Support NeoGAF

[LuvOfThaGame]

Sorry but PS player has too many MP game to choose, i can play some PvP match in Bloodborne and when i get bored, i jump to DFFNT to play some match. So your argument is invalid from the start, the MP game time does not mean anything, not every gamer want to play 1 game from time to time.

Stop moving goal post and admit Xbox's game line up was poor shit.

Big difference between tacked on MP and full fledged, fully supported MP titles. Admit that Sony is severely lacking in quality MP titles, as they are. None are even registered with MLG where MS has 2 major titles.

 

[Atrus]

The question to be asked when reading the title is... why? Why would the XBOX brand dominate the next console generation? What will it do differently?

The big problem Microsoft has always had is that they continue to screw up making games. They have a set of staple franchises like Halo, Forza and Gears of War, and then they buy studios and manage them into the ground.

 

[JimmyRustler]

The question to be asked when reading the title is... why? Why would the XBOX brand dominate the next console generation? What will it do differently?

The big problem Microsoft has always had is that they continue to screw up making games. They have a set of staple franchises like Halo, Forza and Gears of War, and then they buy studios and manage them into the ground.

They were doing a very good job in the early years of the 360 (no doubt also helped a bit by Sony screwing up) so I guess it's fair to say that with the right leadership they can do a great job. And they really seem to be eager to invest in the market right now. I don't know if MS will end up on top Next Gen but it sure is going to become very interesting.

 

[kevin_trinh]

Big difference between tacked on MP and full fledged, fully supported MP titles. Admit that Sony is severely lacking in quality MP titles, as they are. None are even registered with MLG where MS has 2 major titles.

By your logic quality mean need to be show on MLG? Game like Dark Soul or Bloodborne does not have the name on it, by ur logic those game MP is shit? By your logic people play MP in game A for some time, then jump to game B when they want = game A's Mp quality is shit?

By my logic, as long as people still having fun and coming back to the game, that game have great replay value, MP or not does not matter. And Sony just have too many game like that.

More than that, people keep playing 1 Xbox game coz there are no other good ex game on Xbox, simple as that. Poor Xbox fanboi has been locked on Halo and Gear

 

[HeresJohnny]

Looks like journalists are poised to do all the PR work, too.

The Xbox One didn't launch that long ago. I can't be the only one who remembers the same claims from journalists, even in the midst of the Adam Orth and TV TV SPORTS controversies.

The goal of many gaming journalists isn't to cover the news fairly with an unbiased eye, but to kiss enough ass from the companies they are supposed to objectively cover to get hired by one. The press is basically making the case that the company that has had poor first party output the entire generation and had to revise their system numerous times and is STILL releasing $500 hardware is going to become the market leader.

It's fucking laughable; they're completely out of touch with the public. And that is exactly the issue... the press even when trying to operate fairly isn't writing for the mass market, but the enthusiast side, the side which will buy multiple $500 revisions from a company in only four years and still consider it acceptable, not not even acceptable -- they consider that winning.

 

[Schrödinger's cat]

Big difference between tacked on MP and full fledged, fully supported MP titles.

Hi. (Ex) game-dev of 15 years here.

You're increasingly disingenuous.
Unless you actually developed the product you don't know if something is 'tacked on' or not.
You're a whisker away from the "lazy developers" statements that get flung around that show most reasonable people how little someone understands of the development process.
Don't do that.

Also, this 'replayability' topic that you've centred your argument around.
Unless a game deletes itself after playing it, every game is replayable.
I have a soft-spot for twin-stick shooters. I've put a ton of time playing Housemarque shooters like Super Stardust, Resogun and Aliennation.
I still fire up Armalyte - which is over 20 years old.

So 'replayability' is white elephant. It's entirely subjective and is being used to argue about objective worth.

Presenting an argument on a wonky premise and then moving goalposts here and there is not a good look.

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

By your logic quality mean need to be show on MLG? Game like Dark Soul or Bloodborne does not have the name on it, by ur logic those game MP is shit? By your logic people play MP in game A for some time, then jump to game B when they want = game A's Mp quality is shit?

By my logic, as long as people still having fun and coming back to the game, that game have great replay value, MP or not does not matter. And Sony just have too many game like that.

More than that, people keep playing 1 Xbox game coz there are no other good ex game on Xbox, simple as that. Poor Xbox fanboi has been locked on Halo and Gear

That's the same as you can qualify for MS SP efforts. Fact is, Sony can't compete on the elite MP level that MS does for 1st party games. MP is an afterthought for Sony.

 

[HeresJohnny]

The question to be asked when reading the title is... why? Why would the XBOX brand dominate the next console generation? What will it do differently?

The big problem Microsoft has always had is that they continue to screw up making games. They have a set of staple franchises like Halo, Forza and Gears of War, and then they buy studios and manage them into the ground.

