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[PlayStaytion]

That sounds like games will work on PC better than ever. If this is true, we'll see a huge unfair shift towards PC gaming.

 

[Rambone]

If M$ can build a console that can reliably push 4K 120FPS, raytracing all in, w/ or w/o FG, FSR, AI, etc) for almost half that price with native steam support, then I am all in on whatever that is going to be.

 

[diffusionx]

My opinion is that these devices will be windows PCs that they will market as consoles.

I've said it before but the whole reason for these devices existing will be to try and get regulators around the world to try and force Nintendo and Sony to open up their ecosystems in a way that ultimately allows Microsoft to sell gamepass directly to consumers on other platforms.

Seems obvious considering they're literally doing that with that stupid handheld.

 

[diffusionx]

(4K) PC gaming is getting kind of expensive these days. My RTX 5080 x 9800x3D machine cost me $2300 after tax out the door. If M$ can build a similar console (that can reliably push 4K 120FPS, raytracing all in, w/ or w/o FG, FSR, AI, etc) for almost half that price with native steam support, then I am all in on whatever that is going to be.

They're not going to subsidize a PC 50% especially when the people who buy it will immediately install steam and then cut MS out of the revenue loop - undercutting the reason why you subsidize a console.

 

[jm89]

They could lock access to Steam/3rd party stores behind a Gamepass subscription.

I support this strategy.

For entertainment purposes.

 

[Topher]

Yes that's play anywhere not a pc console.

That is clearly more than just PA. If it doesn't have other non-MS stores than what Bond said was incredibly misleading.

 

[DenchDeckard]

We don't all buy multiple systems that play largely the same games and some of us didn't go down the pro route for this or the previous gen. Anybody that plays on a pro on the current release date will get to play the best version of GTA6. When the new Xbox releases it'll be on that machine. Congratulations you get a win but your new Xbox is not going to suddenly get more performant when a pc build is released so you'll have to lay down some cash on a pc with a better spec than what you get with the 2026 Xbox.

I don't see it as a win, I'm not even talking about me. This Xbox would have to be pretty amazing to make me invest. I was discussing how, if this launches near GTA and customers want the best version to play they might pick it up. You were talking about it not being a real next gen console but then seem to think the PS6 will be a next gen console....unless I am miss understanding you.

I have 2 amazing PCs so I may just wait for GTA VI. Ive not decided yet, as I dont know what the launch plans are for any of it

 

[Topher]

I wonder if this deal with Valve is two-fold. Steam on Xbox. Game Pass on Steam, including Steam Deck which means Linux support. If Microsoft is going to brag about being able to play where ever you want then this is the time to put their money where their mouth is.

 

[Horseganador]

Well, if it comes out at the end of 2026, it's strange that nothing is known about its possible power or specifications.

 

[Rambone]

They're not going to subsidize a PC 50% especially when the people who buy it will immediately install steam and then cut MS out of the revenue loop - undercutting the reason why you subsidize a console.

It's pure fantasy but it would be a market disruptor if they did.

 

[BlueManifest]

Seems obvious considering they're literally doing that with that stupid handheld.

Yep this console is most likely going to run whatever the asus handheld is running, so if you can use that asus as a full pc then you will be able to use the next Xbox as a full pc

 

[L*][*N*K]

 

[dgrdsv]

I understand the appeal of esoteric hardware, but games are way too complex to have multiple consoles with different architectures.

Games don't care about architectures. Everything is high level compiled to a target these days.
The biggest difference from game code standpoint is not the h/w but the s/w platform on top of that h/w - i.e. OS and APIs it provides.
And since consoles aren't made by the same company this key difference will remain no matter what h/w each console is built upon.

 

[Esppiral]

Play anywhere in any device*








*Except on the Steam deck

 

[MrTired]

Sure, but then they have to raise the price of the console even more to make up for that revenue loss.

So USP is access to multiple storefronts giving access to the biggest collection of games ever. But you have to pay a subscription for the privilege on top of a premium for the hardware? This is for 10 million hardcore Xbox users and no one else.

 

[Darsxx82]

I wonder if this deal with Valve is two-fold. Steam on Xbox. Game Pass on Steam, including Steam Deck which means Linux support. If Microsoft is going to brag about being able to play where ever you want then this is the time to put their money where their mouth is.

And if that were the case, the official XBOX Twitter account would be seriously messing up by inviting people to interpret it the same way...



And that's not even counting the number of "journalists" and social media "personalities" linked to Xbox who have also embraced that interpretation of accessing different stores on each device (including the Xbox NextGen console).

If that weren't the case, Sarah Bond and MS would be wasting their time without confirming what they mean.

 

[adamsapple]

They could lock access to Steam/3rd party stores behind a Gamepass subscription.

That .. would be unusual I suppose .

