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[shinobi602]

“We’ve got a year to sell as many of these things as possible.”

Two Xbox bosses bellowed at each other in the aftermath of 360′s Games Convention press conference in 2005. The atmosphere crackled with “go”. Xbox 360 was to beat PlayStation 3 to market and Microsoft knew it had sledgehammered its way into the console industry’s executive bathroom. Chests were puffed. Sony was stuffed. Microsoft benefited greatly from an early Xbox 360 release, especially in America. You have no competition if you’re the only option available.

The same can be applied to mind-share. Going first works.

Commentators call it “first-mover advantage” for a reason. Microsoft’s strategy left Sony in front of a wincing crowd the following year, where it was forced to claim that “the next-generation doesn’t start until we say it does.” It was one of the most ridiculous statements in gaming’s last decade. Microsoft said nothing. It just started.

What a difference a generation makes.

Microsoft exec John Grimes belittled the Sony reveal the week before it happened, saying the “majority of UK consumers won’t know” about PlayStation 4 as a result. This was as puerile as Hirai’s damage control in 2006. PlayStation 4 was front-featured by every news organization in the world. Everyone knows. Sony grasped the opportunity to own the first real news of next-gen games hardware in six years and the world dropped its pants. We didn’t even see the box.

PS4 is real. Microsoft can claim irrelevance, but the next generation has started. Sony said so. And Microsoft did not.

While PlayStation 4′s reveal in New York last week has been just as often criticized for its lack of creativity as it has been praised for its solidity, there’s an inescapable fact related to the entire shebang: we’re all talking about PlayStation 4. Microsoft is now left with everything to prove at its reveal event – supposedly being planned for April – and right now the concept of the next-generation in 2013 belongs to Sony. If this is round one, Microsoft just got its nose spread all over its cheek.

To add insult to Microsoft’s injuries, fresh rumors are circulating regarding Durango’s spec. Apparently the machine is woefully underpowered compared to PS4, with some now saying they don’t expect Microsoft to even talk raw tech when it announces the machine. Conversely, Sony’s finding it easy to shrug off its reputation for creating expensive, obtuse hardware, with PlayStation 4 being a powerful, cheap console that’s easy to work with; exactly the strategy Microsoft used to launch Xbox 360.

Also consider that Sony held its reveal event in New York, not Japan. Guerrilla boss Herman Hulst turned up on Fallon immediately after the show, playing one of the best-looking console games ever created and talking about track-pads and Share buttons. Talking about PlayStation 4. In front of millions of Americans. The next-gen Xbox will be invisible to the US for months.

If the Xbox execs aren’t cringing then they’re foolish indeed. While Nelson’s been forced to resort to slagging Sony off on Twitter, we’re finally starting to see publishers make next-generation announcements, announcements of which Nextbox (we don’t even know its name) currently plays no public role. There was a boat. There was only one boat. And Microsoft missed it.

The Xbox team, no doubt, will have much to say in April. We will see Phil Harrison on stage for the first time extolling the virtues of a Microsoft platform, and we’re sure to see some attractive software. But right now the only future platform is PS4. At this moment, Sony owns the next round.

Will the next-gen start when Microsoft says it does? That we can even ask the question represents one hell of a risk on Microsoft’s part.

Source

Kind of a 'jumping to conclusions' article, but I will say, I was mainly a 360 gamer this gen and have been a pretty avid Xbox fan since the original, but if they do implement the always-online, used games bullshit, I will support Sony with all my gaming dollars. Interesting times ahead.

 

[serplux]

If Microsoft specs are to be closer to Wii U than PS4, it'll be interesting to see how multiplatform titles work out.

 

[Xion4360]

If Microsoft specs are to be closer to Wii U than PS4, it'll be interesting to see how multiplatform titles work out.

lol no.

 

[Aquamarine]

To add insult to Microsoft’s injuries, fresh rumors are circulating regarding Durango’s spec. Apparently the machine is woefully underpowered compared to PS4, with some now saying they don’t expect Microsoft to even talk raw tech when it announces the machine. Conversely, Sony’s finding it easy to shrug off its reputation for creating expensive, obtuse hardware, with PlayStation 4 being a powerful, cheap console that’s easy to work with; exactly the strategy Microsoft used to launch Xbox 360.

