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[ChorizoPicozo]

The mass market doesn't want an expensive PC disguised as a console. Who is this for?

I mean, there is the obvious answer.
But given Xbox´s history, it's clear to me that this will be Phil Spencer´s Last Spin to go out as some kind of visionary, bravely breaking barriers to give gamers more choice and freedom. The only a true gaming CEO that is a gamer for gamers.

Spoiler

I'm just wondering where the exposés are? There have been some "leaks" here and there about the morale at Xbox , but the timing feels right for one of those from Jason or someone similar.

 

[bitbydeath]

The items you quoted is just speculation on my part. But it hinges on what @KeplerL2 and HeisenbergFX4 have said about this being a console. I just can't see admin level access to the OS in that scenario.

You'd have to humour and believe in Jez, but he did write this.

The Xbox interface will sit on top of Windows, disabling unnecessary processes to create a gaming-first environment. You will be able to exit out to full Windows, much like you can exit out to Linux on the Steam Deck, and run practically any program or accessory you can think of.

This is how it works on the Rog Ally X, so likely it's just that same OS being used if true.

 

[Topher]

You'd have to humour and believe in Jez, but he did write this.



This is how it works on the Rog Ally X, so likely it's just that same OS being used if true.

I'm wondering if his info is based on the OEM Xbox PCs rather than the console. Could even be MS is feeding him false info on purpose. To me, a console with full access to the underlying operating system is just inviting being jailbroken. Then again, maybe MS doesn't really care. lol....I feel like this thing could go a dozen different directions at this point. I have no clue.

 

[bitbydeath]

I'm wondering if his info is based on the OEM Xbox PCs rather than the console. Could even be MS is feeding him false info on purpose. To me, a console with full access to the underlying operating system is just inviting being jailbroken. Then again, maybe MS doesn't really care. lol....I feel like this thing could go a dozen different directions at this point. I have no clue.

Microsoft be lazy and put minimal effort into an OS?

 

[diffusionx]

The difference is that this time Microsoft intends to make money from the sale of the next Xbox, rather than subsidising it and then recouping the cost through software sales. This is why its software is available on all platforms. Microsoft has long since stopped trying to sell software from its store. Instead, it aims to attract people to its gamepass subscription. This is NOT incompatible with having games on Steam, since Steam does not offer a similar service.

Why would Microsoft want to get into the hardware business like that, it's a shitty business, just to sell some hardware like Lenovo or something?

It's also a volume business, how many of them do you think they're going to sell? What is this thing giving me that I can't get from a million hardware makers, outside of running games I don't care about running (and yes you do pay for it, it's part of the chipset, they're not giving it away for free).

Honestly, I think this is Microsoft's smartest venture in years. Instead of chasing traditional console hardware numbers, they're focusing on Magnus — a move that plays directly into their core strengths in the PC space. With their control over Windows and deep OS-level optimization, they're planting a long-term seed in the market where they have the most leverage.

If Microsoft had explored this direction back in the late Xbox 360 era, they could have built a massive alternative storefront that genuinely challenged Valve's dominance. An ecosystem parallel to — and competitive with — the Steam marketplace could have existed today.

Magnus won't threaten Steam immediately, but ten years from now it could develop into a serious force. Ignoring that possibility would be shortsighted. Smart companies pay attention to every move in the market — because the smallest seed today can become the biggest competitor tomorrow.

lol this is the same shit people said when Microsoft got into the console business.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Why would Microsoft want to get into the hardware business like that, it's a shitty business, just to sell some hardware like Lenovo or something?

It's also a volume business, how many of them do you think they're going to sell? What is this thing giving me that I can't get from a million hardware makers, outside of running games I don't care about running (and yes you do pay for it, it's part of the chipset, they're not giving it away for free).

Why would you buy a PS5?

Just build a PC bro.

 

[diffusionx]

Why would you buy a PS5?

