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[Zedox]

Let me give perspective for those who don't get why this is a good thing.

Xbox One = Console by Microsoft
Windows 10 Store = "Console by Microsoft"

Xbox One = Windows 10 Store

If you buy from Xbox One or from Windows 10 Store, you are buying from THE SAME EXACT THING.

iPhone = Apple
iPad = Apple

I buy a game on my iphone or iPad and guess what, Apple still gets money. I can play it on both. Is the ipho e or iPad going away because the app is available on both? Noooooo. One device I use everywhere and the other I use at other times. It is literally the same concept.

 

[Qassim]

No, of course, but I see the console slightly losing its value, PS4 becoming even more the one to buy for the casual market.

It will not happen overnight, but it certainly will not end with MS selling more consoles, on the contrary.

If anything, it's entirely possible that Microsoft could justify investing even more in XBO + PC exclusive games, which could improve their console sales. If the Xbox division can say "We want to invest $50m in x exclusive game" then that's a lot easier to justify when you can also sell that game on Windows because:

A) More revenue.. obviously (less financial risk).
B) It benefits the most important Microsoft ecosystem: Windows.

If Microsoft bringing games to the PC means they can more easily justify spending lots of money on PC + XBO exclusive games, then there's no reason to suggest that wouldn't increase Xbox sales. They're only increases the number of potentially high profile exclusive games that people can't play on their PS4.

______

On a side note, I wrote something over a year ago pointing out that I sort of felt that this transition was inevitable or else the Xbox would start to look lost in Microsoft's overall strategy:

https://blog.qassim.uk/2015/01/21/xbox-is-looking-a-little-lost-in-microsofts-strategy/

Specifically this part:

So how does Xbox fit in to Microsoft’s strategy? I’ll start by taking a few quotes from Satya Nadella himself from todays Windows 10 presentation.

“The mobility of the experience is what matters, not the mobility of the device.”

“Today you saw an explicit focus on mobility of experiences, that’s our world view.”

“It’s about the mobility of experiences across devices”
Nadella also specified three strategy points for Windows.

1. Windows as a service
2. Windows mobility
3. How Windows and cross-platform come together

The first one isn’t relevant to my point, but the fact Nadella used 2/3 of his “strategy” points describing his vision for making Windows one platform where users do a variety of things. From productivity, to entertainment, to industry specific applications, regardless of the device they’re using to access Windows.

Microsoft is getting very close to their “Windows everywhere” and “One platform” goal and Xbox remaining the isolated gaming platform it is today is counter to almost everything Microsoft as a company wants to achieve.

 

[Trup1aya]

They won't buy a PC, but they might other console with true exclusive now.

So you are saying they will skip out on playing the games they want to play because people with different hardware will also get to play those games?

If you want quantum break and any other games MS takes this approach with, you'll have to spend $ in MS' ecosystem.. Period

If you prefer consoles, you'll go Xbox 1. If you prefer PC you'll go Windows Store. cross play games will have a larger population. And developers get access to new customers. It's a win for everyone.

 

[-Amon-]

If you prefer consoles, you'll go Xbox 1. If you prefer PC you'll go Windows Store. cross play games will have a larger population. And developers get access to new customers. It's a win for everyone.

Steam users could disagree with this but wathever.

 

[wapplew]

Ms (and pretty much any other store) takes a 30% cut from each sale. Ms just need to lower their cut in an amount where the extra revenue for the developer compensate for the few double dip sales lost.

Oh, and unlike most digital stores Ms doesn't enforce the devs to use their payment methods, so in theory you could have f2p and subscription based games hosted on the store without the developer having to pay anything to Ms. Who knows if Ms can use that to their advantage to bring some games to xbone, even if it means having to support keyboard+mouse on the console as well?

Why any third party want give MS a cut if they can publish on PC on their own store and take 100%? It's not like Windows store is super popular anyway.

 

[mhayze]

Why any third party want give MS a cut if they can publish on PC on their own store and take 100%? It's not like Windows store is super popular anyway.

