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[jelly]

Microsoft will want users to subscribe on other devices as well, it will only work if they actually have good and worthy stuff to offer and what will those good things be?

I think they can only get traction with decent perks and something beyond what we see today or done so well it's seamless, community focused and pushing the envelope with cloud features. For example, Crackdown 3.

It failed last time and rightly so because it was just a paywall for no worthy features.

I'm not sure how they can sell it but don't think one size fits all will work like Xbox consoles. A subscription to play a P2P game and stuff like that is no go but Crackdown with the online supported destruction, perhaps so. They can also tie a sub into Office, OneDrive, Groove etc.

 

[Boombox On]

Of a different standard of game. Not the same by any means.

The type of games that are played has nothing to do with the discussion. Games are games, and money from gaming is money from gaming.

Why some of you are considering that Microsoft might not release a new Xbox in the future?

If anything, they are doubling down on how many devices they are working on. They now have: Xbox One, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, Lumia 950 and 950XL.

"One" of those things is not like the other...

1) 4 of those 5 devices are items that are used in general day-to-day activities (browsing the web, messaging, looking at facebook, etc). The Xbox One is for a specific use. The consumer tech industry has always moved towards fewer devices that can do more things.
2) Speaking of which, those 4 devices are also designed with the intent of transformative use cases. The Surface devices can switch from laptop to tablet. The Lumias switch from phone to desktop. The Xbox One... doesn't.
3) 4 of those 5 devices are not subsidized by anything at all, whereas the success of the Xbox One as a platform is dependent upon software and services, not hardware units sold.

The only way a new Xbox fits into this new paradigm is if it's... just a small, high end desktop computer with Continuum that can create a new 10 foot interface for it, and even then it wouldn't be a console, it would be a PC.
Not to mention that software feature would definitely not be exclusive to that device, but rather available on all Windows 10 devices.

It definitely does, and now you're lumping two separate platforms together to create some sort of case. When the bulk of the gamers you described are playing LoL and candy crush compared to MS' typical offerings it matters.

Because they are part of 2 completely different platforms that are mutually exclusive, not because the mass consumer market loses sleep at the sight of Halo.

 

[highrider]

What would MS gain from launching yet another Xbox console?

If they hadn't botched the one so badly they were becoming dominant in North America and the UK with the 360. People liked the 360 a lot. I was down on the one at launch but it's a much more compelling product to me now.

 

[RichiRamjag]

The type of games that are played has nothing to do with the discussion. Games are games, and money from gaming is money from gaming.

It definitely does, and now you're lumping two separate platforms together to create some sort of case. When the bulk of the gamers you described are playing LoL and candy crush compared to MS' typical offerings it matters. MS has now to provide content so it matters. MS couldn't even complete in that sector with their own mobile devices, now they're going to dump the one that is working for it? Not seeing it.

 

[family_guy]

That means absolutely nothing at this stage considering the current generation likely still has a minimum of 5 years left.

I think there's going to be a shake up in this regard. Technology is changing fast. VR, 4k, HBM, etc. I see current gen consoles as being in a weird place. They are built with last gen tech. I'm not saying these consoles won't be supported 5 years from now, but I think you'll see new consoles before then. As long as BC is there which there's a strong chance there will be, I don't see it being as big a deal. No one complains when a new iPad comes out every year since their apps/games still work on the new ones and developers still largely make apps/games that work on even older ones.

 

[Bitch Pudding]

I kind of see why they don´t really care for Xbox One sales anymore.

Oh, I think they care. Quite a lot. They just decided to communicate numbers which are more in line with their strategic targets.

