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[RCU005]

Microsoft had an amazing opportunity to start from scratch next generation. While the Xbox One failed, it wasn't a huge failure for Microsoft, it just looks like that comparing it to the PS4 and Switch.

Phil Spencer also did an amazing job getting a lot of good will back to the brand from a lot of people. Whether it was because he listened, he did a good job with backwards compatibility, and now Game Pass is also a good service that seems it will be successful.

But here are the bad news. The worst think that Microsoft is doing, is that they seem to still be laser-focused on the competition, instead of their own strategy.

After the seemingly confirmed, almost-real Xbox Series X, it is very apparent that this thing exist for the sole purpose of undercutting Sony's PS5. That's it! There is no reason for it to exist. They have been on and on about "The most powerful console", all their initial next gen marketing was about POWER! Now, what will it be? "The most powerful console, and the least powerful console but cheaper"?

If they didn't worry too much about the competition and focus 100% on themselves and their own strategy, The XSX would be the most wanted console this coming generation, not the PS5. Why?

They had everything in their hands. People started responding very well to next gen Xbox news. They loved the idea of this amazing, so powerful console! The 12 TB was so good news, that it started a fanboy debate all over again like PS3/360. Everyone was so excited about the future. Then there's gamepss! They had everything! But then what happened?

The games happened!

First, the third party "gameplay" showcase with no gameplay: It's not even about the gameplay, but it just showed that they didn't have games that would utilize the power of the Xbox series X. People got disappointed that it looked more like the recent PS4's State of Play instead of a next-gen showcase.

Secondly, their Xbox Studios showcase: People were disappointed about the first showcase, but I thing 100% of gamers were excited an waiting for the "real" showcase, the one that will show the actual next-gen experience and will kill every hype the PS5 had. Sadly, that didn't happen. They were obviously not well prepared for that, and it showed that Microsoft doesn't have an actual short-term strategy, and are hoping that gamepass and BC will sell the XSX in the meantime while the games are ready.

The Halo Infinite gameplay also made it apparent that they can't utilize the power of the XSX because of the Xbox One and in a way XSS. While it is a god strategy to keep all the ecosystem alive, it is at a cost of the experiences people will have at the beginning at least.

Microsoft should've gone all in on Xbox Series X like how Sony had to go all in with PS4 and succeeded. Had they focused entirely on the XSX, they would have gotten much more appeal. Just imagine if Halo Infinite would have looked so good, that you could say it wouldn't even be possible on PS5 and you'd need a huge PC upgrade to play it. They should've let the console speak for itself. They already had people hooked, and there were comments that many people would be willing to pay $600 for it, since it couldn't be cheaper due to being a MONSTER of a machine. If Microsoft had great games, had nailed their showcases and focused on themselves, they could've announced the price at $600 and everyone would've bought it without question.

But they are just too focused on the competition. Don't believe me? Why did Xbox tweeted about their controller compatibility right after Sony announced PS5's? Why do they keep doing those "burn" practices, instead of doing their own thing? T

I still think the Xbox Series X will be a much more successful console, but, in my opinion, Xbox need a whole new team, that can build the brand with their own stuff, just like how Nintendo and Sony has been doing for a while.

 

[Cert.in.Death]

It's time to go outside. Get some air, come back once another Xbox SKU leaks from a bag of Doritos.

 

[Shambala]

Can u imagine the XSS. The should just scrap that. They are spreading themselves thin by supporting all these consoles. I think it’s going to bite them in the ass. These new Xboxes may sell even less than Xbox ones.

 

[Skifi28]

Can u imagine the XSS. The should just scrap that. They are spreading themselves thin by supporting all these consoles. I think it’s going to bite them in the ass. These new Xboxes may sell even less than Xbox ones.

Dunno, a series S + gamepass should do pretty well with casuals or a second console. Even I am tempted to get one for those few MS exclusives I want to play.

 

[Unknown?]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

 

[Chiggs]

While the Xbox One failed, it wasn't a huge failure for Microsoft, it just looks like that comparing it to the PS4 and Switch.

No, it's pretty much a total failure, and you can't remove its main competitors from the equation and try to maintain credibility.

As someone who favors his Xbox One X to all current machines, I can tell you first hand that the only major bright spots for the system are:

• 4k enhanced backwards compatibility (huge for me, but maybe not for others)
• Forza Horizon 3 and 4
• Best multi-platform experience since late 2017.

Outside of that, it's an absolute disaster. Sony and Nintendo have both taken turns mopping the floor with Microsoft, and to see just how far they've fallen since the 360 is depressing.

