Microsoft Console Price Drop Rumors Thread: Edit: XB1 $349 Holiday 2014

[0098386]

Even in all this debacle of how they handled a lot of their launch, they do have better exclusive games and this price cut is which will make a consumer like myself (already own the PS4) make the plunge.

Not according to sites like Metacritic. But then both consoles have less highly-rated exclusives compared to the Wii U and then look how that's doing .



A few people think there will be performance increases from this. I don't think there will. I can imagine there will be stabilisation benefits but no game is going to increase the maximum framerate or resolution. If you have a Kinect it will still be operating in the background, if you don't have a Kinect plugged in it won't boost anything just because it's not there. Those choppy framerates might smooth out but don't expect this to be a boost in the number of 1080p games on the Xbox.

 

[Cnasty]

My quote before the one you quoted said IMO which I forgot to bring into the 2nd quote.

The types of game that are exclusive to XB1 are better for me in the types of games I enjoy.

Even though I havent played one minute of them being a PS4 owner consistently on the fence of buying an XB1.

 

[gkarris]

Xbox One, Console Only: $399

Release Date: 6/9/2014

http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/consoles/xbox-one-console-only/115018

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/13/microsoft-reveals-xbox-one-without-kinect?read

 

[2nyRiggz]

Well I guess things wasn't looking good for MS, Oh and XBOX LIVE is adopting playstation plus policies...interesting turn of events.

Personally I'm kind of annoyed with myself for being an early adopter because I don't use the kinect camera at all and I could of ride out the storm and purchase the kenect-less console...

Bless

 

[gkarris]

Well I guess things wasn't looking good for MS, Oh and XBOX LIVE is adopting playstation plus policies...interesting turn of events.

Personally I'm kind of annoyed with myself for being an early adopter because I don't use the kinect camera at all and I could of ride out the storm and purchase the kenect-less console...

Bless

People were kinda like, well, the XBox and XB360 came only as a console and controller. So they come out with something like this and add all the DRM? They dropped the DRM, now they finally do this.

Nice, but I already bought a PS4...

I will buy an XBox one when the price drops to $249...

 

[iMacFarlane]

Is there anything else Microsoft can backtrack on in regards to their 'future vision' of the XBO ?

Yup!

Make the damn thing backwards compatible with the 360.

 

[Taustin Powers]

I think Microsoft made a very smart, albeit sad, decision here. This finally levels the playing ground and allows them to full-on compete with the PS4.

- It's better for consumers who can buy the console without an unwanted peripheral at a lower price point.

- It's potentially better for developers, as they might get a small boost in available processing power...this is to be determined though. They always had the option to not incorporate Kinect in their game designs, after all.

- It's better for Microsoft because they will very likely sell more consoles at this price point, and they are no longer the more expensive option than Sony.

- It's unfortunate for a lot of early adopters who paid extra money for a peripheral they didn't want in the first place, and will now see dwindling developer support for it.


Question: How many of the so far released games have Kinect firmly integrated in their design? Will users without Kinect not be able to play them?

 

[Praxis91]

It should be $300 without Kinect, IMO. You can get the full system plus one game (Forza or Titanfall) for $500... sometimes even $450.

If you go on ebay to buy just the console (it's sold without power brick, controller, kinect), you'll be spending $300. The kinect alone is $80-100 on ebay.. just seems like you might as well buy the full system and you'll get a game and kinect.

 

[gkarris]

Question: How many of the so far released games have Kinect firmly integrated in their design? Will users without Kinect not be able to play them?

I assume all games compatible with Kinect can be played with the controller.

I tried the preview console at the MS Store a week before launch and just picked up the controller and started playing a JetSki game. The salesperson said, "You don't need the controller" and took it away from me and I just played with the Kinect.

 

[SilentPanda]

I assume all games compatible with Kinect can be played with the controller.

I don't think that's true. Almost every game can be played with the normal controller but there are some games like XBox Fitness that can only be played via the Kinect. Dead Rising 3 has some features you can't do with the controller (like you can yell at the zombies to get their attention) but that feature isn't important.

But it's pretty rare.

 

[gkarris]

I don't think that's true. Almost every game can be played with the normal controller but there are some games like XBox Fitness that can only be played via the Kinect. Dead Rising 3 has some features you can't do with the controller (like you can yell at the zombies to get their attention) but that feature isn't important.

But it's pretty rare.

Games, yes, but fitness stuff - no, you need Kinect....

 

[SilentPanda]

Games, yes, but fitness stuff - no, you need Kinect....

Well there are about 80 games on this list that require the Kinect on the 360.

