Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

[Pwnagraphic]

Just a rumor of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was true.

Has Microsoft resorted to underhanded tactics by paying off third-party publishers to "not show" some PS4 games? (possible rumour)

Microsoft is allegedly paying many third-party publishers so that they won't show off their PlayStation 4 games at E3 2013, according to a new report.

E3 2013, the most important games convention out there, is set to begin next week, and both Microsoft and Sony are expected to focus heavily on their next-gen consoles, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, respectively.

In order to gain the upper hand on Sony, Microsoft is apparently resorting to some unorthodox practices, like paying a lot of money to third-party publishers so that they won't show their PlayStation 4 games either on stage or at their actual booths.

The report arrives from a source on NeoGAF, which posted a lot of true rumors in the past, so it's possible that Microsoft really is resorting to such tactics ahead of E3 2013.

The company emphasized that at the event it's going to focus only on games for the Xbox One, so it could try to create a false sense that more games are coming to Xbox One than PS4.

Source: Softpedia

[Icemage]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

Would not surprise me if true. Microsoft's in a DEEP PR death spiral right now with the Xbox One. The Xbox One hardware is obviously weaker than the PS4's nearly across the board (if it wasn't Microsoft wouldn't be resorting to BS proclamations like "5 billion transistors!"), and they probably suspect to the point of certainty that Sony is coming loaded for bear as far as first party software along with having a number of third party exclusives.

As such, it may seem worthwhile for them to try to push the narrative at E3 in their favor to get at least some positive buzz.

I don't think it will work (even if this is happening) but I can see why it might seem like a good idea from their perspective. Some developers/publishers simply won't be pushed like this, and especially if they think such an arrangement has a risk of being publicized and causing some of the bad juju that Xbox One has to spill over onto them. Also, rumor has it that Sony's in better shape for launch as far as hardware design and software development goes, which suggests they're probably going to have actual PS4 hardware on the show floor, along with playable games. We already saw Killzone as playable back in February and it's been 3 months since then, whereas Microsoft showed absolutely nothing playable two weeks ago.

So getting the likes of EA to maybe not show the PS4 versions of games on the show floor isn't really going to tilt the perceived balance of power unless a majority of publishers get in on the rumored payola, and if that happens I could see a big stink being raised about it by the gaming press, as they'll notice right away (since it's their job to know which games are coming to which platforms).


Icemage

[Etra]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

So from 1 to Beyonce, how shady is Microsoft being?

[Firewind]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

They're at least "The guy standing outside the school gates telling all of the kids that Jesus loves them" shady.

[Malacite]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

Would not surprise me if true. Microsoft's in a DEEP PR death spiral right now with the Xbox One. The Xbox One hardware is obviously weaker than the PS4's nearly across the board (if it wasn't Microsoft wouldn't be resorting to BS proclamations like "5 billion transistors!"), and they probably suspect to the point of certainty that Sony is coming loaded for bear as far as first party software along with having a number of third party exclusives.

As such, it may seem worthwhile for them to try to push the narrative at E3 in their favor to get at least some positive buzz.

I don't think it will work (even if this is happening) but I can see why it might seem like a good idea from their perspective. Some developers/publishers simply won't be pushed like this, and especially if they think such an arrangement has a risk of being publicized and causing some of the bad juju that Xbox One has to spill over onto them. Also, rumor has it that Sony's in better shape for launch as far as hardware design and software development goes, which suggests they're probably going to have actual PS4 hardware on the show floor, along with playable games. We already saw Killzone as playable back in February and it's been 3 months since then, whereas Microsoft showed absolutely nothing playable two weeks ago.

So getting the likes of EA to maybe not show the PS4 versions of games on the show floor isn't really going to tilt the perceived balance of power unless a majority of publishers get in on the rumored payola, and if that happens I could see a big stink being raised about it by the gaming press, as they'll notice right away (since it's their job to know which games are coming to which platforms).


Icemage

In the interview from Gamasutra I linked in the other thread, Mark Cerney said PS4 will launch with more titles than any previous PS launch by good deal, so yeah. Also worth noting is SE apparently isn't having their own show like they sometimes do, so my bet is ARR and everything else is going to be shown exclusively at Sony's booth - winning.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

It is 2013. Typing out things like "Micro$oft," "$ony" or "Nintendo should go third party" are even more worthy of an eye roll than they were in 2003.

MS can try to manipulate and hog the limelight as much as it can at E3, but it won't turn the tide of negative PR. This weeks clarification confirmed of what could have been waved away as mere PR flubs in the prior weeks now cements a bad place for them with gamers. The only people seeming to remain to give them the benefit of a doubt are the apologists at IGN, Kotaku and Penny Arcade Report.

Konami's already show its hand, so have many big third parties, Nintendo will have its information out there before MS and Sony have said a peep. The only one left with anything to gain at E3 is probably and that's only because they and MS are going the traditional route with their presentations. MS can try to stifle Sony's reveal if they want but with everything I know of Xbox One now, I won't be looking for stories on Xbox One and what great games it has. I don't care what those games are now. They could lock down Fallout 4 as an exclusive (though Bethesda's not that stupid) make a new Crimson Skies and announce a new Battletoads game and I still wouldn't give a shit.

[Icemage]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

One thing that has impressed me greatly from Sony this year is that they've managed to keep so many things hidden. We literally know almost nothing about what they've got lined up for PS4. Almost no PS4 internally developed Sony titles have leaked aside from vague "studio X is working on a PS4 title of some sort", and they've even gotten good at hiding third party associations until they're good and ready. So unless Microsoft has better ninjas than anyone suspects, they won't know what Sony has in mind for their presser.

More of a problem for Microsoft, however, is that they go first on Monday. Sony has about 6 hours to tweak messaging at their conference to respond to anything Microsoft does.

On the plus side for Micorosft, they do look like they'll have a solid lineup of games. By my count, I see Quantum Break (Remedy), Titanfall (Respawn), Crimson Dragon (Grounding), Lococycle (Twisted Pixel), Ryse (Crytek), Fantasia (Harmonix/Disney) as exclusive new IPs, which leaves only two more non-sequel new gaming IPs for Xbox One in its first year, but it's even that list isn't a bad list all told. I just don't see how they outdo Sony with that lineup, particularly if the rumors about Sony being ahead in terms of game development for launch are true.

Well, that and the PS4 could basically just show up and say "Yeah, we've got games, and no stupid DRM" and win the E3 at this point.


Icemage

[Malacite]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

Yeah Sony's notorious for never being able to really keep a secret at all.

- - - Updated - - -

More of a problem for Microsoft, however, is that they go first on Monday. Sony has about 6 hours to tweak messaging at their conference to respond to anything Microsoft does.
Icemage

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/9radd4/annoyed-gamer-the-5-worst-things-that-could-happen-at-e3

[Etra]

re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

[Etra]

Re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

I thought I posted this with the gif, but apparently forgot. <_<

[Jarre]

Re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

And as Usual Us in the Uk get ripped off.....

The new console will go on sale in November this year, with a recommended retail price of £429 in the UK, $499 in the US and 499 euros.

£429 = $777.20 & 586.16 Euros. So Yeah why we getting fucked over again?

[cidbahamut]

Re: Speculation/ Rumor for Microsoft

Because despite the outrageous prices, there are still people buying the products at said prices. I don't know how it got started but it continues because there are people willing to be gouged like that. Also: lack of alternatives.