I understand what you are saying, @Cikajovazmaj, but what you get from if you follow through with your argument is that Splint Cell, Prince of Persia (or the like) never get made because you would rather that than Microsoft own the IP. That is what I don't understand. Under Ubisoft, these games will not be made. Surely it is better that someone makes them? If Tencent buys the IP, the games will likely never be made, and if they buy the studios that make them, they will not only not make the games, but will also close the studios, as they have been recently. I totally get that we don't what to see Microsoft owning every IP, but firstly, they are a long, long way from that, and secondly, it just seems daft to me that people would rather not see a game made, than have Microsoft be the ones to make them...
No, @Perturbator. Not strong opinions. Having come from a background in law enforcement, I just like accuracy and fairness. This article, from it's very headline onwards, is all about raising the ire of the PlayStation gamer, when in truth, there is nothing to be angry about. Would we rather see these games see the light of day, or is having Microsoft make them and put them on the PlayStation worse that not having them at all? It makes no sense to me. There are worse companies than Microsoft that could own these games, and even if Microsoft were the worst, they are going to be putting every game on the PlayStation, so exactly what is the problem...?
And your wish for fun will be granted, @Cikajovazmaj, because no matter what game rights, developers or publishers Microsoft do buy, the games they subsequently make will end up on the PlayStation, likely the same day they release on the Xbox too. So if it is a choice of the games never get made or Microsoft make them, the choice seems fairly obvious to me...
Just how is it a monopoly, @Jrs1? Microsoft are going to be putting every one of the games they make on the PlayStation. So if it is never see the games again, or have Microsoft make them and put them on the PlayStation, then I fail to see the problem...
That will be interesting for certain, @cragis0001. I think Microsoft will either provide a console with a disc-drive, have one that is attachable, or make it so that one can be connected, which would probably circumnavigate the all digital issue...
I think that Microsoft have so many games already that they can release, @Afroducc, plus games in the pipeline that will likely be releasing day on on the PlayStation (and I genuinely believe that it will be all Xbox games either day one, or pretty soon after) that they probably don't really have the option of spreading them out that much...
So, to sum up, @cragis0001, that is why I struggle to believe that Microsoft will include Steam on their new console. Microsoft were already selling their games on Steam, and so they have already accepted that loss of revenue, and when it came to selling their games on the PlayStation, 70% was an acceptable necessity. It was that, or sell so few copies of their games that they would struggle to be profitable enough to actually make them. However, the thing that needs to be remembered is that people buy their games on the Xbox have no choice, and so Microsoft receive that 100% of revenue. Put Steam on the Prime and you give people choice, and Microsoft will cease to receive that 100% of revenue. It is as simple as that...
Okay, @cragis0001, I agree, the utopia of one console that does it all in a similar manner to a smart phone, is one we would all love to see. However, two things need to be remembered when thinking of this;
1. You can get a [em]dumb[/b] phone for £30 or less, that litterally only makes calls and sends texts. If you want a smart phone, you are looking at over £1000. So now translate that to a PC like console, and you can see that it will not be cheap.
2. Microsoft are in the business of making as much money as is possible. That is their quintessential philosophy in one. So, why would Microsoft want to only receive 70% of the money they make on every games they sell, and not 100%? Microsoft have taken that hit in selling their games on the PlayStation not as some sort of act of benevolence, but because they have had to due to some prior poor decision making. To have Steam on the Prime would be an incredible act of self-harm. People simply would not be buying games on the Xbox Store, but instead either on Steam directly, or via third-party companies such as CDKeys. When it comes to a company like CDKeys, I am uncertain who pays them for each game they sell, or how much they get paid. Microsoft undoubtedly pay CDKeys a percentage of each first-party game sold when that game is for the Xbox console. Whether Microsoft pay CDKeys for each first-party game sold when that game is to be played on Steam, I do not know, but if that is the case, then not only do they pay Steam 30% for the privilege of allowing their games to be played on Steam, but they would also be paying CDKeys for them having sold the game code too, and of course, CDKeys is selling that game at a reduced price, when compared to Microsoft's own store front. You are literally looking at a situation wherein Microsoft are receiving potentially close to just 50% of what they can achieve by selling the game directly on their store front.
So, if you take the Premium Edition of Avowed as an example; when sold directly on the Xbox Store, Microsoft receive £90.00 for each sale. However, when that game is sold via CDKeys, the game is being sold at a discounted £72.00, which is a 20% discount, but it then has to be remembered that Microsoft are paying something to CDKeys to sell the game. I have no idea how much that would be, but clearly, Microsoft is already receiving less than 80% of the amount they receive when selling the game directly via their own store front. So, in the case of Avowed they will be receiving less than £72.00 for a game they could have sold for £90.00.
It get's even worse though when it comes to Steam; when Microsoft sells a game directly on Steam, they pay Valve 30% for the privilege. So, for a game that sells for £90.00 on Steam, such as Avowed, Microsoft actually receive just £63.00. However, Avowed is selling for £64.00 for Steam on CDKeys. Truthfully, I don't know what happens next; do Steam take a 30% cut of that game from Microsoft, meaning that Microsoft receive just £45.00 for that game they could have received £90.00 for if sold directly on their store front? Or, do CDKeys get some money for selling the game at £64.00, meaning that regardless, Microsoft get less than £64.00 for that game?
You are entirely correct, @LogicStrikesAgain. I posted this on the same topic on Pure Xbox earlier today:
What I will say though is all those believing that the Prime will also have Steam on it, I find difficult to accept, simply because if Microsoft take that step, then people will be completely disincentivised to buy games on the Xbox Store because games can be bought more cheaply on (or for) Steam than it is possible to buy games on the Xbox Store. Two examples right now are you can buy Split Fiction for for the Xbox on CDKeys for £34.99 whereas it is £31.99 for Steam. When it comes to first-party games, the Premium Edition of Avowed is £71.99 for the Xbox, and £63.99 for Steam.