Basically, it's now or never for the Xbox brand, because Nadella is too smart of a CEO and won't let Phil and friends get away with another failure.

Personally, I think MS is out of the console game in 6 years if they turn in a similar performance to the One series.

 

[MrFunSocks]

Well that's.........................something. You're wrong about almost everything, but good try I guess.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

Can u imagine the XSS. The should just scrap that. They are spreading themselves thin by supporting all these consoles. I think it’s going to bite them in the ass. These new Xboxes may sell even less than Xbox ones.

What's wrong with the XSS? It's the XSX, just running at 1080p.

 

[ZehDon]

... The worst think that Microsoft is doing, is that they seem to still be laser-focused on the competition, instead of their own strategy...
... But they are just too focused on the competition. Don't believe me? Why did Xbox tweeted about their controller compatibility right after Sony announced PS5's? Why do they keep doing those "burn" practices, instead of doing their own thing?...

Microsoft is pushing Gamepass, the largest market disrupting change to come to video games since they revolutionised the console space with Xbox Live, with their platform diversification strategy that's well ahead of the curve, and you think they're too focused on... Sony?

Microsoft lost the console war with the Xbone under Mattrick. Spencer has a different plan - make Xbox agnostic to the hardware. If the Xbox Series X fails, Xbox will still make money and continue to exist thanks to the diversification of its platform. It's a strategy that's about five years ahead of the game - a real Netflix of gaming. Over the course of this generation, I believe we'll see a shift to this model in a big way, for the same reason that Sony's made a digital only PS5. The change to all digital is happening, and Microsoft are all in. Their strategy is going to change things the same way that Netflix changed things. Sony has its toes in the water with PS Now, but they're non-committal to the endeavor, and its lagging well behind Microsoft's far more open strategy. Take a look at Steam. Sony is using a questionable PC port of a three year old game as marketing for their next-gen console. Microsoft studios are dominating the sales charts.

You're too focused on what you think the competition is, to realise Microsoft admitted defeat this generation, and so are fighting a different war. You're comparing tweets like it matters. Microsoft aren't competing with Sony, they're competing with Netflix. They're not competing with Nintendo, they're competing with Amazon. Everything else is typical marketing; they're making a console, and want you to talk about it every time you talk about another console. Which you are. So, I think they're doing just fine.

 

[Punished Miku]

Can u imagine the XSS. The should just scrap that. They are spreading themselves thin by supporting all these consoles. I think it’s going to bite them in the ass. These new Xboxes may sell even less than Xbox ones.

It's the only one I'm even interested in honestly. I'm probably getting a PS5 for sure. I'll always get Nintendo systems as well.

Why do I need a 3rd console? I'll never get one if it's $500. If it's something that's much cheaper just for Gamepass, I may actually get it.

 

[Vaelka]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

Avowed is definitely not a '' knock-off '' of any Sony franchise.
Nor is Fable.
Or Halo.

 

[DavidGzz]

You say they don't have a short-term strategy, that's exactly what they should not have They should have a long-term strategy. The first two years of a generation are quickly forgotten. The violence, speed, and momentum cometh.

 

[jshackles]

It's the only one I'm even interested in honestly. I'm probably getting a PS5 for sure. I'll always get Nintendo systems as well.

Why do I need a 3rd console? I'll never get one if it's $500. If it's something that's much cheaper just for Gamepass, I may actually get it.

Hopefully, the Series S is the trojan horse that Microsoft is hoping for. Bring in a huge number of casual players as well as those like yourself looking for a second console. Sell them on Game Pass, which grows the program and the brand.

Suddenly, you're wondering why you're spending $30-$60 per game on the PS5 or Switch. There are plenty of games on Gamepass that you wanna play. You only have a limited amount of gaming time anyway. Sure, there might be the occasional exclusive "blockbuster" that isn't on Xbox but it feels kinda weird paying $25 for Streets of Rage 4 when you can just play it on your backup console without paying anything extra. Next thing you know, you're questioning whether you should even bother buying the PS5 Pro that's coming out.

 

[Greeno]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

Can you please name one Microsoft game that is a knock-off of a Sony franchise? I doubt you will find such a game. Most of Microsoft's games focus on multiplayer elements. Most of Sony's games focus on single player elements. They don't overlap that much.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Can you please name one Microsoft game that is a knock-off of a Sony franchise? I doubt you will find such a game. Most of Microsoft's games focus on multiplayer elements. Most of Sony's games focus on single player elements. They don't overlap that much.

Only one I can think of is Forza and even that one is a stretch considering the development and focus of the games are drastically different.

