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[Bgamer90]

Do you think it is smart to go the entire year doing nothing and packing everything into 2-3 months?

Well they aren't doing nothing; The system has had some games during these early months -- it's simply the fact that they are keeping their biggest games for the Fall/Holiday season.

I think it's smart if it means that games can have more time to be ready, but at the same time I don't think it's smart to release new IPs during the months in which a bunch of major games from existing franchises release (unless you tie them in with a bundle or something).

If those two months don't work out as you planned the entire year was a mess. That's a huge gamble.

It's definitely a gamble; Don't disagree with that.

I'd rather have constant stream of releases even they are not system sellers.

I really don't have much of a preference as long as the number of games releasing during the whole year is the same. Fall gaming onslaughts usually give me enough to play until the Spring and then by that time it's the "build up to E3" period.

Halo 5 is the only release they have that won't get complete lost in the shuffle.

I wouldn't say this yet. Still don't know exactly when games are releasing.

You have admitted yourself that Tomb Raider probably won't do much unless it is a pack in.

I still feel the same way though my opinion of that has changed a bit now that Uncharted 4 got delayed. I assumed Uncharted 4 would release around the same time back then and take away some of TR's spotlight if TR wasn't bundled (since Uncharted 4 is an exclusive on the system with a bigger user base).

But yeah, I still think MS should make bundles with TR but the deal looks much better now that Uncharted 4 got delayed (which is a bit funny because Microsoft supposedly got the deal to have something to compete with Uncharted 4).

 

[N.Domixis]

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".



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.



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 gap in march will likely be 100K+, ps4 had lots of small things plus bloodborne. Xbox had nothing compared to titan fall and will drop compared to last year. Three months in and the gap is already approaching 800K.
Gap at beginning of year, 600k

Jan NPD 40K
Feb NPD 60K
Mar NPD= 100K?
If so the gap would be 800k

All the bottom months belong to PS4 except if halo launches in one of them.
Apr NPD
MayNPD
Jun NPD
Jul NPD
Aug NPD
Sep NPD
Oct NPD

 

[GHG]

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

Well I personally don't care about sales.

I just care about the consoles I own having games I want to play. That's not really been the case with the xbox one for me so far unfortunately. So Forza 6 needs to be good and not have some dumbed down "everyone's a winner" short race career mode, and I'd also like there to be some interesting announcements at e3.

So this holiday season will be defining one way or another, not only to bring newcomers to the console, but also for those who already own it.

 

[paragonpro]

Does it matter? Hopefully both consoles have rad games this holiday and it will be the defining holiday for both of them.

 

[Swass]

I find it interesting that Microsoft gets a reputation for having "gamez" because they stack them all at a time when they don't really need them. I never understood the point of releasing exclusives during the 3rd party heavy months of September - December. I mean sure you might capitalize on the huge holiday buyers but they are only going to spend so much money and that money is likely going to Far Cry and Call of Duty before it goes to exclusive titles. I also much prefer Sony's way of doing it and spreading releases throughout the year.

If I only owned an Xbox One, I would be pretty disappointed in the drought experienced last summer and even more so in the current drought that is going to last even longer, Ori and Forza Furious help, but most will discount them because they are downloadable only titles.

Also I think Persona has grown beyond a niche title and could be a major sleeper for the PS4. And Sony has other niche titles to carry them through like Disgaea 5 so I wouldn't say it's a slam dunk holiday for Microsoft just yet. Also Microsoft and Square now have breathing room and could very easily delay Halo and Tomb Raider as well if needed.. It's going to be an interesting holiday season for sure.

 

[ref]

It could be.

I think it depends on this years E3 showing.

Gears Collection alone would be incredibly massive.

Spoiler

I'd also get one if this becomes a reality.

 

[RBK]

Well I personally don't care about sales.

I just care about the consoles I own having games I want to play. That's not really been the case with the xbox one for me so far unfortunately.

That's fine, but kind of unfair to just discredit them.

 

[Docflem]

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.



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. 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.

It doesn't matter if MS is number 1 in the US, especially if its barely, because they failed to cultivate any new markets. I can't see the holiday being much more spectacular than last, and they will probably have to sell almost double they did (or Sony sell nothing) in order to be number 1 in just the NA. So as I said, if the OP is talking about sales, no I doubt this holiday will mean much. If he's talking about awesome games, that we will have to see.

