12Dannu123
Member
Owning the platform provides lots of benefits in terms of defining the user experience of that platform. The Xbox Ally a PC uses Xbox Mode out of the box and the whole experience is controlled by MS.
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How is XBOX going PC focus good news?
- Thread starter EverydayBeast
- Start date
Owning the platform provides lots of benefits in terms of defining the user experience of that platform. The Xbox Ally a PC uses Xbox Mode out of the box and the whole experience is controlled by MS.
DryvBy
Member
Consoles aren't the only ones that do this. PC games get exclusive releases on different storefronts too.
LyricalShrike
Member
Do you need to buy separate PCs for steam, gog, and LoL?
DryvBy
Member
Goalpost moved? The argument was about exclusives being locked down. When did we move it?
LyricalShrike
Member
The discussion was about console gatekeeping. PC is one platform with multiple storefronts. Exclusivity to one storefront incurs no additional cost to players since it's still PC. Some of the biggest games in the world like league or Roblox aren't on any store.
Griffon
Member
Xbox should've been disbanded a looonnng time ago. They used the infinite money from daddy Ms when in a fair market they would've disappeared a while ago and someone else would've had their chance at it.
Theyre an unnatural disruption of the ecosystem. A company that keeps failing should not stay in business.
Theyre an unnatural disruption of the ecosystem. A company that keeps failing should not stay in business.
DryvBy
Member
Its a stupid argument lol. Maybe these companies don't even want to support PC similar to how some games don't want to come to console. What about Steam or Epic gatekeeping? Why can't PC just have one store that I can have my entire library on? You don't care about exclusives. You just want everything on PC, which is fine, but be honest about it. Don't act like you're some kind of shining warrior for consumers.
LyricalShrike
Member
My initial position was that comparing console exclusivity to storefront exclusivity was silly so I am glad that you agree. I think you're still confused how PC works. PC is an open platform. There is no central library since nothing about PC is set in stone right down to the OS. Steam has a de-facto monopoly as its the largest storefront but you can buy most games elsewhere if you choose. GOG and Steam's launchers allow the addition of games from other platforms to facilitate a single library view (GOG Galaxy does a better job of automating libraries, Steam does a better job of handling input and streaming).
I obviously would prefer to have every game on PC. Are you contesting that having your entire library on a single platform that persists across upgrades, access to community mods, and no ongoing maintenance subscriptions is a good thing? I don't have any issues with exclusives made by console makers being exclusive either. Nor do I have any issue with a company which wants to specialize in PC or Console games. Gatekeeping in this context referred to times during the last gen when Sony would buy exclusivity for games it didn't make to prop up its platform. The issue is moot now since nearly every major and minor release comes to PC in some form these days and the market is too large to ignore. Epic's nonsense has been great for players since its attempt to compete has resulted in piles of free games for players and some genuine bargains on occasion. I like that I can buy AAA games along with classics without DRM on GOG.
Kacho
Gold Member
A living room PC with a front end that's by all appearances a console, is fully functional with a controller, has none of the Linux compatibility issues, and you can pick and choose which store fronts to use?
I mean, sorta compelling. But it will come down to the execution. They need to show us the features, integration, and how easy it is to use.
Stick to the Xbox storefront if you want a hassle-free curated "console" experience. It will no doubt be a hell of a lot better than hooking up a traditional PC to the TV.
I mean, sorta compelling. But it will come down to the execution. They need to show us the features, integration, and how easy it is to use.
Stick to the Xbox storefront if you want a hassle-free curated "console" experience. It will no doubt be a hell of a lot better than hooking up a traditional PC to the TV.
YeulEmeralda
Linux User
I think they could have made a profit with the 360 if the RROD hadn't happened.
Syphon Filter
Member
valve/steam already ruined pc gaming with not owning games.
Bernardougf
Member
Well its a product made for Xbox diehard fans (imo) and people looking to reenter the PC space with a machine more close functioning to consoles.
So pros :
- easy of use with a console like experience (allegedly)
- will always receive games since it will run the raw PC code
- cheaper vs a equivalent pc (allegedly)
- more flexible in graphics configurations (just like a pc) compared to ps6
Cons :
- not upgradeable
- it probably wont have much software developed specifically for it just the raw pc code just like other pcs.
