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[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

I feel like I am part of the target audience if a couple assumptions are acccurate. Specifically, people who would jump at Steam in a true console form that is reasonably priced (default to controllers, simplicity of console compared to pc on hardware and settings). As long as it's easy to navigate between them I don't care about two or more storefronts.

But I also have a tough time believing my assumptions will pan out to be true. And even if somehow this all happens I'd still expect some sort of Achilles heel like needing to pay for a high tier gp plan just to have access to Steam and that could be a deal breaker itself depending on cost and trust that the costs stays relatively static.

Still an interesting concept. I won't be surprised if it's just a concept though.

That's something else I was thinking they would do: offer a SKU line that's soft-subsidized (as in, lower profit margin on hardware and they make up the difference later) through a locked Game Pass subscription, which they could probably do with All-Access. But they'd also have (much more expensive) SKU options for those who want access to the other storefronts out of the box.

When I was thinking about that, it was under the assumption they'd still be using Xbox OS as it currently exists, but reading around I just remembered that Windows S Mode exists, which is a way they could have a "locked down" Windows for these devices optimized for gaming. I just hope it's better than the trash that was on those HP Stream laptops I used years ago; those things were basically e-waste out of the box with little RAM and low storage, and no upgrade options. And I also remember the nightmare of always having basic installs blocked because they were set to S Mode.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

5 million or 10 million sales is nothing and i doubt they hit that if this thing is over 1000. You're losing a MASSIVEEEEEEEEE amount of revenue by allowing storefronts on your platform which means in the long run you're going to lose more money then you gain.

TBF, MS probably won't care about that happening as long as:

1: They're still getting B2P sales off PlayStation, Nintendo, & Steam​

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2: They are retaining PC gamers on Windows for gaming​

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3: They get enough Xbox diehards (who are still left) to buy into these devices​

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4: They can upsell PC gamers on shitty laptops or lower-end pre-builts who want to upgrade but still stay gaming on PC, and don't want to build their own PC rigs (due to intimidation or complexity, or lack of time), to these new devices. Which incidentally also keeps them in the Windows ecosystem.​

Basically, I don't think MS cares about things associated with Xbox console anymore to continue supporting them or their mechanisms, that includes Xbox OS and maybe even the revenue off B2P sales from the Xbox storefront (which is in heavy decline anyway due to Game Pass). They'd rather take whatever's useful, apply it to Windows, use that to still provide something to Xbox console owners, and bank on B2P sales from PS & Nintendo alongside seeing some growth for Windows (by sacrificing traditional Xbox console).

 

[Little Chicken]

I'm ready for a $800-$900 console that doesn't have to compromise on performance, if this is what they have planned.

Where does that leave PS6 though? In an embarrassing spot for sure, not sure many here on GAF could deal with another generation of Xbox "winning" in every Digital Foundry video, they still haven't healed after the Xbox 360.

 

[ReasonBeing]

"So I'd be able to get PS exclusive on my new Xbox from Steam"

The warriors are going to LOVE using this sentiment going forward, but so will a lot of journalists and influencers who don't even care about Xbox.

The console war is over. It will be the PlayStation console and the Xbox platform. They are more adjacent than directly head to head. At least that is they way it seems to me, if these rumours are to be believed

 

[twilo99]

That's the best part. You only need the microsoft store to download Steam and just do everything there.

Its like when you open edge on your new computer to get chrome... but with videogames.

Edge is chrome with a different skin tho

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I'm ready for a $800-$900 console that doesn't have to compromise on performance, if this is what they have planned.

Where does that leave PS6 though? In an embarrassing spot for sure, not sure many here on GAF could deal with another generation of Xbox "winning" in every Digital Foundry video, they still haven't healed after the Xbox 360.

If systems have been trending up, PS5 Pro is already $700 US, then next gen for sure will be $800+ like you predict by the time 2027-28 come. And that doesnt even include an optical drive for disc purists. At minimum, it'll be $700 US if console makers aim for a parity price first and then jam in as much as they can for $700.

There is no way suddenly console prices will drop back to $500 US next gen. I remember some people thinking prices might come down as PS5 Pro is an exception. Next gen will be totally new chips and maybe they can do it cheaper. Doubt it.

