All Channels
Popular
460°

Microsoft explains why compatibility will be just as important as power and speed next-gen

Future Games Show: Jason Ronald, the director of program management for Xbox Series X, discusses the future of gaming.

Read Full Story >>
gamesradar.com
waverider2153d ago

Fake title. No it isnt. If BC was that important, Microsoft would have ruled this gen... If BC was that important everybody would be playing on PC and there were zero consoles. BC is a feature and nothing more. And news about the amount of time gamers use it..... well. They try to spin it.... but....

DOMination-2153d ago

It's not a fake title. If Sony had done this, it would be marvelled as the greatest piece of consumer friendly marketing ever. Microsoft seem to get rated differently around these parts.

I worked in a GAME store for six years over console launch period. Trust me. Being able to play your old games might not matter to the average idiot on N4G but if does matter to the average consumer.

waverider2153d ago

If it matter Microsoft would be number one and not dead last. Its a feature and nothing more. Nobody buys new consoles to play old games. Let me play fifa12.... Its a feature and a Good option. But all the talk is because Microsoft got it. Nothing more.

DashMad2153d ago

it dead last because of the fuck up in the start of this gen releasing weaker console that more expensive than competitor, DRM Fiasco etc made 360 owner jump ship. Releasing BC at the middle of console generation won't help microsoft it already too late. it will be different if xbox one power on par with ps4 and at the same price with no DRM controversy and have BC at launch maybe it will sold the same number as PS4 arround 80-100 million eah like PS360 because no one jump ship.

xX-oldboy-Xx2153d ago

But Sony has done this in the past and it wasn't hailed as the 2nd coming.

Its a bullet point at best.

Give me new games, exclusive games to warrant my purchase.

Why would I want to play PS4 titles when I have new PS5 titles to play?

TheColbertinator2153d ago

Sony's consoles can poop gold for all I care and I still won't buy it.

UltraNova2153d ago

DashMad,

Well, I'm guessing MS not releasing more than a couple noteworthy games the entire gen, while also making them multiplaform might have have also played a part in them coming dead last.

bouzebbal2153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

Well because you have 0 exclusives.. Suddenly x1 games running is a huge deal.. They are getting to downplay the lack of exclusives with this.
But then, what's exciting in that? the feature is there but what will keep driving the excitement?

yomfweeee2153d ago

You realize Sony did this for Ps2 and PS3 right?

Then... they removed it from PS3 and guess what? Very few complained.

Then PS4 didn't have it... and very few complained.

Then Sony went on to completely dominate this gen.

ocelot072153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

If you are talking about GAME in the UK you have the cheek to call people idiots on N4G. Pretty much all employees I have encountered that work in GAME. Have been clueless. No matter what store I went to in what city. Most of them couldn't tell the difference between a Xbox and a playstation. Never mind weather customers fair about BC or not.

Microsoft don't get rated differently. They are shun in a negative light most places because of there crazy and stupid decisions in the past. Sure they have done some great work over the last 2-3 years but to the average consumer Xbox is not a interesting platform. If it was sales wise Microsoft would have sold more than 50 mill Xbox one consoles.

Rude-ro2153d ago

They did do it.. for 3 generations.. I do not remember those “marvel” moments.
In fact, it gave Sony a bunch of information per its value... as in is it worth holding back console advancements just to play older games.. or is it more valuable to keep pushing the console engineering.

Microsoft pays a lot of money to get their message out via all of their media outlets/partners... the only thing a Microsoft fan tells us is that they are easily manipulated.

Marquinho2153d ago

Ok, it might not be as important in the long term for many, I give you that... but it's a massive feature for newcomers. This alone doesn't add much without a strong library, but what if after July they end up offering the whole package? (BC, Power, Library/Game Pass)

Fellviper2152d ago

For the short time I've been on N4G, it sure dose seem to attract the largest number of idiots. Any who thinks backwards compatibility isn't a good thing is obviously the most casual of gamer.

I've been waiting for consoles to have true backwards compatibility with all consoles before them since the Megadrive and Snes days.

Sony have backwards compatibility for a while on PS3 with PS2 games, but they did away with that as soon as they realized they could make more money by charging us for remakes.

