Support NeoGAF

[jschreier]

No, that's Microsoft's official "nothing to see here" statement.

The "truth" is "the details they will share at a later date."

They didn't even deny the statement, only said it was "inaccurate."

When someone provides quite a bit of detail, and then the offficial response is so short, the story is definitely not that simple.

While it's very possible that Microsoft is lying and they really do have plans to quietly kill this feature, I believe it's far more likely that the Microsoft executive was misinformed -- as we've seen quite a few times from Microsoft executives -- and that they are still planning this, just not for a while. That's why we waited to report this until we had more information.

For more clarification, I just transcribed Phil Spencer's comments to Kotaku at E3: http://kotaku.com/to-add-to-this-story-here-are-some-comments-from-xbox-1602534871

 

[Tigress]

More confirmation from Major Nelson:

http://www.reddit.com/r/xboxone/com...t_no_longer_plans_for_xbox_one_retail/cisrqkp

It's MS.

I read that as inaccurate meaning not quite true but not entirely wrong (for example could be: It's not wrong that they aren't going to be dev kits but it's not right that we don't care <- or at least we gotta get people to think that regardless if true or not).

And we remain committed to "we gotta convince people that this is important to us".

And more details later to "We need time to formulate a response that makes us look reasonable and also make sure everyone who is talking to the press are on the same page about what our response is."

Course, maybe I'm just overly cynical and admittedly I never have had much trust for MS, but it's not like this isn't usual MS behavior. And it can easily be read as how I put it as it is not a definite statement "Guys, it's not true, they are going to be full dev kits." or even "Yeah, we had to change some stuff but we are working out a new system that fixes the problem we had with the old".

 

[Yoda]

Here's the truth. http://kotaku.com/no-microsoft-didnt-reverse-course-on-xbox-one-dev-kits-1602522324

The comments today were inaccurate. We remain committed to ensuring the best possible solution for developers and hobbyists to create games for Xbox One. We will share more details at a later date.

That doesn't exactly sound like a "it will launch as originally planned" statement. Did they happen to elaborate further?

 

[Gestault]

i do wonder why they didn't opt for saying something like " We remain committed to the plan of turning retail Xbox ones into devkits"...you know, something specific.

My guess is the plans for implementing the retail-to-dev software conversion is still being worked out, and the security/stability of the platform has greater priority. That would explain calling out the report as inaccurate, but still using pragmatic descriptions about what shape it will take down the road.

 

[PoemOfTheLastMoment]

I am not surprised.

 

[3rdamention]

i do wonder why they didn't opt for saying something like " We remain committed to the plan of turning retail Xbox ones into devkits"...you know, something specific.

That was kinda my comment. Instead they say "We remain committed to ensuring the best possible solution for developers and hobbyists to create games for Xbox One."


Best possible solution could be getting dev kits to ID@Xbox devs quicker, providing more feedback and assistance. They can easily "ensure the best possible solution to creating games for Xbox One." without making each unit a dev kit.


Again, the response is very open ended, and could be open to interpretation. However, we could give them the benefit of the doubt since they say they will share more details at a later date.

 

[rokkerkory]

Need thread title update

 

[weeeeezy]

Ok after reading the update I feel a little better about this. I would like for them to tell me straight forward, will I be getting a dev kit or will my xbox be enabled as one? I'm tired of waiting MS.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

They never said it's still happening. Just that they are still committed to something for indies. What that is exactly they'll share at a later time.

The mention of hobbyists leads me to believe the every X1 is a dev kit is something that's still happening, they just don't know when or what form it will take.

 

[Teeth]

According to sources from PlayStation,Soon

Spoiler

y

.

Which sources?

 

[teiresias]

"The comments today were inaccurate. We remain committed to ensuring the best possible solution for developers and hobbyists to create games for Xbox One. We will share more details at a later date."

This doesn't read to me like, "Yes, retail-to-devkits is still a go!!" This reads like, "We'll have something, probably not what we said before, and probably not as easy to get a hold of, but we'll have something . . . at some point . . . sometime."

 

[LowerLevel]

Surprised to see there isn't an OP or title update yet.

Need thread title update

Nah, leave the lights out for a bit to get the rest of the stragglers to show...

 

[BumblebeeCody]

Wow that sucks hard. I was planning on using the new Dev system :/

 

[FaultTolerance]

This doesn't read to me like, "Yes, retail-to-devkits is still a go!!" This reads like, "We'll have something, probably not what we said before, and probably not as easy to get a hold of, but we'll have something . . . at some point . . . sometime."

To me it reads as if Microsoft doesn't want to comment too specifically on something that is still actively in development.

Can you blame them? Look what happened here today.

 

[Draft]

I don't think many people were planning on developing software for the Xbone.

 

[TrafalgarLaw]

Then were the fuck is it Microsoft? Overpromising on value again?

 

[teiresias]

To me it reads as if Microsoft doesn't want to comment too specifically on something that is still actively in development.

You mean like how they commented on it specifically a year ago?

