250°

Is The Xbox One X Where Greatness Awaits

On this episode of the PlayStation Podcast Joseph and Sean got an early hands on with the Xbox One X. Microsoft's own Phil Spencer, on his company's renewed commitment to new software. Why a Sony Fanboy wants, Microsoft to succeed. The guys also tackle the Last of Us Two controversy, and the fact that Sony's Trophies just got a whole lot better.

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thepolinetwork.com
Gazondaily2397d ago

Xbox One X is a great example oh how to do a mid gen refresh. In that regard it's easily top of the game.

But hardware is less than half the story. To attain greatness, Xbox needs compelling software to compliment the hardware.

Xbox has not attained greatness. In future though it might

UltraNova2397d ago

A 'great example' would be something that can be repeated. A 4x power increase will be imposible to repeat going forward (do you expect a 16tfl Ps5 in 2019-20 or a 24tfl xb2 in 2021-22?).

That said, the new xbox is indeed the best console hardware out now but xbox as a whole is far from achiving greatness, not as long as its main selling point is old games and 3rd party IPs that are also available everywhere else.

bluefox7552396d ago

That's a great point that I hadn't considered. The jump in power between Pro and Sony's next console is going to be significantly higher than the jump in Xbox's next console, i.e. bigger reason for people to upgrade. Combine that with a much stronger software library, Sony is poised to shoot to the top yet again with PS5.

UltraNova2396d ago

@blue

The power crown doesn't matter as long as you release first and have the support(games) required to power through a gen. Sony with the Pro has positioned themselves perfectly to be first out going forward; from 2016 (post Pro) they have full control over console release cycle, unless MS releases the new xbox at the same time with the ps5 in 2019/20. In that case I'd very much like to see how xb1x onwers react to that.

mcstorm2396d ago

It also depends on what Sony and Microsoft do with the next gen.

If Sony make a new gen console that wont play ps4 games then this could hurt them where Microsoft have already said they want every Xbox going forward to play the past games and a big reason why we see 360 and Xbox games coming to the one.

We are in the unknown at the moment as we don't know how well the pro is selling and we will also not know how well the X will sell but that said Microsoft are moving forward and putting the wrongs with the one behind them and now need to bring the exclusives but bring pc and xbox closer is a great move by them as it looks like the xbox brand will become a service.

Sony have done amazing this gen but also made some mistakes I think VR is going to be one of them and I also don't think the pro was a great move as there did not seem to be any hype behind it like the X has go but again we don't know the sales numbers for it.

As it stands though all 3 look like they are doing great and for me that's what I want to see.

UltraNova2396d ago (Edited 2396d ago )

@mc

Good points. But let me ask this, did Sony need to push the Pro as badly as MS needed to push the X?

Food for thought...

andrewsquall2395d ago

No, I expect a next gen PS5 with GDDR6 architecture and a new CPU later lol.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2395d ago
Bigpappy2396d ago

So a device cant be great and because it plays all 3rd party games much better? Nonsense!

Gazondaily2396d ago

Well I'm not saying the console.isnt great. But here, the term Greatness means a lot more than just great hardware. The term for me means when you've reached a high level of great hardware and software, particularly in terms of exclusives.

Each to their own though

JackBNimble2395d ago

Bigpappy
You guys are chest thumping over higher resolution, faster load times and if you are lucky maybe 60 fps on some games.
1080p isn't trash and if higher resolution is really the only selling point, then I question the true purpose of this $500 mid gen upgrade because MS is going to need more than that.

rainslacker2395d ago

The term greatness awaits has always referred to the games. The whole idea of the campaign was always focused on games, and hardware was mostly not talked about outside of some interviews and tech discussions. All the marketing is about the games.

LP-Eleven2396d ago

To me, the top of the game should also include top of the line "games" to go along with your system (games that can only be found on said system). When i saw The Last Of Us Part II, for example, I knew what system was on top, despite what the specs say.