 

[Tealmann]

Here's the thing I don't like about this new "Xbox as a service" thing:
Microsoft keeps making the point that you don't need to use Windows to use their services, you can use office, Skype, Onenote, Bing, etc on Windows, Android, OSX, iOS, and in some cases Linux. And so far that applies to almost everything except Xbox, the new Xbox apps and games are all Windows 10 exclusive.
The new version of Minecraft, for example, is only on Windows 10, not Mac or even Windows 8. I like the Windows 10 Edition of Minecraft, I think it's better in most ways than the java version (Other than being incomplete) but it doesn't matter if no one is going to play it, most people still use Windows 7 or 8, meaning they're still playing the java version, so if I, a Windows 10 user who owns the new version, want to play Minecraft, I'm still better off with the old version.
Microsoft needs to show better OS support for me to believe in this Xbox on PC thing.

 

[orochi91]

They should bring XBL to PC.

Their market share has collapsed, with regards to Xbox hardware, so they won't be seeing much growth in subscribers on that front.

PC players will fork over some cash per month to play MS exclusives, especially if they're Windows 10 store exclusive.

 

[Lynn616]

They've "ate losses to build their ecosystem" for the last 15 years. At some point you have to cut your losses. It is a fact, not an opinion, that shareholders were calling for the shuttering of the Xbox division entirely when they were looking for a new CEO, and many of the candidates agreed with that. Nadella sees potential in the division transforming. And I agree with that.

I don't want anyone to fail. Microsoft as a company will not fail. I also don't have any personal stake in this argument nor do I intend to present opinions as fact. I am simply discussing a topic. Some people get far too heated about that.

How do you know that Xbox is still losing money. The division it is in is profitable and has been for years.

As for shareholders wanting Xbox sold. I have seen one shareholder mention it once. Got links to all these shareholders calling for it?

Candidates agreeing with that? I remember one article that said that Stephen Elop might be for it but with no source and he never said anything. Then Microsoft said they were just making up stories. Got links to the other candidates agreeing?

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Xbox was never going anywhere. Folks that had stars in their eyes with excitement about it going away or Microsoft ditching it should be very angry with their local street pharmacist who provided them with whatever substance it was that got them believing this was actually a possibility.

Xbox as a business makes so much damn sense with everything else that Microsoft as a company is trying to do. Getting rid of Xbox would be like throwing away a significant part of Microsoft's future.

 

[Dynasty]

MS are still releasing new window phones even though they don't sell that well. MS as a whole seems a lot more invested into hardware than they have in the past. Surface pro, Surface Book, lumina, helpless(edit Hololens) and Xbox.

 

[BeforeU]

MS are still releasing new window phones even though they don't sell that well. MS as a whole seems a lot more invested into hardware than they have in the past. Surface pro, Surface Book, lumina, helpless and Xbox.

And MS Band and Hololense and Surface Hub and of course all the PC accessories

 

[orochi91]

Xbox was never going anywhere. Folks that had stars in their eyes with excitement about it going away or Microsoft ditching it should be very angry with their local street pharmacist who provided them with whatever substance it was that got them believing this was actually a possibility.

Xbox as a business makes so much damn sense with everything else that Microsoft as a company is trying to do. Getting rid of Xbox would be like throwing away a significant part of Microsoft's future.

I don't see a future for Xbox hardware, as the only way they can expand their market share and increase subscriber base again is if Sony fucks up catastrophically next gen (a la PS3) , which won't be happening.

On PC though, they can build their own Steam rival and make XBL worthwhile, in order to entice PC gamers worldwide.

 

[Maintenance]

It's weird how people get invested about products they dislike, and few even go so far as to want it to fail.
Such a weird concept. I've seen it in the phone area too, with Apple people wanting Samsung to fail and vice versa.
Why pay attention and thus energy to something you don't care about?

I asked myself the same in many Shenmue 3 threads.

 

[Guri]

"One" of those things is not like the other...

1) 4 of those 5 devices are items that are used in general day-to-day activities (browsing the web, messaging, looking at facebook, etc). The Xbox One is for a specific use. The consumer tech industry has always moved towards fewer devices that can do more things.
2) Speaking of which, those 4 devices are also designed with the intent of transformative use cases. The Surface devices can switch from laptop to tablet. The Lumias switch from phone to desktop. The Xbox One... doesn't.
3) 4 of those 5 devices are not subsidized by anything at all, whereas the success of the Xbox One as a platform is dependent upon software and services, not hardware units sold.