 

[Punished Miku]

And if that were the case, the official XBOX Twitter account would be seriously messing up by inviting people to interpret it the same way...



And that's not even counting the number of "journalists" and social media "personalities" linked to Xbox who have also embraced that interpretation of accessing different stores on each device (including the Xbox NextGen console).

If that weren't the case, Sarah Bond and MS would be wasting their time without confirming what they mean.

There's even interviews with MS execs at least discussing talks of getting rid of paid online because it's antiquated. And I can see how a numbers guy can come to that conclusion looking at f2p games. Feels like something from a past era that no longer really makes sense (it never did, but ... yeah).

Xbox CFO Discusses Opportunities with AI, How Microsoft Measures Its Success in Games, and More | TechRaptor

Xbox CFO Tim Stuart discussed the application of AI gaming, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Game Pass, and how Microsoft measures success in gaming.

techraptor.net

Anyway, we'll see. I don't pretend to know anything secret but I think locking things that are open on PC behind a sub just means people aren't going to buy it. That's my guess anyway.

 

[Sanepar]

Current consoles already are pcs with custom friendly os for users.

This next xbox will be exactly the same thing with custom os that offers steam too with a friendly interface between both xbox and steam.

This is amazing.

 

[Topher]

And if that were the case, the official XBOX Twitter account would be seriously messing up by inviting people to interpret it the same way...



And that's not even counting the number of "journalists" and social media "personalities" linked to Xbox who have also embraced that interpretation of accessing different stores on each device (including the Xbox NextGen console).

If that weren't the case, Sarah Bond and MS would be wasting their time without confirming what they mean.

Well.....there is a lot here left up to interpretation. The devil is in the details, as they say

 

[Steve Holt]

Yessssss!!!!!!!

Time and time again history shows us competition is necessary. Hate on Xbox or MS all you want, but that are making really smart business moves putting their games on other platforms , including obviously their own which are on Xbox PC too.

I'm a gamer man, if MS makes a really powerful machine, and their acquisitions already a year old, may, just maybe Xbox will get back to its roots.

Btw, it's the one company hellbsmt on preserving BC. Competition is always good.

This competitor has raised their prices across the board, raised game prices to $80.

And the Series S now costs the same as the base PS5. In more and more regions they have given up completely.

...Not doing a lot of good things at the moment.

 

[m14]

By ending a generation prematurely.

Why would they take next generation seriously, after quitting this one early.

What are you arguing here? It isn't like MS and third parties have stopped supporting the consoles in terms of new releases. It's unlikely they will stop supporting them even after the new hardware arrives.

 

[Audiophile]

 

[Ozriel]

An open PC, as predicted. Xbox is gone.

…Still an Xbox branded box in living rooms, heavily focused on TV use.

Yeah, this will at least be $1,000+. Or else it wouldn't be able to keep up with newer games after 3-4 years.

If you're expecting this to be $1000+, it means you're also expecting at least an $800 price for the PS6.

Every next gen hardware will be absolutely stuffed with AI upscalers, so you'd be hard pressed to see anything that won't be able to keep up

At that point, you're better off building a custom PC that gives you much more options and flexibility.

…unless the 'custom silicon' with AMD is required for full BC.

You really don't think the expected price of it would be an issue?

People had been making a fuss about Switch 2 and PS5Pro prices. And here you are saying the price of Xbox hardware wouldn't be a concern?

A PC with custom parts and limited run, and had to be sold at a profit, is not going to be affordable for console gamers.

The price discussion has always been about value. People made a fuss because the PS5 Pro was $300 more than a regular PS5, and with no disc drive.

MS will still expect to sell millions of units, so they're still going to benefit from economics of scale. It's still going to use an AMD APU.

 

[LordBritish]

I would soooo buy that.. reminds me of my 486sx packard bell first pc I ever got lol

 

[JohnnyFootball]

I wonder if this deal with Valve is two-fold. Steam on Xbox. Game Pass on Steam, including Steam Deck which means Linux support. If Microsoft is going to brag about being able to play where ever you want then this is the time to put their money where their mouth is.

If Gamepass were to be part of Steam, where you have the complete freedom/modability of games as they are on Steam, that is the ONE way I could see Gamepass picking up more subscribers. I just don't believe for one second that Valve would allow it, since it would effectively cut out their 30% cut on game purchases.

 

[RoboFu]

That is clearly more than just PA. If it doesn't have other non-MS stores than what Bond said was incredibly misleading.

It sort off is. she is just saying the Xbox "Experience" will be across multiple devices and stores like it is now. It just means they will be putting their games in multiple stores and cloud playing apps not just the Xbox console. Ps5 and Steam. soon IOS.

 

[Topher]

If Gamepass were to be part of Steam, where you have the complete freedom/modability of games as they are on Steam, that is the ONE way I could see Gamepass picking up more subscribers. I just don't believe for one second that Valve would allow it, since it would effectively cut out their 30% cut on game purchases.

