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[Monty Mole]

Beyond saying that that is a fact, can you point to the superior rarity of it?

I can think of tons of games off of the top of my head that run with console quality textures and 2GB of VRAM. All the more if you settle for xb1 rendering resolutions.

TW3, Dying light, just cause, mad max, mordor, etc...

edit: also, you misunderstand how the ram system on consoles works. THey are NOT dedicating 5 GB to textures and GPU tasks, this is in fact split. Games on PS4 have had 2-3 GB used for the GPU according to developer documentation.

edit 2: check out the graphs on this review for the 950 regarding how it performs at console settings in a number of titles

All this debate about whether a PC that costs £150 more than the Xbox One (and doesn't include a controller) can offer a similar or better performance. A PC which doesn't even meet the minimum specs required to play QB. And you wonder why the average Joe finds it easier to just buy a console? The whole point of a console is that it's convenient, simple, you know every game is going to work and there's no messing about. Hence their popularity in the mainstream. PCs have offered better performance than consoles since forever, but consoles have continued to exist alongside PC gaming. The average Joe doesn't care. They're different markets aimed primarily at different people. MS finally realises this themselves and as a result see no harm in simultaneous releases across both platforms.

 

[Sydle]

I think you can spin this however you like. Bottomline is that the Xbox brand loses strengh when majority, if not all of its big exclusives going forward are also offered on PC. That in and of itself will hurt those hooked in the Xbox ecosystem, not Windows, but Xbox (console only) ecosystem down the line. My guess is as soon as 2 years.

If the Xbox One were to be competing with a steam machine perhaps it's no big deal but it's competing with the PS4 and soon NX. You know marketing, and you know mind share....powerful drivers of sales. The stigma that Xbox doesn't have true exclusives will propagate and competitors will make sure to take advantage of the fact - it's after all, a differentiating factor. I mean it was 2 years ago wasn't it? Correct...

Does this change of approach by MS make someone's Xbox One stop from working? I don't think that needs to be stated. Obviously not. But for those whose only reason for keeping an Xbox One was one or two exclusives within a year have little reason to keep one vs. say a PS4 if he so happens to have a gaming PC. Obviously that market is only but a share, perhaps small, of the total Xbox One market. However, you start losing that share, you start losing folks that see the PS4 as a stronger brand due to perceived weakness in the Xbox brand, on top of existing advantages the PS4 has......it only reinforces one thing, Xbox's slowly but sure decline in adoption. MS will not lose third party support overnight, at the very least for this gen. That's at least the biggest sign of relief for those owning an Xbox One now. It will lose indies and some Japanese games, but they were losing them already soo...

But the Windows brand strength increases, which is the point of why they're doing it.

 

[Demise]

I don't really see it as a bad thing, but it definitely makes me less likely to buy any future console from MS. And it's pretty shitty that they're going to keep charging a subscription from console owners when PC owners are getting the same experience with most of the same games for free.

But it's difficult for us, pc loyalist, to play games on a sofa wich kind of making it up for it.

On a more serious note, pc loyalist often buy 3 to 5 windows os because you have to buy a new one each time you change your mother board : and since most of pc users always crave for power and high-end stuff, changing your mother board can happens a lot. So it makes it up for it in somes ways.

 

[Shin-Ra]

It definitely is a Windows 10 store exclusive. It won't ever be on Steam. If MS keeps it up with all of their IPs...I see nothing but good coming from it. If a user doesn't want to buy it from the store, then they lose out on getting to play the game. #shrug

Were there GFWL games that never came to Steam?

 

[Beast780]

I am more likely to buy the Xbox version if it comes with the PC version. It would seem dumb not to. I hope they do this with more of their lineup!

 

[Mass Effect]

We're there GFWL games that never came to Steam?

Viva Pinata, Gears 1

 

[Caayn]

Viva Pinata, Gears 1

Halo 2.

But it's difficult for us, pc loyalist, to play games on a sofa wich kind of making it up for it.

On a more serious note, pc loyalist often buy 3 to 5 windows os because you have to buy a new one each time you change your mother board : and since most of pc users always crave for power and high-end stuff, changing your mother board can happens a lot. So it makes it up for it in somes ways.

