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[GnawtyDog]

But do they need that much considering that Microsoft has the third parties to support their console?

It's the only thing keeping it afloat instead of a Wii U debacle where EA and others bailed on Nintendo.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

But do they need that much considering that Microsoft has the third parties to support their console?

Yes because things have reversed from last gen when they had the superior version of multiplats. Can't rely on those any more.

 

[...Scatter...]

It's the only thing keeping it afloat instead of a Wii U debacle where EA and others bailed on Nintendo.

Wait, so you think that 3rd party support isn't keeping Sony afloat? Do you seriously think people would be forking over that cash for Knack, Driveclub, etc? Third party support is critical for any console. Nintendo is the (limited ) exception because they do well to cater to younger gamers with hit first party titles.

 

[kpaadet]

Wait, so you think that 3rd party support isn't keeping Sony afloat? Do you seriously think people would be forking over that cash for Knack, Driveclub, etc? Nintendo is the exception because they do well to cater to younger gamers with hit first party titles.

Yup Driveclub and Knack are the only games Sony have and will make, list wars threads man...
*goes back to playing Bloodborne*

 

[TheXbox]

Halo isn't what it used to be. If Sony cuts the price or offers a competitive bundle they'll come out on top. If not, see last year. Sony's first party has been poor, but I don't know if or when that will ever catch up to them. Maybe it doesn't matter.

 

[...Scatter...]

Yup Driveclub and Knack are the only games Sony have and will make, list wars threads man...
*goes back to playing Bloodborne*

I'm playing Bloodborne too guy. I think you lost the meaning. He stated that third party support was keeping XBO afloat. I countered with, well duh, it's keeping PS4 afloat too.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Halo isn't what it used to be. If Sony cuts the price or offers a competitive bundle they'll come out on top. If not, see last year. Sony's first party has been poor, but I don't know if or when that will ever catch up to them. Maybe it doesn't matter.

I'm still hoping for MGSV bundle with a limited PS4 or maybe a Battlefront bundle. I will buy one of those to replace my current one.

 

[GnawtyDog]

Wait, so you think that 3rd party support isn't keeping Sony afloat? Do you seriously think people would be forking over that cash for Knack, Driveclub, etc? Third party support is critical for any console. Nintendo is the (limited ) exception because they do well to cater to younger gamers with hit first party titles.

No, I think after the PR disaster pre-launch and Sony capitalization on that disaster, it would of been much much worse if any of the big publishers decided to bail out on MS. But they did not.....nor was there ever a doubt. Unlike what happened to Nintendo, where the rumors swirled around not very far from launch.

And we're talking specifically about EA here. Imagine no Madden, no BF, no PvZ, no Titanfall. Yep....

 

[kpaadet]

I'm playing Bloodborne too guy. I think you lost the meaning. He stated that third party support was keeping XBO afloat. I countered with, well duh, it's keeping PS4 afloat too.

Cool that point could have been made without using two badly reviewed exclusives, anyway doesn't the awful sales numbers of the Wii U prove that not even Nintendo can "keep afloat" without 3rd party support in the console market?

 

[...Scatter...]

Cool that point could have been made without using two badly reviewed exclusives, anyway doesn't the awful sales numbers of the Wii U prove that not even Nintendo can "keep afloat" without 3rd party support in the console market?

Ok, I sort of see your point about Knack, but people enjoy Driveclub. I knew I shouldn't have switched to a Master Chief avatar, it's making people feel some type of way. I am not a warrior.

 

[Sangetsu-II]

With the news of Zelda for Wii U not reaching it's 2015 goal for release and Uncharted 4 being delayed until 2016, both PS4 and Wii U both lost their big holiday exclusive game to next year, while Halo 5, Xbox One's big holiday exclusive is set to launch this year. With neither PS4 or Wii U having a big exclusive for the holiday, could this be the holiday season for the Xbox One to really shine?