Anyway, OP, fucking what? The general consensus is that MS is too different from Sony, not that they are “laser focused” on them. MS doesn’t give a shit about what Sony is doing to a degree, MS is doing their own thing.

If MS were trying to mimic Sony and only focused on them, we’d have one next gen Xbox, no GamePass, no xCloud. Thank goodness you are dead wrong here.

 

[Black_Stride]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

^This should be a bannable offense.

What games exactly are you talking about that are knock-offs of Sony IPs?

Gears - Nope
Halo - Nope
Grounded - Nope
Hellblade 2 - Nope
Forza Horizon - Nope
Forza Motorsport - Nope
Sea of Thieves - Nope
Age of Empires - Nope
Ori - Nope
Avowed - Nope
State of Decay - Nope
Everwild - Nope
Fable - Nope
Minecraft - Nope
Minecraft Dungeons - Nope
Halo Wars - Nope
Gears Tactics - Nope
Battletoads - Nope
Flight Simulator - Nope
Alan Wake - recently released back to Remedy (Nope)


So which Xbox games are knockoffs of Sony games exactly?



On Topic
The whole OP seems misguided but okay.

I dont get why people want Microsoft to be Sony, we literally have a console that has games that Sony studios make.
Its called the Playstation.
If you want Sony Studios games buy a Playstation?

Look I get it, not everyone is loaded to the teeth, but realistically this hobby will cost you either which way, nut up and get the console that you think you will play the most.
If you mostly want the cinematic single player experiences.....a Playstation seems like a safe bet?

Most of Microsofts games right now are live games, I dont think they are suddenly going to stop going in that direction.
A few experiences here and there, but their main bread and butter really does seem to be live games that people keep playing for longer.

 

[ACESHIGH]

Concern trolling thread? Yeah, concern trolling thread.

 

[teezzy]

 

[Unknown?]

Can you please name one Microsoft game that is a knock-off of a Sony franchise? I doubt you will find such a game. Most of Microsoft's games focus on multiplayer elements. Most of Sony's games focus on single player elements. They don't overlap that much.

Forza Motorsport was created for the sole purpose of having a simulator competing against Sony's biggest franchise at the time. They also had some game called Lips to compete in Europe against Singstar.

 

[Elder Legend]

Thread reported. Moving on.

 

[Black_Stride]

Forza Motorsport was created for the sole purpose of having a simulator competing against Sony's biggest franchise at the time. They also had some game called Lips to compete in Europe against Singstar.

How exactly is Forza a knockoff Gran Turismo beyond both being simcade racers? If youve played both series you would know they are actually very different games.
And a game called Lips?

Thats all you got??

 

[Black_Stride]

Forza Motorsport was created for the sole purpose of having a simulator competing against Sony's biggest franchise at the time. They also had some game called Lips to compete in Europe against Singstar.

Your quote was that their WHOLE MANTRA was copying Sony.
This is some of their current games:

Gears - Nope
Halo - Nope
Grounded - Nope
Hellblade 2 - Nope
Forza Horizon - Nope
Forza Motorsport - Nope
Sea of Thieves - Nope
Age of Empires - Nope
Ori - Nope
Avowed - Nope
State of Decay - Nope
Everwild - Nope
Fable - Nope
Minecraft - Nope
Minecraft Dungeons - Nope
Halo Wars - Nope
Gears Tactics - Nope
Battletoads - Nope
Flight Simulator - Nope
Alan Wake - recently released back to Remedy (Nope)

 

[TearInto5th]

I think they've just left it too late, and were just not ready for the this upcoming generation, they give off a very "its good enough" vibe, with everything that theyre doing. Is it good enough for gamepass? What have they been making these devs do for the last 3 years?

They couldn't even have games running on their own system at their presentation, and had it running on a PC. You can rag on me as much as you want "but thats how its always been done". Who cares? They've been yelling about power for MONTHS, and completely failed to show what they can do with it.

It blows my mind that Forza out of all things couldn't even have a gameplay segment... like seriously? It seems that over the years they've chopped and changed their stance to the point that nothing is ready when it needs to be. Should we make heavier AAA titles? Or should we make GaaS? We can already tell what route they're taking.

I feel as if Sony is FAR more prepared for everything this coming gen, and have told devs as far as 3 or even 4 years ago to start preparing for the new console. The difference shows.

Just dissapointed that MS feels like theyre leaving their hardcore fanbase behind.

 

[SlimySnake]

This is a good take OP. Didnt think of the XSS and XSX in that regard. They wanted to beat Sony in both price and performance. Basically wanted to have their cake and eat it too.

