Xbox Series X|S

Stomachs Churned and Gamers Sickened to Their Cores Because of an Ad

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Xbox users have voiced their strong criticism against Activision and Microsoft for a “controversial” full-screen ad featuring Modern Warfare 3. The ad, which has been described as “vomit-inducing” by some gamers, has sparked a heated debate within the gaming community.

My goodness, “vomit-inducing” is quite the response. This ad surely must be in poor taste. I reckon it must be incredibly violent, perhaps touching a taboo subject?

Holy cow! Look at this! Where’s my Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, and cannabis? I need to make a happy cocktail of potent pharmaceuticals and THC to get this vision out of my head. Where are my dogs? I NEED TO BE COMFORTED RIGHT NOW!

No seriously, the controversy centers around a splash screen that appears on your Xbox upon startup.

Xbox users took to social media and online forums to express their “frustration” and “disappointment” with this “intrusive” ad. Many gamers criticized Activision and Microsoft for allowing such a “disruptive” ad to be integrated momentarily into their experience, forcing them into the unimaginable conundrum of deciding to purchase the game or opting out to the dashboard. The term “vomit-inducing” quickly gained traction as players conveyed their disdain for the ad.

Maybe I’m old and jaded, but the reaction to this is a bit much. No one likes ads, but seriously, chill out, it’s not the end of the world. We’ve all seen ads before, some delivery methods are better than others, but “vomit-inducing”? Please…

Microsoft’s Record-Breaking Q1: A Closer Look at the Financial Highlights

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Microsoft’s latest financial report for the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year (July to September 2023) has left the business world buzzing. The tech giant is celebrating impressive results, with significant revenue and income gains across multiple divisions. Let’s dive into the details of their remarkable performance.

Robust Overall Growth

In this quarter, Microsoft achieved a substantial 13% increase in revenue and an even more impressive 27% boost in net income. These gains can be attributed to several key factors, including Microsoft’s thriving cloud services, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) revenue, and an outstanding performance by their Xbox division, which reported its highest-ever Q1 revenue and its biggest non-holiday quarter to date.

Gaming Division’s Mixed Results

Although the Xbox hardware revenue declined by 7%, there’s positive news on the gaming front. The launch of the new Xbox Series S console, which offers increased storage capacity from 512GB to 1TB, wasn’t enough to offset the hardware decline. However, Xbox content and services revenue surged by 13%, leading to an overall 9% increase in gaming revenue. While specific Game Pass subscription figures weren’t shared, the service continues to show promising growth.

Starfield and Game Pass Success

The highly-anticipated release of the game Starfield made a significant impact. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted that they set a record for the most Game Pass subscriptions added in a single day upon Starfield’s launch. Over 11 million people have played the game, with the PC version contributing to half of the total playtime.

With the recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft is well-positioned to further expand its PC Game Pass subscriber base. In October, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer acknowledged a slowdown in console subscriptions, making PC Game Pass a crucial area of focus.

Financial Highlights

Here’s a snapshot of some other financial highlights and lowlights from Microsoft’s Q1 report:

  • Windows OEM revenue increased by 4%.
  • Overall device revenue declined by 22% in Q1.
  • Microsoft Office commercial products and cloud services revenue grew by 15%.
  • Microsoft 365 Consumer subscriptions increased by 18% year-over-year, partly thanks to a new $2 per month basic subscription service.
  • Microsoft Teams boasts over 320 million monthly active users.
  • Cloud business revenue generated an impressive $24.3 billion in revenue this quarter, representing a 19% increase.
  • Revenue from Azure and other cloud services surged by 29%.

Future Growth Prospects

Looking ahead, Microsoft anticipates substantial growth in gaming revenue, driven by its recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard. They expect mid to high 40% growth in overall gaming revenue and a mid to high 50% increase in Xbox content and services in the second quarter of the 2024 financial year.

With these remarkable results and a promising future outlook, Microsoft continues to demonstrate its prowess as a tech industry leader and a formidable force in the world of gaming. As the tech giant ventures into the next quarter, all eyes will be on how they leverage their new gaming assets to shape the future of the industry.

