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[FordGTGuy]

Your cable box works, but only so long as your internet works. (Yes I know they come through the same cable, but I have had TV without internet working and vice versa before). Intenet goes down, no DVR recording!

Same with just about any modern entertainment device, if you lose internet with a Roku it's just a useless box hooked up to your TV. Great thing about gaming consoles is that even if you lose connection you still have other ways of consuming content offline(bluray playback and gaming.) Not to mention content stored and shared on your closed network.

I really do hope the Xbox 720 isn't online-only, if it is I'm going with the PS4 or just staying on my PC for gaming.

Ever heard of zune? windows phone? Surface?

Ever heard of Office?

Ever heard of a strawman argument?

 

[Defuser]

They forgot to mention all those entertainment features they're gonna focus is behind a paywall.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Or, you could wait until Microsoft actually reveals the console and the games in May. I know that sounds crazy and not as fun as a jumping to conclusions mat, but it seems like having actual information will be a great way to make an informed decision.

No kidding? We are talking about things that are happening right now. Not 2 months from now. I am becoming more and more informed thank you very much. So far everything about this new Xbox sounds terrible so sorry if that hurts your feelings.

 

[Miles X]

Makes complete sense, by making it a cable box essentially the always online thing is the way to go and it'd be stupid not to always have it on.

How successful will they be? Time will tell.

 

[Tobor]

How many people will totally ignore the "g" word to focus solely on the "e" word I wonder?

Everyone at Microsoft, that's for sure.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

Does the Xbox play games? Yes? Alright then. Fine with me.

 

[FordGTGuy]

You mean the actual start of the conference and introduction to the platform? Odd since they spent a ton of time after that talking nothing but games



Based on what you've read so far, what sounds better, a PS4 or new xbox? My main point is that what we've heard from Sony is very gamer centric and they've come out and said this is a system for gamers. Quite the opposite from MSFT.

Based on what I've read the PS4 no doubt.

However I'm not dumb enough not to wait and see what the Xbox offers before making a final choice on which I'm going to get.

Best-case scenario I'll get both and worse-case I'll just stick with my PC.

There is no opposite from Microsoft as they haven't commented at all on the next Xbox.

 

[Alx]

Stingray makes sense now.

MS don't care about games side; their releasing a very cheap new 360 SKU alongside an expensive next generation console. Why? Because they will do anything to get their other entertainment services into living rooms.

Developers should jump off the Durango, MS want to use them (whilst taking them for advantage) to sell a product that is not to their benefit. They are not interested in creating the next generation console to sell software on - they only care about selling a mixture of digital products and advertising.

Whether the last gen system or the new gen system leads the way. MS don't care.


Stingray is likely an always online 360 with a lot of the other digital additions the Durango will be getting.

Durango? Its success means nout.

You're contradicting yourself here... if your theory is right, then Stingray = all the new MS digital content, and Durango = all the new MS digital content + next gen games.
Which means that MS still supports games (otherwise they wouldn't bother with Durango), and developers have no reason to jump off (because that's where they'll sell their games, and if they don't support Durango and Stingray is a success, their audience will decrease).

Honestly I don't see anything wrong with new consoles being also a media hub. Having a media hub in my living room is great, and I'd rather have as many features gathered in a single device than specialized hardware for each task.
There's no reason it would be "diluting" the experience, because those markets already exist, it's not cutting resources on one to the benefit of the other. If anything, it will make consoles even closer to PC (one of the recurring ideas of the recent reveals), and nobody would say that a PC is less "hardcore" because you can also use it as a media center, a work station, a "facebook machine" or anything you want it to be.

 

[shandy706]

I'll continue to wait for the full reveal. If I can replace all my entertainment hubs & play Forza + other new exclusives while saving money in the long run (vs cable satellite), I may bite. We shall see.


Edit** Games working if Internet drops is a must too.

 

[The Lamonster]

God damn.

In Sony we trust...in Sony we hope

 

[Takuya]

Does the Xbox play games? Yes? Alright then. Fine with me.

Only with an online connection.

 

[Elginer]

Can I preorder my ps4 now?

This.

 

[Can Crusher]

It has gotten to the point where it's just funny.

Not only does it sounds like they are moving away from games and toward the TV stuff but I doubt even half of all these services will be available outside of the US, pretty much like it is now with the 360.