Probably will launch broken like MCC if Microsoft won't allow 343 the appropriate amount of time to polish the game and force them to push for holiday. That is if it isn't ready by then but if 343 finishes the game with minimal problems at launch then Microsoft deserves this holiday season.

 

[Docflem]

I wouldn't call selling more than 600K over the competition during the Holiday season "barely". I mean, if that's the case then what's the point in making a big deal about the PS4 winning these early months of the year when console sales are lower?

Anyway, last Holiday did show that the PS4 will more than likely be fine this year even with the Uncharted 4 delay. Third party support will help the system.

That number is only for NA right? If I'm not mistaken the PS4 world wide still outsold the Xbox one during NOV and DEC so I wouldn't exactly call that much of a success. Also I think this thread would be better after E-3 when almost all the cards are on the table.

 

[vin-buc]

From what we know as of today - Microsoft is in a great position software wise this holiday. Xbox gamers should be very happy. We should wait until E3 though as there can be surprise announcements from them as well as Sony/Ninty.

 

[watership]

ITT I've learned that Halo isn't what it used to be. Over and over again.

 

[Savitar]

It'll probably go the same as it is already.

Considering consoles don't seem to be getting the love they have in the past they really need some good luck.

 

[watership]

It'll probably go the same as it is already.

Considering consoles don't seem to be getting the love they have in the past they really need some good luck.

Do you mean in terms of games? I can somewhat agree with that, for AAA games at least. However the console sales themselves are ahead of the curve compared to last Gen for both PS4 and XBOX ONE.

 

[Rain City Gamer]

Won't matter what games are available for Xbox One, if they choose to give it away with ridiculous pricing and bundles then they will win every holiday they want to (in the US anyway)

 

[Bgamer90]

That number is only for NA right? If I'm not mistaken the PS4 world wide still outsold the Xbox one during NOV and DEC so I wouldn't exactly call that much of a success.

Yes, it's for NA. The move was only done in NA. It helped the Xbox One get closer to the top spot in the territory.

The previous Xbox consoles were never this close to being #1 in North America during the first half of their respective gens with (good) competition. MS is more than likely going to make some big moves alongside the games releasing on Xbox One this year due to that; It's a good spot to be in in terms of game support and PR (as we can currently see with the PS4).

 

[Docflem]

Yes, it's for NA. The move was only done in NA. It helped the Xbox One get closer to the top spot in this territory.

The previous Xbox consoles were never this close to being #1 in North America during the first half of their respective gens with (good) competition. MS is more than likely going to make some big moves alongside the games releasing on the system this year due to that. It's a good spot to be in in terms of game support and PR (as we can currently see with the PS4).

What I don't understand is how the last holiday can be called a success if they had to cut so deep and they still really didn't win. Also, being close to number one only counts if you can keep up after that, if the ps4 wins all year again, then I don't think the holiday could be considered "defining" (in a good way) unless MS can find a way to win NA, get close in WW sales, and do it without cutting so deep in their margins.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

What I don't understand is how the last holiday can be called a success if they had to cut so deep and they still really didn't win. Also, being close to number one only counts if you can keep up after that, if the ps4 wins all year again, then I don't think the holiday could be considered "defining" (in a good way) unless MS can find a way to win NA, get close in WW sales, and do it without cutting so deep in their margins.

Getting close or even being competitive worldwide will never happen unless they find a way to start absolutely dominating the US like they did last generation. Throwing the kitchen sink to try to gain the lead in the US is the last stand already.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Not sure if anyone else already said this but I think Black Ops 3 will have more of an impact on Xbox than Halo 5, Forza 6, and Tomb Raider this holiday. Those three exclusives are just the cherry on top.

 

[Fox Mulder]

But do they need that much considering that Microsoft has the third parties to support their console?

The ps4 has better third party support and versions of games.

The xb1 is pretty much an exclusives box to me now. I still thoroughly enjoyed GTA V on the xb1 despite it being a little less sexy than on the ps4, but I stay for stuff like forza, horizon, and sunset overdrive.

