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[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

Why don't they converge resources into a Surface and Xbox cross model/docking console. Surely they could customise and push the hardware far enough graphics wise with some innovation. Basically you cover iPad gaming/apps, home console, touch interface, second screen? and stay in the windows ecosystem the whole time. Throw in a windows phone dock on that crazy thing and I'll buy it. Incremental docking upgrades as you replace the Surface book/tablet. Now it's a PC Xbox.

Sincerely,
Homer Simpson.

 

[Xbudz]

If Xbox One is getting a more powerful hardware revision within 1.5 years, I can see definitely see Microsoft adding native support for Oculus Rift.

 

[CrispyBoar]

You heavily implied that consumers would look favorably on an XB1.1 versus a PS4. If all you want to do is argue semantics, don't bother replying.

What I'm saying is that this shift in XB1s strategy no longer attracts the same market that current consoles do, given that it's a brand new thing that more closely resembles the PC marketplace than the current console market.

The XB1 is not a phone. It should not be compared to the phone industry. I could waste my time making a stupid analogy that doesn't fit so I can misrepresent your post, but I'd rather make an argument that stands on its own merit. Here it goes:

When given the choice between the PS4 and XB1, most of the market picks the PS4 for various reasons, only one of which is performance. Should MS release a new version of their machine, only that factor has changed. On top of that, the new machine will be more expensive, which we've already seen is a crucial factor in which console the market chooses (much more important than power).

The console market has proven gen after gen that power is NOT the deciding factor for most consumers. Why would the XB1 suddenly turn that around?

I believe that this move will shrink the existing XB1 market because it is changing the consumer experience to be closer to that of PC gamers. They aren't identical, obviously, but by stepping away from the norms of the console experience and getting closer to the PC experience (which is pretty much in their own words what they plan to do), I can see some XB1 gamers switching to PCs rather than buying a new XB1.X. I can't see this shift somehow stealing people away from Sony in the existing console market.

And we have no idea at all whether these iterations will add novel features like VR blowjobs and what have you, so I am REALLY, REALLY not sure how you expect to have a reasonable discussion with anyone when you can speculate that MS will give us the motherfucking moon and cast shade on everyone else in the thread.

This. It wasn't exactly power that made the PS4 sold more; It was because of the bad reception among other issues that Xbox One had received while Sony played their cards right.

 

[vcc]

Only Sega but Sega did it during a time in which there was no such thing as online ecosystems and games/apps being transferred across platforms.

Companies had to make games for each Sega box/device (e.g. NBA Jam for Genesis, Sega CD and 32X) and these products released pretty much every year until Sega faded out.

Lots of systems had spec upgraded versions beside sega. PSP, DS/DSi, 3DS/new 3DS, N64, N64 rampack, atari 2600/2800/5200/7200, TG16, TG duo etc... the commonality to all of them is developers didn't do much with it because the install base was small. So they kept targeting the base model.

A lot of folks are pessimistic because of how poorly it did before and the dynamics circle back to the cost of targeting a platform.

 

[Trup1aya]

We'll see how it pans out. If it turns out to be a PC-lite then you owe a pie somewhere. If it seems ot be a full console. I'll donate $50 to a food bank pm you the reciept.

Here's what I said it would be:

They'll market it like a console. Exactly like a console. Because for all intents and purposes it will be a console.

But the wall that currently exists between developing a game for Xbox and developing a game for Windows will be torn down.

The whole idea of the UWA is that apps written for windows10 can be run on multiple win10 devices. In the case of dx12 games, that means running on consoles and PC. They are 'tearing down the wall' just as I suggested

Also:

Xb1? Of course it isn't long term. It's a console. But the windows based Xbox successor and the win10 store on Xbox will continue to be an important part of their Xbox endevours...

You are right in that xbox will be rolled into their windows intiative. But you are wrong to see this as a move away from the market that prefers to play on cheap, dedicated gaming hardware.