I felt the 360 was as close to a world class, market leading machine as Microsoft has ever come, and even then they screwed that up. I think what the journos need to be asking themselves is how does Microsoft get back to where the 360 was first. That's a good starting point, but still not a global device capable of leading the market. If the market is ready to accept Microsoft as the market leader based on what has happened with the Xbone platform, then we are in for another crash. They are in no position to lead anything right now.

 

[kevin_trinh]

That's the same as you can qualify for MS SP efforts. Fact is, Sony can't compete on the elite MP level that MS does for 1st party games. MP is an afterthought for Sony.

ok then, i hope this help your elite Mp level game sell 10 or 20m units, good luck with that

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

Hi. (Ex) game-dev of 15 years here.

You're increasingly disingenuous.
Unless you actually developed the product you don't know if something is 'tacked on' or not.
You're a whisker away from the "lazy developers" statements that get flung around that show most reasonable people how little someone understands of the development process.
Don't do that.

Also, this 'replayability' topic that you've centred your argument around.
Unless a game deletes itself after playing it, every game is replayable.
I have a soft-spot for twin-stick shooters. I've put a ton of time playing Housemarque shooters like Super Stardust, Resogun and Aliennation.
I still fire up Armalyte - which is over 20 years old.

So 'replayability' is white elephant. It's entirely subjective and is being used to argue about objective worth.

Presenting an argument on a wonky premise and then moving goalposts here and there is not a good look.

Not disingenuous at all, nor a "lazy dev" sentiment and I think it's a disingenuous place your argument stems from. While im sure developers don't intend to "phone in" MP modes, there certainly is a difference in building a MP that is fully supported and intended to be a main feature of a game verses the main feature being SP and MP being a "bonus" more than presented as a main feature of the game.

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

ok then, i hope this help your elite Mp level game sell 10 or 20m units, good luck with that

Revenue is what stands above all in these games, as far as after the initial price of the retail game. Halo and Gears are monsters as far as this goes

 

[kevin_trinh]

Not disingenuous at all, nor a "lazy dev" sentiment and I think it's a disingenuous place your argument stems from. While im sure developers don't intend to "phone in" MP modes, there certainly is a difference in building a MP that is fully supported and intended to be a main feature of a game verses the main feature being SP and MP being a "bonus" more than presented as a main feature of the game.

Yes, there is. But that doesn' t mean game does not focus on MP have low quality on MP. Game does not need to be in chart or become esport to have quality MP, take SoulBorne as an example. As long as people still playing it, it has quality.

And have 1 or 2 good Mp game also doesn't change the fact that Xbox game line up is poor shit.

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

Yes, there is. But that doesn' t mean game does not focus on MP have low quality on MP. Game does not need to be in chart or become esport to have quality MP, take SoulBorne as an example. As long as people still playing it, it has quality.

And have 1 or 2 good Mp game also doesn't change the fact that Xbox game line up is poor shit.

Your argument is completely subjective, but by competitive standards, mine is objectively true.

 

[kevin_trinh]

Your argument is completely subjective, but by competitive standards, mine is objectively true.

Nah, coz your mind is too narrow. You think MP = competitive only, but MP is bigger than that, co-op with another player is one of it. And furthermore, gametime is meaningless when you have too many MP option with Sony, while in Xbox you only have 1 or 2 option.

 

[TLZ]

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

Nah, coz your mind is too narrow. You think MP = competitive only, but MP is bigger than that, co-op with another player is one of it. And furthermore, gametime is meaningless when you have too many MP option with Sony, while in Xbox you only have 1 or 2 option.

MP add ons are one thing, a focus on quality, long term playability is another. MS proven record in this can not be disputed.

 

[Schrödinger's cat]

Not disingenuous at all, nor a "lazy dev" sentiment

OK then. Since this is your stance.
Please provide me with definitive, first-hand insight into a game with "true MP" and one with "tacked on MP", specifically providing details on how this came about, with authoritative sources on its development process.
Back up your claims with verifiable data.

I'll be totally transparent with you:
I currently believe you have no understanding of this aspect of game development, nor the considerations, effort, costs and planning that goes into it.
I am calling you out on labeling a multiplayer mode as "tacked on" and because of that I expect you to substantiate your claim in a way that is verifiable and holds up to scrutiny.
What I expect, given what I've seen already, will be efforts to avoid doing this whilst insisting that the unsubstantiated claim should be taken as gospel.

..and I think it's a disingenuous place your argument stems from.

You can, of course, think what you like.
I don't think a nebulous "No u" makes for a very strong counterpoint though.

Your argument is completely subjective, but by competitive standards, mine is objectively true.