Backwards compatibility is the most consumer friendly feature in any console. I just hope that Sony finds a way to make the PS5 backwards compatible with every console before, as that would be awesome!

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2152d ago
Lore2153d ago

I’m not gonna lie bro I would love to have BC on my PS4/PS5. I want to play my old library of ps3 games (Not ps2/one since they’re severely dated and don’t offer any trophy support). And no, I don’t want to nor should I have to pull out the PS3

I will give you this though, people who fight for MSFT are a bit delusional and fail to realize that they have offered NOTHING when it comes to exclusive titles. They need to earn praise, which they have not as of yet. The best thing about the Xbox One is the intuitive and creative UI (although biased PS fans fail to acknowledge this and give no credit where credit is due) - Thus PS fans are delusional as well. I bought an Xone “strictly” for Scalebound, and they failed to deliver no pun intended. Major disappointment that Recore and State of Decay 2 are it’s best exclusives. Gears 4 was a linear shooting gallery with ZERO depth, and Quantum Break was overhyped. Thank goodness they bought Obsidian and are working on a Fable reboot to give their fans some hope. Hopefully this makes Sony wake up and make a dedicated rpg/jrpg franchise for it’s loyal fans. MSFT have some sleeper rpg’s in the works, which lets be honest is the hardest genre to pull off with it’s intricate systems and balance

And for those who claim Horizon is an rpg are fools. They’ve marketed it and made ill-informed consumers believe that it is. There’s a difference between an “rpg” and a “role playing game.” Anyone can slap on player levels to give the illusion of progression and buy some outfits to add minimal stat boosts, with a barebones skill tree. Majority of what Sony does is action/adventure. They haven’t published an rpg since Dark Cloud, Rogue Galaxy and Demon’s Souls. They really need to buy a Japanese studio like Level-5. They’re a japanese company for goodness sake

Point I’ve tried to make is that people need to start looking at the pros and cons of both companies and state that in their arguments to maintain some sort of credibility. Versus “choosing sides” while Sony & MSFT laugh since you don’t work for them and therefore make ZERO dollars from them

Games1st2153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

"The best thing about the Xbox One is the intuitive and creative UI, PS fans fail to acknowledge this and give no credit where credit is due)" Because a lot of them haven't bought a xbox and only play on PlayStation and pc, they can't really talk about it.

They showed the remake Demon souls and they are probably going to make a sequel. Not much games shown it all from both sides, wait for the next event.

2153d ago
jwillj2k42153d ago

Exactly, yet again another mistake that they try to spin into a positive due to a lack of content.

2153d ago
timotim2153d ago

I have over 450 games across 3 generations installed on my X...Im elated by the fact that SX will not only play every one of them, but often better than my X plays them right now. Thats something to celebrate.

jimbost792153d ago

@tim
Ive spent my hard earned money on almost 450 games on ps4 this gen and I don't care if they are playable on ps5. I've got my ps4 for that. I care about that library of games but I want new games, only available for ps5. I don't want to replay games I've already played.

timotim2153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

@Jim
I have no problem with new games...SX will do that too. In fact, SD works with new games as well. Halo Infinite is a Smart Delivery title and it has yet to release. If anyone buys any next generation console relatively close to launch, chances are they too care about playing new games. My question to you would be why cant a next-gen console not only play new games, but ALL your games from generations past??? Well SX does this and plays those past games along with the NEW games better than ever.

You assume that every game one has, they have already beaten...thats far from the case. I have dozens of current gen games in my backlog that I haven't even started yet! Wont get around to most of them by the time SX comes out.

jimbost792153d ago

@tim
I don't think it's a bad thing mate. The opposite in fact. If a new console can play your old games, then great but I just really don't think it's important.
I've barely got time to play my games now nevermind replaying games I've beaten years ago

.

