@Royalblues Deathloop being on PlayStation extra this month is really interesting…far more so than Death stranding coming to pc gamepass (as we know the pc version wasn’t published by Sony as possible reasoning there…and why it’s not on Xbox gamepass). Deathloop is published by Bethesda…but now Bethesda are owned my MS. You’d think the reason that title is on extra is because it was part of the exclusivity and marketing deal Sony had with Bethesda (I expect ghost wire to be the same)…rather than them going to MS after the buy out and doing a new deal with them. I mean yeah, money wise MS gets more from Sony. But they want to sell gamepass off games that aren’t on other services…otherwise why have exclusives at all? If say PlayStation only owners can get gamepass on their tv, or their pc…what’s the incentive if they already have new xbox games as part of their plus sub? It’s surely less. If say the majority of series s owners also have a PlayStation console, there’s now less incentive to have extra and gamepass - every game counts. Particularly in a year where Xbox has so few AAA games from them on the gamepass services.
I’d be very surprised if they gave their blessing and it wasn’t already in the deal. And it will be interesting to see if some sort of blocking deal is placed there for it coming to gamepass this month - maybe ‘their own games’ been blocked from their own service is why blocking is being made a talking point now (as blocking games you’re paying for marketing for just makes logical sense).
Maybe a way around it will be Xbox getting a different version of Deathloop (a definitive version)…who knows. But the timing of it hitting extra sure is purposeful
@Tharsman They decided very early on to make the last of us 2 multiplayer into a stand alone games as a service game once Jim Ryan came aboard. It will be out next year
What is a ‘2D nonlinear world’? Procedurally generated levels? Scrolling up and down? It’s a metroidvania…so it seems odd to point out it’s ‘nonlinear’…as the nature of metroidvanias have you backtrack and open previously closed areas anyway 🤷🏻
Will give this a go…can’t say it looks any different from most of the games of this type that have flooded the market. I watch the video and feel like I already have the game gathering dust alongside my switch.
It is funny how we talk about delays being the result of the pandemic as if Xbox could ever get a games out without issue.
Should we get rid of things like ray tracing to help speed up development…well no, it’s a perk that’s been used to sell expensive consoles to you…and a perk that’s still being used to sell expensive games to you. Why’s it on the gamer/customer that raytracing requires more effort?? Xbox should have had their dev tools completed earlier. And it’s on them to find a way to ensure those tools are fully up to date and available to all their studios. And it’s up to them to manage their studios time better. And it’s up to them to deliver their games on time. It’s not our responsibility.
‘How we make games is evolving’…what, are they actually going to put them out?
Of course he wants to incorporate other teams into struggling studios - they’ve been paying contracted developers for years, so this is definitely a step up from that. And co-developement works in theory, as a short cut. But look what’s happening now with perfect dark…you have McBooty praising crystal dynamics and how important they’ve been to the project…and then, Perfect dark 2 comes along…and you no longer have crystal dynamics. You no longer have that team with a great ‘pedigree, success, and skill’…you’re effectively starting from scratch again building up a new team/calibration to work together. Sharing engines, assets, techniques etc between studios is one thing. I think this though could prove to be still pretty short sighted of Xbox…A studio like the Initiative needs to be an actual complete studio with experience of working together for each and every project.
@Dezzy70 If playground games pull this off and get a hit Id give them more accolades than Gorilla tbh - at least with killzone they could carry that experience over with AI, scripting, animation, and even platforming. Playground games are coming to fable having worked on just racing games where they get the cars from turn 10. Where the weakest part of the FH games by far are always the character models and animation.
I’m going to be very surprised if fable ends up looking like the teaser trailer…and not like an extremely pretty open world with terrible Kinect shovelware looking characters in it.
I hope the games good, but yeah I’m with you that I don’t trust what comes out of this guys mouth. He hasn’t earned the good faith
@K1LLEGAL They’re either terrified of what losing the marketing rights to cod will mean for their brand…or they understand that for as long as this acquisition goes on for it prevents MS making more big acquisitions… and let’s make no mistake, for all Sonys raising console prices, they’ve been on a big spending spree this year…that they’re not finished with yet. And this acquisition is probably the reason Xbox didn’t go for squares western devs like crystal dynamics
It’s the marketing of cod Sony are worried about…not getting the game.
Look what the marketing has afforded them
they’ve been selling consoles and psplus subs off the back of placing cod on the console packaging, placing adverts everywhere…getting the mindshare that to play cod you need PlayStation.
the marketing has afforded them to offer exclusive betas, early access to trying the game, timed exclusive game modes, timed exclusive map packs… getting the mindshare if you want to get content first get it on PlayStation.
The worse cods are up there with the best selling PlayStation games each and every year…it will still sell better on PlayStation throughout this gen no doubt. But there’s very reasonable concerns MS having the marketing will cost sony hardware sales and psplus subscriptions.
