tired_inspector
Member
This title doesn't sound COOL. It's too sterile.
What does Microsoft need to do to make Xbox successful again?
- Thread starter Montresor
- Start date
Honestly, I think quite a bit of the 360's success is due to Sony mis-stepping with the PS3 in a lot of ways, and the only way Xbox can really become "great" again is for Sony to independently screw up in ways similar to the PS3 screw-ups (which may have had a lot to do with putting resources behind winning the Blu-ray/HD-DVD format war, at the expense of making a "good" gaming machine). In other words, I don't think there's any realistic action Microsoft can take, especially given its corporate culture, that would allow them to make any serious headway, as long as Sony at least remains competent with Playstaton.
miller.skippins
Banned
Don't worry guys, another addition to the Halo franchise will save them.
Seriously, though, as people have been saying: Exclusives. They also need to figure out a direction, and stick with it. Xbox One has been an unfocused mess since Day One. They've been letting the Windows team, which fears for its future in the consumer realm, meddle a bit too much in things.
- Kinect 2.0
- Watching live TV
- Snapping apps
- Running Windows 10 apps
All those things have been dragging the platform down and taking focus away from what matters.
Seriously, though, as people have been saying: Exclusives. They also need to figure out a direction, and stick with it. Xbox One has been an unfocused mess since Day One. They've been letting the Windows team, which fears for its future in the consumer realm, meddle a bit too much in things.
- Kinect 2.0
- Watching live TV
- Snapping apps
- Running Windows 10 apps
All those things have been dragging the platform down and taking focus away from what matters.
I'd love to have some insight on how internal calculations work regarding Xbox/gaming section at MS.
The way they seem to be pretty hesitant and don't just fund a whole bunch of projects and studios to just solve the problem with money you get the impression they're on a relatively tight budget. But then they pull a Mojang and you wonder what the hell is even happening.
The way they seem to be pretty hesitant and don't just fund a whole bunch of projects and studios to just solve the problem with money you get the impression they're on a relatively tight budget. But then they pull a Mojang and you wonder what the hell is even happening.
tired_inspector
Member
EXTREEEME.
Not sure if you are in the preview program but it's really, really fast now.
levyjl1988
Banned
The Xbox One so far has a great system and great service.
I love the additions to Quality of Life. Sony is doing something similar. Xbox Feedback is great and the podcasts does well in explaining the thought process in their decision making allowing for gamers to understand the inner workings.
So far Xbox One has been my 3rd party player for games. I haven't played much for console exclusives though Sunset Overdrive is one of my favourites. Still haven't beaten Recore yet though.
I wouldn't mind if Halo went third person like Mass Effect. I got franchise fatigue with Halo. Loved it until Halo 4 then it just went snowballing from there. Story got convoluted, and more unappealing characters added without much back story. There wasn't any explanation to why Cortona got clothes and is alive. It feels like Alien 3 pissing on what was good about Aliens 2.
Sigh. Luckily for me I don't bet on one horse and play games from multiple platforms. I don't see why one would restrict themselves to one platform unless they can't afford it.
I could care less about platform achievements or trophies. It was good for its time but now it feels like a chore to fuel OCD and completionists, playing off on that mentality.
I love the additions to Quality of Life. Sony is doing something similar. Xbox Feedback is great and the podcasts does well in explaining the thought process in their decision making allowing for gamers to understand the inner workings.
So far Xbox One has been my 3rd party player for games. I haven't played much for console exclusives though Sunset Overdrive is one of my favourites. Still haven't beaten Recore yet though.
I wouldn't mind if Halo went third person like Mass Effect. I got franchise fatigue with Halo. Loved it until Halo 4 then it just went snowballing from there. Story got convoluted, and more unappealing characters added without much back story. There wasn't any explanation to why Cortona got clothes and is alive. It feels like Alien 3 pissing on what was good about Aliens 2.
Sigh. Luckily for me I don't bet on one horse and play games from multiple platforms. I don't see why one would restrict themselves to one platform unless they can't afford it.
I could care less about platform achievements or trophies. It was good for its time but now it feels like a chore to fuel OCD and completionists, playing off on that mentality.
MilkyJoe
Member
That made me think you were from UK ha ha
Primethius
Banned
Start to try and make headway into the the RotW. The current strategy is nonsensical.
