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[mocoworm]

Click link for FULL article. It's quite long and a good read.

Whisper it, but Xbox One is finding its stride

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-08-22-whisper-it-but-xbox-one-is-finding-its-stride

"As the battle lines are more clearly drawn in the console war, then, it's worth remembering that Microsoft has changed its message, if not its motives, and that the new message of contrition, coupled to the old message about a lot of little exclusives, could well make all the difference.

Whatever else happens in the next few months, though, the console war is starting to look much more competitive already, and for those at Microsoft who had to turn things around at the end of May, that must already feel like quite an achievement - if not quite the one that they originally hoped their efforts would be used to unlock."

 

[Dunlop]

Bring it.

Holidays will be interesting

 

[Bankoiia]

Competition is always a good thing.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

The "console war", sounds so story like lol

 

[Syntax]

Competition is good, right?

Edit: Confirmed.

Competition is always a good thing.

 

[kinggroin]

I hate this console war narrative. It's completely counter productive to our hobby's health and the exposure of a larger spread of games.

But yeah; it's pretty obvious the One platform is slowly beginning to gain momentum and positive buzz thanks to all these turn arounds combined with great software exclusives. Its still somewhat taboo to outwardly show enthusiasm in the community as a result of these turn arounds.

 

[BleachAndPepsi]

Click link for FULL article. It's quite long and a good read.

Whisper it, but Xbox One is finding its stride

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-08-22-whisper-it-but-xbox-one-is-finding-its-stride

"As the battle lines are more clearly drawn in the console war, then, it's worth remembering that Microsoft has changed its message, if not its motives, and that the new message of contrition, coupled to the old message about a lot of little exclusives, could well make all the difference.

Whatever else happens in the next few months, though, the console war is starting to look much more competitive already, and for those at Microsoft who had to turn things around at the end of May, that must already feel like quite an achievement - if not quite the one that they originally hoped their efforts would be used to unlock."

What they did there--I see it.

 

[thewhitehawk]

I think the Xbox One will have a very strong present in this console generation. They might lose a bit of ground initially due to the post-ponned 2014 launch for some countries, but they've proven before that they are competent at delivering good console products and being aggressive with their pricing when they want.

To me right now Microsoft is kind of like an ex that went crazy on you and demanded a lot of unreasonable things, questioned your sanity when you disagreed with her, and suddenly changed back to her old self, as if nothing had ever happened, and hopes that you'll trust her again.

They will find their stride and I'm certain they'll be successful or at least competitive with their console as long as they continue to provide quality software as they've shown so far. But to mend people's trust in them as consumers will take a bit longer, at least for mine it certainly will. Right now they have to play their cards with the right software, that's all they can do, in my opinion.

 

[EagleEyes]

I agree but ultimately the price is the one thing that will hold it up during its first year. The games are there and right now they look graphically as good as the competitions, their device can do things the competitions can't and they have the game that has so far created the most buzz locked up for at least a year of exclusivity.

 

[Epsilon]

The price says there's one clear winner.

 

[Impeccable]

I don't know how they've managed to turn the tide with how little they've actually done but I cannot deny how impressive it is to see. Well done, Microsoft - you're good at this PR stuff!

 

[TheD]

Still costs more, still is a large whack less powerful, Kinect 2 still has massive latency and most features are still behind a pay wall.

At best it is no longer wading in shit, but still smelling of it.

 

[keit4]

Microsoft's responses to the criticism have been flawless until now. You have to give them that.

 

[AngryMoth]

Unfortunately for them reversing all their bad policies isn't going to change public opinion over night. Their PR disasters earlier this year will cost them at launch, but over the next year the stigma will gradually fade and once the big exclusives like titanfall hit a lot of people will be picking one up. I'm sure I'll get one eventually once the exclusive library is strong enough, maybe even next year if they do end up releasing a kinectless sku.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

The price says there's one clear winner.

Hmm based on last gen this doesn't seem to hold true in the long run. It's really anybody's ball game at this point.

 

[TechnicPuppet]

Why would you whisper it?

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

I don't know how they've managed to turn the tide with how little they've actually done but I cannot deny how impressive it is to see. Well done, Microsoft - you're good at this PR stuff!

C'mon, they have almost changed every single thing they set out to do from the beginning and then threw a mountain of cash at it.

