RetroGamingUK
Member
Precisely this
Gamepass has failed to meet Microsoft’s objectives, now it’s being deprioritised in favour of selling games on PS5 and Switch 2.
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It's taken eight years, but finally Game Pass is positioned to save the Xbox console business and give Xbox a point
- Thread starter havoc00
- Start date
Precisely this
Gamepass has failed to meet Microsoft’s objectives, now it’s being deprioritised in favour of selling games on PS5 and Switch 2.
RetroGamingUK
Member
My son is all-in on Xbox. On the TV he only plays Xbox. He prefers the Xbox UI and services (not that he'd use that term, he's not a robot), the Xbox controller, and the fact that he has Game Pass on there. He has multiple Xbox hoodies and bemoaned the lack of an Xbox birthday cake in the supermarket that was selling a PlayStation-branded one. When I ask him if he thinks he'll prefer PlayStation one day, he's typically pre-teen: "Why would I?" he replies as if talking to the world's dumbest man. He's not a console warrior, but it's fair to say that Xbox is his life.
My feelings on Xbox change every time I attempt to figure out what my feelings are. I've stared at that sentence on and off for a week or so, wondering if I can just stop there and publish, letting people think I've made a highly intellectual point and didn't in fact just have a jumbled mess of thoughts stuck in my head.
I want to say something about the present and future of Microsoft's gaming division, but what exactly, and where do I possibly start? As someone with more fondness for Xbox than the average person (no doubt why my son is so keen on the console that "has no games") I find it bizarre in the extreme that we are entering what might be the best period for Xbox-published games of all time while the uncertainty over the future of the company's console business and general public sentiment has never been rockier.
I'm not going to suggest Xbox is safe because my son prefers it to PlayStation, but he's clearly not the only person who thinks this. There's always a running commentary alongside video game consoles that is desperate to declare winners and losers - I know this as I've been part of that group. If we're talking about Xbox vs PlayStation, well, PlayStation has won. Simple. Add to this the fact that there are no "red lines" for Xbox games coming to other platforms now, and it's easy to see where the doomongering comes from.
Xbox has always struggled to gain a strong footing outside the US and has underperformed in Europe. My view is that you either like Xbox because of its hardware and functionality, or you dislike it because it hasn't had enough/any big exclusive games - the latter usually being too much of a mountain to climb for most people. The notion that the major reason to buy a console is to play the games exclusively available for it has gone out the window completely at Xbox. In fact there aren't any windows at all, or a ceiling, or walls. Xbox is essentially an idea floating around now, uncontained, and that's hard for people to pin an allegiance to - and allegiances do matter.
So does Xbox, the console/box/machine, have a future? Sorry for being that guy again, but I think it all comes down to Xbox Game Pass. Ever since Game Pass promised Day One games from Microsoft it felt like an unbelievable service, one that I expected people would be all over. It reminds me of the summer I got a cinema pass and would watch two or three movies a day over the school holiday. I felt like I'd found a loophole akin to carrying in a bottle of coke and a packet of Minstrels under my coat. Why not watch Toy Story 2 a second time, followed by Gladiator? For me, Game Pass worked. I was sold on Xbox and I enjoyed the games. But what if you didn't think much of the Xbox line-up because it was missing the blockbusters? I can see how that is a big problem. A U-571/Frequency double bill isn't for everyone, even if you've already paid for the tickets.
It's taken eight years, but finally Game Pass is positioned to save the Xbox console business and give Xbox a point
Is Xbox dead? It doesn't have to be, and Game Pass might be the thing that makes owning an Xbox console something more and more people will want to do.www.eurogamer.net
Your son is all in on Xbox because you brainwashed him to be, if he gets bullied in school over it that’s on you.
My daughter loves playing my Dreamcast, has she saved Sega’s hardware business?
Xbox is dead.
Get over it.
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Donald mac Ronald
Member
How does it feel op knowing your son replaced his father figure with an Xbox.
IDKFA
I am Become Bilbo Baggins
It's not clear from first sight, but this is a copy and paste from a Eurogamer article. The article is linked.
These aren't the words of the OP.
Agreed. It's a strange logic.
"My son and I love Xbox so much. This must mean a future Xbox console will be a resounding success".
RoadHazard
Gold Member
Yep, that anecdotal story certainly means Xbox is saved and is going to overtake PlayStation any day now.
panda-zebra
Member
HFS you're right. I didn't want to give the click but assumed the text was OP's thoughts based on what the piece contained.
