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IGN: 6 things Microsoft needs to do after PS4

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shinobi602

Member
I thought they were pretty spot on with most of it, meaning what I would like Microsoft to do, but honestly doubt they will go through with. I can't see where PSN has always been "2 steps behind Live" really. Agree/disagree?

Be Up Front with the Technical Specifications

Sony showed a lot of confidence by coming right out – at the very beginning of their presentation, no less – and detailing some of the PS4’s tech specs. Throwing out terms like “teraflops” and GDDR5 RAM – even if you didn’t know what it meant – made overtures to the hardcore gamers that said, “We’re here for you, and we’re serious about making a beast of a games machine.” It even went so far as to release a one-sheet with all of the actual, detailed specs after the show ended.

Microsoft, I’m convinced, does not want to show specific numbers, particularly if the raw Xbox 720 numbers don’t top the PS4’s. However, a little bit of transparency would go a long way here. The figures are rumored to be nearly identical between the two systems, so it’s up to Microsoft to counter that punch by letting the GHz, cores, and milliseconds fly.
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Focus on the Next Xbox as a Games Machine

The PlayStation 4 has a Kinect-like camera sensor. What? You forgot already? That’s because Sony mentioned it precisely once near the beginning of their conference…and then never spoke of it again. It'll talk about it in greater detail later, of course, but it was smart enough to realize that the core gamer it was focused on winning back with this initial announcement wouldn’t want to hear a single word about a Kinect-like device just yet. And so it didn’t risk losing a single bit of their momentum by talking more about it.

Microsoft, by contrast, can’t and simply won’t follow the same path in this department. Kinect will be a big part of the next Xbox, and as such they’re likely to highlight it at their big unveiling. However, the company would be wise to minimize any non-games Kinect functionality, and what is shown – both tech-wise and software-wise – had better be good.
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Bring the First-Party Thunder

It’s way too early for anything on Halo 5 after Halo 4 just shipped three months ago. Ditto for Gears of War, since the prequel Judgment is out next month. However, Microsoft can tickle hardcore gamers by reaching a little deeper into their first-party stable. Showing the heavily rumored Fable MMORPG would be big, as would the undoubtedly gorgeous Forza Motorsport 5. Rare is bound to be working on something new, too – unless MS wants to cause a happy riot by announcing Killer Instinct 3. The wild card that would send the fanboys into a tizzy? Alan Wake 2. It’s rumored to exist, and it’s rumored to be an Xbox exclusive. Hmm…
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…And Flex the Third-Party Muscle Too

Sony trotted out a prerecorded video message from the highly reclusive Jason Jones to show a bit more of Destiny and announce Sony-exclusive content for their upcoming cross-gen “shared world shooter.” It also scored a deal with the mighty Blizzard to bring platinum-selling PC powerhouse action-RPG Diablo III to the current and next-generation PlayStations.

Microsoft, then, needs to reassure their loyalists by also bringing Bungie onstage to dish on Destiny. After all, the House That Halo Built is no ordinary studio for Xbox fans; there’s an extra layer of loyalty and dedication, and it’s important for Microsoft and Bungie to remind gamers that it has not forsaken its most passionate followers. Meanwhile, everyone and their mother knows that Call of Duty will release for every major current- and next-gen platform, but a reveal of the next Infinity Ward blockbuster would go a long way towards placating the Xbox masses.
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Keep Xbox Live Alive

Xbox Live has long been Microsoft’s Trojan horse – the secret weapon that keeps players bound to the Xbox ecosystem. PlayStation Network has always been two steps behind Live, perennially playing catch-up. But Sony unleashed new social initiatives that have potentially huge ramifications – being able to share always-on video footage of your gameplay, and allowing your friends to spectate or even take over your game remotely at any time. What can Microsoft do to evolve Xbox Live in order to stay ahead and remind the world that it's the market leader in the online console gaming space? They’d better have an answer when they unveil the next Xbox.
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What About Backwards Compatibility?

Sony was honest about the PlayStation 4’s backwards compatibility – or lack thereof out of the gate – and even though one high-level industry executive told IGN that an incredibly small percentage of players ever make use of it, hardcore players nevertheless like the idea of the backwards compatibility security blanket. We believe Microsoft will not offer full Xbox 360 compatibility on their new machine, but it is entirely possible that it could support gamers’ “digital libraries” (read: downloaded games). That could be a big factor for early adopters, and might also serve to soften the blow if the rumor about the new Xbox blocking used games proves correct.
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Source
 
8bit said:
That isn't going to happen, games will be a secondary feature to controlling your media consumption and watching you masturbate.
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Pretty much. I think they are gearing up for an entertainment box in which gaming will be just one aspect.
 
I don't think they'll do the first 2 at all. I can easily see them just saying they have 8GB RAM but not admitting it's worse until the spec sheet leaks later on. And we all know they're not going to make games the primary focus.
 
Psn has always been 2 steps behind live but.. that's a different argument anyway i agree with them. I think if they show actual heavy hitters(AW2,PGR5,CD3 etc) they can waste whatever time on kinect/Illumni Room they want.
 
Derrick01 said:
I don't think they'll do the first 2 at all. I can easily see them just saying they have 8GB RAM but not admitting it's worse until the spec sheet leaks later on. And we all know they're not going to make games the primary focus.
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yup they own 21 first party studios for tv shows.
 
Derrick01 said:
I don't think they'll do the first 2 at all. I can easily see them just saying they have 8GB RAM but not admitting it's worse until the spec sheet leaks later on. And we all know they're not going to make games the primary focus.
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I think they'll show what the specs make possible rather than focusing on them.
 
