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CVG: Microsoft's next-Xbox silence at GDC a "disastrous mistake"

I know it's less true than it used to be, but isn't GDC still a conference for... game developers ? I would think that game developers already know what they need to know about the next Xbox, considering some of them are probably working on the devkits.

Wasn't there a lot of talk after the PS4 reveal that a bunch of developers had had PS4 dev kits for a while but still hadn't even been briefed on Microsoft's new console? And that was earlier this year.
 
Don't think it's hurting them at all. As long as they release this holiday season, when and where they announce won't really matter. Only downside with all the new multiplatform titles popping up is the fact people can't pre-order on the new console. That might hurt them down the road.
 
Well... many Xbox fans fought with me yesterday because I think the NextBox is not ready yes to be launch this year and you should expect a Q1 2014 window... things like this make me more certain of that...

Ehh, I highly doubt that will happen. Microsoft will be neck and neck with the PS4 release.
 
Next gen doesn't start until MS says so and they are getting their guns ready for April event. All the complaints in the world will dissipate when XB3 is unveiled.
 
Yeah, the reveal timing really isn't going to matter that much in eight months, sorry. MS is cutting it closer than has historically been the case in this industry, but they have more than enough time to gain mindshare before launch.

Cutting it closer? If they announced it tomorrow or next month, they'd still be ahead of when the 360 was announced. That "late" unveil didnt seem to damage them too much. Unless CVG thinks the 360 has been disastrous.
 
Well... many Xbox fans fought with me yesterday because I think the NextBox is not ready yes to be launch this year and you should expect a Q1 2014 window... things like this make me more certain of that...

No need to be an Xbox fan to fight that assumption.
 
Apple model is the best. Reveal the thing to the public when you are ready to begin taking their money for it and not a moment sooner (unless you have to for FCC reasons). It will be nice to find out about something in June and be able to buy it just a few months later.
 
I will admit their continued silence is getting very stale and tiring. In some ways it even hints at an air of arrogance to me, but I could be looking at it totally wrong lol.

You're looking at it wrong. MS had a time-frame for when they wanted to reveal their next Xbox. Sony unveiling PS4 early doesn't mean MS should show their system off earlier than they were planning.

I want to see and read actual info about the next Xbox, but some are getting carried away over Microsoft's silence. "Disastrous" is silly. Once MS reveals the system and release it, they're going to throw a shitload of money behind the marketing/advertising.
 
I actually think it shows confidence from Microsoft that the Sony reveal and everything hasn't changed their plans, that could mean they have total confidence in the 720 and the reaction they expect for it although you worry about Microsofts sanity as a company when you read some of the rumours about the 720 so i suppose their confidence could be missplaced!.
 
Next gen doesn't start until MS says so and they are getting their guns ready for April event. All the complaints in the world will dissipate when XB3 is unveiled.

If those rumors end up being true the complaints you're hearing will increase tenfold.
 
Microsoft has already lost

519008_game_over.jpg
 
Well... many Xbox fans fought with me yesterday because I think the NextBox is not ready yes to be launch this year and you should expect a Q1 2014 window... things like this make me more certain of that...

Xbox fans? ...sigh

MS are not going to release their next console in the US in Q1 2014.
 
Sure it's disastrous...for the CVG and the like. Nothing to cover but old rumors. I'm sure the developers actually working on the thing have everything they need (locked behind iron-clad NDAs).

It is frustrating though, I can't believe how tight lipped they've been.
 
Cutting it closer? If they announced it tomorrow or next month, they'd still be ahead of when the 360 was announced. That "late" unveil didnt seem to damage them too much. Unless CVG thinks the 360 has been disastrous.

Different situation altogether. They didn't have a competitor being launched within the same window. Contrary to that, it gave the 360 a head start on the PS3, which made all the difference.

However, I should add, I think it strange but certainly not "disastrous". That's pure hyperbole.
 
Not really surprised, the Xbox 360 released in 2005, everyone thought Microsoft was going to the first to be announced not last, and everyone assumed it would release 2011 and Wii2/PS4 as a 2012 release.

2005, the thing is 8 years old already. ugh, it is about time this generation ends.
 
I think they have a time frame set, and they is fine.
People really need to relax, Sony have no need to bow to anyone and can do things when they feel it is right and ready.

-said by every Sony faithful circa 2006.


shinobi602 mentioned it, but MS definitely shouldn't be playing an 'arrogant' hand here. They had a fantastic generation with the 360, but IMO a good deal of that success was due to Sony's failure at the start of the gen. They likely planned to go into next gen with a good deal of momentum, but I think that momentum is starting to slow down thanks to Sony's strong end of the generation PS3 support and unveiling of the PS4 first.

Devs want to talk about their next gen projects, but right now can only mention PC and PS4.

I hope, for their sake, MS has something big up their sleeves and blow the doors off of E3/pre-E3 event, because right now things are looking shaky and rumors seem to be only hurting 720/Durango's hype, as opposed to building it.
 