Some are fitness, some aren't. This is on a system that didn't come with a Kinect. I'm guessing there will be more games ultimately on the XBox One that require a Kinect since the XBox One originally came with a Kinect, a Kinect that is better than the prior one. Plus MS will pay companies I'm sure to encourage companies to make Kinect only games to validate their hardware decision.

 

[gkarris]

Well there are about 80 games on this list that require the Kinect on the 360.

Some are fitness, some aren't. This is on a system that didn't come with a Kinect. I'm guessing there will be more games ultimately on the XBox One that require a Kinect since the XBox One originally came with a Kinect, a Kinect that is better than the prior one. Plus MS will pay companies I'm sure to encourage companies to make Kinect only games to validate their hardware decision.

I was talking XBox One - the Kinect games I tried at the MS Store also lets you use the controller instead.

 

[SilentPanda]

I was talking XBox One - the Kinect games I tried at the MS Store also lets you use the controller instead.

But you're also talking about a console that's relatively new. Sure it doesn't have a lot of Kinect required games right now, but it doesn't have a lot of games at all right now.

 

[TantalizedMind]

After 4 broken 360's (all had proper ventilation) I will never buy another Xbox again. All my friends and family members that game have Xbox One's (as they all had 360's before hand) and even though it would be a blast to play with them online I am not backing down. I had close to 80 Xbox 360 games and sold them all except all Guitar Hero/DJ Hero games and accessories. When people start selling used 360's for $50 I'll pick one up just to rock out.

I am interested in the PS4 but Infamous is the only game out right now I would play. Once GTA 6 or any other ROCKSTAR AAA game comes out I'll probably pick one up. I realize that will be at least 2-3 years but I can wait.

I have a 6 month old daughter so she takes up most my time obviously. Hah. Two months ago I purchased a Wii U. I don't regret it. I still use my PS3 more but I have fun experiences on the Wii U.

I like Nintendo consoles because most games have local multiplayer. Most PS/Xbox games are online only. Every now and then I have friends come over to drink (baby is being watched at grandparents house before anyone complains) I always whip out something Nintendo. The Wii U has a GREAT kareoke game. And I always get smiles when someone has had a few too many drinks and tries to play my Virtual Boy.

The only Xbox exclusive franchise I have passion for is Gears of War. But I still don't think GOW4 would make me buy an Xbox One. Now if GTA 6 was an Xbox exclusive (which obviously it won't be) I would have to buy one.

For now I am happy with my PS3, Wii U and 3DS.

 

[Miharu]

Suddenly the console started to get slightly interesting to me I'm still leaning heavily towards PS4 but I don't want to brush off the XB1 completely. I'd like to know all the advantages of Xbox. We all know graphical prowess isn't one of them.

 

[blesscheese]

Is there anything else Microsoft can backtrack on in regards to their 'future vision' of the XBO ?

I thought this was funny...

----------

Yup!

Make the damn thing backwards compatible with the 360.

Until I read this !

This really shows they are backtracking on their idea of Home/TV/Game integration, which (until they backtracked) was a keystone of the whole XBone existence (to MS at least, the gamers don't seem to care much).

I wonder if they are feeling desperate in some way?

----------

Yeah HDMI-In is useless for me as just like Kinect it is not supported here properly at all.

At E3 they just need to be ALL GAMES ..... I can't see what else they can do.

On the bright side at least they are doing something.. Nintendo on the other hand just seem to be sitting in the HQ looking at that 'Hang on in there Kitty' poster...

I give MS some credit in reacting to the Sony challenge. I give Nintendo some credit for "sticking to their vision," but geez-Louise, release the games already! Mario Kart, Bayonetta, Smash Brothers, and a new Zelda all should have been out by now

 

[MRU]

I give MS some credit in reacting to the Sony challenge. I give Nintendo some credit for "sticking to their vision," but geez-Louise, release the games already! Mario Kart, Bayonetta, Smash Brothers, and a new Zelda all should have been out by now

Yeah when you consider the incredible Mario World 3D didn't exactly sell very well (Knack out sold it) I'm not convinced Mario Kart, Bayonetta or Smash Bros will save the Wii U.

Yes I'm sure Smash Bros is huge for Nintendo loyalists, but I'm not convinced folks in general will see it as a system seller, especially if Mario World 3D failed to do so.

All those games should have been out in the first 12 months.

Other than those few games what major titles are hitting the Wii U. Sadly third party support is nearly all but dried up, and the trickle and I mean very slow procrastinating trickle of games Nintendo push out just isn't enough.