EE and Xbox Announce 10-Year Partnership to Expand Gaming on Mobile Devices in the UK

Posted on by Spieler Dad

EE, one of the UK’s largest mobile network operators, has announced a 10-year partnership with Xbox to bring cloud gaming to mobile devices. The partnership will enable EE customers to access Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes over 100 games, on their mobile devices via the cloud.

The move represents a major shift in the gaming industry, as it marks the first time that Xbox has partnered with a mobile network operator to bring its cloud gaming service to a wider audience. EE, which is owned by BT, is hoping to tap into the growing demand for mobile gaming, as more and more people turn to their smartphones and tablets for entertainment.

The partnership will allow EE customers to play Xbox games on the go, without the need for a console or high-end PC. The service will be available on Android devices initially, with support for iOS devices coming later this year.

The move is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy of focusing on cloud-based services, as the company seeks to expand its reach in the gaming industry. By partnering with EE, Xbox is hoping to reach new audiences and make gaming more accessible to people who may not have access to consoles or gaming PCs.

EE is also hoping to capitalize on the growing trend of mobile gaming, which has seen significant growth in recent years. The partnership is expected to help the mobile network operator to differentiate itself from its competitors, by offering unique and innovative services that appeal to a wide range of customers.

Overall, the partnership between EE and Xbox represents an exciting new development in the gaming industry, as more and more players turn to cloud gaming and mobile devices for their entertainment needs. With the 10-year partnership, both companies are hoping to drive innovation and expand the reach of gaming, making it more accessible to a wider audience than ever before.

Also, these partnerships are in Microsoft’s best interests as it attempts to calm UK CMA as it tries to push the Activision acquisition through.

Sony Claims The UK’s CMA is Being “Irrational” Regarding Microsoft’s Purchase of Activision

Posted on by Spieler Dad

On March 22nd, 2022, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reversed its decision to block Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing concerns about the deal’s potential impact on competition in the gaming industry.

In response to the CMA’s decision, Microsoft released a statement welcoming the reversal and expressing its commitment to working with the CMA to address its concerns.

“We are pleased that the CMA has decided to reconsider its previous decision,” Microsoft said in its statement. “We remain committed to working with the CMA to ensure that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard does not harm competition in the gaming industry.”

However, Sony, one of Microsoft’s main competitors in the gaming industry, criticized the CMA’s decision and called it “irrational.”

In a statement released shortly after the CMA’s reversal, Sony expressed its disappointment with the decision and emphasized the need for continued competition in the gaming industry.

“We are disappointed by the CMA’s irrational decision to reverse its approval of the Microsoft Activision acquisition,” Sony said in its statement. “Competition is critical to the success of the gaming industry, and we believe that this decision will harm both competition and consumers.”

It certainly seems like the tide is shifting toward Microsoft’s favor regarding this acquisition, irrespective of Sony’s objections.

The Xbox Recycled Controller: An Eco-Friendly Choice for Gamers

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Gaming has become a popular pastime for people of all ages and backgrounds. As the gaming industry continues to grow, so does the amount of waste generated from the production and disposal of gaming accessories, including controllers. Especially if you have anger issues like me and smash controllers to bits like a man-child. To reduce waste and promote sustainability, Microsoft has released the Xbox Recycled Controller, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gaming controllers.

The Xbox Recycled Controller is made from recycled materials, including stuff sourced from ocean-bound plastics and other recycled resins. These materials are processed and molded to create a durable and functional gaming controller nearly identical to the original Xbox wireless controller. The controller features all the same buttons, triggers, and joysticks as the original controller, so gamers won’t have to sacrifice performance for sustainability.

One of the key benefits of the Xbox Recycled Controller is its environmental impact. By using recycled materials, Microsoft is reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. In fact, according to Microsoft, each Xbox Recycled Controller contains the equivalent of approximately 20 plastic water bottles. By choosing the Xbox Recycled Controller, gamers can do their part to reduce their carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future.

But the benefits of the Xbox Recycled Controller go beyond just environmental impact. The controller is also more affordable than the original Xbox wireless controller, making it a great choice for budget-conscious gamers. In addition, the controller comes with a 90-day limited warranty, so gamers can be confident in their purchase.

