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[EventHorizon]

Seriously, what is Microsoft's pitch to a gamer as to why you should buy an Xbox? I genuinely can't think of what I would even leverage if I were a marketing person with the job of telling people why they need to own an Xbox. Seems like they aren't even trying anymore.

I like a challenge, but after thinking about this I found it surprisingly tougher than I first thought it would be. Here is my best attempt.

Xbox One S

Audience: Casual gamers who haven't bought an 8th generation console yet.
Pitch: Play More. Pay Less.
Selling points:

• Lowest entry price yet
• Only console platform with 4K Blu-Ray drive
• Only console platform that provides backward compatibility that gives you access to more inexpensive games
• Only console platform that is future proof with cross buy games with your PC. Play on your console for fun now. Play on your PC later for the ultimate experience.
• Only console platform with EA Access. For just $4.99 a month you get to play 45+ games like Battlefield 1 and Titanfall 2.

Xbox One X

Audience: Uncompromising early adopters
Pitch: Simply the best console. Period.
Selling points:

• The. Most. Powerful. Console. EVER. Play the absolute best version of 3rd party games.
• Only console platform with 4K Blu-Ray drive
• Only console platform that provides backward compatibility. We got your nostalgia inner geek covered.
• Only console platform with PC cross buy. Relax with the best on console, then get serious with best on PC.
• Only console platform with EA Access. Play the hit games before the rest. Get 45+ games.
• Why are you still reading this? We had you at "The. Most. Powerful. Console. EVER."

 

[border]

Graphics could be improved obviously.. mainly because textures were pretty bad to begin with, art style could take a few settings tweaks and look a lot better.. but what about animation, physics, destructibility, gameplay? That shit seems like it would be locked in stone.

I think the delay has more to do with improving the game's marketability and visibility than it does improving its core gameplay. They just don't want it to get destroyed by CoD, Destiny, and Battlefront.

 

[Head.spawn]

Are we delaying betas now? So where is that Crackdown 3 beta and SoT beta...yeah, move on.

Playing the alpha on XBO/PC, does that count?

 

[Melchiah]

I don't know what point you are trying to make. I satirically point out that people are complaining about actual facts being brought into this discussion, and part of your reply is to paraphrase two non-factual opinions. Then you rail against that strawman as non-sequiturs.

Perhaps my attempt at satire was too subtle, so let me explicitly state my point. A comment was made questioning why delayed Sony games are declared a good thing while delayed Microsoft games have an outcry like this thread. The very well fact'd reply to that comment showed that delayed Sony games end up being very well received, while delayed Microsoft games are poorly received or canceled.

That quite explicitly shows why delayed Microsoft and Sony games are treated differently. Delays in Sony games indicate that the game is being held up for more polish. Delays in Microsoft games indicate games in deeply troubled development. The comment made this point with facts, not opinions, and is the type of comment that we need more of not less. Here it is for reference.

There's also a thread, From Stage to Screen: How fast do conference games release? (PS4, Xbox One), where the common consensus about delays being more prevalent on Sony's side was put to question.

 

[notaskwid]

at least it was not canceled.

 

[Poimandres]

And on the Japanese front as well, look at how many exclusives Sega and FromSoft put out on the system. Hell, in a way it was basically Dreamcast v2 with Jet Set Radio Future and Sega GT 2002. Then you had Phantom Crush, Dead or Alive 3, Otogi, Metal Wolf Chaos, even an exclusive Shin Megami Tensei game.

The console had tonnes of great exclusives over it's short life span, but I was talking about 2005 specifically. A whole bunch of exclusives AND a solid enough launch of a whole new console.

 

[VlaudTheImpaler]

What can they realistically do between now and Spring to change the game?

Graphics could be improved obviously.. mainly because textures were pretty bad to begin with, art style could take a few settings tweaks and look a lot better.. but what about animation, physics, destructibility, gameplay? That shit seems like it would be locked in stone.