Those two games are £44.99 (though you can get a 10% discount if you have Game Pass Ultimate) and £89.99 respectively on the actual Xbox Store, so you can see that not only will people wise up and buy through sites such as CDkeys, but why would you even buy the game on the Xbox at all when it is cheaper to buy it on Steam, where of course Valve and CdKeys will be taking a cut?
Essentially, if Microsoft do take this path and create what is to all intent and purpose a PC, then it would cost them billions in lost sales in software, and would be yet another massive act of self-harm. So yes, they would probably do this...
Hey, @rjejr! No, I didn't nick it from you. Promise..! 😂 The name Prime was leaked by some insider or other about 6 months ago. I forget who it was now. I've been using that name on Pure Xbox ever since, although I'm pretty much the only one that does. Before that I used to call it the NeXtBoX, but that didn't take off either... 😂
I've been saying for well over a year that the Prime will release in 2026. It needs to be remembered that Microsoft cancelled the mid-generation refresh for the Series consoles, probably due to the lacklustre sales of the Series consoles, but possibly also because they realised that to make a meaningful upgrade for the Series the cost would increase considerably. Microsoft likely decided that they stood a better chance of succeeding with a truly next generation console, than a minimal step up with a mid-generation refresh, a step that many think that Sony should also have done considering the pretty minimal improvement of the Pro over the PS5. Microsoft said they were cancelling the mid-generation refresh in order to concentrate on the Prime a while back now, and that means they could easily beat Sony by two years in bringing their next generation of console to the market.
Games such as Gears of War: E-Day, State of Decay 3, Perfect Dark and Blade did not include a 'Series' logo when they were shown at last years Xbox Summer Showcase, and the rumour was that it was because they were to be launch titles for the Prime. There are rumoured problems in the development of Perfect Dark that mean it may not be released as a launch title for the Prime though.
Personally, I am absolutely convinced that the Prime will release in Fall of 2026...
I get where you are coming from with the mostly older games angle, @get2sammyb, but what you are not factoring into your argument, is that ports take time to be made. So, there is a vast difference in having to make ports of old games, and making the game multiplatform from the outset.
This time last year, we were told that Microsoft would assess how well the first 4 games did before making a decision regarding subsequent games. So, if it takes 6 months to develop a port, utilising a small team, and the majority of the recent Xbox back-catalogue was greenlit for porting, then it will still take a fair amount of time for that back-catalogue to be ported as the teams can only work on so many games at a time. However, if games are developed for the Xbox and the PlayStation from the moment the games are green-lit, then it totally follows that the PlayStation version can be released the same day as the Xbox, or anything from weeks to months later (as was the case with Indiana Jones), before then moving to day and date on both platforms...
Believing that Forza Horizon 5 being released 4 years after it was on the Xbox is unrealistic. Indiana Jones is more likely the template that Microsoft will utilise.
Nope, @TruestoryYep! Just no. There is zero percent chance of building a PC as capable as the Series X or the PS5 for £500 (although I accept that isn't what you said). Heck, you couldn't even build one as capable as the Series S for £500. The minimum you are looking at for one as capable as the Xbox or PlayStation would be £1000, but probably more. Off the shelf and you are looking at closer to £1500.
Personally, I own a high-end gaming PC, and it has cost me around £3200. My mate bought one this time last year, and it is proper high-end and cost him £4600, though in both instances that is bespoke, and not off the shelf.
The simplicity that a console offers, combined with it's capabilities makes it a very attractive proposition. What I will grant you though is that games are always cheaper (if you shop around), even on first release, and that the sale prices are always better too. Add to that that there are more games available. However, if someone has no understanding of computers, then PC's can be pretty intimidating, difficult to get right at times (though that has improved in recent years), and whilst mods are widely available, they can be really challenging and confusing to get right, which isn't the case when it comes to the few that are available on consoles...
The question is, @Vaako007, why buy an Xbox when you can play their content on the PlayStation, as well as all the stuff that is actually exclusive to Sony? People often cite Game Pass as the reason, but much of the stuff available on Game Pass is also available on the Sony Service, with the only real advantage being that you can play Microsoft's first-party content on Game Pass, whereas you have to buy it to play it on the PlayStation (for now!). If you intend to play 3 or more of their AAA games in a year, then maybe Game Pass is more appealing, but then on top of that you have to factor in buying an Xbox console, and, if you don't intend to buy both consoles then you also have to consider that you are cutting yourself off from playing those games that are exclusive to the PlayStation if you only buy an Xbox.
I know that many of us currently have both consoles, but that was mostly because we (wrongly) assumed that both consoles would have gated content. Now we are entering a phase where only Sony does, and with the difference in what both consoles can do being absolutely minimal, you really do have to wonder if there is a need in buying both anymore. That is especially true if the consoles come in at around the price of the Pro. Two lots of £700-£800 is a heck of a lot of money to drop, when truthfully, you only need one console, and if you really are thinking of spending that kind of money, is a PC an even better choice?
Honestly, watching Xbox, as a console, dwindle to nothing is both sad and ultimately not good for any of us. Competition drives excellence, and without competition, complacency sets in...
I always felt that instead of having the (if I remember correctly) 5 year time jump between the first games end, the start of the second, that when it came to the series that they should have a series or two in which they told their own stories to fill in that 5 year time jump. This would also allow Bella Ramsey to age somewhat, though truthfully, I think she was miscast anyway. I'm not saying that she didn't do a good job, but that she simply didn't look the part. It would also have allowed another season or two with Joel before... well, you know...
