You’re acting like Microsoft is the only one, get a grip, they don’t compete either, buying up everything is not competition, it’s not innovation, it’s not providing anything healthy to the industry.Competition?
Jesus, some people….
Yeah I remember the PS3 era it was tried quite a lot and even with simple things like Telltale games they couldn;t release on schedule. The only way to do it is to build it all up from and release it in chunks. But I think gamers will be to wise and just wait until it is done. I mean even in the AAA space you are better waiting 6 months until after launch to play the finished version of a game for half the price. With this in mind day 1 on Gamepass just means you are beta testing for me at this point. Only a handful of studios I'll trust to pay day 1 knowing it will be a quality experience and as it stands none are MS owned.Actually episodic games were already tried. And guess what? It didn't work.
Huge fall off (each episode gets less sales not everyone stuck around for 4 years) and gamers waiting for the complete bundle.
I myself just a month ago finally played through Telltale walking dead.
There's nothing wrong with digital.Valve? My brother in christ they already fucked up with Steam machines, they already went all-digital (which has people pissing and moaning at the mere suggestion).
That's how I feel. If moving forward it goes all digital I really won't care much as long as you can access and play the games you've specifically purchased. I like the PS5 route with support for PSVR and PS4 games. I also keep old consoles so all digital is something I don't lose sleep over.There's nothing wrong with digital.
Steam will outlast any of the older discs and gaming systems I bought.
There's no ownership in a non functioning relic.
But I'll give you that, Steam Machines was a fail.
They should be working on honing that OS.
The best option for MS would be to stop giving away games day one on GP and become a full multiplatform 3P releasing their games day one not only on PC and Xbox, but also on PS and Switch.He doesn't say he wants 100M subs from consoles though. He says
"I can fairly safely say that if we do not make more progress than this off of console, we would exit the gaming business. If this were the outcome, we would -- I don't believe we'd still be in the business."
A majority of our customers are found off of our own hardware, I would hope by earlier than 2030..."
Largely agree accept for the last part. While there is a world where MS makes good money eating Sony's tablescraps and sits comfortably in third place cashing checks, shareholders demand growth. Just my opinion, but I believe Xbox had to change the paradigm if they wanted MS to continue to allow them to compete in the gaming hardware space.
Gamepass is all they have left for better or worse. If they even have a shot at making it work, they have to go all in. It could fail for sure, but I'll enjoy the benefits in the meantime. Again, just my take.
Another interesting option Is to just give up on consumer hardware.The best option for MS would be to stop giving away games day one on GP and become a full multiplatform 3P releasing their games day one not only on PC and Xbox, but also on PS and Switch.
And forget the idea of releasing more consoles, support instead PC handhelds like Steam and release a gaming focused Steam-OS like lightweight Windows version with a Xbox console like UI to allow other brands use it in their PC consoles, PC handhelds, smartphones, tablets in a Steam Machines
Apparently it's "not that simple".Just make some fucking good games. It's not hard.
Trust the secret plans. And I see you aren't sure if you want to buy more games. So, have you heard about Gamepass?I'm really surprised this statement isn't getting more coverage in the media.
When you build a digital library you need confidence that it's going to be around for a long time.
This statement has me questioning whether I want to purchase any more games for my Series X.
I might actually return it as I only got one when Starfield released.
I don't think they'll exit completely. If anything, they'll go 3rd party. Hopefully, with new management.In certain spaces the discourse around the date (2027) and GP target (100 Million subs) as somewhat random. Like an random number Microsoft execs pulled out of thin air. They forget that XBOX is a division that needs basic fundamentals of profit and growth to sustain its relevancy as a business.
They don't seem to understand that GP is a gargantuan money sink. Or that in order to get content MS is paying 100's of millions per ip as revealed in their recently leaked documents and submissions to the court. These player count celebrations are literally just PR smoke. On the corporate side the question is "Is this content driving subs and profit" And the answer has consistently been "Nope."
The basic math here shows XBOX is losing money hand over fist. A 100 Million sub target means that GP has to find and sustain growth by 18 million year-on-year. But given the current sales data and lack of relevancy outside the US, I just don't see that happening. On the bright side, I believe that come 2027 XBOX will simply change how they define success.
I mean, they've pivoted from console sales during the 360 era to... Monthly active users > A target of 2 Billion > Game Pass subscribers > right through to engagement. Which means there's hope.