The only way a new Xbox fits into this new paradigm is if it's... just a small, high end desktop computer with Continuum that can create a new 10 foot interface for it, and even then it wouldn't be a console, it would be a PC.
Not to mention that software feature would definitely not be exclusive to that device, but rather available on all Windows 10 devices.

I disagree. The Xbox One has been used for other uses as well. And this is the main idea of Windows 10 also being its system. To allow more than just gaming. In fact, another Xbox may give them more freedom to exactly explore that idea.

Again, it doesn't make sense to consider Microsoft leaving Xbox at its current state.

 

[Dynasty]

I don't see a future for Xbox hardware, as the only way they can expand their market share and increase subscriber base again is if Sony fucks up catastrophically next gen (a la PS3) , which won't be happening.

On PC though, they can build their own Steam rival and make XBL worthwhile, in order to entice PC gamers worldwide.

MS has more chance of regaining market share from Sony than building a rival to Steam.
Xbox isn't as popular as the PlayStation but it still hold a significant market share in console gaming.

 

[QaaQer]

Such passion over the words of a marketing guy...

sometimes I wish there was a signal booster/noise filter for the internet.

 

[orochi91]

MS has more chance of regaining market share from Sony than building a rival to Steam.
Xbox isn't as popular as the PlayStation but it still hold a significant market share in console gaming.

That market-share is dwindling with each passing year, whereas on PC they have an OS monopoly worldwide, through which they can push software and boost subscribers.

Even with Sony, I don't really see much point in software locked to a proprietary box. They'll likely have a digital platform on PC as well next gen, in order to reap in software sales. The PS brand can getaway with having a box existing alongside their own digital PC platform simply due to how popular the brand is WW and the fact it's growing (and leading) in emerging markets.

That's something the Xbox brand can't pull-off, as they've effectively been limited to 2 major markets (US/UK) and Mexico to some extent. Even in those 2 major markets they're playing catch-up to the PS4.

 

[Boombox On]

I disagree. The Xbox One has been used for other uses as well. And this is the main idea of Windows 10 also being its system. To allow more than just gaming. In fact, another Xbox may give them more freedom to exactly explore that idea.

The content Microsoft sees people using on the Xbox one outside of games is exactly the same as the things people were doing on the 360, the main difference is the lower barrier-to-entry for development. Microsoft even said themselves that it's not like people are just going to be using Office on the Xbox One.
So I'm throwing all of that into the definition of "console" but to go any further is just us saying "Well I define a console as XYZ so therefore..." which leads nowhere.

 

[watership]

I don't see a future for Xbox hardware, as the only way they can expand their market share and increase subscriber base again is if Sony fucks up catastrophically next gen (a la PS3) , which won't be happening.

On PC though, they can build their own Steam rival and make XBL worthwhile, in order to entice PC gamers worldwide.

This is a reasonable statement. However it's been made probably every few months since Bill Gates originally mention the existence of Xbox in 1999.

 

[QaaQer]

MS has more chance of regaining market share from Sony than building a rival to Steam.
Xbox isn't as popular as the PlayStation but it still hold a significant market share in console gaming.

Both will happen now that MS isn't run by a loudmouth egomaniac. I have to say I'm impressed with their shift to data mining and cloud lock-in revenue building. Leveraging gaming in order to get more people invested seems like the way to go.

 

[deadman69]

Both will happen now that MS isn't run by a loudmouth egomaniac. I have to say I'm impressed with their shift to data mining and cloud lock-in revenue building. Leveraging gaming in order to get more people invested seems like the way to go.

they are so behind everyone else on pc and their store is a joke compared to them as well. they don't even have the game they sell on steam on there or any of their back catalogue. having a couple of f2p game and gearsUE won't draw people away from steam.