I know it's less true than it used to be, but isn't GDC still a conference for... game developers ? I would think that game developers already know what they need to know about the next Xbox, considering some of them are probably working on the devkits.

True enough, but Sony still feel the need to attend and tell developers about their system. I wonder if Microsoft just want to avoid the inevitable leaks that would appear from GDC were they to show Xbox 3 widely.
 
Different situation altogether. They didn't have a competitor being launched and announced within the same window. Contrary to that, it gave the 360 a head start on the PS3, which made all the difference.

The 360 was out on the market for a YEAR before the PS3. These situations are completely different.

The PS4 being announced two months before Durango isn't going to severely impact sales at all. Microsoft DID NOT NEED to announce it at GDC.
 
Cutting it closer? If they announced it tomorrow or next month, they'd still be ahead of when the 360 was announced. That "late" unveil didnt seem to damage them too much. Unless CVG thinks the 360 has been disastrous.

They officially announced the "next Xbox" with some basic details on specs and OS features at GDC 2005, so that's the timing I'm going by: eight months. Still the shortest ever "we don't comment on rumor or speculation" -> launch gap, until now.
 
I think it would be extremely odd for them to unveil the console at GDC where they are competing for attention as opposed to a event that they can garner some early hype for to ensure the whole world is watching. Outside of gaf nobody watches GDC.
 
There have always been two groups of people that console companies are beholden to. The first is the paying customer, the other is the game creator.

Pardon me, but I'd like to suggest a third, VASTLY more important group than either of those two: the shareholder.
 
Disaster is bit of hyperbole. I don't think Microsoft are ready to show the next Xbox. They can't really rush things because if it creates a big negative impression then it'll be difficult to overcome.
 
Different situation altogether. They didn't have a competitor being launched and announced within the same window. Contrary to that, it gave the 360 a head start on the PS3, which made all the difference.

And who actually cares about the "announce window"? Seriously, just forums. The only affect announcing early really has on the general public is that it will make them leery about purchasing the current product. Announcing early when your product is still the leader is dumb.

I think it would be extremely odd for them to unveil the console at GDC where they are competing for attention as opposed to a event that they can garner some early hype for to ensure the whole world is watching. Outside of gaf nobody watches GDC.

Ding ding ding
 
I think it would be extremely odd for them to unveil the console at GDC where they are competing for attention as opposed to a event that they can garner some early hype for to ensure the whole world is watching. Outside of gaf nobody watches GDC.

With Battlefield 4's reveal hitting tomorrow (during GDC essentially), don't you think that they miss out when EA can only really announce the game for PC,PS3,PS4,WiiU,360... "and next-gen consoles" ?
 
Obviously this is because developing for Windows 8 is actually developing for Xbox 720. One binary, one deploy, two storefronts.
 
Seems like a non-issue. It's a game developers conference. Microsoft has probably been working with the A list developers and publishers for a while.
 
2005, the thing is 8 years old already. ugh, it is about time this generation ends.

Technically 7th gen is done, Wii U released so we are in the 8th generation with a part of 7th gen since the PS4/720 haven't released.

We are pretty much in that awkward position the 360 was in, in 2006.
 
I actually think it's the opposite. They need to have a separate show with nothing in between and no possibility of others stealing their spotlight.

Which is fine for consumers, but this is GDC. Keeping silent with developers when the system is (supposedly) launching in +/- 6-8 months is pretty worrying, imho.

They really aren't. Most big publishers probably now enough, just can't talk about it.
 
I can tell you exactly what will happen. Microsoft will unveil and Sony will slowly trickle out PS4 information all the way up until E3. It's one reason why their triple A devs and the actual console weren't at the Playstation Event. Sony can undercut anything Microsoft does from here on out.
 
Which is fine for consumers, but this is GDC. Keeping silent with developers when the system is (supposedly) launching in +/- 6-8 months is pretty worrying, imho.

Do you honestly think devs don't have dev units? And haven't been getting daily SDK updates for many months? Devs are not in the dark about the next Xbox or PS.

I can tell you exactly what will happen. Microsoft will unveil and Sony will slowly trickle out PS4 information all the way up until E3. It's one reason why their triple A devs and the actual console weren't at the Playstation Event. Sony can undercut anything Microsoft does from here on out.

And the world will yawn. What matters is the actual launch window for each.
 
Does it really matter? I mean during the 2013 Xmas season and 2014 when the PS4 and 720 are on shelves for the mass consumer, i doubt anyone is going to base their purchase based on when these consoles were revealed.

"Oh i am NOT buying Xbox now because MS waited too long to release info a year earlier!!". I just do not see that happening to...anyone.

But i can understand parts of the gaming media want it announced



As it does bring more traffic and opens up for "console war" articles such as PS4 vs Nextbox.
 
Which is fine for consumers, but this is GDC. Keeping silent with developers when the system is (supposedly) launching in +/- 6-8 months is pretty worrying, imho.
Just because it's not out in the open doesnt mean nothing has happened. Rumors were they've had several internal meetings with "partners". Peeps are just frustrated that there are no leaks lol.
 
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