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[Mibu no ookami]

Microsoft fucked up with their overall strategy:
- Xbox exclusives aren't a thing anymore. You can play first party games on PC and soon they'll be arriving on PS5/Switch2 as well. So absolutely zero incentive to buy another Xbox.
- Game Pass can't be profitable based on the current model and it can't grow since Sony won't allow it (at least not in its full form) on their ecosystem, because it would be too strong compared to their PS+ subs.

Someone would need to have the balls to make drastic changes, like go back to console exclusives or remove day1 games from Game Pass. That won't happen, because the leads at Microsoft expect results, especially after spending billions on ABK, not another hit caused by unpopular decisions.

I've speculated for a while that Microsoft would make GamePass available on PSN via something akin to EA Play (only internal games), but that hasn't come to pass. I wonder who is against it Microsoft or Sony. I wonder if Sony feels like Microsoft would start publishing more games from other studios as a result, though that's likely to happen anyways. It seems like Microsoft wants GamePass on PlayStation and Switch, the fact that it's on neither suggests Nintendo and Sony don't want it in any form.

Sega left with dignity and speaking clearly, we abandoned the hardware market and became a third party, Xbox has been driving people crazy for a year, there are only 4... there are only 4 and Indiana Jones, there are no red lines..., we want people to play everywhere, etc... ridiculous.

Sega didn't have a digital storefront or a subscription service. Those are the only things keeping Microsoft involved (well that and they're still quite a bit more successful than Sega).

 

[reinking]

This is about consoles. Microsoft can fail in the console segment and still be successful in publishing so no, half of the game industry is not at stake here.

…and even if it was at risk, the people that are blaming us video game fans for not making excuses for Xbox now are the same people that cheered on consolidating half of the industry under Microsoft. Some how, it will still be “our” fault that Xbox failed as a console.

I love Xbox consoles, I do not want them to go away. Unfortunately they made this mess be focusing on everything but making sure they were putting out quality games consistently. Who knows? I might be saying the same thing about Sony in ten years.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Omdia’s latest console forecast places Xbox in stronger stead, but this is still PlayStation’s game to lose - Ombdia 2020

Undoubtably, Microsoft's huge investment in cloud gaming is accelerating the whole industry's shift to cloud gaming, which is set to benefit Microsoft in many ways. As more publishers, game makers, and device manufacturers make moves in this space, Microsoft will be well-positioned to offer solutions across the whole value chain to aspiring cloud gaming providers. - Ombdia 2021

 

[Killjoy-NL]

Absolutely. Look at COD sales increasing on PS in 2024. They've got all the older titles, Halo, Gears, AoE etc that will all do decent numbers when sold on other platforms. It's not hard to see all the new titles doing really well either.

Aren't COD sales for Blops6 lower than for MW3?
Obviously, since COD was on GP, sales on Playstation were higher.
COD is an outlier though, for obvious reasons.

There is no guarantee games like Halo, Gears or AoE will be major hits on Playstation.
I'd even argue they'll mostly be bought by former Xbox-fans who jumped over to PS and even then not all.
The most popular Xbox titles will sell decently at best.

Xbox library isn't as popular as some think, otherwise Xbox wouldn't even be in this situation.

 

[POKEYCLYDE]

If the next Xbox can play Steam games, then I'm in. If it can't, I'm switching to PC.

 

[SNG32]

Only way I think Xbox has a chance with hardware is an open windows console pc. They can offer a cheaper alternative to those that don’t want to build a crazy ass desktop.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

I've speculated for a while that Microsoft would make GamePass available on PSN via something akin to EA Play (only internal games), but that hasn't come to pass. I wonder who is against it Microsoft or Sony. I wonder if Sony feels like Microsoft would start publishing more games from other studios as a result, though that's likely to happen anyways. It seems like Microsoft wants GamePass on PlayStation and Switch, the fact that it's on neither suggests Nintendo and Sony don't want it in any form.