 

[Steverulez]

Wow that sucks hard. I was planning on using the new Dev system :/

This is what happens when a thread title isn't updated.

 

[R3TRO]

I'm happy I read the whole thread before I post.

 

[graywolf323]

Correct me if I am wrong but this:



Just sounds like PR speak for - "We are not abandoning our original idea we promise, ummm as to how were not abandoning it uh well uh were not abandoning it. Please dont freak out"

to me it just reads that they don't want to confirm it as official yet, if it's not officially canceled then the reports are inaccurate

 

[SEGAvangelist]

What a nice long-term vision they seem to have for this machine.

Waiting for the inevitable "well, they didn't even implement it yet, so how can you get mad about it?" brigade to show up.

Another 180? /s

I can't say I'm too surprised, it sounded like bollocks from the get-go.

A lot of people were touting this feature over Sony's head. Now it looks like they are the same on this.

lol Let the good times roll.

One of the very few reasons to even own a XBONE gone, that's pretty funny.

So the hole "Every Xbox is a dev kit" thing was a front. A grasping of straws to get some positive news when public opinion was at an all time low.

No doubt this wasn't really going to happen. Was probably just a pr stunt to lessen some of the beating they were getting at the time hah.

Bait and switch... what a shock.

Oh, wow, one of Microsoft's pie in the sky promises turned out to be complete bullshit that they weren't planning on implementing? This is shocking news and needs to be investigated further, so different from their normal operations.

Xbox 180 indeed.

Reply Tweet:
Thanks for your support and 'believing' in us. You can use a 360 if you like.

Probably had no intention of ever doing this, manufactured positive PR.

Maybe developers will make their games on the cloud.

That being said, I was already suspecting this when it was cut from launch and wasn't ever talked about for 6 months after release.

I swear there were many many people on these forums that said "I will believe it when I see it."


It just sounded way to good to be true.

That would have been easy to just say "Yup, still coming" via twitter, IM or mail. Wonder why they have to speak in person about it.

I have a feeling it's canned.

Next up: their pie in the sky promises about what the cloud can do for rendering.

It never made sense for Microsoft to give regular people the ability to run unsigned code. Something had to give, and so it did.

dat double 180. Classic M$

I am not surprised.

Then were the fuck is it Microsoft? Overpromising on value again?

From Chris Charla? No way. I think you have people confused.

EDIT: Also, to chime in. Yeah this sucks. Only silver lining is that at least the marketplace won't get flooded with bad games. If MS cans the parity clause and keeps giving free dev kits that would be nice I guess.

http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/9/5884689/microsoft-xbox-one-retail-developer-consoles-plans-dropped
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...l-xbox-one-retail-units-to-double-as-dev-kits
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-cancels-plans-allow-retail-xbox-one-consoles-be-turned-dev-kits
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...-retail-xbox-ones-as-dev-kits-scrapped-report
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/470856/update-microsoft-denies-nixing-xbox-one-dev-kit-plans/

http://kotaku.com/no-microsoft-didnt-reverse-course-on-xbox-one-dev-kits-1602522324

 

[FaultTolerance]

You mean like how they commented on it specifically a year ago?

I'm not going to pretend that I know exactly what they're thinking or what they're planning.

I'm just saying their comments today regarding this are keeping me optimistic.

 

[weeeeezy]

Some of the people posting in this thread never had any intentions of using Xbox as a dev it. Some don't even have an Xbox and never planned on getting it. Sigh...

 

[Deepo]

Microsoft is really trustworthy when it comes to Xbox announcements.

 

[Chobel]

Does this mean Digital Spy quotes are wrong?

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

When asked about his health, age, and dying before making an XB1 a devkit, Phil Spencer said, "Fuck You" and flipped the bird.

Oh wait, wrong article.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

I'm not in the wall of shame.

Everything is coming up Miles!

 

[Kelsey]

Some of the people posting in this thread never had any intentions of using Xbox as a dev it. Some don't even have an Xbox and never planned on getting it. Sigh...

The Geneva Convention doesn't cover console wars. No rules!

 

[ComputerMKII]

By the way, what happened to CBOAT?

 

[sixteen-bit]

Wow, another 180.

 

[Ape]

Hey, mine was sarcastic!

 

[Kelsey]

Wow, another 180.

Christ dude, just read one post on this last page. Just one.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

When asked about his health, age, and dying before making an XB1 a devkit, Phil Spencer said, "Fuck You" and flipped the bird.

Oh wait, wrong article.

He will finish what he has started!

 

[FaultTolerance]

When asked about his health, age, and dying before making an XB1 a devkit, Phil Spencer said, "Fuck You" and flipped the bird.

Oh wait, wrong article.

I see someone had his bowl of Quips this morning.