 

[spatenfloot]

What is defining exactly?

You want to define "defining"?

 

[le.phat]

You mean if microsoft gets desperste enough like last year, they might sell the most for two months in the US? Sounds about as 'defining' as last holiday.

 

[...Scatter...]

As a gamer how could you be upset with this potential exclusive lineup:

Forza 6
HALO 5
Tomb Raider
Quantum Break potentially
Fable Legends
GoW Collection potentially
The Division potentially (marketing rights)




Then the usual:

Madden
COD BO3
AssCreed

 

[samar11]

Defining holiday season in NA? Probably. Worldwide? It will get slaughtered by ps4.

 

[GnawtyDog]

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

????

 

[Jezbollah]

If this holiday was to be the "defining holiday season" for the XB1, why did MS cut the price so hard last year?

 

[GnawtyDog]

If this holiday was to be the "defining holiday season" for the XB1, why did MS cut the price so hard last year?

It's very important NOT to take OP's title in the literal sense but more of a theme for discussion.

 

[Condom]

I'd say yes. Halo 5 will be huge, can't wait to get my hands on it personally.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

How awesome would a Halo universe MOBA be? From the creators of Halo Wars (wasn't that the name of the RTS?), Halo W.A.R.S.!

 

[Bgamer90]

It doesn't matter if MS is number 1 in the US, especially if its barely, because they failed to cultivate any new markets.

It matters for advertisements/PR (especially since NPD stats usually get a lot of attention), and game support. It's hard for game companies to ignore the system that's in the top spot in North America. Hence why MS is going to more than likely do all that they can to be in that spot. Being #1 overall (worldwide) is obviously better but it's looking highly impossible for MS to do that (especially since they've never done it in any previous gen).

I can't see the holiday being much more spectacular than last...

The 360 and PS3 and more irrelevant than they were last year, and the Xbox One has a better gaming line-up for pushing people into current gen in comparison to what they had last year in my opinion.

A new, true current gen Halo game (the first one at that) will definitely be more attention grabbing than MCC. Forza Motorsport 6 will more than likely get more attention than Horizon 2 got due to its sim nature helping with realistic graphics/detail (even though Horizon 2 is a more accessible racer); I would also say that Tomb Raider and (if it doesn't get delayed) Quantum Break will be far more attractive to mainstream audiences than Sunset Overdrive was last year due to the nature of the games.

Mix all of that in with some multiplats that will truly shine on current gen systems due to them not being cross gen and I think the Xbox One's 2015 lineup is far better than its lineup in 2014.

...and they will probably have to sell almost double they did (or Sony sell nothing) in order to be number 1 in just the NA.

Number one overall in NA, or just during those months? If you mean overall, then yeah... The gap is too big to get the number one spot that soon (start of 2016). Being number one during those months though could possibly help the system get closer to being number one in NA in the future.

 

[Derpyduck]

They definitely have the most attractive holiday lineup at this point. But I'm waiting for them to release a new iteration of the hardware before I jump in. If they don't do that, it doesn't matter what they release this holiday, because I won't be buying.

 

[truth411]

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?

That is a very bold and premature statement, we don't know Sony's lineup for the rest of the year, revisit this question after GamesCom or TGS.

 

[Biker19]

It matters for advertisements/PR (especially since NPD stats usually get a lot of attention), and game support. It's hard for game companies to ignore the system that's in the top spot in North America. Hence why MS is going to more than likely do all that they can to be in that spot. Being #1 overall (worldwide) is obviously better but it's looking highly impossible for MS to do that (especially since they've never done it in any previous gen).

If anything, 3rd party companies care more about worldwide sales than just sales from one continent/region, especially companies from outside of the U.S.

 

[Alchemy]

We've already seen that exclusives don't push major amounts of consoles, and Halo 5 is the only exclusive IP that is any big releasing on the Xbox One. Sales won't jump compared to previous holiday seasons.

 

[Angelus Errare]

I highly doubt Sony has anything for the holidays that we already didn't know about unless they announce like an Uncharted remake collection.

It's pretty rare(?) to announce a huge AAA title at E3 then launch it that holiday of the same year no?