How would GamePass on Playstation work though?

There is no way MS is going to pay for 3rd party games on GP on PS. The marketshare for PS is far too large for MS to cover the cost for devs.

GP with just Xbox games and maybe some indie games is too unappealing to make it sustainable.

Then there is the fact that Xbox is still a platformholder, so Playstation won't allow it regardless.
Would make no sense for Sony as a business.

 

[DeepEnigma]

The posts I'm seeing are saying that Xbox being "deprioritized" is just a matter of fact. That isn't necessarily saying that's what they want. I certainly don't, but seems pretty clear Xbox console isn't a priority for Microsoft gaming.

I want them to step their shit up, but sadly, they buried themselves into a rental service model.

The race to devaluation is mainly impacting them so far, but hopefully it doesn't spread like a cancer.

That would not be competition, but rather, regression of the medium.

 

[noob smokes]

This is exactly why no will buy xbox going forward

The only reason PlayStation isn't doomed, is because Microsoft is supplying it with games.

 

[ComboBongo]

Aren't COD sales for Blops6 lower than for MW3?
Obviously, since COD was on GP, sales on Playstation were higher.
COD is an outlier though, for obvious reasons.

There is no guarantee games like Halo, Gears or AoE will be major hits on Playstation.
I'd even argue they'll mostly be bought by former Xbox-fans who jumped over to PS and even then not all.
The most popular Xbox titles will sell decently at best.

Xbox library isn't as popular as some think, otherwise Xbox wouldn't even be in this situation.

No, sales of COD increased on PS5 in 2024 over the year prior, in the same year that it was available on Game Pass. I’m not saying they sold more on PS5 compared to Xbox, obviously.

COD, Doom, Fable, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo etc. I think you underestimate how well these will do across platforms.

 

[Shaki12345]

This is exactly why no will buy xbox going forward

Microsoft is building a new console that will (hopefully) allow for Steam Support. I can't think of any other option they could add to convince consumers. They are now a 3rd party publisher.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Microsoft is building a new console that will (hopefully) allow for Steam Support. I can't think of any other option they could add to convince consumers. They are now a 3rd party publisher.

Seems unwise for them to cut their ankles out from under them adding Steam, bypassing the subscription model driven box and extra 20% to 30% revenue through direct Xbox store sales on games and MTX.

It's just a PC at that point.

 

[DarkstarRising13]

Microsoft is building a new console that will (hopefully) allow for Steam Support. I can't think of any other option they could add to convince consumers. They are now a 3rd party publisher.

And with Phil Spencer blatantly announcing their support for the Switch 2 with games from their studios is in every sense of the word a white flag being waved from Microsoft behind their backs.

Welcome to the third-party publishing business, Microsoft. Better late than never. Don't worry, you and Sega are going to be the BEST of buddies and you'll be acknowledging with each other how Sony - a company worth a fraction compared to you - had kicked both of you out of the console hardware business.

 

[Shaki12345]

Seems unwise for them to cut their ankles out from under them adding Steam, bypassing the subscription model driven box and extra 20% to 30% revenue through direct Xbox store sales on games and MTX.

It's just a PC at that point.

I agree. So, what are they building and what could they do to convince consumers?

Because they ARE definitely building a new console.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I agree. So, what are they building and what could they do to convince consumers?

Because they ARE definitely building a new console.

Probably an expensive potent console box and portable "steam deck" device.

 

[Shaki12345]

Probably an expensive potent console box and portable "steam deck" device.

My question is: what will make this console unique and how will they get people to buy it. It clearly didn't work the last 2 times.

 

[Bond007]

How would GamePass on Playstation work though?

There is no way MS is going to pay for 3rd party games on GP on PS. The marketshare for PS is far too large for MS to cover the cost for devs.

GP with just Xbox games and maybe some indie games is too unappealing to make it sustainable.

Then there is the fact that Xbox is still a platformholder, so Playstation won't allow it regardless.
Would make no sense for Sony as a business.