No, it objectively isn't.*
And your convenient addition of "but by competitive standards" is a perfect demonstration of moving goalposts.
Changing the rule of your argument so that you feel you can still come out on top.

You aren't going to win your argument by this method.
Do better.

*(Also, absolutes such as "true" or "false" don't require qualifiers such as "very" or "objectively". If something is true then it is true. This wordplay is a bugbear of mine in that, for one thing, it's just not good structure. Also, it implies that the author is trying to overstate the value of their claim. It's not "true" it's "really very true". This is disingenuous.)

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

No, it objectively isn't.
And your convenient addition of "but by competitive standards" is a perfect demonstration of moving goalposts. Changing the rule of your argument so that you feel you can still come out on top.

You aren't going to win your argument by this method.
Do better.

You're "goalpost" view is completely disingenuous and created by biased views. My argument has been the same since my OP.

 

[kevin_trinh]

MP add ons are one thing, a focus on quality, long term playability is another. MS proven record in this can not be disputed.

Like i said, the term of quality of yours and mine are different. You think quality Mp = competitive, having big prize pool tournament. But mine is simple, people keep playing it till these day = quality. Compatitive or not, they are still enjoying it.

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

OK then. Since this is your stance.
Please provide me with definitive, first-hand insight into a game with "true MP" and one with "tacked on MP", specifically providing details on how this came about, with authoritative sources on its development process.
Back up your claims with verifiable data.

I'll be totally transparent with you:
I currently believe you have no understanding of this aspect of game development, nor the considerations, effort, costs and planning that goes into it.
I am calling you out on labeling a multiplayer mode as "tacked on" and because of that I expect you to substantiate your claim in a way that is verifiable and holds up to scrutiny.
What I expect, given what I've seen already, will be efforts to avoid doing this whilst insisting that the unsubstantiated claim should be taken as gospel.


You can, of course, think what you like.
I don't think a nebulous "No u" makes for a very strong counterpoint though.


No, it objectively isn't.
And your convenient addition of "but by competitive standards" is a perfect demonstration of moving goalposts.
Changing the rule of your argument so that you feel you can still come out on top.

You aren't going to win your argument by this method.
Do better.

Explained plenty of times. See The Coalition developer streams and esport contest for reference.

 

[Schrödinger's cat]

Explained plenty of times. See The Coalition developer streams and esport contest for reference.

No, I expect you to substantiate your claim - specifically the "tacked on" part. As I already made clear in the message you just quoted.
Allusions to "someone said something" is a low-tier effort.
Do better.

As I said:

What I expect, given what I've seen already, will be efforts to avoid doing this whilst insisting that the unsubstantiated claim should be taken as gospel.

.
.

You're "goalpost" view is completely disingenuous and created by biased views

I just demonstrated you moving goalposts by introducing a technicality after someone else had challenged you.
Simply saying "Nope" doesn't make it so.

I'm willing to take you seriously. But you're making it very hard to do that.

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

No, I expect you to substantiate your claim - specifically the "tacked on" part. As I already made clear in the message you just quoted.
Allusions to "someone said something" is a low-tier effort.
Do better.

As I said:



I just demonstrated you moving goalposts by introducing a technicality after someone else had challenged you.
Simply saying "Nope" doesn't make it so.

I'm willing to take you seriously. But you're making it very hard to do that.

I was referring to how to support a fledged out MP experience, 343i included. What can Sony claim? GTS has been the only game supported past the launch window during this generation.

**edit
You keep changing your posts through edits that make it seem I'm ignoring your points. State your point sucsintly and I will rebute.

 

[Great Hair]

yeah...sure...ok

how much they being paid by MS?

Every Microsoft employee had the task given to them, to visit - during this month only - Engadget´s website, to leave a comment, to upvote/like random a post every 3h and to click on certain Microsoft ads showing on the site, if there are any of course ... to generate revenue, more traffic, more clicks yada yada dabadoooo...

To participate in discussions in a civil manner, about Microsoft´s services like GamePass. To promote said services without being to explicit or direct about it ... in return Engadget´s chimpanzees will write articles about past and upcoming microsoft exclusives, services, future plans and have few giveaway for Engadget´s forum dwellers.

Free xboxes, free tshirts, free green coffee mugs, free stickers of major nelsen wearing a santa clause hat, free gamepass subs for the month, free copies of
Kinect Sports Rivals/Fighter Within and free for their forum members : a stack of unsold Kinects.

/s

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

It continues to be irrefutable. MS dominates the MP space, while Sony dominates the SP space. Don't know why this affects some as deeply as it does.

 

[Evilms]

It's hard to say, but it's going to be complicated for Microsoft especially when you have a big competitor like Sony, wait and see.

 

[Panajev2001a]

It continues to be irrefutable. MS dominates the MP space, while Sony dominates the SP space. Don't know why this affects some as deeply as it does.

