That Game Pass-Style Launches Would Cause Exclusives To 'Deteriorate'
"That will deteriorate the first-party title quality"
Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki has discussed the the idea of PlayStation exclusives launching on PS Plus; a hot topic since Xbox Game Pass began to integrate first party games many years ago. This time, comments come from a recent earnings call and for now, the company line hasn't changed. That line is...
News Former Xbox Employee Joins Bungie As 'Project Lead' For Destiny 2 Expansions
Phil Spencer: "Congrats Catarina"
Earlier this year, Sony shared some surprising news - revealing it had acquired the former Halo developer Bungie for $3.6 billion. It seems it's not the only former team Xbox member jumping ship to PlayStation. Former senior program manager at Xbox's research and development division, Catarina Macedo, has now...
News Digital Foundry Analysis Shows Xbox Offers The Best VRR Experience On Console
As the feature arrives on PS5
VRR, or variable refresh rate, is a feature that often flies under the radar in the console world. Basically, the technology smoothens out visual and gameplay stutters that crop up as a result of varied frame rates. It's been around on Xbox since midway through the last generation — as long as your display supports...
News Jeff Grubb Suggests Another Square Enix Acquisition 'More Likely' Following Western Studio Sale
Could the Japanese side of the business be sold?
It seems to be acquisition season right now in the gaming industry. Embracer Group, the huge Swedish firm who owns the likes of THQ Nordic, recently picked up Square Enix's Western studios, and now there's talk of WB Games being up for sale too. However, business regarding Square Enix might not be...
Reaction Should Game Pass Ultimate Add Free Trials For All Xbox Games?
Sony is reportedly doing something similar for PS Plus
Xbox Game Pass has become a cornerstone of the Xbox ecosystem, a real feather in the platform's cap. However, we can admit that it's not perfect, so, should Microsoft take a leaf out of Sony's book with a reported new feature coming to PlayStation? That feature is a service-wide game trials...
News Sony And Nintendo Follow Xbox's Lead In Changing Subscription Renewals
A win for the consumer
Earlier this year, Xbox began to make some changes regarding digital purchases. Basically, a UK authority said it had "identified concerns" regarding auto-renewals on Xbox platforms, and the board reached out to Microsoft in an effort to see change. In return, the company advised it would "provide more transparent, upfront...
Guide Here's How PlayStation's New Services Compare To Xbox Game Pass
PS Plus Essential, Extra, Premium vs. Xbox Game Pass
PlayStation has officially revealed its new tiered subscription plans, with three levels available to players. Each level includes a range of different benefits, with some clearly positioned to compete with Xbox Game Pass. So, how do they all compare? And will any of them really rival Microsoft's...
News PlayStation's Game Pass Competitor Could Be Announced Next Week
Increased competition
We've heard for a good while about PlayStation competing with Xbox Game Pass. The thing is, they've just never done it. While PS Plus and PS Now offer good value, neither can top Game Pass. It looks like Sony wants to change that narrative. A new
News Major Gaming Deals Are In The 'Final Stages Of Negotiations', Says Geoff Keighley
Who's next?
The latest gaming company to get snapped up is Bungie, with Sony picking them up at a price of $3.6 billion. Well, there may be more deals coming in the short term, as companies compete for the strongest library of games. The Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley has taken to Twitter today to reveal that he's heard some major video game...
News Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Congratulates Sony On Bungie Acquisition
Head of PlayStation Studios says it's "exciting times to be a gamer"
PlayStation has finally responded to Microsoft's string of acquisitions - announcing it will be acquiring the American developer Bungie (the studio known for Destiny and the original Halo series on Xbox) for $3.6 billion. Destiny 2 is one of Phil Spencer's favourite games on the...
News Bungie Confirms Destiny And Future Games Will Still Be On Xbox
No plans for any exclusives
Sony dropped the bombshell on us today that it's buying Destiny developer Bungie for $3.6 billion, but the great news from an Xbox perspective is that Bungie isn't planning on making any PlayStation exclusives anytime soon. In a message posted on the official Bungie website, the studio made it clear that it wants to keep...
News Sony Acquiring Bungie For $3.6 Billion, Studio Will Remain Multiplatform
Another major acquisition
What is happening this year?! Just weeks after Microsoft announced it was acquiring Activision for a little under $70 billion, Sony has now announced that it is acquiring Destiny (and former Halo) studio Bungie for $3.6 billion. However, it's been confirmed that Bungie will remain a multiplatform studio with the ability...
News Microsoft And Sony 'Have Never Been Competitors', Says Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford
You sure about that?
As Xbox gobbles up publishers and studios like nobody's business, we're all left wondering what the end game is. The company has expressed that it has Amazon and Google in its sights, rather than Sony, and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford seems to agree that Microsoft doesn't want to directly compete with Sony. In a series of...
News Sony Expects Xbox To 'Ensure' Activision Games Are Still Available On PlayStation
Update: Microsoft plans to keep CoD on PS
Update: Phil Spencer has issued a statement on Twitter today, promising that Xbox will honour any existing agreements while also expressing a "desire" for Call of Duty to remain on PlayStation in the future. Original story: There's been a lot of speculation that
News Sony Stock Value Drops By $20 Billion After Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard
How will PlayStation respond?