Trouble is xbox and gamepass have pretty much zero marketing presence outside of the internet. And it’s also doubtful, by the sound of things, they’ll exploit the same perks Sonys been getting with the marketing - don’t expect Xbox gamers to get things like spec ops game modes for a year exclusivity before PlayStation gamers can play those missions.
Every time Phil opens his mouth about how player should get to play games on ‘whatever device they play on’ I’m pretty sure he’s now starting to alienate more players than being embraced by them. Either announce all your games will be multi platform going forward, or be clear that the Xbox platform will be supported with exclusive games… right now all Phil is doing is saying he wants everyone playing these games…at the same time as selling hardware and subscriptions off the back of games being exclusive
Just basically be clear - can we expect starfield and the like to now come to PlayStation, come to psplus? Because if so we can sell our Xbox consoles and get a bit of money back to put towards the cost of living crisis.
Oh no…looks like someone on the uk board is a pony…
I do find it funny the uk board is concerned MS activison deal could lead to ‘worse terms’ for their rivals.. don’t we already see this with Sonys marketing deal of cod? Don’t we already have timed exclusivity and timed exclusive gameplay/modes going to PlayStation consoles? This practice is cool though. Nearly every marketing deal Sony does with third party publishers it secures additional exclusive extra content…
Basically its sounding like if MS want this to pass they have to agree to be cuckhold. Over on Xbox we won’t be seeing timed exclusive cod modes anytime soon. We won’t be getting any exclusivity out of activison/blizzard to add value to the console. And we’ll likely see a few games go onto PlayStation subscriptions too. Hell, we’re about to see that with Deathloop.
Really hyped to play this. Just have no internet at the moment to allow me to download or stream games. Which is annoying as this is probably the first gamepass game that’s hit this year I’ve been looking forward to.
It is odd MS would pay for these AA third party games exclusivity to sell gamepass subs yet they’ll put Deathloop on PlayStations subscription service before it’s even come to gamepass. When you’ve a year of no first party support on the service so far you’d think Deathloop would have been a certainty to be used to sell gamepass subs this year
Some positive news. And hitman 3 didn’t hit gamepass day 1 did it? I wonder if that made a difference
I’d be interested to know what effects PlayStations subscription services have on games sales too…surprised to learn today that Deathloop is coming to extra - which is pretty crazy as you would have thought Sonys exclusivity be over by now…so would be even more crazy if MS gave the go ahead for them to put it on extra…when it’s not even on gamepass, and Xbox have offered nothing from their studios yet this year…
@uptownsoul If they get rid of gold won’t the promotion that uses gold to get cheap gamepass go away?…yes, yes it would. Which is why I personally, I’ve long said mp shouldn’t be behind a paywall, don’t want to see gold go…simply because I get super cheap gamepass ultimate because of it.
Of course… they’ve announced the new family scheme now, which should become a viable alternative to getting cheap gamepass.
If they do drop gold they better atleast ensure mp is now free on Xbox…and not simply keep it behind another pay wall of Gamepass ultimate.
But then again…I wouldn’t really be surprised… took years to finally get f2p games free from the gold paywall…only to then start putting those in gamepass.
Sony are always doing this...and will keep on doing it. And it's a 'win' for PlayStation gamers for sure...but it's not a win for gaming. Exclusives are one thing, exclusive content ...from games that are being charged the exact same price?...yeah that's not good for anyone...and those on PlayStation will be the most vocal against it should MS follow suit.
But let's be honest, this is a business tactic...and one where MS is slipping. Instead of complaining how Sony's evil, and having it land on death ears (as they've been doing this for generations), we should be complaining to MS/Xbox for not getting these marketing rights and making sure Xbox gamers are offered additional content. Start being more aggressive for your install base Xbox!
There’s definitely an increased push with PC gamepass…from the rebranding to its presence at gamescom this week…there seems to be a bigger focus on it. And, of course we already know this gen we’ll be getting more live service games…there’s no way those will be restricted by platform, I would be shocked if Sonys were (if ever there’s going to be a start to Sonys day and date pc output it’s going to be via one of these apparent 10 live service games they’ve got in development) And then there’s of course the elusive mobile pound they’ve all been after since the start of last gen - remember how every game had to have a mobile co op app All the platforms will likely have a bigger presence on mobile this generation…it’s probably the main reason behind cloud gaming being so heavily invested in.
Be nice to have some exclusive sp story driven games this gen though wouldn’t it?
They’ll of course oversaturate the market with live services. And leave the majority of Innovation to be carried by the indie devs. But I really do hope they paid attention to the huge success of Elden ring and see there’s still a market there to reward AAA risks
I still 100% believe exclusive content though is going to be heavily invested in in some form or fashion for gamepass to grow…nothing I’ve seen shows any different
Yep he went straight to the mobile phones… everybody focusing on Activision and not as much on what they’re getting out of Blizzard. Diablo alone is going to earn them billions on the mobile space.