Just build a PC bro.

if i want a pc there are a million companies selling pcs, what is this thing offering besides console game support that pc gamers dont care about (because they didnt buy an xbox)

 

[vaibhavpisal]

if i want a pc there are a million companies selling pcs, what is this thing offering besides console game support that pc gamers dont care about (because they didnt buy an xbox)

Console experience , ease of use.

 

[diffusionx]

Console experience , ease of use.

except it's not a console, it's a pc with a ui that will become part of windows going forward

 

[vaibhavpisal]

except it's not a console, it's a pc with a ui that will become part of windows going forward

Its locked down OS.

Its console experience through and through.

You wont be managing files or installing stuff from the internet.

Anything on xbox store will just work.

 

[diffusionx]

Its locked down OS.

Its console experience through and through.

You wont be managing files or installing stuff from the internet.

Anything on xbox store will just work.

you should read the OP again

 

[vaibhavpisal]

you should read the OP again

I have.

It's speculation and not announced by Xbox.

I don't think it will run MS Office.

 

[Team Andromeda]

For a mid PC? Can't you go get one today and put an Xbox sticker on it?

Is that the best you Playsation fans got? Overlooking your utter drivel the OG Xbox was a PC in a box and it remains one of the best consoles I've owned

 

[Asset87]

I would like a Xbox mini-PC made by GameSir with a G7 Pro controller, mouse and keyboard.

 

[damidu]

can't wait for the copilot box

 

[adamsapple]

But just weeks ago, you fully understood the target audience.

"I am increasingly becoming that person" indeed

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

you should read the OP again

The problem with this article is who its written by, same dude who Tweeted this

 

[ExtendEmbraceExtinguish]

Why would Microsoft want to get into the hardware business like that, it's a shitty business, just to sell some hardware like Lenovo or something?

It's also a volume business, how many of them do you think they're going to sell? What is this thing giving me that I can't get from a million hardware makers, outside of running games I don't care about running (and yes you do pay for it, it's part of the chipset, they're not giving it away for free).



lol this is the same shit people said when Microsoft got into the console business.

What would be interesting is if Magnus is just a chip with various versions and msft supplies them to oem turning all Magnus chips into Xboxpc. Msft works on the os purely for gaming and provides a mode only for the pc-console demographic. However I'm wondering if there is an exclusive window feature à la auto sr mixed with their chipset that can satisfy lower end pc gamers and higher end. Impossible but just dumbass thinking.

 

[DeepEnigma]

The problem with this article is who its written by, same dude who Tweeted this

What he really meant was this,

 

[Ozriel]

The mass market doesn't want an expensive PC disguised as a console. Who is this for?

Not for the mass market.

I love it when people solve their own problems.

This has to be a joke post right? Steam has there fanbase and nobody is gonna jump ship to use windows as I seen and read countless times on forums everywhere!

Wait until you check the most recent Steam hardware survey and see that 95% of Steam gamers are on Windows.

For a mid PC? Can't you go get one today and put an Xbox sticker on it?

Sure, if you get a mid PC today, you're paying more, for weaker hardware and zero Xbox BC.

except it's not a console, it's a pc with a ui that will become part of windows going forward

'Console experience' is the term he used. And that's where the UI comes in.

 

[diffusionx]

Sure, if you get a mid PC today, you're paying more, for weaker hardware and zero Xbox BC.

This thing isn't going to be subsidized, you will be paying the same price for the same level of hardware, and then additional for the Xbox BC silicon.

You're not getting a discount for this.

'Console experience' is the term he used. And that's where the UI comes in.

No, he clearly indicated that he believes this is a console (he said he doesnt think it will run office).

 

[Det]

I mean, there is the obvious answer.
But given Xbox´s history, it's clear to me that this will be Phil Spencer´s Last Spin to go out as some kind of visionary, bravely breaking barriers to give gamers more choice and freedom. The only a true gaming CEO that is a gamer for gamers.

Spoiler

I'm just wondering where the exposés are? There have been some "leaks" here and there about the morale at Xbox , but the timing feels right for one of those from Jason or someone similar.

