Support NeoGAF

[Tobimacoss]

This generation is terrible in general, and yes, I agree. It's the worst PlayStation generation in history. The decline from generation to generation is comparable to the drop from Xbox 360 to Xbox One (quality, not sales).

Again, Microsoft being the top publisher on PlayStation is wild. If you had told someone this a few years ago, you would have been laughed into oblivion.

laughed into Oblivion......remastered.

 

[Three]

Unless the proportion of users who are on the Ultimate tier is bigger.

In either case, iirc when the Activision thing was going on, leaked docs showed that it made around $2.9bn / annual. It's increased around $2bn over that since then, no doubt a big part thanks to CoD but still an admirable increase.

If COD had any real impact on subscriber numbers you would have known about it. The 2021 figure of $2.9B annually was before numerous price hikes and before xbox live revenue was folded into gamepass figures. Those are the big parts of that growth. Not to mention that $2.9B was limited to console only and this $5B is not.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Microsoft themselves have said they're releasing a next generation Xbox, so they're lying to themselves? Is that the people you're referring to?

Paper launches are nothing new in the industry.

The collapsing sales of Series consoles means shareholders will be much less willing to subsidise the price of a new console and the max potential sales at launch being lower means they will make less and get smaller bulk discounts per component.

They will make very few units of the most powerful console they can for bragging rights, it will be very expensive and only the most hardcore fanboys will buy it, and they will spend more time in forums stanning and astroturfing it and spreading FUD on other platforms than actually playing games on it.

 

[Three]

Again, Microsoft being the top publisher on PlayStation is wild. If you had told someone this a few years ago, you would have been laughed into oblivion.

A few years as in 2022? You buy the biggest publisher (ABK) then you become the biggest publisher. The surprise was that xbox hardware collapsed so they remained multiplatform. If people knew that they were going to keep those ABK and Zenimax games multiplatform then anybody could have guessed they would be a top publisher with ABK alone. They had one of the best selling games on PS before that too with Minecraft. You buy that thing you become that thing.

You got mouth breathers denying it today.

Who has ever denied this? Please point me to the idiot's post.

 

[MidGenRefresh]

A few years as in 2022?

No, before the acquisitions and before their strategy, or some might say lack of one, changed.

 

[Three]

Paper launches are nothing new in the industry.

The collapsing sales of Series consoles means shareholders will be much less willing to subsidise the price of a new console and the max potential sales at launch being lower means they will make less and get smaller bulk discounts per component.

They will make very few units of the most powerful console they can for bragging rights, it will be very expensive and only the most hardcore fanboys will buy it, and they will spend more time in forums stanning and astroturfing it and spreading FUD on other platforms than actually playing games on it.

The ABK sales will help their P&L for subsidies and shareholders won't know any better (they never share those figures with them). It won't be a paper launch but they are likely to go for an expensive console anyway and sell less.

 

[Pedro Motta]

Lol saved by a platform that is healthy and doesn't devalue their games or their third party partners games. Who knew.

 

[PeteBull]

Microsoft being top publisher on PlayStation is wild.

Just shows how badly playstation studios dropped the ball this gen, thank for that herman "the failure" hulst and gaas initiative, it was at least 15 games in development, and only helldivers2 made profit(big profit too), everything else either cancelled or big flop(and then cancelled ;p ).

 

[Radical_3d]

Revenue means little if we don't know the profit, or the margin.

 

[Robb]

Revenue means little if we don't know the profit, or the margin.

 

[DenchDeckard]

The data shows the opposite actually, they are more successful when they don't try to compete with Sony, rather than being their biggest partner. They have less incentive than ever to sell their own hardware. They're slowly become Sega

We know all of this, just from the figures. Look how well they are performing by reducing their Hardware and focusing on games.

He never learns

So you dont think MS are launching their next Xbox ahead of Sony?

 

[daxgame]

Dang it, looks like Switch 1 might still edge Xbox Series's HW sales this year.
Don't give up yet, Phil, keep up the good fight!

 

[Negotiator101]

Paper launches are nothing new in the industry.

The collapsing sales of Series consoles means shareholders will be much less willing to subsidise the price of a new console and the max potential sales at launch being lower means they will make less and get smaller bulk discounts per component.