 

[justsomeguy]

They definitely have the most attractive holiday lineup at this point. But I'm waiting for them to release a new iteration of the hardware before I jump in. If they don't do that, it doesn't matter what they release this holiday, because I won't be buying.

Why so? because you suspect one is imminent, or because you don't like the current one?

 

[Bgamer90]

If anything, 3rd party companies care more about worldwide sales than just sales from one continent/region.

Either way, it's hard to ignore systems that do well in North America. This territory makes up a very good portion of worldwide game sales.

 

[Bizzquik]

Between the Zelda delay and the Uncharted delay....that Tomb Raider timed exclusive decision is looking smarter for Microsoft by the day.

We'll see. E3 is just nine weeks away; we'll know then.

 

[Bgamer90]

I highly doubt Sony has anything for the holidays that we already didn't know about unless they announce like an Uncharted remake collection.

It's pretty rare(?) to announce a huge AAA title at E3 then launch it that holiday of the same year no?

Yep -- especially for Sony.

GT6 got announced during the same year it launched (2013) but Sony treated that pretty badly (pre-launch hype) due to how close it was to the PS4's launch.

I could definitely see an Uncharted collection this year. It would do well and it would be nice for people who were 360 only last gen that have a PS4 now.

 

[N.Domixis]

I highly doubt Sony has anything for the holidays that we already didn't know about unless they announce like an Uncharted remake collection.

It's pretty rare(?) to announce a huge AAA title at E3 then launch it that holiday of the same year no?

All they need is a priecut.

 

[Docflem]

If anything, 3rd party companies care more about worldwide sales than just sales from one continent/region, especially companies from outside of the U.S.

This. MS can try and spin the holiday success all they want, but 3rd partys can probably get the actual hard data, I doubt they care much for PR. Also like I said, being number one for 2 months doesn't help them get any closer if they are left behind for the other 10 (really 12 because of WW sales) if the piss it away for almost the whole next year.

Well I guess that's my answer to the question, no the holiday wont be defining, the "pre-season" of 2016 will.

 

[DOWN]

Buy Rise of the Tomb Raider ™ on Xbox 360 this Holiday

 

[mike4001_]

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?

Don´t forget Rise of the Tomb Raider !

 

[ShamePain]

I see people underestimate forza here, but in reality each mainline entry sells between 3-5 mil and has long legs. Pretty respectable and T10 is literally the only MS' 1st party studio with a proven track record of excellent games right now. As for GT7 2015 release is wishful thinking, GT6 still doesn't have some features that were promised, I'd go as far as say 2016 release would be a huge stretch unless it launches unfinished like GT6.

 

[Slaythe]

"Defining".

The console is already dead in the whole world but the US.

And it's not even doing that good there.

Persona 5, a possible bloodborne expansion/DLC, maybe another game (either quantic dreams or hell maybe a project like last guardian) ?

And last holiday microsoft had a wonderful line up.

Halo 5 only is quite terrible compared to sunset, forza and MCC.

 

[Trigonometrize.]

I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if Persona 5 does better than what Zelda would have done had it stayed a 2015 game. I think PS4 still has that going for it, but of course not as big as Halo 5. We'll talk again after E3.

 

[thekiddfran]

Wait until E3 and PSX

 

[Zalman]

I actually wouldn't even be surprised if Halo 5 got delayed too. They need to make sure they don't release a broken game again. It's their flagship IP. They can't afford to screw up.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

I highly doubt Sony has anything for the holidays that we already didn't know about unless they announce like an Uncharted remake collection.

It's pretty rare(?) to announce a huge AAA title at E3 then launch it that holiday of the same year no?

Every one seems to be expecting this to happen with Fallout.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

I see people underestimate forza here, but in reality each mainline entry sells between 3-5 mil and has long legs. Pretty respectable and T10 is literally the only MS' 1st party studio with a proven track record of excellent games right now. As for GT7 2015 release is wishful thinking, GT6 still doesn't have some features that were promised, I'd go as far as say 2016 release would be a huge stretch unless it launches unfinished like GT6.

Maybe in bundles it does those numbers. Forza doesn't sell nearly that well in retail units.

 

[Juanfp]

"Defining".

The console is already dead in the whole world but the US.

And it's not even doing that good there.