Triggerhappytel
Member
Sure; I'm just throwing ideas out there, not mandating that studios must make a new IP regardless of what they want. However, I expect much if not most of the studio would be open to the idea of making something other than Forza. Imagine if they got the chance to make something like Mad Max with car combat and an excellent driving engine paired with solid on-foot stuff.
Yeah; I'm not saying any of that is realistic - but even if MS could manage half of that they would make their exclusive catalogue look much more attractive.
That would work too. But does he really have 'it' any more after Devil's Third?! Maybe give him 12 months to create a small prototype and if that impresses then commission a full game from him.
Raven77
Member
The Xbox 1 could not be a bigger disappointment for me this generation. It's like they swapped from the previous gen were most of the games I got were on 360 and I picked up the Playstation 3 exclusives. In this generations case, I've gotten 90% of my games on PS4 and most of the Xbox 1 exclusives just didn't appeal to me much. I haven't even played Halo 5, Gears 4 looked okay but impressions weren't good enough for me to get it, Quantum Break seemed like it wasn't that good. I think I have 3 games total - Forza Horizon 3, Sunset Overdrive and Halo 5 (yes I got it, never popped it in).
I really want them to just do more, give devs more power, focus on the games again, focus on new IP development, quit relying on existing IP's to get by.
I really want them to just do more, give devs more power, focus on the games again, focus on new IP development, quit relying on existing IP's to get by.
Darklor01
Might need to stop sniffing glue
To be successful, I think they need the obvious:
1) Solid hardware worth buying even if you have a gaming rig.
2) Strong 1st party releases and indie releases. It would also help if the indie releases are not available on other platforms.
3) VR Support and possible Hololens Support.
This is really why people buy Playstation, except that with Microsoft, there is the possibility to play those 1st party games on PC when buying digitally without sacrificing quality/resolution, whereas with PS Now, I'm not going to be able to play at full resolution among other things when playing PS Now games on PC.
Can't see it being much more simple than that.
Edit:
Devs will make games for the systems they think will make them money and are easy to develop for. I think they have the ease of development part. They need the hardware attach rate, however, I think MS is a different animal in that the Devs are likely making major releases PC compatible anyway, so, all they need is for the Scorpio to be similar enough to PC where they can optimize the code in the version they release when played on the Scorpio since it is fixed hardware.
1) Solid hardware worth buying even if you have a gaming rig.
2) Strong 1st party releases and indie releases. It would also help if the indie releases are not available on other platforms.
3) VR Support and possible Hololens Support.
This is really why people buy Playstation, except that with Microsoft, there is the possibility to play those 1st party games on PC when buying digitally without sacrificing quality/resolution, whereas with PS Now, I'm not going to be able to play at full resolution among other things when playing PS Now games on PC.
Can't see it being much more simple than that.
Edit:
Devs will make games for the systems they think will make them money and are easy to develop for. I think they have the ease of development part. They need the hardware attach rate, however, I think MS is a different animal in that the Devs are likely making major releases PC compatible anyway, so, all they need is for the Scorpio to be similar enough to PC where they can optimize the code in the version they release when played on the Scorpio since it is fixed hardware.
Unity2012
Member
I agree with you. The Xbox One has been a great console for us at home. I see how MS is going thru a drought right now; but Sony and Nintendo did not too long ago as well, these cycles seems to repeat within the industry. My hope right now is the unveiling of Scorpio and for us to finally know the games MS has been working on to go along with it.
Also, I thought I was the only person who thought of Halo moving into the third person genre. They need a new POV of to get back into the lighter-tone, colorful roots of the franchise; but hey, that's wishful thinking. It's a good thing we got Halo Wars 2 to fill some of that void.
I'm looking forward to see what they have to show come E3 and for the Scorpio reveal.
Japanese games like True Fantasy Online and Scalebound.. oh right.
They messed up their launch by focusing on Kinect(again) and multimedia instead of games. They messed up Halo by not having split screen co-op or multiplayer. And with it being dead on arrival in japan, I don't expect many Japanese publishers to release much on it other than Square.
In the end they need cool original innovative exclusives. The treadmill of Halo, Forza and Gears isn't enough. They had some original titles such as Ryse, Ori and Sunset but they don't come very often.
Once every 360 game is BC I'll get one to replace my 360, but so far I haven't seen a compelling reason to get one.
They messed up their launch by focusing on Kinect(again) and multimedia instead of games. They messed up Halo by not having split screen co-op or multiplayer. And with it being dead on arrival in japan, I don't expect many Japanese publishers to release much on it other than Square.