@uptownsoul heh no, I don’t really think Don Mattrick is the new messiah. And I’m well aware movies on licence games existed before today - bob hoskins wearing little dungarees is a memory you don’t quickly forget.
I’m also aware subscriptions services lived and died before gamepass
It was just a little tongue-in cheek at the observation of where gaming is today compared to where it was this time last gen. Today being stories of EA possibly being bought by Amazon who want us using an Alexa device for gaming… where everything, even you home, is all in one device. That listens to you. Today being yet another story about Sonys focus on putting its IPs to tv Today how we have far more acceptance that our consoles/software need to be online. How digital sales are higher than physical. And how we’re all daily praising subscription services…making the backlash over not being able to trade games more moot by the day.
Like I said, we’re getting there… just taking a different route.
@Dezzy70 I’d love to know what their marketing for the Xbox is like in America…if it’s a case of night and day compared to here…or if they hardly push there with it too.
To give Xbox some credit though…at least they put the effort in when it comes to making sure they have a presence at these shows like gamescom. Greeting their fanbase. I’m not sure Phil himself went. But I reckon it does make some difference to the perception of the brand. Maybe they’ll sell a few subs and consoles off it.
But nothing is going to sell Xbox to people better than the games…and this is where they really need to start showing results now. And, of course making sure people know they actually have those games. Soon as they have the marketing for cod they’ll be heavily advertising the message cod is on Xbox. I’ll be frankly shocked if they don’t.
@Martsmall They’ve tried voice control gaming before…never works. They did a Tom Clancy game back on the 360. And Kinect had voice interaction with some games (I always wanted Milo to come out though). It’s a gimmick they’ll try to win accolades for for allowing accessibility…but the reality will be more cumbersome and frustrating than accessible.
@Martsmall I noticed Alexa Amazon was under one of the game announcements on Thursday I think it was as a platform the game was coming to. I wish I could remember what that game was
@Dezzy70 Yeah there’s loads they could have done to capitalise on yesterday. They don’t have the games but they could have lowered the price of the hardware, or made a post about the savings gamepass family pass will offer, or announced a new pack-in bundle with the consoles is coming this Christmas, reminded people they don’t even need a console to play gamepass etc
Re:the charts…
Of course Xbox has to have some games out to hope to even get in the charts. They really dropped the ball this year - the backing of one of the richest companies in the world and for your second year you can’t get out a single AAA game?… and we get the apologist on Xbox side citing covid etc like it only effected Xbox…and like they don’t have a long history of failing to deliver AAA games regularly. It’s poor management.
Having said that, they should make more of an effort to remind people they own Minecraft. Peter Moore would have announce Minecraft 2 timed exclusive by now
VR growth really needs Xbox to get in on it…it really will make a difference having that extra push and competition. And, frankly, xbox only gamers are missing out.
@Banjo- yeah definitely. It amazes me just how many still don’t know ea play is included with gamepass ultimate…they’ve never really marketed that beyond those first couple Of weeks.
@UltimateOtaku91 yeah that will be interesting to learn if this game has any sort of summoning mechanic…as it really does offset the possible frustration with difficulty.
@UltimateOtaku91 It’s pretty hard doing difficulty settings in these types of games. And tbh I think you would lose a lot through them - I’m all for everybody getting the chance to experience a game but the gameplay loop for these is the grinding nature and stat based. Difficulty settings would break them I think.
But this is why Elden ring is so much more accessible…you’re not tied to a set linear path. Get stuck on something just go the other way. If you’re unsure, or can’t really get into souls games, but wish you could, then give Elden ring a chance…and it might in turn offer you a bit more patience when it comes to these more linear ones as you’ll have a better idea of the payoff
This being a day 1 gamepass game has certainly awarded it a lot of attention. I’m intrigued, but maybe not quite as hyped as some. There’s been a lot of ‘souls’ games over the past few years…it’s only been from software that nails it. So far what I’ve seen hasn’t been anything I’ve not played before. The biggest selling point will be that it’s taking the Pinocchio story, one that’s already pretty dark and twisted, and adapting it…I hope it follows the story beats of Pinocchio. Rather than just doing a spin on its characters and placing them in a completely different story - I’ve less interest in that.
@Banjo- Xbox really need to step up their game with the marketing now. The guy on the street that only buys cod and fifa each year and spends the rest of the time playing fortnite doesn’t see a bus advertising the new cod next to a ps5 and think “cloud saves are behind a paywall”… they think “cod is on ps5” - this is why Sony is threatened so much about the activision deal.