 

[Mokus]

They should just release a slim windows for gamers. Why do I need this complication when I already have a gaming PC/laptop that I want?

 

[Punished Miku]

They should just release a slim windows for gamers. Why do I need this complication when I already have a gaming PC/laptop that I want?

I think that's the plan. They've talked publicly about exactly that for PC or existing windows handheld. You don't have to buy their hardware if you don't want it.

 

[Humdinger]

No one here has given a compelling case as to why this would be better for the Xbox audience than what they already have with Xbox Series X|S. Is it the Sony exclusives?

If I were an Xbox-only guy, not on PC, I would see the following as selling points, over what the Series X/S offers:

1. Access to Steam and thus a large library of PC games
2. More powerful hardware
3. Access to PS exclusives through Steam

Now, I am not that guy. I'm a PS-only guy, and it isn't a compelling case for me. But if I put myself in the shoes of a hardcore Xbox enthusiast who isn't on PC, this new hybrid thing would be somewhat tempting. I would have concerns about the price point and how "console-like" (i.e., ease of plug and play) the experience is, but I'd be interested. I could see the appeal.

 

[yogaflame]

Can it run MS office and Autocad?

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

The ecosystem is the prize. All of the profits from games, dlc, services, etc are the lifeblood of a plastic box. Unless, Microsoft has an upcoming deal with Steam to share some of the profits. If that's the case, what's in it for a Steam?

Why would Valve enter a profit-sharing model with Microsoft for games sold on Steam? It's simply easier for all parties involved if MS has soft-subsidized units with locked Game Pass at a tier which includes access to other storefronts like Steam.

MS gets their cut (through the subscription), no messy (and potentially contentious) revenue sharing model between them and Valve (or other storefront providers). Simple, clean, effective.

Sounds like just pc stuff, that should have been done 10 years ago, we are more interested in the next gen consoles. Which needs billion of dollars of investment, if it does come, I feel like it could be their last Xbox console, I just can't see how they will be able to compete with Sony and Nintendo with no exclusive games.

This IS their next gen console plan tho o.0

If they want this whole integrated ecosystem to work, they need Valve to do it themselves, else it's going to work like ass.

Valve got their own plans with Steam devices and Steam OS.

I could see them taking a play from Apple's handbook in the mobile space. Xbox is a walled garden, and you want to sell your games on Steam in our ecosystem? You've gotta give us a percentage of the sales made through our hardware platform.

Well like GHG said, that kind of thing only works when you have leverage as a platform holder. In the gaming hardware segment currently (aside peripherals), Microsoft has little leverage. Pubs and devs would just choose to skip Xbox...again.

Oh, I agree completely, and obviously Microsoft needs Valve more than Valve needs Microsoft. They're obviously adding Steam support somehow, I just wonder the extent that Valve is involved: both from a technical and a business/financial perspective.

Honestly don't think Valve's involvement would be that much. Let's say these devices are running Windows...chances are it's going to be some locked-down version of it. So maybe they'd just need Valve to make some changes for a Steam distro that provides all necessary functions in that locked down Windows environment. That is probably the extent of things.

Some are going to try making it sound like they're in a partnership or something but that's almost as much a delusional fantasy as thinking Xbox's got another 360 in them. Plus for anyone who wants real competition in this "consolized PC" market, why would you want a partnership between MS and Valve? It doesn't suit Valve's corporate culture, and it's just stifle any real effort going forward with Steam devices and Steam OS by MS pacifying them.

Basically, the partnership would be looked at as a way of controlling competition (in a new, burgeoning market where standards are still being set) and it's the same type of stuff that got MS into an antitrust lawsuit all those years ago. Hell, it's the same thing regulators all but unanimously called them out for potentially doing with cloud during the ABK acquisition process, and why MS had to spin off the cloud stuff to Ubisoft in Europe to even get the deal to go through!

Why would they risk repeating that?

 

[awwr999999]

Having access to Steam while also having Gamepass without the "headache" of having to get and manage a PC is very interesting. Having Xbox features on top like BC is also nice. I think they may have something cool here.

