cragis0001

@rustyduck PlayStation are no better. They've fired up to 20% of there workforce over the last year, closed studio's, killed beloved franchises. The whole PSN scandal on Helldivers 2 over the weekend as well. To be fair it looks like Microsoft is trying to win who is the scumiest out of the two. There winning.

If you said Nintendo then I'd agree. As they are bucking the trend.

@CutchuSlow Microsoft will never be popular in Japan that's why. So to Nadella & the board it's an easy decision. Why invest.
The whole open platform is Nadella's idea. It's the same strategy they pulled before Windows Phone failed & they pulled the plug. Including writing off acquisitions, mass layoffs etc. So it's just history repeating to me.

@NEStalgia I agree. Once ABK was integrated into Microsoft. Spencer lost control & Nadella took over as the shift of narrative happened after the January showcase for which Nadella has been the voice.

@pip_muzz even if Don was back today it wouldn't have stopped the 4 studio's closing. These decisions come from the top. So Nadella & the rest of the board of directors.

@RedShirtRod today's studio closures is a result of the CEO Nadella & board cutting costs. It's typical Nadella. As once ABK acquisition was completed & January's showcase was shown. Nadella pushed & changed the narrative. Spencer has kinda been pushed to one side.

@endlessleep I don't think Phil is fully stearing the ship now. Since ABK went through it's been CEO Sataya Nadella more pushing the narrative.
I wouldn't be surprised if Phil is as gutted as we are. As he hailed Tango Gameworks as an important purchase. He has also done more to get Japan on board after previous management abandoned the region. Partnerships with Sega, Atlus. Descent support from Namco & healed rifts with Square Enix. All for nothing now!!!

@K1LLEGAL yeah you'd think. But with what looks like a power struggle lately when it comes to decision making at Xbox. Sataya Nadella has always closed loose ends. Or parts of the business that takes larger investment or resources away from others with little success. So Arkane Austin's Redfall failure & Tango Gameworks being from a region that will never embrace Xbox. Are easy targets for the CEO & board members to cut.

It's a shame as was hoping to see an epic comeback from Redfall. With the release of new DLC, characters & complete overhaul. As for Tango Gameworks. I'd like to think that Phil Spencer is disappointed like the rest of us considering his push to get better support from Sega, Namco, Atlus & recently Square Enix. He even championed Tango Gameworks as an important purchase. So again gutted.

@K1LLEGAL I wonder if Tango Gameworks closure was maybe more down to the studio not being able to keep key staff due to Microsoft's little to no marketshare in Japan. As Ghostwire Tokyo's producer left not long after the Bethesda acquisition. Tango management was the only studio that never put out a positive statement after the acquisition & then Mikami left. I wonder if more have left in between or after Mikami.

But Im in shock. I was hoping they'd invest more into Tango Gameworks & expand the studio rather than close it.

@BAMozzy I agree. As I looked at the Asus Rog Ally & Lenovo Legion Go. But there expensive in the UK. Between £599-£699 for a handheld that may struggle to run new AAA games within a couple of years of release.
Again Cloud is a no go for me due to poor Internet in rural Scotland in the meantime. But like you said that could change in time for next gen hardware. Console is a cheaper easier option for the household as I have kids.
I would only consider going either full PC or PlayStation if 3rd party abandon Xbox. But if Microsoft allow more 3rd party support either in the game store or building hardware. It could gain better traction.

@BAMozzy I knew most of the benefits to be fair. As PC is a big consideration for me going next gen due to Games Pass, Smart Delivery & PlayStation games etc. But I live in rural Scotland so broadband is so piss poor it's a joke so cloud gaming is out of the question. I also have kids so need something cheap & easily accessible for them also.

@OldGamer999 exactly. Microsoft have never been able to market there consumer projects properly. Being a $3 trillion company you'd think they'd have invested & figured it out by now.

@BAMozzy I'm aware that you can play it anywhere but PlayStation/Switch with GPU. But statistics say that Xbox hardware pushes a bulk of Games Pass subs atm.
Again Microsoft needs to be transparent with it's PlayStation plans. as if they support PS+ in the future. It could be a comprimise for some if they jump ship to PlayStation.
My main worry for next gen Xbox hardware. Is 3rd party support. That for me will determine future support. As was hoping Microsoft would push that more.

@BAMozzy another problem with Microsoft strategy is. How will it effect Games Pass? As it is still influenced by hardware mostly. So if people in the long run jump to PlayStation? Will we see Games hit PlayStation Plus?

@TheGiraffe. Xbox maybe more successful than Windows Phone. but it's failure to gain traction against Android & IOS is a typical response for Nadella's Microsoft to throw in the towel early & Xbox's hardware is now facing a similar problem against PlayStation & Nintendo. As Microsoft should have let users see the benefits of the ABK deal first before shifting strategy.