Here in the uk every time I’ve been to the cinema I see adverts for PlayStation. I see PlayStation billboards. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw an Xbox ad outside of the internet. I do think as soon as they get the marketing rights back for cod they’ll capitalise on it. But I hope we see it with starfield and gamepass in general too soon. Xbox really could have a huge hardware sales year next year if they put a bit more effort on their advertising
@Banjo- But then we all know the vast majority of a consoles install base are casual gamers…very few of those will follow any of the politics of gaming to call Anyone out on their bs. What will translate though is cost/value…they see a cheaper console…they see cod aligned with it…they see cod part of a gamepass package…they have ‘gamepass’ firmly implanted in their vocabulary… it’s all the perfect storm for MS to capitalise this gen without the need of knowing about £10 upgrade prices etc
It’s no wonder the series s is doing well for xbox. They just really need to capitalise on this now with the right marketing so that the casual gamer gets the message…but, let’s be honest, xbox hasn’t had decent marketing since the 360 days. And there’s no point in being the platform that offers the best value if people who aren’t on gaming sites, watching YouTube gaming channels etc…don’t know about that value
@Dezzy70 they really don’t care about hardware sales…haven’t for years. They do care about gamepass sales though. This Christmas would have been perfect timing for that streaming box that was rumoured - I reckon that’s destined to be released in time for starfield.
But yeah, if they’re smart…and want to be aggressive, they should capitalise on this.
Always a possibility…but maybe instead of spending billions on that next acquisition they should price cut both the series consoles and make them look as attractive as possible against the ps5 consoles…that’s what I’d do. I would think that would secure more gamepass subs than crazy money on games you’re locked out on getting on gamepass for a couple of years anyway.
And if Xbox do increase the price of the series consoles everywhere but the USA then they should rightly get the same backlash Sony is currently getting.
Personally I hope they don't buy any Japanese studios. I do hope they make deals with a load of japanese Devs though to produce games...and then, if they feel the need to buy one, buy the one they've proven they can work well with.
Comments 1,126
Re: Xbox Announces New, Cheaper Version Of The Elite Series 2 Controller
Interesting…I wonder if the dualsense pro controller is hitting cheaper than expected…
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Is Finally Giving Up On Xbox One And PS4
@Markatron84 Heh it would be nice to think CDPR learn from this at least…
Re: Xbox Might Be Teasing Game Pass Announcements For TGS 2022
@Royalblues Deathloop being on PlayStation extra this month is really interesting…far more so than Death stranding coming to pc gamepass (as we know the pc version wasn’t published by Sony as possible reasoning there…and why it’s not on Xbox gamepass).
Deathloop is published by Bethesda…but now Bethesda are owned my MS. You’d think the reason that title is on extra is because it was part of the exclusivity and marketing deal Sony had with Bethesda (I expect ghost wire to be the same)…rather than them going to MS after the buy out and doing a new deal with them.
I mean yeah, money wise MS gets more from Sony. But they want to sell gamepass off games that aren’t on other services…otherwise why have exclusives at all?
If say PlayStation only owners can get gamepass on their tv, or their pc…what’s the incentive if they already have new xbox games as part of their plus sub? It’s surely less.
If say the majority of series s owners also have a PlayStation console, there’s now less incentive to have extra and gamepass - every game counts. Particularly in a year where Xbox has so few AAA games from them on the gamepass services.
I’d be very surprised if they gave their blessing and it wasn’t already in the deal. And it will be interesting to see if some sort of blocking deal is placed there for it coming to gamepass this month - maybe ‘their own games’ been blocked from their own service is why blocking is being made a talking point now (as blocking games you’re paying for marketing for just makes logical sense).
Maybe a way around it will be Xbox getting a different version of Deathloop (a definitive version)…who knows. But the timing of it hitting extra sure is purposeful
Re: Next-Gen Features Like Ray Tracing Aren't Helping With Delays, Says Xbox Exec
@Tharsman They decided very early on to make the last of us 2 multiplayer into a stand alone games as a service game once Jim Ryan came aboard. It will be out next year
Re: Moonscars Goes Gold Ahead Of Xbox Game Pass Launch This Month
What is a ‘2D nonlinear world’? Procedurally generated levels? Scrolling up and down? It’s a metroidvania…so it seems odd to point out it’s ‘nonlinear’…as the nature of metroidvanias have you backtrack and open previously closed areas anyway 🤷🏻
Will give this a go…can’t say it looks any different from most of the games of this type that have flooded the market. I watch the video and feel like I already have the game gathering dust alongside my switch.
Re: Next-Gen Features Like Ray Tracing Aren't Helping With Delays, Says Xbox Exec
It is funny how we talk about delays being the result of the pandemic as if Xbox could ever get a games out without issue.
Should we get rid of things like ray tracing to help speed up development…well no, it’s a perk that’s been used to sell expensive consoles to you…and a perk that’s still being used to sell expensive games to you. Why’s it on the gamer/customer that raytracing requires more effort??
Xbox should have had their dev tools completed earlier. And it’s on them to find a way to ensure those tools are fully up to date and available to all their studios. And it’s up to them to manage their studios time better. And it’s up to them to deliver their games on time. It’s not our responsibility.