Because Microsoft owns a captive platform that's in the 8 digits. If you publish PC only, you are giving up some of that revenue. Sure some XBO owners are PC owners and will play your game there, but not all. Then there's piracy concerns, partners in promotions, running servers (where applicable), etc., etc. You can certainly figure all this out on the PC, but this is part of the answer to 'why does any 3rd party want to give MS a cut'.

I think some of the reactions to this announcement are from people feeling like there's not enough first party content on XBO. Microsoft says they can make more first party content if they release on PC, and many XBO owners go..."shut up". That's my take on this 'controversy'.

 

[LukasTaves]

Why any third party want give MS a cut if they can publish on PC on their own store and take 100%? It's not like Windows store is super popular anyway.

Because they already support other 3rd party stores where they have to give the same cut to them?

Let me reiterate that: Every single publisher that releases games on a store that's not their own pay a cut to the store owner, that's how the digital market already is on Pcs and phones alreayd, Ms isn't the first trying to do it.

In fact, they are one of the less restrictive for developers.

 

[Zedox]

Why any third party want give MS a cut if they can publish on PC on their own store and take 100%? It's not like Windows store is super popular anyway.

Development cost. Build your game for Xbox one and PC at the same time with less QA overhead and development time. Basically knocking two birds with one stone.

 

[Hyun Sai]

If anything, it's entirely possible that Microsoft could justify investing even more in XBO + PC exclusive games, which could improve their console sales. If the Xbox division can say "We want to invest $50m in x exclusive game" then that's a lot easier to justify when you can also sell that game on Windows because:

A) More revenue.. obviously (less financial risk).
B) It benefits the most important Microsoft ecosystem: Windows.

If Microsoft bringing games to the PC means they can more easily justify spending lots of money on PC + XBO exclusive games, then there's no reason to suggest that wouldn't increase Xbox sales. They're only increases the number of potentially high profile exclusive games that people can't play on their PS4.

Well, fair enough, but we'll have to agree to disagree. All I see in a foreseeable future is the reactions we have every time a Xbox exclusive is coming to PC : "Well, I guess I'll just upgrade my PC now". "Shit if I knew this I never would bought the Box" "Seems like PC + PS is the go to configuration !" Every single time.

You see this increasing Xbox console market share, I see this shrinking it. We'll just have to wait to see what happens. ^^

 

[wapplew]

Development cost. Build your game for Xbox one and PC at the same time with less QA overhead and development time. Basically knocking two birds with one stone.

How that's different for guys like EA making games on every platform, to put their games on Windows store instead of origin, will that make development time less?

 

[blackdevil]

Let me give perspective for those who don't get why this is a good thing.

Xbox One = Console by Microsoft
Windows 10 Store = "Console by Microsoft"

Xbox One = Windows 10 Store

If you buy from Xbox One or from Windows 10 Store, you are buying from THE SAME EXACT THING.

iPhone = Apple
iPad = Apple

I buy a game on my iphone or iPad and guess what, Apple still gets money. I can play it on both. Is the ipho e or iPad going away because the app is available on both? Noooooo. One device I use everywhere and the other I use at other times. It is literally the same concept.

why would i buy an xbox one now? you are talking about the software others here talk about the hardware and why most with a gaming pc and ps4 wont have a reason to buy an xbox one now because you get the games for your PC.

That`s the point here. Microsoft doesnt lose software sales they will get more but they will lose console sales! and if they dont force people to buy xbox live for pc then they will also lose Xbox live sales.

Is that good in your eyes? again , not talking about software. That`s a win win for everybody.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Let me give perspective for those who don't get why this is a good thing.

Xbox One = Console by Microsoft
Windows 10 Store = "Console by Microsoft"

Xbox One = Windows 10 Store

If you buy from Xbox One or from Windows 10 Store, you are buying from THE SAME EXACT THING.

iPhone = Apple
iPad = Apple

I buy a game on my iphone or iPad and guess what, Apple still gets money. I can play it on both. Is the ipho e or iPad going away because the app is available on both? Noooooo. One device I use everywhere and the other I use at other times. It is literally the same concept.