"Little" is a massive understatement.

Why would you whisper it?

So we can look down and whisper .. No.

 

[Coolwhip]

Didnt Sony use that term for Vita too?

 

[FloatingDivider]

Yeah no, Microsoft has lost my entire wallet, and it's a pretty big goddamn wallet. I suffered through 8 years of Microsoft promising me xbl content for my region and none of it ever materialized. Furthermore the fact that they keep considering me a Tier 2 customer says enough. If they don't want my business now I don't want theirs in the future. I hope this console is DOA and never catches a second wind, this is honestly coming from someone who's owned virtually every console&handheld ever released on launch. I love hardware but Microsoft has honestly had the worst influence on gaming this generation, from microtransactions to the absolute dismissal of any opportunity for a developer to launch free content, to the forcing of gfwl which they are now abandoning. Virtually all of it has been awful, the only positive that has originated in Microsoft is an improved matchmaking system.

 

[PoweredBySoy]

It seems to me they're trying to pound home their same message with a money hammer. They still haven't elaborated on their most controversial policies, but, hey, look over here, free game!

 

[Dragon]

Microsoft's responses to the criticism have been flawless until now. You have to give them that.

Perhaps since Mattrick left but he was a one man PR disaster beforehand.

 

[Impeccable]

C'mon, they have almost changed every single thing they set out to do from the beginning and then threw a mountain of cash at it.

"Little" is a massive understatement.

I just mean in terms of the overall picture. They've managed to do the bare minimum to match Sony as little as possible, keep the price at $100 more and continue their insane 'we care' message all while with a smile on their face.

... and it's enough. I am literally impressed with MS over this. Competition is fantastic.

 

[Jawabreaker]

The price says there's one clear winner.

Your opinion. One that I do not share, as my X1 Day One Edition is paid in full, whereas I have no interest in buying a PS4 at all.

You assume that just because the PS4 is $100 less, that it will be the clear winner, but you fail to comprehend that people just may not like Sony as a company. The only Sony exclusive to even catch my eye is Uncharted, and I refuse to purchase another system solely for that franchise, after looking at the dust my Vita gathered until I finally decided to trade it to upgrade my OG 3DS to an XL.

Personally, I'm just done with Sony. Their recent "we care about the gamers" is nothing than pandering, offensive condescension, and stupid gamers are eating it up with a spoon.

 

[Vaco6121]

Microsoft's responses to the criticism have been flawless until now. You have to give them that.

Not really. Where was their response to Adam Orth or the original Xbox One reveal? They didn't make a move until after E3.

 

[Ushae]

Keep the exclusives coming and the rest will fall in place. Don't be stingy on 1st party development costs/time either.

 

[Dunlop]

I hope this console is DOA and never catches a second wind, this is honestly coming from someone who's owned virtually every console&handheld ever released on launch.

You understand that a market with only Sony would be fucking terrible right?

Nintendo is pretty much much doa in this race so we need ms and Sony to be neck and neck so consumers will benefit

 

[Krilekk]

The price says there's one clear winner.

Why do iPads sell much better than Android tablets? It's not about the price.

 

[Epsilon]

Hmm based on last gen this doesn't seem to hold true in the long run. It's really anybody's ball game at this point.

Sony losing %50 of it's market share to cheaper consoles last gen makes it a fact.

 

[Wynnebeck]

Are MS making things competitive? Yes, but I wouldn't see it as gaining momentum. More like going from -10 back to 0.

 

[kidhero1000]

I've been saying this for so long! Who gives a sh*t what Microsoft's launch titles look like in comparison to the PS4's? Did you buy a console to play launch titles? If so, for the most part you could stick with the current machines.

What is the 360 famous for, to this day? Halo, Halo, Halo, Gears of War, Gears of War, Gears of War, and having the largest Call of Duty community.

CONGRATULATIONS, Microsoft! Achievement unlocked: 5GP—Mediocrity.

I'm sticking with Sony because time and time again they've proven that they will ALWAYS have the best software lineup by the end of a home console generation. Anyone who's ever wanted to play something other than Halo, Gears of War, and Call of Duty ought to be able to understand.

 

[Tycho_b]

Why do iPads sell much better than Android tablets? It's not about the price.