They allow EA Play on Steam though.

It sort off is. she is just saying the Xbox "Experience" will be across multiple devices and stores like it is now. It just means they will be putting their games in multiple stores and cloud playing apps not just the Xbox console. Ps5 and Steam. soon IOS.

The talk about other stores on Xbox has been throw around quite a lot in recent months. Phil Spencer even talked about it in terms of their handheld. If all Bond was talking about was games being available on stores, as they are right now, then it is incredibly misleading. But that's not the case based on what K KeplerL2 and HeisenbergFX4 have said. I think you are misinterpreting what she is saying.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

They allow EA Play on Steam though.



The talk about other stores on Xbox has been throw around quite a lot in recent months. Phil Spencer even talked about it in terms of their handheld. If all Bond was talking about was games being available on stores, as they are right now, then it is incredibly misleading. But that's not the case based on what K KeplerL2 and HeisenbergFX4 have said. I think you are misinterpreting what she is saying.

TO be fair, most of the time even Xbox doesn't know what Xbox is saying.

 

[Topher]

TO be fair, most of the time even Xbox doesn't know what Xbox is saying.

 

[Buggy Loop]

I understand the appeal of esoteric hardware, but games are way too complex to have multiple consoles with different architectures.
We can't afford to have teams of programmers coding to metal for each console. Neither in cost, nor time.
The advantage of having the same architecture in consoles and PC, especially for the CPU, is that it drastically reduces costs and time of development.
Devs can just use the same engines, tools, compilers, etc.
Even the Switch is using ARM and Nvidia arch. So it can use ARM tools and compilers, CUDA, etc.

Esoteric maybe not but I wish a shakeup with either going Intel or Nvidia would have spiced things up a bit.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Esoteric maybe not but I wish a shakeup with either going Intel or Nvidia would have spiced things up a bit.

Nobody wants to work with either of those two. nvidia worked with nintendo since they did them a favor when they took those tegra chips and made switches.

 

[winjer]

Esoteric maybe not but I wish a shakeup with either going Intel or Nvidia would have spiced things up a bit.

AMD and Intel are both x86, so its not that different.
The Switch 2 with ARM and nvidia is already the differentiator you are talking about.

 

[Buggy Loop]

AMD and Intel are both x86, so its not that different.
The Switch 2 with ARM and nvidia is already the differentiator you are talking about.

ARM barely makes a dent though, Valve already experimented a lot with it and it's even smoother than translation between windows and Linux.

Nvidia would have been most than likely more advanced in AI and path tracing.

Yes, differentiators.

Microsoft following 99.9999% of the pixels showcased on Sony platforms is not a good trajectory so far is it? They need to get to reach that pocket money and outclass Sony to even be a consideration.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

They allow EA Play on Steam though.



The talk about other stores on Xbox has been throw around quite a lot in recent months. Phil Spencer even talked about it in terms of their handheld. If all Bond was talking about was games being available on stores, as they are right now, then it is incredibly misleading. But that's not the case based on what K KeplerL2 and HeisenbergFX4 have said. I think you are misinterpreting what she is saying.

The future looks strange

Current consoles already are pcs with custom friendly os for users.

This next xbox will be exactly the same thing with custom os that offers steam too with a friendly interface between both xbox and steam.

This is amazing.

Imagine if this new Asus is capable of said update and it does become a true Xbox handheld playing Xbox console games

That is just the ramblings of an old man and in no way is a hint of anything, I promise

 

[skyfinch]

The Series Y no doubt

Seriously, why?

 

[hinch7]

That sounds like games will work on PC better than ever. If this is true, we'll see a huge unfair shift towards PC gaming.

A closed off/wall gardened Windows Xbox would do wonders for PC ports and benefit developers as well.

If Microsoft can price this right and not fuck up marketing they could find a new niche like Valve has done with the Steam Deck and its place in the handheld PC space. While DIY desktop PC gamers still have full access to well a full functioning PC and not have to deal with MS ads etc.

 

[DryvBy]

This is definitely just a move to keep some kids on a MS product. Around this time, Windows 12 will be hitting. This is their way to keep the share on PC because more and more kids will jump on to SteamOS the way even Windows has been handling things. People are sick of MS and their crap.

 

[Fess]

What type of hardware it will pack in for $999?

If its comparable to 9070xt in rasterisation and Ryzen 5 7600 on cpu side with 24 gb ddr7 / 32 gb ddr 6, I think it will well justify its price point.

Lower your expectations! Isn't that like $2000 when everything is included?

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Lower your expectations! Isn't that like $2000 when everything is included?

Ah, someone else agreed with me on the $2000 number! That's basically required if you expect top of the line hardware. $1000 is if it stayed current gen.