Re: Xbox Exec Dispels Negative Rumours About Perfect Dark & Crystal Dynamics
‘How we make games is evolving’…what, are they actually going to put them out?
Of course he wants to incorporate other teams into struggling studios - they’ve been paying contracted developers for years, so this is definitely a step up from that.
And co-developement works in theory, as a short cut. But look what’s happening now with perfect dark…you have McBooty praising crystal dynamics and how important they’ve been to the project…and then, Perfect dark 2 comes along…and you no longer have crystal dynamics. You no longer have that team with a great ‘pedigree, success, and skill’…you’re effectively starting from scratch again building up a new team/calibration to work together.
Sharing engines, assets, techniques etc between studios is one thing. I think this though could prove to be still pretty short sighted of Xbox…A studio like the Initiative needs to be an actual complete studio with experience of working together for each and every project.
Re: Halo Infinite Players Discover Split-Screen Exploit On Xbox Series X|S
Imagine if it was just a case of putting a menu option in there to act as a shortcut in allowing this local co op…and 343 still couldn’t do it
Re: Xbox's Matt Booty Is 'Excited' To Show The New Fable Game
@UltimateOtaku91 Glad you’re still with us!
Re: Xbox's Matt Booty Is 'Excited' To Show The New Fable Game
@Dezzy70 If playground games pull this off and get a hit Id give them more accolades than Gorilla tbh - at least with killzone they could carry that experience over with AI, scripting, animation, and even platforming.
Playground games are coming to fable having worked on just racing games where they get the cars from turn 10. Where the weakest part of the FH games by far are always the character models and animation.
I’m going to be very surprised if fable ends up looking like the teaser trailer…and not like an extremely pretty open world with terrible Kinect shovelware looking characters in it.
I hope the games good, but yeah I’m with you that I don’t trust what comes out of this guys mouth. He hasn’t earned the good faith
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox Went 'Well Beyond Typical Agreements' To Keep Call Of Duty On PlayStation
@K1LLEGAL They’re either terrified of what losing the marketing rights to cod will mean for their brand…or they understand that for as long as this acquisition goes on for it prevents MS making more big acquisitions… and let’s make no mistake, for all Sonys raising console prices, they’ve been on a big spending spree this year…that they’re not finished with yet.
And this acquisition is probably the reason Xbox didn’t go for squares western devs like crystal dynamics
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox Went 'Well Beyond Typical Agreements' To Keep Call Of Duty On PlayStation
This guy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s bent all the way over and allowed Sony to keep the marketing of cod at this point.
Re: UK Authority Reveals 'Concerns' Over Xbox's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
@SmoothlyRough Explain yourself - how am I ‘way off’ with my comment?
Re: The Callisto Protocol Dev Explains Why It's A 'Difficult' Fit For Xbox Game Pass
Of course it’s not happening…it’s another game sony is marketing and have paid exclusive content for…
Re: Xbox's Phil Spencer Responds To 'Concerns' Over Activision Blizzard Deal
@Krzzystuff “we embrace choice…as long as you choose gamepass” - doesn’t have quite the same virtue signalling does it?
Re: Microsoft Says Sony Doesn't Need To Be 'Worried' About Call Of Duty Exclusivity
It’s the marketing of cod Sony are worried about…not getting the game.
Look what the marketing has afforded them
The worse cods are up there with the best selling PlayStation games each and every year…it will still sell better on PlayStation throughout this gen no doubt. But there’s very reasonable concerns MS having the marketing will cost sony hardware sales and psplus subscriptions.
Trouble is xbox and gamepass have pretty much zero marketing presence outside of the internet. And it’s also doubtful, by the sound of things, they’ll exploit the same perks Sonys been getting with the marketing - don’t expect Xbox gamers to get things like spec ops game modes for a year exclusivity before PlayStation gamers can play those missions.
So maybe Sony is overreacting. 🤷🏻
Re: Xbox's Phil Spencer Responds To 'Concerns' Over Activision Blizzard Deal
Every time Phil opens his mouth about how player should get to play games on ‘whatever device they play on’ I’m pretty sure he’s now starting to alienate more players than being embraced by them.
Either announce all your games will be multi platform going forward, or be clear that the Xbox platform will be supported with exclusive games… right now all Phil is doing is saying he wants everyone playing these games…at the same time as selling hardware and subscriptions off the back of games being exclusive
Just basically be clear - can we expect starfield and the like to now come to PlayStation, come to psplus? Because if so we can sell our Xbox consoles and get a bit of money back to put towards the cost of living crisis.
Re: UK Authority Reveals 'Concerns' Over Xbox's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
Oh no…looks like someone on the uk board is a pony…
I do find it funny the uk board is concerned MS activison deal could lead to ‘worse terms’ for their rivals.. don’t we already see this with Sonys marketing deal of cod? Don’t we already have timed exclusivity and timed exclusive gameplay/modes going to PlayStation consoles? This practice is cool though.