I rarely look through the PlayStation games sales, @Beetlebum91, entirely because there are simply too many games in the sale! To look even remotely carefully through so many games takes well over an hour, and then I might not even buy anything! Recently, there was a sale with 6000+ games on sale. I mean, just how long would it take to look through that lot...?
My first run of BG3 took me 360 hours! I always do everything there is to be done. I once did a single playthrough of Fallout: New Vegas that took me over 1000 hours, and Skyrim too me over 900 hours for a single run...
I accept all of that, @get2sammyb, but abandon means cease to support, and whilst they don't do it very much, they do still do it. The use of the word abandon is simply too final in my view, a bit overstated...
Layden explained that while Xbox has had more success abandoning physical media[/b]
However, Xbox has not abandoned physical media, @get2sammyb. You can still buy the Series X, which comes with a disc drive. There is also a 2TB version that has no disc drive. Both variants are available to buy, so I don't see how Xbox have abandoned disc drives...
For as much as I enjoyed It Takes Two, it was a bit too kiddified, and a little too cutesy too. Split Fiction looks much more my type of game. I cannot wait...!
Loved the reboot. Didn't enjoy Eternal all that much as it was just too frantic. Dark Ages looks like it is a return to form, and I cannot wait to play it...
Just goes to show the pretty stark difference between the US & Canada, and then Europe. They certainly love their annual sports titles when compared to Europe...
Yeah, @Shigurui, you completely misunderstood my post, as that is not what I said. I said it was one particular housing estate where basically no one worked. It was an absolute nightmare place to police, though that made it a lot of fun too. Let's put it this way, we had daily and nightly car chase around the estate, daily drugs and handling stolen goods warrants. Any time a Police car attended an incident on the estate, two cars would have to attend, with one parked behind, and with one double-crewed car remaining in the second car so as to ensure no damage was caused the first vehicle, because if not we would return to the vehicle to find all the wheels having been slashed or stolen, the car trashed, or even set on fire, or even the car stolen.
Every November the locals would build a bonfire that was higher than the nearby houses. The locals would go to properties surrounding the estate and steal their wooden fences to put on the fire, and would also cut down telegraph poles to place on it too.
They would also put gas canisters within the bonfire, and also drove a stolen car into it one year (whilst it was ablaze). So big was the bonfire, that one year it melted the aluminium window frames of the surrounding houses.
Then when the Police or Fire Brigade attended, they would throw rocks at them, and also place fireworks on the ground and fire rockets at them.
So, I was not passing judgement on all Council estates, just my experience with one in particular. I'm sure that the vast majority of Council estates are nothing like Swilly, which had been building these enormous fires years but no longer do now, and it really was a hotbed of crime, though things have got much better there in recent years...
No, @lazarus11, you missed my point. The assumption was that those with Sky TV on this particular estate had either nicked it, or, more likely were not working and were on the dole, meaning they had enough money to afford Sky because they were not affected by things such as mortgage rates.
Back in 1993 when Sky came out, I was taking home £720 a month as a Copper. I had two kids, a wife that was not working and a mortgage. In 1990, mortgage rates hit 15% in the UK. At that time, my monthly take home, in the Police, was £620. My mortgage was costing £650 a month...! They did come down from that peak, but it was slow, and it was not until about 1994 that my monthly take home pay exceeded my mortgage. So I can assure you that luxuries such as Sky and a VCR were just that. Luxuries. Not essential. And not something that I could afford...
The funny thing is, I wouldn't afford one, @Shigurui, and I was in the Police at the time. The same was true of Sky. Indeed, the only people that I knew who had Sky were on the dole or had nicked them! We used to drive around a really rough council estate known as Swilly and see all the Sky dishes, and always comment on the fact that it meant we could tell who was working, and who wasn't... 🤣
They were, @Shigurui, but they were beyond the means of someone such as myself at that time. They were extremely expensive by today's standards, and they weren't particularly efficient or easy to use. It wasn't a device you found in the homes of most ordinary people..
He was a real visionary. I absolutely loved Twin Peaks back in the day, and it was one of those shows that you couldn't wait to watch each week (and it before the days of being able to record TV, or watch it on demand or catch up, so if you missed an episode, that was it!). Very strange, and mind-bending series...
The view from the tech experts, @NorrinRadd, is that Nintendo is always a generation behind; so the Switch had comparable power to the PS3 (not the Pro version) and therefore that the Switch 2 will be comparable to the PS4 (not the Pro version). Thus it follows that the Switch 2 will in fact be capable of playing GoW 2 as that game did release on the basic PS4...
Wow, @Svark! I doff my cap to you, Sir. I'll wind my neck in, and settle for second oldest! Just steer clear of Pure Xbox, so I can still be the oldest there, please... 😂
It does indeed seem that our tastes align, as without a shadow of doubt, BG3 is my favourite game. I really enjoyed Elden Ring too, and though I own Infinite Wealth, I haven't got round to playing it yet. Also, I have the Collector's Edition of Kingdom Come 2 on pre-order. So us old boys clearly have taste... 😉
Being the confirmed old boy of these forums (at least no one has come to deny me as of yet!), and as a very juvenile 61 year old, @Khayl, @Northern_munkey, @Bagwag82 & @ChrisDeku, and having started with Pong on the Atari in 1972 at the age of 8, I can attest that now is the golden age of gaming, not least because we can play pretty much every game ever made, probably including Pong, should I look hard enough. So even in those years when fewer quality games seem to be releasing, they all add to the incredible backlog of games that began with Pong and continues to grow with each game released.
Add to that, that it was only in 2023 that we saw the release of what is probably the best game ever made in Baldur's Gate 3, and there really is no better time to be a gamer...
Immortal: Unchained was an excellent game, @colonelkilgore. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Them closing is a real shame as I had really hoped to see a sequel some day...
