People are expecting a Halo bundle, but nothing official. I don't think I've even heard of a rumor with meat.
I was thinking of using my BTC stockpile to get an XB1 eventually. I swore there was an article about a Halo bundle coming out, or am I making things up? Not really interested in the current bundles, but would like to pick something up in the near future.
Honest question - how many people do you personally know that chose a Windows phone over an Android/Apple just because of the notion of "I can keep track of my gamerscore! Awesome!!" Just curious. I know two people with Windows phones, and they are work related, not personal (their personal phones are iPhones.)
There is a reason Microsoft's CE division is hemorrhaging - and it just makes me realize you don't follow this stuff (no harm if you don't) because you'd know Windows phones are dead last with a tiny market share. That Windows Xbox integration isn't persuading people. MSFT hoped they would. Just like they got involved with a lot of deals regarding Xbone. Unfortunately for them, that isn't panning well for them. How's the Surface doing?
Also, you don't pay a license fee to publish on Windows or using DirectX. About the only good thing Microsoft is doing is just that - not charging. Because if they did, you'd see some kind of Linux/OpenGL resurgence greater than what Valve and crew are trying to do.
When Microsoft did try to charge on the PC platform (Xbox Gold for Windows, anyone remember that?) it exploded in their face, they got demonized for it, and frankly I doubt they ever recovered. Where is GFLW as a platform now? Oh, yeah, basically discontinued.
You are right about losing money on a console isn't a bad thing (this is how consoles work after all, so duh). What is bad is giving away free games, huge price cuts, removing hardware you totted as a defining feature, and well...all before being on the market 1 year. You think MSFT did all this because it was a great business move? Don't kid yourself.
I was thinking of using my BTC stockpile to get an XB1 eventually. I swore there was an article about a Halo bundle coming out, or am I making things up? Not really interested in the current bundles, but would like to pick something up in the near future.
Yep that's probably what he saw. Some people think they will release a console bundle that includes this collection.Halo: The Master Chief Collection is supposed to come out in November. It will include Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4.
Most of these companies only do the pom-pom waiving when they are "breaking records" or have more good than bad to report (just read MSFT/Sony spin articles for a bad NPR - "we've sold 30 million Xboxes/Playstation [notice the plural, ie they are dumping all their products into one]" or my personal favorite "over 300 million hours have been played on our networks." Ohhh that's so exiting!!! Haha.
You got to read their financial reports, which they can't spin/lie on because, well, that's illegal. Quarterly reports are a good method to see how well the units are selling.
End of the day this makes no difference and just playing what you like is the end goal. Why I own all the consoles/handhelds. Games > Flag waiving. However, this is the first console launch since I've been old enough to buy consoles on my own where I've felt completely unimpressed. But that's just me.
Honest question - how many people do you personally know that chose a Windows phone over an Android/Apple just because of the notion of "I can keep track of my gamerscore! Awesome!!" Just curious. I know two people with Windows phones, and they are work related, not personal (their personal phones are iPhones.)
There is a reason Microsoft's CE division is hemorrhaging - and it just makes me realize you don't follow this stuff (no harm if you don't) because you'd know Windows phones are dead last with a tiny market share. That Windows Xbox integration isn't persuading people. MSFT hoped they would. Just like they got involved with a lot of deals regarding Xbone. Unfortunately for them, that isn't panning well for them. How's the Surface doing?
Also, you don't pay a license fee to publish on Windows or using DirectX. About the only good thing Microsoft is doing is just that - not charging. Because if they did, you'd see some kind of Linux/OpenGL resurgence greater than what Valve and crew are trying to do.
When Microsoft did try to charge on the PC platform (Xbox Gold for Windows, anyone remember that?) it exploded in their face, they got demonized for it, and frankly I doubt they ever recovered. Where is GFLW as a platform now? Oh, yeah, basically discontinued.
You are right about losing money on a console isn't a bad thing (this is how consoles work after all, so duh). What is bad is giving away free games, huge price cuts, removing hardware you totted as a defining feature, and well...all before being on the market 1 year. You think MSFT did all this because it was a great business move? Don't kid yourself.
Lol you can check on your gamerscore and access your Xbox from any smartphone using smart glass. I use it often to access my one guide when watching TV. It is much better than using my harmony remote or xb1 controller and going through the menu that blocks the picture on the TV.