Nearly every marketing deal Sony does with third party publishers it secures additional exclusive extra content…
Basically its sounding like if MS want this to pass they have to agree to be cuckhold. Over on Xbox we won’t be seeing timed exclusive cod modes anytime soon. We won’t be getting any exclusivity out of activison/blizzard to add value to the console. And we’ll likely see a few games go onto PlayStation subscriptions too. Hell, we’re about to see that with Deathloop.
Re: Poll: Are You Enjoying Immortality On Xbox Game Pass So Far?
Really hyped to play this. Just have no internet at the moment to allow me to download or stream games. Which is annoying as this is probably the first gamepass game that’s hit this year I’ve been looking forward to.
It is odd MS would pay for these AA third party games exclusivity to sell gamepass subs yet they’ll put Deathloop on PlayStations subscription service before it’s even come to gamepass. When you’ve a year of no first party support on the service so far you’d think Deathloop would have been a certainty to be used to sell gamepass subs this year
Re: Xbox Game Pass Leads To 'Higher Than Expected' Revenue For Hitman 3 Dev
Some positive news. And hitman 3 didn’t hit gamepass day 1 did it? I wonder if that made a difference
I’d be interested to know what effects PlayStations subscription services have on games sales too…surprised to learn today that Deathloop is coming to extra - which is pretty crazy as you would have thought Sonys exclusivity be over by now…so would be even more crazy if MS gave the go ahead for them to put it on extra…when it’s not even on gamepass, and Xbox have offered nothing from their studios yet this year…
Re: Talking Point: Will Microsoft Replace Xbox 360 Games With Gold?
@uptownsoul If they get rid of gold won’t the promotion that uses gold to get cheap gamepass go away?…yes, yes it would. Which is why I personally, I’ve long said mp shouldn’t be behind a paywall, don’t want to see gold go…simply because I get super cheap gamepass ultimate because of it.
Of course… they’ve announced the new family scheme now, which should become a viable alternative to getting cheap gamepass.
If they do drop gold they better atleast ensure mp is now free on Xbox…and not simply keep it behind another pay wall of Gamepass ultimate.
But then again…I wouldn’t really be surprised… took years to finally get f2p games free from the gold paywall…only to then start putting those in gamepass.
Re: Hogwarts Legacy To Include 'PlayStation Exclusive Quest'
@djshep1973 at the same time raising the price of their console
Re: Hogwarts Legacy To Include 'PlayStation Exclusive Quest'
Sony are always doing this...and will keep on doing it. And it's a 'win' for PlayStation gamers for sure...but it's not a win for gaming. Exclusives are one thing, exclusive content ...from games that are being charged the exact same price?...yeah that's not good for anyone...and those on PlayStation will be the most vocal against it should MS follow suit.
But let's be honest, this is a business tactic...and one where MS is slipping. Instead of complaining how Sony's evil, and having it land on death ears (as they've been doing this for generations), we should be complaining to MS/Xbox for not getting these marketing rights and making sure Xbox gamers are offered additional content. Start being more aggressive for your install base Xbox!
Re: Reaction: More Gaming Acquisitions Doesn't Necessarily Mean More Exclusives
There’s definitely an increased push with PC gamepass…from the rebranding to its presence at gamescom this week…there seems to be a bigger focus on it.
And, of course we already know this gen we’ll be getting more live service games…there’s no way those will be restricted by platform, I would be shocked if Sonys were (if ever there’s going to be a start to Sonys day and date pc output it’s going to be via one of these apparent 10 live service games they’ve got in development)
And then there’s of course the elusive mobile pound they’ve all been after since the start of last gen - remember how every game had to have a mobile co op app
All the platforms will likely have a bigger presence on mobile this generation…it’s probably the main reason behind cloud gaming being so heavily invested in.
Be nice to have some exclusive sp story driven games this gen though wouldn’t it?
They’ll of course oversaturate the market with live services. And leave the majority of Innovation to be carried by the indie devs. But I really do hope they paid attention to the huge success of Elden ring and see there’s still a market there to reward AAA risks
I still 100% believe exclusive content though is going to be heavily invested in in some form or fashion for gamepass to grow…nothing I’ve seen shows any different
Re: Xbox Boss Explains Two Things That 'Drove Our Interest' About Activision Blizzard
Yep he went straight to the mobile phones… everybody focusing on Activision and not as much on what they’re getting out of Blizzard. Diablo alone is going to earn them billions on the mobile space.
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@uptownsoul heh no, I don’t really think Don Mattrick is the new messiah.
And I’m well aware movies on licence games existed before today - bob hoskins wearing little dungarees is a memory you don’t quickly forget.
I’m also aware subscriptions services lived and died before gamepass
It was just a little tongue-in cheek at the observation of where gaming is today compared to where it was this time last gen.
