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[Matt_Fox]

In a recent NeoGaf poll of gamers who own both consoles - PS5 and XSX - the Xbox came out as the preferred system, which says a lot to how Microsoft have turned it around since last gen.

Only for those who own BOTH an XSX and a PS5 | NeoGAF

 

[Chukhopops]

I don't know how much it's Phil and how much is realizing they have to catch up but I've been really happy with the last two years or so, between all the games I played on GP, the SX becoming one of my favorite consoles, the indie support, PC being integrated to the strategy, etc.

But yeah the road is still long.

 

[Negotiator101]

He's by far the biggest visionary in the industry, his foresight with GP and giving Xbox the biggest first party of any of the big 3 has cemented Xbox to be market leader in 7 to 10 years. I'm just flabbergasted Sony and Nintendo have been treading water doing the same thing for decades now, surely they see where the market is headed?

This will be Xbox strongest generation ever in terms of games, but it's the long term goals that Phil planned out 5 years ago that put Xbox in such an enviable position.

 

[Old Empire.]

He hasn't done or released anything to make me want an Xbox in the last 7 years. Don't care about Halo, gears, or forza. If Starfield or the new fable look good I may get one.

This narrative false. Recore, Quantum Break, Ryse, Sunset Overdrive were first party/second party titles, while on THE PS4 was mostly quiet for the first three years.

Sony studios hit the top gear, and you saw titles pushed out. Sony first party content was not great between the year 2013 and 2016.

Bloodbourne was released by a third/second party dev studio. Sony did not own the studio.
Ready at Dawn- Order 1886, same.

In reality Sony success depends on Guerilla games, Sucker Punch, and Naughty dog. Insomnaic will provide backup with Spiderman and other titles.

MS at this stage has 30 something owned studios and does not look the are stopping yet..

Sony got around 15+ owned studios, so the potential is massive for Xbox. Now is about delivering the content for its fanbase.

 

[cormack12]

In a recent NeoGaf poll of gamers who own both consoles - PS5 and XSX - the Xbox came out as the preferred system, which says a lot to how Microsoft have turned it around since last gen.

Only for those who own BOTH an XSX and a PS5 | NeoGAF

 

[PropellerEar]

Gears Tactics. It was a first party exclusive launch title on the XSX|S. The Xbox platform has never been defined purely by its 1st party. It has also never had 23 studios. Quality games take time to produce. The Bethesda acquisition added more studios and more games to Game pass. You have to be blind to not the progress with the Xbox brand. There is plenty to be proud of especially when looking at when the X1 came out.

It launched first on PC, maybe time to give us your fanfiction writer alias.

 

[Clear]

If you want an objective measure of success then simply compare the performance of all 3 major console platforms over the same period. That way you can see how external forces have played a role, and eliminate that from the assessment.

Looked at it that way, the PR successes under Spencer haven't really paid off in terms of actual performance yet.

 

[DispatchNinja]

In reality Sony success depends on Guerilla games, Sucker Punch, and Naughty dog. Insomnaic will provide backup with Spiderman and other titles.

When MS starts releasing games at the quality these studios do (plus Sony Santa Monica), I'll look into getting one. Bethesda is a good start but those games are a good ways out still. Reverse roles here and imagine the medium was a PlayStation game and that's the only thing they released for a full year in a new generation. They would be getting clowned every day, and rightfully so.

 

[regawdless]

From a management perspective, he's pretty gangster. Did a great job so far.

 

[GymWolf]

I'm not gay, but I'd be tempted

Don't pretend you haven't daydreamed of yourself as Demi Moore and Phil as Patric Swazie. Liars!!

Yeah, he does something to my pelvic zone, look at those moves

 

[Mmnow]

In a recent NeoGaf poll of gamers who own both consoles - PS5 and XSX - the Xbox came out as the preferred system, which says a lot to how Microsoft have turned it around since last gen.

Only for those who own BOTH an XSX and a PS5 | NeoGAF

And most the responses are about having too many games to play on Xbox and too few to play on PlayStation.

It's not a problem I've got, but it's interesting to see how perception is different between the PlayStation-only gamers and those who own everything.

 

[Old Empire.]

When MS starts releasing games at the quality these studios do (plus Sony Santa Monica), I'll look into getting one. Bethesda is a good start but those games are a good ways out still. Reverse roles here and imagine the medium was a PlayStation game and that's the only thing they released for a full year in a new generation. They would be getting clowned every day, and rightfully so.

Sony released a DLC that was made for Spiderman on PS4 pro. Other than that- what's Sony released to be excited for? You're hold Xbox to have higher standards and yet Sony gets a pass huh? Medium free on game pass too.