A successor is a successor regardless of what you want to call it for the sake of your analysis. MS has already stated that there will be successors to the xb1. We've already established that they will be running win10 and capable of running games and apps from the win10 store. Now if you find it useful to call these successors a "PC-lites" instead of a consoles, then i'll have to ask; what's the difference between the two? I mean, it is expected that the current Xbox One will be able to run win10 apps. Will it stop being a console and morph into a PC-lite at this point, for the sake of your pie?

I think you should just admit that you whiffed, and are shifting the argument to semantics, even though we now know, with certainty, that MS intends to operate in both the console and PC markets for the foreseeable future, including new hardware aimed at customers in the former.

I think we can all agree that 'The term "video game console" is used to distinguish a console machine primarily designed for consumers to use for playing video games in contrast to arcade machines or home computers.'

 

[Fess]

You heavily implied that consumers would look favorably on an XB1.1 versus a PS4. If all you want to do is argue semantics, don't bother replying.

What I'm saying is that this shift in XB1s strategy no longer attracts the same market that current consoles do, given that it's a brand new thing that more closely resembles the PC marketplace than the current console market.

The XB1 is not a phone. It should not be compared to the phone industry. I could waste my time making a stupid analogy that doesn't fit so I can misrepresent your post, but I'd rather make an argument that stands on its own merit. Here it goes:

When given the choice between the PS4 and XB1, most of the market picks the PS4 for various reasons, only one of which is performance. Should MS release a new version of their machine, only that factor has changed. On top of that, the new machine will be more expensive, which we've already seen is a crucial factor in which console the market chooses (much more important than power).

The console market has proven gen after gen that power is NOT the deciding factor for most consumers. Why would the XB1 suddenly turn that around?

I believe that this move will shrink the existing XB1 market because it is changing the consumer experience to be closer to that of PC gamers. They aren't identical, obviously, but by stepping away from the norms of the console experience and getting closer to the PC experience (which is pretty much in their own words what they plan to do), I can see some XB1 gamers switching to PCs rather than buying a new XB1.X. I can't see this shift somehow stealing people away from Sony in the existing console market.

And we have no idea at all whether these iterations will add novel features like VR blowjobs and what have you, so I am REALLY, REALLY not sure how you expect to have a reasonable discussion with anyone when you can speculate that MS will give us the motherfucking moon and cast shade on everyone else in the thread.

Why do people choose PS4 over XB1 if not for the power?

Multiplats are best on PS4 for that reason alone and like 95% of all games released today are multiplats, exclusives only get you to the Nintendo situation. If there was suddenly an Xbox Two on the shelf next to PS4 with ads claiming that it's the most powerful console that will run the latest CoD the best then you can bet that lots of people will buy that instead of a PS4.

And the best thing is that because of total backwards compatibility MS could hit that sweet spot later on when Xbox platform owners doesn't even see switching side as an option anymore. Think Android and iOS. Xbox gamers has already invested in the platform and have a library of games that they don't want to lose, they know they'll all run fine and even better on future Xbox hardware but would have to start over if they switched to PlayStation.

My first reaction to this was: bye bye Xbox, hello PC. But the more I think of it the better it seems. I'm already buying new iPhones every 2 years and if I knew I wouldn't have to start from scratch with my games library just because a new hardware was out I could easily buy a new console every 2 years too if I knew that I got better performance and new features.

 

[innervision961]

Boy that Kinect really took Microsoft for a ride huh. If only they'd tested the thing.

 

[Crayon]

Lots of systems had spec upgraded versions beside sega. PSP, DS/DSi, 3DS/new 3DS, N64, N64 rampack, atari 2600/2800/5200/7200, TG16, TG duo etc... the commonality to all of them is developers didn't do much with it because the install base was small. So they kept targeting the base model.

A lot of folks are pessimistic because of how poorly it did before and the dynamics circle back to the cost of targeting a platform.

That's really why this is a dead end. The lowest common denominator will be the target.

