Support NeoGAF

[Ozriel]

Idk, if it's not the commercial success that MS is probably expecting (sales and new GP subs) and helps a lot in softening the blow of the $7bn acquisition cost, it could contribute to non-gaming MS execs not wanting to be as all-in on game as they're allowing Phil to be now.

I don't know if you understand this, but Spencer sits on the executive team with Satya Nadella as his direct boss.

There aren't any 'MS execs' pulling Spencer's strings aside from Satya himself. This isn't 2013.

 

[FBeeEye]

This is why the game was delayed. It's an important title.

 

[Raven117]

Its an important release this year...like any other tech product of a tech company.

 

[BlackTron]

Could have said "Halo Infinite will make or break Xbox" or "MCC will make or break Xbox". Xbox already failed to show up with games, and is already on Gamepass life support. So what's the difference?

 

[Ozriel]

no it wont. even if its terrible, phil spencer will come out and say how exclusives are bad for gaming industry and go buy gamepass.
people were hyped for a 5 hour rhythm game, im pretty sure they wont be picky about whatever bethesda puts in front of them. they even defend fallout 76 now.

Imagine making posts like this that are quite easily dismissed as salt. Is it truly that hard to raise $250 for a Series S?

 

[Catphish]

Why do people post gamingbolt videos?

/thread

 

[DeepEnigma]

 

[mckmas8808]

It won't break xbox even if it is cdpr levels of screw up. Gamepass is like half of xbox these days and this is just another game that will go in that library. So even if the game is terrible they can just put a couple of great games in gamepass a month later to get the game off of folks minds.

It will 100% break Xbox if it's CDPR levels bad. But I think it'll score at least a 85 based on their history, the hype, and what this game means for that dev.

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

While I definitely think it's very important to MS, "make or break" is an exaggeration here. They would need CDPR level of screw up to leave a bad taste in gamers' mouths, but even then I don't think you'd see people parting with this black and white boxes, in favour of Sony's ... um ... black AND white box

Thoughts?

It's not because of Starfield, but this is already happening, based on Sony's recent reports of a signifant number of PS5 owners having never owned a PS4.

As to the hyperbole of the video's headline, I agree though. Yet more failures won't change things for Xbox first party publishing management. Those guys just continue to fail upwards within the organisation. No matter how much the first party publishing platform fails, Matt Booty and the like continue to enjoy job security and even get promoted... It's inexplicable.

 

[Alebrije]

Do not think this will be like Fallout 76...Microsoft's eyes surely are on every stage of developmen to "help" Bethesda no screw it.

But also wont be a ground breaking experience since all showed has been done before . If the games becomes an Skyrim on Space will be fine..

 

[SmokedMeat]

Stupid title. In no way is it going to break Microsoft.

 

[itsjustJEFF]

It's definitely an important game for Xbox, but make or break? Nah that's way too dramatic. I think it's more likely that it makes or breaks super fans of this yet to be released game that we've only seen one gameplay from... we gotta remember that some ppl were calling this game a GOTY contender, it's even been heralded as a Game of the Generation contender. That wasn't Xbox/Bethesda... that was gamers.

Will it be bad? No of course not, it's a Bethesda game at the end of the day. Those are almost always good. Just keep your expectations realistic and you'll probably end up really liking the game.

 

[Tarkus98]

Well. If make or break are the only options then I presume this will "make" Xbox. It certainly will not break them, fucking ludicrous headline.
At the end of the day, it's a Bethesda game so expect the usual bugs (which can be very amusing) and core gameplay similar to Fallout and the Elder Scrolls. I consider this a great thing and from the previews that I've seen I am looking forward to getting absorbed in a 100 hour plus space odyssey. Bring It!

 

[Astray]

I think before assessing whether it fails or not, it's critical to define what failure looks like, and conversely, what success looks like for this title.

The success condition imo here absolutely has to be that Starfield would push more Xbox series units, there is no sense in making it a bonafide exclusive* because you want to sell it on PC, because it would have sold on there regardless of whether MS got involved or not. If Xbox numbers don't materially improve during release window, then this title will have failed its true purpose in Microsoft's plans: To sell consoles and shift people from Playstation to their platform.

I disagree with the prevailing notion in this thread, Starfield is absolutely make or break for Xbox (or at least their current management) for multiple reasons:

- It's a game that has been teased a long, long time ago now, it's gonna have expectations.
- It's the 1st true proof of concept for Xbox's current acquisition-1st mindset, if this tanks critically or commercially then the perception of what Microsoft paid for Bethesda will certainly suffer.
- Starfield is not a multiplat, online ppl will absolutely be applying the microscope to it because dumb console wars.
- The constant delays with polish constantly being pushed as a reason by Phil Spencer will make it under more scrutiny for bugs etc, even more than any other Bethesda title.
- Todd Howard is involved.

* Let's sidestep the arguments about whether it was "stolen" or not, that doesn't matter anymore, and it being an exclusive to Xbox rn doesn't really preclude MS deciding to release it on PS consoles a few years later, it's ultimately their IP after all.

 

[Iced Arcade]

There is no way starfield fails but if it did, it wouldn't break Xbox.

That being said... Xbox sure does need someone in charge of scheduling/planning releases. They have way to many studios/IPs to have so many Barren spots throughout the year.

 

[NahaNago]

It will 100% break Xbox if it's CDPR levels bad. But I think it'll score at least a 85 based on their history, the hype, and what this game means for that dev.

nah, they have pretty much been okay most of this gen without much first party support so one game not doing great won't break xbox. Plus E3 is around the corner so even if this is a stinker they will have other games around the corner to help gamepass.

 

[Rubik8]

I think before assessing whether it fails or not, it's critical to define what failure looks like, and conversely, what success looks like for this title.

If it doesn't bring new users into the Xbox ecosystem in the form of gamepass subscribers, it is a failure.

 

[Astray]

If it doesn't bring new users into the Xbox ecosystem in the form of gamepass subscribers, it is a failure.

Gamepass as a whole is not a good metric for this game in particular, because Starfield in particular is definitely gonna be popular with the PC crowd, any PC game pass user who plays this game is actually a lost sale!

Additional Gamepass subs on Xbox consoles would probably be good news if they are buying consoles for this, which is why this NEEDS to be a top of the line AAA console seller game, that subset of the audience is what MS right now needs more than anything else, despite their bloviating about the larger ecosystem etc.

 

[MatrixReloaded101]

IDK about this one, they actually have a very solid lineup for gamepass this year. Even if Starfield flops something is bounded to be a hit from all the games they have releasing.

People are already calling H-Fi Rush their GOTY ......

 

[RIPN2022]

What a clickbait. There is no way this will be below 80 or Zelda tier. It will be a good mid 80 game and that's all it needs to be. I bet i'm gonna spend 100+ hours with Starfield.

I imagine it will get the same reception as Fallout 4.

 

[RIPN2022]

I've yet to see any gameplay that is suggesting this. I hope to be wrong because it looks decent.

Yeah and the gameplay that is out there makes it look average. Who knows?