I agree- Gamepass on PSN wont happen until XBox consoles cease to exist. As it stands it would only potentially in some aspects funnel players to Xbox consoles- i dunno who, but i could see some logic there.

 

[DeepEnigma]

My question is: what will make this console unique and how will they get people to buy it. It clearly didn't work the last 2 times.

I think they're more concerned with retention of what they do have now.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

COD, Doom, Fable, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo etc. I think you underestimate how well these will do across platforms.

COD, Elder Scrolls and Fallout have been on Playstation for a long time. Those already have a fanbase.

Halo, Fable, Gears etc are a different story and people are severely overestimating their relevance outside of the Xbox eco-system.


As for COD:
Iirc 80% of Blops 6 sales came from Playstation due to the game being available on GP.
Imagine the massive hit in revenue Xbox would be taking if PS was excluded.
I'd argue that COD needs Playstation more than vice versa, even moreso after the Xbox acquisition.

 

[Shaki12345]

COD, Elder Scrolls and Fallout have been on Playstation for a long time. Those already have a fanbase.

Halo, Fable, Gears etc are a different story and people are severely overestimating their relevance outside of the Xbox eco-system.


As for COD:
Iirc 80% of Blops 6 sales came from Playstation due to the game being available on GP.
Imagine the massive hit in revenue Xbox would be taking if PS was excluded.
I'd argue that COD needs Playstation more than vice versa, even moreso after the Xbox acquisition.

You don't know if people underestimate the potential of these franchises since they haven't been brought over yet. There is no sales data. I can assure you that Halo on Switch will sell BIG numbers. The crowd on Switch really needs a good multiplayer shooter. Same for Fable and Gears. Nintendo and Microsoft are a match made in heaven. There's big hype for Microsoft games on other platforms, most especially on Switch. Indiana Jones om PS5 will be a big game as well.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

You don't know if people underestimate the potential of these franchises since they haven't been brought over yet. There is no sales data. I can assure you that Halo on Switch will sell BIG numbers. The crowd on Switch really needs a good multiplayer shooter. Same for Fable and Gears. Nintendo and Microsoft are a match made in heaven. There's big hype for Microsoft games on other platforms, most especially on Switch. Indiana Jones om PS5 will be a big game as well.

There is no sales data, but Xbox is dying because people don't care about Xbox and the glory days of their major IPs are long gone.

The games they ported sell decently at best (SoT) and still got Tango shut down.
Indy will have decent sales at best too, probably 1-2M (you can quote me on that).

All Xbox really has are COD and TES/Fallout that can do good numbers on Playstation. (Which they had to buy for obvious reasons)
And OW2, I suppose.

 

[BlackTron]

It seems like Microsoft wants GamePass on PlayStation and Switch, the fact that it's on neither suggests Nintendo and Sony don't want it in any form.

"Wow so you made a game sub service, and what happened is that nobody bought games on your console anymore. Wow Xbox that sucks"

"I know right. Hey now that our console is dead, how would you like to take over hardware? You're already doing it! We'll just put the service on your system where you sell games"

"No"

 

[dragonyeuw]

I've speculated for a while that Microsoft would make GamePass available on PSN via something akin to EA Play (only internal games), but that hasn't come to pass. I wonder who is against it Microsoft or Sony. I wonder if Sony feels like Microsoft would start publishing more games from other studios as a result, though that's likely to happen anyways. It seems like Microsoft wants GamePass on PlayStation and Switch, the fact that it's on neither suggests Nintendo and Sony don't want it in any form.