You posted twice in a row without anyone replying to you. It is affecting you deeply too it seems .

 

[DForce]

That's the same as you can qualify for MS SP efforts. Fact is, Sony can't compete on the elite MP level that MS does for 1st party games. MP is an afterthought for Sony.

You're really desperate. lol

If you want to get technical, Halo 5 is a far less competitive shooter than Counter Strike. Being a MLG game doesn't mean one game is more competitive than the other. One can argue that Last of Us multiplayer is more skilled than Halo 5. This is funny based on the fact that you probably never played Last of Us multiplayer and you're just simply speaking as a fanboy.


I played all 3 multiplayer titles in the genre online and only someone who thinks it's just a tacked on multiplayer surely hasn't spent enough time playing Sony's multiplayer games online.

 

[meirl]

"...but Xbox is back. Microsoft is finally in control of the video game conversation once again."
What a strange to say.

I think you forgot a word.

 

[ANIMAL1975]

I like the Xbox One X, but I find it laughable when asking users to purchase a new $499 console is the pro consumer and PR super duper move to fix the problems with the previous box you sold them... .

Well, the 499 revamp mid gen box and the Adaptive Controller ,,,, but on a more serious note now, love the concept of more powerful mid gen boxes too, (and Sony did it one year earlier) but to me it's software wise that you win or dominate generations!

 

[1inthechamber_]

Good read here

Assumptions and opinions by idiots as always in these threads.

Only fact here is sales. Everything else is pretty much a pissing contest of opinions.

Gears 1 was actually a "tacked on" mp mode. But it was a huge hit and took off. Think I read the same about TLOU as well.

Quality does not equal competitiveness.... just stop. Everyone has their taste. I'll play gang beasts on my Ps4 one day.... then ufc 3 my xbox another...

Tbh this gen has lacked like a muthafucker. Most undeserving remasters, microtransactions, and milking ever.

As far as the article.... why even read obvious clickbait? Just another "journalist" paid for some advertising. Cuz honestly there's no fucking way you can say anyone will dominate next gen with no info.... let alone Xbox thats still picking up their mess from 2013.

 

[Schrödinger's cat]

You keep changing your posts through edits that make it seem I'm ignoring your points.

You ignored the points in the statements you actually quoted. So, no.

But, as I said:

What I expect, given what I've seen already, will be efforts to avoid doing this whilst insisting that the unsubstantiated claim should be taken as gospel.

And that is precisely what has happened.

I think we're done here.

 

[thelastword]

It continues to be irrefutable. MS dominates the MP space, while Sony dominates the SP space. Don't know why this affects some as deeply as it does.

PS4 dominates with all the MP focused games like COD, Fortnite, Blops, BF, all the Free 2 Play games.........They actually dominate with players online etc.....That's why MS wanted crossplay.......That's a fact....

As for exclusive games MP focused......or which have popular MP......PS4 has SFV, GTS which dominates anything MS has...And we have unique MP games like Uncharted 4, TLOU etc.......Sony even has it's own battle royale game in H1Z1. with millions of players as per several tweets......Gears and Halo were popular in MP in the 360 days, those days are gone.....They dont hold a candle to SFV or GTS this generation or even H1Z1....Even fate Grand Order with it's ASY-MP...

Look at third party MP focused games or those with a substantial MP game: like Siege, Monster Hunter, Fifa, Skyrim, GTA, Division, For Honor, Overwatch.....They all dominate on PS4, including Tekken 7 and Soul Calibur 6, DBZ, Injustice, Mortal, Guilty Gear etc....Killer Instinct is dead and people still play USF4 on PS4 regularly "an old last gen game".....The proof is there, you're just breaking small sticks in your ears and blindfolding yourself willingly....

 

[GermanZepp]

Anyone here got the link to the pre launch thread of PS4 and Xone? I believe in that thread the popular opinion was PS4 Doomed even more than the wii U. Could be fun to look what we all though back then

 

[1inthechamber_]

PS4 dominates with all the MP focused games like COD, Fortnite, Blops, BF, all the Free 2 Play games.........They actually dominate with players online etc.....That's why MS wanted crossplay.......That's a fact....

As for exclusive games MP focused......or which have popular MP......PS4 has SFV, GTS which dominates anything MS has...And we have unique MP games like Uncharted 4, TLOU etc.......Sony even has it's own battle royale game in H1Z1. with millions of players as per several tweets......Gears and Halo were popular in MP in the 360 days, those days are gone.....They dont hold a candle to SFV or GTS this generation or even H1Z1....Even fate Grand Order with it's ASY-MP...