 

[Jomjom]

That depends on The Last Guardian

Even if TLG releases somehow this holiday Halo 5 would outsell it like 10 to 1.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Not sure if anyone else already said this but I think Black Ops 3 will have more of an impact on Xbox than Halo 5, Forza 6, and Tomb Raider this holiday. Those three exclusives are just the cherry on top.

The sales for Black Ops 3 will be fairly evenly split between the two in the US IMO. At least during the initial period.

 

[whateverblah]

Not sure if anyone else already said this but I think Black Ops 3 will have more of an impact on Xbox than Halo 5, Forza 6, and Tomb Raider this holiday. Those three exclusives are just the cherry on top.

That makes no sense.

 

[Killer]

With all the delays? easy win for MS

 

[Bgamer90]

What I don't understand is how the last holiday can be called a success if they had to cut so deep and they still really didn't win.

Their moved caused the system to sell over 600K more than the competition during those two (high selling) months. They weren't going to get the #1 spot overall in NA in just two months. Getting to number one was always going to take multiple months. Their plan at catching up during that period worked though.

Also, being close to number one only counts if you can keep up after that,

Well, they are keeping up considering the gap between first and second place console in America has never been this close. PS4 has won the first months of the year but it isn't greatly adding on to the NA gap so far.

if the ps4 wins all year again, then I don't think the holiday could be considered "defining" (in a good way) unless MS can find a way to win NA, get close in WW sales, and do it without cutting so deep in their margins.

Well the year isn't over yet and the discussion was always about NA as that's the only territory they made their big Holiday moves in. I don't think they can catch up worldwide and neither do I think they ever had the chance at doing so; The PS3 released a year after the 360 with a worse launch and still caught up in worldwide sales. Playstation brand is simply more popular -- especially now with the great success of the PS4.

The best that MS can do at this point is focus on doing well in the territories they still have a shot at being #1 in and fortunately they are at a closer spot of doing that with the Xbox One than they ever were with the Xbox 360 during the majority of last gen.

 

[Biker19]

I doubt it. Unfortunately Microsoft's insistence on putting most of their eggs in the fall basket, I think in some ways could do them more harm than good. You release most of your big games at a time where the market is already crowded with other massive games, and expect them to have major impact? They really ought to spread their releases better. It's not like MCC, Sunset Overdrive or Forza Horizon 2 sold especially well. In many ways I think Sunset Overdrive would have done better as a spring/summer release.

What I think is strange about this, is that MS does this even though its almost assured that PS4 and XB1 sell out of their stock during BF and December. So why are you gonna go hard on those two months when your sales are limited to begin with?

Its absolutely leaving the other 10 months high and dry with nothing to keep the momentum going with very little returns. Sony spacing out their library is really good cause it gives people things to look forward too throughout the year.

Everyone is talking about BB right now and it's just March. Think about a hard hitting exclusive dropping every 3 to 4 months throughout the year in that vein instead of like 4 in 2 months period (or one month even). Its absolutely just a fact that many of those games get smothered over other games.

I agree. Same with games like LittleBigPlanet 3, in which it should've gotten delayed to Spring in order to receive more attention, because games like that will get overshadowed by big 3rd party titles.

 

[Peanut Butter]

That makes no sense.

Sure it does. Call of Duty and Xbox Live go hand in hand. And since Black Ops is the most popular series within the CoD franchise, Black Ops 3 will most likely sell WAY more than AW/Ghosts.

This time, the real version of Zombies is making a return, and since Xbox users get DLC 1 month earlier, the Zombies community will likely go with Xbox.

MS will probably do some crazy bundles w/ BO3 and maybe even include the season pass.


edit: I'm aware that the sales will be close between platforms, I just have a hunch that, with Black Ops 3, Xbox will be the go to system for CoD + the added bonus of H5, F6, ROTTR, etc.