 

[Guri]

The content Microsoft sees people using on the Xbox one outside of games is exactly the same as the things people were doing on the 360, the main difference is the lower barrier-to-entry for development. Microsoft even said themselves that it's not like people are just going to be using Office on the Xbox One.
So I'm throwing all of that into the definition of "console" but to go any further is just us saying "Well I define a console as XYZ so therefore..." which leads nowhere.

Well, yeah, I don't really expect Office, but other entertainment apps (Netflix, other streaming choices, Skype -- and yes, I've seen people using it frequently) and eventually HoloLens, once its ready for consumer consumption (EDIT: I know HoloLens is its own device, but I'm thinking integration with a Xbox console here), just to name a few. Console is certainly a different beast in terms of how it can adapt to the idea of multiple uses, but it's definitely feasible and Microsoft wouldn't advertise Windows 10 for it as much as they are doing if they didn't have long term plans.

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

Great to hear that, Xbox must live and get better, for the gaming industry sake

LOL, this is so cringe.

 

[justsomeguy]

I don't see a future for Xbox hardware, as the only way they can expand their market share and increase subscriber base again is if Sony fucks up catastrophically next gen

I think you're underestimating MS' hardware abilities.

XB1 was a gross compromise from day 1. I see that as an anomaly, the cause of which is no longer with MS.

If they bring back the spirit of the 360 for the next Xbox (assuming there is one), and combine it with the design smarts that gave us Surface Pro 3/4 and Surface Book then they could have a really compelling device on their hands.

 

[AmFreak]

If you're referring to online multiplayer, that's still part of quality service. No one would pay if it didn't work.

What kind of arguing is this?
So if they decided to charge you $10 whenever you turn on the box it also would be quality service as long as this system worked?

 

[justsomeguy]

Such passion over the words of a marketing guy...

sometimes I wish there was a signal booster/noise filter for the internet.

You can achieve it on GAF by judicious use of the ignore feature

 

[Dynasty]

they are so behind everyone else on pc and their store is a joke compared to them as well. they don't even have the game they sell on steam on there or any of their back catalogue. having a couple of f2p game and gearsUE won't draw people away from steam.

Killer Insitnct as well. I agree though MS needs to build a studio that focuses primarily on PC. The games they have announced now are a decent start but they need to release a 1-2 games that are built first for PC so take advantage of the hardware.

 

[BibiMaghoo]

that doesn't stop you from playing online does it?

No, it stops you from adding friends, using chat, or even being listed for someone else to add you as a friend in the search. In addition to voting, screenshots, profile, market use and cards drops. It was pretty annoying getting a friend onto steam, and them having to buy something just to show up. And not even that, you have to buy something from them. Retail games don't work, nor do gifts. I understand the need for it, but calling Steam free comes with that caveat now.

 

[cakely]

Great to hear that, Xbox must live and get better, for the gaming industry sake

The gaming industry would get along just fine without Xbox.

 

[Dynasty]

The gaming industry would get along just fine without Xbox.

No it wouldn't, Sony would have a monopoly. Any company that has a complete monopoly is a bad thing for us consumer no matter how '4thegamers' people think they may be.

 

[QaaQer]

That market-share is dwindling with each passing year, whereas on PC they have an OS monopoly worldwide, through which they can push software and boost subscribers.

Even with Sony, I don't really see much point in software locked to a proprietary box. They'll likely have a digital platform on PC as well next gen, in order to reap in software sales. The PS brand can getaway with having a box existing alongside their own digital PC platform simply due to how popular the brand is WW and the fact it's growing (and leading) in emerging markets.

That's something the Xbox brand can't pull-off, as they've effectively been limited to 2 major markets (US/UK) and Mexico to some extent. Even in those 2 major markets they're playing catch-up to the PS4.

Controlling hardware is the only guaranteed way to control the ecosystem right now.