Look at third party MP focused games or those with a substantial MP game: like Siege, Monster Hunter, Fifa, Skyrim, GTA, Division, For Honor, Overwatch.....They all dominate on PS4, including Tekken 7 and Soul Calibur 6, DBZ, Injustice, Mortal, Guilty Gear etc....Killer Instinct is dead and people still play USF4 on PS4 regularly "an old last gen game".....The proof is there, you're just breaking small sticks in your ears and blindfolding yourself willingly....

Here comes the other tool spouting opinions as fact .

Then again this is the cheerleader who changed the RDR 2 df thread from X vs Pro to Xone vs Pro and had to get editing rights revoked smh.

 

[zackmorris]

I agree that tacked on MP is not what most are looking for. Most of MS top IPs are centered around a great MP experience and are not just tacked on though. I would say PS takes the opposite approach. SP first with tacked on MP on most of their top IPs for this gen. This is where revenue comes in and absolutely matters. The more people play a game, the more revenue available past the usual $60 game cost. Halo, Gears, and Forza alone allow MS to make an incredible amount of revenue that keeps communities involved for the long term. Hell, Gears 4 is still having holiday events, new skins, and game modes 26 months past launch, as well as a healthy esport presence. I think this gets overlooked in the discussion with 1st player games.

But ho

Halo is Xbox's most important game. Without it, there is no Xbox, so all this "poised to dominate" talk without a competent version of the game that defines Xbox is nonsense.

As an avid Xbox fan, I'm really looking forward to the exclusive games MS's new studios will make. At this point, we haven't seen them, and don't know what they even are, so I'm keeping realistic expectations until then.

Right, but you said it yourself "as an avid xbox fan". People who care that deeply about Halo are going to be buying into the MS eco system no matter what, that's not the demographic MS needs to focus on.

 

[Gavon West]

MP add ons are one thing, a focus on quality, long term playability is another. MS proven record in this can not be disputed.

He's trying though, isn't he? Lol

 

[zwiggelbig]

sony can rely on Death Stranding 2 during ps5 generation. Horizon zero dawn 2, God of war 5? spiderman 2.
Microsoft bought new studios but can they make new Tripple A ip's? What guerilla did with horizon was just insane!

 

[Kacho]

The low key wildcard here is which company puts out the most diverse first party games in terms of genres.

Microsoft typically drops shooters with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer, whereas Sony mostly drops third person, cinematic walk n talks. Both could use some more variety since nothing really moved the needle for me this gen.

It's been well documented that Microsoft have been investing heavily to expand their first part portfolio in order to drive Gamepass subscriptions, so I think they're in a very good position to deliver here. Especially since they aquired Obsidian and inXile. Adding some tip-top, AAA WRPGs to their portfolio will do wonders for them.

 

[mckmas8808]

The low key wildcard here is which company puts out the most diverse first party games in terms of genres.

Microsoft typically drops shooters with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer, whereas Sony mostly drops third person, cinematic walk n talks. Both could use some more variety since nothing really moved the needle for me this gen.

It's been well documented that Microsoft have been investing heavily to expand their first part portfolio in order to drive Gamepass subscriptions, so I think they're in a very good position to deliver here. Especially since they aquired Obsidian and inXile. Adding some tip-top, AAA WRPGs to their portfolio will do wonders for them.

Can you explain to me how Spiderman and God of War are 3rd person cinematic walk n talks? The only main game Sony had like that was Detriot: Become Human.

 

[Kacho]

Can you explain to me how Spiderman and God of War are 3rd person cinematic walk n talks? The only main game Sony had like that was Detriot: Become Human.

Sure. I was speaking generally but for the games you mentioned, they're all samey third person, cinematic, action games that legit bore the pants off of me. Also look at their upcoming lineup that we know about - the Kojima game, zombie game and feudal Japan game. More samey third person, cinematic, action games. I'd really appreciate it if they'd branch out cover a wider variety of genres since their games haven't appealed to me in years.

An no. Dreams does not count. I'm talking stuff that appeals to the average joe. Because that's me.

Edit: How could I forget TLOU2? Another third person, cinematic, action game. That presentation they did at E3 was aggressively uninteresting.

 

[mckmas8808]

Sure. I was speaking generally but for the games you mentioned, they're all samey third person, cinematic, action games that legit bore the pants off of me. Also look at their upcoming lineup that we know about - the Kojima game, zombie game and feudal Japan game. More samey third person, cinematic, action games. I'd really appreciate it if they'd branch out cover a wider variety of genres since their games haven't appealed to me in years.

An no. Dreams does not count. I'm talking stuff that appeals to the average joe. Because that's me.

- The only thing that makes them the same is that they are in 3rd person. Spiderman plays nothing like God of War.
- It's not fair that you get to tell us what games don't count. You can't just discount Dreams and Detriot because you decide they don't appeal to the average joe.
- How do you classify The Last Guardian?