Not true, as long as your license isn't an OEM license (or the free upgrade license) you're free to swap motherboards. If the activation somehow fails give MS a call and they'll fix it.

 

[Coffee Dog]

Exclusivity brings competition. Competition is a good thing for the game console industry. It pushes the companies to create better first party games. I personally don't like exclusives coming to PC. It kills competition.

Also, part of the fun for me growing up was knowing "Okay Nintendo is Mario , Zelda, and Donkey Kong games. Playstation is Crash, Gran Turismo, etc" It was part of the flair of buying a console. You know as a fan that with a certain console you are getting exclusivity and awesome gaming experiences you won't get on other platforms.

Ask Nintendo how much exclusives matter in this day and age. Hell, ask Sony and Microsoft.

 

[jelly]

I wonder how Microsoft will deal with Gold subs if PC is getting more substantial things like Gears 4 multiplayer. Crazy to charge on PC obviously but should console players still pay for using the exact same network and feature set as PC? Dream is free online for everyone but you can pay for free games, discounts, service bundles. I know the obvious answer is things won't change, PC will be free, consoles pay but it sounds completely ludicrous if they are the same thing. Microsoft would be pissing in your cornflakes.

 

[Mass Effect]

I wonder how Microsoft will deal with Gold subs if PC is getting more substantial things like Gears 4 multiplayer. Crazy to charge on PC obviously but should console players still pay for using the exact same network and feature set as PC? Dream is free online for everyone but you can pay for free games, discounts, service bundles. I know the obvious answer is things won't change, PC will be free, consoles pay but it sounds completely ludicrous if they are the same thing. Microsoft would be pissing in your cornflakes.

Most people on Xbox won't know or care if PC players are playing for free.

And I doubt they'll try to charge again after failing with GFWL

 

[Sydle]

I wonder how Microsoft will deal with Gold subs if PC is getting more substantial things like Gears 4 multiplayer. Crazy to charge on PC obviously but should console players still pay for using the exact same network and feature set as PC? Dream is free online for everyone but you can pay for free games, discounts, service bundles. I know the obvious answer is things won't change, PC will be free, consoles pay but it sounds completely ludicrous if they are the same thing. Microsoft would be pissing in your cornflakes.

I think they will adjust Live where online multi player is no longer behind a paywall and instead add value to it with things like more/better free games and discounts.

If they really want to increase usage of Xbox Live then removing that barrier for Xbox One owners would be a good step in that direction.

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

It's great for gaming. I say that as a person that doesn't play PC games.

 

[...Scatter...]

Sorry MS, you lose. Now the army of PC enthusiasts armed with massive $700 + GPUs have no need for your "game console". Publishers will eat off of PC sales and all games will be discounted week 2 on Steamboat Newell. Live subscriptions? Pshhhhh! You will now give us party chat hosting and multi-player gaming for free and we will go apeshit the moment there is any interruption of service. There are DOZENS of us!

Did I cover it all?

All jokes aside, I think this is a good thing and consumer friendly. Consumer friendly has proven to be successful time and time again. I welcome this move as long as the port begging doesn't turn into Steam begging.

 

[Zedox]

We're there GFWL games that never came to Steam?

Other people mentioned other games...but also, you do realize that this isn't GFWL and that it's Windows 10 Store. It's more than just gaming. But alas, i'm not going to try to convince you of anything. Keep thinking whatever you were.

 

[spannicus]

Guy is trying to unify the Xbox Win10 experience. Whats the problem. In all honesty i use my x1 for media streaming, watching tv etc more than i do for gaming. Still a great console to own though.

 

[Feel_The_Pain]

In all honesty i use my x1 for media streaming, watching tv etc more than i do for gaming. Still a great console to own though.

People forget it can be used for more than just gaming.

 

[Zedox]

People forget it can be used for more than just gaming.

Now I'm more excited for the platform features for the console. Cortana, Kinect, Xbox DVR, etc... now they are going to make the console itself have features that are great for the living room. This is all around good news to me.

Also the XBO opening up their store to the masses for development this year...mmmm, great year to be in the MS ecosystem.

 

[Zeta Oni]

I think they will adjust Live where online multi player is no longer behind a paywall and instead add value to it with things like more/better free games and discounts.

If they really want to increase usage of Xbox Live then removing that barrier for Xbox One owners would be a good step in that direction.