What I find surprising is that Microsoft isn't leveraging windows 8.1, surface, Xbox, and windows phone as a single entity. When you have an app on one it works on the other and syncs automatically. Something to bring a little interest and excitement to their platforms when used together. Maybe this isn't technically feasible. I do think that Microsoft would be in a better position in their gaming division if they offered an Xbox game store on windows platforms and all the Xbox games were available exclusively on that store. They could even release a box made by another manufacturer to their specifications that runs a version of windows 8 and has the capabilities to play all the games on the Xbox game store with some type of auto configuration for people. They would open up their games to more users since anyone running windows can use the game store, and they would still retain control of their IPs. Plus I think they would be raking in money with very little cost to them. This won't happen and it is just my pie in the sky idea.
Again, I'm not saying they are or are not making money. I'm just asking for these hard numbers people are using to say why the One blows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBcAQ0a8p6w
Forza Horizon 2 behind closed door demo with developer commentary
Yep that's probably what he saw. Some people think they will release a console bundle that includes this collection.
I get those as I own the stock, but I don't see them in there. I must not be getting the right one as they normally point out where things are lagging, but I've not once seen the Xbox on there.. take that back, saw it once when they announced they were launching, and that was all it said, they were launching the One.
Again, I'm not saying they are or are not making money. I'm just asking for these hard numbers people are using to say why the One blows.
Faulty analog sticks.
So I've replaced my controller once for the left analog stick popping out of position. Through normal use the stick will seem to pop up as if you pulled on it. It will feel like it pops back down after another movement is performed with it. I'm on my 2nd controller and this time it's out of warranty. It also feels a little bit like the two halves of the controller are loose and will separate. The other controller I have doesn't do this. I have a day one edition controller with this problem now and MS wants $70 to replace it as they only warranty it for 90 days. A google search brings up threads on xbox.com and other forums with similar issues with analog sticks becoming loose or popping out of place. I could take it back to gamestop since I have their warranty and get a replacement on the spot but it won't be a day one controller. Some people wouldn't care but I like the chrome D-Pad and day one edition logo on the face.
Has anyone else had this issue that I seem to have? Also does anyone think I should fight MS to try getting another Day One without paying $70 (ridiculous price) for it? The controller basically looks new so it's clearly not abuse or anything of the sort and it can't be "normal" wear and tear as I've never experienced this with another controller. All the way back to the PS1 days I haven't seen analog sticks that seem to slip and pop. It doesn't affect function yet but I fear it may if I let it get worse. Was playing Fifa and you really use the left analog stick a lot in that game with quick flicks to change direction etc.
bad luck
I think we are talking more about the end of 2015 and beyond. I agree with you about the currently released titles. Further, I believe that neither console is worth the price of admission today if based purely on game availability. Forza 5 was a strong draw for me for the XB1 and I bit, but if I hadn't had an abnormally good month with extra spending money I would never have bought it for the solitary game.
Personally, I think the turning point will come with Destiny in September, and to a lesser extent Diablo 3 in August. Destiny will drive sales on both sides and even with the PS4 timed-exclusives, the XB1 should see a noticeable bump. Even then, this year will be about multiplatform titles; therefore, either console will be favorable. Next year is when the first party exclusives start getting released and/or announced and where things matter more gamewise as a point of distinction.
Lol you can check on your gamerscore and access your Xbox from any smartphone using smart glass. I use it often to access my one guide when watching TV. It is much better than using my harmony remote or xb1 controller and going through the menu that blocks the picture on the TV.
What I find surprising is that Microsoft isn't leveraging windows 8.1, surface, Xbox, and windows phone as a single entity. When you have an app on one it works on the other and syncs automatically. Something to bring a little interest and excitement to their platforms when used together. Maybe this isn't technically feasible. I do think that Microsoft would be in a better position in their gaming division if they offered an Xbox game store on windows platforms and all the Xbox games were available exclusively on that store. They could even release a box made by another manufacturer to their specifications that runs a version of windows 8 and has the capabilities to play all the games on the Xbox game store with some type of auto configuration for people. They would open up their games to more users since anyone running windows can use the game store, and they would still retain control of their IPs. Plus I think they would be raking in money with very little cost to them. This won't happen and it is just my pie in the sky idea.
Xbox One isn't running Windows 8.1 core OS yet. We're not going to see that until the "Threshold" wave of OS releases in Spring 2015 (Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox updated all at once). Though I would not be surprised if we see an early preview of what they are working on before the end of the year.
I didn't say it was running 8.1. I said I am surprised that they didn't already take advantage of a combined ecosystem.
Threshold is going to be pretty exciting though and the possibility of having an app store on the XB1 could be awesome. Most of the mobile apps wouldn't be all that useful and probably wouldn't be allowed on, but apps like Plex (which I guess is coming no matter what) could make the Xbox an amazing media device.