By far the largest issue that I saw was people complaining about the graphics. So that would be a major improvement. As it was, it looked like it had about the same gameplay as the previous games that everyone loved.

I think they could tweak the gameplay aspects enough by that time to make it feel fresh. I don't think that aspect needed a huge overhaul.

I for one, would like to see more density and interactivity to the environment and just a little less floaty physics. I never did like the old school era floaty physics in any game bar maybe MKD. But I realize I might be in the minority there and fans of the series might be wanting to flog me atm.

 

[John Caboose]

I'm going to be so busy with Destiny 2 I probably won't need to buy any other new games for the rest of the year. Still sucks for those who were looking forward to the game.

I have to go on the record and say that swinging metacritic dicks is just utterly pathetic. Keep it in your pants console warriors.

 

[Sangetsu-II]

Playing the alpha on XBO/PC, does that count?

The game could be in early concept designs for all I care. The main point I was getting at is the other poster moving the goal post and reaching for high heavens.

 

[The Pet of the Month]

Well I think Halo and maybe Forza are the only titles that would be system sellers at this point. They basically have killed Fable, they cancelled scalebound, and keep delaying games. I mean, CD3 got announced in 2014 and how long have they been talking about Sea of thieves? Its just hard to be excited for these titles. I don't think these games would've moved consoles but delaying them for years like this just kills the enthusiasm for the games.

I agree with delays killing enthusiasm for games, I was just confused on why folks want more exclusives specficially to be system sellers.

The PS4 games I played and enjoyed could hardly be considered system sellers, yet they pushed me to get the system. Microsoft shouldn't strive to make system seller exclusives but a diverse library of titles.

To be honest, I couldn't care about their output right now. I'm more interested in what is going on behind the scenes.

 

[ricelord]

at least it was not canceled.

For now.

 

[border]

Are we delaying betas now? So where is that Crackdown 3 beta and SoT beta...yeah, move on with the goal.

If you want to consider Crackdown 3 or Sea of Thieves as "delayed" games, I would agree. If your beta is more than 6 months behind a promised release, then yeah you've delayed.

 

[FacelessSamurai]

"The most powerful console in the world"

They're selling it on hardware power, not software variety.

Just like PS4 Pro, the whole point of this console is to get better versions of your games.

I don't know why people see it as if it was a new gen. No games are released exclusively for this console, there is no need for games to push it. People who want the best and already own an Xbox One will simply upgrade (like myself), and prospective buyers might jump in as they will be told that their Call of Duty games are now best looking on Xbox One X. It's as simple as that.

Some might say they haven't shown enough to properly sell the console, but do you really need it? Personally, I know one console runs games in 1080p, the other in 4k. I don't need to see it to know it will look better. And the raw numbers dictate it will be more powerful. Did people need screens to know PS4 games were gonna look better than Xbox One games? We knew the specs, nothing else was needed!

It's just like on PC. I upgraded my GTX 970 to a GTX 1080 as I wanted to play in higher res on an ultrawide monitor. Did I need to see it before buying it? No. I knew it would look better and be worth the investment, it's more powerful and pushes a high res. It's quite obvious!

These mid gen upgrades are just that, nothing else! It's not a relaunch and doesn't really entice more people to buy consoles. It's simply a way I think to extend the generation while offering a product to enthusiasts and most likely have higher profit margins on the hardware. Sony and MS are simply finding ways to milk their user base more and making an extra buck. Most people will go for the cheaper console possible, some will simply want the best.

 

[RedAssedApe]

at least it was not canceled.

dont jinx it man lol

 

[Fredrik]

I think that's kind of a suspect assumption, but either way a title like Crackdown 3 was not going to make up the difference.