Rhythmattic2153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

The whole thing is "IMO", MS is pushing smart delivery because they have to.... Of course the SX will play these gen titles better, it has to...the implementation of smart delivery is because in most cases, nothing will be truly utilising the SX for a year or two.....
BC, sure.... handy... Prob sell my Pro and buy a 5 as I believe the PSVR is also supported...
And next to that , my trusty PS3 will remain for the games no where else.
Sony are playing it old skool.... New Gen, New Games specifically for it....... Its a console.... Thats what I want...
For the other approach, Ill just play the other games on Windows, though id love to kick that in the bin and just run Linux......... Maybe one day....

jimbost792153d ago

@rhyth
That's exactly what I want, new gen, new games.
If the ps5 came out with 0 bc then I wouldn't be losing all them games I've bought for my ps4, I'd still own them They just wouldn't be playable on my ps5. If I did want to play one of my older gen games then I'd have to set up my old console.
Bc basically just offers the convenience of not doing that.

timotim2153d ago

@Rhythmattic
Microsoft is pushing it because its a great feature that they need to make sure consumers know about it. They dont have to do anything and have failed to do a lot in the past...advertising the strengths of their new console is one that they are handling right this time.

"nothing will be truly utilizing the SX for a year or two"

The same can be said for Sony. Nothing they showed at their event is truly utilizing the PS5 fully. Whats your point. And the fact that you keep your PS3 around is proof and shows how good BC is at the vert least. You keep you PS3 around because the PS5 is not said to play your PS3 games...that is all. If PS5 did play your PS3 games, you would trade that in too. Well I have such dispositions knowing my SX will play every game my X currently plays and better than ever. This nothing that my library instantly becomes pointless wants the new platforms hit is ridiculous. My backlog is so huge that ill still be playing current and previous generation games for the first time even after SX is released...being able to play them with better frames, resolution and other features added is a very good thing.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2153d ago
TheScotsman2153d ago

BC is only important when you got no games and your releasing a console soon and nobody will have anything to play on it, so you need to play your old games on it

timotim2153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

I disagree...BC is important to any gamer that cares about the money they have invested into their game's library. Its important to any one that values their game library. Why did I go through all the trouble investing 1000s of dollars into my games if I didnt care for them??? And understand that Smart Delivery works on new games as well.

TheScotsman2153d ago

Your right I'm wrong, not only is it when you have an new console coming out but when your going through your current gen and run out of AAA games for it you give them all there old games again to pkay

2153d ago
PyroMessiah862153d ago

Fake title? Shut up. Fanboy nonsense right there with that comment. Just because your system isn't doing backwards compatibility full tilt doesn't mean you should put down Xbox for it.

Chris122153d ago

Waverider, you are pretending this is the XSX's only ability. Let's just add it's more powerful, a hell of a lot smaller and has plenty of games coming.

On top of that I have a big back catalogue of games I haven't played or need to finish. Does it bother you I can do that on the XSX and take advantage of a boost in performance at the same time?

I know you hate good news articles for Xbox on N4G but even you're stretching at the moment.

waverider2153d ago

Dude, You missed the point. Nobody buys a console because of bc. No matter how much Microsoft try to spin. And, no its not import as the tech inside it. I really dont care what You play. One thing is SURE some of the best games of this gen You hsvent played....

Chris122153d ago

LOL, you have no idea what I've played. I've always been multi-platform but the PS fanboys are by far the worst. You're an embarrassment to gaming and I love pulling you up on the crap you talk when you're in full meltdown. Carry on.

BillyG0AT2153d ago

I have about £3-4,000 worth of games on my xbox account, it is massively important. Stop it.

S2Killinit2153d ago

Hahaha your first sentence was epic. Very true. This is typical MS, talk, talk, talk. Someone tell these guys to zip it for once and deliver some damn games for gods sake.

Chris122153d ago

And heres another of N4G's infamous Sony fans changing the narrative. BC is a great option to have. Don't like it or don't want it because Sony doesn't agree, more fool you.