Overall, the Xbox Recycled Controller is a great choice for gamers who want to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing performance. By choosing a recycled controller, gamers can promote sustainability and positively impact the environment. With its affordable price and familiar design, the Xbox Recycled Controller is a great option for gamers of all ages and skill levels.

And folks with anger management issues, you can smash these up at every point of adversity and sleep well at night knowing you won’t hurt any fishies.

Microsoft Hits Back As Things Heat Up in the Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Posted on by Spieler Dad

The Holidays are just days away, but before everyone takes a well-deserved break prior to 2023, Microsoft has responded to the FTC regarding the contentious Activision Blizzard purchase.

Microsoft has published its response to the FTC’s lawsuit regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Similar to Microsoft’s response to the UK’s CMA. The gloves are now seemingly off as Microsoft has pointed out that Sony has been adding “exclusion” terms on deals for third-party games on Playstation for years. This includes titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 16, Silent Hill 2 Remake, and From Software’s Bloodborne, which will most likely never see the light of day on an Xbox console.

According to Microsoft:

“In addition to having outright exclusive content, Sony has also entered into arrangements with third-party publishers which require the “exclusion” of Xbox from the set of platforms these publishers can distribute their games on. Some prominent examples of these agreements include Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix), Bloodborne (From Software), the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI (Square Enix) and the recently announced Silent Hill 2 remastered (Bloober team).”

Microsoft

It’s odd that the FTC as well as the CMA have taken the position of protecting Sony, which is the market leader, and have been adding exclusionary terms in contracts with third-party publishers, blocking popular titles from appearing on competing platforms. That seems anti-competitive to me, but not to the FTC and CMA apparently.

All in all, it appears that Microsoft is preparing to build a case and fight this in court if the FTC and CMA attempt to block the deal. According to the terms of the merger, Microsoft would owe Activision Blizzard $2 to $3 billion if the deal is blocked by regulators. So it is pretty safe to assume that Microsoft is not just going to give up.

Surprise – 75% of Respondents to UK Regulator Survey Approve Microsoft’s Activision Purchase

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Microsoft continues to push forward with its planned acquisition of Activision, despite challenges from regulatory agencies. Today it received some good news from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority requested feedback from the public on Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. The regulatory group reviewed responses from over 2,100 and 75% were in favor of the acquisition.

Below are some of the views expressed by the respondents:

  • Sony and Nintendo are stronger than Microsoft in console gaming, and the Merger will help Microsoft to compete more closely against them.
  • The Merger will not harm rival consoles because Microsoft has made public and private commitments to keep Activision content, including Call of Duty, non-exclusive. The availability of Minecraft on rival consoles shows that Microsoft’s commercial strategy is not to make games exclusive; 1 The CMA received approximately 2,600 emails, but some of these were excluded from our review because they contained abusive content (with no other substantive content), or were blank, unintelligible, stated to be from non-UK consumers, or not in English.
  • It is unlikely that Microsoft would make Call of Duty exclusive due to its multiplayer nature. Making Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox would only create a gap in the market that could be filled by a rival cross-platform shooter game.
  • Call of Duty has competition from a number of other games including Battlefield (Electronic Arts), Grand Theft Auto (Take Two), and FIFA (Electronic Arts).
  • The Merger will push Sony to innovate, such as by improving its subscription service or creating more games to compete with Call of Duty.
  • The Merger is a reaction to Sony’s business model for PlayStation, which has historically involved securing exclusive content or early access to popular cross-platform gaming franchises, such as Final Fantasy and Silent Hill.
  • Microsoft’s plans to add Call of Duty to Game Pass are pro-competitive and will lower the price of accessing games for consumers.
  • Microsoft would not make Activision’s content exclusive to Xbox post-merger because it would lose significant potential revenue from rival platforms.
  • Consumers could revert to buying games on a buy-to-play basis if Microsoft were to raise the price of Game Pass post-Merger.
  • The Merger will lead to more funding and higher-quality games in the industry.
  • The Merger will allow Microsoft to provide Activision with better guidance and leadership, and encourage it to invest more in games other than Call of Duty.
  • The Merger is pro-competitive in the mobile segment because it will create new options for mobile gamers and allow Microsoft to compete against Google and Apple, which are the two dominant mobile platforms.
  • The Merger will not create competition concerns in cloud gaming services because there are other potential competitors, such as Netflix.
  • Some industry participants have said they are not opposed to the Merger.