 

[CrustyBritches]

Right, but you said it yourself "as an avid xbox fan". People who care that deeply about Halo are going to be buying into the MS eco system no matter what, that's not the demographic MS needs to focus on.

It's important not to underestimate the impact of word-of-mouth(the community, the core) and the marketing power of AAA-metacritic scores and goty nominations/wins. I spent the whole gen shitting on Xbox and Halo. Only the X1X and FH4 have recently given a good reason to own the system.

When avid fans are dumping on their favorite games and can't recommend the system to others you have a major issue. You're not poised to dominate anything when you can't even get your most important games right.

So if by "dominate" they mean last place, then I totally agree.

 

[Clear]

Switch is unquestionably a 9th gen handheld. It's also a 9th gen console for the reason stated above. Nintendo isn't on Sony or Microsoft's clock anymore.

Number it how you like, but just remember if you do, you're setting up a situation where you literally cannot include Nintendo in any conversation about who won sales-wise generationally any more. Sales being the context in which my original point was made, hell its the context most often used when discussing generations of software/hardware ecosystems!

If as suspected Sony and MS don't release their next gen systems til 2020, that's a long time to basically remove them from the equation, and essentially sets up a 9th gen "race" where one competitor will be looking at a near 4 year lead on the market! As I noted, that's close on the duration of a generation by itself.

Dreamcast appeared 16 months before PS2 in Japan only, worldwide it was much shorter because it to took SEGA 9-11 months before it rolled out overseas basically putting it chronologically in the same ballpark in terms of lead-time on the market as 360 vs PS3/Wii.

Sorry but to me it seems far more rational, and importantly useful, to put Switch in the same gen as Wii U in order to maintain continuity and value as a comparitive entity within sales.

Lets be honest too, the argument that a platform holder historically can only offer one device per generation only works if you treat handhelds as separate entities. Both Sony and Nintendo have run 2 machines within generations multiple times, so now we have a true hybrid of handheld and home console it seems consistent to me.

 

[deathsaber]

They still don't have 1/4 of the first party development capability and talent that Sony or Nintendo has, nor franchises which will sell like theirs (the addition of Obsidian and Ninja Theory and the few others changed nothing, while talented devs- aren't anyone who has ever lit the sales charts on fire).

Yes, they managed to turn around a lot of the bad juju, but they are still being 2 to 1'ed by the competition in hardware and software.

They are still dead to Japan, and most of Europe barely pays attention. They only really "compete" in the USA which granted, is the biggest market, but still only a piece in a rather large global market "pie".

Barring any major Sony ball dropping for PS5 ($599 US dollars!, some bizarre forced expensive controller/peripheral the whole thing is designed around in lieu of a dual shock successor, complete lack of games, etc, which I don't see happening, I see no reason why the status quo won't continue next gen with MS as a heathy (but distant) 2nd place (possibly 3rd if Switch continues to have legs).

 

[Kacho]

- The only thing that makes them the same is that they are in 3rd person. Spiderman plays nothing like God of War.
- It's not fair that you get to tell us what games don't count. You can't just discount Dreams and Detriot because you decide they don't appeal to the average joe.
- How do you classify The Last Guardian?

They might play differently but they're all similar experiences to me.

If you want to use Dreams and Detroit as examples of diversity, and think Sony is doing enough on that front, that's fine by me but I disagree. Those games are not moving the needle in any significant way for most people, myself included. I'd like to see Sony try their hand at a fantasy or sci-fi RPG, maybe an ARPG like an Untold Legends reboot, or maybe a new FPS that isn't Killzone. There's so much more they could do other than sticking to the samey formula for their games.

 

[FacelessSamurai]

Well thanks for being so offensive.

Whats so stupid about it? MS are the ones touting the xCloud. They already have their games on PC. If gamepass and xCloud take off then why produce expensive money losing hardware, especially since MS has not won 1 hardware generation yet.

Makes more business sense to focus on cloud gaming and netflix type service where you can get monthly subscribtion income rolling every month. Instead of speding millions in R&D to create a box that you won't make a profit on for probably 2 to 3 years anyways.

I aint saying MS is getting out of gaming, just that they will switch their focus away from hardware and towards a more service orientated business model.

They said it themselves that they see powerful hardware underneath your television as something people want and that they won't be taking it away.

They are diversifying and trying to reach as much market as they can, not create a brand new one and leave their other current successful market behind.

The xCloud is a way to reach more customers, not alienate their current ones. No way are they stopping production of consoles and moving all in on cloud services mid next gen. how can you even assume that!

 

[Iced Arcade]

MS threads really bring em out.


with Spencer at the helm of launch, realizing they need more 1st party IP's and acquiring so many studios, I won't be surprised if they capture North America by a land slide again BUT I don't see that happening in other markets.