It's quite obvious where Microsoft's focus lies...it's about attacking next-gen at a different angle than Sony, not about a hardcore tech war.

Microsoft is much less confident than Sony that "hardcore, disc-loving gamers" are the future. I expect to see a more radical approach coming out of Microsoft Studios in the coming months. All the signs are pointing to it.

That's not to say that Durango will be "weak" like the Wii U. But I don't think the market can support two PS4s.

 

[Duffyside]

As long as they continue to charge for online play: I sure hope so.

 

[Servbot24]

If MS can keep the price significantly lower than PS4 while not compromising too much visually, I like their chances. However, if Kinect 2.0 is included with all systems and it brings the price up to PS4 without competing visually, I don't see any way it can be the gamer's console of choice.

 

[weekend_warrior]

MS got cocky just like Sony did in 2005.

 

[Stumpokapow]

yeah this is a really premature and hyperbolic editorial

 

[Reiko]

If MS doesn't update their specs, it's going to get ugly among core gamers.

Casuals won't care though.

 

[thuway]

MS will price lower while having comparable looking ports. Articles like this are hilarious and presuming the entire industry is made of core gamers.

 

[BrokenEchelon]

we’re finally starting to see publishers make next-generation announcements, announcements of which Nextbox (we don’t even know its name) currently plays no public role. There was a boat. There was only one boat. And Microsoft missed it.

I can't believe I haven't thought about that yet. No wonder MS is going to rush out a reveal for April, Sony gets to tout shit like Watch_Dogs and Destiny for PS4 for two months while MS doesn't get to say a word about those titles also being on Durango.

 

[Arrogant Menace]

Crazy how a console that hasn't even been announced already has opinion pieces.

 

[Zombie James]

If Microsoft specs are to be closer to Wii U than PS4, it'll be interesting to see how multiplatform titles work out.

Durango may be under-powered, but it won't be six years under-powered.

 

[RoboPlato]

I'm going to wait until the system is announced before making any calls. As much as I prefer Sony's direction from what we know now, I just think that the Xbox brand is too strong right now to really have an issue early on.

 

[RiccochetJ]

Missing the boat? Holy crap. I'll reserve judgement until I see the bloody thing. It's February. I'll have a better idea where my dollars are going after E3.

Click bait at it's finest.

 

[Glorified G]

To add insult to Microsoft’s injuries, fresh rumors are circulating regarding Durango’s spec. Apparently the machine is woefully underpowered compared to PS4

I think that's being a bit strong. Even by going off rumors.

After Durango unveiling:

VG247: Is Microsoft back?

 

[EagleBurnn]

yeah this is a really premature and hyperbolic editorial

Don't give him too much credit now.

 

[Pachterballs]

i'll reserve comment til their presser but a lot of the generic leak/whatnot is bad for MS.

 

[grimshawish]

First move means nothing unless something significant.
E.g. your partners all knowing theres another supported machine out and your releasing the abomination of a mad man months away.

Seriously though; it means nothing itself.

 

[LQX]

The war is over...

 

[Kobun Heat]

You don't get first-mover advantage by TALKING ABOUT IT first.

 

[chicagocubsfan]

Yeah what if Microsoft pulls an Apple and releases the thing a week after the conference.

 

[Iacobellis]

After Peter Moore and J. Allard left, what did you expect?

 

[serplux]

lol no.

Oh, I have no doubt it will be more powerful than the Wii U. But if the gap between the two consoles were to be something like PS2 -> Xbox (or even Dreamcast to Xbox), it'll be interesting to see where publishers will put their games.

 

[Trevelyon]

That's a puffy piece, yeesh.

 

[JohnnySasaki86]

If Microsoft specs are to be closer to Wii U than PS4, it'll be interesting to see how multiplatform titles work out.