Microsoft know this too and the emperor has no clothes. They are simply done with consoles and trying to absorb the leftovers while salvaging as many users as possible before they all buy ps5's. The emperor has no clothes and I don't believe these upgradeable xboxes will ever materialize.

It's about ten years too late to take on steam so that's microsoft's cue to go off half cocked. They are over consoles.

 

[Sanpei]

They were right last gen about digital products and the unnecessity of bluray for games...

So maybe MS is on the right path again...I dont like to play games with 4-5 year-old machines...

 

[captainraincoat]

Interesting point made a bit back about phones and contracts

A while back Ms were talking about the possibility of getting the hardware for free if u sign for a contract for 2 years....the hardware..xbox live is all part of a cost per month.

Every time a revision comes òut you resign...and get a more powerful version....just like a phone

 

[vcc]

Here's what I said it would be:



The whole idea of the UWA is that apps written for windows10 can be run on multiple win10 devices. In the case of dx12 games, that means running on consoles and PC. They are 'tearing down the wall' just as I suggested

Also:



A successor is a successor regardless of what you want to call it for the sake of your analysis. MS has already stated that there will be successors to the xb1. We've already established that they will be running win10 and capable of running games and apps from the win10 store. Now if you find it useful to call these successors a "PC-lites" instead of a consoles, then i'll have to ask; what's the difference between the two? I mean, it is expected that the current Xbox One will be able to run win10 apps. Will it stop being a console and morph into a PC-lite at this point, for the sake of your pie?

I think you should just admit that you whiffed, and are shifting the argument to semantics, even though we now know, with certainty, that MS intends to operate in both the console and PC markets for the foreseeable future, including new hardware aimed at customers in the former.

The basis of pie (PS to others it's a inside joke between me and him) was I said there would be no XB2 (10 because MS hates sequential numbering).

I said they would exit the console market and bet on the w10 store. When that fails they'll shift into being a third party.

The problem with the current plan or even your concept of what they could do is the business end doesn't work out. The barrier between the XB and PC was business not technical (I mentioned this before too).

Everything will hinge on the w10 store. If it isn't a smashing 360 replacing success all the rest fo their plans are meaningless.

They're trying to split the middle between consoles and PC's and I think that will fail as that middle ground has been investigated before and there are 'literally dozens of us' who want something like that.

 

[-Amon-]

Microsoft talks of the pc like they talk of the xbox. As if they own both platforms. It's worrying, because it's not true of course.

 

[vcc]

Microsoft talks of the pc like they talk of the xbox. As if they own both platforms. It's worrying, because it's not true of course.

They can make it true via a Windows update. Which is why valve got paranoid with SteamOS.

 

[GnawtyDog]

The basis of pie (PS to others it's a inside joke between me and him) was I said there would be no XB2 (10 because MS hates sequential numbering).

I said they would exit the console market and bet on the w10 store. When that fails they'll shift into being a third party.

The problem with the current plan or even your concept of what they could do is the business end doesn't work out. The barrier between the XB and PC was business not technical (I mentioned this before too).

Everything will hinge on the w10 store. If it isn't a smashing 360 replacing success all the rest fo their plans are meaningless.

They're trying to split the middle between consoles and PC's and I think that will fail as that middle ground has been investigated before and there are 'literally dozens of us' who want something like that.

I mean they won't even have a market in Europe, not even the UK. They'll be trying to bring this new business model in a weakened state market share wise in the U.S for the brand. The optics just don't look good... I would like to believe in fairy dreams where every MS strategy turns out gold just like MS says it will for the sake of the fanboys buying into anything MS spills...but reality comes knocking. At least for the time being Xbox games will come to PC so I won't need another box under my TV stand. That's a plus to me (for now)...it will eventually result in lower exclusive output by MS - and by that meaning MS funding second-party developers to develop games that would otherwise not get funded... so in the future their exit will be a net negative if Nintendo (or another company) doesn't pick up the slack.