 

[FacelessSamurai]

By your logic quality mean need to be show on MLG? Game like Dark Soul or Bloodborne does not have the name on it, by ur logic those game MP is shit? By your logic people play MP in game A for some time, then jump to game B when they want = game A's Mp quality is shit?

By my logic, as long as people still having fun and coming back to the game, that game have great replay value, MP or not does not matter. And Sony just have too many game like that.

More than that, people keep playing 1 Xbox game coz there are no other good ex game on Xbox, simple as that. Poor Xbox fanboi has been locked on Halo and Gear

So I assume people still playing Counter-Strike or DOTA2 or League of Legends on PC is because they lack good exclusives to play, right?

It's because they are good games. You don't need to move to something else if what you have is still good and being updated with new content and events (like Gears, Forza and Halo). And Xbox gamers don't lack good multiplayer content, far from it!

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

They said it themselves that they see powerful hardware underneath your television as something people want and that they won't be taking it away.

They are diversifying and trying to reach as much market as they can, not create a brand new one and leave their other current successful market behind.

The xCloud is a way to reach more customers, not alienate their current ones. No way are they stopping production of consoles and moving all in on cloud services mid next gen. how can you even assume that!

There was a time when Netflix offered DVDs in the mail. Then, they offered a kinda mediocre streaming service to their same customers. A few years later, no DVDs and Netflix remains a powerhouse. There was also much pearl-clutching then about Netflix alienating its "current customers".

If Microsoft continues to de-emphasize hardware while pushing for streaming, cloud, play anywhere, play on anything, digital ownership, GaaS, etc., then they are moving in a direction where hardware isn't really necessary for their brand to thrive. Microsoft said it themselves: they see Amazon and Google as their main competition, not Sony. Does Google need a Google-branded box underneath your TV to use its services? Does Amazon?

This isn't proof that Microsoft will exit the hardware space, of course. However, I see them tailoring future hardware to best fit their streaming/digital plans:

- big hard drives with fast read/write speeds (an SSD coming standard would be impressive)
- top-grade network equipment, both wired and wireless, to ensure the fastest speeds possible
- large pool of undifferentiated RAM to buffer content

 

[Jigsaah]

"Microsoft has doggedly climbed its way out of a PR and reputation pit with items like the Xbox One X and the Adaptive Controller as well as its public support of cross-console play."

Out of what pit? Where are the games? Is MS selling more than Sony or Nintendo.....If anything, MS has gone further down the pit with fake hype and bad PR....Also, from the time Nintendo came out with Switch, they have been beating MS consistently too. So I'd really love to know what formula is used to arrive at this "doggedly climbed its way out bad rep" or is it opposites day?

"Xbox has been the bumbling underdog of the eighth console generation, playing catch-up to Sony's PlayStation 4 and watching from a distance as the Nintendo Switch reignited the passion of video game fans worldwide."

And PS4 has not? "Reignited the passion"Wasn't mobile the future and a console future dead after last gen consoles according to these same gaming journalists?"... Not once did this author write something positive about Sony's output, be it, the games, vr, the better pricepoint. She endears every other console, but positions PS4 as "it sold 86 million I guess".....There are mulitple reasons why it's doing so well.....This author wants to speak of potential success for a console company that has never won, that up to this day has not delivered on a bevy of quality games the entire gen and tries to belittle or ignore the accomplishments of the most dominant console manufacturer in history.....This is like Phil saying PRO competes with XBOX-ONE-S type drivel...


The Xbox One was going to be the first console to require an internet connection, allowing Microsoft to implement new features on a regular basis, but executives sold this idea in the most confusing, anti-consumer way possible.

I'm I hearing this right, so she supports an always online console, but believes MS just didn't fool the people enough in it's 2013 messaging. Perhaps they should give her the job to do their PR...With such an article, maybe she already has it...


Sony was on a roll with the marketing of the PS4. Its messaging was clear, the console was familiar but beefed up, it would work just fine offline and it cost $100 less than the Xbox One.

The console was familiar, what does this even mean? It's like I've heard this before, All Sony games are the same, the console is familiar? This is the most bonkers thing I've read in that article......No, the console was built for 1080p gaming, where 98% of it's games are 1080p, it was more powerful, it has a unique controller with great media features that are gamecentric instead of TV TV TV, snap and a Kinect failure at $500.00.....In any case, not being able to share your games like you always did, being locked out of your own console if you have no internet, a crappy voice system that never worked well "XBOX play golf" is not the non-familiarity we want out of a new console.....Ask MS to concetrate on the bottomline, games....

Post-launch, the Xbox One X proved itself as a cutting-edge console capable of delivering the most beautiful living-room gaming experiences possible.