It was something at least, now they have nothing. On launch day we'll mostly start up the X to see how much better the games look that we've already played. That's not an ideal scenario, especially not when so many have too small 4K TVs or sit too far away from the TV to get wowed by the 4K difference. A new exclusive title would've got people to enjoy and talk about the new game instead of just talking about 4K (which imo is a highly exaggerated boost, I would've rather seen the power go to better framerates instead which is instantly noticeable.)

 

[JakR]

Sorry, but I laugh my ass off this news. XD

I mean it is good for the game no doubt, but who really cares.

 

[The Pet of the Month]

Sorry, but I laugh my ass off this news. XD

I mean it is good for the game no doubt, but who really cares.

I do 🙁

Agents of Mayham made me want to play Crackdown instead.

 

[B.O.O.M]

If you want to consider Crackdown 3 or Sea of Thieves as "delayed" games, I would agree. If your beta is more than 6 months behind a promised release, then yeah you've delayed.

Why double down on this?

A beta is not the final game. A game that never had a release date cannot be 'delayed'. Grasping at straws much?

 

[killatopak]

poor ms

 

[LiquidSolid]

Probably because people have been begging for Microsoft to act more like Sony and spread releases around the calendar year. But when they finally do it's seen as some kind of disaster that a B-list franchise can't make it out in time for Christmas.

A couple years ago that argument made a lot of sense and was relevant, especially since games like Sunset Overdrive were sent out to die in amongst major AAA releases. But the situation is different now, Microsoft doesn't just need to spread their games out, they need games fullstop. Their 2018 lineup looks a little better now but it's still pretty small and it's at the cost of 2017, which is now easily one of the worst lineups I've ever seen from a first party.

 

[Samanosuke Akechi]

 

[Mezoly]

MS doesn't expect to gain any ground with the X. It's been stated since it's creation that it purely exists for the small enthusiast.

So MS run Xbox as service. Meaning they are banking on their user base to buy more services and items. Eventually to grow the revenue from the service they need to grow their user base. So if Xbox one X is not aimed to grow the user base, then what is? their sales of Xbox one hardware this year have been really bad and that's in their own home market.

 

[phantasmic_glaive]

I like a challenge, but after thinking about this I found it surprisingly tougher than I first thought it would be. Here is my best attempt.

Xbox One S

Audience: Casual gamers who haven't bought an 8th generation console yet.
Pitch: Play More. Pay Less.
Selling points:

• Lowest entry price yet
• Only console platform with 4K Blu-Ray drive
• Only console platform that provides backward compatibility that gives you access to more inexpensive games
• Only console platform that is future proof with cross buy games with your PC. Play on your console for fun now. Play on your PC later for the ultimate experience.
• Only console with EA Access. For just $4.99 a month you get to play 45+ games like Battlefield 1 and Titanfall 2.

Xbox One X

Audience: Uncompromising early adopters
Pitch: Simply the best console. Period.
Selling points:

• The. Most. Powerful. Console. EVER. Play the absolute best version of 3rd party games.
• Only console platform with 4K Blu-Ray drive
• Only console platform that provides backward compatibility. We got your nostalgia inner geek covered.
• Only console platform with PC cross buy. Relax with the best on console, then get serious with best on PC.
• Why are you still reading this? We had you at "The. Most. Powerful. Console. EVER."

MS not going to differentiate 1st or 3rd party games, they are all Xbox games when speaking to the public. If MS wants to reach more people with BC, they have to get rid of or own it and change the terminology. Nobody wants to go "backwards", start using forward or just "Xbox all play" or some shit.

PC might be the "ultimate experience " but that's the kind of message that got xbox in this position. I dunno, but somehow they must convey this message more clearer.

Xbox one s-
Cheapest 4K console available to play all the best games like: D2, Cod, and NBA 2K18.

-Play original best sellers from XBOX and Xbox 360 like: Ninja Gaiden Black and Fable or Red dead redemption and Left for Dead!

-watch 4k uhd movies in hdr

-games with gold etc.

-play Cuphead

Spoiler

hell, that's why I bought one

I dunno just be more positive.