This is certainly an interesting development and may pave the way for approval of the acquisition in the UK.

Survey Suggests Microsoft is Considering An Ad-Supported Game Pass Tier

Posted on by Spieler Dad

A recent survey conducted by Microsoft has asked gamers if they would be willing to pay a lower monthly subscription than the standard Xbox Game Pass monthly fee, in exchange for some limitations and the integration of ads.

A survey, by all means, is not an indication that such a tier would see the light of day, however, it does indicate that this is something that Microsoft is considering.

My Spanish is good enough to make me dangerous.

Game Pass has quickly become a cornerstone of Xbox’s strategy holding 25 million subscribers, even though growth has slowed recently. A cheaper tier subsidized by ads may give the service another jolt. Let’s also not forget that Microsoft has acquired Bethesda and is trying to also add Activision Blizzard, which would provide the service with quite the roster of AAA titles.

All in all, Game Pass racked in $2.9 billion for Xbox in 2021, which is totally a sum you can live on.

[Source: ResetEra]

Microsoft President Says Sony Is Acting Like Blockbuster Video During the Rise of Netflix

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Microsoft President and Vice Chairman Brad Smith has called out Sony’s stance against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in a The Wall Street Journal op-ed comparing them to the failed video rental chain.

“Sony has emerged as the loudest objector… It’s as excited about this deal as Blockbuster was about the rise of Netflix… Think about how much better it is to stream a movie from your couch than drive to Blockbuster. We want to bring the same sort of innovation to the videogame industry.”

WSJ

It is really starting to appear that Microsft is not going to back down from this acquisition. They have agreed to concessions on the deal in the EU, offering to keep Call of Duty on Playstation for 10 years. Now, according to the New York Post, FTC insiders are claiming that of the four-person panel currently investigating the proposed deal, two may be looking to side with Microsoft. This now splits voting 2-2.

Lina Khan, the Federal Trade Commission chairperson has even floated the idea of suing Microsoft over the proposed acquisition. However, former FTC chairperson William Kovacic told the New York Post regarding a lawsuit to block the merger: “Lina [Khan] would probably not put things in a position for that to take place, so instead of having that vote she would make the motion to approve the settlement.”

So in the end it looks like Microsoft will make concessions for the US, similar to the EU, to keep Call of Duty on Playstation for the foreseeable future, which is really in their best interests anyway.

Looks like Playstation Boss Jim Ryan racked up the frequent flier miles protesting the deal for nothing.

[Source: WSJ & New York Post]

TCL Really Wants You To Buy a New TV for Xbox Series X PRO and PlayStation 5 PRO – Really?

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Consumer electronics company TCL, which makes decent TVs at competitive price points, really wants you to believe that Sony and Microsoft are going to be refreshing the PS5 and Xbox Series X soon. So you really should be considering upgrading your boob tube.

According to Polish news outlet PPE, TCL presented at an electronics conference in Poland and the company believes that a “PS5 Pro” and “new Xbox Series X|S” will arrive between 2023 and 2024.

TCL’s presentation showed a history of consoles, starting with the original PS4 and Xbox One in 2013. TCL then notes that the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X were released a few years later. The presentation goes on to show the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2020. Naturally, that means a refresh should come out next year or so, right? RIGHT!?!

At the end of TCL’s presentation, they claim that Series X / PS5 PRO will provide 60-120 FPS resolution at 4K, and have the ability to display 8K. TCL also believes that the new consoles will have AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT technology. Shit, the TV that I bought specifically for my PS5 and Xbox Series is a total piece of shit now. I should consider buying a fancy new TV from TCL.

Sorry, TCL, but I think a mid-generation refresh is a bit further out, given that the current builds of the Xbox Series X and PS5 are still relatively hard to come by.

Nice try though.