 

[Matt_Fox]

And most the responses are about having too many games to play on Xbox and too few to play on PlayStation.

It's not a problem I've got, but it's interesting to see how perception is different between the PlayStation-only gamers and those who own everything.

Playstation-only gamers, or indeed Xbox-only gamers, have made a consumer choice. They've invested their money and leisure time into that brand. It's human nature that they will gravitate towards news, or a narrative that affirms to them that they made the right choice. Some will even demean the competition purely to make their choice look like the right one (the 'console warrior').

When that bias is removed and you take a neutral standpoint, then perception better reflects reality. Anyone that cant see Phil Spencer has had success in his role really isn't objective.

 

[ripeavocado]

The OG Xbox team and until the Kinect era was made of amazing and passionate people, they have all left Xbox and Microsoft Years ago, but they are the ones that made Xbox successfu.

the new people have been slowly dismantling the Xbox brand and games, so sad.

 

[Krizalidx11]

Phil is the best thing that happened to Xbox since Lost Odyssey

 

[Bernd Lauert]

the new people have been slowly dismantling the Xbox brand and games, so sad.

Can you elaborate? How are they dismantling the brand and games?

 

[DispatchNinja]

Sony released a DLC that was made for Spiderman on PS4 pro. Other than that- what's Sony released to be excited for? You're hold Xbox to have higher standards and yet Sony gets a pass huh? Medium free on game pass too.

Sony's first year for exclusive ps5 games is demons souls, returnal, and ratchet and clank if I remember right, and even more that are ps4/ps5 exclusive too. Didn't MS even say that their exclusives are going to be on last gen consoles as well for the next few years, yet Sony is always criticized for having a ps5 game on PS4? Hard argument to make that Microsoft is in a better position this year yet people try to claim it all the time. And games on game pass aren't free, it's a paid service.

 

[bender]

We'll see if his moves pay dividends or not but considering where the Xbox was with the launch of the One, it's easier to be more optimist about the brand. Having billions of dollars to play with certainly made his job easier. And even if all the non-Bethesda studio's he's scooped up don't deliver system sellers, he'll always have Fallout and TES in his back pocket. Gamepass is a consumer pleaser and everything we've heard from developers would indicate they are happy too. He certainly more likeable than Jim Ryan but so is a block of wood.

 

[n0body]

No he has not and anyone who believes otherwise is fooling themselves.

Spencer and Mattrick are both clueless suits and I don't care about but but but Phil wore a gamer T shirt. No gamer would have allowed Halo to get in that state, let alone think it was acceptable to show the public.

Spencer is a mouth piece and has missed on what makes the xbox great; unique innovative games backed up by a strong staple of exclusives.

Name me the new exclusives started since the end of the xbox 360 generation. Then take a look at the games created in the same amount of time between the launch of the OG xbox and the end of the 360.

Allard and Moore are the only Xbox Heads that have understand their own console, market and demographic.

It's a shame how far off of course the xbox division has come and its a real Goddamned shame that 'fans' keep celebrating Microsofts mediocrity.

You're free to disagree all you want, because frankly, I've heard all the bullshit before from xbox 'fans'. Be it with Kinect, the lack of games, the xbox one, the lack of exclusives or the lack of innovation that once made Xbox the greatest games console ever made, backed up with legendary games.

Phil Spencer should have been fired years ago

 

[Schmick]

Playstation-only gamers, or indeed Xbox-only gamers, have made a consumer choice. They've invested their money and leisure time into that brand. It's human nature that they will gravitate towards news, or a narrative that affirms to them that they made the right choice. Some will even demean the competition purely to make their choice look like the right one (the 'console warrior').

When that bias is removed and you take a neutral standpoint, then perception better reflects reality. Anyone that cant see Phil Spencer has had success in his role really isn't objective.

Well said. Its understandable regarding bias. Though that said the people who come over to a gaming focused forum, you'd think they'd come here with an open mind and have the mindset to discuss gaming as a whole in a productive manner. The amount of times a thread is derailed...recently the ML in MM comes to mind. The topic specific about a PS game yet somehow manages to go off on a tangent about Xbox's ML capabilities being superior. We learn nothing from that except perpetuating the stinking narratives that offend and upset people. We are all gamers right? yet it seems like a real struggle to have a decent conversation about a specific machine or game.

On topic, MS found themsevles in a deep hole after the launch of the XBO. Its safe to say that they have climbed out of that hole. Credit for that has to be given to Phil.

 

[Old Empire.]

Sony's first year for exclusive ps5 games is demons souls, returnal, and ratchet and clank if I remember right, and even more that are ps4/ps5 exclusive too. Didn't MS even say that their exclusives are going to be on last gen consoles as well for the next few years, yet Sony is always criticized for having a ps5 game on PS4? Hard argument to make that Microsoft is in a better position this year yet people try to claim it all the time. And games on game pass aren't free, it's a paid service.