 

[AmaterasuOni]

The basis of pie (PS to others it's a inside joke between me and him) was I said there would be no XB2 (10 because MS hates sequential numbering).

I said they would exit the console market and bet on the w10 store. When that fails they'll shift into being a third party.

The problem with the current plan or even your concept of what they could do is the business end doesn't work out. The barrier between the XB and PC was business not technical (I mentioned this before too).

Everything will hinge on the w10 store. If it isn't a smashing 360 replacing success all the rest fo their plans are meaningless.

They're trying to split the middle between consoles and PC's and I think that will fail as that middle ground has been investigated before and there are 'literally dozens of us' who want something like that.

Hey, we meet again! And I agree you 100% again.

Also: Steam Box will flop like the X10Box. They're both hybrids. PC will be more powerful, more customizable and has more practical use. PS5 and NX (+1) are the things people want to see in their living room for gaming, because they're pure gaming machines. X10Box is a gimmick just like Steam Box, they won't survive.

 

[wapplew]

The whole idea of the UWA is that apps written for windows10 can be run on multiple win10 devices. In the case of dx12 games, that means running on consoles and PC. They are 'tearing down the wall' just as I suggested

"Tearing down the wall" sound like PR speak to me.
How easy is it to make a game for Xbox one and PC now compare to "wall down"mode?
MS say all device running on Windows 10, does it mean Gears of war UWA can run on Windows 10 phone? Can Xbox one play Young Conker UWA?

This whole unify movement, just sound like MS trying to use their PC OS monopoly as leverage, try to convince developer make app for them. It's their ultimate goal, but no one seems falling for that yet.

I think MS try to chase Apple/Google money too hard their lost sight on some fundamental. People want different devices for different reason, you can't just simply "unify" them. PC users don't want mobile or console experience, same goes for mobile or console users. There is a reason why Apple didn't try to unify their mobile and PC.
MS try that with Windows 8, they try again with Windows 10 and I think they will fail again.

I guess I'm not real gamer now.

 

[Night Angel]

Why do people choose PS4 over XB1 if not for the power?

Price is a big factor, like I literally typed out in that post.

Also brand recognition (weak in US, stronger worldwide), exclusive games (becoming less and less of a factor), popularity of the console, word of mouth/consumer sentiment based on messaging, and other things.

But mostly price.

New console = higher price. If all it offers its better performance, I can't see it moving the needle.

 

[vcc]

I mean they won't even have a market in Europe, not even the UK. They'll be trying to bring this new business model in a weakened state market share wise in the U.S. The optics just don't look good... I would like to believe in fairy dreams where every MS strategy turns out gold for the sake of the fanboys but...reality comes knocking.

Yeah, the recent past had really made it hard to take them at face value.

"Kinect is integral to the experience and not going anywhere"

"Digital always on DRM is the future"

"Tomb Raider IS a true exclusive TM"

"Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia."

 

[Bold One]

Will a mod please do me a favor and just go ahead and Permaban me? Too many people go way out of their way to make news seem negative and I think it will be better for me to just not be a member. Thanks.

You must have been awesome for your debate team..

 

[Zedox]

You have some good posts. You see the potential. MS is definitely an exciting company since the shake up. They seem to have new business level and corporate level strategies. I do wonder about them internationally though.

Thing is, I've seen this much longer ago. It was really with Ray Ozzie (former MS CTO) talked about this very "future" with the Microsoft platform (3 screens and a cloud...you should read up on it...I believe this was Vista planning days or something, so forward thinking). it's only truly coming to fruition now. Microsoft has had these pieces in place for a long time (GFWL was an attempt but they just royally screwed that up) and I have been waiting for them to freaking hook everything up together in one cohesive juncture. They really couldn't do it because of the DOJ stuff that basically had them in lockdown till like 2010 or something, I forget. So now seeing that that vision is coming true, gaming is just another cog in the machine (and that's why some people have been saying in other thread that people don't see the bigger picture). I just love gaming and seeing gaming take a new form is exciting to me (especially for the game I'm developing). I don't like doing the same thing over and over again, I like new experiences.