I also think they might have had a better go of it if they just did their own thing instead of worrying about the PS5 so bad. Penello on era kept saying that he thinks the ps5 was going to be a $399 console leading credence to the rumors of the sandwich strategy of a $299 and $499 console.

That said, I think they will do fine with console sales. the $299 lockhart will sell just because its cheap. People dont realize this but MS has taken several November and Decembers from sony this gen. mostly because they were always cheaper or were competing against an out of stock PS4 like in December 2013. So they should still selll consoles this fall.

The main problem is how woefully underprepared they were for next gen like you mentioned. It defies reasoning. they had seven years to prepare for this and they still flunked it. no new AAA first party games for 3 years. thats crazy. unheard of. and simply shouldnt have happened. they shouldve been concerned with sony's games not the hardware.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Disagree with you about Phil Spencer, if anything his reign has caused me to take my money elsewhere more often. Series X looks set to be the first Xbox I don’t buy during the launch.

 

[Yumi]

Funny, I think they're current strategy isn't to compete with the competition but to be more of an open service based platform.

I think game pass subscriptions are more important to Microsoft than console sales.

 

[Shantae]

I wonder if this strategy is really gonna pay off for them, at least in the initial launch period. People don't buy new consoles because they want something "good enough". they want the best possible product when they're an early adopter. Xbox Series S sounds like it's not much more powerful than current generation, and is aiming for 1080p gaming, and a lot of people might say that they see no reason to get it when they have a PS4 or Xbox One. It feels like it's for an audience that doesn't exist. Especially with Microsoft's strategy to just have everything be cross generational at first. If there were a lot of games exclusive to the "next generation of consoles" than maybe the Series S makes more sense.

I think Microsoft's biggest mistake they're making things too confusing. They can say their strategy is to get people on game pass, but then why bother with these 2 widely different skus of hardware? Are they really happy with just selling game pass, and wasting money on releasing hardware that people might not buy? I don't know, I don't get what they're doing.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Are they really happy with just selling game pass, and wasting money on releasing hardware that people might not buy? I don't know, I don't get what they're doing.

My theory is that Series X was already desingned at this point and they couldn't NOT launch it. The money is spent and the bean counters say that there are enough people willing to pay for the thing to get money back. But I don't see the Division actually supporting the hardware seriously.

 

[The Alien]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

Lara croft says hello to Nathan Drake.

 

[THEAP99]

The Xbox IX will not undercut the PS-5 (all digital).

but yeah I agree with you, the IX is pointless and they’re making it just to have it. It’ll be a niche console and series s will be the main focus. Would’ve thought people would’ve learned from the one x

 

[jshackles]

Lara croft says hello to Nathan Drake.

But Lara Croft and the various Tomb Raider reboots aren't made by Microsoft. And they're all available on PlayStation.

 

[Black_Stride]

But Lara Croft and the various Tomb Raider reboots aren't made by Microsoft. And they're all available on PlayStation.

I think hes talking about the other way round.
Tomb Raider inspiring Uncharted.

 

[RayHell]

Something everyone, even Sony fan, agree with right now is that Gamepass is an incredible value. And that's what Microsoft really care about. They don't mind selling 1 every 2 PS5 sold. They just want everyone to subscribe to Gamepass. All Xbox One X, Serie X, Serie S and the other 700 millions PC gamers. They're not into the hardware battle anymore, they went full subscription business model. Those consoles are just an affordable entry price. I'll get a PS5 but as for Xbox even if no games is really huge deal for me, I still consider getting a gamepass for PC. And this is Microsoft goal.

 

[Tschumi]

Why do they keep doing those "burn" practices, instead of doing their own thing?

Maybe they've seen this strategy work exceptionally well, in other spheres, recently.

 

[DrScissorsMD]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

Lmao what the fuck is this take.
Pack it up guys, cause Halo was just a clone of...? And Gears is a clone of...? Crackdown, Grounded, Fable. Clones!(?)

As to the OP, this ain’t it chief. This isn’t a zero-sum game, you don’t just ignore the competition regardless of what position you’re in. The very existence of Gamepass and their GP-focused strategy is proof of just how focused they are on their own strategy but even so, you react to the competition as both MS and Sony are doing. It’s incredibly immature and console-warrish whenever people try to paint either side reacting as “weak” as if instead of two large entertainment companies they’re two dudes having a standoff in the Wild West. 1st post nailed it: go take a breath and chill out.

 

[Ash Sparrow]

I actually think its the opposite. MS seems to be off in their own land not competing with Sony in the way we are used to. They seem to be doing their own thing to me.

 

[Justin9mm]

I think hes talking about the other way round.
Tomb Raider inspiring Uncharted.

And look how that turned out:

Uncharted - 1
Tomb Raider - 0

 

[alabtrosMyster]

But they are just too focused on the competition. Don't believe me? Why did Xbox tweeted about their controller compatibility right after Sony announced PS5's? Why do they keep doing those "burn" practices, instead of doing their own thing? T

ssshhhhhhhhhhhh Sony are bad when they do that kind of thing, don't bring up the double standard your peers will ban you for betraying Phil.

 

[Mr.ODST]

Forza Motorsport was created for the sole purpose of having a simulator competing against Sony's biggest franchise at the time. They also had some game called Lips to compete in Europe against Singstar.

Smells like ... desperation for his favourite plastic toy

 

[phil_t98]

Avowed is definitely not a '' knock-off '' of any Sony franchise.
Nor is Fable.
Or Halo.

If anything resistance is a halo knock off

 

[The Scrivener]

The thing I dislike the most about Microsoft's strategy for Xbox Series X is that it's just too good.

 

[PlayVerso]

There is still something very important to know, the prices, but without knowing it, I think that Series X could sell at its launch less than Xbox One, there are no important reasons to buy a Series X at this time, there will be no exclusive triple-A games for the console and they won't be visually striking either.
Another problem is at the same time its great advantage, Game Pass, it is good that they give it importance, but for gamers it is not the most important thing and that seems that Microsoft is ignoring it by offering a large number of indie games and free double-A from the day one, but few triple-A games, and the few triple-A games that will hit the market in the next few years will not be as ambitious as Sony's and there will be no new IPS, waiting to see what The Initiative is doing.
There will be no exclusive triple-A games for Series X in 1 or 2 years, that seems to me is giving Sony a chance to humiliate Microsoft.

 

[Kagey K]

This has been Xbox's mantra since the start. "What's Sony's most popular franchise? Let's make our own knock-off." And so forth. I dont think it's a bad strategy though because every company does this when competing with a more popular company.

This seems inaccurate.

After Halo launches, every game was deemed the “Halo Killer“ even though none of them came close.

That isn’t them copying a company, that is a company copying them.

Same with system features like cross game party chat or achievements, that isn’t them copying. Everyone copied them.

 

[Hobbygaming]

I agree op, the Xbox Series X surprise reveal with Hellblade 2 and the snippet of Halo got me so hyped because I thought MS was really going to put their all into a beast of a console

But Xbox One and the Series S are the shackles that prevented that from happening and killed the hype for me along with the Halo Infinite demo we saw

 

[Rudius]

To me the mistake is not coping the successful competition enough, specifically the belief in generations Sony is defending, with a clear brake to move forward, and true exclusives that can only be played on your new console, something only Xbox lacks.

 

[martino]

To me the mistake is not coping the successful competition enough, specifically the belief in generations Sony is defending, with a clear brake to move forward, and true exclusives that can only be played on your new console, something only Xbox lacks.

if history can tell you anything is that you can convince millions of people with only third parties (and more than with only exclusives).

 

[bad guy]

It will be DOA just like Wii and Switch.

 

[Elog]

Broadly speaking I agree with the OP.

MS has an amazing offer the coming generation. They have the highest value access points into the PC gaming ecosystem at both 1440p and 4K resolutions with the X and the S - with a huge margin. They have a perfect product in gamepass to deliver value to gamers around the world.

Simply speaking - you cannot beat MS in terms of value if you want to play games with your friends in the PC ecosystem.

What they do not have is a strong first party line up. MS has been on an acquisition spree but everyone with experience knows three things: 1) MS has a bad track-record in keeping talent after a transaction, 2) The first party games - in numbers that are relevant - are fairly far away in time and 3) First party studies do not make great games over night. It takes patience and time to develop teams and talent to create amazing first party titles. Or in other words - a strong first party line-up is years away.

Then you add the hardware strategy, where MS has several hardware access points into the PC ecosystem with games being developed to be fully scalable across this ecosystem. Or in other words, you will not develop many (if any) games that run insanely close to a piece of next-gen hardware and then unleashes this strong next-gen feeling on the screen.

This year, the MS marketing has been a mess since it is all over the place and for the most part tries to claim that MS can do the 'Sony thing' better than Sony. And that is highly unlikely to happen for the reasons depicted above.

Given all the strengths of the MS Xbox platform in terms of value, I simply cannot understand why they do not focus on that instead of trying to be a lesser Sony.

 

[Tygeezy]

The most disappointing thing about Xbox continues to be the lack of gyro.

 

[phil_t98]

If anything Xbox seems more multiplayer focused than Sony does which is where I see the difference. Both good but both different