While technically it's not free, the value is phenomenal.

Xbox gold is typically 8 Euros a month ( pay that on PSN too) So I'm only paying 4 Euros a month to use game pass. Ultimate subscription is 12 Euros.

If i was purchase outriders just one game that cost me 65 Euros at retail. I can get six months of game pass almost at that price and play hundreds of games. If you don't see why gamers like gamepass, thats other people's problem.

 

[The_Mike]

Good with PR and making the xbox ecosystem look seamless but still no games really that make me want to get an xbox so idk I wouldn't say things are fully swinging up for Xbox just yet

That's a fair point, but nothing caters to everyone. If you only care about exclusives and don't like the trinity of Xbox exclusives then it's totally fine.

The Xbox ecosystem is however the absolute strongest today regarding consoles.

Also, given you post history, I don't really think Microsoft can ever pull you to buy an Xbox.

And again, that's also entirely fine. Thank god for choices.

 

[HeresJohnny]

Completely disagree. I guess it's easy to look good when your predecessor is named Don Mattrick, but to me, the Xbox is nowhere near in the position it was with the 360 pre-Mattrick.

I see Spencer opening the wallet up, which is part of it, but they have a long, long way to even be back in the fight. Call me when Sakaguchi and Itagaki are making games exclusively for an Xbox machine again.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

I'm not his biggest fan in all honesty and when I read opinions of Xbox "killing it" lately , it's difficult to feel that hype.

The reason for that is games, as someone who is a big fan of Xbox, I thought for the most part their own software offerings during Xbox One were at times in comparison to other platforms, disappointing and they were filling news with backwards compatibility releases for long periods, which said a lot.

I'd rather wait to see if the quality of the software has improved significantly from them .

 

[xiseerht]

Good with PR and making the xbox ecosystem look seamless but still no games really that make me want to get an xbox so idk I wouldn't say things are fully swinging up for Xbox just yet

The no games thing really does not make any sense to me anymore. I legit own 927 games for the Xbox Series X

 

[sublimit]

He is really a great salesman and he succeded in making his fanboys happy by just doing nothing other than throwing money left and right.

This man can fart and his fanboys will be convinced it smells like flowers.

 

[Clear]

I also find it a bit ironic that if you cast your mind back to what the media messaging was at the start of the last gen, you'll recall how bullish everyone was on Xbox's fortunes and how Sony had no chance despite getting off to a strong start.

Not saying that history is or isn't going to repeat itself, just that I find it interesting that Phil's being praised for "turning things around" when for most of, if not all of last gen, noone wanted to admit that Xbox had a problem!

 

[Lone Wolf]

Why?. Does it really bother you that much if PC gamers get to play the games too?

It didn't bother them at all at first. They loved pointing out how Xbox is useless because of PC. Now with Sony putting games on PC as well, they are having full blown temper tantrums online.

 

[Zeroing]

Today I woke up with the feeling that we would see another article about MS. And there we have!

It's almost like they are the only thing in gaming!
There's a lot of people with opinions about Xbox lately... interesting.

Don't mind me. I'm just in need of coffee.

 

[Redlancet]

I love the mix of shilling and cultist following this guy got when the most important thing is games and where he is failing again and again

 

[Redlancet]

Outriders is in Gamepass day one, Dirt 5 there too. All new titles. Narrative PS fans push here is just silly, there is plenty of games on Xbox.

Both gamas are multiplat son, and yes i dont mind spending money on games, i dont live in my mums basement

 

[tillbot8]

The real test is this generation to measure him on. I agree he has made some good decisions but if the consoles sold, revenue and overall profit doesnt significantly surpass the Xbox One then its not a success or real progress.

 

[Zeroing]

I mean if we going to talk about Phil, we need to talk about why he squinting his eyes all the time?

Does he needs glasses? Does he suffer from gases and he's trying to hold it or is he flirting for the camera?

My conspiracy theory is that he is being mind controlled by EA!

 

[REDRZA MWS]

Yep. Not even arguable. MS lost all their momentum from the 360 days with the launch of the base xb1. Where they are today with hardware, services like game pass, and a ton of studios aquired mean great content in the years to come.

 

[MrS]

How many GOTYs has the gaming company made in that time? None. Great job though.

 

[Flutta]

Mattrick did a much better job with the games than Phil.

Mattrick > Phil

 

[Flutta]

No he has not and anyone who believes otherwise is fooling themselves.

Spencer and Mattrick are both clueless suits and I don't care about but but but Phil wore a gamer T shirt. No gamer would have allowed Halo to get in that state, let alone think it was acceptable to show the public.