So if MS goes, who's to stop Sony from holding monopoly on AAA console and game space? Prices go up, quality of subscription goes down. Where are the gamers going to go if they don't want to go into the PC space? Nintendo? Nope, they don't have a console for that. Valve? Nope, they have never had a leading home console, no track record, suicide going against PlayStation's behemoth brand that is already well established. How do you think consumer competition works? You think a company is going to magically waltz in and try their luck. It doesn't quite work like that.No, they don't.
So if MS goes, who's to stop Sony from holding monopoly on AAA console and game space? Prices go up, quality of subscription goes down. Where are the gamers going to go if they don't want to go into the PC space? Nintendo? Nope, they don't have a console for that. Valve? Nope, they have never had a leading home console, no track record, suicide going against PlayStation's behemoth brand that is already well established. How do you think consumer competition works? You think a company is going to magically waltz in and try their luck. It doesn't quite work like that.
It doesn't have to be Xbox. Also, the "consumer competition" nonsense — I'm well aware how it works. And guess what? It still doesn't have to be Xbox. Yes, another company could "waltz in and try their luck". That's exactly how we ended up with a PlayStation and Xbox in the first place.So if MS goes, who's to stop Sony from holding monopoly on AAA console and game space? Prices go up, quality of subscription goes down. Where are the gamers going to go if they don't want to go into the PC space? Nintendo? Nope, they don't have a console for that. Valve? Nope, they have never had a leading home console, no track record, suicide going against PlayStation's behemoth brand that is already well established. How do you think consumer competition works? You think a company is going to magically waltz in and try their luck. It doesn't quite work like that.
You mean MS might become a software company?I don't think they'll exit completely. If anything, they'll go 3rd party. Hopefully, with new management.
I cancelled.... they get sold? to a likely far better company.
Just keep it out of Embracer/Tencent hands and we'd be all good.
Sony and Xbox entering the market was a completely different time. There was no well established industry back then in that tech space. It was a new home console/concept.It doesn't have to be Xbox. Also, the "consumer competition" nonsense — I'm well aware how it works. And guess what? It still doesn't have to be Xbox. Yes, another company could "waltz in and try their luck". That's exactly how we ended up with a PlayStation and Xbox in the first place.
Best part about that? Sony didn't win generations with magic.
digital can be done right, gog for example lets you backup your games anywhere you want and as much as you want.So there's a risk they could push through an all digital future, then exit gaming and a few years after shutdown the service and you lose access to your fake digital games library forever.
Yet the digital lovers still rejoice at the death of physical games.
xbox is pointless and brings nothing to gamers. its better if they leave. they are not as relevant as valve,sony or nintendo.So if MS goes, who's to stop Sony from holding monopoly on AAA console and game space? Prices go up, quality of subscription goes down. Where are the gamers going to go if they don't want to go into the PC space? Nintendo? Nope, they don't have a console for that. Valve? Nope, they have never had a leading home console, no track record, suicide going against PlayStation's behemoth brand that is already well established. How do you think consumer competition works? You think a company is going to magically waltz in and try their luck. It doesn't quite work like that.
Well I'm not arguing that. In many ways you are right. But Valve and Nintendo don't have competing current gen consoles or hold monopoly on AAA games on console. I doubt either one would be stepping into that realm if Xbox left.xbox is pointless and brings nothing to gamers. its better if they leave. they are not as relevant as valve,sony or nintendo.
So if MS goes, who's to stop Sony from holding monopoly on AAA console and game space? Prices go up, quality of subscription goes down. Where are the gamers going to go if they don't want to go into the PC space? Nintendo? Nope, they don't have a console for that. Valve? Nope, they have never had a leading home console, no track record, suicide going against PlayStation's behemoth brand that is already well established. How do you think consumer competition works? You think a company is going to magically waltz in and try their luck. It doesn't quite work like that.
There's no way they'll exit. Right now ms business model is based off the cloud and subscriptions. Ending making xbox consoles I can def see as gamepass and xcloud will be avail on everything in the future.
Seems a lots of people did not remembered or has not played during the PS3/360 area, where Sony after the PS2 was in VERY strong situation and started to make some stupied choices etc... The second part of PS3 life, the PS4 and now the PS5 environment are due to competition against Xbox, it was needed for Sony to evolve and improve their own studios developpement, invest more and create this strong portfolio of games/licences they have now. Do you really think Sony will keep investing and innovating at same level without competition, without Xbox ?? Don't tell me that others can replace MS, when you see what Google and Amazon are/were proposing, dat joke seriously...