@CaptainCluck indeed. It will have the same outcome as well I think.

Would love to play Black & White on Xbox/PC.

@CutchuSlow they also have got 7 studios in Japan. One being Grasshopper.

@CutchuSlow probably mostly mobile titles for there new mobile app store there working on. I think they also have a new marvel multiplayer title in the works. But mostly to help compete with PlayStation in China I guess. I also guess the Blizzard deal now include Xbox as well as PC/Mobile titles.

That's if Microsoft hasn't spooked 3rd party devs into questioning there commitment to support there next gen console with there current strategy. As was hoping they'd push harder to cut the absence of certain 3rd party games. But lately I just need reassurance. Who were on board don't abandon ship next gen.
Microsoft badly need to advertise there products. Aggressive pricing. But again it's all for nothing if consumers & publishers abandon ship.

@NEStalgia the problem is Microsoft just don't have a clue how to make a consumer product a success. They never have. Unfortunately Xbox is just another example. Even though it has been there best attempt to date.

@NEStalgia it's funny as 20% marketshare with three players is now Xbox in Europe & it will likely drop. I remember when Sataya Nadella said as long as there is demand from fans they will support Windows Mobile 10 & bring new hardware then 6 month later they pulled the plug. I worked in a hotel in Aberdeen. The oil capital of Europe & business folk there were pissed. When I hear Phil Spencer say we will continue with Xbox hardware. I say for how long? Once Microsoft shifted there mobile software to IOS & Android it was GAME OVER. & it looks like its gonna be the same with Xbox hardware when they do the same with first party software to PlayStation & Nintendo. That's why I'm still sceptical with there current plans as it's deja vu it's scary. It's typical Nadella. Obviously the outcome is slightly different as they'll continue being third party publisher across multiple platforms, Cloud provider & have Games Pass maybe.
Microsoft being late to the party hurt more in the US than Europe who supported it more due to the Nokia brand & acquisition. IPhone was still far to expensive for the average punter till the cheaper models. What I think killed Windows Phone was 8 required a licence fee from mobile vendors. That killed it from the get go & by the time they dropped it. It was to late.

@NEStalgia that's not entirely true to be fair. As in some parts of Europe Windows Phone wasn't far behind Apples IPhone. UK at its height had 12% marketshare. Italy had 16%. In 24 countries it was ahead of IPhone which included Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, India, Mexico and South Africa.
Microsoft killed it because it was a failure in the US. The sad part about it was once they announced they were killing the platform. The EU started crack down on both Apple & Googles for anticompetitive practices.

@TheGameThrifter killing Windows Phone was CEO Sataya Nadella's grand plan. For which he said recently regretting killing it to early & now he is doing the same with Xbox.

@MrMagic if the PSP Go had been successful. Sony would have released a digital console & disk one like today. If anything it's failure is why we only see a diskless console now with the PS5. The online pass wouldn't have killed the 2nd hand market but would be stop gap to something that gradually would. Microsoft's mistake was to try & kill the 2nd hand market in one swoop.

@MrMagic again Sony released the PSP Go years before the digital Xbox One & now has the PS5 digital. Sony wanted to charge second hand gamers a fee to play there first party games online like EA with there online pass back in 2010 but abandoned the idea. Again the idea was before the Xbox One release.

@MrMagic you sure about that 😂😂. The PSP Go was to get rid off expensive storage cartridges. If it was successful we would have definitely seen a digital PlayStation years before Xbox. Cloud is still a pivotal part of Sony's plan & runs 4k on PlayStations network. It will one day make a console a thing of the past for some. If releasing Xbox games on PC is helping kill Xbox hardware. What's gonna happen when the whole PlayStation catalogue is there also. If it's more profitable to kill hardware Sony will do it.

@MrMagic everything you accuse Microsoft of doing Sony has or is doing as well. Sony started cloud gaming & subscription with PlayStation Now. Sony had the digital only PSP well before Microsoft released there digital Xbox One. Playstation is bringing there games to other platforms. PC, Mobile, Cloud being the main with the odd Xbox release by Bungie.

@Fiendish-Beaver no they can't catch Sony at there own game. But I think Microsofts new strategy is to take some of the burden off there shoulders & allow others to invest in the eco system. That's what the EU's Digital Market Act will allow when Xbox goes all digital as Microsoft is already on the Gatekeeper list.