He's forgotten that Steam sells AO games and MS is bigger than just Xbox.
Americans will abandon Windows en masse for Chromebooks and Ubuntu if MS gets involved with facilitating the sale of 'porno games' to kids.
Windows would be ripped out of American schools and generations of young Americans wouldn't become Windows dependent adults.
There's no way that Gabe's going to sell out total control of Steam for the increased access.

 

[mayham2199]

He's forgotten that Steam sells AO games and MS is bigger than just Xbox.
Americans will abandon Windows en masse for Chromebooks and Ubuntu if MS gets involved with facilitating the sale of 'porno games' to kids.
Windows would be ripped out of American schools and generations of young Americans wouldn't become Windows dependent adults.
There's no way that Gabe's going to sell out total control of Steam for the increased access.

It will be interesting to see how Xbox handles AO games on Steam. Some people believe Steam can't and wont block games based on hardware so that option is potentially out. Now if people say Steam can block AO games on Xbox hardware well then the option for Sony to block their games also becomes open. Will be interesting to see how Xbox handles this.

 

[FrankWza]

I'm ready for a $800-$900 console that doesn't have to compromise on performance, if this is what they have planned.

Where does that leave PS6 though? In an embarrassing spot for sure, not sure many here on GAF could deal with another generation of Xbox "winning" in every Digital Foundry video, they still haven't healed after the Xbox 360.

What happens to poor little Timmy that needed an underpowered series s that anchored an entire generation and caused delays and gargantuan efforts to get him that $299 price point?

 

[StreetsofBeige]

What happens to poor little Timmy that needed an underpowered series s that anchored an entire generation and caused delays and gargantuan efforts to get him that $299 price point?

Series S didnt anchor anything. PS4 and Xbox One did. Most games can still be played on those 2013 machines.

And when next gen comes in 2027 or 2028, it might still happen as recent Sony and MS consoles are BC. So if the specs are compatible again, some game devs may still do it.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Executives only think about money, which is why they are porting everything to PC. If they see Xbox offers no threat anymore but profit instead, they will start releasing games on Xbox as well.

That's not necessarily true; they think about other things too. But an executive who is driven mostly by shareholders who only value chasing profit margins, will steer executives into a strategy that could be viewed as short-sighted.

It's also a bit odd to think they'd release/port games to a platform they don't consider a threat anymore, as that would also suggest (IMO) that said platform isn't a viable market for sales hence low adoption hence not viewing it as a threat. Which at that point...why bother porting your games to it? That'd just seem hypocritical.

 

[Proelite]

Also extas1s is a fraud and I wish people would stop listening to him.

This is the best comment on Gaf. Love it.

 

[Jesb]

Whatever Microsoft is doing this feels like it's their last chance at this.

 

[awwr999999]

It will be interesting to see how Xbox handles AO games on Steam. Some people believe Steam can't and wont block games based on hardware so that option is potentially out. Now if people say Steam can block AO games on Xbox hardware well then the option for Sony to block their games also becomes open. Will be interesting to see how Xbox handles this.

Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older.
Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
Microsoft does not support AO titles.
Out of the top 4 video game companies by revenue, Sony Interactive Entertanment is the only one that's privately held.
Sony's labels make and sell Explicit (Parental Advisory Label) music that big American retailers (Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc.) will not sell.

is the video game equivalent of

.
Sony's PlayStation can position itself as the only console for adults and permanently shift the game industry standard for violent AAA games from M rated to AO rated.

MS owned Activision-Blizzard's (AB) biggest money maker is the COD franchise. COD started as a T rated 13+ game with poor sales.
COD sales skyrocketed when they moved to the industry standard 17+ M rating to compete with other violent AAA games like GTA.
MS owning AB only works in a world where the T rating is the industry standard for violent AAA games and PlayStation can make it so that MS to sell off AB.
1. PlayStation will move to allowing select AO games on PSN.
2. Rockstar will make an AO rated GTA game as a PSN exclusive.
3. Overnight the industry standard for violent AAA games will shift from M rated to AO rated.
4. The AO rating objectively looks better than the M rating:

PS and Steam will have "Games for Adults" while MS, Nintendo and Tencent will only be capable of making and selling games for Mature children 17 and up.