I think it's a great console, but Nintendo are completely to blame for its performance selling wise.

Poor marketing (folks still thinks it's an add on for the wii) coupled with hardware decisions that they have failed to capitalise on. How many games other than Ubisoft launch title Zombie U have used the second screen in a meaningful way? Even those forthcoming titles you mention do not. If Nintendo can't find a decent use for the second screen after 18-19 months then it should not have been there. Whereas a more powerful CPU & GPU would have at least allowed third parties to more easily create multi-platform titles, especially with the new gen. For a company with great vision, I can not see how the option to focus on a second screen over better CPU / GPU was anything other than short sighted pride / chest beating. Especially when that same company have failed to utilise it in their 'rescue package' of Wii U titles.

Nintendo needs to license out (out source) its games to third party developers if they can not get titles out quicker. I'm concerned Smash Bros may slip to Q1 2015 which is still fiscal year 2014.

F-Zero DX was the best F-Zero game ever, looked amazing and played the same. Developed by SEGA and not Nintendo. It was proof licensing can work wonders... Despite that we never saw a sequel on Wii and we've heard nothing for Wii U.

I honestly think Nintendo have gone past tipping point in regards to Wii U.

My predictions ....

Nintendo will at least publicly keep to their formula this year of holding onto that 'hang on in there kitty' poster, and will announce half a dozen or so titles at e3 which should see out 2015, and they will focus on 3DS as that's the money earner.

Meanwhile the 'real rescue rangers' at Nintendo will be putting together a plan for a new console, one that may launch as soon as November / December 2015. This won't be announced until AFTER Smash Bros is released but we will hear trickles of Rumors leading up to an unveil in April/May 2015 with proper announcement at e3 next year.

Because if I'm honest, if Nintendo haven't got the balls to sort out getting New hardware out ASAP that can compete commercially and for developers in power with pS4 and Xbox One going forward (because the sales gap is only going to increase and Nintendo's market share dwindle) then by end of 2015 I do not see them in the desktop console market.

 

[Praxis91]

I also have a Wii U, but I never play it. It was an impulse purchase, but sometimes I get into the mood for Mario.

Lately I've become addicted to trying to increase my xbox live achievement score. I have over 20 games that are like 100/1000 (I will never get 1000 on most of them), but I really need to play them as far as I can so that I can just sell them and get a XB1 in time for NHL 15.

Lately it's been Gears of War 3. I never finished the campaign but have been doing co-op (joining random sessions) on Hardcore...need to unlock Insane.

Edit: Like 2 min after I posted I saw that frys.com (via slickdeals) has the XB1 with kinect (but no games) for $429 shipped.

Must.Resist.

LOL

 

[0098386]

F-Zero DX was the best F-Zero game ever, looked amazing and played the same. Developed by SEGA and not Nintendo. It was proof licensing can work wonders... Despite that we never saw a sequel on Wii and we've heard nothing for Wii U.

It was co-developed not licensed, and directed by Nintendo IIRC. The new Smash Bros is coded by Namco with Nintendo working directly with them, same with Retro and the Donkey Kong games.

A lot of Nintendo games are in fact made by other studios and remain uncredited. There was a really good article about it but I can't find it now. A lot of their handheld games were done via these companies.

 

[blesscheese]

Yeah when you consider the incredible Mario World 3D didn't exactly sell very well (Knack out sold it) I'm not convinced Mario Kart, Bayonetta or Smash Bros will save the Wii U.

Yes I'm sure Smash Bros is huge for Nintendo loyalists, but I'm not convinced folks in general will see it as a system seller, especially if Mario World 3D failed to do so.

[snip]

Poor marketing (folks still thinks it's an add on for the wii) coupled with hardware decisions that they have failed to capitalise on.

Great points. As a long time Apple-user, I can tell you that at a certain point, perception *becomes* reality. During the 90's, everybody was convinced that Apple was going to fail & go bankrupt, and it nearly did...despite having the best hardware and software.

As great as the Wii U is (and as much as I'm drooling over Mario Kart 8), if everybody thinks it is a failure...well, nobody is going to buy it.

And honestly, while some of their hardware stuff is cool, if nobody really exploits it, then what was the point? Look at the 3DS -- as great as an idea that 3D is, releasing a 2DS shows how utterly useless the whole idea was.

My prediction --> the next console (whenever that is) must be able to at least come close to current PS4 & XBone specs, and should only be released with a regular "Pro" style controller, so 3rd party developers can more rapidly port games from other systems to the new Nintendo console. Anything like the gamepad (which I love, but face it, why not just have an iOS/Android device link up?) should be the extra "Pro" add-on.

