If this is true... Then... Wow...

[Whitbane]

By this point, I don't even fucking care. I'll just let myself be Steam's ***** until I've reached my breaking point.

 

[Korolev]

I doubt this is true, and even it if was, it wouldn't work. If a company is releasing a game on both consoles, it is going to want people to know that it is being released on both consoles. Could Microsoft theoretically pay them "hush" money? Sure, but it would have to be a ludicrously large amount for a very small gain. The minute TV and Internet ads come out for multiplatform games, the are GOING to announce what systems they are on. That's just common sense.

I doubt microsoft would be dumb enough to spend a sizeable fortune for such limited gain. Remember, this is the Internet we're talking about here, where self-proclaimed "insiders" said that the new Xbox console was going to be called "The Infinity" and the new PS4 was going to be called the Orbis.

I'd sooner look towards the random looping of the entrails of a sacrificial goat than trust randoms on the internet to provide accurate info.

Actually.... ya know...

I'M a secret Sony worker. Yep. Totally am. Been working on the PS4, or as we in the "biz" like to call, the "station", for about 2 years now. And the PS4 will secret send back data on every thing you do back to Sony through a secret black-channel. If you attempt to adjust the firmware, they'll send your data to the police to come and arrest you! I'm totally legit. Everything I have said is absolutely true. And you know what I've said is true, BECAUSE I JUST TOLD YOU IT WAS! BAAAAM! RIGHT THERE! THAT'S how you know you can trust me. Because I said so. On the internet. The one-stop shop for 100% truth all the time.

 

[rob_simple]

Even if this is true (though I doubt it) MS would be spending a lot of money to (in the end at least) get virtually nothing accomplished while simultaneously putting their already negative image on the line.

Isn't that pretty much Microsoft's mission statement in just about every facet of their business, now?

OT: If this is true, it really does seem pointless. Isn't E3 just for journalists, now? So anything I, as a consumer, see from there will be online where I can instantly confirm what platforms it's going to be released on.

Then again, Microsoft do seem to be in a desperate scramble to recoup some credibility after the Xbone reveal debacle, so I guess it's possible they're just throwing punches in a dark room and hoping something connects.

Maybe next month they'll announce that Mario is an illegal immigrant and buying a WiiU is buying into the communist agenda.

 

[Product Placement]

Thing about Microsoft is that they've been doing a magnificent job running a terrible PR campaign. This whole "dancing around the subject" attitude that we've been experiencing with the Xbox reveal has forced the gaming media to speculate about the kinect and "always on" and "used games" stuff. Speaking of which...

mandatory Kinect (Completely Confirmed)

While it's true that you're gonna get Kinect with your Xbone, the thing will feature an off button, according to this report. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124447-Xbox-Ones-Kinect-Can-Actually-Be-Turned-Off]

But see my point? All these damn "maybes" are still floating around fueling rumors and speculations. And no, I don't care if you've heard the tired mantra "there's no such thing as bad publicity"; of course it's not gonna help you a damn squat if all conversation topics that pop up around your console is how much better the competitor is looking, compared to you.

When the "always on" rumor popped up for the PS4, Sony nipped that nasty hearsay in the bud, within a week. Seriously, Microsoft has to come out and offer clear info about their console. Give out clear info about what you can and cannot do with the Kinect. Confirm or deny the "always on" rumor. Explain your stance on DRM in the Xbone. And for Christ sake, be ready to defend your stance without coming off as a smug asshole [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124268-Microsoft-Exec-If-Youre-Backwards-Compatible-Youre-Really-Backwards] that doesn't care about the common peasants [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/123098-Microsoft-Exec-on-Always-Online-Consoles-Deal-With-it].

 

[tardcore]

Wouldn't be surprised. Both companies have been paying off game makers to fuck PC gamers in the ass for years.

 

[Vetta E-dom]

Slightly hilarious to see all the people that will find any reason to complain about microsoft now, as though sony or nintendo has Never, pulled anything like this non issue.

In other news what was that one Microsoft developer that made that one game with the multiplayer, the power armored dudes, spawned a funny series Purple vs Green?? Idk it escapes me, anyways funny how their next Ip is being so heavily advertised for PS4, even to the point of being shown on their conferences? Totally not a similar thing though anyway.

 

[Deathlyphil]

Thing about Microsoft is that they've been doing a magnificent job running a terrible PR campaign. This whole "dancing around the subject" attitude that we've been experiencing with the Xbox reveal has forced the gaming media to speculate about the kinect and "always on" and "used games" stuff. Speaking of which...

mandatory Kinect (Completely Confirmed)

While it's true that you're gonna get Kinect with your Xbone, the thing will feature an off button, according to this report. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124447-Xbox-Ones-Kinect-Can-Actually-Be-Turned-Off]

But see my point? All these damn "maybes" are still floating around fueling rumors and speculations. And no, I don't care if you've heard the tired mantra "there's no such thing as bad publicity"; of course it's not gonna help you a damn squat if all conversation topics that pop up around your console is how much better the competitor is looking, compared to you.

When the "always on" rumor popped up for the PS4, Sony nipped that nasty hearsay in the bud, within a week. Seriously, Microsoft has to come out and offer clear info about their console. Give out clear info about what you can and cannot do with the Kinect. Confirm or deny the "always on" rumor. Explain your stance on DRM in the Xbone. And for Christ sake, be ready to defend your stance without coming off as a smug asshole [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124268-Microsoft-Exec-If-Youre-Backwards-Compatible-Youre-Really-Backwards] that doesn't care about the common peasants [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/123098-Microsoft-Exec-on-Always-Online-Consoles-Deal-With-it].

Relevant bit from the article:

"It is not always watching or always listening," the spokesperson explains. "You can turn the system completely off. This would use no power and turn everything off. We'll share more details about how it all works later."

I read that as the only way to turn off the Kinect is to disconnect the Xbox One from the power supply.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Well we already know that the focus of the PS4 is games, unlike the XBone, so I doubt that strategy would have the results MS expects. Also, I doubt MS could pay the devs and publishers enough to go ahead with such a plan.

The stated focus is games; however, there are some things to consider. First, Sony spent a great deal of time talking about features that are, at best tangential to gaming. Also, importantly, Sony has just as much an interest in being the one box you turn on in your living room as Microsoft does and thus will be just as focused on acquiring and delivering services. You see that attempt at parity right now after all. Additionally, it is unlikely that this generation will see a free online gaming service like the last time around, evidenced by Sony's attempt to offer a compelling reason to pay. This last point isn't a qualitative judgement between XBL and PSN, because the services offered value in different ways. Where Microsoft chose to put everything online behind a pay gate, Sony, having offered everything meaningful in this regard for free, was forced to use value added services like free games.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe Sony is going to have a consumer friendly used game policy. Indeed their positioning on the subject is, from what is known at this point, largely identical to Microsoft's.

Until we know more, I don't think you could declare which system is really friendlier for gaming. As it stands right now, neither platform seems attractive to me but that could easily change with more information.

 

[barbzilla]

I doubt this one is true.

Microsoft are being morons right now but I highly doubt they'd be this stupid. Plus devs and publishers would be losing money.

I could see MSFT trying something like this, but I highly doubt it is this. Mainly for the reason you stated. It wouldn't be worth it to publishers without a significant chunk of cash, and we all know that MSFT is very stingy when it comes to cash. What they may be doing though, is trying to bribe publishers into using the X1 for the demo hardware. This would allow MSFT to look like they are the stronger console due to it being the Dev's choice in hardware for demonstrations and gameplay footage.

 

[Rob Robson]

Let's all congratulate Microsoft on hitting a new low. "starts slow clap"

How is this any lower than their acquisition of Bungie in 1999 just as they were almost finished with the Mac exclusive Halo?

And people wonder why I've been going out of my way to make sure Microsoft gets no money out of me for 15 years.

Captcha: hoity-toity.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Meanwhile Nintendo is just sitting there making games. Why don't you love them ;_;

 

[Rob Robson]

Meanwhile Nintendo is just sitting there making games. Why don't you love them ;_;

Because their software runs on a combination of Ritz crackers, hopes and promises.

 

[CrystalShadow]

It's microsoft. You're surprised?

This is a company who, during the 90's were known for the phrase Embrace, Extend, Extinguish.

They've been compared to the borg, because that's pretty much what they used to do.
If you had a company with a competing product, they'd buy you out.
And... If you refused, they'd crush you in any way possible.

Seriously, microsoft has a long-standing reputation for being evil.
It amazes me more that people have somehow managed to forget that...

I mean, their reputation was so bad when the original Xbox was released, they went out of their way to make the microsoft logos and such as tiny as possible.

Ah well. XD. I guess they've just slipped back into old habits really.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Meanwhile Nintendo is just sitting there making games. Why don't you love them ;_;

Because their software runs on a combination of Ritz crackers, hopes and promises.

Nintendo software is always reliable. But maybe I'm misunderstanding you

The 3DS had a lateish slew of awesome titles so I'm guessing the same will happen for the Wii U. I loved the Pikmin 3 trailer.

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Well we already know that the focus of the PS4 is games, unlike the XBone, so I doubt that strategy would have the results MS expects. Also, I doubt MS could pay the devs and publishers enough to go ahead with such a plan.

The stated focus is games; however, there are some things to consider. First, Sony spent a great deal of time talking about features that are, at best tangential to gaming.

True, but at least for them gaming wasn't an afterthought.

Also, importantly, Sony has just as much an interest in being the one box you turn on in your living room as Microsoft does and thus will be just as focused on acquiring and delivering services. You see that attempt at parity right now after all.

I somewhat doubt they want to compete to be a one in all box. They're making a game console. But we'll see.

Additionally, it is unlikely that this generation will see a free online gaming service like the last time around, evidenced by Sony's attempt to offer a compelling reason to pay. This last point isn't a qualitative judgement between XBL and PSN, because the services offered value in different ways. Where Microsoft chose to put everything online behind a pay gate, Sony, having offered everything meaningful in this regard for free, was forced to use value added services like free games.

I don't care either way, as I'm not going to use any online services anyway, but that would be a very bad move by Sony.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe Sony is going to have a consumer friendly used game policy. Indeed their positioning on the subject is, from what is known at this point, largely identical to Microsoft's.

I didn't even talk about that, why bring it up?

Until we know more, I don't think you could declare which system is really friendlier for gaming. As it stands right now, neither platform seems attractive to me but that could easily change with more information.

I agree with you there. I was saying that from what we do know so far.

Captcha: words of wisdom. Whose, though?

 

[Product Placement]

Relevant bit from the article:

"It is not always watching or always listening," the spokesperson explains. "You can turn the system completely off. This would use no power and turn everything off. We'll share more details about how it all works later."

I read that as the only way to turn off the Kinect is to disconnect the Xbox One from the power supply.

I'm pretty sure that in the context of "system", he's referring to the Kinect, not the entire console.

I mean, of course the Kinect isn't gonna be on, if you unplug the Xbone. What is it gonna run on, without any access to electricity? Pixie dust?

 

[Terminate421]

To think, all they have to do is remove the once a day always DRM and used game killing policy and then people will actually want the console.

 

[Deathlyphil]

I read that as the only way to turn off the Kinect is to disconnect the Xbox One from the power supply.

I'm pretty sure that in the context of "system", he's referring to the Kinect, not the entire console.

I mean, of course the Kinect isn't gonna be on, if you unplug the Xbone. What is it gonna run on, without any access to electricity? Pixie dust?[/quote]

Relevant bit from the article:

"It is not always watching or always listening," the spokesperson explains. "You can turn the system completely off. This would use no power and turn everything off. We'll share more details about how it all works later."

I read that as the only way to turn off the Kinect is to disconnect the Xbox One from the power supply.

I'm pretty sure that in the context of "system", he's referring to the Kinect, not the entire console.

I mean, of course the Kinect isn't gonna be on, if you unplug the Xbone. What is it gonna run on, without any access to electricity? Pixie dust?

From what they have been saying, Kinect is a mandatory part of the Xbone. MS have refused to comment on what happens if you disconnect it. From both those statements, I assume that by system, they mean the console and the kinect.

*CAPCHA toodle-oo: exactly what I am going to say to MS if they keep Kinect mandatory.

 

[Atmos Duality]

No amount of cash Microsoft can offer would be worth any of those publishers committing marketing-suicide over.
You don't commit cash to making a game, and porting it only to make it conveniently disappear.

 

[Jadak]

Really not bothered by this..

A company making a game company lacking in games? That sucks.

A company spending money to make their competition look bad? Well, yeah....Duh.