The most beautiful living room gaming experiences are Sony games....No contest in the graphics department.....UC4, LL, Detroit, Bloodborne, GTS, Driveclub, Horizon Zero Dawn, Infamous, Until Dawn, 1886, GOW, Spiderman, Shadowfall....etc etc. etc...

The Great Xbox Comeback of 2018 has been brewing for more than a year, starting with the launch of the Xbox One X on November 7th, 2017. The One X is the most powerful console on the market, offering 4K gaming and Blu-ray. Microsoft has the edge here, since the Xbox One X is the only console with true, baked-in 4K capabilities. Sony's PS4 Pro does offer 4K gaming but only through an upscaling process, and it doesn't support UHD Blu-ray.

Yes, this is defintely MS PR.......Reads just like something Phil said and of course what an MS fan would say, it's like I've heard it all before on forums and in PR....No objectivity whatsoever, notwithstanding, it's plain wrong and verified false information...So I'm not sure if she's trying to fool people, that she doesn't know anything about PRO or she's just being plain disingenuos...

PRO has many 4k native games and 4k capabilities as well, it does not need UHD bluray for that...


Microsoft is on the right side of history when it comes to cross-console play.

So more FUD? No it's not....Sony is on the right side of HISTORY when it comes to crossplay.....Sony has had crossplay since the PS2 days....In the PS3 era Sony wanted crossplay with MS.....Microsoft said "Hell No" and somehow they're on the rightside with crossplay history? This gen, how many crossplay games does MS have next to Sony? Just lots of bad takes and forum styled points from a wooled eyed xbox fan it would seem....Facts don't lie...You can't fabricate an existentiality for XBOX in hopes that it was so or becomes so.....Deal with the facts as they were and as they are....

The Xbox squad also expanded its market in 2018 in an unlikely, yet truly important, way. The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a $100 gamepad built specifically for people with disabilities, and it's the first accessory of its caliber.

There have been many accessories for people with disablilities, some self made and those made by companies....Should Sony go boasting that remapping their controller better serves people with disabilities, that was offerered very early on....What gets me though, is that a controller for people with disabilities is priced so high...Why? You really believe MS did this from the goodness of their hearts at $100, to boast this is truly low indeed...

The Xbox Adaptive Controller brings video games to 1 billion people who have been poorly served or left out of the market for decades, and its full impact on the future of gaming remains to be seen.

So you mean to tell me, guys like Broly-Legs and so many others were left out of gaming all those years.......1 Billion people who have been poorly served and left out? So how many Adaptive controllers have been sold at $100.00, where you need to buy even further accesories based on the particular disability or perhasp this controller does not work for certain disabilities at all.....This just seem like a play on words and figures, trying to paint MS in a good-light but miserably failing....A controller for disabled persons is catered to MS's bottomline than it is to 1 billion persons who were poorly served before..or left-out.


Microsoft is preparing developers to work in a streaming ecosystem with a public beta for its Project xCloud service launching in 2019. Compare all of this with Sony, a company that has backed away from courting independent developers, refused to implement cross-console play and just recently pulled out of E3 2019 entirely.

Another MS announcement and a typical XBOX fan post......Project X-Cloud, vapor, a bevy of good games the entire gen, vapor.....They're buying game studios you see......Wait till next gen, but what about these last 5 years and the hohum support and delivery?.....Forget about that, MS is all about the hype and the future...JSony is anti-crossplay and anti-E3 you see....Just you wait till next gen, even if you didn't get much this gen, just believe.....I mean, MS has Compulsion Games, Undead Labs etc...to take on Naughty Dog, Santa Monica and the like 'please be excited"....Believe in the hype, just like we promised in 2013, with the most balanced console we promised the XBOX-ONE would be, unlimited power from the cloud, dedicated servers for all games "Azure, Azure, Azure".....also don't forget TV TV TV, Xbox 'play HBO", where else can you get this? Snap and Skype are what gamers need...People still use remotes and cable boxes? Pffftttt......Anyway, Crackdown 3 will lead the charge in cloud technology, just wait ....Yes, MS is poised allright, to keep on bullshitting it's fans as they always have.....Wait 5 years for these new acquisitions to produce they say, when current studios linger in development hell with hohum delivery, but Gallagher at the Vapor Initiative will change the fortunes, a man who run from Square, who just wanted to fall on greener pastures where a fatter wallet lie........Yes, you can't make this stuff....And to the author, good luck.....


He reminds me of Iamthatiam, a poster on the internet who said Detroit was nothing special, any developer could do it with a smaller scope...That he could re-create and whip up any scene people deem amazing looking in Detroit in UE4 in qucik time....Character rendering, lighting complexity, effects et al....Still no show to this day....These guys are not bad for the odd chuckle though....

Are you manic or something?