It's gonna be hilarious if in most countries the console costs the same as in the U.S(more expensive usually), comes with the same requirements, but only a third of the features.

 

[semiconscious]

they'll add achievements to watching TV.

watch 200 hours of EPSN continuous.

inevitable? i mean, why the fuck not? ....

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Based on what I've read the PS4 no doubt.

However I'm not dumb enough not to wait and see what the Xbox offers before making a final choice on which I'm going to get.

Best-case scenario I'll get both and worse-case I'll just stick with my PC.

There is no opposite from Microsoft as they haven't commented at all on the next Xbox.

I'm playing wait and see as well but I'm only as informed as the news and my own discussions with a couple of devs. It's just not sounding that hot right now.

 

[Extra Sauce]

No kidding? We are talking about things that are happening right now. Not 2 months from now. I am becoming more and more informed thank you very much. So far everything about this new Xbox sounds terrible so sorry if that hurts your feelings.

You still haven't explained why Durango acting as a TV hub is a bad thing for gaming.

 

[madmackem]

Nah. Your the one who may be confused. Gaming on the 360 has never fallen off from their stats. But of course they are going to note that besides gaming more and more people are consuming media entertainment on Xbox Live when they aren't gamIng.

Thats a by product though, no one is going to buy the next xbox as a streaming media box for $500.

 

[flyinpiranha]

I don't mind if they keep the games coming. But unfortunately as of the last 2-3 years, I've been pretty disappointed with Microsoft's game selection. Halo 4 gets a pass because it's a new developer and while I over-all enjoyed it, I won't buy 5 if it continues to be "wave after wave" type fights. Forza is always good.

With that said, I hate the ads, I hate the interface, and my 360 only gets turned on because it has HBO Go and my TV and BR player do not. It really has just started bugging me these last few months. Haven't really cared otherwise as games startups are quick, navigating isn't too much of a problem, but Netlix on my SmartTV is 10x better.

MS has an incredibly uphill battle to win a purchase from me. I was a huge 360 fan (loved the games, loved the system, loved the interface) up until about the time they started changing everything to be more "kinect" friendly. I had one, it was a fun little distraction and being able to use voice commands in Netflix was awesome, but overall it didn't 'improve' my experience enough to warrant changing the entire interface to work with it.

If the games are there, I won't really care all that much. But lately (at least the past 2 years) I just DO NOT see MS focusing on the games side of things. I think they will be in for a rude awakening if they assume that all these Live users are paying for Live to watch TV. That's a side affect of having a bunch of gamers with little interest in your games output and being bored with this generation (IMO of course).

You still haven't explained why Durango acting as a TV hub is a bad thing for gaming.

While people love to believe that MS has infinite resources, they do not. This means that XBL and Interface related options are going to be heavily influenced (as it is now) with decisions based around the functionality of television, not games.

Imagine if your favorite restaurant changed its atmosphere to everything "reality TV". It's still the same food, but you are surrounded in something you are completely disinterested in. That's what worries me and the slow acclimation of gaming space towards 'media' on XBL as-is has been worrisome but tolerable. I have a feeling that will change.

 

[Takuya]

inevitable? i mean, why the fuck not? ....

Next thing you know, there are pop-up advertisements, over the TV-commercials (picture in picture).

 

[Uno Venova]

The reveal should be something, will they be showing a media box that plays games, or a gaming console with media functions. Obviously things are pointing to the former.

 

[Tobor]

Does the Xbox play games? Yes? Alright then. Fine with me.

The focus of the company is still important.

 

[Miles X]

It has gotten to the point where it's just funny.

I have no idea why you and others act like this is unbelievable. Like others have said this was their end goal, from the very start. MS have never been as passionate about games as Nintendo and never will be.

The way they've been building up their studios however, rather than tearing them down suggests they will focus on games just as much. I think the first few years we're gonna get some awesome IP from them as they realise they have their work cut out enticing the hardcore.

 

[MikeE21286]

Can I preorder my ps4 now?

yes you can actually!

huh, what? No.

 

[rakkadakka]

Eh why not? All of their previous attempts to fight Apple has worked so well, may as well try gaming consoles next.

While I mentioned the iPad specifically, it's tablets in general that are the shift.

The only thing that makes sense to me here is that MS has come up with something radically worthwhile to justify the extra crap they are making consumers go through.