Somehow pre-orders show, that it's indeed about the price, even if X1 is supposed to be an iPad of consoles

 

[Bgamer90]

The price says there's one clear winner.

Yep which is why the GameCube ended up doing much better than the PS2 since the system had more power and was a cheaper price.

Oh wait -- that didn't happen.

At the end of the day all that really matters is games and features. If both are appealing enough then people will buy the console(s).

Anyway, it does seem like the Xbox One picked up some buzz at gamescom. Overall, both systems are looking good.

 

[keit4]

Not really. Where was their response to Adam Orth or the original Xbox One reveal? They didn't make a move until after E3.

Maybe they didn't want to get rid of the idea they were working on for years before sharing the details, you know?

One month from the console announcement to the first 180. One month. Quick enough.

 

[borghe]

Not really. Where was their response to Adam Orth or the original Xbox One reveal? They didn't make a move until after E3.

They'd didn't make a move until the pre-order slaughter-fest began. Plain and simple. MS stood behind every ounce of their bullshit and smiled at everyone who called them on it. Once pre-orders opened and they saw where they stood. Then the 180° floodgates opened.

 

[thewhitehawk]

Your opinion. One that I do not share, as my X1 Day One Edition is paid in full, whereas I have no interest in buying a PS4 at all.

You assume that just because the PS4 is $100 less, that it will be the clear winner, but you fail to comprehend that people just may not like Sony as a company. The only Sony exclusive to even catch my eye is Uncharted, and I refuse to purchase another system solely for that franchise, after looking at the dust my Vita gathered until I finally decided to trade it to upgrade my OG 3DS to an XL.

Personally, I'm just done with Sony. Their recent "we care about the gamers" is nothing than pandering, offensive condescension, and stupid gamers are eating it up with a spoon.

In your own words: "Your opinion. One that I do not share"

And I respect your opinion, but there is no need to be condescending for people for choosing either platform, just as well as you find Sony's "pandering" and "condescension" offensive, I also find that Microsoft has a long road to recover my trust in them as a consumer and to prove that they can deliver a wide-range of titles that appeal to many people instead of mainly just the first-person-shooter, sports gaming, "hardcore" demographic that they pursue so much.

In the same way that Sony tries to pander to a diverse audience by showcasing both exclusive first-person-shooters, action games, and independently developed titles, doesn't Microsoft focus most of its efforts on a particular type of audience? Don't they, in your own way of saying, also try to "pander" to a certain demographic very strongly?

Both companies are trying to appeal to different markets with some overlap between the two, but I think the way you voiced your opinion is a bit offensive and frankly wrong, since you're clearly looking at it from a very jaded and one-sided perspective.

 

[FloatingDivider]

You understand that a market with only Sony would be fucking terrible right?

Nintendo is pretty much much doa in this race so we need ms and Sony to be neck and neck so consumers will benefit

I understand full well, I'd be fine with it. Honestly Sony at their most evil is going to be a pale shadow in comparison to the damage Microsoft will wreak upon gaming if allowed to continue. Nothing that company does will ever benefit gaming in a continous positive fashion, every single product they have launched over the past few years has proven this.
I'm not against a company making profit, I am radically against companies actively trying to undermine my enjoyment of my chosen hobbby by unleashing a nonsensical slew of anti-consumer measures.

 

[Lamptramp]

Microsoft's responses to the criticism have been flawless until now. You have to give them that.

I'd argue they haven't really responded to criticism per say, more that they have responded to poor initial pre-orders and their bottom line.

There was plenty of criticism around Adam Orths comments and earlier in the year regarding perceived "always on & DRM". Which they didn't address nor did they even think to prepare a clear message to respond to those questions post launch.

They've changed a lot though and if that helps build up more competition for others then good. Competition is good for all.

 

[Vaco6121]

Maybe they didn't want to get rid of the idea they were working on for years before sharing the details, you know?

One month from the console announcement to the first 180. One month. Quick enough.

It was quick, but they could of avoided all that by looking at the writing on the wall.

 

[cookie-monster]

Competition is always a good thing.

I prefer software competition on one platform, between rival third party publishers to having to play this stupid dance of wasting money on near-identical hardware, so no, I don't think this kind of competition is a good thing.

Microsoft made Sony rush the PS3 and also had the RRoD problems last generation, so it wasn't a good thing then either.