It's great for software sales, but makes Xbox hardware redundant and unnecessary to any one not already in the ecosystem. Good for software, bad for hardware.

 

[Trup1aya]

It's great for software sales, but makes Xbox hardware redundant and unnecessary to any one not already in the ecosystem. Good for software, bad for hardware.

The money maker is in software sales... How is any Xbox customer negatively effected by this if people are still buying the games?

These customers WILL be benefitting from the larger playerbases and increased development incentives.

Xbox hardware sales shouldn't really matter to consumers, because at the end of the day, there will be more people playing games on Xbox live.

 

[LukasTaves]

The money made of of potential extra sales of exclusive won't offset the money by people deciding not to choose the platform. On the XB1 MS takes a licensing fee of of every game released on console. They get a piece of the pie for third party sales. None of that really happens on in other market places on the PC. So if this move deters people from making the XB1 a viable choice it destroys the point of even owning the system. Even if MS sinks money into another exclusive people will assume it will be ported and idea of purchasing XB1 becomes less desirable when weighing options. If I knew this is the path they were going to head down, I wouldn't have purchased an XB1. I have multiple very powerful PC's.

That's not true, all digital stores on Pc takes a fee as well.

 

[ProfessorMoran]

It's great for software sales, but makes Xbox hardware redundant and unnecessary to any one not already in the ecosystem. Good for software, bad for hardware.

This. No real point in owning an xbone if this trend continues. Maybe MS anticipated the xbone userbase growth will stall anyway.

 

[wapplew]

The money maker is in software sales... How is any Xbox customer negatively effected by this if people are still buying software?

These customers WILL be benefitting from the larger playerbases and increased development incentives.

Xbox hardware sales shouldn't really matter to consumers, because at the end of the day, there are more people playing games on Xbox live.

Real money maker is royalties for platform holder, if MS only care about software sales, they better turn into third party and release titles on everywhere.

 

[LukasTaves]

It's great for software sales, but makes Xbox hardware redundant and unnecessary to any one not already in the ecosystem. Good for software, bad for hardware.

I'm not sure that's gospel. If you build a console with a $350 price tag, that is just as capable and plug and play as a Ps4 and has access to the entire steam library I doubt said console would be called unnecessary, people would call it a great entry point of the ecosystem.

Of course, that will only happen if the ecosystem is attractive in the first place, and that's where ms has to bring their A game for it to happen.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

The money maker is in software sales... How is any Xbox customer negatively effected by this if people are still buying software?

These customers WILL be benefitting from the larger playerbases and increased development incentives.

Xbox hardware sales shouldn't really matter to consumers, because at the end of the day, there are more people playing games on Xbox live.

I never said it was negative for Xbox customers. I'm saying it is a less attractive product for potential customers now. Going forward Xbox has the least amount of unique content out of any major platforms(PC, PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox). It's the worst console to pair with a PC by far.

I'm not sure that's gospel. If you build a console with a $350 price tag, that is just as capable and plug and play as a Ps4 and has access to the entire steam library I doubt said console would be called unnecessary, people would call it a great entry point of the ecosystem.

Of course, that will only happen if the ecosystem is attractive in the first place, and that's where ms has to bring their A game for it to happen.

Steam library? Am I missing something? I already see PC enthusiasts on here have issues with Windows 10 Store and somehow it will rival Steam and a those game will be on console too? That sure as heck isn't happening this generation.

 

[Sydle]

I'm not sure that's gospel. If you build a console with a $350 price tag, that is just as capable and plug and play as a Ps4 and has access to the entire steam library I doubt said console would be called unnecessary, people would call it a great entry point of the ecosystem.

Of course, that will only happen if the ecosystem is attractive in the first place, and that's where ms has to bring their A game for it to happen.

The idea they make true Windows 10 machines as the next Xbox is a nice idea, but it's MS we're talking about. It's likely they make it Windows Store only.

Will be interesting having things like AlienWare making real W10 machines with access to everything, Steam, GoG, Windows Store, versus a closed box. Can't imagine someone aware of the options choosing the latter.