The Xbox One X will remain a great multiplatform machine, but for many PC users like myself, that's all it will ever be. I'd like to see what they could with it if it were to have a game built surrounded it's specs, but Microsoft has said this isn't happening.

TFJWM2396d ago

The "Beast" isn't "Greatness"?

S2Killinit2396d ago

Nope its just a newer console with a bad history of not catering what is expected from a “gaming” console. But... advertisement seems to go a long way.

TFJWM2396d ago

@S2Killinit I am not getting it because I have a solid+ PC but I am not sure what your commment even means

S2Killinit2396d ago (Edited 2396d ago )

Im not sure why people act like this console is any different from any ither console reboot, its one year newer than the last one and its that much improved, nothing else. As we are seeing the games look comparable.

As far as greatness, if you have to ask, this late into the generation, the answer is a resounding “No”

bluefox7552396d ago

I've been thinking the same thing. I keep hearing "It's the most powerful console ever". Well, of course it is. Almost every new console that comes out is the most powerful console ever. Before it was Pro, and before that it was PS4. Next it will be PS5. Console upgrades are business as usual, including the X. The real issue is the software, as it's constantly changing and a bit less predictable.

tontontam02396d ago

So we can say that pc have perfect mid gen upgrades.

Eiyuuou2396d ago

I hope they'll change that 'might' into a 'will'.

Markusb332396d ago (Edited 2396d ago )

You will definitely be waiting if it's greatness you want in the software

So it definitely awaits, tomorrow never comes.

Rude-ro2396d ago (Edited 2396d ago )

Third console upgrade this gen septic. It is a joke to downplay that fact.

Rude-ro2396d ago

Fixed; third console, second upgrade.

TrollityTroll2395d ago

You’de have thought with the power of the cloud (which you’ve so staunchly defended in the past) they wouldn’t have needed to release more powerful hardware ... unless it was another carrot like so much else.
“Just wait guys, NEXT year will be great”.
I still remember the 16 E3 and “All Sony games are too far away or have no release dates, we’ll be playing our games within a year” ... then 17 E3, same games, same comments.
All I’ve heard this entire generation is “Wait for ...”

DivineAssault 2395d ago

I agree.. Nice machine but it needs the right support 1st.. No way im giving them $500 plus HDD plus accessories plus xblg until they earn it from me..

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2395d ago
ninsigma2397d ago

It's a great machine, no doubt. Going with the architecture that Sony used in the PS4 was smart and increasing the ram was definitely a good move, that's why it's possible to get higher res textures in games running on XBO X. However, the lineup is still the same uninteresting lineup as the base console, so no I would not say the X is where greatness awaits.

TankCrossing2397d ago (Edited 2397d ago )

Are you referring to the x86-64 architecture that the PS4 and Xbox One used, or are you referring to the unified GDDR memory pool that was used so effectively on the,... Xbox 360?

Gazondaily2396d ago

So basically it was a smart move by MS to use the same unified pool like it did with the 360 which Sony then copied? Have I got that right ?

ninsigma2396d ago

No. It was smart of them to use unified pool of GDDR 5...just like Sony.

andrewsquall2395d ago

Clearly he is talking about the next gen GDDR5 architecture that the PS4 went with and not that HORRIBLE eSRAM bottleneck that the Xbone banked on.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2395d ago
Bigpappy2396d ago

Unified RAM was used in every single Xbox ever made. The difference here, is the dropped the esRAM which was like cache to increase bus speed. The Problem with PS3 is that Sony did not use unified RAM and that add to difficulty in development for many developers.

badz1492396d ago

Sony had to separate the RAM on the PS3. they had no choice because the GDDR3 was simply not fast enough - both in speed and bandwidth, to accommodate the CELL, so they used the faster XDR RAM instead. The earlier design of the PS3 didn't even include the RSX GPU because the CELL is said to be capable to handle GPU task on its own but alas, it was not a viable solution and the RSX which was weaker than the 360 GPU was put in instead. earlier games on the PS3 was inferior to its 360 counterparts because devs only used the RSX which was weak. games started to look better when devs started to offload graphical calculations from the RSX to the superfast and streamlined CELL instead.