That's assuming that there are reasonable people on the other side of this of course.

 

[THE:MILKMAN]

Sony can join us with their free movie from Epix.

Ha!.

I have no doubt that Microsoft will have a strong lineup of games for launch/launch window to entice gamers in and it will probably work. But I can't support a video game system that doesn't focus mostly on games and that could have limitations like always online requirement.

 

[FordGTGuy]

It's gonna be hilarious if in most countries the console costs the same as in the U.S(more expensive usually), comes with the same requirements, but only a third of the features.

It's a sad and unfortunate fact that this is already happening and has been happening for a while, although I find it strange that you think this is something new.

I have no idea why you and others act like this is unbelievable. Like others have said this was their end goal, from the very start. MS have never been as passionate about games as Nintendo and never will be.

The way they've been building up their studios however, rather than tearing them down suggests they will focus on games just as much. I think the first few years we're gonna get some awesome IP from them as they realise they have their work cut out enticing the hardcore.

Xbox definitely deserves some leadership that's passionate about games.

 

[Orca]

They've said like 4 times already that their focus on PS4 is gamers. Has MS ever said that? Even in vague comments since apparently it's illegal to mention the 720 exists when everyone knows it does.

You're right, they've been STRANGELY SILENT about this console they haven't announced yet.

 

[DopeyFish]

Wow.... They sold MediaRoom? Nooooooo Microsoft didn't finish fixing the tv industry

 

[surly]

Ever heard of zune? windows phone? Surface?

The Zune was launched in limited countries after the iPod was already totally dominant. Same with Windows Phone and Android/iOS and the Surface with the iPad. MS have been far more aggressive on the gaming side. They sold the Xbox at a loss right up until the day it was discontinued to get into the market. The 360 stole tons of Sony's customers away from them, despite being plagued with issues with the first 2 or 3 revisions. Xbox is as big a brand as Playstation now, as much as a large portion of GAF hates that.

My main point is that what we've heard from Sony is very gamer centric and they've come out and said this is a system for gamers. Quite the opposite from MSFT.

Why not wait until they announce the product first? lol.

 

[Vinterbird]

Wow.... They sold MediaRoom? Nooooooo Microsoft didn't finish fixing the tv industry

It will get better with Ericsson. That company is crazy serious about TV and pushing it into new unexplored territory.

 

[RPGamer92]

Pachter called it!

 

[DEADEVIL]

Microsoft is (seemingly) abandoning the NeoGAF gamer to go after the other 99.9% of people in the world.

That doesn't thrill me as the 0.1% but it makes a ton of sense how they would arrive at this point and their path to success is a lot more clear than Sony's at this point. You can't build a whole platform around the enthusiasts.

Lol. So now the mantra is to pretend that MS is abandoning Sonygaf? This is getting good...

 

[LiquidMetal14]

You still haven't explained why Durango acting as a TV hub is a bad thing for gaming.

DILUTION OF THE PRODUCT. Even further than just adding Netflix or some proprietary service like a VOD.

It's not hard to understand.

Couple this with strong rumblings about always online and you still want one at this point? If you do then PS4 looks Godly since Sony has said mostly the right things so far.

 

[JohngPR]

Every console will act as a TV hub next gen, I don't see what the fuss is about.

I think there is a difference between adding that functionality to keep up with the Jones' and adding that functionality as a basis for your console to exist.

Not saying this is 100% the case since we don't have all the information, but there's been very little that's been speculated that proves the point otherwise.

 

[blade85]

You guys are going to be so jealous of me and my new xbox come november.

If it turns out to be a good system, most of us will buy it

 

[Derrick01]

You're right, they've been STRANGELY SILENT about this console they haven't announced yet.

They don't need a new console to comment on gamers being their focus. But they don't do it because it flies in the face of their actions with the 360 this year and the past few.

 

[Palette Swap]

Not only does it sounds like they are moving away from games and toward the TV stuff but I doubt even half of all these services will be available outside of the US, pretty much like it is now with the 360.

Barring a deal with euro ISPs, I can see them becoming more US centric.
I don't know the US broadband market very well but here, pretty much every fixed Internet plan includes IPTV and a set top box. In that regard, having a console do that seems a bit redundant. Particularly if you factor in "Smart" TVs. I don't really need 3 devices doing the same thing on my TV.