Spencer is a mouth piece and has missed on what makes the xbox great; unique innovative games backed up by a strong staple of exclusives.

Name me the new exclusives started since the end of the xbox 360 generation. Then take a look at the games created in the same amount of time between the launch of the OG xbox and the end of the 360.

Allard and Moore are the only Xbox Heads that have understand their own console, market and demographic.

It's a shame how far off of course the xbox division has come and its a real Goddamned shame that 'fans' keep celebrating Microsofts mediocrity.

You're free to disagree all you want, because frankly, I've heard all the bullshit before from xbox 'fans'. Be it with Kinect, the lack of games, the xbox one, the lack of exclusives or the lack of innovation that once made Xbox the greatest games console ever made, backed up with legendary games.

Phil Spencer should have been fired years ago

Couldnt Agrée more!

Phil is just a mouth piece with empty promises.

 

[Captain Toad]

Seven years is a long time. I haven't seen the game drought end yet, just seven years of, "soon". Seven years is longer than even the most ambitious AAA game development time, so I feel like the "give him time" duration has run its course.

 

[Verchod]

Seven years and yet when people ask where the games are, someone always says "they're coming, you can't turn it around overnight. It takes years to make a game."
I'm bored of waiting really. Xbox had been around for twenty years, how is it they have fuck all to show for it. I can't wait any more and I haven't played a game on my Xbox for at least two years.

 

[Killer Sakoman]

He fucked up xbox forever.

 

[Killer Sakoman]

This narrative false. Recore, Quantum Break, Ryse, Sunset Overdrive were first party/second party titles, while on THE PS4 was mostly quiet for the first three years.

Sony studios hit the top gear, and you saw titles pushed out. Sony first party content was not great between the year 2013 and 2016.

Bloodbourne was released by a third/second party dev studio. Sony did not own the studio.
Ready at Dawn- Order 1886, same.

In reality Sony success depends on Guerilla games, Sucker Punch, and Naughty dog. Insomnaic will provide backup with Spiderman and other titles.

MS at this stage has 30 something owned studios and does not look the are stopping yet..

Sony got around 15+ owned studios, so the potential is massive for Xbox. Now is about delivering the content for its fanbase.

Sadly all the games you mentioned were done by Don Mattrick not Phil.
Nothing came from Phil except controllers, and GP.

 

[JackMcGunns]

what has he done exactly?

He snapped his fingers!

 

[zedinen]

Time flies but nothing changes.

-Fortune Magazine named Don Mattrick one of the "Smartest People in Tech 2011". Kaz Hirai was the incompetent Mr. Ridge Racer.

-5 reasons the Xbox One will dominate (July 2013, Fortune)

-Xbox One is making a big comeback (Jan 2015, Business Insider)

 

[mckmas8808]

I think the major change for me is the positivity around Xbox these days. It seems a long way from the negativity around XB1, especially at the start of last gen.
27 studios now, and the games arent here yet, but when they start hitting it should be a steady flow. Gamepass, Xcloud, BC, Full PC support, powerful console, budget console, big name buys and first party developers.
He's done a great job, and turned it around from the Mattrick dark days. I mean he even seems to have Nadella fully on board now, something that was rumoured wasnt the case when he took over as CEO.

This is the best change that Phil has brought to the Xbox brand. Stuart360 is right here. They at least have direction now.

 

[hemo memo]

Yes he transformed the Xbox division after the era of "Why would I live there".

 

[ReBurn]

The man is living in so many heads rent free.

 

[Aguero9320]

They definitely have the better console this gen, if they can add the first party games to the already amazing GamePass offering, even the most die hard Sony fanboy must be concerned because it looks like they are going to fix that in the near future.

There's not going to be much left to justify the intense cultlike loyalty they feel towards PlayStation by the end of this year and beyond. PS5 is a good second console for the Sony exclusives if they manage to keep them going, but it's going to have to accept that role eventually.

 

[Chukhopops]

Seven years and yet when people ask where the games are, someone always says "they're coming, you can't turn it around overnight. It takes years to make a game."
I'm bored of waiting really. Xbox had been around for twenty years, how is it they have fuck all to show for it. I can't wait any more and I haven't played a game on my Xbox for at least two years.

MS and Sony had the same amount of distinct titles published in 2020 (16) and had a difference of 1.2 in terms of Metascore.

Source: https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/2021-game-publisher-rankings

 

[Chiggs]

I completely disagree. He's a likable loser, which is why worthless outlets like Gamespot fawn over him.

 

[whattheduck]

No gamer would have allowed Halo to get in that state, let alone think it was acceptable to show the public.

Lol what world do some of you people live in, seriously.