@MrMagic of course Microsoft see the benefits as there using the new law to open Xbox stores on IOS & Android in the future. But will it hurt Sony?. As they'll be aware of the Digital Market Act & could already be planning something similar as PlayStation management will be aware that they'll eventually have to go digital only at some point. I Don't see how it's Microsoft's fault gaming is going digital only when mobile gaming is the most profitable & PC gaming has been digital for easily a decade. Music & TV/movies are mostly digital these days. It was only a matter of time before console gaming followed.
Consoles have to move with the times as they have evolved over the years. So this is no different.

@MrMagic its not. This is Microsoft preparing for a digital only future where the market just got heavily regulated in the EU. with named gatekeepers. Which Microsoft is on the list for Windows. Have to open there eco systems to the terms of the Digital Markets Act. So this has nothing to do with Sony.

As much as I like the idea of more choice this is again Microsoft trying to look like the good guy when there gonna be forced to open up. Xbox is soon to be digital only eco system. This then opens Xbox to the scrutiny of the EU's Digital Market Act which Microsoft is on the list of Gatekeepers.

@ChopstickPhilly it's the smaller devs that will jump ship first. The only saving grace for Xbox is that the bigger publishers can't afford to ignore Xbox. But if the decline continues that could change.

Xbox needs a better PR team who knows worldwide consumers not just focus on US ones. They also need to advertise there products.

@ShadowofTwilight to be fair the FFXIV Coins is just another form of payment. There is nothing stopping you paying Square Enix directly like I do as an existing customer.
But the advantage is if I want friends to play I can gift coins to them. Or if I get a xbox gift card as a reward from work or birthday/Christmas I could buy stuff I wouldn't buy with cash.

@NEStalgia you can't buy crysta's or the sub via PlayStation store. That may change in the future. But then the PlayStation doesn't have a Web browser either. But I think your correct about the coins making Game Pass a valid reason for play on Xbox. As after the starter park we may see coins on discount or free.
I'm in the existing camp so depending on cost I'll stick with paying direct to Square Enix. It's a good game. I highly recommend it.

@NEStalgia if you play on multiple platforms you need the Square Enix sub. If its just Xbox you need to redeem FFXIV Coins.

But it does mention Xbox application a lot on the FFXIV website so bet it's like Minecraft, Roblox & Fortnite & can cut out Microsoft if you buy direct.

@JonBoyJ It says you don't need to pay Square Enix to play the Xbox version. You need to buy FFXIV Coins & redeem them instead of the sub. Bet thats why you need Games Pass.

To little, to late I'm afraid. Like hiring a former PlayStation talent in Japan. Microsoft should have done this years ago.
As it won't be for Xbox hardware as it will probably gone by the time these deals see the benefits. So must be for its 3rd party push.

@GhanaViking you'd hope it would go on sale as its a 6 year old game. But I'm not sure I agree. As if there pushing the base game price up on Xbox to match the PS5 version. I could see them doing the same with sale prices also. So 60% sale prices could be a thing of the past till it's been on PS5 for at least over a year.

So due to the PS5 version the base version is going up from £34.99 to £39.99. So it's no longer cheaper on Xbox either 😂😂.

@LX_FENIX I don't know. It is a Japanese Studio who is willing to be purchased & Phil did say they want to expand in the region. So could happen.

It's not Xbox exclusive as its on the PlayStation network now as well.

@EvilSilentFrame exactly. There are to many questions not answered. As Microsoft's silence on the matter is also making me question if they are fully independent. Or is it a deal arranged like what Sony did with Bungie. As usually when a team leaves you get a statement from the parent company thanking them for years of service & wish them well for the future like they did Bungie. I could be wrong. But it could also to get the FTC off there back as letting a team go looks better than closing them like Sony did to London Studio.

I wonder if this is in response to Disney investing in Epic Games. Why invest future resources on the Star Wars IP when you know you'll loose it when your current deal expires.

@NoLifeDGenerate If Microsoft is made to allow developers/publishers to collect & share the same data they "might" not need you to sign up with every game.

@NoLifeDGenerate I'm sure there is nothing stopping you just using the Xbox store with only your Xbox login when they go all digital. I don't think it will be as bad as you make it out to be as one of the rules in the MDA is that Microsoft would have to share there data with publishers when requested. Some publishers require you to register before play already. But having choice will push down the price of digital games also.

@gollumb82 if Xbox goes all digital. Sony could take advantage of the same EU rules on walled eco systems that Microsoft is using to get an Xbox store on Android & IOS.

@HonestHick I think they'd rather physical disappeared. as if gaming went fully digital then they can use the new EU rules on walled eco systems to get everywhere. I think that's why there slowly releasing games on PlayStation & Nintendo hardware now.

Sea of Thieves has just been announced for PS5 in April

No news on if you can preload it before Wednesday? Typical Square Enix communication.