2153d ago
2153d ago Replies(1)
2153d ago
2153d ago
TheHan2153d ago

@Waverider, how are you going to blatantly say it’s not important when millions of people find this to be very important. Grow up, PC is also slowly dying sense now people realize PC gaming isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s far more expensive as a PC owner compared to a console owner it’s just facts, but what appealing games are there for PC? I haven’t heard of a definitive PC game setting the bar in decades. Yet PC players want to play all of the big console hits, PC won’t see that spark back simply because. The money just isn’t there anymore, PC people mainly buy what indie games are on sale. They’re not going out buying the hottest newest 3rd party game. Consoles have always been center stage when it comes to gaming and always will. To say BC isn’t important to gamers is like saying... PC gamers don’t care about mods.

waverider2153d ago

Again if it Was very important it would have impact in sales. It doesnt. Again if the use of bc Was big, then in the last years Microsoft would send tons of news about it, can You show me one? Microsoft and gamers uses bc as a weopon againts Sony, but with zero effect. But this will end with the ps5. Again, its a cool feature and its nice to have, but gamers buy consoles for new games

leejohnson2222153d ago

I Really thought bc was a must have feature until I played a ps2 game on my fat ps3 and the frames, camera angles old mechanics etc etc just put me off. Nostalgia tricked me, now I prefer to move forward and I don't buy a blu Ray player because it has a VHS slot built in.
A new generation for me personally is for a new experience

LimpTool2153d ago

I've bought probably 90% of my games digitally this gen. If I lost the ability to play those games I'd be pissed. And yes I know I could just keep the old system but why if the next gen can pay the games. Just imagine if Apple's new iPhone you buy every couple of years didn't support the apps and music you already bought? Of course you could have kept your old iPhone and not traded it in. It's not a feature to you because Sony isn't doing much with it.

neutralgamer19922153d ago

BC will be nice to have if i can play all my ps4 games on ps5 and if some of them can be updated to look and play better that's great. But it's not the feature or the reason i will buy ps5. I want ps5 to play brand new built from ground up exclusives. Ps3 had BC and when sony removed it ps3 still outsold the xbox360 (fun fact to this day all ps3 sku's whether original or slim can play ps1 disk)

MS had nothing this gen and so they have talked about BC and cross play just like how they are talking about smart delivery.

cross buy was offered by sony during ps3 gen so it's the same as smart delivery but ms gave it a new game and it's fans ran with this must have feature that sony doesn't even feel the need to talk about

cross play has been done by sony since ps3 and FF14 online didn't come to xbox 360 because ms didn't allow cross play but once again ms and its fans had nothing this gen so they were shouting from top of the mountains about cross play

just like how sony let's you play F2P games without requiring psn-plus but guess what ms is more consumer friendly because they require you to have xblive membership

to all xbox gamers and xbox fanboys none of these features add up to huge amount of hardware sales the only thing that will move hardware is and always will be must have AAA high rated, highly talked about games. TLOU2 95/100 breaking sales records and ghost is up next when was the last AAA game from ms to get 95/100 and contended for GOTY awards. xbox and its fans are talking about future yet sony just released one of it's biggest IP's on current consoles and another new IP is launching next. If these games were being done by ms they would have delayed both to launch alongside next gen

i notice xbox fanboys talk about all the services and features but never about actual games. This is MS's 4th home console and their xbox brand is no where near as impactful or recognizable as playstation or nintendo

NeoGamer2322152d ago

They are talking about more then just BC in the article. They talk about running next gen games on the older consoles, they talk about bringing your profiles forward, they talk about the importance of all the hardware improvements, and they talk about BC.

For me, BC is important and I play on PC. But, I look at a console as "Just another place where I play games". BC is important because I still have 100's of games in backlog. I want to play them but, I also want to move my console forward at some point to the next generation.

I want all my devices to be able to play my favourite games. Console, PC, phone, and tablet. And I want to play those games anywhere, whether on a plane, in hotels, at home, or travelling to a resort or recreational place. I am not at home a lot, but when I am the console is the center of my gaming world. When I travel my phone, table, and laptop are the center of my gaming world. I shouldn't have to stop playing a game because it is only on console, I should be to play games anywhere.

C-H-E-F2152d ago

Yeah, it's a good thing to have, but not necessary. Like I have nostalgia sometimes and then I play the game I was thinking about and think dang this game is worst than I remember, (stiffer, bad animation, graphics didn't age well etc.) tbh, sometimes I wish i never played some of the games of the past again in the the present.