It reads like an ultra-fan wackjob's ramblings (no offence
havoc00
, nothing directed at yourself, you only posted the content) not someone employed to churn this shit out as something people might actually want to read...Tom (he/him) has spent 20 years in games media after getting a pointless BSc in Software Engineering. He is currently Editorial Director at Eurogamer. Previously he created VideoGamer.com, was EiC on VG247, and managing editor on USgamer. He likes to reminisce about the good old days (retro games), but still thinks video games now are better than they've ever been. Formerly a Football Manager addict, he now spends his free time tweeting about the classic PGR series and telling everyone how good Xbox Game Pass is.
Currently playing: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
"On the walk to school this morning my son asked when the next Xbox was going to be released. "I don't know," I said. "Probably in a couple of years," I blagged. He, like me, can't wait."
Currently playing: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
"On the walk to school this morning my son asked when the next Xbox was going to be released. "I don't know," I said. "Probably in a couple of years," I blagged. He, like me, can't wait."
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Bernardougf
Member
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
I remember seeing these kind of shill threads for Wii. Like saying, "come on in, the water is safe".
Or everytime any game came out of decent worth it was the revival.
2025 is gonna be a good year threads. If they were doing so bang up would we need to affirm and talk people into thinking what they should already know?
Or can even the most ardent fans admit the system is useless and move to the next HW? It hurts like stubbing your toe on the bed post but it is what it is.
Just don't go trying too hard to convince grown adults what we can determine on our own.
Or everytime any game came out of decent worth it was the revival.
2025 is gonna be a good year threads. If they were doing so bang up would we need to affirm and talk people into thinking what they should already know?
Or can even the most ardent fans admit the system is useless and move to the next HW? It hurts like stubbing your toe on the bed post but it is what it is.
Just don't go trying too hard to convince grown adults what we can determine on our own.
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He's a young kid, is it not possible he just likes Xbox?
It shows how deep feelings are among some on this forum that a kid isn't just allowed to have a preference, he must have been brainwashed. As if merely enjoying Xbox is akin to being indoctrinated into a sinister cult.
fallingdove
Member
Nope.
When more than 60% of your sales are happening on a rival platform that doesn’t even offer your subscription, your plan isn’t working.
When your games and services revenue only increases by 2% despite buying up two of the largest game publishers and expanding your subscription offering to a majority of gamers, your plan isn’t working.
You would think that after a quarter century of Xbox failures, the spirit of green rat would be broken and yet, here we are.
When more than 60% of your sales are happening on a rival platform that doesn’t even offer your subscription, your plan isn’t working.
When your games and services revenue only increases by 2% despite buying up two of the largest game publishers and expanding your subscription offering to a majority of gamers, your plan isn’t working.
You would think that after a quarter century of Xbox failures, the spirit of green rat would be broken and yet, here we are.
Yeah but that would be sick
Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
Horrible take by the author.
The product that is only responsible for 10-15% of Xbox revenue is gonna save Xbox? Get the eff out of here!
The product that is only responsible for 10-15% of Xbox revenue is gonna save Xbox? Get the eff out of here!
Topher
Identifies as young
He's a young kid, is it not possible he just likes Xbox?
It shows how deep feelings are among some on this forum that a kid isn't just allowed to have a preference, he must have been brainwashed. As if merely enjoying Xbox is akin to being indoctrinated into a sinister cult.
"Brainwashed" is too harsh, but the author admits to having influenced his son.
" As someone with more fondness for Xbox than the average person (no doubt why my son is so keen on the console that "has no games")"
Parents influence their children. Not exactly a shocker. Nothing wrong with that, but it isn't exactly a point worth making in an article. His next point is his son isn't the only one. Well....no shit. Everyone knows that. This entire article is nothing but fluff.
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Unknown Soldier
Member
I don't really understand what the point of continuing the MS propaganda campaign is now in 2025
Jinxed
Member
Imagine playing on xbox when all the others are on ps
My son has one friend at school that is on xbox, everyone else is on ps. They absolutely hate it when he plays with them and they have to use the fornite in game chat instead of a ps group. Poor kid is the black sheep
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HogIsland
Member
As a user, I just hate Game Pass. I subbed for 2 years and it wasnt great. I play the games I'm excited about. If you get sucked into a game that's not on the service, you could be wasting money for months. It sucks micromanaging a subscription so I prefer to avoid them. Id rather just buy the games I want to play.