But they have a lot of work to do in order to make this actually work. I will say that I don't know how much more I will be involved in these discussions as it gets tiring repeating myself (as i said before i don't like doing that). I'm glad some people see it though.

My man, +1.

 

[eksy]

this thread's way too long to sit and read it all

but i read the article in full, and it seems like they are going this way because they got burned by being less powerful than the PS4 (i.e. 1080p debates) and they don't want to sit an entire generation as the inferior again

and now they are trying to find ways to mitigate that damage in the future, which is why they thought this up. well i guess we'll have to see whether the consumers will go for this "upgrade your console" mentality they are trying to sell

i think they are gonna find out there was more to it than a simple power differential that made the PS4 the market leader it is today.

 

[Bear Force One]

That's really why this is a dead end. The lowest common denominator will be the target.

Microsoft know this too and the emperor has no clothes. They are simply done with consoles and trying to absorb the leftovers while salvaging as many users as possible before they all buy ps5's. The emperor has no clothes and I don't believe these upgradeable xboxes will ever materialize.

It's about ten years too late to take on steam so that's microsoft's cue to go off half cocked. They are over consoles.

As I said, it's their way out while trying to save face.

 

[Trup1aya]

The basis of pie (PS to others it's a inside joke between me and him) was I said there would be no XB2 (10 because MS hates sequential numbering).

I said they would exit the console market and bet on the w10 store. When that fails they'll shift into being a third party.

The problem with the current plan or even your concept of what they could do is the business end doesn't work out. The barrier between the XB and PC was business not technical (I mentioned this before too).

Everything will hinge on the w10 store. If it isn't a smashing 360 replacing success all the rest fo their plans are meaningless.

They're trying to split the middle between consoles and PC's and I think that will fail as that middle ground has been investigated before and there are 'literally dozens of us' who want something like that.

I don't think we were debating whether there venture would be successful. we were debating whether or not releasing 1st party games on pc "signaled" MS' intention to leave the console market. you said:

That's what I think they're going. In a very real sense that is the death of the xbox brand as we know it and it become MS TV.

They may opt to make a successor but not one competing for the traditional game market. As I also said to others, they will try to compete with Apple/Google not Sony/Nintendo.

If they decide to exit the console platform business it won't be as dramatic as Sega. They just won't announce a successor. So I agree. It'd take years.

But I'm saying it does make it less likely there will be a successor.

and we now know all of that was massively off base.


now if we want to talk about prospects of success I don't think the next win10 console is necessarily any more or less likely to succeed than any other console. it needs to have a good price and good 1st and 3rd party support and good performance. that's how console buyers choose. the fact that it can access the win10 store doesn't somehow make it less appealing. in fact, if the win10 store helps secure it a healthy catalog before it even launches then, it makes it more likely the console will succeed.

The idea that a console that inherently shares a games catalog with the PC and has a codebase that makes it and its successors largely backward and forward compatible, is something that has already been explored and rejected is a stretch.

 

[etta]

this thread's way too long to sit and read it all

but i read the article in full, and it seems like they are going this way because they got burned by being less powerful than the PS4 (i.e. 1080p debates) and they don't want to sit an entire generation as the inferior again

and now they are trying to find ways to mitigate that damage in the future, which is why they thought this up. well i guess we'll have to see whether the consumers will go for this "upgrade your console" mentality they are trying to sell

i think they are gonna find out there was more to it than a simple power differential that made the PS4 the market leader it is today.

i think they know fam

 

[Lima]

When can I buy this?

 

[noobie]

i dont think it will be a console then.. May be some new medium for game playing.. like netbook. netconsole.

 

[Crayon]

When can I buy this?

Now. Just send me your money and it'll be coming in the mail. Promise.

 

[Cynn]

If Xbox One is getting a more powerful hardware revision within 1.5 years, I can see definitely see Microsoft adding native support for Oculus Rift.

