250°

No, Microsoft Didn't Reverse Course On Xbox One Dev Kits

No, Microsoft didn't pull another 180, despite headlines you might have seen today on various gaming news sites. The company still plans to add dev-kit functionality to Xbox Ones.

Redrocketboy694251d ago

Typical Microsoft. Reversing a reversal.

Lawboy24251d ago

They said they never reversed...so how is it a reversal of a reversal..

Naga4251d ago

I'm pretty sure he's making a joke.

Eonjay4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

Then Chris Charla, their ID@Xbox Rep, the Director in charge of the program doesn't know what he is talking about. They quoted him directly. So either he is wrong, he was right and we have a live reversal or Digital Spy is committing slander:

"In the end, although that was a very admirable goal, it hasn't happened unfortunately. Can't tell you the specifics of exactly why not."

"As far as I'm aware THERE ARE NO PLANS. I'm not aware of the reason why we didn't manage to do that." - Chris Charla

So which is it. Someone is either lying or mistaken.

MasterCornholio4251d ago

@Eonjay

Dang. WTF is going on?

We just want a straight answer to this.

Mr Pumblechook4251d ago

@Lawboy. The reported article was not false. Microsoft executive Martin Fuller head of Xbox Advanced Technology PUBLICLY SAID the Dev Kit functionality wasn't happening.

"We were in the early stages of Xbox One looking at the idea of a retail kit that could be turned into a development kit, and vice versa," "As far as I'm aware there are no plans. I'm not aware of the reason why we didn't manage to do that."

However after the negative reaction Microsoft did not say the report was wrong, they said that their senior executive's comments were 'inaccurate."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk...

mhunterjr4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

Eonjay, maybe he was misquoted or simply misspoke . Clearly the nixing of these feature is not something MS would have announced in a q&a session. It appeared to me that he was more or less lamenting that they haven't delivered yet, and that he has no further info on the matter.

Eonjay4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

@mhunterjr

They made sure to add the line "he told Digital Spy and other attendees" so it probably wasn't a misquote. If he did misspeak, the point becomes doing a better job of knowing whats up when you are speaking on behalf of your company.

if your take is right, he probably shouldn't have used the words "There are no plans". There is only one way to take that quote.

tbone5674250d ago

Once Xbox One Threshold arrives. Xbox One will get 50,000 games. Lots will be crappy indie games like on ios or android. PS4 can't compete.

The_Hero4249d ago

They also didn't reverse with kinect.
Oh wait...

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4249d ago
denawayne4251d ago

N4G just reversed a reversal that MS did not reverse.

joeorc4251d ago

no where in the kotaku statement did microsoft say it was coming to retail unit's. The person at kotaku was reporting that if you look at Microsoft's response they still did not say that the "retail units" would be accessed as a dev. Unit!

So no they said it was inaccurate but still did not answer will the retail units be a dev. Unit. Microsoft did not say it would. Go ahead read the official response.

NYC_Gamer4251d ago

How?it was the journalist fault for running a story without making sure everything was 100% confirmed.

rdgneoz34251d ago

Did you read the original story? It was a qoute from a senior ms dev during a q&a. You figure the devs ms have do q&a should know what's going on. Also, the announcement for the systems being dev kits was made a year ago and they haven't given updates.

"Xbox Advanced Technology Group's Martin Fuller said during a Q&A that there were now "no plans" for the feature to be introduced."

Mr Pumblechook4251d ago

@NYC_Gamer.

* The story reported by the journalist was not false.

* The comments made by the Senior Microsoft Executive were made publicly and recorded and heard by multiple media outlets.

* Microsoft HAVE NOT said the report was false.

* Microsoft have said their own executive's comments were "inaccurate."

* If Microsoft senior staff make public statements about their business, that are later said to be wrong, it is unreasonable to blame the journalists for honestly reporting them.

bicfitness4251d ago

Mr. Pumblechook actually pays attention. He even laid everything out nice and tidy for the slow-reading or witted with bullet-points and concise phrasing. Listen to this man.

+1 for "Intelligent".