If you look at Apple's products as proprietary boxes, you can see the advantages, from apple's perspective of course. Google trying to control android hardware and MS trying to control Windows hardware, well it doesn't work. The both want what Apple has with iOS however. Apple controls access to that audience 100% and has total access to that audience's lives (data mining).

It appears that MS want's to create that system of control the cloud, and not just for individuals, but companies as well. It is audacious and will make the dominance of PCs in 1990-2002 seem quaint.

Google, I'm not so sure about. It is run by the founders, so that company is too reliant on individual personalities. Probabilities don't work so well then. They don't appear from the outside anyway, to be as avaricious or ambitious. MS though, wants to 'seize' things as is the case with post-founder bureaucratic corporations.

 

[Ushay]

The gaming industry would get along just fine without Xbox.

Same can be said for any of the big 3.

 

[Synth]

What kind of arguing is this?
So if they decided to charge you $10 whenever you turn on the box it also would be quality service as long as this system worked?

And people would pay this $10 consistently because?

If you could pull shit like this off and actually not have to worry about the quality being offered, then this wouldn't be a hypothetical example. It'd be what you'd be paying today to turn your consoles on.

Same can be said for any of the big 3.

Yea, the market would survive just fine without MS, Sony or Nintendo individually (all three leaving in a short timespan would probably fuck things up pretty bad though). That doesn't mean that the market, or the users would be better off in this case though.

 

[Boombox On]

What kind of arguing is this?
So if they decided to charge you $10 whenever you turn on the box it also would be quality service as long as this system worked?

That example isnt a service at all.

 

[Detective]

So weird to hear some people in this thread say that if MS quit gaming, they'd have nothing left in gaming that interests them. Why not? Are you literally only in it for MS exclusives?

What's weird about it?

Because am satisfied with the xbox?
Satisfied with the controller?
The service?
The games that suits my taste?

There is nothing on other platforms that interest me. Zero.

Sold my ps4 because I dont like it and nothing there to interest me at all.

What's weird is you think what am satisfied with and like is weird. People have different taste and choices you know. Live with it.

Its not about Console wars BS.
It's about what I like. Me. Personally.
Owned every platforms. To me, Xbox is all I need to fulfill my gaming experience.

 

[KingJ2002]

What Microsoft is doing with their brands is akin to a quote from Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) about HBO in 2013.

"The goal," says Hastings, "is to become HBO faster than HBO can become us."

in this case... replace HBO with Google.

Moving their Office, Xbox, Surface, Bing and Skype brands to utilize their Azure services and have Windows be the lynchpin to it all is consistent with Google, their similar efforts and Chrome.

The benefits to gaming will be tremendous for Microsoft, Developers, and Fans looking for more of a cohesive experience... regardless of their device.

of course it's all wishful thinking right now... execution will be key.

 

[deadman69]

Killer Insitnct as well. I agree though MS needs to build a studio that focuses primarily on PC. The games they have announced now are a decent start but they need to release a 1-2 games that are built first for PC so take advantage of the hardware.

i kinda count killer instinct as a f2p game, cause the free base game.

they need to build their store. they have the whole mechwarrior/commander series they could put up there, they have the whole age of empires series to put on there, they have so many pc beloved franchises that are not able to be bought digitally.

No, it stops you from adding friends, using chat, or even being listed for someone else to add you as a friend in the search. In addition to voting, screenshots, profile, market use and cards drops. It was pretty annoying getting a friend onto steam, and them having to buy something just to show up. And not even that, you have to buy something from them. Retail games don't work, nor do gifts. I understand the need for it, but calling Steam free comes with that caveat now.

least its a one off payment.

 

[The 8-Bit Raider]

No it wouldn't, Sony would have a monopoly. Any company that has a complete monopoly is a bad thing for us consumer no matter how '4thegamers' people think they may be.

The PSX and PS2 generation says hello.

 

[QaaQer]

What's weird about it?

Because am satisfied with the xbox?
Satisfied with the controller?
The service?
The games that suits my taste?

There is nothing on other platforms that interest me. Zero.