 

[bede-x]

I think the delay has more to do with improving the game's marketability and visibility than it does improving its core gameplay. They just don't want it to get destroyed by CoD, Destiny, and Battlefront.

If that was the case wouldn't they just give us a new date right away instead of the vague spring? Spring sounds like they're not ready to commit to an actual date, like they're unsure if it'll be ready.

Or perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

 

[Samanosuke Akechi]

Hmmm wonder if this is why Microsoft still haven't listed the X for pre order. Perhaps the X will also be pushed back to spring as well?

 

[VanCityGamer]

I think MS will announce the release date (a day in Fall 2017) for PUBG at Gamescom to counteract some of this negativity. Maybe a couple of release dates for Spring games too, along with some footage of those games.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

So MS run Xbox as service. Meaning they are banking on their user base to buy more services and items. Eventually to grow the revenue from the service they need to grow their user base. So if Xbox one is not aimed to grow the user base, then what is? their sales of Xbox one hardware this year have been really bad and that's in their own home market.

You answered your own question with the first sentence.

 

[Mezoly]

You answered your own question with the first sentence.

How??? Xbox as a service need revenue to grow(like any business) and in order for it to grow, eventually it needs a bigger user base. How they are going to increase the user base if Xbox One X is not part of that growth plan?

 

[C4Lukins]

I am not concerned about the success of ME. I love Crackdown, and I want them to get it right.

Getting a shit game out there sooner is not something I want to be a part of. Better to get it right then release garbage.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

How??? Xbox as a service need revenue to grow(like any business) and in order for it to grow, eventually it needs a bigger user base. How they are going to increase the user base if Xbox One X is not part of that growth plan?

It's not about the user base. It's about attracting people with deep pockets. The GaaS model strategy.

 

[kadotsu]

It is always great to hear all the things that the XBOX doesn't need.

 

[border]

Why double down on this?

A beta is not the final game. A game that never had a release date cannot be 'delayed'. Grasping at straws much?

I'm not really sure why Dreams is the hill that people really want to die on here. It seems pretty clear that the game's development is not at the stage where it was originally meant to be at the current moment in time. It was never given a release date or a release window, but common sense dictates that it is overdue. It's been over two years since the game was showcased in any public capacity.

 

[Black Duke]

Did Mattrick ever had such a bad year first-party wise?
I mean, even PSVR alone has more exclusives...

 

[Mezoly]

It's not about the user base. It's about attracting people with deep pockets. The GaaS model strategy.

I don't feel like Xbox One X will bring in new audience that has deep pockets. I think most of it's owners already own a Xbox and are upgrading. So MS already has their money. But that just my own assumptions

 

[Night Angel]

It is always great to hear all the things that the XBOX doesn't need.

So far this year (and almost all of last), my Xbox didn't need to be turned on.

 

[abstract alien]

Good. That's better than complaining about it dropping now incomplete, along with being out of $60.

 

[Toki767]

I don't feel like Xbox One X will bring in new audience that has deep pockets. I think most of it's owners already own a Xbox and are upgrading. So MS already has their money. But that just my own assumptions

Spencer mentioned a while ago that their strategy is basically to get the diehard Xbox fans who already own an Xbox to spend more money. Not necessarily cater to those who might buy their hardware and then one or two games a year.

 

[Mezoly]

So far this year (and almost all of last), my Xbox didn't need to be turned on.

I tried to turn it on the other day and the controller has lost it's charge because of how long it has been.

Spencer mentioned a while ago that their strategy is basically to get the diehard Xbox fans who already own an Xbox to spend more money. Not necessarily cater to those who might buy their hardware and then one or two games a year.

Sure, increasing the revenue per user is how a service work. However, I think for the long term they need to increase the number of users or revenue growth will stall. GaaS like Rainbow Six Siege continued to have user base increases that drove revenue growth. Do you think MAU will continue to grow if Xbox hardware sales doesn't?