 

[Bgamer90]

Getting close or even being competitive worldwide will never happen unless they find a way to start absolutely dominating the US like they did last generation....

They never really absolutely dominated the U.S. last gen in console sales. They dominated Sony/the PS3 but not overall.

The Xbox 360 became number one for its gen in America last year (when the gen was pretty much over); Shows how much the Wii dominated in the U.S. during those 4 years or so in which people were crazy about the system.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Their moved caused the system to sell over 600K more than the competition during those two (high) selling console months. They weren't going to get the #1 spot overall in NA in just two months. Getting to number one was always going to take multiple months. Their plan at catching up during that period worked though.



Well, they are keeping up considering the gap between first and second place console in America has never been this close. PS4 has won the first months of the year but it isn't greatly adding on to the NA gap so far.



Well the year isn't over yet and the discussion was always about NA as that's the only territory they made their big Holiday moves in. I don't think they can catch up worldwide and neither do I think they ever had the chance at doing so; The PS3 released a year after the 360 with a worse launch and still caught up in worldwide sales.

The best that MS can do at this point is focus on doing well in the territories they still have a shot at being #1 in and fortunately they are at a closer spot of doing that with the Xbox One than they ever were with the Xbox 360 during the first half of last gen.

That's one way to spin it. I assuming you are referring to the Wii U's dominance? Regardless they need better than a tie in U.S. which looks like the best case scenario right now.

 

[A.J.]

I agree. Same with games like LittleBigPlanet 3, in which it should've gotten delayed to Spring in order to receive more attention, because games like that will get overshadowed by big 3rd party titles.

LBP3 seemed like a cheap cash in to me. Sony gave an established IP to a third party just to have something for the holiday. I don't think they cared that it wasn't ready.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

They never really absolutely dominated the U.S. last gen in console sales. They dominated Sony/the PS3 but not overall.

The Xbox 360 became number one for its gen in America last year (when the gen was pretty much over); Shows how much the Wii dominated in the U.S. during those 4 years or so in which people were crazy about the system.

Well that is what I was referring to. The market share and mindshare they had compared to PlayStation that has been lost now. I don't see them getting either one back.

 

[whateverblah]

Sure it does. Call of Duty and Xbox Live go hand in hand. And since Black Ops is the most popular series within the CoD franchise, Black Ops 3 will most likely sell WAY more than AW/Ghosts.

This time, the real version of Zombies is making a return, and since Xbox users get DLC 1 month earlier, the Zombies community will likely go with Xbox.

MS will probably do some crazy bundles w/ BO3 and maybe even include the season pass.


edit: I'm aware that the sales will be close between platforms, I just have a hunch that, with Black Ops 3, Xbox will be the go to system for CoD + the added bonus of H5, F6, ROTTR, etc.

It's been shown over and over that the early DLC has no impact. Bundles will have some impact, but a serious Halo bundle would sell a lot more.

So no, COD will not push significantly more people to XB1. Forza and Tomb Raider are definitely not system sellers. Halo is the only game here that could sway people, and with 343 behind it, that may not even happen.

 

[The Artisan]

https://twitter.com/gearsviking/status/578553820344545281

when the Ps3 slim was first released, mS denied a redesigned version of the 360 ever happening. When that european PC gamer found codes referencing a Ps3 version of Me2 existing, bioware denied that that was the case.

The hero we deserve.

Spoiler

and the one we sorta need right now

 

[whateverblah]

They never really absolutely dominated the U.S. last gen in console sales. They dominated Sony/the PS3 but not overall.

The Xbox 360 became number one for its gen in America last year (when the gen was pretty much over); Shows how much the Wii dominated in the U.S. during those 4 years or so in which people were crazy about the system.

The Wii dominated with a different audience, not relevant to this discussion. The fact that they are now losing to Sony after beating them handily last gen is the problem. And March will be brutal for MS.

 

[EternalTruth]

Why would the Xbox One suddenly have the best holiday lineup?

