cragis0001

I wonder if the dev responded not just to the backlash from the article. But is aware of other high profile PS5 exclusive selling rather poorly. So doesn't want to burn other potential avenues of revenue.

The standard teir is Microsofts way of trying to get people to continue subbing when the pastures are lean. I would benefit from Standard as I don't game on PC & my internet is crap in rural Scotland to play on XCloud. So day 1 & the vast amount of titles makes Ultimate for me.
So if like lately all the good 1st party day 1's are at the last few months of the year. I could lower to standard & then upgrade to ultimate when the games I want to play hit the service.
Or if there is a handful of titles keep standard & buy the games I want.
Nothing wrong with more choice. As until Microsoft get to there 1st party title every quarter promise. Standard could be descent alternative to just canceling it outright.

@johnK could be the PS5 for all we know. Look at The First Descendant as an example. But like other have said it's probably due to the PC version being a mess. So console ports have probably been pushed to the side.

I thought Microsoft had to give the rights to cloud gaming to Ubisoft as part of the ABK deal?

@Kevw2006 think you may be correct.

@Banjo- exactly. When Microsoft or Ninja Theory will release the sales numbers? Is anyone's guess.

I think people forget that Microsoft don't disclose there store sales like Nintendo. So of course a niche title releasing digitally only wasn't gonna crack the top 100 when both Xbox & Microsoft PC store sales are missing.

@WhiteRabbit take it you haven't read the article on Windows Central then 😂😂😂😂.

If it was so clear 😂😂😂 Then why have you still not answered how you came to the conclusion it is solely the Series S's fault when Games Science mentioned both Xbox Series X/S.

The statement is vague in the sense that it doesn't state what has caused the problem. It identifies the problem that's all 😂😂😂. But you know that. Your just trolling.

You even say it yourself. That games get released broken so we should be happy for the delay. Again that comes down to many factors 😂😂😂.

@DarkTron I just re read the article & to be fair Jez thinks it's the Series S as well. He only mentions exclusivity because Microsoft statement brings it up & he heard a rumour while in LA. Most of what he has said has been brought up in this news section to be fair.
If the game was exclusive your correct we'd know about it. But if Sony has made a deal it be for marketing rights.

@WhiteRabbit I never said there statement was speculative 😂😂😂😂 All I've said is that it's vague.
I'm not the one that read a statement & automatically assumes it's the Series S with no facts to back it up 😂😂😂.
All I've been arguing is how did you come to the conclusion that the problem is with the Series S.

@WhiteRabbit you tell me? as you & many more seem to think that statement means it's the Series S fault. How did you come to that conclusion? Thats my point when I mention speculation.

Like I said before that statement hints of a problem but doesn't explain what's caused it. Which has allowed people to speculate what it is.

@WhiteRabbit no it's not. But both Games Science & Microsoft are guilty of being so vague it's allowed both sides to speculate.
You don't even hide the fact that you think it was the Series S to blame. But then your critical of Jez Cordon & Windows Central for jumping on the possibility of timed exclusivity potentially being another reason for the delay. When Sony is natourious for exclusive deals. But it could be a marketing deal that Microsoft was hinting at. But who knows.

@WhiteRabbit yes for Baldur Gate 3 it was the issue as Larian Studios made no secret of it. But Games Science haven't said it was the Series S & have refused to say more about it when asked by Windows Central.

So both sides are speculating at this point.

@WhiteRabbit again Games Science was vague on what was causing the optimisation problem. As it could be budget related? They've bitten off more than they could chew being a small team? Lack of experience in optimising for certain hardware etc as Larian Studios admitted the Series S helped make other versions better. But everyone jumped on the narrative that it must be the Series S.

Which you were one I believe?

So When Microsoft hints of exclusivity as a potential cause?. It's obviously it's gonna attract attention considering how secretive other deals like the length of exclusivity of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy will be.

@WhiteRabbit you should probably read the Windows Central article. As it does state that both Microsoft & Game Science were contacted. The later declined to comment.

I'm not. As they refunded it on my old card. So have to contact customer services 😞.

@Lrapsody yeah it's a shame BC was cancelled & not just delayed for the Xbox 360 😞.

Come on Microsoft. Hopefully it's a modern take on Lionheads cancelled BC project.

I bet this will be the closest we get to a new or remastered Black & White game 😭. So day 1 for me as enjoyed AoE2. Still got 4 to try though.

@GuyinPA75 no I agree it was definitely MLB that forced Sony to make a Xbox version.

Probably the closest thing Xbox will release that's close to Black & White 😭😭😭.
Can still dream I guess. A remake or remaster would be awesome Microsoft.