- its selling itself as a "console" per MS marketing so thinking this way.. it will be the most expensive console ever by a large margin and probably will be much more expensive than ps6
- no exclusive games
- the difference in power against PS6 probably wont manifest itself much of the time because the development differences (generic pc code vs ps6 specific code) but this remains to be seen
All in all I still think MS should market this as a PC since it is one with a xbox BC mode .. but as others have said maybe it probably cant because of legal reasons.
Its a premium product made primarily for xbox fans to make the transition softer to the PC environment, they probably dont expect to sell much of it. Dont think it has much sell outside of that specially since PS cancelled their pc porting program for now outside their dogshit gaas games.
I dont think it caters to any big pc crowd ... pc bros like their flexibility and being able to tweak and upgrade at their will
So pros :
- easy of use with a console like experience (allegedly)
- will always receive games since it will run the raw PC code
- cheaper vs a equivalent pc (allegedly)
- more flexible in graphics configurations (just like a pc) compared to ps6
Cons :
- not upgradeable
- it probably wont have much software developed specifically for it just the raw pc code just like other pcs.
- its selling itself as a "console" per MS marketing so thinking this way.. it will be the most expensive console ever by a large margin and probably will be much more expensive than ps6
- no exclusive games
- the difference in power against PS6 probably wont manifest itself much of the time because the development differences (generic pc code vs ps6 specific code) but this remains to be seen
All in all I still think MS should market this as a PC since it is one with a xbox BC mode .. but as others have said maybe it probably cant because of legal reasons.
Its a premium product made primarily for xbox fans to make the transition softer to the PC environment, they probably dont expect to sell much of it. Dont think it has much sell outside of that specially since PS cancelled their pc porting program for now outside their dogshit gaas games.
I dont think it caters to any big pc crowd ... pc bros like their flexibility and being able to tweak and upgrade at their will
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Unfortunatecookie
Member
"Guy who has been failing at his job for over a decade finds a new excuse for his mountain of failures."
A hybrid device could be cool, and I think I understand why Xbox has no choice but to become a PC. They've been pulling Dreamcast numbers in their strongest territories, so their console business is dead in the water.
However, Project Helix is (increasingly) looking like a confusing line of products. It looks and sounds like they're making an expensive family of PC devices that don't offer anything of significant value to the mass market. That's a recipe for disaster for a business that heavily relies on mass market adoption to make (literal) financial sense.
I think what you're seeing from podcast hosts/phony journalists/diehard Xbox faithful's is a false belief that finally, Xbox will be competitive by 'doing their own thing.' Unfortunately, pre-built PC's and gaming laptops have been a thing for decades now. Even more unfortunate for their perspective is the overwhelming majority of people who play high-fidelity games on PC do not care about pre-built machines and have consistently built their own PC's from scratch.
I could be 100% wrong and Helix could be the next Wii. No one is 100% right all the time. But current indicators -- brewing confusion from hardcore gamers, disinterest from casual gamers, public distrust in another Xbox console, public dislike of recent Xbox price hikes, public dislike of Windows, public dislike of intrusive AI features (e.g., Microsoft Copilot), public adoration of Valve/the PC gaming champions, developers not singing Game Pass praises anymore, exclusives being phased out at a rapid rate etc. -- point to a platform that will need a miracle to sell to the mass market.
TL;DR: Xbox turning into a PC makes sense for Microsoft because they're dead in the console space, but for the mass market, it's as attractive as a fat fly in a big bowl of soup. While bogus journalists are pretending that Xbox PC totally makes sense for gamers, all current market indicators point to a future failed platform due to mass market rejection.
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Artistic
Member
I don't think they're necessarily competing with Sony/traditional consoles anymore. While he's not in charge anymore, Mr. Spencer already said as much.
No one wants lackluster sales and user adaption, but I don't think Microsoft is expecting to push out 100 million units of Helix(a benchmark set by Nintendo/Sony) counterparts.
SonicBoomBoy
Neo Member
Not even squeezed the most out of the SERIES X and already moving on, farce.
Unfortunatecookie
Member
Let's be honest.
The reason they're not competing anymore is because they can't. They quite literally torched their own ecosystem, so much so that they now need to pursue an entirely different ecosystem of software and devices.
I don't know what their target with Helix is, but if it's launching at $1,000+ then they will 100% struggle to hit the mass market. Unlike phones and cars and houses etc., consoles are toys. To be frank, they'll be lucky to hit 15M lifetime sales if the thing is -- as they've communicated -- a premium, high-end device.