GDDR5 is faster though but the company that made XDR RAM has announced XRD2 which is said to have double the bandwidth of GDDR5 at full speed.

ApocalypseShadow2397d ago

What? I didn't know that Microsoft somehow acquired multiple AAA studios and produced many titles in the last minutes leading up to Xbox one x launch. That's amazing./S

Let's not get Sony's phrase twisted with Microsoft.

freshslicepizza2396d ago (Edited 2396d ago )

It's also 4theplayers with its consumer friendly advances in crossplay features, play anywhere support and digital returns. But of course you want to focus on a few big titles per year like Horizon while ignore the dozens and dozens of other games that are just as popular or even more popular like Destiny, Star Wars, Battlefront, Call of Duty, Assassins Creed and so on where they now have the best console to play them on.

Then you have pretty spectacular upgrades like Oblivion and many other Xbox 360 titles that get FREE upgrades while you guys get PS2 remasters like Destroy All Humans for $20.

2396d ago
george9572396d ago

ImTrumPeach
Damn! that's one crazy line up and i dont see any reason why the PS4 wont cross 90 mil by the end of 2018 and should cross 100 mil sales by 2019 or so...

TheVetOfGaming2396d ago

More than a few, and Xbox struggles to get a few. You did make a few points though.

SurgicalMenace2396d ago

You are aware the multiplatform games are for the masses, while exclusive are for the loyalists. Now before you go thinking my statement is a compliment to this 3rd party nonsense, the average IQ is only 28 points over 70 making the masses a notch above morons. So to appeal to the masses with only 3rd party games is treating them as such, it would be more beneficial to focus attentions on that which unique and exclusive. Gaming is art, not to be reduced to the mindless games that often populate the 3rd party market. Brag that you have the best looking above average experience all day, perhaps the native 4k will assist you in seeing this. Btw, if it takes 4k to get you to play amazing experiences such as Dark Cloud 2, Rogue Galaxy, Jak and Daxter, Psychonauts, etc then you're not playing for enjoyment. Please also remember, that those PS2 remasters are the same games that were exclusive then. If I remember correctly, PS2 handed it to Xbox the same as PS4 is today. Worth the price of admission.

notachance2396d ago

lol, argue all you want but we all know when neutral gamers have to choose between the two, which one they'll choose.

XB1X is only for either rich multiple console owners or XB loyalist, simple gamers who don't give a fuck about this imaginary war you're fighting will just buy both base PS4 and XB1S if they have $500.

Markusb332396d ago

I would love to know who all these people are eager to play games from years ago. This isn't dr who time moves forward and your always let down and frustrated with controls or camera angles. You never quite catch the nostalgic feel.

j15reed2395d ago

Why don't people understand as far as devs go the cards are stacked against MS (yes they need to step up 1st party but they are). Besides the 3rd party devs who just sell content not whole games to a platform take a look at ImTrumPeach list you have 5 Sony 1st party games the rest are home country we don't like Xbox games. Just think if western devs did that this board would be full of people crying foul, if you want to talk about games at least put the ones up Sony has some kind of hand in.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2395d ago
Hardiman2396d ago

I get it it's more powerful and it's main selling point is third party titles look better but I have a capable 4K tv and third party titles look amazing on the Pro. So for me it's a wash as I'm happy with amazing. I don't care how devs make a game look good as long as it does. I have a 4K tv I'm not in a 4K cult where everything better be native or else. They need to get serious about first party software. That would go a long way with me.

Aceman182395d ago

Nail on the head right here. The games will still look great no matter which system it is on.