Purexbox how did I disrespect others 😂😂😂. I tell someone to ignore a fanboy starting fights with others & happily ignores facts to serve his argument & I'm the disrespectful one.

@DennisReynolds so if paying full price for Games is the solution to the problems within the industry. Why is Sony putting there 1st party games on PC?. Mostly day & date as well. Why did MLB insist on Sony to make an Xbox version just to put it on Games Pass? & why is Sony allowing Lego Horizon Adventure on the Nintendo Switch rather than the PS4. 😂😂😂.

As much as Games Pass being 1st party day & date is a great deal. I can't see it saving Xbox hardware. As I've said it from day 1. It's 3rd party & Xbox users that make Games Pass. So if both flee then it's dead. This interview again doesn't explain how Microsoft isn't preventing both.

I was hoping for Blue Protocol news at the Summer Games Fest. Maybe the Xbox showcase I guess

A descent strategy if true?. That Octopath Traveler 2 hits Games Pass. Would be older ports of Square Enix games get payed for to be on Games Pass but new titles are fully priced.
I'll be buying them all including Octopath Traveler 2 so I can fully enjoy them when I wish.

@IOI Games Pass isn't gonna change much for Call of Duty.
Fifa before the switch to EA FC, GTA5 & Minecraft are still top sellers & available on Games Pass.
People who tend to buy it won't stop as it's still the cheaper option for the majority. I don't play COD but will try it on Games Pass so they will gain subs from people like me.
You also need to look at free to play titles like Fortnite how lowering the bar for entry increases revenue through micro transactions.

Xbox sales of the last COD made up only 8% of total sales. So if that drops to 4% but due to Games Pass brings in million of more players who are willing to buying ultimate editions upgrades for £30 or micro transactions then in the long run it's more money.

@Nicstockes I wonder if they'll treat Octopath Traveler 2 like they did Final Fantasy 14?. So hopefully we will find out during the Xbox showcase. So maybe a shadow drop or within a few weeks after.

@BAMozzy yeah I've not watched the whole of Build 24 yet. But what I saw was wild. I agree the Apple M chips have been the benchmark for the last several years & considering how quickly ARM has matured on Windows is also crazy.

Talking about the next Xbox. Microsoft announced at Build 24. Partnerships with Nvidia & AMD for AI chips sets, Cloud & app integration. I'm sure they'll work with Intel also. So whatever they use will be taylored to Microsoft's needs. It could also mean that Microsoft will also get royalties for chips sets used in Nintendo & PlayStation in the future.

To think what we gamers will get in the future is exciting. I Can't wait. next gen 2026 became a little closer after Build 24.

A few suprises would be nice. Updates on all previously announced 1st party titles coming in the next couple of years. 3rd party titles from around the globe. More Asian titles please Microsoft !!!!.

To be fair Microsoft have enough studios to have an epic showcase.

@BAMozzy I think we got a glimpse of Microsoft's Windows/Xbox handheld future with the release of the new Snapdragon X Plus & Elite chipset.

Borderlands 3 & Buldurs Gate 3 were meant to be running not to badly I hear.

@BAMozzy I agree. I guess they'll also do the same as they did with Starfield, Forza & Redfall. Bring out a £30 upgrade to deluxe edition for early access, season pass & some currency for Games Pass users which will make Microsoft a ton of money also.

@BAMozzy aye Warzone on mobile is making $2 million day in revenue!!! It's just crazy how much Microsoft is making.
Xbox sold like 7% of last years COD. So say 5% max plays on Games Pass. It's a small loss.

@Sifi I think it depends on the specs. Id hate to think it would be more expensive than say the Series X or the Asus Rog Ally. I'm loosing faith in Xbox though so no sure what I'll be doing next gen.

Sounds like we could be in for a treat at the June Showcase. Hellblade 2 this month to start the ball rolling. Square Enix back.

@BAMozzy yeah was a bit disappointed with the Rog Ally X announcement . But still could be a good handheld if it has ironed out all the bugs. Hopefully a successor is in the work & won't be far away. As for price again in the UK its a bit expensive. But still cheaper than buying a gaming rig.

PC is definitely the way to go. Maybe Nintendo for console as well. But see what happens in a couple years.

@deadmaker you have @MrMagic on Push Square saying because Tekken 8 has sold only 7.47% on Xbox so far that Namco Bandai & other shouldn't bother.

@BAMozzy I heard the Rog Ally X is just an upgrade of the original. Better battery & more RAM. There hotter news was spec leak for the Switch 2. Being a cross between a PS4 & Series S.

My only concern for a handheld PC hybrid Xbox is the expense & with all that's going on lately that people will have faith to buy it.