ThePope4251d ago

IT was just a joke. Settle down people

WeAreLegion4251d ago

Pretty sure it was a joke, everyone.

showtimefolks4251d ago

don't believe anything from MS till something actually comes out. I been a long time xbox fan but everything coming out of xbox camp is to be not taken seriously till its released

there is a reason for a 4 plus million sales gap between ps4/xbox one, MS keeps on confusing consumers with mix messages while sony is laser focused. Same thing is happening to Nintendo, a lot of people don't even know that wiiu is a brand new console and not an add on for wii

I hope phil spencer will tell the xbox side to cool off on things they can't deliver

every xbox one is a dev kit
cloud gaming will make xbox one better
DX12 will make xbox one stronger
There will not a SKU without Kinect
$499 gives you better value

let's just stop this and focus on games

harrisk9544251d ago

The quote from MS is:

"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."

It doesn't say that they are making all XB1s developer kits as was stated when the XB1 released. The quote is rather convoluted and is anything but clear. IF it was simple, MS would have simply stated that the reports are wrong and that XB1s will still function as developer kits. That is not what they are saying though.

Volkama4251d ago

True, but it takes specifically make mention of hobbyists. Those are the only people that have any reason to care either way, so imo it is encouraging that they are mentioned.

-Established devs get free dev kits.
-XBox gamers largely wont touch the dev kit functionality either way
-Hobbyists had every reason to be disappointed.

Generally the people on N4G demanding truth from Microsoft come under the category "none of the above".

TheTwelve4251d ago

Yeah, the situation is still murky, that's for sure.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4249d ago
maniacmayhem4251d ago

Looks like someone jumped the gun on that other story. Good to hear MS is still planning this. Now the question is when?

hkgamer4251d ago

I think the bigger question is will people be using it and would that mean more exclusive indie titles?

SilentNegotiator4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

I'm guessing some doofus reporter didn't follow up on "As far as I'm aware there are no plans. I'm not aware of the reason why we didn't manage to do that."

So HE isn't aware of plans. So call up Microsoft for a follow up.

I was pissed reading that they changed their plans. This is going to create the lowest bar of entry for console development.

BlackTar1874251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

well well well

Just kidding. I hope they do give out dev kits or allow the Xbox to be one.

It's quite a ceiling

Gazondaily4250d ago

"I was pissed reading that they changed their plans"

Ahahaha sure you were...

You're most likely peed off now that this is looking unlikely to be true. Nice try though ;)

Anyway, I'm glad (genuinely) that this seems to be as a result of a misunderstanding. I don't think the reporter is to blame but the chap at ms who made that statement. He should have known better.

SilentNegotiator4250d ago (Edited 4250d ago )

Not all of us have our heads up the ass of the console war, Septic. Just because I don't care for Xbox as a gamer or MS as a consumer, doesn't mean that I wouldn't work with MS (or hell, FOR Microsoft). At the end of the day, their money is as good as anyone else's.

Xbone will be the easiest console to get into as a brand new indie dev. Of course I'm going to consider developing for it.

Flames764251d ago

Got to love the sony fanboys

zsquaresoff4251d ago

It was reported by ign and other major gaming sites. I don't see what this has to do with sony fanboys.

nicksetzer14251d ago

Well, I am 100% positive IGN did not post ANYTHING about it. So which other mythical websites posted articles on it?

FITgamer4251d ago

IGN definitely pro Sony, they do Xbox One giveaways almost every week. /s

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4251d ago
hkgamer4251d ago

I'm wondering who fucked up. Ms or reporters?

Kayant4251d ago

Well MS it was the words of Martin Fuller and I quote -

"We were in the early stages of Xbox One looking at the idea of a retail kit that could be turned into a development kit, and vice versa," he told Digital Spy and other attendees at Develop conference in Brighton.

"In the end, although that was a very admirable goal, it hasn't happened unfortunately. Can't tell you the specifics of exactly why not."

When asked to elaborate on whether the feature would arrive eventually, Fuller replied: "As far as I'm aware there are no plans. I'm not aware of the reason why we didn't manage to do that."

MysticStrummer4251d ago

@Kayant - If you read what Fuller said and then read the "reversal", it's possible that both are true.

"ensuring the best possible solution for developers and hobbyists to create games for Xbox One" doesn't necessarily mean that all XB1s will still be potential dev kits.

It could still happen, obviously, but it may not happen anytime soon.

adonis1834251d ago

These xbone fanboys always blaming us the Playstation Gamers. BRO CHILLAX

SilentNegotiator4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

Got to love the Xbone fanboys that defended MS's supposed decision when it wasn't even true, because they give away dev kits to established studios (not even the main benefactors of the feature; it was unestablished new indies that wanted their Xbones to be dev kits). Microsoft could break any promise if they wanted and get fanboys to defend them.

vega2754251d ago

Funny how sony fanboys defend sony with their lives, but have the nerve to talk about ms fans.

tiffac0084250d ago (Edited 4250d ago )

^ but aren't all fanboys the same? I don't see any difference between them, only thier alliegance to a company.