I'm really hoping this is true. I'm excited for VR and I'm getting a PSVR day one but the above is the only way I could ever enjoy Halo or Forza in VR and I need that in my life.

 

[Trup1aya]

"Tearing down the wall" sound like PR speak to me.
How easy is it to make a game for Xbox one and PC now compare to "wall down"mode?
MS say all device running on Windows 10, does it mean Gears of war UWA can run on Windows 10 phone? Can Xbox one play Young Conker UWA?

This whole unify movement, just sound like MS trying to use their PC OS monopoly as leverage, try to convince developer make app for them. It's their ultimate goal, but no one seems falling for that yet.

I think MS try to chase Apple/Google money too hard their lost sight on some fundamental. People want different devices for different reason, you can't just simply "unify" them. PC users don't want mobile or console experience, same goes for mobile or console users. There is a reason why Apple didn't try to unify their mobile and PC.
MS try that with Windows 8, they try again with Windows 10 and I think they will fail again.

I guess I'm not real gamer now.

I mean, it is PR speak. Its a means of taking a rather technical concepts and explaining it in a way that the public can easily understand. There are a lot of technical explanations of how MS intends to tackle "the wall" floating around the web, if your are interested.

This movement IS an attempt to leverage their strength in the PC market... and they DO want developers to develop apps for them... neither of those facts are hidden, or nefarious or traps to "fall for". They are just trying to make their store into a better place to shop and their console a better place to play, by securing content.

I don't think its about giving PC users a console experience. Or giving mobile / console users a PC experience. Allowing developers to more easily reach customers on all devices, and securing quality content for customers on all devices.. so that the devices and ecosystem are more attractive

 

[Crayon]

Here's what I said it would be:



The whole idea of the UWA is that apps written for windows10 can be run on multiple win10 devices. In the case of dx12 games, that means running on consoles and PC. They are 'tearing down the wall' just as I suggested

"Tearing down the wall" sound like PR speak to me.
How easy is it to make a game for Xbox one and PC now compare to "wall down"mode?
MS say all device running on Windows 10, does it mean Gears of war UWA can run on Windows 10 phone? Can Xbox one play Young Conker UWA?

I mean, it is PR speak. Its a means of taking a rather technical concepts and explaining it in a way that the public can easily understand.

Trup1aya...

Why are you arguing here using pr speak?

 

[Poster#1]

When can I buy this?

I know a Nigerian prince. He can help you.

 

[vcc]

I'm really hoping this is true. I'm excited for VR and I'm getting a PSVR day one but the above is the only way I could ever enjoy Halo or Forza in VR and I need that in my life.

Forza maybe but Halo VR would make you literally violently ill.

 

[_Clash_]

I think this means that XBOX will become a product line similar to how Surface is rolled out.


I dare say it means an increase in their investment to the product. And incremental upgrades mean to the product line, not off the shelf components to upgrade your console.

 

[Trup1aya]

Trup1aya...

Why are you arguing here using pr speak?

i mean, i can only use information that is publicly available... I'm not sure my own definition of what Universal Windows Application and what it means for developing games across multiple platforms would be any easier to comprehend than the official comments on the matter.

 

[etta]

I think this means that XBOX will become a product line similar to how Surface is rolled out.


I dare say it means an increase in their investment to the product. And incremental upgrades mean to the product line, not off the shelf components to upgrade your console.

no no,
xbox is dad.

 

[Cynn]

Forza maybe but Halo VR would make you literally violently ill.

Challenge accepted.

 

[inner-G]

If they were to patch everything and make it graphics and control-options wise equivalent to Steam, I could see them being competition.

The thing is, PC gamers are like the only people in the world who care about stuff like DRM, vsync, frame pacing and weird input setups but if you want to win them over that openness has to be built-in, not tacked on.