I'm thinking if Gamepass was gonna appear on a Sony or Nintendo platform, you'd have seen it in some form by now. The way I see it, Microsoft publishing games for sale on Playstation not only expands the latter's ecosystem, it definitively diminishes Xbox as a hardware competitor( though that ship has sailed anyway). Having Gamepass on Playstation, though, plays into Microsofts goal to expand their subscription base and I'd assume Sony isn't expressly interested in having their hardware used as a trojan horse for that expansion. In short, Sony will allow Xbox software on a Playstation console in ways that strongly benefit them moreso than Microsoft, which would be as ala carte sales. The benefit in that case on Microsoft's part is being able to sell their games on a thriving platform that they've effectively trained their own console users, because of Gamepass day and date, not to do.

Nintendo seems to have a stronger, less antagositic, relationship with Microsoft so there's a stronger chance of some bespoke version on Gamepass showing up there( taking into account that the most technically advanced Xbox games would be compromised on Nintendo hardware). I'd just as soon think you'll see Microsoft further expand on what they're currently doing, strategically porting titles over to the other ecosystems where feasible/possible.

So Microsoft is in a bit of a SNAFU when it comes to Gamepass, their market competitors with signicantly stronger userbases can pick,choose or refuse the degree with which they partner with them, while Xbox's ability to use their own hardware as a subscription vehicle has evaporated. Maybe the greatest potential lies with PC, but personally speaking I'd rather go on a key reseller site for cheap Steam keys before getting locked into a subsciption.

 

[ComboBongo]

COD, Elder Scrolls and Fallout have been on Playstation for a long time. Those already have a fanbase.

Halo, Fable, Gears etc are a different story and people are severely overestimating their relevance outside of the Xbox eco-system.


As for COD:
Iirc 80% of Blops 6 sales came from Playstation due to the game being available on GP.
Imagine the massive hit in revenue Xbox would be taking if PS was excluded.
I'd argue that COD needs Playstation more than vice versa, even moreso after the Xbox acquisition.

If they already have a fan base then that proves my point. They will make a lot of money putting games on all platforms. Those titles sold like crazy and they will continue to do so under Microsoft. Then they have everything else. I think you’re underestimating how many people want and will play their other titles.

Anecdotal, but I have two close friends who really want to play Halo and Gears but never wanted an Xbox. They won’t be the only ones. It’s just money on the table by not porting the older games, and I’m sure they will sell a lot of the new ones too.

 

[rm082e]

I've speculated for a while that Microsoft would make GamePass available on PSN via something akin to EA Play (only internal games), but that hasn't come to pass. I wonder who is against it Microsoft or Sony. I wonder if Sony feels like Microsoft would start publishing more games from other studios as a result, though that's likely to happen anyways. It seems like Microsoft wants GamePass on PlayStation and Switch, the fact that it's on neither suggests Nintendo and Sony don't want it in any form.

I don't understand how you can think PlayStation would be open to this idea when Microsoft bought Minecraft and Call of Duty. These are two of the biggest games on PlayStation - why would Sony give up their current 30% cut on those games? And what leverage does Microsoft have over them? It's not like they can threaten to pull their games off PlayStation when that's the primary platform that generates most of their revenue.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

If they already have a fan base then that proves my point. They will make a lot of money putting games on all platforms. Those titles sold like crazy and they will continue to do so under Microsoft. Then they have everything else. I think you’re underestimating how many people want and will play their other titles.

Sure, but only as long as they keep releasing on Playstation and this necessity for the PS share will only become bigger and bigger.

But apart from ABK/Bethesda games, there isn't much pull from the Xbox library.

Anecdotal, but I have two close friends who really want to play Halo and Gears but never wanted an Xbox. They won’t be the only ones. It’s just money on the table by not porting the older games, and I’m sure they will sell a lot of the new ones too.

If we're going to use anecdotes, in my entire life (41), I've only met 6 people total in rl who owned an Xbox at some point.

So, from my experience, nobody cares about Xbox and it's games.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I don't understand how you can think PlayStation would be open to this idea when Microsoft bought Minecraft and Call of Duty. These are two of the biggest games on PlayStation - why would Sony give up their current 30% cut on those games? And what leverage does Microsoft have over them? It's not like they can threaten to pull their games off PlayStation when that's the primary platform that generates most of their revenue.