There are three reasons, in the main, as to why I am all digital, @JB_Whiting;
1. I have a large collection of films and games, numbering well over 2000. The games are from the 360/PS3 era, and I am one of those that prefers to buy my films on blu-ray / 4K. So I simply do not have the space for more physical games (and yes, I know it is a contradiction!).
2. I have the vast majority of my games loaded on to 3 different hard-drives, and the internal hard-drive too, meaning it is very easy for me to simply play pretty much any game I own without needing to leave my chair. That also leans into my third reason.
3. I am disabled with a pretty horrendous back condition, and there are days where I can get down to the floor, where my consoles are, but cannot get back up! 🤣 Some days just moving is very painful, so being able to remotely switch on my console, and start pretty much any game is a real blessing. When it comes to the films, I usually only watch them with my son, and he inserts the disc for me...
99% of the games that I buy are digital. The other 1% are Collector's Editions that I rarely open. Indeed, if I buy a Collector's Edition and decide not to open it, but do actually want to play the game, then I often double dip and buy it digitally too. The most recent example of this is where I bought the Collector's Edition of Indian Jones And The Great Circle, which cost me £189.99, and remains unopened. Due to the initial cost, I won't open it, and will likely play it on Game Pass instead (which at least avoids the necessity of actually buying it again).
I have been buying my games digitally since the start of the Xbox One / PS4 era, and as I buy a lot of games, I have now amassed over 1600 digital games in the past 11 years.
The same is absolutely true of my PlayStation digital collection, where all the games that I buy are digital. I just find digital so much easier...
It probably did cost $700 million, @Frmknst, as the details of how much they cost came from a Court filing. The below article details the costs of 3 CoD games, and their associated costs.
I went with Naughty Dog, but also liked the look of many others. Being old, I remember enjoying Turok back in the day, and the new one certainly looks good. Something I shall keep an eye on with interest...
I thought the speech by Larian's founder Swen Vincke deserves a special mention, @get2sammyb. Impassioned, funny, and heartfelt. He is the best out there, and did himself proud in the 3 minutes allotted to him...
Have to say, this Wrap is terribly designed! Just give me the data in an easy to read format...
Out of curiosity, when did PSN start? It says I joined in 2011, but I've have every console since the PS1, though there is a chance that I started a new account in 2011. I honestly cannot remember.
Only 152 hours across 6 games this year, of which only 3 were new to me. 86 of those hours were for Stella Blade. I've not even tuned my PS5 on since May when I finished the game. It's been a pretty poor year for me on my PlayStation...
To me, it is a simple question; can you play the DLC or expansion without the base game? If the answer is no, then it is not a game as on it's own it is absolutely useless. There is no way that DLC should ever be considered for Game of the Year, it matters not what the game is. After all, all the additions to Baldur's Gate 3 are in many ways more meaningful, and yet that isn't up for consideration. Just goes to show how biased Keighley is...
Larian are without a shadow of doubt the best of the best developers. Divinity Original Sin was fantastic, but was bettered by the amazing sequel. Then they made BG3, which is, in my humble opinion, the best game ever made. It deserved every one of the Game of the Year awards that it won last year, and is so good it should get a Platinum Game of the Year award. An absolute masterpiece...
Comments 1,437
Re: After Gobbling Two Publishers, Now Xbox Has Been Sniffing Around Ubisoft's IP
I understand what you are saying, @Cikajovazmaj, but what you get from if you follow through with your argument is that Splint Cell, Prince of Persia (or the like) never get made because you would rather that than Microsoft own the IP. That is what I don't understand. Under Ubisoft, these games will not be made. Surely it is better that someone makes them? If Tencent buys the IP, the games will likely never be made, and if they buy the studios that make them, they will not only not make the games, but will also close the studios, as they have been recently. I totally get that we don't what to see Microsoft owning every IP, but firstly, they are a long, long way from that, and secondly, it just seems daft to me that people would rather not see a game made, than have Microsoft be the ones to make them...
Re: After Gobbling Two Publishers, Now Xbox Has Been Sniffing Around Ubisoft's IP
No, @Perturbator. Not strong opinions. Having come from a background in law enforcement, I just like accuracy and fairness. This article, from it's very headline onwards, is all about raising the ire of the PlayStation gamer, when in truth, there is nothing to be angry about. Would we rather see these games see the light of day, or is having Microsoft make them and put them on the PlayStation worse that not having them at all? It makes no sense to me. There are worse companies than Microsoft that could own these games, and even if Microsoft were the worst, they are going to be putting every game on the PlayStation, so exactly what is the problem...?
Re: After Gobbling Two Publishers, Now Xbox Has Been Sniffing Around Ubisoft's IP
And your wish for fun will be granted, @Cikajovazmaj, because no matter what game rights, developers or publishers Microsoft do buy, the games they subsequently make will end up on the PlayStation, likely the same day they release on the Xbox too. So if it is a choice of the games never get made or Microsoft make them, the choice seems fairly obvious to me...
Re: After Gobbling Two Publishers, Now Xbox Has Been Sniffing Around Ubisoft's IP
Just how is it a monopoly, @Jrs1? Microsoft are going to be putting every one of the games they make on the PlayStation. So if it is never see the games again, or have Microsoft make them and put them on the PlayStation, then I fail to see the problem...
Re: After Gobbling Two Publishers, Now Xbox Has Been Sniffing Around Ubisoft's IP
Great conspiracy theory, @UltimateOtaku91. Won't happen, but hey, who cares right?
Re: After Gobbling Two Publishers, Now Xbox Has Been Sniffing Around Ubisoft's IP
Again with the shocking maths, @get2sammyb;
$75.4 for ABK + $7.5 for Zenimax = $82.9 billion, but then I suppose accuracy is not as important as clicks these days...