The other decisions MS is making are very smart to me. I hope they do pull off the Windows+Xbox fusion similar to SteamOS. MS generally makes good hardware, and they have the economy of scale to sell it for a great price without taking a huge loss. If it is unlocked to play Steam games, or even replace Windows with SteamOS, there's no downside. This is competition that benefits us.
The other decisions MS is making are very smart to me. I hope they do pull off the Windows+Xbox fusion similar to SteamOS. MS generally makes good hardware, and they have the economy of scale to sell it for a great price without taking a huge loss. If it is unlocked to play Steam games, or even replace Windows with SteamOS, there's no downside. This is competition that benefits us.
reinking
Gold Member
#Sony'sFault
IMO, playing the victim has been one of the things that has led Xbox to where it is.
Signs of a victim mentality
- Blaming others for their problems
- Believing others are untrustworthy
- Not taking responsibility for their actions
- Feeling self-pity
- Complaining about their suffering
- Having an inflated sense of superiority
I do believe the Xbox console is going to be around. I think we have seen hints that it will be niche and sold for profit. That way MS can support a console (or consoles if the handheld is true) for fans while making bank going third-party. It's a win-win in some ways.
...a random thought. What if MS/Xbox are just playing nice for the next generation until they are no longer under the 10-year deals they made to get ABK completed? Doubtful, but that would be interesting.
Bumblebeetuna
Member
Didnt blame Sony for anything. Just thought it was a funny line. People see what they want to see.
reinking
Gold Member
I did not mean to say you did. Just pointing out that these things always seem to include Sony.
Js562
Member
It's the opposite where I'm at. Family has all Xboxes. Even most of the kids at school too. It doesn't matter that much to them for now because those little bastards are still playing Roblox and fortnite
LordCBH
Member
Decal4
Member
Xbox as a company vertical definitely feels rudderless from the outside, like the beginning of the movie when the hotshot young guy gets hired on and has a lot of problems to deal with before turning the whole thing around.
I bought the series x and my sister has a series s, my brother-in-law has a series x, my brother-in-law who is married to the sister has a one s that they are about to put out the pasture, and all of this is so we can hop in party chat and play Halo infinite multiplayer down in the dregs of Gold competitive and Firefight.
I tried to get a PS5 for Christmas but it has been lost in the mail so that has been fun but whether that one shows up or not, it is true that there doesn't seem to be a killer app for Xbox anymore.
I've never been subscribed or interested in game pass, I technically have game pass core because it replaced Xbox live, but I showed up just for the social multiplayer Halo stuff, I never had a 360, I was always playing roller coaster tycoon on PC and such.
In some ways it seems like Sony is in a downward trend, where they are about to go through the shadow of incompetence that Star Wars and Star Trek and Ghostbusters and other formerly valued properties went through, and Xbox may be ahead of the curve in bottoming out sooner and being ripe for a revival.
Or at least that's how I flavor my copium.
I bought the series x and my sister has a series s, my brother-in-law has a series x, my brother-in-law who is married to the sister has a one s that they are about to put out the pasture, and all of this is so we can hop in party chat and play Halo infinite multiplayer down in the dregs of Gold competitive and Firefight.
I tried to get a PS5 for Christmas but it has been lost in the mail so that has been fun but whether that one shows up or not, it is true that there doesn't seem to be a killer app for Xbox anymore.
I've never been subscribed or interested in game pass, I technically have game pass core because it replaced Xbox live, but I showed up just for the social multiplayer Halo stuff, I never had a 360, I was always playing roller coaster tycoon on PC and such.
In some ways it seems like Sony is in a downward trend, where they are about to go through the shadow of incompetence that Star Wars and Star Trek and Ghostbusters and other formerly valued properties went through, and Xbox may be ahead of the curve in bottoming out sooner and being ripe for a revival.
Or at least that's how I flavor my copium.
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
Well at least you're not this guy. Jeez, to think people like
still exist even after everything that's happened with Xbox. I admire their dedication to stupidity, at least.But on topic of OP...IMO the only way Game Pass really amounts to anything is if MS commit to providing actual exclusives for the service. Games and/or bonus content only available through a Game Pass subscription. As much as Phil and others want to pretend they're above exclusivity, they really, really aren't. They want Game Pass to be the premier subscription service in gaming, well beyond anyone else's. That's already a desire for some form of exclusivity via status.