Dorfdad
Gold Member
The whole Xbox console thing is basically away for Microsoft to convert their existing Xbox ecosystem players over to PC to continue playing their Xbox game. Yes they'll still have games on PS5 but they don't want people to move to PlayStation. They want them to move to PC hint the Xbox hybrid console. Microsoft will not make a new console after this one.
Microsoft will start license licensing out the OS to third-party vendors. They will also tighten up game pass and other titles to release on xbox store prior to being released on steam.
They are done with consoles after this they will just offer cloud and pc gaming
Microsoft will start license licensing out the OS to third-party vendors. They will also tighten up game pass and other titles to release on xbox store prior to being released on steam.
They are done with consoles after this they will just offer cloud and pc gaming
Artistic
Member
Microsoft's goal since 360 days(it's quite evident in the naming of products) was to make it the one stop hub for all your entertainment needs. A phone/house/car can very much be considered a "toy" to be quite frank, it's all subjective.
If Helix can provide the same kind of life value a smartphone can, maybe they can justify the potential $1,000 price tag.
At the end of the day, it will and has to be an Xbox to even have a fighting chance. What Helix actually offers is to be determined.
Radical_3d
Member
How is a retreat strategy good news? Hmmm… they've avoided total obliteration?
Signalis
Member
Gamezone
Gold Member
PC and Steam is already way more trustworthy than generations that will end.
Hyet
Member
Every console should be a PC, and no game should ever be exclusive.
I don't want gaming to be about competition in hardware. Just make the best hardware aviable along with affordable, decent alternatives, both desktop, portable or hybrid. I want the gaming industry to compete in making good. games. Hardware is the a middle man and exclusives are just kidnapping.
I don't want gaming to be about competition in hardware. Just make the best hardware aviable along with affordable, decent alternatives, both desktop, portable or hybrid. I want the gaming industry to compete in making good. games. Hardware is the a middle man and exclusives are just kidnapping.
Unfortunatecookie
Member
Respectfully disagree.
A videogame console will never be considered as useful as a phone/car/house. You never think of a PlayStation outside of your house; a PS5 is an entertainment product that can run all of the games and funzies that you want. That's not a diss. It's just the reality of what this stuff is.
Xbox will have a really really hard time justifying a Helix with a $1,000+ price. If PlayStation struggled with the discless $700 PS5 Pro then I guarantee you that Xbox will have a significantly more difficult time with their machine. Just get ready for that reality -- regardless of the positioning and framing of what the system is.
hououinkyouma00
Member
Xbox has been around for 25 years and is a big part of people's gaming history. While I think a lot of the "anger" is fabricated I think a lot of it is people who genuinely enjoy gaming on Xbox and are simply upset to see Microsoft fuck it up so badly. For a lot of people Xbox would have been the pinacle of gaming with the Xbox 360 and seeing them fuck up all of their big franchises and essentially give up in the console space is annoying and/or sad.
I had an Xbox from nearly day 1 (Christmas 2001) and I've owned every single piece of Xbox hardware besides the Xbox 360E, and the Xbox ROG Ally handhelds. Some of my favorite games and franchises came from Xbox. I'm not losing sleep or anything over here, but it does make me sad to see current Xbox as somebody that has owned and played Xbox for most of my life.
Personally, I don't hate the idea of the new hybrid approach as somebody that would consider buying it to upgrade from my current PC+Series X combo, but I absolutely wish we were getting a traditional Xbox console instead.
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
I see that even you received the Copilot update as well.
DryvBy
Member
I will guarantee you I've invested more time and hours into PC gaming than you've been a PC gamer. I'm assuming from this post you were an Xbox user before based on you talking about gatekeeping and bringing up Sony while ignoring Xbox and Nintendo did the same thing since the start of their race. I also am assuming this since you sound like a console warrior which is common amongst the console to PC converts. I don't have this problem as I'm practically a hobo with the amount of money I spend on hardware and games.
Now as far as the "open platform", that's invalid as I've stated that I can't have my library on one platform. Because I sadly can't buy some games on other platforms. What does being open matter if I'm locked down to Steam to play Half-Life 2? You're entire argument is invalid and useless because you're still locked down to storefronts that aren't open.
And what does subscriptions and streamlined upgrades have to do with the argument? This goalpost is now across the town and I don't like walking that far.