Today being stories of EA possibly being bought by Amazon who want us using an Alexa device for gaming… where everything, even you home, is all in one device. That listens to you.
Today being yet another story about Sonys focus on putting its IPs to tv
Today how we have far more acceptance that our consoles/software need to be online.
How digital sales are higher than physical. And how we’re all daily praising subscription services…making the backlash over not being able to trade games more moot by the day.
Like I said, we’re getting there… just taking a different route.
Praise Dom Mattrick…oh Lorde
Re: Move Over Microsoft, Embracer Group Buys Square Enix's Western Studios
Bet MS are kicking themselves they had to sleep on this. Till they no doubt buy embracer that is.
Let’s see how perfect dark turns out
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@uptownsoul No way! You’re totally telling me things I didn’t know here! 🤯
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@uptownsoul it was about having the Xbox as an ‘all in one entertainment system’ - which is exactly what Amazon are after right now.
But they also wanted to branch out with tv shows - they even had a dedicated section talking about the halo series at the time
And you ain’t making no physical game trades when on a subscription or buying a digital console.
We’re getting there. Just a different route
Re: Xbox Series X & Series S Will Not Follow PlayStation 5 Price Increase
@Dezzy70 I’d love to know what their marketing for the Xbox is like in America…if it’s a case of night and day compared to here…or if they hardly push there with it too.
To give Xbox some credit though…at least they put the effort in when it comes to making sure they have a presence at these shows like gamescom. Greeting their fanbase. I’m not sure Phil himself went. But I reckon it does make some difference to the perception of the brand. Maybe they’ll sell a few subs and consoles off it.
But nothing is going to sell Xbox to people better than the games…and this is where they really need to start showing results now. And, of course making sure people know they actually have those games. Soon as they have the marketing for cod they’ll be heavily advertising the message cod is on Xbox. I’ll be frankly shocked if they don’t.
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@Martsmall we’re getting closer and closer to Don Mattricks xbox vision…it’s really interesting to see.
Always online - online subscription services. Console linked to smart home and devices.
Hardware/software regular updates/patches
Console listening.
Can’t trade in games - online subscription services. Digital sales out selling physical. Digital only consoles.
Tv tv tv - halo tv show. Sonic movies. Mario, Minecraft movies. Every Sony ip getting a tv show…
Don Mattrick the new messiah
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
On the plus side we’ll probably get prime tv series of fifa.
I kid, but actually a dragon age series I’d totally go for. Mass effect too…hell, even battlefield if they made it like Band of brothers
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
I reckon the only ones to lose from this deal if it goes through will be gamepass subscribers as I can’t see EA play remaining part of the package tbh
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@Martsmall They’ve tried voice control gaming before…never works. They did a Tom Clancy game back on the 360. And Kinect had voice interaction with some games (I always wanted Milo to come out though).
It’s a gimmick they’ll try to win accolades for for allowing accessibility…but the reality will be more cumbersome and frustrating than accessible.
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@Martsmall ah yeah! I thought the mention of Alexa was odd at the time…but then they also mentioned stadia…
Re: Rumour: Amazon Wants To Buy EA, Formal Offer Has Been Made
@Martsmall I noticed Alexa Amazon was under one of the game announcements on Thursday I think it was as a platform the game was coming to. I wish I could remember what that game was
Re: Xbox Series X & Series S Will Not Follow PlayStation 5 Price Increase
@Dezzy70 Yeah there’s loads they could have done to capitalise on yesterday. They don’t have the games but they could have lowered the price of the hardware, or made a post about the savings gamepass family pass will offer, or announced a new pack-in bundle with the consoles is coming this Christmas, reminded people they don’t even need a console to play gamepass etc
Re:the charts…
Of course Xbox has to have some games out to hope to even get in the charts. They really dropped the ball this year - the backing of one of the richest companies in the world and for your second year you can’t get out a single AAA game?… and we get the apologist on Xbox side citing covid etc like it only effected Xbox…and like they don’t have a long history of failing to deliver AAA games regularly. It’s poor management.
Having said that, they should make more of an effort to remind people they own Minecraft. Peter Moore would have announce Minecraft 2 timed exclusive by now
Re: Xbox Series X & Series S Will Not Follow PlayStation 5 Price Increase
Good news. Hope they stick to it. Should have gone for the kill and announced a price cut today.
Re: 'Atomic Heart' Gameplay Trailer Provides Fresh Look At Its Bonkers World
Games looks so good! Hitting all the right vibes - definitely see some bioshock in there.
I'm glad Xbox is finally showing this some more love...they seemed to be distancing themselves from it since the war in Ukraine.