 

[gai_shain]

I dont think the question for many people is wether they get a pc or a xbox but rather its between ps4 and xbox. So if they want to play the microsoft exclusives they will still have to get a xbox. Its different on neogaf ofcourse but the enthusiast crowd is alot different compared to the "casual" crowd.

 

[LukasTaves]

I never said it was negative for Xbox customers. I'm saying it is a less attractive product for potential customers now. Going forward Xbox has the least amount of unique content out of any major platforms(PC, PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox). It's the worst console to pair with a PC by far.



Steam library? Am I missing something? I already see PC enthusiasts on here have issues with Windows 10 Store and somehow it will rival Steam and a those game will be on console too? That sure as heck isn't happening this generation.

I'm talking about an hypothetical scenario XD

Basically, if steam machines were cheap, capable of running the entire steam library and have no issues with the plug and play aspect do you think they would be irrelevant because you can build more powerful gaming pcs that has access to the same library?

What I meant to say is: If the Ms has a successful store xbone will be considered a good entry point of that store, and not something unnecessary because there are other ways to use the store.

 

[Bgamer90]

I dont think the question for many people is wether they get a pc or a xbox but rather its between ps4 and xbox. So if they want to play the microsoft exclusives they will still have to get a xbox. Its different on neogaf ofcourse but the enthusiast crowd is alot different compared to the "casual" crowd.

Exactly, and I'm surprised that a lot of people don't get this.

I sound like a broken record now but the list of the top selling PS4 or Xbox One games this gen will mainly show multiplats. People are buying current gen consoles for multiplats -- hence a main reason why the Wii U has done terrible.

There's little to nothing lost in true exclusives becoming "console exclusives" in the eyes of the majority of console gamers since they don't care about PC gaming in the first place.

 

[ironcreed]

This. No real point in owning an xbone if this trend continues. Maybe MS anticipated the xbone userbase growth will stall anyway.

Sure there is a point to owning the hardware. Because most people interested in the Xbox One prefer consoles anyway. This is not going to make them become PC gamers all of the sudden. If a console gamer has interest in the games, then they will still buy an Xbox and those games will still be console exclusive all the same.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

I dont think the question for many people is wether they get a pc or a xbox but rather its between ps4 and xbox. So if they want to play the microsoft exclusives they will still have to get a xbox. Its different on neogaf ofcourse but the enthusiast crowd is alot different compared to the "casual" crowd.

The question is if you own a gaming PC why choose Xbox One over PS4 if all the Microsoft exclusives are already accessible to you?

Uncharted 4 is gonna sell some PS4 in April. Quantum Break is going to sell less Xbox One than it potentially could have. If you are a PC gamer and you were going to choose your decision was just made much easier.

 

[LukasTaves]

The idea they make true Windows 10 machines as the next Xbox is a nice idea, but it's MS we're talking about. It's likely they make it Windows Store only.

Will be interesting having things like AlienWare making real W10 machines with access to everything, Steam, GoG, Windows Store, versus a closed box. Can't imagine someone aware of the options choosing the latter.

Yeah, they will definitely make a one restricted to the win store. I only mentioned steam as a example of digital store that already has all the games people want to play.

 

[Bgamer90]

The question is if you own a gaming PC why choose Xbox One over PS4 if all the Microsoft exclusives are already accessible to you?

I feel that that question could have been stated before this move with Quantum Break.

Heck, if you own a gaming PC then why choose Xbox One or PS4 when the Wii U has FAR more games that aren't available to play on PC?

Uncharted 4 is gonna sell some PS4 in April. Quantum Break is going to sell less Xbox One than it potentially could have. If you are a PC gamer and you were going to choose your decision was just made much easier.

We don't know this yet since more people being able to play Quantum Break could cause more attention/talk about the game --- thus causing more interest from people who only care about the console space.

 

[diaspora]

They won't buy a PC, but they might other console with true exclusive now.

That makes no sense since they'd be missing out on Microsoft-only games.

 

[Zedox]

It's great for software sales, but makes Xbox hardware redundant and unnecessary to any one not already in the ecosystem. Good for software, bad for hardware.

why would i buy an xbox one now? you are talking about the software others here talk about the hardware and why most with a gaming pc and ps4 wont have a reason to buy an xbox one now because you get the games for your PC.