Bringing it back to the Xbox One -- dropping the Kinect & bundling it all for $399 is a game changer. Sony and Nintendo will have to be ready to respond. I'm just wondering what the long-term prospects of the Xbox are. With Bill Gates not denying that spinning off the XBox is a consideration and MS now dropping the aspect that was (formerly) "key" to their media center strategy, I'm thinking that the long term prospects of the Xbox are ... interesting. They can't make any announcement anytime soon, because that could really shoot the Xbox sales in the foot, but it sounds like investors are pressuring the board to make changes.

 

[0098386]

(which I love, but face it, why not just have an iOS/Android device link up?) should be the extra "Pro" add-on.

Because that isn't what the Gamepad is. It's not a touchscreen, it's a controller with a touchscreen and requiring an iPad would hugely inflate the overall price to get the same experience.

Personally I prefer the idea the PS4/Vita has. Where you can stream your big console to your small console. But it's a shame the lag is kinda bad and nowhere near as fast/responsive as the Wii U link up (even in Direct Connection mode).

Isn't there a rumoured Nintendo hardware called the Fusion? That could be a new 3DS that can act as a Gamepad for Wii U.

 

[blesscheese]

Personally I prefer the idea the PS4/Vita has. Where you can stream your big console to your small console. But it's a shame the lag is kinda bad and nowhere near as fast/responsive as the Wii U link up (even in Direct Connection mode).

Isn't there a rumoured Nintendo hardware called the Fusion? That could be a new 3DS that can act as a Gamepad for Wii U.

I was going to say, "Wouldn't it be awesome if the 3DS could link up to the Wii U like the PS4 & Vita," and "I love the size of the Wii U game pad screen, and why can't I take it with me and play old SNES games," etc., but I thought my post was already long-winded enough...

 

[MRU]

Isn't there a rumoured Nintendo hardware called the Fusion? That could be a new 3DS that can act as a Gamepad for Wii U.

I was going to say, "Wouldn't it be awesome if the 3DS could link up to the Wii U like the PS4 & Vita," and "I love the size of the Wii U game pad screen, and why can't I take it with me and play old SNES games," etc., but I thought my post was already long-winded enough...

They need to drop ideas of the great peripheral pair up.

GameCube to DS didn't help sell the GC. If a gamepad with a screen isn't shifting consoles with a nice big screen, what on earth would make them believe a lower res screen on a device with only one thumb stick which is far less tactile than a proper analogue stick would be a good idea....

Stop the gimmicks Nintendo. The fact you have a 2DS shows that 3D is dead. How many of us with 3DS'es actually use the 3D. It's near impossible to game with it turned on for reasonable periods of time due to the extremely narrow field of view, and it's completely broken on anything that supports gyroscope.

If the wii U is not selling with a second screen supplied in the box. What makes them think having a 3rd screen available to buy as an extra $150-200 is going to sell the thing... It's just completely nonsensical.

The only thing that may give wii u legs at this stage is a price cut. It needs to be $199 (with a free game) but Nintendo shot themselves in the foot, because the only way to do that (without losing more money) is to drop the gamepad from the hardware bundle, and supply just the pro-controller. The problem then is will existing titles actually work ? If they don't it's a non goer.

Basically the Wii U has left Nintendo with no where to go. They are damned if they do, damned if they don't. It was a poor design and very poor marketing decision given the run up to nextgen hardware and one they blew even more chance on by trickling out launch games and in some instances delaying launch games by over a year .... Hello Bayonetta !!!

I like my Wii U greatly, but it can not see a viable future in it past this time next year...


Nintendo, release a 'games console only'...

Nintendo, sort out your online stores and gamer accounts and stop tying purchases to hardware.

Nintendo, read up on humble pie and drop the pride and hesitance which is killing your console division. Stubbornness is not wise in a changing technological landscape dictated by 'consumers desires' not your own wishful thoughts...

 

[0098386]

Stop the gimmicks Nintendo. The fact you have a 2DS shows that 3D is dead. How many of us with 3DS'es actually use the 3D. It's near impossible to game with it turned on for reasonable periods of time due to the extremely narrow field of view, and it's completely broken on anything that supports gyroscope.

Actually the 3DS games I've worked on show that most people do play with 3D switched on (freakin love analytic data). And our numbers match up with other studios/games too. The 3DS is outselling the 2DS as well so to say 3D is dead isn't exactly true .

I play the 3DS XL with the 3D on full, except for Pokemon because they absolutely ruined 3D in that. Awful performance.