...and that's what Microsoft wants.
The old adage: "No publicity is bad publicity" rings true for Microsoft as a result of the latest round of rumours regarding the next Xbox requiring an internet connection in order to play.
Microsoft, without having spent a dime on a flashy presentation (or actual technology), have gotten the entire gaming world talking about the successor to the Xbox 360. Someone in Microsoft's marketing department is going to be getting a big raise real soon... The recent bad press stems from rumours of the next Xbox being "always online". In the aftermath of Sims 3, it's no wonder Microsoft have caused a s***storm over this recent rumour.
Evidence of this s***storm can be seen on the main page of N4G and the N4G forums. At the time of writing, all 5 hottest stories are regarding the next Xbox. On the forums, it's the same situation. All this talk and we don't even know if another Xbox even exists. Obviously, after the huge pre-announcement backlash, Microsoft will not be fully committing to "always online". I see two potential scenarios:
1) They reveal the Xbox as NOT requiring online connectivity.
2) They reveal that the next Xbox will have some modified form of "always online", but it will be different than what rumours suggest.
In both option 1 and 2, Microsoft is the good guy for not requiring online connectivity, when compared to the rumours. They are the heroes for not following the what appears to be new industry standard. Additionally and more importantly, they can build on this momentum with an Xbox reveal which will drive the Xbox hype to levels definitely not seen so far with the PS4.
And that's what it is all about. Microsoft want the limelight for themselves. By letting these rumours go without confirming or denying, the hype continues to center around the Xbox and moves away from the PS4. N4G, though a small sample, proves this. Remember that ZERO is actually known about the next Xbox since NOTHING is known about it. All of this is rumour.
When Microsoft does announce the next Xbox (if they do?), N4G will explode. This is what they want. We on N4G are sheeps of marketing. Because of this, I cannot wait for an announcement so the end of the "rumours" and "leaks" can finally stop.
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
I already pointed out this possibility a while ago because it does seem like something Microsoft would do. They are a marketing company, not a software company nor a hardware company. Neither their software nor hardware have ever been top of the line, but their marketing has always been top-notch.
And it is for that very reason why I'll be ignoring the NextBox. Heck, I made that decision years ago. Microsoft has never been in this industry to advance gaming or expand gaming or to evolve the medium. They've always been in it so that they can capture marketshare, expand their brand, and rake in the profits from any angle they can.
Nope. They're looking like the bad ones, while PS4 and Wii U (somewhat) soak up the positivity. This MS guy f***ed up. Bad.
One of two things are going to come of this current mess:
- Either: MS refutes on always online and everyone moves on. Those interested in the Xbox3 go back to being interested in the console. No actual harm done.
- Or: MS confirms it. Those currently pissed and threatening to jump ship might actually jump ship.
Beyond that there's a slight chance the industry will observe the likely coming blunder. Not do DRM themselves.
There is no overall benefit from what's happening. There is no Machiavellian plot going on here, there is only either potential damage control, or an iceberg.
Brilliant strategy. Lower expectations so that we can all be impressed when it's revealed that it's actually on par with what we expect from any game console.
I think Burger King tried that strategy once. They had their employees get on Twitter to talk up the great taste of dog meat, only to impress and amaze us all when they revealed their newest burger would contain 100% grade A beef.
I bought 19 burgers. Because, hey, it ain't dog meat!
Flawless strategy.