It certainly would be better for Wii U if that happened, but I seriously doubt that would be the case. At the end of the day MS system still has 5x RAM usable for games with a lot more bandwidth(1gb vs the rumored 5gb) and 4x the processing power. This puts the system much closer to Sony's, then it does the Wii U.

 

[NullPointer]

As long as they continue to charge for online play: I sure hope so.

Amen.

 

[MormaPope]

These type of articles are ridiculous, Sony went first with a revealing, the PS4 is a powerful piece of hardware. Where in these events is Microsoft completely boned with next gen hardware?

Oh right, they aren't. But it's sure fun pretending like they are!

 

[shinobi602]

I can't believe I haven't thought about that yet. No wonder MS is going to rush out a reveal for April, Sony gets to tout shit like Watch_Dogs and Destiny for PS4 for two months while MS doesn't get to say a word about those titles also being on Durango.

The thing is, nothing's stopping Microsoft from unveiling Durango. They do get to say whatever they want, just for whatever reason they're taking their sweet time.

 

[Derrick01]

If Microsoft specs are to be closer to Wii U than PS4, it'll be interesting to see how multiplatform titles work out.

Don't get too excited. The leaked specs put the 720 at a little worse than PS4. That's still a LOT better than Wii U.

 

[LowEndTorque]

No.

There's a difference between launching a year earlier and announcing a couple of months earlier. Foolish article, tbh.

 

[CLEEK]

MS probably don't see Sony as a competitor this time around. Look at their recent chest beating about the Xbox Entertainment Studio and interactive content. MS are positioning the next Xbox as a digital hub. A hub that plays games, sure, but that will be far from their main focus this time around.

Their official reveal in April will be interesting. Sony's presentation showed their commitment to gaming first and foremost. The literally said one sentence about non-gaming services and had a single slide on screen with Netflix etc logos on it. Even the new PS Eye - a gaming specific component - got the briefest of coverage.

For close to two hours, they just talked about how the PS4 will enrich games. MS will be different in content and focus. They will no doubt have some corking games on show. But I wouldn't be surprised if their April 26th showcase is 1/3rd Kinect, 1/3rd services and apps, 1/3rd games.

This is the reason they haven't decided to reveal at GDC. The next Xbox isn't a games console. It's a digital entertainment console. So revealing it at a gaming conference doest fit into how they will position the device in the market. It would be like Apple revealing the new iPad at E3. Not going to happen, even though the iPad is a huge gaming platform.

 

[RoboPlato]

The thing is, nothing's stopping Microsoft from unveiling Durango. They do get to say whatever they want, just for whatever reason they're taking their sweet time.

It seems really odd that they don't seem to be aiming for an announcement before GDC, when tons of devs are going to be talking about and showing next gen tech.

 

[pieatorium]

I thought the Sony even was pretty good but this article is pretty full on.

It seems really odd that they don't seem to be aiming for an announcement before GDC, when tons of devs are going to be talking about and showing next gen tech.

Yeah this baffles me. I was 100% sure they would clear the air before gdc.

 

[FordGTGuy]

MS got cocky just like Sony did in 2005.

Sticking to your original plan... now cocky.

From all rumors and information we've heard the reveal in April has been their plan all along.

 

[harSon]

I can't wait until Microsoft actually unveils their console. If they fall flat on their faces, at least the doom and gloom will be based on something that's tangible.

 

[Aquamarine]

MS probably don't see Sony as a competitor this time around. Look at their recent chest beating about the Xbox Entertainment Studio and interactive content. MS are positioning the next Xbox as a digital hub. A hub that plays games, sure, but that will be far from their main focus this time around.

Their official reveal in April will be interesting. Sony's presentation showed their commitment to gaming first and foremost. The literally said one sentence about non-gaming services and had a single slide on screen with Netflix etc logos on it. Even the new PS Eye - a gaming specific component - got the briefest of time.

For close to two hours, they just talked games. MS will be different in content and focus. They will no doubt have some corking games on show. But I wouldn't be surprised if their April 26th showcase is 1/3rd Kinect, 1/3rd services and apps, 1/3rd games.