- Halo 5: Guardians ("343" enough said)
- Quantum Break
- Fable Legends (ftp, pvp only, not a true Fable installment)
- Tomb Raider (cross-gen, timed exclusive)

That exclusive lineup is pitiful...

 

[Game4life]

Probably not, you listed one game from a stale franchise

Surely this is trolling right? State franchise seriously? The franchise sells bucket loads last I heard so how is it stale?

 

[Bgamer90]

That's one way to spin it.

I'm not spinning; A gap of less than 700K between the first place console and second place console is the smallest that a gap has ever been in North America during this period of a gaming gen with the Playstation brand.

Microsoft wants to be #1 in NA badly since that would greatly help the Xbox One when it comes to advertisements/PR and possibly future deals involving the system. It's funny too since (as we know) the XB1 had a worse first year than the 360 in terms of perception but the shot the XB1 has at being #1 in NA right now is closer than it ever was for the 360 during the majority of its gen.

That was simply my point in terms of why MS will more than likely continue on making desperate moves/deals for the system in America as we saw during the Holiday season.

I assuming you are referring to the (Wii's) dominance? Regardless they need better than a tie in U.S. which looks like the best case scenario right now.

There's still many years left of this current gen and we don't know what will happen during the second half of the year yet. I could honestly see any three situations happening in 2016 -- the Xbox One being behind the PS4 in NA sales, the two systems getting to 50/50, or (possibly) the Xbox One being ahead (depending on how desperate MS gets).

I can't really side with one right now. Too many "what ifs" + no confirmation yet on when the game exclusives will launch (month).

 

[N.Domixis]

I see some still think ms can be 1, won't happen. Doesn't matter what ms does over the holidays it wont close the gap all the way. Next year uncharted will cut any gap xbox gets over the ps4 in half lol. Then after that its wait for gears rince and repeat. They will never win because ms can only win in two months if sony does nothing. But what if sony cut the price? welp, good luck hoping the holidays close the gap.



When you have to rely on your competition doing nothing to even have a chance, you know its over.

 

[Bgamer90]

I see some still think ms can be 1, won't happen. Doesn't matter what ms does over the holidays it wont close the gap all the way.

Yes, I still think the Xbox One has a shot at being #1 in NA. It more than likely won't happen THIS holiday/year but their moves could make the gap smaller than it ever was in 2014 and help them get to that spot sometime later in the gen.

Next year uncharted will cut any gap xbox gets over the ps4 in half lol.

Don't know how anyone could say this when we don't know what the systems will have and/or what prices they will be by that point. That's on top of the Spring months usually not being as high as Holiday months for console sales.

Then after that its wait for gears rince and repeat. They will never win because ms can only win in two months if sony does nothing. But what if sony cut the price? welp, good luck hoping the holidays close the gap.

They have more games planned than just Gears. Again, don't see how anyone can say this when we don't know what moves both have planned and/or exactly when future games will release.

When you have to rely on your competition doing nothing to even have a chance, you know its over.

Don't think they are relying on that. If anything I would say MS is relying far more on the exclusives they have, the deals they can make for the system, and third party support.

 

[Biker19]

I see some still think ms can be 1, won't happen. Doesn't matter what ms does over the holidays it wont close the gap all the way. Next year uncharted will cut any gap xbox gets over the ps4 in half lol. Then after that its wait for gears rince and repeat. They will never win because ms can only win in two months if sony does nothing. But what if sony cut the price? welp, good luck hoping the holidays close the gap.



When you have to rely on your competition doing nothing to even have a chance, you know its over.

I agree. Also, it's inevitable that Sony would most likely cut the price of the PS4 down to something like $300 later on this year. What will Microsoft do, take more huge losses by lowering the price of Xbox One to $250 & bundling more 3rd party games?

I don't think that it'll work out in the long run.