That`s the point here. Microsoft doesnt lose software sales they will get more but they will lose console sales! and if they dont force people to buy xbox live for pc then they will also lose Xbox live sales.

Is that good in your eyes? again , not talking about software. That`s a win win for everybody.

Why are yall so obsessed with Xbox One sales? So? Yes, I understand the Xbox live subs...we don't know what MS has planned to offer users Xbox live subs (which in my opinion should be like Amazon prime where you get discounts) for PC users.

The point of MS strategy is to be where the users are. You want a console because you game primarily in front of a TV, we have the hardware for you. You have a PC and don't care to game in front of your TV, we have games for you.

Xbox One isn't going anywhere and the sales of it isn't the end goal. Let go of this "Xbox one sales are going to be less" The console is a portal and the PC is a portal. Let it go. Think differently.
----------------
EDIT:
I feel that people on this board are so entrenched the Xbox one vs. Ps4 war that they can't see past it.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

I feel that that question could have been stated before this move with Quantum Break.

Heck, if you own a gaming PC then why choose Xbox One or PS4 when the Wii U has FAR more games that aren't available to play on PC?

That depends on the type of games you like. More of something you aren't really interested in doesn't mean much.

 

[wapplew]

Exactly, and I'm surprised that a lot of people don't get this.

I sound like a broken record now but the list of the top selling PS4 or Xbox One games this gen will mainly show multiplats. People are buying current gen consoles for multiplats -- hence a main reason why the Wii U has done terrible.

There's little to nothing lost in true exclusives becoming "console exclusives" in the eyes of the majority of console gamers since they don't care about PC gaming in the first place.

Because multiplatform sold most and you come to the conclusion people buy console to play multiplat?
Tell me why steam mechine not sold like hot cake yet? You could play every multiplat is on it, plus a few most popular game in the world with the accessible price like console, controller of your choice on big TV.

 

[LukasTaves]

The question is if you own a gaming PC why choose Xbox One over PS4 if all the Microsoft exclusives are already accessible to you?

The answer is, they don't care about devices sales anymore, they care about expanding windows as a platform.

Xbox remains as a great entry point for using windows on a Tv, and they will keep developing new consoles for that, but instead of making the brand tied to a single physical device they are tying the brand to their larger product.

Really guys, when you talk about console sales just exchange Xbone to the Windows Store. You'll see that all the points you are making still apply, Ms just changed the focus into a service that can be accessed from many devices instead of just one. They still still are coming with new games and features exclusives to that platform, the only difference is that this platform now is a service you get to keep even by the time Xbone 2 comes.

 

[Bgamer90]

That depends on the type of games you like. More of something you aren't really interested in doesn't mean much.

Same point could be made when talking about any console though since no console has 100% of its games on PC too.

 

[diaspora]

Because multiplatform sold most and you come to the conclusion people buy console to play multiplat?
Tell me why steam mechine sold like hot cake yet? You could play every multiplat is on it, plus a few most popular game in the world with the accessible price like console, controller of your choice on big TV.

Because you can't buy them and they don't carry any unified brand.

 

[ironcreed]

The answer is, they don't care about devices sales anymore, they care about expanding windows as a platform.

Xbox remains as a great entry point for using windows on a Tv, and they will keep developing new consoles for that, but instead of making the brand tied to a single physical device they are tying the brand to their larger product.

Really guys, when you talk about console sales just exchange Xbone to the Windows Store. You'll see that all the points you are making still apply, Ms just changed the focus into a service that can be accessed from many devices instead of just one. They still still are coming with new games and features exclusives to that platform, the only difference is that this platform now is a service you get to keep even by the time Xbone 2 comes.

Which makes this a brilliant move.

 

[LukasTaves]

Because multiplatform sold most and you come to the conclusion people buy console to play multiplat?
Tell me why steam mechine not sold like hot cake yet? You could play every multiplat is on it, plus a few most popular game in the world with the accessible price like console, controller of your choice on big TV.

Because that's not true at all regarding steam machines?