 

[ViviOggi]

I like a challenge, but after thinking about this I found it surprisingly tougher than I first thought it would be. Here is my best attempt.

Xbox One S

Audience: Casual gamers who haven't bought an 8th generation console yet.
Pitch: Play More. Pay Less.
Selling points:

• Lowest entry price yet
• Only console platform with 4K Blu-Ray drive
• Only console platform that provides backward compatibility that gives you access to more inexpensive games
• Only console platform that is future proof with cross buy games with your PC. Play on your console for fun now. Play on your PC later for the ultimate experience.
• Only console platform with EA Access. For just $4.99 a month you get to play 45+ games like Battlefield 1 and Titanfall 2.

Xbox One X

Audience: Uncompromising early adopters
Pitch: Simply the best console. Period.
Selling points:

• The. Most. Powerful. Console. EVER. Play the absolute best version of 3rd party games.
• Only console platform with 4K Blu-Ray drive
• Only console platform that provides backward compatibility. We got your nostalgia inner geek covered.
• Only console platform with PC cross buy. Relax with the best on console, then get serious with best on PC.
• Only console platform with EA Access. Play the hit games before the rest. Get 45+ games.
• Why are you still reading this? We had you at "The. Most. Powerful. Console. EVER."

So the merits of the actual product, seems good

 

[DrLudgerBrink]

Any exclusives left this year? That pirate game and Forza 218?

How's the ps4's first party 2017 holiday lineup looking these days eh?

 

[Toki767]

How's the ps4's first party 2017 holiday lineup looking these days eh?

PS4 first party's last 3 months of 2017 is going to be about as eventful as Xbox One first party's first 9 months of 2017.

 

[ScaryShark]

How's the ps4's first party 2017 holiday lineup looking these days eh?

At this point, pretty comparable actually.

 

[Black Duke]

How's the ps4's first party 2017 holiday lineup looking these days eh?

wait.
Isn't Sea of Thieves slated for 2018?

 

[MattAces]

How's the ps4's first party 2017 holiday lineup looking these days eh?

leftover ps4 exclusive this year? Nothing much I guess, just small games.
Only GT Sport, Uncharted Lost Legacy, Yakuza Kiwami, Everybody's Golf, Knack 2, The Inpatient (Until Dawn prequel)

 

[DrLudgerBrink]

PS4 first party's last 3 months of 2017 is going to be about as eventful as Xbox One first party's first 9 months of 2017.

Nice. That brings up a good point... MS only has to release one decent game (Horizons 89% metacritic) to be on par with Sony's first party offerings for the entire year.

 

[Mezoly]

leftover ps4 exclusive this year? Nothing much I guess, just small games.
Only GT Sport, Uncharted Lost Legacy, Yakuza Kiwami, Everybody's Golf, Knack 2, The Inpatient (Until Dawn prequel)

You could've just put Knack 2 and proved your argument.

 

[VanCityGamer]

How's the ps4's first party 2017 holiday lineup looking these days eh?

lol. Let's compare the exclusives released so far in 2017.

PS4 absolutely destroys XB1 on the year as a whole.

 

[MattAces]

Nice. That brings up a good point... MS only has to release one decent game (Horizons 89% metacritic) to be on par with Sony's first party offerings for the entire year.

Yea, just keep doing this.

 

[BrettHeazy]

We heard your "it looks like a last gen game" feedback and have decided to delay to improve the game.

Hopefully looks and runs a lot better in 8 months.

 

[VanCityGamer]

Nice. That brings up a good point... MS only has to release one decent game (Horizons 89% metacritic) to be on par with Sony's first party offerings for the entire year.

Not that I agree with anything in your post, but you call Horizon's 89 MC score "decent"? What the hell? That can't be good for Xbox since not a single non-racing exclusive of theirs has topped that this entire generation.

Horizon is one of the best games this generation and IMO better than any XB1 exclusive I've played.