 

[pixelation]

I agree. Also, it's inevitable that Sony would most likely cut the price of the PS4 down to something like $300 later on this year. What will Microsoft do, take more huge losses by lowering the price of Xbox One to $250 & bundling more 3rd party games?

I don't think that it'll work out in the long run.

What about MS's infinite war chest though?.

 

[TheAggroCraig]

As of now, there's not a single exclusive game I "need' for Xbone or PS4 this fall. I hated the Halo 5 beta, Uncharted 4 got delayed, so I guess I'll wait for E3 to show me stuff. Rock Band 4 is currently the only game I'll get this Fall for stuff that's announced, and for that I'm getting the Xbone version because of all the DLC I had on the 360. So yay for that.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Yes, I still think the Xbox One has a shot at being #1 in NA. It more than likely won't happen THIS holiday/year but their moves could make the gap smaller than it ever was in 2014 and help them get to that spot sometime later in the gen.



Don't know how anyone could say this when we don't know what the systems will have and/or what prices they will be by that point. That's on top of the Spring months usually not being as high as Holiday months for console sales.



They have more games planned than just Gears. Again, don't see how anyone can say this when we don't know what moves both have planned and/or exactly when future games will release.



Don't think they are relying on that. If anything I would say MS is relying far more on the exclusives they have, the deals they can make for the system, and third party support.

Do you think it is smart to go the entire year doing nothing and packing everything into 2-3 months? If those two months don't work out as you planned the entire year was a mess. That's a huge gamble. I'd rather have constant stream of releases even they are not system sellers. Sony took a 70K lead with The Order and will probably get 100k+ with Bloodborne. Those smaller wins start to add up.

In all honestly you could have virtually nothing like Sony did this past holiday and still come out on top worldwide because multiplats move sales more than exclusives ever will and consoles sell during holidays regardless. Halo 5 is the only release they have that won't get complete lost in the shuffle. I guess a Gears Collection could do well, but it less popular than Halo and MCC barely charted against less competition than what will be around this Fall. You have admitted yourself that Tomb Raider probably won't do much unless it is a pack in.

 

[RBK]

I doubt a $300 price point will come out this year for PS4. $350 holiday bundle I can get behind.

It's all about maximizing profit right now for Sony.

 

[Bgamer90]

The Wii dominated with a different audience, not relevant to this discussion.

The Wii was a video game console and some people who had that console moved on to the 360 during its Kinect years (which helped the 360 continue to do very well during the second half of last gen).

The Wii "dominated with a difference audience" because it outsold the 360 and PS3 by a whole lot during its best years. Selling two or even three times more than the PS3/360 during many months definitely wasn't going to keep it solely within the "core gaming bubble".

The fact that they are now losing to Sony after beating them handily last gen is the problem.

Never said it wasn't a problem. However, a gap of less than 700K isn't big and therefore MS will try to catch up in this territory so they can "yell from the rooftops" about being #1 in America after the system had a lot of negativity.

And March will be brutal for MS.

I'm sure the PS4 will take March but I don't know about "brutal"... "Brutal" was what happened in September alongside the Destiny bundle.

 

[The Sarcastic Dude]

Why would the Xbox One suddenly have the best holiday lineup?

- Halo 5: Guardians ("343" enough said)
- Quantum Break
- Fable Legends (ftp, pvp only, not a true Fable installment)
- Tomb Raider (cross-gen, timed exclusive)

That exclusive lineup is pitiful...

Tell me about PS4's amazing exclusive lineup for holiday 2015...

 

[GHG]

Tell me about PS4's amazing exclusive lineup for holiday 2015...

That's not the point.

In isolation that lineup is pretty shoddy. But hey, Forza 6 and quantum break (if it's not delayed) is better than nothing.

 

[RBK]

That's not the point.

In isolation that lineup is pretty shoddy. But hey, Forza 6 and quantum break (if it's not delayed) is better than nothing.

Halo 5 and Tomb Raider(pack in or not) should do numbers.