thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
I think MS is making a mistake developing ANY specific versions of next-gen games for XBO; they already have Xcloud. If people on the X and XBO want to play the next-gen games but not pay for an XSX immediately, they can just...stream the game. They probably won't have the DLC or post-release content (and the quality will vary a lot depending on their internet plan and connection), but that's kind of what you have to give up if you want to play next-gen games on previous-gen hardware.
Plus, with that way they save money on developing specific XBO/PC etc. versions, that money can go towards more next-gen games and services. Gives more incentive to upgrade to the next-gen system, too. They can stagger the Xcloud deployment so that Xbox devices can stream it first, then PC, then mobile after that. Keep the streaming version to the base release; if people want the DLC they either buy the DLC and maybe use it in the streaming version (no idea how that'd work), or just buy the game on XSX.
Develop a non-streaming PC version later on if feasible, maybe collecting the DLC and post-game release content too in a GOTY style edition. All I'm saying is, if they want to do this cross-gen stuff right, IMO this is the best way to do it. Keeps XBO/X players in the loop technically, saves money on outsourcing dev resources for versions of the game on older system that could undermine next-gen versions (and next-gen system sales), staggers Xcloud streaming support on tiers that make sense, leaves the DLC and post-game bonus content for next-gen gamers (and PC gamers down the line) so that they're rewarded for investing in next-gen hardware, and more.
That said I think they'd have to make this a Gamepass + Xcloud kind of thing; XBO owners shouldn't have to buy the XSX physical or digital version of the game only to stream it, that would be unfair. But maybe by them accessing it on Xcloud through Gamepass, they can get a redeem code for a discount towards a digital purchase of the game on XSX (or PC if a PC version is eventually made).
Plus, with that way they save money on developing specific XBO/PC etc. versions, that money can go towards more next-gen games and services. Gives more incentive to upgrade to the next-gen system, too. They can stagger the Xcloud deployment so that Xbox devices can stream it first, then PC, then mobile after that. Keep the streaming version to the base release; if people want the DLC they either buy the DLC and maybe use it in the streaming version (no idea how that'd work), or just buy the game on XSX.
Develop a non-streaming PC version later on if feasible, maybe collecting the DLC and post-game release content too in a GOTY style edition. All I'm saying is, if they want to do this cross-gen stuff right, IMO this is the best way to do it. Keeps XBO/X players in the loop technically, saves money on outsourcing dev resources for versions of the game on older system that could undermine next-gen versions (and next-gen system sales), staggers Xcloud streaming support on tiers that make sense, leaves the DLC and post-game bonus content for next-gen gamers (and PC gamers down the line) so that they're rewarded for investing in next-gen hardware, and more.
That said I think they'd have to make this a Gamepass + Xcloud kind of thing; XBO owners shouldn't have to buy the XSX physical or digital version of the game only to stream it, that would be unfair. But maybe by them accessing it on Xcloud through Gamepass, they can get a redeem code for a discount towards a digital purchase of the game on XSX (or PC if a PC version is eventually made).