Re: PS6 Could Be the Only High-End Next-Gen Console, As New Xbox Touted to Be a 'PC in Essence'
That will be interesting for certain, @cragis0001. I think Microsoft will either provide a console with a disc-drive, have one that is attachable, or make it so that one can be connected, which would probably circumnavigate the all digital issue...
Re: April Could Be a Colossal Month from Xbox on PS5
I think that Microsoft have so many games already that they can release, @Afroducc, plus games in the pipeline that will likely be releasing day on on the PlayStation (and I genuinely believe that it will be all Xbox games either day one, or pretty soon after) that they probably don't really have the option of spreading them out that much...
Re: PS6 Could Be the Only High-End Next-Gen Console, As New Xbox Touted to Be a 'PC in Essence'
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So, to sum up, @cragis0001, that is why I struggle to believe that Microsoft will include Steam on their new console. Microsoft were already selling their games on Steam, and so they have already accepted that loss of revenue, and when it came to selling their games on the PlayStation, 70% was an acceptable necessity. It was that, or sell so few copies of their games that they would struggle to be profitable enough to actually make them. However, the thing that needs to be remembered is that people buy their games on the Xbox have no choice, and so Microsoft receive that 100% of revenue. Put Steam on the Prime and you give people choice, and Microsoft will cease to receive that 100% of revenue. It is as simple as that...
Re: PS6 Could Be the Only High-End Next-Gen Console, As New Xbox Touted to Be a 'PC in Essence'
Okay, @cragis0001, I agree, the utopia of one console that does it all in a similar manner to a smart phone, is one we would all love to see. However, two things need to be remembered when thinking of this;
1. You can get a [em]dumb[/b] phone for £30 or less, that litterally only makes calls and sends texts. If you want a smart phone, you are looking at over £1000. So now translate that to a PC like console, and you can see that it will not be cheap.
2. Microsoft are in the business of making as much money as is possible. That is their quintessential philosophy in one. So, why would Microsoft want to only receive 70% of the money they make on every games they sell, and not 100%? Microsoft have taken that hit in selling their games on the PlayStation not as some sort of act of benevolence, but because they have had to due to some prior poor decision making. To have Steam on the Prime would be an incredible act of self-harm. People simply would not be buying games on the Xbox Store, but instead either on Steam directly, or via third-party companies such as CDKeys. When it comes to a company like CDKeys, I am uncertain who pays them for each game they sell, or how much they get paid. Microsoft undoubtedly pay CDKeys a percentage of each first-party game sold when that game is for the Xbox console. Whether Microsoft pay CDKeys for each first-party game sold when that game is to be played on Steam, I do not know, but if that is the case, then not only do they pay Steam 30% for the privilege of allowing their games to be played on Steam, but they would also be paying CDKeys for them having sold the game code too, and of course, CDKeys is selling that game at a reduced price, when compared to Microsoft's own store front. You are literally looking at a situation wherein Microsoft are receiving potentially close to just 50% of what they can achieve by selling the game directly on their store front.
So, if you take the Premium Edition of Avowed as an example; when sold directly on the Xbox Store, Microsoft receive £90.00 for each sale. However, when that game is sold via CDKeys, the game is being sold at a discounted £72.00, which is a 20% discount, but it then has to be remembered that Microsoft are paying something to CDKeys to sell the game. I have no idea how much that would be, but clearly, Microsoft is already receiving less than 80% of the amount they receive when selling the game directly via their own store front. So, in the case of Avowed they will be receiving less than £72.00 for a game they could have sold for £90.00.
It get's even worse though when it comes to Steam; when Microsoft sells a game directly on Steam, they pay Valve 30% for the privilege. So, for a game that sells for £90.00 on Steam, such as Avowed, Microsoft actually receive just £63.00. However, Avowed is selling for £64.00 for Steam on CDKeys. Truthfully, I don't know what happens next; do Steam take a 30% cut of that game from Microsoft, meaning that Microsoft receive just £45.00 for that game they could have received £90.00 for if sold directly on their store front? Or, do CDKeys get some money for selling the game at £64.00, meaning that regardless, Microsoft get less than £64.00 for that game?
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Re: Rumour: Next-Gen Xbox a 'PC in Essence' - What Would That Mean for PlayStation?
You are entirely correct, @LogicStrikesAgain. I posted this on the same topic on Pure Xbox earlier today:
What I will say though is all those believing that the Prime will also have Steam on it, I find difficult to accept, simply because if Microsoft take that step, then people will be completely disincentivised to buy games on the Xbox Store because games can be bought more cheaply on (or for) Steam than it is possible to buy games on the Xbox Store. Two examples right now are you can buy Split Fiction for for the Xbox on CDKeys for £34.99 whereas it is £31.99 for Steam. When it comes to first-party games, the Premium Edition of Avowed is £71.99 for the Xbox, and £63.99 for Steam.
Those two games are £44.99 (though you can get a 10% discount if you have Game Pass Ultimate) and £89.99 respectively on the actual Xbox Store, so you can see that not only will people wise up and buy through sites such as CDkeys, but why would you even buy the game on the Xbox at all when it is cheaper to buy it on Steam, where of course Valve and CdKeys will be taking a cut?
Essentially, if Microsoft do take this path and create what is to all intent and purpose a PC, then it would cost them billions in lost sales in software, and would be yet another massive act of self-harm. So yes, they would probably do this...
Re: Could the Next Xbox Get a Head Start on PS6?
Hey, @rjejr! No, I didn't nick it from you. Promise..! 😂 The name Prime was leaked by some insider or other about 6 months ago. I forget who it was now. I've been using that name on Pure Xbox ever since, although I'm pretty much the only one that does. Before that I used to call it the NeXtBoX, but that didn't take off either... 😂
Re: Could the Next Xbox Get a Head Start on PS6?