It removes a particular choice. One that has been there for a long time. Two consoles that are mostly the same but with a preponderance of small differences. This would have started in the ps360 era. Last gen they were extremely similar, same as this one. The os and the controller are the biggest differences between them from the shopper's point of view, and neither of those is really up there among other factors guiding the purchase.
So I get that. The dynamic of pressure on sony changes. Sony and Nintendo would rapidly re-orient themselves. Valve would if they weren't like 20 steps ahead in 4d chess. Nintendo will start looking at those gradually displaced exbox users. In fact, if the switch 2 is really built to run contemporary games as the rumors suggest, then nintendo is apparently not waiting for xbox to go anywhere. A weak xbox is enough. Remember, it's nintendo. Expect the unexpected.
PS wouldn't have that tit-for-tat relationship with xb that is pushing them to respond to specific things in specific ways. Those little differences that I was talking about. But sony is not going to grow users dangerously larger than nintendo and valve unless they keep going hard. They can't just chill and overcharge for shitty products and keep growing.
As far as king sony fucking up the industry? They would literally need a trillion dollars to be a problem like microsoft so the whole thing is moot.
Sell it to Nintendo
I have significant questions about Switch 2.
First off let's say it's performance is in line with the PS4/X1. I'm not sure you're getting contemporary games as a result of that. You're also potentially looking at a much higher price point than the Switch. Maybe 400/500 dollars. At this price point, I think you lose a lot of duplicity among families owning multiple switches, which I think was the main reason for the Switch Lite.
I think you may also run into serious battery concerns as you see with the ROG and Steamdeck. The Switch honestly already isn't great battery life.
Then you run into the main issue of convincing people to upgrade just for graphics. That's never really worked out well for Nintendo. There's a reason why games like Mario Kart 8 keep selling. People are happy with it. Not sure Mario Kart 9 is enough for them to buy a Switch 2 just for a graphics boost.
Idk if they can get the hardware over that line, either. Rumors sound to me like it could go either way. But I'm thinking if the matrix demo story is true, they at least got away with it well enough that the comments were saying that the settings were all dumped and it looked bad. Most major publishers are willing to deal with the series s for a potential 50 million userbase. They might be able to dig a little deeper for 100+ million.
I would be STUNNED if the XS sells 50 million units.
It's already in decline in year 3 and year 4 looks like it will be worse not better... Then you factor in the PS5 Pro?
Well I dunno. Big number vs small number lol. I'm no Mickey Pachter.
Now, there is reason to believe Spencer may have exaggerated a bit. Microsoft stressed throughout the whole FTC investigation and later in federal court that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard was critical to its plan to grow in mobile and cloud markets. Otherwise, it might as well exit the gaming business.
As such, Xbox fans need not despair yet, especially since today's other big leakshows Microsoft readying an Xbox Series mid-generation refresh and a next-generation Xbox console coming in 2028. Microsoft has invested heavily in the gaming market between the acquisition of ZeniMax and the attempted deal to buy Activision Blizzard, and it is unlikely it would just quit before having a chance to see those investments come to fruition, especially if it can overcome the last hurdles with regulators when it comes to acquiring Activision Blizzard. Still, Spencer's words remark how important it is for Microsoft to grow beyond consoles through Game Pass.
digital can be done right, gog for example lets you backup your games anywhere you want and as much as you want.
Hey OP you conveniently forgot to include this part of the linked article
Seeing Amazon and Google threatening the console business is common sense, those are the same guys who don't give a s if it disappeared.You’re acting like Microsoft is the only one, get a grip, they don’t compete either, buying up everything is not competition, it’s not innovation, it’s not providing anything healthy to the industry.
Let’s see them create studios and a new IP’s from the ground up, let’s see them get rid of paying for online play, let’s see something beneficial to gamers to compete.
That seems to go hand in hand with the OP's point. Microsoft really needs ABK and GamePass to work 100% or they are toast.
I would love for them to explain this to the shareholders.
We payed out nearly $10billion dollars to buy out some gaming companies but after a few years it did not work out so we are done with the experiment?