Comments on: News: Xbone Is Not to Japan’s Tastes

By: James 'Gyme' Pagel

James 'Gyme' Pagel — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 07:44:33 +0000

Could it be that Microsoft is trying to make the Xbox division more attractive for a potential buyer? I still think the 2.5 billion is way too much for Mojang, but by adding developers to the fold they can package the Xbox division as an all-in-one package for any company out there looking to break into the lucrative video game industry.

By: Dancing Matt

Dancing Matt — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 01:03:47 +0000

I have a Nokia Windows Phone, and actually like it for what it is. It has a good interface, easy to use, and does the things I want a phone to do – which is not very much. It does not have games or apps [which I don’t care about], and probably 100% of its consumer appeal is from being offered free with the cellular plan. Microsoft could have spent a fraction of that money to make up for its deficencies in a lot of areas, especially developing apps and games, but instead they dropped an insane sum onto one game that nobody’s asking for. There has to be a group of people in Microsoft who are actively trying to destroy the company from the inside. They continually outdo themselves in decisions which will blow up and hurt them.

By: Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor

Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 10:15:36 +0000

It’s actually fairly impressive that they could run that fast while carrying all that money! ;D

By: Lusipurr

Lusipurr — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 04:38:37 +0000

All of the founders are bailing out.

The funny thing is that, before they ran for the hills, they told the user base, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

And then they ran. They ran as fast as they could run. Inspires confidence, doesn’t it?

By: Andrew 'Mel' Melcon

Andrew 'Mel' Melcon — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:03:37 +0000

Looks like that source was correct. Markus Persson is leaving Mojang following the MS acquisition.

http://notch.net/2014/09/im-leaving-mojang/

By: Andrew 'Mel' Melcon

Andrew 'Mel' Melcon — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 09:04:40 +0000

Persson was already pretty dang rich since Minecraft is one of the best selling games of all time and much of that money just went directly to him / the company.

However, the same source that leaked the MS deal said Persson wasn’t going to stick around long afterward. I wouldn’t either.

By: James 'Gyme' Pagel

James 'Gyme' Pagel — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:24:38 +0000

The more I think about it, the worse the Mojang purchase looks for Microsoft. Still, I don’t blame Markus Persson for a second on this deal. When he first saw the offer he must have thought it was some kind of joke from Microsoft, but lo and behold the man is now a billionaire.

By: Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor

Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 22:20:49 +0000

But now it’s a valued Microsoft exclusive!! :D

They’d better relish it, because Scrolls is like half of their acquisition!! :D

By: Lusipurr

Lusipurr — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:51:30 +0000

@Mel: I understand that Scrolls is pretty crap. I know people who have played it. They didn’t play it for very long.

By: Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor

Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 15:48:59 +0000

The sad thing is that with today’s consumers that almost sounded plausible…

By: Nate 'Bup' Liles

Nate 'Bup' Liles — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:18:19 +0000

You forgot about that Cortana voice for the Windows phones, Julian. THAT’S what is really going to save them.

By: Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor

Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 13:52:32 +0000

I don’t think Cobalt is even a Mojang game – they just published it…

By: Andrew 'Mel' Melcon

Andrew 'Mel' Melcon — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:22:52 +0000

Yeah, Minecraft was in full release in 2011, but in public alpha/beta since 2009. They’ve got a beta for whatever Scrolls and Cobalt are, but I don’t know anyone who has played those.

By: Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor

Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:04:14 +0000

Minecraft has been released for how long now? And it is still the only game that Mojang has put out. This is Microsoft squandering 2.5bn on wishful thinking that will not pay a dividend.

By: Andrew 'Mel' Melcon

Andrew 'Mel' Melcon — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 05:16:34 +0000

Mojang is a one hit wonder and buying the studio that Minecraft built isn’t too wise, as many of us are quick to point out (let alone for 2 billion dollars).

The 3DS ashtray not working with Smash is indeed perplexing. I think their general handeling of the game thus far has proven more than a bit opportunistic and I’m not sure it’s working out entirely in their favor. Had they not been so keen on trying to get their consumers to double dip on the 3DS version (the version no one actually cares about), they would have been able to help out their ailing Wii U platform all the more. As it stands they’re quite capable of losing some casual Smash sales to the popular 3DS from consumers who have gotten their fill on the lesser title and don’t care to double dip onto a platform they probably don’t even own…

As for Xbone in Japan? “lol”

By: Lusipurr

Lusipurr — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 01:51:34 +0000

So what we have REALLY learned this week is that there are about 20,000 XBone fans in the US military at Okinawa.

In a way, these sales numbers are a clue to our military presence. I wonder if AMERICA’S ENEMIES are considering this!