I've been saying for well over a year that the Prime will release in 2026. It needs to be remembered that Microsoft cancelled the mid-generation refresh for the Series consoles, probably due to the lacklustre sales of the Series consoles, but possibly also because they realised that to make a meaningful upgrade for the Series the cost would increase considerably. Microsoft likely decided that they stood a better chance of succeeding with a truly next generation console, than a minimal step up with a mid-generation refresh, a step that many think that Sony should also have done considering the pretty minimal improvement of the Pro over the PS5. Microsoft said they were cancelling the mid-generation refresh in order to concentrate on the Prime a while back now, and that means they could easily beat Sony by two years in bringing their next generation of console to the market.
Games such as Gears of War: E-Day, State of Decay 3, Perfect Dark and Blade did not include a 'Series' logo when they were shown at last years Xbox Summer Showcase, and the rumour was that it was because they were to be launch titles for the Prime. There are rumoured problems in the development of Perfect Dark that mean it may not be released as a launch title for the Prime though.
Personally, I am absolutely convinced that the Prime will release in Fall of 2026...
Re: Reaction: Xbox Publishing More Games on PS5 Than Sony Is Not a Gotcha, It's Just a Sign of the Times
I get where you are coming from with the mostly older games angle, @get2sammyb, but what you are not factoring into your argument, is that ports take time to be made. So, there is a vast difference in having to make ports of old games, and making the game multiplatform from the outset.
This time last year, we were told that Microsoft would assess how well the first 4 games did before making a decision regarding subsequent games. So, if it takes 6 months to develop a port, utilising a small team, and the majority of the recent Xbox back-catalogue was greenlit for porting, then it will still take a fair amount of time for that back-catalogue to be ported as the teams can only work on so many games at a time. However, if games are developed for the Xbox and the PlayStation from the moment the games are green-lit, then it totally follows that the PlayStation version can be released the same day as the Xbox, or anything from weeks to months later (as was the case with Indiana Jones), before then moving to day and date on both platforms...
Believing that Forza Horizon 5 being released 4 years after it was on the Xbox is unrealistic. Indiana Jones is more likely the template that Microsoft will utilise.
Re: Xbox to Put PS5 Logos in Future Showcases, Says Phil Spencer
Nope, @TruestoryYep! Just no. There is zero percent chance of building a PC as capable as the Series X or the PS5 for £500 (although I accept that isn't what you said). Heck, you couldn't even build one as capable as the Series S for £500. The minimum you are looking at for one as capable as the Xbox or PlayStation would be £1000, but probably more. Off the shelf and you are looking at closer to £1500.
Personally, I own a high-end gaming PC, and it has cost me around £3200. My mate bought one this time last year, and it is proper high-end and cost him £4600, though in both instances that is bespoke, and not off the shelf.
The simplicity that a console offers, combined with it's capabilities makes it a very attractive proposition. What I will grant you though is that games are always cheaper (if you shop around), even on first release, and that the sale prices are always better too. Add to that that there are more games available. However, if someone has no understanding of computers, then PC's can be pretty intimidating, difficult to get right at times (though that has improved in recent years), and whilst mods are widely available, they can be really challenging and confusing to get right, which isn't the case when it comes to the few that are available on consoles...
Re: Xbox Boss Says He's Given Up Trying to Convince PS5 Players to Switch Systems
I'm struggling with the maths, @get2sammyb. Perhaps you can help me out?
$75.4 Billion + $8.1 Billion = $100 Billion... 🤔😉😂
Re: Xbox to Put PS5 Logos in Future Showcases, Says Phil Spencer
The question is, @Vaako007, why buy an Xbox when you can play their content on the PlayStation, as well as all the stuff that is actually exclusive to Sony? People often cite Game Pass as the reason, but much of the stuff available on Game Pass is also available on the Sony Service, with the only real advantage being that you can play Microsoft's first-party content on Game Pass, whereas you have to buy it to play it on the PlayStation (for now!). If you intend to play 3 or more of their AAA games in a year, then maybe Game Pass is more appealing, but then on top of that you have to factor in buying an Xbox console, and, if you don't intend to buy both consoles then you also have to consider that you are cutting yourself off from playing those games that are exclusive to the PlayStation if you only buy an Xbox.
I know that many of us currently have both consoles, but that was mostly because we (wrongly) assumed that both consoles would have gated content. Now we are entering a phase where only Sony does, and with the difference in what both consoles can do being absolutely minimal, you really do have to wonder if there is a need in buying both anymore. That is especially true if the consoles come in at around the price of the Pro. Two lots of £700-£800 is a heck of a lot of money to drop, when truthfully, you only need one console, and if you really are thinking of spending that kind of money, is a PC an even better choice?
Honestly, watching Xbox, as a console, dwindle to nothing is both sad and ultimately not good for any of us. Competition drives excellence, and without competition, complacency sets in...
Re: HBO's The Last of Us Will Likely Run for Four Seasons
I always felt that instead of having the (if I remember correctly) 5 year time jump between the first games end, the start of the second, that when it came to the series that they should have a series or two in which they told their own stories to fill in that 5 year time jump. This would also allow Bella Ramsey to age somewhat, though truthfully, I think she was miscast anyway. I'm not saying that she didn't do a good job, but that she simply didn't look the part. It would also have allowed another season or two with Joel before... well, you know...
Re: Sony Quietly Pulls 'Eslop' Titles in Face of Mounting Pressure
I rarely look through the PlayStation games sales, @Beetlebum91, entirely because there are simply too many games in the sale! To look even remotely carefully through so many games takes well over an hour, and then I might not even buy anything! Recently, there was a sale with 6000+ games on sale. I mean, just how long would it take to look through that lot...?
Re: Poll: How Long Does It Take You to Beat a Big RPG?
My first run of BG3 took me 360 hours! I always do everything there is to be done. I once did a single playthrough of Fallout: New Vegas that took me over 1000 hours, and Skyrim too me over 900 hours for a single run...