In the end they need cool original innovative exclusives. The treadmill of Halo, Forza and Gears isn't enough. They had some original titles such as Ryse, Ori and Sunset but they don't come very often.
Once every 360 game is BC I'll get one to replace my 360, but so far I haven't seen a compelling reason to get one.
They should consider revisiting that at some point. I know they don't own the franchise, Insomniac is tied up in other stuff and they have Crackdown which is kinda similar, but it's one of those games people keep talking about (again like Crackdown) and it still feels new and fresh. Plus it would work well with a service game approach, with campaign coop being one of the few things missing from the original.
Needs more japanese games.
The think that I loved the most on the 360 release was that it was an american console, thought for america but with lots of japanese games that still gave it variety, like DOA 4, Blue Dragon, Ninety Nine Nights, etc, it felt like a mix of 2 worlds. Know they couldn't get this feeling again since playstation feels like that but at least it should show more exclusives besides their flagship series
The think that I loved the most on the 360 release was that it was an american console, thought for america but with lots of japanese games that still gave it variety, like DOA 4, Blue Dragon, Ninety Nine Nights, etc, it felt like a mix of 2 worlds. Know they couldn't get this feeling again since playstation feels like that but at least it should show more exclusives besides their flagship series
93xfan
Banned
Have Scorpio's CPU not be Jaguar based and a complete relaunch of MCC this fall with it being completely overhauled and fixed and having a Halo 3 anniversary attached to it.
These are things that would help, by revitalizing the Halo brand and making Scorpio an even bigger leap above PS4 Pro. The biggest thing of course, would be creating new and original software that adds more diversity in their exclusive lineup.
These are things that would help, by revitalizing the Halo brand and making Scorpio an even bigger leap above PS4 Pro. The biggest thing of course, would be creating new and original software that adds more diversity in their exclusive lineup.
I'm sorry if thats happens CD project probably be shut down after 3 years. microsoft has good record for destroying good studios like CD project
Honestly, under the assumption that the Scorpio is not a new generation but an upgrade inside the same family -and therefore no real exclusives-, the only way I see they can bring back my old love for Xbox after the huge let down that XboxOne has meant to me is to make Scorpio able to brute force all Xbox One games to 60fps at 1440p+. Something similar to PS4 Pro boost mode but in a bigger and better fashion.
Also I believe this is their only chance to get back to their platform the best appeal of the majority of third party games.
Also I believe this is their only chance to get back to their platform the best appeal of the majority of third party games.
DriftingSpirit
Member
I think this is a big limit that will always nip at their potential.
Caayn
Member
This'll not happen. If you're hoping for this as MS last chance to get you into their ecosystem you might as well say goodbye now.
Rumblebones
Banned
Stop fucking over developers with ludicrous milestone goals and cancelling their IPs.
Stop making single-IP-factory studios.
Open more studios that can sustain multiple IPs.
Stop making single-IP-factory studios.
Open more studios that can sustain multiple IPs.
Yes, I'm totally serious about MS going back in time and not buy Minecraft.
I think MS's best strategy would be to slowly move away from console hardware into a more service-based platform a la Steam. That thing where you can pay a monthly fee to download and play X360 titles is on the right track, and knowing about MS's push to Azure and the CEO Nandella having a cloud background, I'm surprised they haven't focused even more on this.
As far as hardware goes, the Xbox brand would be used for Win10 boxes (a la Steamboxes), but Xbox Live as a service could exist everywhere - PCs and mobile especially, but even Sony and Nintendo. Have a few service-exclusive games to get people hooked.
Other than that, I don't really see a way for the Xbox to take the crown barring the perfect storm of last gen for them - Having a solid product with a diverse library of games, while Nintendo went to do their own thing, and Sony had their early onset botching of the PS3.
As far as hardware goes, the Xbox brand would be used for Win10 boxes (a la Steamboxes), but Xbox Live as a service could exist everywhere - PCs and mobile especially, but even Sony and Nintendo. Have a few service-exclusive games to get people hooked.
Other than that, I don't really see a way for the Xbox to take the crown barring the perfect storm of last gen for them - Having a solid product with a diverse library of games, while Nintendo went to do their own thing, and Sony had their early onset botching of the PS3.
spookyfish
Gold Member
Yeah, but it seems they actually want to sell those games to you again.