 

[vcc]

i mean, i can only use information that is publicly available... I'm not sure my own definition of what Universal Windows Application and what it means for developing games across multiple platforms would be any easier to comprehend than the official comments on the matter.

The point of PR speak isn't to simplify but to obscure and re-emphasis. Some part of communications as a profession is to simplify but a whole lot of it is how to 'package' information. Lying without lying. Like Clinton saying "I did not have sexual relations TM with that woman" or when BP puts out a message that the environment is important TM to them. Things like non answers to questions, rail roading into prepared answers ect... Any Exec will spend some time with a coach to learn stuff like that and whole departments prepare speeches/communications with that purpose. (a huge deal with Mattrick is how unprepared he was and how various xbox folks were contradicting each other at XB1 launch. They lack communications at that point. Same w Ps3 era Sony and their stupid 'take a second job' shit.)

Taking it at face value is generally a bad idea.

 

[Crayon]

i mean, i can only use information that is publicly available... I'm not sure my own definition of what Universal Windows Application and what it means for developing games across multiple platforms would be any easier to comprehend than the official comments on the matter.

You know that Public Relations is another term for propaganda, right?

edit: see vcc's more complete answer above

 

[Ninja Sharingan]

I find it interesting to read so many theories from us every day consumers on the Internet about how wrong Microsoft got it etc. Then I see the market and I see more people buying digitally and less boxed products in stores. I speak to my friends in games stores who tell me disk based sales are down. I hear my friends with family sharing their software with their kids, as do I. I realised ms got some stuff right.

This isn't 2000 anymore. I'm nit saying ms will be the ones that do this right but I am on the same page as Phil when it comes to fixed hardware simply can not last 7 years anymore. You are actually being detrimental to the experiences I could have with that mentality. Even it being improved framerate etc.

If it's built into the box and developers can say on this xbox run this version with this graphics settings then why would this be anything less than perfect. You can still run your average sub 1080p sub 30 fps version on the box you currently have, if you don't want to upgrade and others who have decided to buy the new box after 3 years can play the 60fps version

 

[Fess]

But mostly price.

New console = higher price. If all it offers its better performance, I can't see it moving the needle.

I don't know about you but I certainly bought an Xbox One because it offered better performance than Xbox 360, even though it was selling at a high price. What else did it offer really? I got banned once for my rant after trying Kinect for the first time so I certainly didn't buy XB1 for that

And updated Xbox One, better performance, same accessories, total backwards compatibility. What's not to like really?

Like you say, exclusive games is not really a factor anymore, as long as you have all multiplats. And look at the current PS4 library, I'm sure most of us can agree that it's not the best selling console this generation because of the exclusives. PS4 is simply the console where the best selling AAA multiplats will run at the highest resolution and framerate. What if Xbox One (Two) would take that spot and win all DF FaceOffs etc, you don't think that would matter?

I see one big problem for MS though. People might start waiting for the next version to arrive instead of buying the current one, either to get the new one with better performance or the older one after the inevitable price cut. Tricky situation.

 

[old manatee]

If they were to patch everything and make it graphics and control-options wise equivalent to Steam, I could see them being competition.

The thing is, PC gamers are like the only people in the world who care about stuff like DRM, vsync, frame pacing and weird input setups but if you want to win them over that openness has to be built-in, not tacked on.

Yeah, Xbox owners have never expressed a strong opinion about DRM.

 

[Elios83]

I think this means that XBOX will become a product line similar to how Surface is rolled out.


I dare say it means an increase in their investment to the product. And incremental upgrades mean to the product line, not off the shelf components to upgrade your console.

Just no.
You're not considering the most crucial aspect.
They're unifying the platform with PC in terms of software which effectively means that the identity of the Xbox as a platform is lost.
This is not an ecosystem of products with different specs but still offering something that you can't find elsewhere (and even that isn't exactly positive because it means less optimized software, nothing specifically conceived for a single SKU, stealth forced updates after a few years of support of the lower end models), it means that the platform that remains is the PC and Xbox becomes a product line of terminals for those who want to play those games without committing to a full general purpose PC.

This is just bad. If this becomes the general trend in the future not just for MS it would mean the effective death of the concept behind a console. At that point I'd prefer to play on a PC instead of these pre-configured boxes with an expiring date.

 

[foamdino]

That's really why this is a dead end. The lowest common denominator will be the target.

Microsoft know this too and the emperor has no clothes. They are simply done with consoles and trying to absorb the leftovers while salvaging as many users as possible before they all buy ps5's. The emperor has no clothes and I don't believe these upgradeable xboxes will ever materialize.

It's about ten years too late to take on steam so that's microsoft's cue to go off half cocked. They are over consoles.

This.

I suspect this is the end game for Microsoft. They need to get as much value out of XBox (brand) as they can. The hardware thing is something I guess they want to get out of.

As a consumer that owns a console and a PC and I game across both devices, why should I invest in a console that takes 1 feature of PC gaming but throws away all the advantages (open platform, use it for development as well as gaming, multiple storefronts, much better indie scene etc. - the list is huge especially if you ignore AAA bullshit)?

It feels like a half-baked, thrown together idea taking the worst parts of the steam machine ideas, merging it with one OS for everything (what a joke that will turn out to be - devices are different for a reason)

Unneeded homogenisation driven by hubris of the highest order.

 

[old manatee]

This.

I suspect this is the end game for Microsoft. They need to get as much value out of XBox (brand) as they can. The hardware thing is something I guess they want to get out of.

As a consumer that owns a console and a PC and I game across both devices, why should I invest in a console that takes 1 feature of PC gaming but throws away all the advantages (open platform, use it for development as well as gaming, multiple storefronts, much better indie scene etc. - the list is huge especially if you ignore AAA bullshit)?

It feels like a half-baked, thrown together idea taking the worst parts of the steam machine ideas, merging it with one OS for everything (what a joke that will turn out to be - devices are different for a reason)

Unneeded homogenisation driven by hubris of the highest order.

Microsoft can afford to be cocky. They're holding all the MAU's.

 

[Crayon]

Microsoft can afford to be cocky. They're holding all the MAU's.

You beautiful bastard.

 

[foamdino]

Microsoft can afford to be cocky. They're holding all the MAU's.

I still don't know what MAU means:
Monthly Active Users (MAU)

or

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mau

 

[vcc]

This.

I suspect this is the end game for Microsoft. They need to get as much value out of XBox (brand) as they can. The hardware thing is something I guess they want to get out of.

As a consumer that owns a console and a PC and I game across both devices, why should I invest in a console that takes 1 feature of PC gaming but throws away all the advantages (open platform, use it for development as well as gaming, multiple storefronts, much better indie scene etc. - the list is huge especially if you ignore AAA bullshit)?

It feels like a half-baked, thrown together idea taking the worst parts of the steam machine ideas, merging it with one OS for everything (what a joke that will turn out to be - devices are different for a reason)

Unneeded homogenisation driven by hubris of the highest order.

Horribly strained MTG anaology:

Sony is attacking with a 9/9 PS4

MS is chump blocking with a 5/5 XB1

Then saccing XB1 to put 5 +1/+1 counters on it's 1/1 w10 store.

Hoping to draw a green mana so it they can cast become immense on w10 store and block next turn and win on the crack back. (which won't work because Sony Crumbled to Dust all his green sources and MS forgot).

 

[HStallion]

Horribly strained MTG anaology:

Sony is attacking with a 9/9 PS4

MS is chump blocking with a 5/5 XB1

Then saccing XB1 to put 5 +1/+1 counters on it's 1/1 w10 store.

Hoping to draw a green mana so it they can cast become immense on w10 store and block next turn and win on the crack back. (which won't work because Sony Crumbled to Dust all his green sources and MS forgot).

Personally I only understand analogies in DBZ terms.

 

[plasmawave]

Incremental upgrades sounds like a nightmare for devs.