No release date though has me pretty convinced it's not hitting this year, unfortunately
Re: Video: Here's A Full 25-Minutes Of Xbox Game Pass Shooter 'High On Life'
More I see if this more concerned I am about the actual gameplay…
Re: Xbox's Phil Spencer Understands Why Gamers Don't 'Get' The Metaverse
VR growth really needs Xbox to get in on it…it really will make a difference having that extra push and competition. And, frankly, xbox only gamers are missing out.
Re: Reaction: Will Xbox Follow PlayStation In Raising Console Prices?
@Banjo- yeah definitely. It amazes me just how many still don’t know ea play is included with gamepass ultimate…they’ve never really marketed that beyond those first couple
Of weeks.
Re: 'Lies Of P' Uncut Gameplay Shows 15 Minutes Of The Souls-Like's 2nd Chapter
@UltimateOtaku91 yeah that will be interesting to learn if this game has any sort of summoning mechanic…as it really does offset the possible frustration with difficulty.
Re: 'Lies Of P' Uncut Gameplay Shows 15 Minutes Of The Souls-Like's 2nd Chapter
@UltimateOtaku91 It’s pretty hard doing difficulty settings in these types of games. And tbh I think you would lose a lot through them - I’m all for everybody getting the chance to experience a game but the gameplay loop for these is the grinding nature and stat based. Difficulty settings would break them I think.
But this is why Elden ring is so much more accessible…you’re not tied to a set linear path. Get stuck on something just go the other way. If you’re unsure, or can’t really get into souls games, but wish you could, then give Elden ring a chance…and it might in turn offer you a bit more patience when it comes to these more linear ones as you’ll have a better idea of the payoff
Re: 'Lies Of P' Uncut Gameplay Shows 15 Minutes Of The Souls-Like's 2nd Chapter
This being a day 1 gamepass game has certainly awarded it a lot of attention.
I’m intrigued, but maybe not quite as hyped as some. There’s been a lot of ‘souls’ games over the past few years…it’s only been from software that nails it.
So far what I’ve seen hasn’t been anything I’ve not played before. The biggest selling point will be that it’s taking the Pinocchio story, one that’s already pretty dark and twisted, and adapting it…I hope it follows the story beats of Pinocchio. Rather than just doing a spin on its characters and placing them in a completely different story - I’ve less interest in that.
Re: Reaction: Will Xbox Follow PlayStation In Raising Console Prices?
@Banjo- Xbox really need to step up their game with the marketing now. The guy on the street that only buys cod and fifa each year and spends the rest of the time playing fortnite doesn’t see a bus advertising the new cod next to a ps5 and think “cloud saves are behind a paywall”… they think “cod is on ps5” - this is why Sony is threatened so much about the activision deal.
Here in the uk every time I’ve been to the cinema I see adverts for PlayStation. I see PlayStation billboards. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw an Xbox ad outside of the internet.
I do think as soon as they get the marketing rights back for cod they’ll capitalise on it. But I hope we see it with starfield and gamepass in general too soon. Xbox really could have a huge hardware sales year next year if they put a bit more effort on their advertising
Re: Reaction: Will Xbox Follow PlayStation In Raising Console Prices?
@Banjo- But then we all know the vast majority of a consoles install base are casual gamers…very few of those will follow any of the politics of gaming to call Anyone out on their bs.
What will translate though is cost/value…they see a cheaper console…they see cod aligned with it…they see cod part of a gamepass package…they have ‘gamepass’ firmly implanted in their vocabulary… it’s all the perfect storm for MS to capitalise this gen without the need of knowing about £10 upgrade prices etc
It’s no wonder the series s is doing well for xbox. They just really need to capitalise on this now with the right marketing so that the casual gamer gets the message…but, let’s be honest, xbox hasn’t had decent marketing since the 360 days. And there’s no point in being the platform that offers the best value if people who aren’t on gaming sites, watching YouTube gaming channels etc…don’t know about that value
Re: Reaction: Will Xbox Follow PlayStation In Raising Console Prices?
@Dezzy70 they really don’t care about hardware sales…haven’t for years. They do care about gamepass sales though. This Christmas would have been perfect timing for that streaming box that was rumoured - I reckon that’s destined to be released in time for starfield.
But yeah, if they’re smart…and want to be aggressive, they should capitalise on this.
Re: Reaction: Will Xbox Follow PlayStation In Raising Console Prices?
Always a possibility…but maybe instead of spending billions on that next acquisition they should price cut both the series consoles and make them look as attractive as possible against the ps5 consoles…that’s what I’d do. I would think that would secure more gamepass subs than crazy money on games you’re locked out on getting on gamepass for a couple of years anyway.
And if Xbox do increase the price of the series consoles everywhere but the USA then they should rightly get the same backlash Sony is currently getting.
Re: Xbox Continues To Look For Potential Acquisitions, Says Phil Spencer
@Rafie we shall see...
Personally I hope they don't buy any Japanese studios. I do hope they make deals with a load of japanese Devs though to produce games...and then, if they feel the need to buy one, buy the one they've proven they can work well with.