In the entertainment world where the core of that entertainment is content, there is NO platform with a large market share simply based on its features. None. Every single one, from companies far more successful in their respective entertainment fields than Microsoft, leverage various forms of exclusive content alongside features to establish themselves. And what's more, despite the absurd vocal minority who complain about exclusives being bad...guess what? It's subconsciously a part of human nature to desire exclusivity; to desire things that make us unique compared to others. Be it as individuals, groups, cultures, you name it....we desire that and it is ultimately a GOOD thing because that creates actual variety.
So exclusives in terms of games, films, shows etc. are no different. You can argue it plays a part into tribalism tendencies, but both customers and companies not only don't mind a bit of (friendly) tribalism...they want it, it's good for competition and it's good for the psyche. So again, what future does Game Pass have? Is it one distinct from the console hardware itself? I think we can answer both questions right now.
If Microsoft don't want to push exclusives games/content through Game Pass, it may have a future but it's going to look much different than what we see today. They will scale back its scope significantly, and probably turn it into a perks-based membership service, that way it doesn't cannibalize B2P software sales. If B2P sales are partly subsidizing Game Pass's existence as it currently is, eventually MS will end that because they aren't in the business of providing charity for one block of customers in a division that desperately needs to generate profits. If Game Pass can't justify itself through its own revenue and profit margins, it'll either cease to exist to see a big transformation.
As for Xbox hardware, does it have a future? I think it can, and it doesn't have to be one tied to Game Pass. Again, things like the OEM leaks happened for a reason; they're probably fielding those options as we speak. But Xbox's hardware future will mean it not being a traditional console at all, including in how the business model works. I think there's room for them to be relatively successful with a 15-30 million hardware gen (depends on what OEMs are also involved; the right ones can get the upper limit higher) if they don't cheapen out on the effort, and do things necessary to bring more PC/Windows-like compatibility to Xbox (including alternative storefront support). Then, Game Pass could be useful as a soft-subsidizer for alternative storefront access, just locking it in to a fixed contract like they wanted to do with All-Access program. So that way, there's a SKU option where they take lower upfront profit cut but make up the rest over time with the subscription at whatever tier that type of sub would be at.
I'd also hope that would be illegal. But if not...then SIE are very stupid for letting them do business on PlayStation.
Either that, or SIE plan to fortify a lot of things in the off-chance MS try it, and are just happy with taking money from their game sales on PlayStation for the time being.
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reinking
Gold Member
It was just a random thought. I can't imagine it would actually happen because by then MS Gaming will have established itself pretty well on other consoles.
ZoukGalaxy
Member
I found an unicorn one day
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
Also
GHG
why'd you make me relive that nightmare? 
Damn those posts are cringe AF, but I'm a changed man!
Most likely yeah it won't happen, but Phil Spencer's still there. So there's still at least a 1% chance it could happen.
GHG
why'd you make me relive that nightmare? Damn those posts are cringe AF, but I'm a changed man!Most likely yeah it won't happen, but Phil Spencer's still there. So there's still at least a 1% chance it could happen.
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It's totally a fluff article but people are acting like the parent is indoctrinating their kid into a fringe cult. And even suggesting the kid deserves to be bullied because he likes Xbox.
Jinxed
Member
Must be nice living in bizarro world seeing as PS5 outsells almost 10 to 1 the Xbox in America
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Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
For some people, like Jez Corden and Colt Eastwood, their livelihood is still tied to that brand. If that brand is no longer a competitor, they won't be making as much money. Some might even just go out of business.
So they are still trying to sell hopium and copium to keep themselves (and the brand) relevant.
Js562
Member
Like I said not around me. I don't account for everyone who has a PS5 in Cali. Probably most do and I'm one of them. I got all three but a majority of the time I see family and friends. It's usually a Xbox and sometimes a PS5
nocsi
Member
Everyone at MS hates xbox. Not only do they not produce tech that benefits the rest of the company, but they top out with some of the highest azure sub bills in the entire company. Satya likens them to rats. Glad some of you guys are still liking xbox, they need the love. MS just finished building a whole new campus and everyone got new offices except for them. Reminds me of my college buddy I reunited with recently. He was initially in xbox and noped so hard he chose to work on Windows phone instead. He reasoned that at least with the Windows Phone team gave you a couple more outlets of escape vs the pigeon-hellhole that is xbox. One of my guilty pleasures I like to watch every couple years: