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[Servbot24]

Correct. I'm not going to listen to it and I dont feel that I have too. If you want to get informed opnions on Nintendo, Sony, JRPG's etc then I think that Easy Allies would be one of the first places you would go - for Microsoft and Xbox, not so much.

Im more trying to counter the inevitable posts that are sure to follow this thread by stating they wouldnt be my first, second or twentieth port of call to get insight into whats happening with all things Xbox.

Most of them have XBoxes, enjoy the platform, and are eager for it to succeed.

There's a perception that journalists, entertainment figures and forum-goers at large are biased against XBox. That may be occasionally true, but by and large there simply isn't that much to talk about aside from hardware, relatively speaking.

 

[Skiptastic]

I think people are continuing to underestimate how much of a catastrophe the debut of the Xbox One itself was to the brands image. Following an era where 360 dominated the landscape, along comes the Xbox One with all of its disastrous little anti consumer quirks then Sony plays up that notion, with the DRM side of things especially and just lets it snowball. The rest is history.

EDIT: You know what, z0m3le said it better:

The Xbox 1 launched $100 more expensive than the PS4 and was an inferior gaming product. Microsoft doesn't have a country willing to support it that doesn't care about it's competitor that is as productive as Japan, so Xbox has no upperhand to play outside of Microsoft's bankrolling of it's own exclusives, which it has failed to do. The Microsoft CEO wanted to get rid of Xbox division but has instead just ignored it and not given the division the same resources 360 enjoyed last generation.

 

[Fliesen]

I disagree. I think people overestimate that damage. The console audience has shown that it doesn't hesitate to switch sides when someone else offers a better product. For much of its lifecycle Xbox 360 was a better product than PS3. PS4 is a better product than XB1. If XB2 proves to be a better product than PS5 then most people will buy that.

You're perfectly correct that the loyalty people had for the 360 didn't stop many of them from switching to the PS4 when the generational jump happened.

But i do think that, with (probably) backwards compatibilities, digital game libraries, subscription services, etc. - losing THIS generation was a way bigger deal than some expect, and the bolded isn't as much of a fact as you're assuming it is.

People had no real baggage when switching from 360 to PS4 - maybe their achievements / gamer score. Now, people own hundreds of dollars in digitally purchased games, a huge backlog of free games, etc.
It's contuously becoming harder / more 'hurtful' to completely switch ecosystem of choice. - it's an entirely different situation compared to the PS360 -> Xbone/PS4 jump.

MS had a great position on the gaming market, and at an imho critical moment, they completely and utterly fumbled.

 

[RichiRamjag]

jez corden's twitter

Lol. I was thinking Timdog's.

 

[Bits N Pieces]

jez corden's twitter

Lol. I was thinking Timdog's.

With these fine quips anyone would think I had a persecution complex, lol.

 

[xabbott]

Most of them have XBoxes, enjoy the platform, and are eager for it to succeed.

There's a perception that journalists, entertainment figures and forum-goers at large are biased against XBox. That may be occasionally true, but by and large there simply isn't that much to talk about aside from hardware, relatively speaking.

I listen to a lot of podcast. The problem is even when there is stuff to talk about like indies that launch there first, game preview stuff, or just things like ui, game preview, etc. Most of them only turn it on to play MS' AAA offerings if that. So they have to guess or just not mention stuff happening on XBox. Arthur Gies and Jeff Gerstmann were the only two bigger journalist/podcasters I can recall that even kept up with the ecosystem.

Maybe that'll change with XB1X if review codes favor it.

 

[wapplew]

The latter is only half of the story. They need to keep the existing revenue streams in tact by retaining consumers in their ecosystem (XBL, Gamepass), but they also need to expand that market (to what extent I'm not sure) to bring in/counter those who are leaving with additional revenue. They need the consumer base to expand, not tighten. With the Xbox One X they need to bite a little into both the PS4 market, as well as the PC market. The Xbox One X is this venn diagram that is being positioned across all three (current Xbox owners, PS4 Pro and PC markets). Don't kid yourself they only need current Xbox owners to upgrade to stay afloat.

The next year might look good because they have all those new hardware sales and XBL subs on the books, but they need both to have staying power to stay profitable.

Of course they need to expand and they are.
One S is slowing down but still selling, they have mincraft and Kinect remasters ready for family/casual market this holiday.
One X for retain the core, restore confidence to the brand; One S for new customers. Both have different propose and both are nesassry move.
We don't know how the market will react to one X yet, it's might find new market who want premium console.
We have no idea premium smart phone become main seller before iPhone too, anything is possible.

 

[otakukidd]

I disagree. I think people overestimate that damage. The console audience has shown that it doesn't hesitate to switch sides when someone else offers a better product. For much of its lifecycle Xbox 360 was a better product than PS3. PS4 is a better product than XB1. If XB2 proves to be a better product than PS5 then most people will buy that.

I think next gen BC is going to play a big role here. This gen was the easiest gen for people to switch cause there was no BC. Nothing to keep people locked in the ecosystem. If the ps5 has BC it's going to be very hard for Xbox to get a significant amount of people to forgo their physical and digital library and switch consoles.

 

[killroy87]

Xbox doesn't get nearly enough credit for the things it has done right. As a platform is services, it's a much better value than the PS4. Things like Games Pass, EA Access, Backwards Compatibility, a baked in looking for games feature, preview program, early access games, and more.

Xbox has spent the last couple years building out the feature set of the platform in really cool ways. I can't remember the last really awesome feature Sony implemented into the PS4 platform. PS Now?

 

[_Legacy_]

I'm XB1 through and through, pre-ordered the console despite the 'always on' madness, I've been with XBL since OG and wasn't about to migrate and leave some of my friends behind. I think XB1 suffered and will never catch up to Sony for two reasons, the 'always on' fiasco (and getting bodied by Sony at E3 that year) and lack of 'must-play' exclusives.

We all know how Don and co really effed up. I still look back at that Angry Joe interview with Larry Hyrb at E3, where Joe was saying how the devs could surely remove the always on restriction before being shut down by Larry. Only then for MS to turn around a while after and confirm always on is removed. This is quite possibly one of the biggest, if not the biggest console maketing fails of all time, given the huge disadvantage it has caused MS and what is most likely irrecoverable position in terms of console sales this generation. Worthy mention to Adam "Just deal with it"' Orth as well, XB1 was a marketing disaster.

That leaves my second point, the majority of XB1 exclusives falling flat or just getting stale. Halo 6 multiplayer was good but campaign was poor, Sunset Overdrive was average, Quantum Break was poor (could have been executed far better), Gears 4 was boring and multiplayer not gripping like G1. ReCore could have been better.

With the exception of the Forza series and Ori, I can't think of any XB1 exclusive that has knocked it out the park. I really hope Cuphead is good but I fear Sea of Thieves will fall short.

Compare that to PS4, Bloodborne was exceptional, Nioh was brilliant, Uncharted 4 was well received, I could go on. I just hope MS focus on bringing great games to the console and revitalising the stale IPs. Also, bring back Scalebound!

I know that the XB1X is aimed at the hardcore but I have seen nothing to suggest why I need to buy one just yet.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Easy Allies is not where I would go for an informed 'hot take' on all things Xbox.

Agreed. They are a good group, but know very little about Xbox.

 

[KageMaru]

Hopefully the more the industry and community put pressure on MS, the sooner they start showing they give a crap about the platform.

 

[Outrun]

Where would you go then? Not Eurogamer either I take it?

It's just a discussion/opinion piece as you'd get elsewhere from other journalists in the industry.

Or right here on GAF.

 

[Machina]

Hopefully the more the industry and community put pressure on MS, the sooner they start showing they give a crap about the platform.

I doubt that. They'll sooner send the whole division to the depths

 

[Servbot24]

Xbox doesn't get nearly enough credit for the things it has done right. As a platform is services, it's a much better value than the PS4. Things like Games Pass, EA Access, Backwards Compatibility, a baked in looking for games feature, preview program, early access games, and more.

Xbox has spent the last couple years building out the feature set of the platform in really cool ways. I can't remember the last really awesome feature Sony implemented into the PS4 platform. PS Now?

I think XBox gets its due for those features. The problem is that after they're out, there's not much to say. It would be "On today's podcast we'll talk about how BC, EA Access and Games Pass are still features on XBox One." Yes there are new games added to BC and things like that, but aside from specialty podcasts most hosts don't want to routinely talk about 360 games.

The bottom line is that gamers want new games more than they want new streaming services, subscription models or hardware features, so new games will always get the most press.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

I disagree. I think people overestimate that damage. The console audience has shown that it doesn't hesitate to switch sides when someone else offers a better product. For much of its lifecycle Xbox 360 was a better product than PS3. PS4 is a better product than XB1. If XB2 proves to be a better product than PS5 then most people will buy that.

That was an NA/UK phenomenon though.

In the rest of Europe the X360 benefitted from the early launch/lower price combo but even with that the PS3 handily outsold it.

There's brand loyalty, it's less developed in the US maybe but I don't see one Xbox console outselling a Sony one ever.

 

[Dmax3901]

Easy Allies is not where I would go for an informed 'hot take' on all things Xbox.

Is there such a thing as an informed hot take?

 

[KageMaru]

I doubt that. They'll sooner send the whole division to the depths

I don't know about that. I know good guy Phil is a running joke for some here but I think he has a genuine love for this industry. He was in charge of the 1st party output when it was strong. Truth is we don't know what's going on internally but if anyone's hands are tied from changing things for the better, the pressure may be the evidence they need to change minds of those in charge.

 

[Quonny]

Easy Allies is not where I would go for an informed 'hot take' on all things Xbox.

It's called a hot take for a reason. It's not some super informed, researched piece.

 

[rudger]

The initial reveal of Xbox one mixed with things I was told by multiple friends in advertising on how they planned to use the Kinect made me swear off the brand. But they've dropped that Trojan horse and have been turning the Xbox one x into a backward compatible 4K machine. They are trying to make it one box to access your entire Xbox line of products no matter when you bought it and throwing in the ability to also play some of these games on PC. For the first time in years I am intrigued in buying into Xbox. And I won't be disappointed if all it does is play (almost) everything I already own from Xbox but in a new, hopefully reliable, powerful box. It's like their Wii U (which I love).

I don't need to pay for online or do more than get the system and a handful of games I missed on Xbox one to be happy with it. But I don't trust the brand at all though. The head of Xbox has done a good job turning things around image wise, but ultimately they are still a part of Microsoft and at any moment Microsoft can change their mind with what they want to do with it.

 

[kc44135]

I disagree. I think people overestimate that damage. The console audience has shown that it doesn't hesitate to switch sides when someone else offers a better product. For much of its lifecycle Xbox 360 was a better product than PS3. PS4 is a better product than XB1. If XB2 proves to be a better product than PS5 then most people will buy that.

Yeah, I don't think there is much loyalty. The 360 had enough of a digital foot print but that didn't stop people from switching. PS2 to 36, 360 to PS3 as well.

I do however think it would be interesting if Sony or Microsoft didn't balls up in some way next gen and Microsoft had more games, what would happen?

I mean, if there's a huge gap in quality or game line-ups between PS5 and X2, then yeah, people could "switch sides". I feel like things might be different next-gen, though. Both consoles will likely have BC (which neither console offered at the start of this gen), and I think the idea of carrying forward your library and staying within the PlayStation/Xbox ecosystems could be very appealing for many at the start of next-gen. If this is the case, and full BC is a thing, I think this gives Sony a major advantage, especially if they continue to push for real exclusives and MS doesn't.

Assuming third-party games offer a similar experience across both platforms, and assuming both consoles are similar in price, and Sony offers a solid line-up of exclusives, I think PS5 takes the lead next-gen. I'm not sure what MS can really do to turn things around at this point, other than offering an experience that is truly better than their competitor in some way, having dramatically better versions of third-party games (similar to 360 vs. PS3 multiplats last-gen), or having a line-up of truly killer exclusives (that are actually exclusive). I just don't think they're going to offer any of that though, and I have to wonder where that leaves Xbox in the grand scheme of things. I don't think things are looking right now, unfortunately.

 

[SpotAnime]

Of course they need to expand and they are.
One S is slowing down but still selling, they have mincraft and Kinect remasters ready for family/casual market this holiday.
One X for retain the core, restore confidence to the brand; One S for new customers. Both have different propose and both are nesassry move.
We don't know how the market will react to one X yet, it's might find new market who want premium console.
We have no idea premium smart phone become main seller before iPhone too, anything is possible.

The Xbox One X is a solution to a problem Microsoft will have two or three years from now. That's why it's so perplexing what their plan is and how it may do for them. Taking a chance on upgrading hardware, at a $100 price increase, without closing the software gap? And saying it's a niche premium product where clearly that's not the market they should be addressing?

It's a gamble. Maybe it will sell really well and it becomes the de facto multiplat machine, and maybe that will translate to more first party games and exclusives. Maybe it will sell enough to keep the Xbox brand in the conversation and be a nice second or third place console, or sell to folks who are interested in the Halo/Gears/Forza cycle.

I don't see this moving through needle forward in any capacity, but clearly I'm not smart enough to be in Phil's position so we'll all see when the NPDs come out this holiday and for the next year.

 

[scitek]

MS lost this generation when they included Kinect and launched at $499.

 

[Marcel]

They bet on non-VR motion gaming after it was already not relevant, had a more expensive and less powerful system, attempted to introduce a DRM system nobody liked and all the while Don Mattrick sounded like an idiot trying to justify its existence.

Any company can pick itself up off the ground if Sony is any indication but Microsoft has to do the work. Cancelling and delaying games doesn't give the appearance they are doing so. It gives the appearance that they are mismanaged.

 

[Uno Venova]

Seems like the unfair Microsoft bias of GAF has been able to spread their influences to Eurogamer AND Easy Allies.

 

[Jacqli]

They need the Gears of War of this generation, but when you barely release any game, it is almost impossible.

 

[atr0cious]

I listen to a lot of podcast. The problem is even when there is stuff to talk about like indies that launch there first, game preview stuff, or just things like ui, game preview, etc. Most of them only turn it on to play MS' AAA offerings if that. So they have to guess or just not mention stuff happening on XBox. Arthur Gies and Jeff Gerstmann were the only two bigger journalist/podcasters I can recall that even kept up with the ecosystem.

Maybe that'll change with XB1X if review codes favor it.

Isn't this mainly because there's a gigantic gap in the amount of games coming between the PS and the XB? How is it the podcasts fault that there is such a huge disparity in what they can cover?

Phil floated out some line about not needing marketing deals, but that's literally the only thing that kept the system relevant it's first year. I'm glad they delayed crackdown though, because them not being able to show the reason it exists at e3 was embarrassing. I'm hoping they took the backlash as an impetus to get that stuff working, because it coming this fall without it would've killed the franchise; still might.

 

[KORNdoggy]

I disagree. I think people overestimate that damage. The console audience has shown that it doesn't hesitate to switch sides when someone else offers a better product. For much of its lifecycle Xbox 360 was a better product than PS3. PS4 is a better product than XB1. If XB2 proves to be a better product than PS5 then most people will buy that.

i think that's going to change now these consoles could/should offer full backwards compatibility, especially digitally going forward. last gen was a clean break because neither party carried over their content/peripherals or anything. it's easy to switch sides when this happens.

but this time they aren't just lumps of plastic with some discs you can sell off and trade in for the next one. people are digitally invested in each platforms ecosystem...some of which are HEAVILY invested. and with next gen potentially promising to support legacy software, will people be so willing to switch? i mean, look at apple. people feel stuck in that ecosystem and that's a platform with apps costing 79p. how about people who have games costing £54.99...that's not including services that promote continued subscriptions like PS+ offerings and games with gold.

sony has snatched a larger market share at a time where it was vital. and i think you'll see most people sticking with whatever they own now moving into the next gen as the price for switching increases.

 

[watdaeff4]

why do you need a niche premium product when your mass market product is not setting the world on fire? it also looks like they spent quite a bit more on R&D and marketing than Sony did for theirs which has a much much heigher sales potential.

Milk it's core fanbase for as much $$$ as possible. The new Minecraft edition XB1 going for $400 is another example of that.

I stated in another thread, I don't know exactly what MS strategy is - I'm assuming to try to maximize profits out of the already established fanbase instead of significantly increasing marketshare.

If they really wanted to increase sales, they would drop the price of that Minecraft edition to $199-$250. That would sell well. At $400???? Nope.

I hate that first argument. No offense meant but that's really used in defense of Microsoft and the Xbox rather than fact. They say it's a premium product publicly, but the balance sheets would show they need to move product more than they are today to pay for R&D alone, in the least to keep the division from hemorrhaging money.

I agree they are wanting to increase profit - see above.

They are taking a different route than what they did in the past (out of necessity basically)

 

[DriftingSpirit]

Milk it's core fanbase for as much $$$ as possible. The new Minecraft edition XB1 going for $400 is another example of that.

I stated in another thread, I don't know exactly what MS strategy is - I'm assuming to try to maximize profits out of the already established fanbase instead of significantly increasing marketshare.

If they really wanted to increase sales, they would drop the price of that Minecraft edition to $199-$250. That would sell well. At $400???? Nope.

Agreed.

Their strategy isn't to expand. They already see that path as being highly resistant for them. It is to get the most out of the users who are already there and are unlikely to leave.

 

[amdb00mer]

Easy Allies is not where I would go for an informed 'hot take' on all things Xbox.

Agreed. The reason I don't watch them as when they were all on Gametrailers most always had a negative view towards MS even during the X360 era.

 

[LukasTaves]

I still inclined to believe MS first party "issue" in 2017 simply the fallout of rushed announcement at E3 2014, it's not the sign of MS new direction or anything.
It's a chain of unfortunate events for their 2014 projects, which leave a big hole this year. We'll see the full picture next year when they announce project they started in 2015.
Also, I disagree with Damiani on MS getting out of hardware business. MS want closed eco-system where all transactions go through Xbox live, they can't have that on PC, Xbox hardware is crucial.

PS. The look on their face when they try to think what have MS released in 2017, hehe. L&R

Yeah, before the canned games and delays they were supposed to have a strong year. It's still worrying why seemingly all their projects failed to meet their due dates, but perhaps they learned their lesson from rushing games to the market with Recore, which wouldn't necessarily be bad.

It's a particularly strange moment for them, because if they announce new far away projects when they are not yet delivering the ones they promised years ago it would look bad, but taking years to deliver many projects also make them look bad...

 

[Primethius]

Correct. I'm not going to listen to it and I dont feel that I have too. If you want to get informed opnions on Nintendo, Sony, JRPG's etc then I think that Easy Allies would be one of the first places you would go - for Microsoft and Xbox, not so much.

Im more trying to counter the inevitable posts that are sure to follow this thread by stating they wouldnt be my first, second or twentieth port of call to get insight into whats happening with all things Xbox.

So basically you're discrediting the content of the subject without having watched it because of what you percieve the group to be?

Cool. Got it. Thanks for the contribution.

 

[Kill3r7]

i think that's going to change now these consoles could/should offer full backwards compatibility, especially digitally going forward. last gen was a clean break because neither party carried over their content/peripherals or anything. it's easy to switch sides when this happens.

but this time they aren't just lumps of plastic with some discs you can sell off and trade in for the next one. people are digitally invested in each platforms ecosystem...some of which are HEAVILY invested. and with next gen potentially promising to support legacy software, will people be so willing to switch? i mean, look at apple. people feel stuck in that ecosystem and that's a platform with apps costing 79p. how about people who have games costing £54.99...that's not including services that promote continued subscriptions like PS+ offerings and games with gold.

sony has snatched a larger market share at a time where it was vital. and i think you'll see most people sticking with whatever they own now moving into the next gen as the price for switching increases.

Fair assessment. Although I suspect that this only really impacts the core crowd, us, who spend thousands of dollars on each ecosystem. That said, the gradual switch to digital only cements these allegiances.

 

[Norse]

I disagree. I think people overestimate that damage. The console audience has shown that it doesn't hesitate to switch sides when someone else offers a better product. For much of its lifecycle Xbox 360 was a better product than PS3. PS4 is a better product than XB1. If XB2 proves to be a better product than PS5 then most people will buy that.

I tend to agree with this. As bad as the X1's launch was compared to ps4, it was still selling ahead of the 360 numbers for quite some time. Ps4 has just done so well that that X1 seems in worse shape. In the US, I believe the numbers are less than a 60/40 split..maybe 55/45 here. MS blew it more by price at launch than anything. They should have made a kinectless option at launch. This alone would have closed the gap out of the gates by pricing the X1 equal to or maybe less than ps4 at launch. This alone may have been enough to keep more of their 360 owners from jumping to ps4.

 

[Crayon]

Seeking out sources that agree with you and ignoring sources that don't. Well. Good luck.

 

[Raven117]

Xbox pretty much made the same mistake Sony made in the Ps3/360 generation by over-pricing their console...Sprinkle in the bad word of mouth with anti-consumer practice and you have a disaster.

The issue with Xbox is that they have not shown the commitment to first party titles that Sony has. This is what ultimately saved the ps3 generation for Sony after that awful launch and a year later.

Further making matters worse is that Xbox let Sony out bid them to be the "CoD, Destiny," platform of choice for timed exclusives.

If Xbox knew that they weren't on the ball with first party stuff, they really needed to double down on the CoD/Destiny type timed exclusive stuff. They didnt.

Unless you are just in the eco-system of Xbox, then when compared to the Ps4, there just weren't a lot of reasons to go with the Xbox. And even with the release of XboxOneX, its just too little too late. The early adopters, their friends, and likely their friends already are on the Ps4.

 

[ThanksVision]

at this point i think MS just needs a fresh start with xbox two if they want to take back the throne. maybe they can pump all their limited resources they pool in from the One X sales and such into first party development for the next gen

 

[Crayon]

From the very start, xbox has had one goal and that was to beat playstation. I think that changed somewhere around two years ago and they don't know what to do with themselves.

 

[kevin1025]

Watched it last night. I agree with a lot of what they said, except for the Steam talk. I've been wanting a reason to go Xbox One X, but PC seems like the better choice (for me). But I'll still be buying their games and a Windows 10 copy, so they will get my money in a different way.

For the Xbox business specifically, it feels scattered and like they want to keep things the way they are than try something crazy or different. I'm fine with the games they make, but to gain back some market, I think with the amount of studios they have, it will be a major uphill climb.

 

[Scrotum Phillips]

As someone who adored his 360, this whole generation has been a clusterfuck for me with the Xbox brand. It started off with them leaning into the Kinect, terrible messaging, less powerful and $100 more expensive. This made it an easy switch to the PS4 as my primary machine with the belief I'd pick up XB1 somewhere down the road.

With that said, I now have a 4K TV, some disposable income and I honestly struggle with the XB1 brand immensely more than I'd ever imagine these days and don't see myself getting the XB1X anytime soon.

What I enjoy about the PS4 Pro is that I'm positive I'm playing the BEST version of Horizon, MLB, Uncharted and other exclusives on this machine. While the XB1X is more powerful than the Pro, the unquestioned best place to play XB1 games will be on the PC if you have a machine that can do that. These days I'm not much of a PC person for gaming, but I feel that if I'm putting $500 towards a machine to play games better that exist on other platforms, I might as well just go the extra step and put that into a PC to play games at their peak ability. It's akin to me to buying something expensive like a car and then saving a few bucks going for a less powerful engine that just kind of nerfs the potential enjoyment I could potentially get out that car that will always be in the back of my mind. I know it's more money, but if you're that invested in better looking XB1 games, might as well just go for it if you're willing to already put down $500.

Unfortunately with the Xbox 1 lifespan so far, there's been very few exclusives (currently have a not great gaming PC, so counting console/PC as "exclusive" for me) that have made me really want an XB1 so far. It's just in this weird area where FOR ME, I just don't see the point in the XB1X, when everything is basically available on the PC which offers better performance and free online.

Interested to see how this all goes for them and if they'll ever be able to get me back.

 

[CalamityPixel]

As someone who is biased to Xbox and more. It isn't looking good. I think most importantly they need to improve their brand image befire moving consoles and games.

Next E3 will show whether or not there is a future for Xbox.

 

[creatchee]

Xbox can and will make the gap a little closer if they make Playerunknown's Battlegrounds a legitimate console exclusive - not timed, or launch, or whatever, but an actual XBOX Console Exclusive. Open the checkbook and buy the damned game. People are building PCs to play it because they don't want to wait for console release. Others really want to play it but don't want to game on PC for whatever reason. Make Xbox the home of PUBG. It's a phenomenon - that lightning in a bottle that only comes around so often. There is no other game currently out there that could make people buy a specific console. It's too bad that it won't be ready for the Xbox One X launch.

 

[Marcel]

As someone who is biased to Xbox and more. It isn't looking good. I think most importantly they need to improve their brand image befire moving consoles and games.

Next E3 will show whether or not there is a future for Xbox.

I feel like Microsoft's actions for the Xbox brand have indicated that they are aware of their uncool/damaged status as a brand and are just going to soak their loyalists more and more. Perhaps they will drag themselves out of the muck and resonate with more people one day but looking at them today shouldn't give anyone much hope on the image factor.

Xbox can and will make the gap a little closer if they make Playerunknown's Battlegrounds a legitimate console exclusive - not timed, or launch, or whatever, but an actual XBOX Console Exclusive. Open the checkbook and buy the damned game. People are building PCs to play it because they don't want to wait for console release. Others really want to play it but don't want to game on PC for whatever reason. Make Xbox the home of PUBG. It's a phenomenon - that lightning in a bottle that only comes around so often. There is no other game currently out there that could make people buy a specific console. It's too bad that it won't be ready for the Xbox One X launch.

Putting your eggs in one basket is foolhardy. PUBG is popular -now-, sure, but it's a game of the moment. Remember when DayZ was the game du jour? Where is it now?

 

[RedRooster]

You're perfectly correct that the loyalty people had for the 360 didn't stop many of them from switching to the PS4 when the generational jump happened.

But i do think that, with (probably) backwards compatibilities, digital game libraries, subscription services, etc. - losing THIS generation was a way bigger deal than some expect, and the bolded isn't as much of a fact as you're assuming it is.

People had no real baggage when switching from 360 to PS4 - maybe their achievements / gamer score. Now, people own hundreds of dollars in digitally purchased games, a huge backlog of free games, etc.
It's contuously becoming harder / more 'hurtful' to completely switch ecosystem of choice. - it's an entirely different situation compared to the PS360 -> Xbone/PS4 jump.

MS had a great position on the gaming market, and at an imho critical moment, they completely and utterly fumbled.

That is an excellent point and I agree that it is very much being ignored or downplayed. Switching at the start of this gen was extremely easy but now I absolutely would not be willing to simply switch back and leave all this digital content sitting on an inactive account. I'm one of the weirdos that always only owns one console as that is more than enough money and time to tie up in this hobby for me.

 

[Vinc]

Great discussion, but one thing I keep hearing in games media is that the console is still selling extremely well, just not as much as PS4. I feel like that narrative is outdated, but I could be wrong. Haven't the sales kinda fallen off a cliff this year?

 

[creatchee]

Putting your eggs in one basket is foolhardy. PUBG is popular -now-, sure, but it's a game of the moment. Remember when DayZ was the game du jour? Where is it now?

DayZ has sold ~3 million copies in just under 4 years and has a flat, if not negative growth rate. PUBG has sold ~8 million in about 5 months with no signs of stopping. You do the math.

 

[Uno Venova]

Great discussion, but one thing I keep hearing in games media is that the console is still selling extremely well, just not as much as PS4. I feel like that narrative is outdated, but I could be wrong. Haven't the sales kinda fallen off a cliff this year?

Yeah that narrative probably should have changed once it started falling behind the 360, if it's not doing well in the US, so i think it's safe to say it's doing poorly in other countries.

 

[Marcel]

DayZ has sold ~3 million copies in just under 4 years and has a flat, if not negative growth rate. PUBG has sold ~8 million in about 5 months with no signs of stopping. You do the math.

The moment that the streamer crowds move onto the next hot game all the investment in PUBG would be useless. Microsoft made a more solid bet on Minecraft and they seem to be happy with that for the moment.

 

[SpotAnime]

Milk it's core fanbase for as much $$$ as possible. The new Minecraft edition XB1 going for $400 is another example of that.

I stated in another thread, I don't know exactly what MS strategy is - I'm assuming to try to maximize profits out of the already established fanbase instead of significantly increasing marketshare.

If they really wanted to increase sales, they would drop the price of that Minecraft edition to $199-$250. That would sell well. At $400???? Nope.


I agree they are wanting to increase profit - see above.

They are taking a different route than what they did in the past (out of necessity basically)

I feel like Microsoft's actions for the Xbox brand have indicated that they are aware of their uncool/damaged status as a brand and are just going to soak their loyalists more and more. Perhaps they will drag themselves out of the muck and resonate with more people one day but looking at them today shouldn't give anyone much hope on the image factor.



Putting your eggs in one basket is foolhardy. PUBG is popular -now-, sure, but it's a game of the moment. Remember when DayZ was the game du jour? Where is it now?

I agree with both of you, this is what it seems like Microsoft is doing to its consumer base, and it doesn't sit well with me at all. Squeezing pennies (or in this case Benjamins) out of loyal consumers I think is pretty scummy, and isn't a long term sustainable plan.

Also, I was thinking the same thing about PUBG. It's lightning in a bottle this year, but what about next year? I'm sure there will be loyalists who continue to play but also potentially droves more moving to the next big thing. The best outcome for Xbox is for the game to start to fizzle when the timed exclusivity runs out, because a hot game in the hands of the beet selling console might cause folks to switch and potential consumers to choose PS4 over Xbox.