 

[semiconscious]

While I mentioned the iPad specifically, it's tablets in general that are the shift.

The only thing that makes sense to me here is that MS has come up with something radically worthwhile to justify the extra crap they are making consumers go through.

That's assuming that there are reasonable people on the other side of this of course.

that's assuming there're people, period - this's beginning to feel like something being orchestrated by runaway algorythms ...

 

[grimshawish]

You're contradicting yourself here... if your theory is right, then Stingray = all the new MS digital content, and Durango = all the new MS digital content + next gen games.
Which means that MS still supports games (otherwise they wouldn't bother with Durango), and developers have no reason to jump off (because that's where they'll sell their games, and if they don't support Durango and Stingray is a success, their audience will decrease).

MS won't care if ultimately Stingray is the success.
The problem comes that their focus is elsewhere than games, their strategy is not to sell games content - it is more focused on a wider market of TV/Film/Music etc.

The focus of Durango is not selling the games software; its just another part of the strategy to get devices into homes and sell content. Stingray or Durango does not matter.

 

[phosphor112]

"It allows Microsoft to commit 100 percent of its focus on consumer TV strategy with Xbox."

My sentiments exactly.

 

[Iacobellis]

Fuck this.

 

[shinra-bansho]

All the pieces are coming together it seems.

 

[Can Crusher]

It's a sad and unfortunate fact that this is already happening and has been happening for a while, although I find it strange that you think this is something new.

I don't think it's new per say, however you mostly got what you paid for when the 360 came out, from where I'm standing at least.

For Durango though, the deal is so split between gaming and non gaming that not delivering on half the promise while asking for the same entry fee is gonna be much more damning.

I have no idea why you and others act like this is unbelievable. Like others have said this was their end goal, from the very start. MS have never been as passionate about games as Nintendo and never will be.

The way they've been building up their studios however, rather than tearing them down suggests they will focus on games just as much. I think the first few years we're gonna get some awesome IP from them as they realise they have their work cut out enticing the hardcore.

I don't act like it's unbelievable, I think it's a poor showing to cut corners with the gaming side though. Passionate as Nintendo is a shrewd choice of words, as nobody attempted such comparison.

From my findings, with the studios they've closed and what appears to be a Kinect/Casual focus on most of the studios they've opened, I don't think the situation is any better. Unless they are making some big deals with 3rd party developers, the future for "awesome IP for the hardcore" doesn't look like it will come in volume at all.

 

[Orca]

They don't need a new console to comment on gamers being their focus. But they don't do it because it flies in the face of their actions with the 360 this year and the past few.

Sony's latest announcement was a deal with Epix. I guess we're down to relying on Nintendo.

 

[see5harp]

To be fair it says xbox when I turn on desktop computer. It says xbox when you are listening to music, watching video, or playing games on one of their new tablets.

 

[gaming_noob]

Can't wait to see Usher and Katy Perry do the reveal.....not! I think by now I've given up hope for the Durango.

 

[Kazerei]

Hype for the next Xbox is at an all-time low

 

[Tobor]

If it turns out to be a good system, most of us will buy it

I don't really care how good it is. I'm not paying a monthly fee for the right to use a console that isn't even gaming focused.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Why not wait until they announce the product first? lol.

I said that a few posts back. What we have are a lot of rumblings about always online and MSFT's clear lack of focus when it comes to gamers.

As a member of the most prominent enthusiast gaming forum in the world, I kind of take gaming as a first priority over the message MSFT has conveyed the last few years.

That's why they've been 2nd best for the last 3-4 years. It's not some made up opinion. They had me a while back. Ironically enough I did get one for about 50USD and have been getting cheap second hand games for the kids but that's about all it does.

 

[FordGTGuy]

Barring a deal with euro ISPs, I can see them becoming more US centric.
I don't know the US broadband market very well but here, pretty much every fixed Internet plan includes IPTV and a set top box. In that regard, having a console do that seems a bit redundant. Particularly if you factor in "Smart" TVs. I don't really need 3 devices doing the same thing on my TV.

That's the point of this entire thing, it's to become the one device you go to(that includes both Playstation and Xbox.). You might have a Smart TV but if you've had any experience like me the UI is usually a pain and services offered usually quite limited.