They are expansive, have a very restricted library, many games show issues when using with controllers (heck, even steam os itself had problems from the reviews I had).

 

[Bgamer90]

Because multiplatform sold most and you come to the conclusion people buy console to play multiplat?

Yes. Not sure why this is surprising. The majority of console gamers at this point of the gen only have one current gen console so "big games" are "big games" regardless of if they're multiplat or exclusive.

Tell me why steam mechine sold like hot cake yet? You could play every multiplat is on it, plus a few most popular game in the world with the accessible price like console, controller of your choice on big TV.

Because steam doesn't have the same mindshare/popularity from users in the console space as companies that have been around in the console space for almost two decades or longer.

 

[Zedox]

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I'm just glad that there are a number of people who understand why this is a good thing.

For the others, LET GO OF THE CONSOLE WARZ. The console wars are over...it's about the platform and ecosystems. Those NPDs for game sales, system sales don't matter anymore.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Same point could be made when talking about any console though since no console has 100% of its games on PC too.

But that seems to be where XBox is headed in the future.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I'm just glad that there are a number of people who understand why this is a good thing.

For the others, LET GO OF THE CONSOLE WARZ. The console wars are over...it's about the platform and ecosystems. Those NPDs for game sales, system sales don't matter anymore.

That is awfully convenient considering the way this generation is going. Maybe it's just a coincidence.

 

[gamz]

Do you guys think that Xbox 2 is coming soon? Make it backward compatible for the current games? Or perhaps a Xbox like device it's own store or maybe steam?

 

[Ghost Slayer]

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I'm just glad that there are a number of people who understand why this is a good thing.

For the others, LET GO OF THE CONSOLE WARZ. The console wars are over...it's about the platform and ecosystems. Those NPDs for game sales, system sales don't matter anymore.

In what world? MAU world? If you think people discuss system sales because of console wars then you're so wrong

 

[LukasTaves]

Which makes this a brilliant move.

I think so too.

In fact, I think people are underestimating the bigger deal here: You don't have to say good bye to your games once a new generation starts. No more BC begging or remasters, the games just run on everything that is capable of running them.

That's why I think even for xbox as a gaming device that's huge news. Imagine if that's been like this from the beginning and right now you could have access to your entire library of games from the OG Xbox until now? All with working servers due the cloud and ready to play anytime you like. Who would walk away from a ecosystem like that?

I also think that's one of the key points that made steam successful, little by little you get more invested in the ecosystem and once you realize that ecosystem goes with you to whichever device you own you lose the will to go anywhere else. (Which makes steam a bigger threat to Ms plans than Ps4 really, and one they will have to make their best in order to gain any market share)

 

[Trup1aya]

I never said it was negative for Xbox customers. I'm saying it is a less attractive product for potential customers now. Going forward Xbox has the least amount of unique content out of any major platforms(PC, PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox). It's the worst console to pair with a PC by far.

What you aren't getting is that the hardware sale doesn't matter. If you want Xbox content you have two ways of getting it. By removing the need for users to by a box, they are just increasing their customer base.

There's no negative to getting more people into the Xbox ecosystem. Software is where the money is made. Playerbase is where developers go

[/QUOTE]

 

[LukasTaves]

Do you guys think that Xbox 2 is coming soon? Make it backward compatible for the current games? Or perhaps a Xbox like device it's own store or maybe steam?

A Xbox 2 is certain.

It will not have to be BC, it will just run universal apps natively. In fact I can see Ms porting their 360 and OG Xbox emulators to the store and enabling over a decade of games available for you to buy and play everywhere.

 

[blackdevil]

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I'm just glad that there are a number of people who understand why this is a good thing.

For the others, LET GO OF THE CONSOLE WARZ. The console wars are over...it's about the platform and ecosystems. Those NPDs for game sales, system sales don't matter anymore.

game sales and system sales dont matter anymore? i forgot Microsoft and others are doing all this for love and respect..

you should let go of the impression that everybody here is out for microsoft etc. or acting as a fanboy. People here make good arguments.