@rustyduck thats my main issue with Xbox at the moment. Will all this negativity, in fighting, 3rd party push to PlayStation/Nintendo, Nadella & the board taking over, closure of Tango Gameworks kill 3rd party faith in supporting Xbox after this gen ends. I was hoping they'd push to improve it more. But oh well only time will tell.

@Pabpictu I was referring to Xbox hardware when I mentioned Windows Phone demise. As like Xbox. Microsoft software was making money on Android & IOS platforms when they killed Windows Phone.

You say Windows Phone was unsustainable. heard that before on a certain Xbox product.

I agree. Microsoft could be bigger than Tencent being just a publisher. As they've got there current game studio's & want more? They have there own cloud platform, PC & games console OS's. Dev tools. Hardware makers. The lot.

@NEStalgia I think it comes down to how fast the next gen hardware takes off or collapses. As Surface is designed to be a showcase for other manufacturers. It had a soul when Panos Panay ran the show but has been cut back now he left. Again Nadella!!!. I think if it's a third gen of struggle. It could be game over for hardware!!!.
As for dev tools? Microsoft is a software company at heart. So would still be a strong partner to have. Even if they became just a publisher/store owner on other platforms. They'd still have other gaming revenue with being a cloud provider etc. God knows what will happen in the end.

@CutchuSlow no I agree. but I've seen many times how upper management make stupid decisions. That make little to no sense. My only highlight this gen has been better support in Japanese games on Xbox. Which Spencer has to get credit for. It's a shame Tango Gameworks had to close as was hoping for news on new games at the showcase next month. I'm sure we will hear more why it has happened. I just hope it doesn't result in support collapsing.

@RedShirtRod I'm sure Spencer has told Nadella & Co there making a mistake but if he gets over ruled then he can't do much about it.

I said it before. The narrative shifted after the January showcase when ABK integration was developing. It's typical Sataya Nadella. Once he gets involved & doesn't like a product. It's no secret Microsoft want out the gaming console hardware. It's game over. Look up the death of Windows 10 mobile. It's so similar it like history repeating. The whole we will make phones for fans etc . Open platforms. We will bring software to who wants it. Ring any bells.

@Savage_Joe Apple were forced to open up. In the EU at least. They introduced the Digital Market Act. Which if put on the list of Gatekeepers entitles you to open up the eco system or be fined 20% of there worldwide revenue. Apple IOS, Google Android , Amazon marketplace & Microsoft Windows are on the list.
I put Phil Spencers quotes of rival stores on Xbox as a result of the new EU law. If they go all digital they would come under EU scrutiny.

@NEStalgia yeah I think so. They definitely sidelined him. The shift was clear as day. Maybe Phil is sticking around till the restructure is complete as we have heard he will be at the summer games fest. But I agree I don't see him sticking around or been the mouth piece of the brand going forward once it's complete.

@NEStalgia it's no secret Microsoft wanted out of the Xbox hardware business. Peter Moore said they have been discussing it since the end of the 360 era. I bet Nadella was one of those men. Nadella hated Windows Phone with a passion. Now he is part of decision making at Xbox. Hardware like it's phone business will never compete with it's rivals in there eyes without a giant financial boost. Which there not willing to pay for. Hence the rumour of a rebrand to Microsoft Gaming Division. I hope I'm so wrong.

@NEStalgia maybe there is another twist coming to all this. Will Phil Spencer survive this transition to this rumoured Microsoft Gaming Division that's being talked about.

@Utena-mobile the Phil Spencer era of Xbox is over I'm afraid. The management restructure after ABK takeover was completed & the current layoffs, studio closures. It all hints of something new. Rumour is it's gonna be called Microsoft Gaming which if true tells wlyou who is running the show.

@BAMozzy I did say earlier this year a Surface brand approach could be Xbox's hardware future. But after the Series S/X negative reaction from devs. About them being different & working harder to optimise the hardware. It's hard to tell. With Nadella at the helm now after ABK they may play it safe. Who knows!!!!.
I did read the Rog Ally wasn't geared to replace a PC rig but with rumours of spec reveals for the second generation Ally today that could change. If they improve on the originals weaknesses.
I wonder if Xbox's future OS for there hybrid PC. Will be based on the cancelled Surface Neo's. Windows 10X components became the blue print for Windows 11 essentially. But if they revived the development of the OS. As its compatible, lightweight, modular designed for dual screens screen nature would be perfect. As it could be integrated into Windows 11's gaming mode also. Spencer's vision of Steam & Epic on Xbox is essentially just the integration of the current Windows 11 Store which makes sense. Epic & Disney+ already have there current stores content to browse/purchase. The current Xbox store could be integrated.