They will make very few units of the most powerful console they can for bragging rights, it will be very expensive and only the most hardcore fanboys will buy it, and they will spend more time in forums stanning and astroturfing it and spreading FUD on other platforms than actually playing games on it.

So they are making another one seriously get your facts straight before posting nonsense.

 

[Ar¢tos]

So they are making another one seriously get your facts straight before posting nonsense.

Oh I triggered one already!

 

[demigod]

You got mouth breathers denying it today.

It must really pains you guys that xbox is releasing all their games on playstation.

 

[skyfinch]

*Hugs Xbox Series S*. This is our year.

 

[Pedro Motta]

It must really pains you guys that xbox is releasing all their games on playstation.

It must really pain you that Microsoft had to buy up all the big publishers just to stay in the game. Instead of putting in the work to build something with real identity or creative value, they've taken the shortcut — and somehow, people applaud that. There's no culture, no taste, just money thrown around to cover up the lack of vision. It doesn't feel like win to me.

 

[demigod]

It must really pain you that Microsoft had to buy up all the big publishers just to stay in the game. Instead of putting in the work to build something with real identity or creative value, they've taken the shortcut — and somehow, people applaud that. There's no culture, no taste, just money thrown around to cover up the lack of vision. It doesn't feel like win to me.

It's a win for playstation.

 

[DenchDeckard]

It must really pains you guys that xbox is releasing all their games on playstation.

It's a win for playstation.

Its a win for everyone, I really dont get you Sony guys. You seem to live ina dream world and constantly try to project to users what their emotional involvement is.

You do know Xbox games have been launching on Playstation for over a year now, closer to 18 months. People get over divorce, long term relationships ending etc in less time than that but you guys seem to keep going on about how butt hurt Xbox fans are and I dont think ive seen one Xbox user lose their shit over games coming to playstation within the last year. Most users on here are supportive of it.

You guys are really strange.

 

[adamsapple]

Lol saved by a platform that is healthy and doesn't devalue their games or their third party partners games. Who knew.

But they haven't done any Switch 2 releases yet.

 

[Clear]

Here's the reality; if Microsoft were to sell on ABK tomorrow 2 things would happen:

1. The new buyer would almost certainly become the biggest "third party publisher in the world"
2. The revenue figures for Xbox would basically be halved overnight.

What bothers me is the whole "stolen valor" aspect of MS messaging. Because if you consider what their endeavours have yielded outside of these current publisher acquisitions it paints a shockingly bleak picture for the future.

 

[Katatonic]

Just shows how badly playstation studios dropped the ball this gen, thank for that herman "the failure" hulst and gaas initiative, it was at least 15 games in development, and only helldivers2 made profit(big profit too), everything else either cancelled or big flop(and then cancelled ;p ).

dude they bought the biggest publisher on the system. everything else is just bs

 

[adamsapple]

Here's the reality; if Microsoft were to sell on ABK tomorrow 2 things would happen:

1. The new buyer would almost certainly become the biggest "third party publisher in the world"
2. The revenue figures for Xbox would basically be halved overnight.

What bothers me is the whole "stolen valor" aspect of MS messaging. Because if you consider what their endeavours have yielded outside of these current publisher acquisitions it paints a shockingly bleak picture for the future.

"Stolen valor"

Bruh it's been two years since the acquisition, time to move on and accept it as part of Xbox now.

 

[PeteBull]

dude they bought the biggest publisher on the system. everything else is just bs

FH5 is legit ms game and it sold properly on ps5, no "active players" but actual 2m of sold copies, full price too.
Im not the one to defend MS but it is what it is.

 

[Mr Moose]

Is it though?

For their fiscal year, yes. They bought CoD. For the Q? No idea. Maybe.

 

[user friendly]

Its a win for everyone, I really dont get you Sony guys. You seem to live ina dream world and constantly try to project to users what their emotional involvement is.

You do know Xbox games have been launching on Playstation for over a year now, closer to 18 months. People get over divorce, long term relationships ending etc in less time than that but you guys seem to keep going on about how butt hurt Xbox fans are and I dont think ive seen one Xbox user lose their shit over games coming to playstation within the last year. Most users on here are supportive of it.

You guys are really strange.

Is it a win if you purchased both systems at the beginning?

Or did you maybe not need to spend money on both consoles if you knew most of the newer games, once exclusive to Xbox, were also going to come out on PlayStation?