+ Show (16) more repliesLast reply 2152d ago
Rimeskeem2153d ago

I feel like MS is more a or less trying to make a bigger feature than it is. Less than 10% of users ever used it on Xbox One and MS knows this and is trying to make it a bigger platform to win on. The only issue is that most people buy a console to experience the games made for the console. We have already seen what games can look like from PS5 reveal when designed for the console. I will admit having the best version of any game is a nice thing that I hope Sony does as much as they can.

littletad2153d ago

Less than 10 percent? Care to show the statistics to back up that claim? PC gamers have had their library with them for years. With free upgrades too. You just can't grasp that concept because buying and spending more money for remasters and the same game over and over has conditioned you into a fool parted with his money. If something is pro-consumer, shouldn't we praise that? No matter the platform? It bogs me that people simply want to find a con because it's MS.

waverider2153d ago

There Was a single news about this that Microsoft tryed to shutdown. Average use Was minutes. Never did Microsoft put numbers out about the use of bc. I Wonder why? Microsoft the King of PR and spinning number, laps, shoots, users online...

Atom6662152d ago

He's just regurgitating debunked numbers to make his fanboy rant seem intelligent. It's closer to 50%. MS had to make multiple statements just to de bunk the false stats that went around. Anyone can Google it and see OP and his little sidekick here are wrong.

Why people would actively try to downplay BC is beyond me. It's not a cool add on, or some additional feature. It's truly a no brainer. There's zero reason at this point not to have it. Making it sound like nobody is interested is only a stupid backdoor to arguing in support of a corporation being entitled to fleece you some more.

Now I'm sure you'll see many of the people downplaying BC will also be the first one to tell you that the PS's big advantage going into next gen is the 100+million users already tied to PS4 libraries.

I'd say that they're hypocrites, but I really just think they're just not very bright.

C-H-E-F2152d ago

@littletad
I just google and found an article that stated that users spent 1.5% of their time gaming using BC, however 50% of the xbox users have tried it... so in essence BC isnt worth the hype. All you had to do was google it, why are people so lazy and need to have others find info for them?
https://www.gamesindustry.b...

porkChop2153d ago

It is a big feature. This is the start of us being able to take all our games with us going forward. And we'll be able to play them with better visuals and performance.

I don't understand why you guys always feel the need to downplay such a great thing. It doesn't take away from new games in any way, it's just an extra bonus.

timotim2153d ago

Its Microsoft's job to get the word out to their fans and potential future fans on what their box is capable of. You might look at it as making a big deal about it, but I call it a damn good job on making sure they advertise the console's strengths.

AK912153d ago

Cool I'll just stick to my XB1X for BC from the 6th and 7th gen and buy a PS5 for newer games and BC for PS4 exclusives then.

timotim2153d ago

Thats fine and all...I wont try to tell you how to spend your own money...but SD is more than simply playing older games on newer hardware...SD plays these very games BETTER than they do now. Higher frame rates, higher native resolutions, HDR when there was none, faster loading etc. If im going to play these games, I rather play them the best way possible. SX give us that.

2153d ago
timotim2153d ago

@cigi
They disagree because of politics. They disagree because I can express and articulate not only why I disagree, but also how their own argument doesn't hold much water.

Ricegum2153d ago

Cigi

They disagree because timotim thinks Microsoft can do no wrong, and Sony are the spawn of Satan. I think people just see through all of his posts.

2153d ago
C-H-E-F2152d ago (Edited 2152d ago )

@timotim so why aren't you a PC gamer then since all of this matters soooo much? LOL stop being a halfassed tryhard. Especially since all of these Xbox games will be on PC and play much better on said PC. But hey you want the "BEST".

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2152d ago
2153d ago
MIDGETonSTILTS172153d ago (Edited 2153d ago )

I can’t tell whether they are stressing BC since they had to invest in it this past gen in order to keep pace with PS4’s first party support on SOME level... or if they are stressing BC because they are expecting to STILL lag behind PS5’s first party support.

I hope it’s the former, but MS never showed me how the Azura network (aka POWER of teh CLOOD) benefitted me. So, I’m expecting all of this BC hype is just MS trying to hide their own lack of trust in their first party support next gen (they have just as many studios as Sony, but their track records do not compare YET).