Show all comments (66)
210°

Trying to push players over from PC to console is a terrible idea, PlayStation

As PlayStation announces its new strategy to encourage PC users to choose PS5 it is a bitter-sweet moment for PC gamers.

Christopher19h ago

I mean, it's a business based on hardware market. Do we expect them to not even try? It's not like Nintendo doesn't do the same by not putting any games on PC and Microsoft until recently did the same. I don't care what they attempt, as long as they don't abuse the community or lie about their goals/requirements.

Will it work? Not likely. Should we care? No. Let them waste their time, it doesn't affect anything.

RaidenBlack18h ago

let them try ... at the end of the day, we get few extra PC games ... yay ... and also promotes game preservation via PC ... so double yay.

LordoftheCritics1h ago

If only Playstation games provided the ease of pc gaming features.

Primary being very few PS games support m/kb.

Fishy Fingers17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

I wish them the best of luck.

But PC players are often a patient bunch, many will even wait for Epic launcher exclusivity to end until a game comes to Steam.

If they didnt buy the console when its games were exclusive, why would they do it now theyre not?

MrNinosan3h ago

Way more do than you probably think.

ravens523h ago

All you need is that one game that'll make a few switch at a time. Like a game a PC player REALLY wants.

-Foxtrot17h ago

PC gamers are just too patient and loyal to their gaming set ups, something they've spent a lot of money on to perfect. They have backlogs of games which many never get round to finishing or get round to at all and will always have other multiplatform releases to keep them going.

Over the many years Sony has published so many awesome titles such as The Last of Us, Uncharted, Heavenly Sword, Infamous, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, Dreams, Puppeteer, Resistance, Heavy Rain, Gran Turismo, Motor Storm, God of War, Horizon, Ratchet and Clank, Spiderman, Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne

If none of those games BEFORE all these PC ports convinced a hardcore PC gamer to get a PS5 console then why on Earth would porting them them to PC now make any difference? All PC gamers now know 100% is that they just have to be patient, which they are good at anyway to get a PS5 game 2 years later.

I get GaaS games or multiplayer focused titles but if people really want to play these games they'd have gotten a PS console years ago.

Crows9021m ago

Not sure they're aiming to convince the hardcore PC gamer.

Not sure why people are obsessing over his comment...it seems pretty simple to me.

He will do all he can to entice gamers to move to his ecosystem. As you say....exclusives existing hasn't moved many gamers over. But if they get to try them and love the games then they might change their mind about waiting 2 years.

We're in an echo chamber on this site...I've Personally seen people with Xbox and PC setups but no PlayStation. I've also seen people with small PC setups but no console. Not every pc gamer invests thousands and many may decide to put one in the living room.

They're not looking to convince all of players to buy a PlayStation...just a few...and really it is just a PR statement after all...they have to give a reason why single player won't release day 1....not to mention they also have to ensure current PlayStation gamers don't jump ship to PC. It goes both ways and they're ignoring the big L by putting any of their games off their platform.

Kakashi Hatake1m ago

PC gamers think tomorrow is promised. Sorry, don't have time for that.

helicoptergirl17h ago

Who cares? Then just stay on PC and play the waiting game. No big deal. Sony wins in the end anyway.

Number1TailzFan17h ago

I mean if there's any single player Sony games that I actually want that aren't on PC then I would buy said console to play them on. But the ones that I like that aren't on PC are few and far between anyway so no loss for me.

If I game, it's usually multiplayer titles, otherwise I like playing around with some other software.

Show all comments (27)
200°

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.

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engadget.com
Obscure_Observer15h ago

Very very early in development. Still, fantastic news!

Let´s GO!!!

Lightning7713h ago

I guess.

How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )

At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.

MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.

darthv7213h ago(Edited 13h ago)

one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.

Obscure_Observer12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"

Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.

Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.

Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.

Lightning779h ago(Edited 9h ago)

"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."

MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.

It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.

Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?

I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.

Obscure_Observer1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."

Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.

"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."

Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.

Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.

-Foxtrot15h ago

Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately

...

Goes right back to them as partners.

Okaaaaaay...

darthv7213h ago

Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.

VersusDMC11h ago

From the article...

"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"

I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.

Inverno11h ago

MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂

Chevalier8h ago

The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol

Sciurus_vulgaris13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.

Chevalier8h ago

That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.

Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.

Elda8h ago

Either a kiddie game or something uninteresting.

Obscure_Observer1h ago

Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.

Elda17m ago(Edited 17m ago)

Don't worry about my comments.

Show all comments (18)
190°

Sony shares big new PS Plus stat, but not the one we want to see

PlayStation Plus has improved the split of PS4 and PS5 players on its priciest tiers, but Sony continues to hide total subscriber numbers.

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theloadout.com
mandf19h ago

lol acting like it’s equivalent to ms numbers

Mr Logic18h ago

Uh...They're definitely not equivalent.

"Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service now has 34 million subscribers."

"the total number of PS Plus subscribers across all tiers was 47.4 million"

darthv7218h ago(Edited 18h ago)

That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN.

bloop14h ago

That's not the "gotcha" you think it is Darth.

darthv7213h ago

^^it's not supposed to be bloop.... it's just an interesting observation.

Einhander197212h ago

darthv72

"That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN."

Have you ever heard of a PC before? I hear they are pretty popular.

fr0sty6h ago

MS started lumping gold subscribers in with those GP numbers... keep in mind.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 6h ago
shinoff218317h ago(Edited 17h ago)

What. Definitely more os plus subscribers but that makes sense due to actual console sales

Darth the difference between the bases are huge your right but you gotta think. Ps players buy more games, where as the Xbox base relies on gamepass for their gaming. So it makes perfect sense

darthv7217h ago(Edited 17h ago)

What makes perfect sense though? You say PS players buy more games... so then logically there should be more PS+ subscribers given the increased number of online multiplayer games in the PS4 generation alone. The PS4 was the first time that + was required for online play much like Gold was for 360 users.

Keep in mind we are talking subscribers, not simply XB/PS users. I assume you meant to say offline single player games, which is most likely true as well. That gen also saw a significant increase in games with an online component comparted to the previous gen.

victorMaje16h ago

I for one will be going back to essential at the next renewal. When I feel a game is good & right up my alley, I’ll check trusted reviews & just buy it.

jznrpg15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

I have the top tier until 2028 as they gave me a massive discount for all the years I had left but I’ll most likely go to essential as well. I buy my games but my kids do use the service occasionally. They do prefer to own their games as well since any game can leave the rental service at some point and they don’t like that idea. They mostly use it to demo games then ask me to buy games if they really like it.

RedDevils11h ago

For me, I will cancel it all together but unfortunately I still have it till 2030 lol

meganick15h ago

I would like to see Sony add a fourth tier of PS Plus for people who just want to be able to play games online without any of the perks like monthly games, store discounts, or anything like that, and it should cost $20 annually, $30 maximum. There’s no way I’m paying $80 just to play games online. Even the original $60 fee was too much, and I would often wait for sales to re-up my subscription.

P_Bomb11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

Essential is too expensive, I agree. We’ve got one Essential and one Premium sub. Dropping the Premium when it expires.

gamerz8h ago

Just let my subscription lapse for the first time since 2010. Will sub again every now and then for a month or so to access my old ps+ games but for me it's the end of an era.

DivineHand1257h ago

Let those numbers continue to drop because it is now too expensive. $80 per year just to play online. I noticed they didn't offer any discounts on the subscription or controllers during this year's days of play for the first time in many years and they will feel it when people choose not to renew.

My subscription will lapse next month and it will stay that way until further notice.

KevtheDuff3h ago

There were savings on subs and controllers here in the UK? I bought a controller yesterday in the sale..
It would be weird if those deals were not in other territories too?