I'd be a little bummed out if I had purchased both systems, thinking I would need to, in order to play Xbox games. Same if it were the other way around. If Playstation released their exclusives day and date on Xbox, and I purchased both systems, I think I'd be slightly annoyed.

 

[Ebrietas]

I guess that their plan is it to let different manufacturers build Xbox devices, like the Asus Ally X and like the old 3DO and that MS gave up the try as a hardware manufacturer and to go all in as a publisher.

If there were real demand for Xbox consoles then MS would make it themselves instead of complicating their hardware business and splitting revenue with OEMs. It's not like they are a tiny company that lacks manufacturing capability.

And if there is no demand then there is no incentive for third parties to build their own version of a dead console.

Even if they are operating gamepass on a 5% machine thats 250 million profit in the bank.

But tbh, if they are making a loss that is not bad for a subscription service this early in its lifetime.
It looks like the xbox division is moving in the right direction.

We know why hardware has dropped so much. They've been winding down production and increased prices astronomically.

They are killing this gen just like they did with the og xbox so they can get out ahead of Sony next time.

I love reading fantasies like this.

Getting ahead? Of what? There are no "generations" anymore like there were in the past. It's like saying MS would "get ahead" of Apple if they relaunch windows phone before iPhone 17 releases. Uh oh Apple, watch out!

 

[Clear]

"Stolen valor"

Bruh it's been two years since the acquisition, time to move on and accept it as part of Xbox now.

I have no problem with Xbox being successful. I just dislike the way MS are claiming an uptick in fortunes when its almost entirely driven by bolting on pre-existing success stories!

Its like giving a terrible driver a better car. Sure, they'll go faster in the short term, but it doesn't make it any less likely they'll crash and burn eventually.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Some of the warriors in here have to be a parody or something, can you imagine acting like that in real life? You're at a dinner party with friends and you unironically say stupid shit like "it's a win for playstation".

 

[Ebrietas]

… and they will spend more time in forums stanning and astroturfing it and spreading FUD on other platforms than actually playing games on it.

This is already the case with Xbox fans. They spend all day here telling everyone how much they are "winning" and kicking Sony's ass.

Funny thing is they even fail at astroturfing since console sales continue to fall into oblivion while gamepass subscribers haven't grown one bit despite their fervent efforts. MS had to rename live gold just to give off the appearance of growth.

 

[mayham2199]

Is it a win if you purchased both systems at the beginning?

Or did you maybe not need to spend money on both consoles if you knew most of the newer games, once exclusive to Xbox, were also going to come out on PlayStation?

I'd be a little bummed out if I had purchased both systems, thinking I would need to, in order to play Xbox games. Same if it were the other way around. If Playstation released their exclusives day and date on Xbox, and I purchased both systems, I think I'd be slightly annoyed.

Yea I only buy one console\system. I don't need more than one and I'd be pissed if I was on Xbox cause then I could have just got a PS. Same if it was the other way around. I mean it wouldn't be a total loss at least because trade in values are pretty good right now and I don't really give a shit about my past library. Would be more annoyed about losing my trophies.

If PS were to release their games over there now though then I wouldn't care because there would still be no reason for me to switch with Xbox doing the same.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Is it a win if you purchased both systems at the beginning?

Or did you maybe not need to spend money on both consoles if you knew most of the newer games, once exclusive to Xbox, were also going to come out on PlayStation?

I'd be a little bummed out if I had purchased both systems, thinking I would need to, in order to play Xbox games. Same if it were the other way around. If Playstation released their exclusives day and date on Xbox, and I purchased both systems, I think I'd be slightly annoyed.

I still have an xbox and get loads of mileage out of it thanks to gamepass and playing xbox games day one...on gamepass. Saying that. I also play them on my pc so I never really needed an xbox. I just like the cross progression play anywhere stuff. Its easy for me to lug an xbox to my girlfriends house

I also have a ps5 pro. Obviously im never going to buy an xbox game on playstation thanks to my pc and xbox.

I also like good games day one so if sony turn the corner and start releasing awssome games rimed exclusive ill continue to buy their hardware.

I cant talk about how other people feel. Luckily ive always planned to invest in lots of hardware so im as happy as a pig in shit from all of this.