 

[Punished Miku]

Ah, someone else agreed with me on the $2000 number! That's basically required if you expect top of the line hardware. $1000 is if it stayed current gen.

Post in thread 'Console gamers need to recalibrate their pricing expectations from here on out'

Sep 13, 2024

I was already planning on getting a NeXtbox or PC at around $1500 - 2000, but it has to be open store and forward compatible. Even better if they get rid of that stupid online requirement. Expecting cheaper games as well if I can shop around digitally.

No idea what PS gamers are expecting or wanting honestly. They can work that out between themselves and Sony. Not my problem.

• Punished Miku

 

[Topher]

K KeplerL2 You've said Microsoft can't bring Xbox games to Windows for licensing/legal reasons. What about Valve? Do they have more freedom to bring the games on Steam to other platforms?

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

It's become a huge circle jerk. Like a hive mind where people pile in.

What happened to choices?

Someone asked earlier (not to me)

"Why would you want this and why do you trust MS again" (paraphrasing)

If it's a true next gen console I'm on board price dependent. I like Game pass and the Xbox system.

I don't trust MS they are a huge corporation. I don't trust Sony either but doesn't mean I won't buy PS7.

Stop looking at this the wrong way. PS5 owners have no exclusives of note but doesn't mean they can't enjoy their console

Thank you, good sir, for the gold.

 

[Proelite]

Sure, but then they have to raise the price of the console even more to make up for that revenue loss.

Just want to add since the current Xbox are sold at a loss, making up the revenue loss could just be breaking even to a small profit based on how the math plays out.

 

[Knucklepux]

The question will always remain…. What incentive do I have to buy anything they put out?

If I have a steam library, I have a PC

If I even cared about handheld, I'd have one by now

Console? What reason would I own it over a PS6?

Windows gaming? Steam is king…so why would I buy from Xbox storefront? I mean I HAVE a steam library, right?

The answer??? Exclusive content

Stay tuned everyone because Xbox IS going to have exclusives. Just exclusive to their storefront or gamepass

Netflix has exclusive content, Hulu has exclusive content, Disney+ has exclusive content, Nintendo has exclusive content, PlayStation has exclusive content, Epic has exclusive content to their STOREFRONT, Steam has exclusive content to their STOREFRONT

A future without console wars is a future with subscription wars. But hey…this is what you all asked for

 

[adamsapple]

K KeplerL2 You've said Microsoft can't bring Xbox games to Windows for licensing/legal reasons. What about Valve? Do they have more freedom to bring the games on Steam to other platforms?

Wouldn't that be up to the publisher, i-e I don't think publishers will like it if their games are being ported / playable on multiple platforms without them getting their licensing money.

There were people here who were doing overtime trying to build a PC at the $700 PS5 Pro price point. I wonder if they'll do the same when this Microsoft PC launches at $1,000 or more.

Buy this of course.

It's keeping my entire Xbox library intact, me buying a bog standard desktop PC wouldn't do that, nor would it to X360 BC etc with my owned library, that is valuable to me as a consumer.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

The question will always remain…. What incentive do I have to buy anything they put out?

If I have a steam library, I have a PC

If I even cared about handheld, I'd have one by now

Console? What reason would I own it over a PS6?

Windows gaming? Steam is king…so why would I buy from Xbox storefront? I mean I HAVE a steam library, right?

The answer??? Exclusive content

Stay tuned everyone because Xbox IS going to have exclusives. Just exclusive to their storefront or gamepass

Netflix has exclusive content, Hulu has exclusive content, Disney+ has exclusive content, Nintendo has exclusive content, PlayStation has exclusive content, Epic has exclusive content to their STOREFRONT, Steam has exclusive content to their STOREFRONT

A future without console wars is a future with subscription wars. But hey…this is what you all asked for

If you are heavily invested into the Xbox ecosystem with a massive library

If this thing can launch a year or two before a PS6 and is clearly the best console to play 3rd party games

No hugely compelling reasons but there are some there

K KeplerL2 You've said Microsoft can't bring Xbox games to Windows for licensing/legal reasons. What about Valve? Do they have more freedom to bring the games on Steam to other platforms?

No idea here but I bet likely every publisher would have their hand out wanting paid if Xbox went to porting all these games

Beaten by adamsapple

 

[MidGenRefresh]

If I had to guess (or if I were the one designing it) I'd aim for a seamless integration of all storefronts into a single UI. You'd log into Steam, GOG, Microsoft, etc. once, and then browse everything in one place. Ideally, it'd highlight the best price for each game across all platforms.

Honestly, Xbox running on Windows and leaning more into becoming a full-fledged PC is probably the best direction they could take for the next generation.

 

[UltimaKilo]

Why does everyone go with AMD?

 

[recursive]

Ugh AMD…Makes sense but still ugh

Better that than a $2K nvidia based console.