Not to stoke the console war flames, but it looks like Sony is in the middle of dealing with the Xbox Activision Blizzard purchase. After news of the deal dropped yesterday, January 18th, Sony stock plummeted overnight. In total, shares in Sony have lowered by 13 percent in the wake of the deal. Bloomberg noted that...
Reaction Sony Continuing PS4 Production Shows The Xbox Series S Was A Great Move
Not enough chips
The Xbox Series S has been somewhat controversial since its reveal and release in 2020. A lower-spec next-gen console was seen by some as a way of holding the generation back, essentially limiting what could be extracted from Xbox Series X and PS5. A global chip shortage shows it was the right move after all. Earlier today, January...
News PlayStation Reportedly Creating Xbox Game Pass Competitor, Set To Arrive Spring 2022
Featuring everything from PS1 to PS5 games
We've got huge news coming out of the PlayStation camp today, as Bloomberg is reporting that Sony is creating an Xbox Game Pass competitor that is set to launch in Spring 2022, featuring everything from PS1 to PS5 games. It's codenamed 'Spartacus' and "will allow PlayStation owners to pay a monthly fee for...
News MLB The Show 21's Xbox Release Appears To Have Been A Major Success For Sony
"The Show 21 contributed significantly to sales and profit..."
Sony has followed on from Xbox last week by reporting the latest earnings results for the PlayStation brand, and interestingly from an Xbox perspective, there's a little note discussing the success of MLB The Show 21. The company says that MLB The Show 21's launch on "other platforms"...
News Phil Spencer Praises PS5 DualSense, Says There's More Work To Do With The Xbox Controller
"I think Sony’s done a nice job..."
With the launch of the PlayStation 5, one of the biggest talking points has been the DualSense controller. It includes unique rumble features through haptic feedback, and has adaptive triggers which can add a new level of immersion to games. It's something many industry professionals have applauded, and Xbox...
News PlayStation Boss Claims Sony Is Not In An 'Arms Race' Against Xbox To Acquire Studios
"We're very selective about the developers that we bring in"
Following the news that Sony has acquired former Xbox developer Housemarque, head of PlayStation Studios, Hermen Hulst, has claimed it's not in an "arms race" against Xbox to acquire more studios. Speaking to GQ Magazine, Hulst was probed about the on-going race between companies to...
News Microsoft Gave Sony Pre-Release Xbox Series X|S Hardware For MLB The Show 21
“It was a real, real sign of industry trust"
Xbox exec Sarah Bond has revealed how there was a lot of "trust" involved in bringing Sony's MLB The Show series to Xbox for the first time, and the team had to hand over pre-release Xbox Series X|S hardware in the process. Speaking to Axios and transcribed by VGC, Bond explained that the Xbox team had...
News Microsoft May Not Be Investing Into Discord, But Sony Is
"Our goal is to bring the Discord and PlayStation experiences closer together"
You may remember there were strong rumours circulating a few weeks back that Microsoft was in talks to acquire Discord. It was later claimed that those talks fell through and nothing was to come of it. While it's not a complete purchase, Sony has today confirmed it has...
Rumour Sony Deal Will Bar Resident Evil Village From Xbox Game Pass
For at least one year
If you were hoping to see the next entry in the Resident Evil series get a surprise release on Xbox Game Pass in the near future, what you're about to read may come as a bit of a shock. According to supposed leaked documents - which appear to have come from last year's Capcom hack, Sony has done an exclusive deal with Capcom,...
News God Of War Creator Says Sony Will Have A Response To Xbox Game Pass
"I know they are doing some stuff"
Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service has undoubtedly had an incredible year, adding the likes of EA Play, a massive batch of Bethesda games and countless AAA titles, not to mention the arrival of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Back in November, Sony's Jim Ryan stated t
Video PlayStation Welcomes Xbox Players To MLB The Show 21
Yeah, this still feels really weird
Sony made the incredible announcement back in early February that MLB The Show 21 would be coming to Xbox platforms for the first time on April 20th, marking the first PlayStation Studios title to ever reach Xbox! And as you can see above, the team at Sony San Diego has put together a little marketing trailer...
Random Xbox Celebrates National Video Games Day With Sony & Nintendo
"No matter how you play, it’s a great year for gaming"
Did you know? Today is National Video Games Day (in the United States). As a result, Xbox has taken to social media to celebrate the occasion with Sony, Nintendo and "everyone", putting together this neat little graphic that has racked up well over 60,000 likes over the past few hours:...
News Sony Is Reportedly 'Moneyhatting' Some Huge Timed Exclusives
According to an industry insider
Update: Imran Khan has since provided additional comments about this on ResetEra: "There isn't a major third party out there Sony failed to approach asking what kind of deals they could work out. Some had content, some had games, some had content and games. It is not like Microsoft was not willing to offer, they...
News Upset About PlayStation Exclusive Content? Prepare For More, Says Industry Insider
"The next year will be a marathon of getting upset"
Yesterday, Sony confirmed that various content in the upcoming Marvel's Avengers - including the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man - would be PlayStation exclusive, making some Xbox fans as green (and angry) as the Hulk
News Sony Has Delayed This Week's PS5 Games Event
"We do not feel that right now is a time for celebration"
Sony has revealed that it has delayed this week's upcoming games-focused PS5 digital event in light of anti-racist protests currently taking place in the US. In a statement issued via Twitter, it noted it wanted to "stand back and allow more important voices to be heard." The company had...