Re: Ex-PlayStation Boss Says Sony 'Can't Get Away' with a PS6 That Has No Disc Drive
I accept all of that, @get2sammyb, but abandon means cease to support, and whilst they don't do it very much, they do still do it. The use of the word abandon is simply too final in my view, a bit overstated...
Re: Ex-PlayStation Boss Says Sony 'Can't Get Away' with a PS6 That Has No Disc Drive
Layden explained that while Xbox has had more success abandoning physical media[/b]
However, Xbox has not abandoned physical media, @get2sammyb. You can still buy the Series X, which comes with a disc drive. There is also a 2TB version that has no disc drive. Both variants are available to buy, so I don't see how Xbox have abandoned disc drives...
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed for PS5, Out This Spring
It's pretty apt that it's being ported by Panic Button! Only Microsoft could not see the irony in that... 🤣
Re: Split Fiction Looks Absolutely Phenomenal in New Co-Op PS5 Gameplay Trailer
It looks absolutely phenomenal...!
For as much as I enjoyed It Takes Two, it was a bit too kiddified, and a little too cutesy too. Split Fiction looks much more my type of game. I cannot wait...!
Re: DOOM: The Dark Ages Rips and Tears PS5 This May in Biggest Entry Yet
Loved the reboot. Didn't enjoy Eternal all that much as it was just too frantic. Dark Ages looks like it is a return to form, and I cannot wait to play it...
Re: PlayStation Reveals Top 20 Most Downloaded PS5 Games of 2024
Just goes to show the pretty stark difference between the US & Canada, and then Europe. They certainly love their annual sports titles when compared to Europe...
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
Yeah, @Shigurui, you completely misunderstood my post, as that is not what I said. I said it was one particular housing estate where basically no one worked. It was an absolute nightmare place to police, though that made it a lot of fun too. Let's put it this way, we had daily and nightly car chase around the estate, daily drugs and handling stolen goods warrants. Any time a Police car attended an incident on the estate, two cars would have to attend, with one parked behind, and with one double-crewed car remaining in the second car so as to ensure no damage was caused the first vehicle, because if not we would return to the vehicle to find all the wheels having been slashed or stolen, the car trashed, or even set on fire, or even the car stolen.
Every November the locals would build a bonfire that was higher than the nearby houses. The locals would go to properties surrounding the estate and steal their wooden fences to put on the fire, and would also cut down telegraph poles to place on it too.
They would also put gas canisters within the bonfire, and also drove a stolen car into it one year (whilst it was ablaze). So big was the bonfire, that one year it melted the aluminium window frames of the surrounding houses.
Then when the Police or Fire Brigade attended, they would throw rocks at them, and also place fireworks on the ground and fire rockets at them.
So, I was not passing judgement on all Council estates, just my experience with one in particular. I'm sure that the vast majority of Council estates are nothing like Swilly, which had been building these enormous fires years but no longer do now, and it really was a hotbed of crime, though things have got much better there in recent years...
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
Just don't stand next to me, @MrPeanutbutterz. Alright...! 🤣
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
No, @lazarus11, you missed my point. The assumption was that those with Sky TV on this particular estate had either nicked it, or, more likely were not working and were on the dole, meaning they had enough money to afford Sky because they were not affected by things such as mortgage rates.
Back in 1993 when Sky came out, I was taking home £720 a month as a Copper. I had two kids, a wife that was not working and a mortgage. In 1990, mortgage rates hit 15% in the UK. At that time, my monthly take home, in the Police, was £620. My mortgage was costing £650 a month...! They did come down from that peak, but it was slow, and it was not until about 1994 that my monthly take home pay exceeded my mortgage. So I can assure you that luxuries such as Sky and a VCR were just that. Luxuries. Not essential. And not something that I could afford...
Re: Rumour: Next State of Play Showcase Set for Next Month
Doubtless PlayStation will soon too, @Toot1st... 😉
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
The funny thing is, I wouldn't afford one, @Shigurui, and I was in the Police at the time. The same was true of Sky. Indeed, the only people that I knew who had Sky were on the dole or had nicked them! We used to drive around a really rough council estate known as Swilly and see all the Sky dishes, and always comment on the fact that it meant we could tell who was working, and who wasn't... 🤣
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
They were, @Shigurui, but they were beyond the means of someone such as myself at that time. They were extremely expensive by today's standards, and they weren't particularly efficient or easy to use. It wasn't a device you found in the homes of most ordinary people..
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
He was a real visionary. I absolutely loved Twin Peaks back in the day, and it was one of those shows that you couldn't wait to watch each week (and it before the days of being able to record TV, or watch it on demand or catch up, so if you missed an episode, that was it!). Very strange, and mind-bending series...
Re: Rumour: Next State of Play Showcase Set for Next Month
I think it will be
Sounds about right to me... 🤣
Re: Poll: Will the Switch 2 Compete with PS5?
The view from the tech experts, @NorrinRadd, is that Nintendo is always a generation behind; so the Switch had comparable power to the PS3 (not the Pro version) and therefore that the Switch 2 will be comparable to the PS4 (not the Pro version). Thus it follows that the Switch 2 will in fact be capable of playing GoW 2 as that game did release on the basic PS4...