I think all you'll get from that list is the bits about first party and third party, as well as the obvious Xbox Live part. They're not going to kill their big moneymaker, just enhance it. If they have BC, they'll definitely announce it and take a cheap shot at Sony in doing so. They'll probably also show the console and take another cheap shot at Sony. Don't hold your breath hoping for them to focus on it as first and foremost a game-playing machine.
 
Be Up Front with the Technical Specifications

After the PS4 they might not do this, if it's worse of course.

Focus on the Next Xbox as a Games Machine

No, Kinect and being your entertainment center is the Nextbox focus

Bring the First-Party Thunder

Yes.

…And Flex the Third-Party Muscle Too

Yes.

Keep Xbox Live Alive

Yes.

What About Backwards Compatibility?

No.
 
At this point PSN is more or less at parity with XBL as a service. Live is most likely ahead userbase wise but the numbers they release are so skewed its hard to tell.
 
I'd love to see something from Bethesda. Looking back on this nearly-concluded generation, I think the high point for me was Fallout 3 back in 2008, despite playing the inferior PS3 version.
 
The second one is wishful thinking. Microsoft will dedicate a large part of their unveiling highlighting the media features of the box.
 
MS are smart.

They will spend a bunch of time talking about media partnerships and TV deals but they will moneyhat some big players or one really big player to get the attention of the hardcore gamer.
 
The main thing MS needs to do is:
1. Clearly explain what 720 will do, that nothing else can.
2. Show games that are an example of point#1
3. Promise games mentioned in point #2 will be available at launch.

I mainly fault Sony for only really having one thing to get excited about at launch: Killzone Shadowfall. Everything else was either not exclusive to PS4, or isn't guaranteed to be there when the console launches.
 
I hope for MS sake, they don't bet everything on Kinect. I think that would be a big mistake.
-"Hey, we have a new version of kinect, it can even track your fingers and your balls".
The core doesn't care about this...
 
I think they're going to try and do everything well, just like Sony is. Microsoft's features will most certainly be better, and Sony's exclusives will most likely be better. That's my guess at least.

I think the people who think Microsoft isn't going to show some impressive exclusive games to push their console are either crazy or think Microsoft is stupid. They know that the early adopters are mostly people like all of us who care about the games first. They're going to be bringing it at launch.
 
These are things that Microsoft simply isn't willing to do, especially the first few points. It saddens me, but I fear the worst for Microsoft's next box.
 
Pull a e3 2010 and give everyone at the conference an xbox 720.

I think that Microsoft will put the same showing as Sony, the difference is that they will show the console for sure.
 
Hoo-doo said:
Lol. You can't seriously believe that.
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No I defiantly can if really the only other thing separating them is First Party support. Your not going to convince anyone with a 360 to purchase a ps4 over a 720 if they can't even play the back catalogue of sony games. On the other hand you may be able to convince some Sony fans to switch over since the 720 will have thousands of games available from the start.
 
Neifirst said:
I'd love to see something from Bethesda. Looking back on this nearly-concluded generation, I think the high point for me was Fallout 3 back in 2008, despite playing the inferior PS3 version.
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Watch the post-conference interview on GT with the guy from Bethesda. You can see him wanting to say more about something else, but isn't able to. Maybe I'm just reading him wrong. It's also good insight into why a lot of devs have no interest in being a launch title.
 
funkystudent said:
MS are smart.

They will spend a bunch of time talking about media partnerships and TV deals but they will moneyhat some big players or one really big player to get the attention of the hardcore gamer.
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I suspect we'll get much more positive reactions from the mainstream media if they focus on that rather than solely on games.
 
They will spend an hour talking about the hardware, OS, and services. Then an hour talking about games. 3 or 4 third party and 2 or 3 first party.
 
Sony was honest about the PlayStation 4’s backwards compatibility – or lack thereof out of the gate – and even though one high-level industry executive told IGN that an incredibly small percentage of players ever make use of it, hardcore players nevertheless like the idea of the backwards compatibility security blanket. We believe Microsoft will not offer full Xbox 360 compatibility on their new machine, but it is entirely possible that it could support gamers’ “digital libraries” (read: downloaded games). That could be a big factor for early adopters, and might also serve to soften the blow if the rumor about the new Xbox blocking used games proves correct.
Click to expand...
Please send all your staff to a rigorous two week training session where they learn the basics of technology like "If it's not emulating the hardware, and the games aren't written to a special library, it's not going to be any easier (or even different) to port."

I mean seriously it's bad enough when users do this, but at least they're not expected to research this before posting an article on the world's largest gaming site.
 
Sony made a good presentation I think despite some issues I had with it - I think Microsoft will blow it because Microsoft

---

Never forget

X7IU3pA.jpg


"For me, the highlight of the evening was watching Ninja Gaiden creator Tomonobu Itagaki walk into the event in his white robe, taking in the scene behind his traditional sunglasses. He looked around a few times, stood quietly for a few moments and then turned around and left."
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Derrick01 said:
They could own 50, it doesn't mean games is their primary focus. They want a media box.
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I feel this is a short-sighted viewpoint and one that doesn't accurately represent their goals.

It's less about wanting a media box and more about wanting to do everything from playing games to functioning as a media box. This versatility is very important in the current market where convergence is the most important thing.

You can no longer release a device that doesn't offer a wide range of features. It's why even blu ray players have become streaming boxes that allow access to catch up services as well as netflix, etc.

You're free to be upset about this direction, but it's the direction the market has been headed in for quite some time and to criticise a company that needs to follow the market or risk being left behind/see their product become irrelevant is, as I said, short-sighted.
 
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