They'd still get 30% of GamePass subscription revenue via PS+ and they'd probably get more PS+ subscribers since that would be a requirement to get GamePass in the first place. They'd also get 30% of the MTX from those games.

Not sure what Sony would actively lose in that scenario.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

How would GamePass on Playstation work though?

There is no way MS is going to pay for 3rd party games on GP on PS. The marketshare for PS is far too large for MS to cover the cost for devs.

GP with just Xbox games and maybe some indie games is too unappealing to make it sustainable.

Then there is the fact that Xbox is still a platformholder, so Playstation won't allow it regardless.
Would make no sense for Sony as a business.

Like I said, internally developed games only, the same as EA Play. It works for EA...

 

[Killjoy-NL]

Like I said, internally developed games only, the same as EA Play. It works for EA...

Fair enough.

Then again, the games library of EA is quite different from Xbox and lends itself more for a sustainable service based on internally developed games.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Consumers are already doing that.

 

[ComboBongo]

Sure, but only as long as they keep releasing on Playstation and this necessity for the PS share will only become bigger and bigger.

But apart from ABK/Bethesda games, there isn't much pull from the Xbox library.


If we're going to use anecdotes, in my entire life (41), I've only met 6 people total in rl who owned an Xbox at some point.

So, from my experience, nobody cares about Xbox and it's games.

I’m 42 and I agree most of the people I know are more into PS than Xbox, especially those that are more casual. Even most that used to have the 360 don’t own or want an Xbox now but it’s because they want a single machine and PS was better for them. It doesn’t matter which titles from their library we think people will want, the point is they will make a lot of money and thrive releasing titles across platforms. I’m really not just talking about PS5 but Switch 2 as well.
Halo Infinite had over 20 million players at launch. Think of the numbers a new one would do with the other platforms in the mix too.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

I’m shocked at the number of people who really want no competition so they can pay $150 for games and $2000 for their PS6.

Yeah the PS6 will be more expensive than a 5090...

 

[rm082e]

They'd still get 30% of GamePass subscription revenue via PS+ and they'd probably get more PS+ subscribers since that would be a requirement to get GamePass in the first place. They'd also get 30% of the MTX from those games.

Not sure what Sony would actively lose in that scenario.

Wait, you're imagining this as an add-on for PS+, not a stand alone subscription? That's not how EA Play or Ubisoft Plus work.

Even then, what you're suggesting would imply Microsoft can afford to give PlayStation 30% of their Game Pass revenue. I don't think they can get anywhere close to that without losing money.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

I’m 42 and I agree most of the people I know are more into PS than Xbox, especially those that are more casual. Even most that used to have the 360 don’t own or want an Xbox now but it’s because they want a single machine and PS was better for them. It doesn’t matter which titles from their library we think people will want, the point is they will make a lot of money and thrive releasing titles across platforms. I’m really not just talking about PS5 but Switch 2 as well.

I wonder about that. Nintendo's demographic is very different from Xbox/PS. That's why Nintendo is able to be as successful as they are.

Halo Infinite had over 20 million players at launch. Think of the numbers a new one would do with the other platforms in the mix too.

They could probably get ~3-5M more with other platforms added.
Which would be decent.

Halo will not have a big impact on PS and Nintendo.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Fair enough.

Then again, the games library of EA is quite different from Xbox and lends itself more for a sustainable service based on internally developed games.

When you refer to their library of sustainable service based games, I think you're more referring to what they put on EA Play Pro rather than EA Play which is their catalog service.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Wait, you're imagining this as an add-on for PS+, not a stand alone subscription? That's not how EA Play or Ubisoft Plus work.

Even then, what you're suggesting would imply Microsoft can afford to give PlayStation 30% of their Game Pass revenue. I don't think they can get anywhere close to that without losing money.

For the online components you still need PS+.

For offline you don't, but Sony still takes 30%.