 

[Bitch Pudding]

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I'm just glad that there are a number of people who understand why this is a good thing.

For the others, LET GO OF THE CONSOLE WARZ. The console wars are over...it's about the platform and ecosystems. Those NPDs for game sales, system sales don't matter anymore.

So, in other words, either I agree with you that this is a good thing (for XBOX owners!) or I'm a dumb console wars warrior. Cool. Furthermore, unit sales don't count anymore, just MAUs. Holy moly, MS' PR sure did the trick here.

A Xbox 2 is certain.

I wouldn't bet money on it. They might as well sacrifice it to align their gaming division to their overall strategy. Which is service, not hardware.

 

[Chobel]

Not sure if this is the right thread, but I'm interested in knowing how MS is gonna duplicate XBLG success on PC. What could they possibly do to make PC gamers purchase live subscriptions?

 

[maxiell]

These bizarre posts which claim that Microsoft is heading towards a unified ecosystem and how wonderful that will be are getting surreal.

As Durante pointed out, Microsoft is still completely lost when it comes to the PC space and how to appeal to those customers. Why would a PC user want to play on Xbox One? These are totally different segments of the market.

Microsoft isn't releasing Quantum Break on PC because they want to start serving those customers. They're doing it because these exclusives are bombing at launch and not creating any word of mouth, and that hurts the value of the IPs and the sales momentum of the game. It's bad for partners like Square Enix when they release a new game and it barely sells any copies. People were not happy with the ROTR launch and this is a way to address that.

 

[Bgamer90]

But that seems to be where XBox is headed in the future.

I feel it will definitely be true next gen. It isn't true now (this gen) though.

I definitely feel that the signs are very clear that the next Xbox console will be nothing more than a "TV PC" that will have the Windows Xbox app front/center (though possibly with a few changes to simplify things for console users).

PC players will continue on playing on PC. MS isn't going to mind since they will still be buying MS games and giving MS money/support from being in their ecosystem.

Microsoft would prefer to have a great number of gaming users on each various multiple platform vs. a HUGE number on only one platform if that "HUGE number" is still going to be less than the sum of users they could have across various Xbox/Windows platforms.

 

[Zedox]

What I'm saying is that the sales for just physical copies of a game and the sales of the console isn't the end all be all. Obviously sales matter. But I did say NPD numbers. Meaning people looking at those numbers to see if a game is a success or failure doesn't matter. Sorry for the confusion.

The sale of a console isn't the primary concern to see if Xbox (brand) is succeeding. It's the users, the games sales (which we won't know for digital sales and PC games are primarily digital), people using the service.

I said what I said because people are acting as if the Xbox one console sales aren't awesome with the PS4 then Xbox is failing and seeing where MS is going, that's not true. That's just part of the story.

 

[ironcreed]

I think so too.

In fact, I think people are underestimating the bigger deal here: You don't have to say good bye to your games once a new generation starts. No more BC begging or remasters, the games just run on everything that is capable of running them.

That's why I think even for xbox as a gaming device that's huge news. Imagine if that's been like this from the beginning and right now you could have access to your entire library of games from the OG Xbox until now? All with working servers due the cloud and ready to play anytime you like. Who would walk away from a ecosystem like that?

I also think that's one of the key points that made steam successful, little by little you get more invested in the ecosystem and once you realize that ecosystem goes with you to whichever device you own you lose the will to go anywhere else. (Which makes steam a bigger threat to Ms plans than Ps4 really, and one they will have to make their best in order to gain any market share)

Nailed it. This is more or less what I have been thinking they would do for some time now. As the writing on the wall has been there for anyone to read. They want to unify everything, not eliminate Xbox.

As far as the next Xbox goes, Phil has already confirmed there will be one. It is just going to be an obviously more powerful system that ties all of this together with Windows and gives you access to all of your Xbox games. Console players will continue to go that route and those on PC will just have access to the service and more games. Hardly a negative.

It's also worth mentioning that the Xbox One is just the start of this and they are doing the best they can until the current team under Phil can launch 'their' system. I imagine they will do some things a bit differently this time around and I am betting that it will also be the first out of the gate.