Without the Xbox ambassadors (the cheerleaders), this "visionary" talk will be a fart in the wind.

In 24 hours everyone will forget what Phil Spencer said without the Xbox cheerleaders being paid to give Phil Spencer relevance for weeks or months.

 

[Ozriel]

This thing isn't going to be subsidized, you will be paying the same price for the same level of hardware, and then additional for the Xbox BC silicon.

You're not getting a discount for this.

This will be based on an APU, not discrete CPU and GPU packages like PCs you buy off the shelves. And Microsoft will get some of the usual console bulk discounts.

Do you think you'll be paying the same price for the PS6 as an equivalently specced PC? We know Sony isn't historically inclined to subsidize by more than $50.

 

[Humdinger]

Bro has 38 posts in this thread. He's literally 15% of the entire post count and the majority aren't useful in the slightest.

Maybe he's trying to crack that magic 50 post limit and graduate from Neo-member to the exalted "Member" status.

He sure is hitting the ground running, though. Personally, when I enter a new space, I try to get a feel for the personalities and dynamics before I dive into a conversation headlong. And I don't enter by firing off empty one-liners and insulting people. I wait until I've been around a while before I start doing that, lol.

 

[Audiophile]

Random Gaming News Network:

"Report - Reputable insider KeplerL2 hints at new Xbox features with a cryptic animated GIF while addressing next-gen console rumours on the NeoGAF forums; these may include the new Xbox jerking you off as well as creating up to 3 clones of you to take care of your chores and tend to your spouse so that you can play games all day. It's not yet known if hand or replicator peripherals will be included ala Kinect, or available separately."

 

[Tomeru]

Its the circle of lies

 

[IntentionalPun]

This will be based on an APU, not discrete CPU and GPU packages like PCs you buy off the shelves. And Microsoft will get some of the usual console bulk discounts.

Do you think you'll be paying the same price for the PS6 as an equivalently specced PC? We know Sony isn't historically inclined to subsidize by more than $50.

Yeah MS may get some better pricing + have the APU advantage.

It may just end up a solid PC option for those who aren't into upgrading their PCs as much (which is a lot of pre-built buyers.)

But I don't think they'll get "usual console bulk discounts" as I seriously doubt MS plans to manufacture anywhere near as many of these units as what I like to call "an actual XBox" lol They'll probably get a good deal on the APU all things considered but the rest of the components?

 

[EverydayBeast]

I'll remind everyone this gen only started in 2020, and still playing well than they'll start the narrative that this gen is "in the way" which is wrong.

 

[MCH2024]

Indeed, I'm told Microsoft expects the Gen-9 Xbox Series X|S and PS5 to have a longer tail than usual as a result of this "broadening" hardware endpoint ecosystem.

The PS4 already had a long tail.

PS6 Handheld should be the main PS6. And anything targeting PS6 Handheld can run in PS5 minus path tracing and AI.

The reality is that the true next gen expirence. Will be confined to high end systems. Nothing the baseline target consoles can do won't be doable on an RTX 5070.

It's just the reality of the console business at this point. It's losing relevance within the game industry, Unfortunately.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Why would you buy a PS5?

Just build a PC bro.

The PS5 is low cost entry.

A 1200 eurodollar console is neogaf levels of delusional.

 

[mayham2199]

Why would you buy a PS5?

Just build a PC bro.

All my games are on PS5. I built a PC and it didn't work properly for couch play. Try to play your PC from the couch and quickly join your crew in a party chat from the couch with a controller while your in the middle of a game. I literally had games crash on me trying to use a mini-keyboard when I would try to minimize. The whole setup is ghetto as shit.

The only thing I miss about PC gaming is how old games can still look amazing but I almost never go back to old games and I'll take the ease of use that consoles provide over PC.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

The PS5 is low cost entry.

A 1200 eurodollar console is neogaf levels of delusional.

Or a gateway into fairly low cost PC gaming that you can play from your couch with a console like experience

 

[MCH2024]

The PS5 is low cost entry.