Prove me wrong 343. The Halo Infinite reveal in July is gonna decide everything

rlow12153d ago

Well to be fair they just bought alot of their studios. If you remember at the beginning of this gen they had already shutdown a bunch of studios because the focus was on entertainment. Should see the fruit of their labors this July.

The cloud must have something going for it because Sony is working with them on using it.

MetalGearsofWar2153d ago

People seem to hate options it seems. You'd rather pay to play games you already own on previous consoles, that's fine, but I prefer not to.

PitbullMonster2153d ago

Does your previous consoles disappear after you buy a new console?

MetalGearsofWar2153d ago

It gets given, sold, or placed in storage. Warranties expire, old hardware parts become hard to find, and some electronics just don't last that long, so yes, they disappear in a way.

jaymacx2153d ago

They hate what Xbox does. It’s hypocritical. That’s why I try not to have a fanboy mentality. Good features are good no matter who does it. To be honest though Sony and Nintendo have more of a legacy and it would be a killer feature if we could play their entire legacy catalog.

synistatha12153d ago

I can only speak for myself but I don't the console I hate Microsoft as a company period and would never give them any of my money if I can help it.

Show all comments (144)
60°

Take-Two CEO Once Again Side Steps Grand Theft Auto 6 Price Point

Strauss Zelnick says price of GTA 6 is being carefully considered and that Rockstar is focused on "making the most spectacular piece of entertainment on Earth."

Kuma15d ago

If GTA 6 abandons everything that made GTA 5 great, it will crash and burn right out of the gate. GTA 5 was funny and not at all PC. My worry is that they will cave to the PC crowd and ruin the vibes.

Eonjay15d ago

They got freaking BBLs twerking on the top of trucks for the gram, the freaking Flordia joker, and dude running down the stree in their undies and you are worried about it being 'too PC'? The internet has runied gamers. It doesn't matter how non-PC they make the game, you will all listen to the grifters telling you not to believe your lying eyes lol.

gigoran814d ago

"Rockstar Games’ co-founder and former VP of Development Jamie King said he envisions GTA 6 as a game that’s “maybe not quite as edgy or quite as funny” as its satirical predecessors."

oh yeah, totally internet grifters spreading rumors...

blacktiger14d ago

That's part of the plan, they destroyed you but they need to destroy the shareholders? Only 1 shre holder is the true elite that don't care

1nsomniac15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Meh.., if it’s above £55 I ain’t buying it.

Rockstar are genuinely not half the company they used to be. I was a die hard GTA fan I’ve purchased every game and expansion and spin off day 1.

My opinion of GTA6 is that I can take it or leave it. Not bothered. They burnt too many bridges.

DaReapa14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

So they're actually leaving the door open for an L.A. Noire sequel? Nice!

VaNdAl14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

He should just come out and say it already it's getting stupid it's going to be a 100 bucks $200 for the special edition🤡🤡; 29315;🤣♿

Storm2314d ago

I won't be getting this game until I can get it for $70. SHoot, I could wait for it to be even lower. I don't need the game that badly as my backlog is still huge and I am enjoying playing other things.

Show all comments (13)
40°

Talking Aliens: The Video Games With Author Mike Diver

Skewed and Reviewed have posted an interview with Author Mike Diver about his pending book on Aliens video games.

70°

Xbox boss: Memory crisis could impact next-gen hardware pricing

Xbox boss Asha Sharma has discussed how component shortages will impact the company's plans for Project Helix.

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
Eonjay16d ago

When does this end? Its killing everyone. Consoles and PC. And for what? AI? The benefits of AI are completely outweighed by the negatives. And the government should have never allowed one company to buy up all the RAM.

Lexreborn217d ago

This kind of proves this is an after thought product, most products like this are in r&d 5 years before they start mass producing. So they typically have the cost of components and things worked out long before assembly starts.

This is an assumption still, but I wouldn’t be surprised if project helix is similar to Scalebound,perfect dark and sod3. They had an idea but no actual execution other than concept stage. Being impacted by the ram shortage likely would also put this device 3-4 years out.

I’m not even sure MS has that endurance with Xbox yet

Fishy Fingers16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I mean.... what?