 

[Chobel]

http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/9/5884689/microsoft-xbox-one-retail-developer-consoles-plans-dropped
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...l-xbox-one-retail-units-to-double-as-dev-kits
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-cancels-plans-allow-retail-xbox-one-consoles-be-turned-dev-kits
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...-retail-xbox-ones-as-dev-kits-scrapped-report
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/470856/update-microsoft-denies-nixing-xbox-one-dev-kit-plans/

http://kotaku.com/no-microsoft-didnt-reverse-course-on-xbox-one-dev-kits-1602522324

C'mon where's zomgbbqftw comment? it happened right after Jason comment.

It never made sense for Microsoft to give regular people the ability to run unsigned code. Something had to give, and so it did.

 

[3rdamention]

http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/9/5884689/microsoft-xbox-one-retail-developer-consoles-plans-dropped
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...l-xbox-one-retail-units-to-double-as-dev-kits
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-cancels-plans-allow-retail-xbox-one-consoles-be-turned-dev-kits
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...-retail-xbox-ones-as-dev-kits-scrapped-report
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/470856/update-microsoft-denies-nixing-xbox-one-dev-kit-plans/

http://kotaku.com/no-microsoft-didnt-reverse-course-on-xbox-one-dev-kits-1602522324

Well, considering that most of these posts, including mine, came before any clarification whatsoever, that is pretty funny for you to Monday Morning Quarterback everyone. Hell, the quotes from the OP's story were pretty clear. And that was all there was to go by in the beginning.


And if you read the Kotaku quotes, they are more open ended than they are specific towards every Xbox One retail kit being able to be used as a dev kit.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

" lol let the good times roll"

Unbelievable

 

[FZW]

So timeline of events:

Microsoft says last year quite clearly, Every retail box will be a fully functional dev-kit.

Martin Fuller says quite clearly, that had to be scrapped unforunately. I can't say why, as far as I'm aware there are no plans anymore.

Microsoft replies back with that's innaccurate. We're committed to providing a great dev experience. More details coming (Translated, "we'll talk later.")

I'm not entirely sure why people are believing the canned PR response that doesn't actually say anything over the pretty clear answer given by someone who would really know.

Only thing I could see happening that would cause this confusion is if a different group that Martin Fuller and the box Advanced Technology Group knows nothing about was put in control of the retail = dev-kit work.

"As far as im aware"? .... yeaaa ill stick with what MS said.

 

[DoubleTake]

I will remember this wall of shame when this never materializes. But for now I accept it lol

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

I see someone had his bowl of Quips this morning.

I'd like to say it's just really slow at work today, but whenever I say that, it always turns out badly for me.

Just to be clear, my bowl of Quips is always full.

 

[mcrommert]

By the way, what happened to CBOAT?

Quote of the Thread

End of Story.

 

[Ape]

I will remember this wall of shame when this never materializes. But for now I accept it lol

What makes you so sure?

 

[3rdamention]

http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/9/5884689/microsoft-xbox-one-retail-developer-consoles-plans-dropped
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...l-xbox-one-retail-units-to-double-as-dev-kits
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-cancels-plans-allow-retail-xbox-one-consoles-be-turned-dev-kits
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...-retail-xbox-ones-as-dev-kits-scrapped-report
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/470856/update-microsoft-denies-nixing-xbox-one-dev-kit-plans/

http://kotaku.com/no-microsoft-didnt-reverse-course-on-xbox-one-dev-kits-1602522324

Lol, that is funny that you pick out all these quotes, where everyone was responding to the OP, but you so easily left out your own. You were buying the OP's story as well. But I guess you can just leave that out too right?>

From Chris Charla? No way. I think you have people confused.

EDIT: Also, to chime in. Yeah this sucks. Only silver lining is that at least the marketplace won't get flooded with bad games. If MS cans the parity clause and keeps giving free dev kits that would be nice I guess.

 

[Archaix]

[


Stuff

You sure showed me. Now I've learned my lesson. Never trust an accurately reported quote made by anybody representing Microsoft. Except, apparently, the one that vaguely kind of denies the first quote.

 

[VaizardNL]

Sucks to hear this. Was hoping to eventually develop something myself (app or game) if it was going to be this easy to use an Xbox One as a dev kit.

Nm, just read the update.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Lol, that is funny that you pick out all these quotes, where everyone was responding to the OP, but you so easily left out your own. You were buying the OP's story as well. But I guess you can just leave that out too right?>

Duly noted. I never specified "if true." Will add.

 

[ChosenPredator]

well the first page was interesting to read everyones comments, lol.

 

[djblackice]

Lol, that is funny that you pick out all these quotes, where everyone was responding to the OP, but you so easily left out your own. You were buying the OP's story as well. But I guess you can just leave that out too right?>

Wow, he really cherry picked that one. What a hypocrite.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Lol, that is funny that you pick out all these quotes, where everyone was responding to the OP, but you so easily left out your own. You were buying the OP's story as well. But I guess you can just leave that out too right?>

Ohhhh shieeett

 

[BruceLeeRoy]

to me it just reads that they don't want to confirm it as official yet, if it's not officially canceled then the reports are inaccurate

It was already officially confirmed as a feature wasn't it so how does that make any sense.