It's 549$ without including paid online.

1200$ with free online is basically just PS5 Pro console tier. If it also has windows, it's very compelling value.

Low cost gaming is just gaming on your smartphone or your laptop that you already own.

 

[MayaXG]

Piecing together that various things said about the next Xbox (first party console) by those in the know, including our very own @KeplerL2 and HeisenbergFX4 (and some assumptions).

• Small form factor, designed for entertainment center
• Relatively powerful in context of today's systems
• Unsubsidized, exspensive
• Locked down Windows 11. No ability to install other operating systems. Only apps available from the MS store. Crucial distinction in determining if it is a PC or a console
• BC. Needs console status to be able to bring forward Xbox games due to licensing.
• No online paywall. Doesn't make sense to keep this around if it wants any chance to appeal to PC gamers
• Only approved mods can be installed, if they are even allowed. Possibily monetized a la Bethesda

Seems Microsoft is definitely straddling the fence between PC and console, but more on the console side due to BC. The more I think about it the more I see the online paywall going away. Removing the last remnant of XLG will cost MS a good bit of revenue and quite a few GP subscribers. Obviously, the price will limit appeal quite a bit, but unsubsidized means lower production numbers and costs. Said before but this looks like a bridge device to move gamers away from Xbox console and more towards Windows gaming.

I can see the OEM machines having these features.

However, there is room for a "Steamdeck-like" subsidized machine and handheld combo that is locked down to just the Microsoft store and can only play digital games from the store. This will target traditional console gamers and be subsidized.

 

[MCH2024]

Just build a PC bro.

RAM / NAND Pricing are horrific. This is a bad time for it.

 

[MCH2024]

Locked down Windows 11. No ability to install other operating systems. Only apps available from the MS store. Crucial distinction in determining if it is a PC or a console

This makes no sense. What about the epic store / steam store?

 

[Topher]

This makes no sense. What about the epic store / steam store?

Those would be apps in the MS store. How does that not make sense? If W11 is locked down then you've got to have a repository of approved apps to install.

 

[Gambit2483]

Not for the mass market.

I love it when people solve their own problems.

Ahh, so Xbox admits it has given up on appealing to the mass market with "their" hardware. About time. Now it's just a matter of when they go strictly software. I see no reason why any niche consumer would choose this over a PC or Steam Machine...but who knows, maybe they will surprise us.

 

[Fess]

Steam Machine is a niche device (like the deck) while this is supposed to be the successor Xbox, totally different devices.

If MS is fine with selling a couple million of these ok, but why bother if you're Microsoft. I addressed this point in the next post.

As far as I can tell they're the exact same type of device besides the power and OS.

Steam Machine simply boot into Steam Big Picture mode while Xbox Magnus boot into Xbox App Fullscreen mode.
Both have a desktop mode, Linux for Steam Machine and Windows for Xbox Magnus.

One difference is that Xbox Magnus can run previous gen Xbox console games. And Windows means full PC game compatibility and access to Gamepass. But the core features are the same, a living room PC in a console shell with a controller focused UI.

 

[diffusionx]

As far as I can tell they're the exact same type of device besides the power and OS.

Steam Machine simply boot into Steam Big Picture mode while Xbox Magnus boot into Xbox App Fullscreen mode.
Both have a desktop mode, Linux for Steam Machine and Windows for Xbox Magnus.

One difference is that Xbox Magnus can run previous gen Xbox console games. And Windows means full PC game compatibility and access to Gamepass. But the core features are the same, a living room PC in a console shell with a controller focused UI.

This ignores the fact that Xbox app is irrelevant and Steam has a de facto monopoly on the pc games space.

That is the entire difference. In every single "Magnus" thread, all I read is people wanting to run Steam on it. Valve sells devices so people stay on Steam, Microsoft is going to sell this device to... get people on Steam.

 

[ReasonBeing]

Closed system, closed OS, closed ecosystem with whitelisted stores. If this is a Windows 11 computer just like every other computer, but with a "console-like" UI then it is just a PC like every other PC. If that is the case then, once again, some are going to pretend that xbox branding magically transforms it into something it is not.