If there were real demand for Xbox consoles then MS would make it themselves instead of complicating their hardware business and splitting revenue with OEMs. It's not like they are a tiny company that lacks manufacturing capability.

And if there is no demand then there is no incentive for third parties to build their own version of a dead console.

I love reading fantasies like this.

Getting ahead? Of what? There are no "generations" anymore like there were in the past. It's like saying MS would "get ahead" of Apple if they relaunch windows phone before iPhone 17 releases. Uh oh Apple, watch out!

The wars over. We know this. Generations dont exist, like you said. Hardware will just release and people will decide to buy what they want.

If gta launches and it doesn't come to pc day one...and MS get a box out that plays ot better than the pro ill probably fold and buy it. Not sure what others will do. I dont blame anyone for not buying an xbox ever. I mean why would you? Unless some monolithic release like gta would sway you.

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Just shows how badly playstation studios dropped the ball this gen, thank for that herman "the failure" hulst and gaas initiative, it was at least 15 games in development, and only helldivers2 made profit(big profit too), everything else either cancelled or big flop(and then cancelled ;p ).

Nah, it just shows that MS bought the biggest publisher on PS, i.e. Activision.

PS first parties could have been firing on all cylinders and it wouldn't matter. Xbox owns Activision and Bethesda and their games make-up the majority of the games on the best-selling list on PS5.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Just shows how badly playstation studios dropped the ball this gen, thank for that herman "the failure" hulst and gaas initiative, it was at least 15 games in development, and only helldivers2 made profit(big profit too), everything else either cancelled or big flop(and then cancelled ;p ).

Forza being the huge exceoption, all of those games made their name being multiplatform and part of different publishers. I don't consider them "Xbox" games, the way I consider Gears, Forza and Halo.

Yes, it is technically correct that they are published my Microsoft, it's a bit of a stretch to associate them exclusively as being part of their identity. Call of Duty has an argument since in the 360 days, it was largely played on Xbox. In the last 10 years that has more or less completely flipped. Pretty much no one associates Call of Duty with Xbox.

Does any of this mean anything? Not really.


And now you know why people hate Jim Ryan so much. He chased dollar signs AT THE EXPENSE of what made Playstation great, when they should have chased GAAS with studios that had some experience.

 

[twilo99]

I don't understand any of these numbers so can someone please tell me that Microsoft and Xbox are both dead I can't take it anymore

 

[twilo99]

Time to lay off some people.

Way overdue actually

 

[Kacho]

I don't understand any of these numbers so can someone please tell me that Microsoft and Xbox are both dead I can't take it anymore

They don't share profit for a reason

 

[demigod]

Its easy for me to lug an xbox to my girlfriends house

Well isn't this funny GHG

 

[TheMule1983]

It's been comical watching the Xbox zealots hype this up. Congrats. Xbox games are selling great on PlayStation while not on Xbox. And the system sales have cratered. Very weird behavior.

 

[twilo99]

They don't share profit for a reason

Oh, thank you so much I thought they might actually not be dead for second there that was really stressful.

So it's over? No more Xbox

 

[Kacho]

So it's over? No more Xbox

Not yet. Your continued passive aggressive defense is keeping them in the fight.

 

[FoxMcChief]

It must really pains you guys that xbox is releasing all their games on playstation.

Not at all. The PS gamers are keeping gamepass alive.

 

[demigod]

Not at all. The PS gamers are keeping gamepass alive.

So good, is that why you also use Gamefly? That's a lot of money to be spending on rentals.

 

[newtypepilot]

MS too scared to post profit numbers? lol

 

[FoxMcChief]

So good, is that why you also use Gamefly? That's a lot of money to be spending on rentals.

I'm not currently subscribed to GameFly. I might start it back up to play MGS3 Delta or whatever.

But no, GameFly costs less than buying. Especially because I almost never replay games.

 

[demigod]

I'm not currently subscribed to GameFly. I might start it back up to play MGS3 Delta or whatever.

But no, GameFly costs less than buying. Especially because I almost never replay games.

If Gamepass was so profitable, why do you need playstation to keep it alive? Why did the studios get shut down? What happened to the warchest?

 

[user friendly]

If Gamepass was so profitable, why do you need playstation to keep it alive? Why did the studios get shut down? What happened to the warchest?

Not sure they care if it's profitable or if they are just happy Sony is keeping it alive.