Re: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Script Reputedly Dwarfs That of Lesser RPGs
Wow, @Svark! I doff my cap to you, Sir. I'll wind my neck in, and settle for second oldest! Just steer clear of Pure Xbox, so I can still be the oldest there, please... 😂
It does indeed seem that our tastes align, as without a shadow of doubt, BG3 is my favourite game. I really enjoyed Elden Ring too, and though I own Infinite Wealth, I haven't got round to playing it yet. Also, I have the Collector's Edition of Kingdom Come 2 on pre-order. So us old boys clearly have taste... 😉
Re: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Script Reputedly Dwarfs That of Lesser RPGs
Being the confirmed old boy of these forums (at least no one has come to deny me as of yet!), and as a very juvenile 61 year old, @Khayl, @Northern_munkey, @Bagwag82 & @ChrisDeku, and having started with Pong on the Atari in 1972 at the age of 8, I can attest that now is the golden age of gaming, not least because we can play pretty much every game ever made, probably including Pong, should I look hard enough. So even in those years when fewer quality games seem to be releasing, they all add to the incredible backlog of games that began with Pong and continues to grow with each game released.
Add to that, that it was only in 2023 that we saw the release of what is probably the best game ever made in Baldur's Gate 3, and there really is no better time to be a gamer...
Re: Godfall Team Counterplay Games Has Seemingly Shut Down
Immortal: Unchained was an excellent game, @colonelkilgore. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Them closing is a real shame as I had really hoped to see a sequel some day...
Re: DOOM: The Dark Ages, Expedition 33 News in Next Xbox Developer Direct
Pure and Push have different GMT times, @LiamCroft. Who is right...? My money is on Pure...🤔😂
Re: The State of the UK's Physical Games Market Might Explain PS5 Pro's Lack of Disc Drive
There are three reasons, in the main, as to why I am all digital, @JB_Whiting;
1. I have a large collection of films and games, numbering well over 2000. The games are from the 360/PS3 era, and I am one of those that prefers to buy my films on blu-ray / 4K. So I simply do not have the space for more physical games (and yes, I know it is a contradiction!).
2. I have the vast majority of my games loaded on to 3 different hard-drives, and the internal hard-drive too, meaning it is very easy for me to simply play pretty much any game I own without needing to leave my chair. That also leans into my third reason.
3. I am disabled with a pretty horrendous back condition, and there are days where I can get down to the floor, where my consoles are, but cannot get back up! 🤣 Some days just moving is very painful, so being able to remotely switch on my console, and start pretty much any game is a real blessing. When it comes to the films, I usually only watch them with my son, and he inserts the disc for me...
Re: The State of the UK's Physical Games Market Might Explain PS5 Pro's Lack of Disc Drive
99% of the games that I buy are digital. The other 1% are Collector's Editions that I rarely open. Indeed, if I buy a Collector's Edition and decide not to open it, but do actually want to play the game, then I often double dip and buy it digitally too. The most recent example of this is where I bought the Collector's Edition of Indian Jones And The Great Circle, which cost me £189.99, and remains unopened. Due to the initial cost, I won't open it, and will likely play it on Game Pass instead (which at least avoids the necessity of actually buying it again).
I have been buying my games digitally since the start of the Xbox One / PS4 era, and as I buy a lot of games, I have now amassed over 1600 digital games in the past 11 years.
The same is absolutely true of my PlayStation digital collection, where all the games that I buy are digital. I just find digital so much easier...
Re: This Is Why Call of Duty Is Not Gonna Stop Launching on PS5
It probably did cost $700 million, @Frmknst, as the details of how much they cost came from a Court filing. The below article details the costs of 3 CoD games, and their associated costs.
https://www.purexbox.com/news/2025/01/call-of-dutys-crazy-development-budgets-revealed-in-new-report
Re: Happy New Year from the Push Square Team
Happy New Year Push Square Team, and all fans of PlayStation...
Re: Talking Point: What Was the Best Game Announcement at The Game Awards 2024?
I went with Naughty Dog, but also liked the look of many others. Being old, I remember enjoying Turok back in the day, and the new one certainly looks good. Something I shall keep an eye on with interest...
Re: Reaction: The Game Awards' 10th Anniversary Special Was Its Biggest and Best Ever
I thought the speech by Larian's founder Swen Vincke deserves a special mention, @get2sammyb. Impassioned, funny, and heartfelt. He is the best out there, and did himself proud in the 3 minutes allotted to him...
Re: PlayStation Wrap-Up 2024 Finally Working After Over 24 Hours Offline
My results are in to, @OldGamer999
1. Xbox with 2001 hours
2. Steam with 401 hours
3. PlayStation with 152 hours
4. Switch with 0 hours
Not even switched my Switch on this year...
Re: PlayStation Wrap-Up 2024 Finally Working After Over 24 Hours Offline
Have to say, this Wrap is terribly designed! Just give me the data in an easy to read format...
Out of curiosity, when did PSN start? It says I joined in 2011, but I've have every console since the PS1, though there is a chance that I started a new account in 2011. I honestly cannot remember.
Only 152 hours across 6 games this year, of which only 3 were new to me. 86 of those hours were for Stella Blade. I've not even tuned my PS5 on since May when I finished the game. It's been a pretty poor year for me on my PlayStation...
Re: Elden Ring DLC Not Eligible for BAFTA's Best Game Award
To me, it is a simple question; can you play the DLC or expansion without the base game? If the answer is no, then it is not a game as on it's own it is absolutely useless. There is no way that DLC should ever be considered for Game of the Year, it matters not what the game is. After all, all the additions to Baldur's Gate 3 are in many ways more meaningful, and yet that isn't up for consideration. Just goes to show how biased Keighley is...
Re: The Wacky But Promising Baby Steps Now Slated for 2025
This does look like some wacky fun. I will be interested to see how it reviews...
Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Gets Even Better in 2025 with Patch 8, Bringing Cross-Play, New Subclasses, Photo Mode
Larian are without a shadow of doubt the best of the best developers. Divinity Original Sin was fantastic, but was bettered by the amazing sequel. Then they made BG3, which is, in my humble opinion, the best game ever made. It deserved every one of the Game of the Year awards that it won last year, and is so good it should get a Platinum Game of the Year award. An absolute masterpiece...