Precisely. It's about the Xbox as a unified brand for all facets of entertainment. "The New Xbox will become the centerpiece of your living room. " That's the goal.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

From all rumors and information we've heard the reveal in April has been their plan all along.

Whatever the case, it sure doesn't/won't seem that way.

 

[TheHater]

Yeah what if Microsoft pulls an Apple and releases the thing a week after the conference.

You mean a Sega Anyone remember the Sega Saturn launch/announcement?

 

[Eusis]

yeah this is a really premature and hyperbolic editorial

I'd consider bringing up the anti-used and always online rumors anyway. Stuff like this? A well oiled marketing machine will make people forget the PS4 was shown off way in advance, or even RELEASED way in advance as Dreamcast has shown. Go for an actively anti-consumer angle to how consumers can use your machine and your games? That's the kind of stuff that makes you fall, or at least is more likely to.

 

[Strike]

Third console curse.

 

[weekend_warrior]

It's quite obvious where Microsoft's focus lies...it's about attacking next-gen at a different angle than Sony, not about a hardcore tech war.

Microsoft is much less confident than Sony that "hardcore, disc-loving gamers" are the future. I expect to see a more radical approach coming out of Microsoft Studios in the coming months. All the signs are pointing to it.

That's not to say that Durango will be "weak" like the Wii U. But I don't think the market can support two PS4s.

I think MS is going to heavily tout the Xbox720 as a multi-media box and as a compliment to their OS and tablet/smartphone market. They're going to have a laundry list of apps like Netflix, they're going to push the Kinect "Xbox turn on!" hand swipe to scroll menus stuff, the 'download movie on xbox, stream to Windows 8 tablet' shtick, and they'll try to downplay the power difference as much as possible because it won't be a very good game machine.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Understand the MS negativity but for me apart from the brilliant Playstation retrospective piece done a few weeks back, VG247 go overboard with the pro Sony stuff, every couple of days there is a editorial that reads like a PR email, I can't remember the last, even slightly positive PC,Nintendo or Ms editorial they have produced.

 

[MormaPope]

Sticking to your original plan... now cocky.

From all rumors and information we've heard the reveal in April has been their plan all along.

Wouldn't matter whatever they did. If they decided to go earlier, some people would say "oooooooo Microsoft is scared now! What are they gonna dew?", sticking to the original plan is making people say "They're like Sony was pre-PS3, they're arrogant and cocky now."

Apparently life and the choices in life are divided into like 3 things.

 

[CLEEK]

You mean a Sega Anyone remember the Sega Saturn launch/announcement?

'Hey guyz. Guyz! If you want one of these Saturns right NOW, just talk to Dave here. He's selling them out back in the car park.'

 

[rudieboy77]

Ahh the fair weather fans will come running back and forget they ever doubted, or maybe the new Xbox will suck, but it will be one or the other...

 

[gogojira]

I feel like this writer thought this article would be some eye-opening piece of truth and "OH SHIT MS IN TROUBLE" but all I see is a bunch of bullshit. Anyone writing Microsoft off or concluding that they have no chance before a reveal is a fool.

 

[EagleBurnn]

No.

There's a difference between launching a year earlier and announcing a couple of months earlier. Foolish article, tbh.

What is with this confusing people? I see people all the time that act as if the PS4 has already been confirmed to come out before the Durango. What kind of logic is that?

At E3, each console will be even in terms of coverage. The sites that obviously have a PS bias have been dumping their articles and the sites who have a Xbox bias will be doing the same. Acting as if the Xbox hype won't equal the PS one is naive. PS gets the early benefit and MS gets the closer to E3 benefit.

 

[Arrogant Menace]

I'm trying to understand since when did more power= good game machine?

 

[Grief.exe]

MS got cocky just like Sony did in 2005.

I'm surprised they are getting cocky.

They are effectively tied with a platform that had a slow start and was a year late, their exclusives are getting repetitive and homogeneous, and they have potential negatives associated with their platform (paying for P2P multiplayer, possible used-game block).