Furthermore, porting and a split userbase just increases costs on excessive re-work, so it's not a good thing for the development industry either.

 

[Sami+]

Personally, I'm just done with Sony. Their recent "we care about the gamers" is nothing than pandering, offensive condescension, and stupid gamers are eating it up with a spoon.

Lol, okay. Care to explain why?

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Unfortunately for them reversing all their bad policies isn't going to change public opinion over night.

My best friend who I would have a deemed an Xbox 360 freak was livid with the original plans for the Xbox One, and now he is is buying one at launch.

Yes the price and Kinect (for some) is an issue, but Microsoft through their efforts (backtracking, whatever) might just come back from the brink of death.

 

[Epsilon]

Your opinion. One that I do not share, as my X1 Day One Edition is paid in full, whereas I have no interest in buying a PS4 at all.

You assume that just because the PS4 is $100 less, that it will be the clear winner, but you fail to comprehend that people just may not like Sony as a company. The only Sony exclusive to even catch my eye is Uncharted, and I refuse to purchase another system solely for that franchise, after looking at the dust my Vita gathered until I finally decided to trade it to upgrade my OG 3DS to an XL.

Personally, I'm just done with Sony. Their recent "we care about the gamers" is nothing than pandering, offensive condescension, and stupid gamers are eating it up with a spoon.

You fail to understand that the hardcore are going to buy their console of choice regardless of th price, the mainstream audience "which account for the majority of the market" are going to pick up whatever allows them to play their COD or Madden at the cheapest price.

 

[captainraincoat]

took sony 2 years to turn around their message..it took MS 3 months

Do have allot of faith in what they do now

 

[Opus Angelorum]

...the mainstream audience "which account for the majority of the market" are going to pick up whatever allows them to play their COD or Madden at the cheapest price.

That's not strictly the case. During the months of the Xbox 360 outselling the PS3 in the US, didn't it do so at a higher ASP? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[ShirAhava]

Cleaning up the bed it shit all over is 'finding its stride' ? more like the least you can do.

 

[TheD]

Your opinion. One that I do not share, as my X1 Day One Edition is paid in full, whereas I have no interest in buying a PS4 at all.

You assume that just because the PS4 is $100 less, that it will be the clear winner, but you fail to comprehend that people just may not like Sony as a company. The only Sony exclusive to even catch my eye is Uncharted, and I refuse to purchase another system solely for that franchise, after looking at the dust my Vita gathered until I finally decided to trade it to upgrade my OG 3DS to an XL.

Personally, I'm just done with Sony. Their recent "we care about the gamers" is nothing than pandering, offensive condescension, and stupid gamers are eating it up with a spoon.

So liking a company is needed for you to buy their products and thus because you are buying an xb1 you actually like MS?!

 

[FloatingDivider]

took sony 2 years to turn around their message..it took MS 3 months

Do have allot of faith in what they do now

Spent most of my time on 360 last gen, Sony has never had a message as vile and corrupting to the spirit of videogaming as what MS has recently tried to pull.

 

[Portugeezer]

I don't think they've made up for what they've lost yet.

 

[Sami+]

took sony 2 years to turn around their message..it took MS 3 months

Do have allot of faith in what they do now

To be fair, it's hard to change your message when it's essentially "this thing is way too fucking expensive". Microsoft just had to flip a switch, and while I'm happy for it, it doesn't instill much faith at all. It's expensive not because of an investment in bleeding edge technology (Cell, Blu-ray), but because of a stupid camera I don't want. The DRM issues they flipped a switch on shouldn't have been in place to begin with, and so forth.

But in this instance my opinion isn't worth much as I never expected to buy an Xbox to begin with. 360's a good console, but I'm not really a part of the target demographic. I can have fun with shooters, but I hardly play them anyway and I don't own very many at all, and I don't care at all about football. Oh, and I like Japanese games.

 

[Epsilon]

Yep which is why the GameCube ended up doing much better than the PS2 since the system had more power and was a cheaper price.

Oh wait -- that didn't happen.

At the end of the day all that really matters is games and features. If both are appealing enough then people will buy the console(s).

Anyway, it does seem like the Xbox One picked up some buzz at gamescom. Overall, both systems are looking good.

the Gamecube had too many things against it. the kiddy stigma, no big third party games (Madden, Fifa), no DVD drive etc...