We still don't know for sure what it is though. I'm not ready to start doubting what @KeplerL2 and HeisenbergFX4 have said, but there are some discrepancies in what is being described from these various sources. If it truly is a console then it will be locked down and only apps/stores Microsoft allows will be running on the device.

I wonder if it is a little of both. Out of the box, it only allows content from whitelisted stores. They also allow one to enable downloads and content from "unknown sources" that opens up the ability to run software from anywhere, like a traditional PC would allow.

 

[Topher]

I wonder if it is a little of both. Out of the box, it only allows content from whitelisted stores. They also allow one to enable downloads and content from "unknown sources" that opens up the ability to run software from anywhere, like a traditional PC would allow.

Very well could be. Or it could be like others have said where the console side is completely isolated from the PC side. Lots of possible approaches to this.

 

[MCH2024]

If it's 1199$ that's a good price if Online is free.

Over 7 years of console ownership,

XSX2: 1,199$
PS5 Pro: ~1,299$

It's all about relativity. The issue is that Microsoft is incentivized to offer you a better deal short term (lower MSRP) but stiff you long term (paid online, locked down windows, etc).

Microsoft will not allow piracy whatsoever. And thus anything that could enable it. I don't think you will be able to install anything outside of "official stores".

Epic supports this approach. Their deal with google allowed for official stores but side-loading is being killed off. And I expect Xbox to adopt Epic's vision.

Paid online they might still enforce it for Xbox Games? Or lock connectivity on the OS level in games without plus? That would be ultra cringe.

 

[RaZoR No1]

How are they gonna implement the BC Part?
Special Hardware which will be exclusive to Xbox / OEM Variante and Boot into console Mode?
Or a emulator/Software unlocker which is included in the next Xbox and Ideally can be unlocked on normal PCs too?

 

[IDKFA]

Finding a market for this thing will be a huge hurdle, but then again so has been finding a market for current series console.

If it costs what it is rumoured to cost then its DOA.

The casual gamer, the one that mostly plays FIFA (I'll still call it that), COD, Fortnite, Minecraft etc. They don't care about power. My son plays mostly those games and he doesn't care about power. He bought a Series S because it was the cheapest way for him to play his games with his buddies (who all rock a Series S as well).

I can't see this being a success at all.

 

[Matchew]

This is the most exciting piece of console hardware in a long time.

 

[nial]

We know Sony isn't historically inclined to subsidize by more than $50.

Not saying that it will be the case, but historically? That goes up to $300.

 

[reinking]

If it's 1199$ that's a good price if Online is free.

Over 7 years of console ownership,

XSX2: 1,199$
PS5 Pro: ~1,299$

It's all about relativity. The issue is that Microsoft is incentivized to offer you a better deal short term (lower MSRP) but stiff you long term (paid online, locked down windows, etc).

Microsoft will not allow piracy whatsoever. And thus anything that could enable it. I don't think you will be able to install anything outside of "official stores".

Epic supports this approach. Their deal with google allowed for official stores but side-loading is being killed off. And I expect Xbox to adopt Epic's vision.

Paid online they might still enforce it for Xbox Games? Or lock connectivity on the OS level in games without plus? That would be ultra cringe.

Console gamers have dealt with paying for online. Paying for online will not be sticker shock to them. If you come out with a $1199 device and call it a game console, they are going to freak out. Expect bad publicity for it regardless of how the price is justified. I am not saying it will fail, only MS knows what their expectations and goals are for this device.

 

[memoryman3]

Microsoft will not allow piracy whatsoever.

I wouldn't be so sure. If this is just a PC then allowing third party stores is effectively the same as allowing piracy economically. What I think will happen is that Xbox backwards compatible games will run under a protected mode where modifying files is disallowed, much like how UWP games worked.

 

[Gamezone]

So if the next Xbox is a PC, why wouldn't everyone just buy their games on Steam?