We're at a point that Samsung wont even provide their own phone department ram because they can sell it at higher prices to 3rd parties (AI). Its more profitable to sell the ram than make their own devices with it.

You think because R&D starts 5 years ago the 3rd party component manufacturers will honour that price? They'll sell it to whomever is paying the most today, not some gentlemens agreement they made years ago. AI farms will buy more volume at higher prices than any console manufacturer will. It'll be the same for Playstation.

Lexreborn216d ago

Contractual agreements are not the same as “gentlemen” agreements. If you think that they work with their distributors a month before production then their entire business model is trash. They work with companies like nvidia constantly for building the graphics cards they need. They work with companies that build motherboards years in advance. This is what proper business planning does.

They are not buying components on a whim like a consumer. So again, considering the ram isn’t a singular module and is integrated into the motherboard I highly doubt they wouldn’t have a final schematic that they are supposed to be building around.

If they are delaying production another 3 years then it’s obvious again this is an after though project and is just trying to be responsive to their bad execution they had the last 14 years.

It also isn’t far fetched to use their failure to produce first party titles the last 7 years including the highly anticipated games I mentioned all being cancelled. That they would continue to you know… lie

Sitdown16d ago

You don't really know how this works huh?

Profchaos16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

Helix is going to be stupidly expensive

Instead of leaning into smarter upscaling techniques they're brute forcing hardware that will cost them dearly and it remains to be seen if it's genuinely going to provide a meaningful differential

I know in the oc.doace people like to brag about not using frame gen or dlss to get to high on a game but for the majority of players they happily use those technologies without a second thought

That's going to be ps6 vs Helix

Eonjay16d ago

Yeah with FSR 5 they should be able to offer a much cheaper version of Helix.

Eonjay16d ago

While this does seem to be the case, I am encouraged by the statement from Microsoft about wanting to provide affordable options. If this means a Series S style Helix, at least there will be something affordable being offered.

XBManiac16d ago

Series S is what has killed Xbox Series so... Will they dare?

blacktiger16d ago

It's called systematic inflationary. Yes we get it Microsoft, keep raising in the name ofall kinds of stuffs

pwnmaster300016d ago

Honestly if there was thing I learned from this generation is that new consoles arnt day one anymore.
I can wait 1-3 years.

DarXyde16d ago

Another important lesson from this generation: while Nintendo showed us that prices don't necessarily need to ever drop, we've now learned that waiting 1-3 years does carry some risk that prices increase. This generation is just bizarre in all the wrong ways.

LucasRuinedChildhood16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

The factors are largely external. Covid and Russia-Ukraine war causing inflation led to the first price increase in 2022.

Then we get Trump's tariffs increasing hardware prices, AI boom causing a RAM crisis, war on Iran causing a worldwide fuel crisis which impacts the cost of everything.

Gaming doesn't exist in a vacuum. The last few years have been a shitshow and lot of it was definitely avoidable.

DarXyde16d ago

LucasRuinedChildhood,

For sure. No disagreement on the external factors doing a lot of this. Where I have to gently push back however is on two fronts:

1. The pandemic definitely caused some issues: asynchronous development was a big issue and really complicated timelines and affected game quality. At the same time, when it comes to price hikes, it's really difficult to know what was genuine necessity and what was taking consumers for a ride. The pandemic brought about "stag-flation" which was increasing prices and stagnant wages, which was a problem caused by supply chain constraints. There was also "Greed-flation", where companies that were slightly affected or had no issues took advantage of the situation and squeezed everyone citing supply chain issues when there were none.

2. It's definitely true that the tariffs, AI boom, and RAM crisis were all things enabled by tech broligarchs throwing money at this caricature of a world leader, one of them being Satya Nadella. I don't think Sony and Nintendo have contributed much to this problem if at all, but Microsoft's Nadella I feel was instrumental in causing every one of those issues. Microsoft as a company contributed to both candidates (though they gave Harris 4x as much if I recall), but Nadella was all in on letting AI run wild. He paid for unregulated AI, and got a war that's not a war (even though Trump called it that at least five times on television) that screwed up helium access. So for me, I feel that one of the players in the gaming industry is a key architect of these issues, and for that reason I struggle a bit to think of it as "external".

Show all comments (28)