ThatGuyJangle
Neo Member
They need genuinely great games. This gen has been decidedly average for them. I'd argue their weakest gen in terms of actual must have games. If I could sum up their exclusives for this generation (with the exception of Horizon 2 and 3) in one word it'd be forgettable.
pretty done
Member
certainly not good but if you like RTw/P combat and GoT then it's an enjoyable enough play
Sunset overdrive, Ori and the blind forest, Killer Instinct, halo 5, quantum break and GoW 4 are all but forgettable.
Nah I mean a true AAA game.
I know, I do not expect anything from MS any more and sadly I no longer care about their platform and games. That would be the only thing that would bring my attention back to them, even if it is a very expensive machine.
JesseEwiak
Member
The truth is, and people don't get this is that all three consoles aren't aiming for the same audience anymore. Also, I'll point out that for all the 'lack of games' that MS has, what big multi-million sellers does Sony have for this fall when it comes to exclusives?
The same thing happened either last year or the year before - Sony blew their load early, everyone went "why is MS letting Sony dominate," then by the end of the year, people were asking, "where are all of Sony's games?"
But, back to the audiences thing. Sony is aiming for the hardcore gaming audience that cares about a diverse portfolio of games including DLC and the like. Microsoft is aiming for games as services which means less games, but more money per user for those games. Would they like Halo to sell eleventy billion again? Of course. But, they'll take Halo selling three or four million and quadrupling their revenue per user for example. Finally, Nintendo is firmly set on being the either the console for retro gamers and families or the 2nd console for hardcore gamers.
Plus, it's probably not a good cost/benefit ratio to spend the money that MS would need to shell out for Japanese published games to come on their system when those Japanese companies know they'll sell 19 copies total in Japan on the XBox.
Also, you can't magically make companies give you the rights to their IP. Even ten years ago, IP holders didn't care about what video games did to their IP, since it was just dumb video games. Now they care and will want much more control and likely will not want to limit their game to one console. Plus, they can probably make more money with a shitty mobile game.
The same thing happened either last year or the year before - Sony blew their load early, everyone went "why is MS letting Sony dominate," then by the end of the year, people were asking, "where are all of Sony's games?"
But, back to the audiences thing. Sony is aiming for the hardcore gaming audience that cares about a diverse portfolio of games including DLC and the like. Microsoft is aiming for games as services which means less games, but more money per user for those games. Would they like Halo to sell eleventy billion again? Of course. But, they'll take Halo selling three or four million and quadrupling their revenue per user for example. Finally, Nintendo is firmly set on being the either the console for retro gamers and families or the 2nd console for hardcore gamers.
Plus, it's probably not a good cost/benefit ratio to spend the money that MS would need to shell out for Japanese published games to come on their system when those Japanese companies know they'll sell 19 copies total in Japan on the XBox.
Also, you can't magically make companies give you the rights to their IP. Even ten years ago, IP holders didn't care about what video games did to their IP, since it was just dumb video games. Now they care and will want much more control and likely will not want to limit their game to one console. Plus, they can probably make more money with a shitty mobile game.
Caayn
Member
M$ really? Just a heads-up but that's bannable here on GAF.
If that's the only thing that might get you back. Just give up, stop vain hope/interest and jump into PC.
Miles Quaritch
Member
Lol, jokes on point!
Minecraft is more important to Microsoft than probably any other game franchise outside of maybe Halo. It is their best selling entertainment product. It continues to sell incredibly well not only on their console but also done on PC, Android, iOS, Playstation and now Nintendo. Additionally, it continues to be extremely popular with young kids which is important for brand recognition.
Just edited my post, no offense intended, my fault and apologies.
I'd like MS to undergo a "Nintendo-like" transition. At some point, they'll realize they can't keep up with Sony's exclusive output and concentrate on their strengths. Sony's strengths are singleplayer experiences. MS just can't deliver them on the same scale as Sony. Instead, MS should focus on their own strengths. OS, cloud and services. And they are in the midst of that transition. UWP, EA Access and Xbox Game Pass are clear signs. It's funny that some gamers don't seem ready yet though.
Let's be honest, at launch(i dunno now) the XB1 was mostly a USA-centric console, in fact some features weren't even present in other countries, and this influenced all the rest, including sales, games and so on.
The XB2 needs to be a wordwide console, in features, appeal and games.
The XB2 needs to be a wordwide console, in features, appeal and games.
Caayn
Member
Hehe, I now see that my post is kinda armchair modding. Sorry for that.
None taken
Some Chinese company already does this for MMO games. Love the idea.