That's what I'm thinking.

If they really need something to get people to stay subscribed, should offer the 360 emulator on PC and keeping gold gives you access to all the first party titles.

Really hope the 25th brings a better picture as to what they will be doing going forward.

 

[Trup1aya]

Man this is so exciting to me, and I don't even play games on PC. The idea of being able to continue games I buy for Xbox on my computer might change that.

I also like what it potentially means for installed bases. Games that don't have significant input advantage between platforms are so much more likely to have longevity.

This is a win-win for everyone. I'm surprised it took so long.

 

[Bigmac1910]

Not good for me at all, as I only bought Xbox One for exclusives, I now have a good win10 PC as well so it's automatically a PC purchase. I guess not paying for Xbox Live Gold is an advantage, but I really start to regret my Xbox One purchase.

 

[Lingitiz]

Exclusivity brings competition. Competition is a good thing for the game console industry. It pushes the companies to create better first party games. I personally don't like exclusives coming to PC. It kills competition.

Also, part of the fun for me growing up was knowing "Okay Nintendo is Mario , Zelda, and Donkey Kong games. Playstation is Crash, Gran Turismo, etc" It was part of the flair of buying a console. You know as a fan that with a certain console you are getting exclusivity and awesome gaming experiences you won't get on other platforms.

I think that era is mostly over though. Third party exclusives are essentially dead aside from rare exceptions. No company has even established an exclusive franchise on the same level of an Uncharted or Gears this generation. Both consoles are selling because of powerful third party support, and Sony is winning because of the right message.

It only reflects that it is extremely hard to make games on a single platform at AAA scale that isn't already an established franchise. Games coming to PC helps make that possible by providing another revenue stream without necessarily compromising the console side of things. The amount of people who buy a console solely for exclusives outside of things like Halo and Uncharted I'm betting is an extremely small number. Exclusivity is such a marketing focused thing. To the average user Microsoft saying "the greatest place to play games is Xbox One" and all the games listed being on PC doesn't really change anything. PC gaming isn't even a blip on the radar for that user. However Microsoft tapping into the vast amount of willing buyers who do have PCs and are aware of that stuff is a smart move.

 

[etta]

Not good for me at all, as I only bought Xbox One for exclusives, I now have a good win10 PC as well so it's automatically a PC purchase. I guess not paying for Xbox Live Gold is an advantage, but I really start to regret my Xbox One purchase.

Can't you sell it?

 

[Bigmac1910]

Can't you sell it?

Not ready just yet, but I live in Japan, so it's a Japanese Xbox One (Does have US English in it though).

 

[Juanfp]

Not ready just yet, but I live in Japan, so it's a Japanese Xbox One (Does have US English in it though).

They are regio free, I think you can change the region and the language also change.

 

[etta]

Not ready just yet, but I live in Japan, so it's a Japanese Xbox One (Does have US English in it though).

But you regret it and are not ready to get rid of it at the same time?
You'd probably want to do it sooner, if they announce a slim at E3, or less likely at the Feb. 25 event, the value of your current one will take a dive.

 

[netBuff]

On a more serious note, pc loyalist often buy 3 to 5 windows os because you have to buy a new one each time you change your mother board : and since most of pc users always crave for power and high-end stuff, changing your mother board can happens a lot. So it makes it up for it in somes ways.

No, you don't need a new Windows license if you change your motherboard (and I don't think people change their CPU/motherboard all that often, graphics cards are more worthwhile updates)

 

[OttoSporteman]

I don't really see it as a bad thing, but it definitely makes me less likely to buy any future console from MS.

First reply nailed it.

What is the main reason to have an Xbox one today? Pay for Xbox live gold?

 

[Juanfp]

First reply nailed it.

What is the main reason to have an Xbox one today? Pay for Xbox live gold?

To the people here it could be a valid question, but to the normal consumer is not. A gaming PC is not an option, they don't want to have the problem to build a PC, doesnt matter how "easy" is it. They want to go to a store and buy the console "ready" to play without extra configuration, dealing with drivers, graphic options, etc.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Best part was when one of the guys suggested that MS needs to add lag for PC players in cross-platform multiplayer games because PCs are "faster"


^^^

Yeah, it was pretty bad. So much contradicting as well. One excuse was something about being able to play on their new 4k tv and not on a surface Pro tablet or something.