Also, I don't see why this news is so bad. I mean isn't this a positive news for the gaming community, especially the indies if this come to fruition?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4250d ago
TheRedButterfly4251d ago

Suck it hate train! :D

As an aspiring indie dev, the false news of this plan's cancelation got me very sad face. ^ _ ^ Glad Microsoft is still supporting this goal. It's arguably one of the best features MS has offered with the Xbox One. Can't wait to see what it brings to the console!

hkgamer4251d ago

The more features it has, the better it is. I'm just wondering if there is a catch to it. Such as, if you want to release game from using Dev kit then it has to be exclusive? Not like that is a bad thing though.

TheRedButterfly4251d ago

Well, with the resources (or lack there of), the game would probably be exclusive anyway. If it wasn't, it'd be XO/PC, simply because porting between the two is (apparently) incredibly easy.

ApolloAdams4251d ago

People on that other post are looking really stupid now. Lol

Spotie4251d ago

Why? It didn't matter, right? You said no one was looking forward to the feature, anyway. So why would anybody look stupid?

ApolloAdams4251d ago

Why are you mis quoting me lol. You can look back I said why are people over reacting. As a developer you already get free dev kits.

I still don't think it's too useful but that post was hilarious with new developers out of nowhere.

People got all upset about nothing which is why it's funny. Silly Spotie got clowned...

maniacmayhem4251d ago

"Some" look stupid because in another article when this feature was said to be dropped we got a lot of the main offenders going on and on about how MS dropped the ball, doesn't care about devs or just plain laughing at MS fanboys.

I'm sure you completely understood what Apollo meant by that statement. Just more defense and deflect from you as usual.

SilentNegotiator4251d ago (Edited 4251d ago )

They sure do. It was such a great call by MS, right?

MysticStrummer4251d ago

Why? If there's a report about something people will comment on it. The only person potentially looking stupid right now is Fuller.

ApolloAdams4251d ago

So you react to every news story you see? Someone is gullible...Lol

MysticStrummer4251d ago

It has nothing to do with being gullible. The guy was quoted and named, not "MS insider says…". You may want people on the other post to feel stupid, but there's no reason for them to do so. Fuller shouldn't have said what he said.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4251d ago
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60°

What an Xbox founder thinks of the new Xbox CEO | Seamus Blackley interview

Gamesbeat caught up with Blackley to extract some wisdom about Microsoft’s journey in games, what he thinks Sharma should do, and where gaming can go next. Part of his message is hopeful, but Blackley sees a lot of peril on the road that Microsoft is following. And it makes him worry about the future of gaming.

Read Full Story >>
gamesbeat.com
3d ago
piroh2d ago

"I expect that the new CEO, Asha Sharma, her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor who slides Xbox gently into the night."

LOL

Anyway, let's wait and see maybe Mia Khalifa will surprise us.

rlow12d ago

I’m on the fence about her. I’ll give her chance, but if she is there to finish things off. Well what can you do.

Abnor_Mal2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

After seeing the article of the possible sunsetting of Xbox as said by Seamus Blackley I believe, I went onto X because of a post I saw. It was a gif of Vegeta powering up, the poster commented as Vegeta yelling “Don’t take my fiercest competitor away from me.” Standing there in his blue Sayian/Freiza corps outfit. So it got me to thinking, so let me ask a question to N4G.

If Vegeta is PlayStation, who would Xbox and Nintendo be in the Dragon Ball universe?

Who would be Master Roshi?

I have my own opinion of course, I just want to see what others think.

90°

That’s It, I’m Calling It, Xbox Is Dead, Time Of Death February 20

If you read Kotaku even semi-regularly, you already know that Xbox has been in a weird spot for some time now. And with today’s news that both Xbox boss Phil Spencer and President Sarah Bond are leaving and the new head of the brand will be a former Meta exec who previously lead Microsoft’s AI division, I think it’s time to call it. Xbox is dead. Time of death: February 20, 2026

beerhound5d ago

"The report of my death was an exaggeration." = Mark Twain

derek4d ago

"You would have to be alive first before dying" =
Me

Cacabunga4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

This brand died in the last 2 years of 360 since Kinect announcement.. downfall started all of a sudden until reaching the point of no return with xbox 1 DRM disasters

beerhound5d ago

"The report of my death was an exaggeration." - Mark Twain

BehindTheRows5d ago

So ready to defend that you posted it twice.