You think Microsoft can afford to give Sony 30 percent of their premium game sales but not of their GamePass revenue?

 

[Killjoy-NL]

When you refer to their library of sustainable service based games, I think you're more referring to what they put on EA Play Pro rather than EA Play which is their catalog service.

Possibly, never paid attention to EA Play.
Just made a quick assessment of both companies' games libraries.

 

[ResilientBanana]

The only reason PlayStation isn't doomed, is because Microsoft is supplying it with games.

What a twist.

As for OP. Even Ninitendo hit a slump and they didn't quit. Gamecube and WiiU adoption wasn't great. But they kept trucking. The only thing this will lead to is a new Xbox that actually appeals to the masses, if they can manage that.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Possibly, never paid attention to EA Play.
Just made a quick assessment of both companies' games libraries.

The big titles and annual releases go to EA Play Pro, the catalog stuff is on EA Play.

EA Play Pro is only available on PC and not on consoles, so I think that's where Sony doesn't want subscription services that would compete directly with PS+.

 

[SteadyEvo]

They may not be ready, but the market says....

The market says 66% of subscribers are on console. MS would be crazy to leave them high and dry.

It's like no one read the OP

 

[Killjoy-NL]

The big titles and annual releases go to EA Play Pro, the catalog stuff is on EA Play.

EA Play Pro is only available on PC and not on consoles, so I think that's where Sony doesn't want subscription services that would compete directly with PS+.

Do we know if EA Play is profitable?

 

[EverydayBeast]

Xbox was so good, what made it better was Xbox live and the portfolio of exclusive games.

I’m not buying the “if it’s on pc it’s not an exclusive” argument, Microsoft was aggressive with pc releases dating back to Halo 2

 

[ComboBongo]

I wonder about that. Nintendo's demographic is very different from Xbox/PS. That's why Nintendo is able to be as successful as they are.

Mostly yeah but a large install base which is why 3rd parties are queuing up to support it.

Microsoft will sell a lot of titles across the board, making it more than worthwhile for them.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

The market says 66% of subscribers are on console. MS would be crazy to leave them high and dry.

It's like no one read the OP

We will just have to see what the future holds in this case. I think GamePass alone is not enough to justify hardware sales moving forward, but that's my opinion.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

Microsoft will sell a lot of titles across the board, making it more than worthwhile for them.

That isn't saying much since Xbox game sales are flatlining.

 

[DeVeAn]

Why does NeoGAF want a world with only Playstation? Do we really think it will be for the better?

 

[sainraja]

During the whole ABK fight people were saying Nintendo doesn't count as competition. Funny how now it suddenly does.

Do you always go by what people are saying?

 

[ComboBongo]

That isn't saying much since Xbox game sales are flatlining.

I’m not comparing it to what they’re currently selling on their own platform.

 

[EN250]

Microsoft is building a new console that will (hopefully) allow for Steam Support. I can't think of any other option they could add to convince consumers. They are now a 3rd party publisher.

This is some sort of meme about MS being a charity that doesn't fit with reality, like why the hell they'd let Steam get into their ecosystem knowing full well they'd never be able to get rid of it? how is helping them that all transactions go through Valve's platform where it collects a 30% cut and MS don't get a dime of any purchase, plus all those pay to play online subs evaporate the minute you could switch to "steam mode" or whatever and play online without giving MS a cent

 

[Shaki12345]

This is some sort of meme about MS being a charity that doesn't fit with reality, like why the hell they'd let Steam get into their ecosystem knowing full well they'd never be able to get rid of it? how is helping them that all transactions go through Valve's platform where it collects a 30% cut and MS don't get a dime of any purchase, plus all those pay to play online subs evaporate the minute you could switch to "steam mode" or whatever and play online without giving MS a cent

If you read my post you can see the word HOPEFULLY. I never said it would be likely they would allow that.

The question I asked here was what do YOU think will be Microsoft's new USP.