Sure, I can sympathize for some of the people who got an X1 for these games who otherwise may not have to spend the money on it if they would of preferred to spend the money on a gaming PC or whatever. However, there are many benefits to this, taking the same scenario those guys talked about, after I've played my game on X1, I can now load up the game on another device from where I left off until I return to my X1. Sure the game may not look/run the same but this is just a scenario where there are benefits.

 

[16BitNova]

I think that era is mostly over though. Third party exclusives are essentially dead aside from rare exceptions. No company has even established an exclusive franchise on the same level of an Uncharted or Gears this generation. Both consoles are selling because of powerful third party support, and Sony is winning because of the right message.

It only reflects that it is extremely hard to make games on a single platform at AAA scale that isn't already an established franchise. Games coming to PC helps make that possible by providing another revenue stream without necessarily compromising the console side of things. The amount of people who buy a console solely for exclusives outside of things like Halo and Uncharted I'm betting is an extremely small number. Exclusivity is such a marketing focused thing. To the average user Microsoft saying "the greatest place to play games is Xbox One" and all the games listed being on PC doesn't really change anything. PC gaming isn't even a blip on the radar for that user. However Microsoft tapping into the vast amount of willing buyers who do have PCs and are aware of that stuff is a smart move.

I suppose that if this move makes sense with any company, it is Microsoft. Since they are a PC company to begin with. I can't really see Sony or Nintendo doing the same though. All I hope is that if certain games like, Halo (6) also go to PC Microsoft will be smart and make the online multiplayer cross play. Grow the community, don't split it.

 

[...Scatter...]

I suppose that if this move makes sense with any company, it is Microsoft. Since they are a PC company to begin with. I can't really see Sony or Nintendo doing the same though. All I hope is that if certain games like, Halo (6) also go to PC Microsoft will be smart and make the online multiplayer cross play. Grow the community, don't split it.

If Halo 6 goes cross play they have to force controller only. KBM vs. controller wouldn't be rigjt.

 

[Sydle]

If Halo 6 goes cross play they have to force controller only. KBM vs. controller wouldn't be rigjt.

Or just enforce/enable split play lists based on input device.

 

[Beautiful Ninja]

To the people here it could be a valid question, but to the normal consumer is not. A gaming PC is not an option, they don't want to have the problem to build a PC, doesnt matter how "easy" is it. They want to go to a store and buy the console "ready" to play without extra configuration, dealing with drivers, graphic options, etc.

Alienware Alpha. If things do pan out the way they look like and MS is really ditching Xbox One exclusive first party software, then why not get something like an Alpha that has a console like UI?

The obvious thing against the Alpha is that it's more expensive than an Xbox One, but a little bit of marketing to show the things that an Alpha can do that a Xbox One can't can alleviate some of that. A Alienware Alpha could very easily be marketed as a device that is better at being an Xbox One than an Xbox One is.

 

[etta]

Alienware Alpha. If things do pan out the way they look like and MS is really ditching Xbox One exclusive first party software, then why not get something like an Alpha that has a console like UI?

The obvious thing against the Alpha is that it's more expensive than an Xbox One, but a little bit of marketing to show the things that an Alpha can do that a Xbox One can't can alleviate some of that. A Alienware Alpha could very easily be marketed as a device that is better at being an Xbox One than an Xbox One is.

But does the Alpha have HDMI-in with Cortana?

 

[Juanfp]

Alienware Alpha. If things do pan out the way they look like and MS is really ditching Xbox One exclusive first party software, then why not get something like an Alpha that has a console like UI?

The obvious thing against the Alpha is that it's more expensive than an Xbox One, but a little bit of marketing to show the things that an Alpha can do that a Xbox One can't can alleviate some of that. A Alienware Alpha could very easily be marketed as a device that is better at being an Xbox One than an Xbox One is.

But is not a console. It could more similar, but the will see difgerent models with different specs, it just another complication. A lot of people who knows will probably choose the Alpha but the mass market no, doesn't matter it does better than the xbox.

 

[Beautiful Ninja]

But does the Alpha have HDMI-in with Cortana?

No to the HDMI-in, yes to Cortana. Cortana already exists in Windows 10.

 

[Bigmac1910]

But you regret it and are not ready to get rid of it at the same time?
You'd probably want to do it sooner, if they announce a slim at E3, or less likely at the Feb. 25 event, the value of your current one will take a dive.

Here in Japan stores are not buying or trade it afaik. One of the few things that hold me back from selling it though, is Gears of War 4, Scalebound (they could come to PC but I'm not sure yet) and that I own quite a few PAL DVDs and they cannot be played back on a Japanese Blu-Ray player. (Not that use it often, but I do not want to regret selling it lol). So in one way I regret my purchase on the other hand I sorta have to keep it, at least for now.

 

[etta]

No to the HDMI-in, yes to Cortana. Cortana already exists in Windows 10.

But you can't sweet-talk her into changing the channel ;P


Stumbled upon this:

 

[RedSwirl]

I wouldn't mind if exclusives just died off. They made sense in an era when console hardware architecture was so exotic that exclusives could bring out potential in them multiplatform games couldn't. I think the PS3 was the last console where that was true. The console manufacturers have switched to hardware that's less exotic and might have less hidden potential but is more economical and friendlier to developers. Consoles still have a huge power-per-dollar advantage over PC, but today you can't deny that a better-looking Halo or Uncharted would theoretically be possible on PC if you threw enough silicon at it.

The consoles have already shifted to new selling points outside exclusives (outside Nintendo). I would argue that the Xbox 360 beat the PS3 last generation (in the anglophone) not because of better exclusives but because of a better marketing message and how much better Xbox Live was than PSN back then. The whole selling point of the 360 back then was how far ahead its overall OS backend was while Sony played catch-up with those features. Now things have shifted: it's PlayStation that has the superior marketing message. Yes PlayStation is gathering more and more exclusives from Japanese developers, but I don't think those are the biggest factor on a worldwide market scale since the most important AAA Japanese games are still multiplatform (except Street Fighter). Really, the console manufacturers today are like competing cable networks offering most of the same content with different deals.

And I would argue the Xbox's relevance in the face of PC has been one of its existential problems since 2001. I think it's one of the reasons Microsoft has struggled to support Windows gaming since then. Xbox really always could have simply been a Windows console but Microsoft saw fit to sell it as a traditional closed garden that is now losing its uniqueness compared to Windows machines. And let's not forget selling Windows is still Microsoft's main business.

Today if you buy an Xbox it's because:

1) You really have to have Halo and Forza.

AND

2) You'd rather get a $350 console than an $800 gaming PC.

That's pretty much it.

 

[Lingitiz]

Today if you buy an Xbox it's because:

1) You really have to have Halo and Forza.

AND

2) You'd rather get a $350 console than an $800 gaming PC.

That's pretty much it.

I play most of my games on PC. But it's important to note that the bolded is a pretty big audience of people. Those like us on Gaf consider all of these things when we buy our systems and decide where we play. But to the casual person who buys maybe 3 or 4 games a year at most, PC gaming essentially does not even exist as an option. I know a ton of people who ended up buying Xbox One's because A. all their friends are getting them and that's where they're gonna go and B. they had 360's last gen and are sticking with the brand.

I assume that's the approach Microsoft takes to this that ultimately allows them to let first party stuff be on XB1 and PC. They see them as largely different audiences that are both large and profitable, but the numbers must show the actual threat that porting has to selling their console must not be that large and the revenue they gain in return is worth it.

 

[Helznicht]

I play most of my games on PC. But it's important to note that the bolded is a pretty big audience of people. Those like us on Gaf consider all of these things when we buy our systems and decide where we play. But to the casual person who buys maybe 3 or 4 games a year at most, PC gaming essentially does not even exist as an option. I know a ton of people who ended up buying Xbox One's because A. all their friends are getting them and that's where they're gonna go and B. they had 360's last gen and are sticking with the brand.

I assume that's the approach Microsoft takes to this that ultimately allows them to let first party stuff be on XB1 and PC. They are different audiences that are both large and profitable, but they numbers must show the actual threat that porting has to selling their console must not actually be that tangible.

Its clear they are testing the waters here. If it pays off, they will continue, until it starts to hurt the bottom line.

 

[scitek]

Microsoft hasn't learned a thing after GFWL, judging from Rise of the Tomb Raider. I know I certainly don't trust them not to shit things up again with games tied exclusively to their ecosystem. I'd rather they release on multiple storefronts so I don't have to bother with theirs.

 

[modalife]

People forget it can be used for more than just gaming.

Oddly enough, I ONLY use for streaming. I do all my gaming on my PS4, nowadays. A gaming PC would be a great fit.

 

[RedSwirl]

I play most of my games on PC. But it's important to note that the bolded is a pretty big audience of people. Those like us on Gaf consider all of these things when we buy our systems and decide where we play. But to the casual person who buys maybe 3 or 4 games a year at most, PC gaming essentially does not even exist as an option. I know a ton of people who ended up buying Xbox One's because A. all their friends are getting them and that's where they're gonna go and B. they had 360's last gen and are sticking with the brand.

I assume that's the approach Microsoft takes to this that ultimately allows them to let first party stuff be on XB1 and PC. They see them as largely different audiences that are both large and profitable, but the numbers must show the actual threat that porting has to selling their console must not be that large and the revenue they gain in return is worth it.

That's what I was gonna try to get to. All these multiplatform games are still selling a lot more on consoles than on PC. It's just that the PC install base is big enough to where you can't really ignore it.

Though I did hear someone say somewhere that Alan Wake did eventually sell more on PC than on 360. It could be problematic if games like Quantum Break and Tomb Raider actually do sell more on PC or as much on PC as on Xbox.

 

[10k]

the only thing that really bothers me about this whole thing is the fact that online play would be free on PC versions of these games while you have to pay on Xbox. that seems shitty

But you get so much value!

Games with Gold
Deals with Gold
and ummm....

 

[demigod]

But it's difficult for us, pc loyalist, to play games on a sofa wich kind of making it up for it.

On a more serious note, pc loyalist often buy 3 to 5 windows os because you have to buy a new one each time you change your mother board : and since most of pc users always crave for power and high-end stuff, changing your mother board can happens a lot. So it makes it up for it in somes ways.

What the fuck is this shit? You call yourself a pc loyalist yet spout bs.

 

[10k]

But it's difficult for us, pc loyalist, to play games on a sofa wich kind of making it up for it.

On a more serious note, pc loyalist often buy 3 to 5 windows os because you have to buy a new one each time you change your mother board : and since most of pc users always crave for power and high-end stuff, changing your mother board can happens a lot. So it makes it up for it in somes ways.

You sure you're not a PCP loyalist instead of a PC loyalist?

 

[Gerugamesh]

I mean, I guess, but if Scalebound gets a PC port that comes out around the same time as the Xbone version then I really don't see myself getting an Xbone. Quantum Break was the one other exclusive I was really interested in, so it's just more reason to build a new computer over buying an Xbone for me.

 

[eksy]

Every console I've ever owned since the Atari 2600 I've kept. The Xbox One will be the first console I ever sell.

I'm just waiting for Gamestop to have a nice promo bonus, and its gone. Then I'll trade that credit for giftcards, probably for Amazon. That's the plan.

The outlook for the Xbox One just keeps getting worse and worse. I don't feel any kind of affinity for it and the decision to port its few watermark games does not help. I could not recommend the console to ANYONE. If they don't even care, why should I?

BTW, Windows 10 fuckin' sucks. I got a new PC with it and during setup they ask you to send all kinds of personal data to them; you gotta make sure to untick almost every box if you value your privacy. I gave it a fair shot but just could not take it. Had to install Classic Shell immediately. They've also permanently lost the web browser war (for me at least), so its pretty pathetic they try to grab on your leg pant as you walk away from them (AKA try to set Chrome as default, only for W10 to not accept it)

 

[GHG]

People forget that Microsoft are a software company. The majority of their ventures into various hardware businesses have been failures over the last 20 years or so. I have a feeling that the Xbox one will be their last dedicated gaming console. it will be interesting to see what they have planned for the future of the brand.

Of and don't be surprised if they announce that 360 backwards compatibility is coming to windows 10. Once Xenia is properly up and running and starts gathering some steam they will look at it and think "we could make money from people who want to play 360 games on their PC". I don't know what it will mean for Xenia at that point in time but I do think they will bring Xbox 360 BC to windows 10 when the time is right.