In any event, I have a more accurate quote: "It's dead, Jim".

S2Killinit5d ago

Also Mark Twain:
I have never wished death on anyone but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.

Zerobalance5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

God! Xbox dead again! Boring! Boring. Heard it all before.

InUrFoxHole5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

While I normally agree... The future of xbox is on shaky ground. Well, xbox as we know it. Im not sure what they are shooting for but who they put in charge mixed with Phil retiring and bond just flat out leaving. It's not looking good.

REDDURT5d ago

Im with you but in western countries I have noticed a trend to put women in control to prevent any kind of critics.

F0XH0UND9225d ago

Does this coping mechanism normally work for you?

bsingle405d ago

Get ready to hear it a lot more as the final nail goes home.

derek4d ago

Copilot is running the xbox division now, its first official act was fire Spencer and Bond then sell Xbox for scraps.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
Levii_925d ago

Oh come on, Xbox has been dead for at least 10 years now. I think what’s more important right now is Playstation’s death that is very slowly but surely happening through mismanagement and greed.

InUrFoxHole5d ago

Some what agree. Sony is in a better position to unf#$k themselves. Xbox isn't.

Levii_925d ago

True i agree with that, xbox's got nothing

ocelot075d ago

I actually agree sooner Hust is gone the better.

Levii_925d ago

He's being clowned on by the entire internet but i have been clowning on him way before he became CEO. I hate modern PS so much man. To this day i have no idea how Astro Bot happend in this terrible PS era but that was clearly a miracle.

Grilla5d ago

Delusional take, why do xbots always project Xbox’s problems onto PlayStation?

BehindTheRows5d ago

Every. Time! They compare the closing of a studio (one I liked, mind you, but they know their business better than internet dwellers) to the departure of not one but TWO major figureheads at Xbox. On top of Xbox's other problems, they are also now selling their games everywhere (not just PC).

Sorry diehard Xbox fanatics, we've been down this road before. PlayStation has closed studios. It happens. Maybe they weren't pulling their weight. Maybe they have a restructure in place. What ever the case, it won't come any close to tanking their brand. Xbox isn't in that boat. As a piece of hardware, it is all but irrelevant (hanging on only because of Game Pass at this point). It serves no other purpose because you don't even need that console to play its games. If it was just Xbox/PC, that would be different, but here we are.

So, this isn't the SonyToo that y'all love to hang on. Things are not good for Xbox hardware. At all. It is about time to start accepting that.

0hMyGandhi5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Respectfully, This is probably one of my least favorite tactics in making an argument.
I'll give you an example: If I like the color red, it doesn't mean I hate the color blue.

People lamenting the (potential) demise of the xbox brand has nothing to do with sony or playstation. It has everything to do with xbox. Now, for the sake of argument, you could say that Sony and Microsoft are two peas in a pod, and that they've both made absolutely baffling and worryingly stupid decisions in the recent past. But I truly believe that Xbox would be shooting itself in the foot regardless of Sony's presence (I look at you, Xbox One reveal with always online DRM and the inability to share games).

Sony, on the other hand, is making stupid decisions to stay competitive with the market, and like Microsoft, is seemingly forcing by proverbial gunpoint talented developers to try to make the next GAAS experience and never learning their lesson. I believe that Microsoft squandering RARE is the equivalent of Sony squandering Naughty Dog. Neither platform really knows what they want to be, BUT Sony is alot further along in figuring it out before Microsoft pulls out another revolver and takes aim at another of it's own toes.

Agent755d ago

Xbox died after the Xbox 360. The Xbox One was mediocre, the Series X was game shy. I'm glad Phil is retiring.

S2Killinit5d ago

Exaggerated projection of xbox problems onto Sony. This is what gave xbox the extra slack all these generations to eventually run themselves into the ground.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
The_Blue5d ago

This is why the views and comments are low, with lame articles that use divide-and-conquer pretensions.

ApexLanding235d ago

To be fair "divide and conquer pretensions" have been present in the comment section of this website for years regardless of the articles title, composition or intent. It's therefore unlikely that's what's playing a part in low viewership and commenting.

Show all comments (41)
40°

Microsoft has revoked the DMCA takedown that forced an indie Minecraft-like off Steam

Microsoft claimed the indie game uses "Minecraft content."