Sold my ps4 because I dont like it and nothing there to interest me at all.

What's weird is you think what am satisfied with and like is weird. People have different taste and choices you know. Live with it.

It's weird because you said there is zero/nothing/nadda outside of the xbox ecosystem that interests you. That is some weird fetishism there. Or maybe you don't get out much?

 

[Matthew23]

As a Steam gamer that won't be buying a console this gen or next I would be happy to pay MS a monthly fee to access a decent catalog of exclusive games. Put titles like Halo in the Win store and give me a couple freebies each month with membership and they will taking money right out of Valve's pocket.

I know most PC gamers don't like the idea of a payed subscription but access to xbox exclusives, 20+ free games a year, and discounts for the price of a single new game is a good deal. I think I spend more than that annually on Steam games I never get around to playing.

 

[Bolivar687]

As a Steam gamer that won't be buying a console this gen or next I would be happy to pay MS a monthly fee to access a decent catalog of exclusive games. Put titles like Halo in the Win store and give me a couple freebies each month with membership and they will taking money right out of Valve's pocket.

I know most PC gamers don't like the idea of a payed subscription but access to xbox exclusives, 20+ free games a year, and discounts for the price of a single new game is a good deal. I think I spend more than that annually on Steam games I never get around to playing.

There's too many quality free games on PC for that to ever take off.

 

[The 8-Bit Raider]

As a Steam gamer that won't be buying a console this gen or next I would be happy to pay MS a monthly fee to access a decent catalog of exclusive games. Put titles like Halo in the Win store and give me a couple freebies each month with membership and they will taking money right out of Valve's pocket.

I know most PC gamers don't like the idea of a payed subscription but access to xbox exclusives, 20+ free games a year, and discounts for the price of a single new game is a good deal. I think I spend more than that annually on Steam games I never get around to playing.

This is simply an opinion that is based of anecdotal experience but I believe you are part of a very, very, small minority of pc gamers.

 

[Detective]

It's weird because you said there is zero/nothing/nadda outside of the xbox ecosystem that interests you. That is some weird fetishism there. Or maybe you don't get out much?

What's weird is people like you trying to tell other people what they like and don't.

Hard to believe??

Yeah,Xbox games is what i like right now. Zero on other platforms, problems with that?

I do get out much..right now am in Norway, next week in spain for my company and my new apartment..next will be italy and Belgium. What about you bro? How is your life. You like insulting people behind your pc?

 

[TBiddy]

It's weird because you said there is zero/nothing/nadda outside of the xbox ecosystem that interests you. That is some weird fetishism there. Or maybe you don't get out much?

That's harsh, man. And uncalled for.

If you're gaming Forza and Halo primarily, Sony is not really an option and neither is the PC.

That has nothing to do with "getting out much".

 

[The 8-Bit Raider]

That's harsh, man. And uncalled for.

If you're gaming Forza and Halo primarily, Sony is not really an option and neither is the PC.

That has nothing to do with "getting out much".

I agree, that was uncalled for and an incredibly stupid way to express an opinion...tsk, tsk.

 

[Dynasty]

The PSX and PS2 generation says hello.

$600 PS3 says hi.

 

[The 8-Bit Raider]

$600 PS3 says hi.

$800 3DO says hi.

 

[Somnia]

It's weird because you said there is zero/nothing/nadda outside of the xbox ecosystem that interests you. That is some weird fetishism there. Or maybe you don't get out much?

That's some childish bullshit right there.

 

[Tealmann]

As a Steam gamer that won't be buying a console this gen or next I would be happy to pay MS a monthly fee to access a decent catalog of exclusive games. Put titles like Halo in the Win store and give me a couple freebies each month with membership and they will taking money right out of Valve's pocket.

I know most PC gamers don't like the idea of a payed subscription but access to xbox exclusives, 20+ free games a year, and discounts for the price of a single new game is a good deal. I think I spend more than that annually on Steam games I never get around to playing.

Ooooooor, you could just BUY those games.