Persona 5, a possible bloodborne expansion/DLC, maybe another game (either quantic dreams or hell maybe a project like last guardian) ?

And last holiday microsoft had a wonderful line up.

Halo 5 only is quite terrible compared to sunset, forza and MCC.

The hyperbole here

 

[barit]

As a gamer how could you be upset with this potential exclusive lineup:

Forza 6
HALO 5
Tomb Raider
Quantum Break potentially
Fable Legends
GoW Collection potentially
The Division potentially (marketing rights)




Then the usual:

Madden
COD BO3
AssCreed

That's really dull imo. Shooters and racer plus one stale fantasy RPG. This reads like any holiday lineup for the last 10 years on multiple platforms

 

[Hubble]

With Halo 5, they are confusing the shit out of people by how different the game is to a Halo game. People are going to pick that up and say, "wtf?". IMO it's not a Halo game. With this, I don't think it has the staying power to revive the Xbox One like previous Halo games.

 

[RBK]

Buy Rise of the Tomb Raider ™ on Xbox 360 this Holiday

They'll probably do the same staggered release Titanfall had.

With Halo 5, they are confusing the shit out of people by how different the game is to a Halo game. People are going to pick that up and say, "wtf?". IMO it's not a Halo game. With this, I don't think it has the staying power to revive the Xbox One like previous Halo games.

Please stop trolling.

 

[toddhunter]

This could finally be the season where the xbox brand gets associated with Halo.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

That's really dull imo. Shooters and racer plus one stale fantasy RPG. This reads like any holiday lineup for the last 10 years on multiple platforms

Tomb Raider and The Division(lol at listing this as exclusive because of marketing rights) are only two games two from that list that interest me and neither are exclusive(at least not permanently).

 

[King Beyond the wall]

I highly doubt Sony has anything for the holidays that we already didn't know about unless they announce like an Uncharted remake collection.

It's pretty rare(?) to announce a huge AAA title at E3 then launch it that holiday of the same year no?

Actually I think sony have said recently that they are only going to announce games when they are closer to release so they can ensure that they are ready to be shown and that there are no delays after. 5-6 months is plenty of time for marketing.

They showed LBP3 at E3 and released within 6 months, GOW3 remastered is out in 3-4 months, GT6 was announced and released in 6 months.

I would be very suprised if sony don't have 1 or 2 more exclusive games for the holidays than we know about currently.

 

[RBK]

Tomb Raider and The Division(lol at listing this as exclusive because of marketing rights) are only two games two From that list that interest me and neither are exclusive(at least not permanently).

Marketing rights have some importance. We already seen this with Destiny and lately with Evolve.

Either way, people have different tastes nor do it equal "general consensus". I don't personally care for many of these great exclusives Sony has...doesn't stop them from existing to those it appeals to.

 

[Gamezone]

Halo 5
Gears Collection
Uhhhh... Tomb Raider?

Sorry for asking, but is Gears of War Collection a thing, or is it just wild guessing? Haven`t seen any confirmation.

 

[ShamePain]

Maybe in bundles it does those numbers. Forza doesn't sell nearly that well in retail units.

Well GT5 sold like over 10 million to GT6's 2+. Maybe people are finally getting fed up with shitty sounds and PS2 cars and tracks on PS3/4. GT7 has a lot more to prove than FM6. If you hang around GTPlanet you'll find a lot of people who are looking elsewhere for their simracing fix, be that Forza, PCars, AC and other PC sims.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Marketing rights have some importance. We already seen this with Destiny and lately with Evolve.

Either way, people have different tastes nor do it equal "general consensus". I don't personally care for many of these great exclusives Sony has...doesn't stop them from existing to those it appeals to.

Yes it can be important, but that still doesn't warrant listing it with exclusives. Destiny still sold a ton on Xbox.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Well GT5 sold like over 10 million to GT6's 2+. Maybe people are finally getting fed up with shitty sounds and PS2 cars and tracks on PS3/4. GT7 has a lot more to prove than FM6. If you hang around GTPlanet you'll find a lot of people who are looking elsewhere for their simracing fix, be that Forza, PCars, AC and other PC sims.

I can promise you when GT7 release it will outsell FM5, FM6 and FH2 combined. PS4 is dominant in Europe where racing games thrive.