Because the product hasn't even been revealed yet. All the DF stuff was for enthusiasts..
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Polygon: Microsoft has made Xbox Scorpio message exactly what it needs to be: simple
- Thread starter Theorry
- Start date
Because the product hasn't even been revealed yet. All the DF stuff was for enthusiasts..
Yep. I feel like exactly I know exactly what the Scorpio is and what it's goals are compared to the XB1 launch. Software is the one noticeable gap, and there isn't anything convincing as of yet that would tear me out of the Sony ecosystem. Microsoft should focus exclusively on software at E3.
This is the case. MS have demonstrated a good and transparent marketing strategy in addition to their features they already have in XB1 that elevates their message.
The power of their box without all of this would be just as much a fart in the wind as the Pro reveal was, especially considering they have yet to show the software they need to.
People care about policy and solutions that will affect their families lives, not shallow displays of strength and "acting Presidential"
nowifenolife
Member
I'm not so much bothered about the lack of Xbox exclusives...For me they don't need to have any exclusives as long as ps4 keep coming out with their top stuff.
If third party games look and run a lot better on scorps then I want some of that....
Especially since I'm using the nacon pro on my 4pro which is more or less a Xb1 controller. Hopefully xbox will do a elite controller bundle so I get the short cut buttons too.
Really for me it's all about the price point now
If third party games look and run a lot better on scorps then I want some of that....
Especially since I'm using the nacon pro on my 4pro which is more or less a Xb1 controller. Hopefully xbox will do a elite controller bundle so I get the short cut buttons too.
Really for me it's all about the price point now
1.21Gigawatts
Banned
I do remember the all concerned posts and even articles in the media about Sony not showing the box at their PS4 reveal. Didn't seem to hurt.
I'd Microsoft still has enough time.
They haven't "fucked up" anything yet.
Just you. Isn't that the purpose of E3? It's clear to me, but could be just me?
I'm with you tho...I'm surprised by the amount of people forgetting that's what E3 is for?
Phil has stated that he will look for shifts in display technology. Is it 8K tvs? 240hz or higher refresh rates? There has to be reason for new console to exist. If PS4 Pro was Sony's answer to 4K and MS answer to 4K is Scorpio. What future display technology on the horizon that would make a PS5 necessary in 2 or even 3 years for that matter? A stronger 4K machine from Sony would be shortsighted.
When the three consoles started, there was a clear hierarchy in complexity of ideas offered.
PlayStation: Games look prettier than before
XBOX: Entertainment center with sports and TV and kinect voice commands and also games.
WiiU: Assymetric gameplay opportunities that create emergent dynamics in a shared social space for parents and children.
From the way the three consoles sold, it's very attractive to think that the simplest message is also the best. And certainly the complicated concept of the Wii U (and the way it was styled as an add-on) proved an impossibly hard sell.
I'm not sure mid gen console upgrades are simple to understand though; should you pay 200-300 extra to play the same games? How long do console generations last now? These mid gen console upgrades only stand to confuse the average punter. For sure it's an easier message on the other hand. Get your best looking games here folks. That's an attractive PR line. We're just better than the rest.
I'm not convinced it will work however. Even though the Switch doing very well seems to have noticeably ignited the console warriorism in Sony and Microsoft fans here, in general the core gamer public has already bought a console, and Sony and Microsoft need to attract casual gamers right now. Are they going to buy the super expensive high end gear? Not likely methinks. Their last gen approach of introducing Move/Kinect at this point in the console lifetime still seems like a much smarter move to me.
PlayStation: Games look prettier than before
XBOX: Entertainment center with sports and TV and kinect voice commands and also games.
WiiU: Assymetric gameplay opportunities that create emergent dynamics in a shared social space for parents and children.
From the way the three consoles sold, it's very attractive to think that the simplest message is also the best. And certainly the complicated concept of the Wii U (and the way it was styled as an add-on) proved an impossibly hard sell.
I'm not sure mid gen console upgrades are simple to understand though; should you pay 200-300 extra to play the same games? How long do console generations last now? These mid gen console upgrades only stand to confuse the average punter. For sure it's an easier message on the other hand. Get your best looking games here folks. That's an attractive PR line. We're just better than the rest.
I'm not convinced it will work however. Even though the Switch doing very well seems to have noticeably ignited the console warriorism in Sony and Microsoft fans here, in general the core gamer public has already bought a console, and Sony and Microsoft need to attract casual gamers right now. Are they going to buy the super expensive high end gear? Not likely methinks. Their last gen approach of introducing Move/Kinect at this point in the console lifetime still seems like a much smarter move to me.
Phil cares about display technology, Sony cares about advancing software possibilities, IMO in order to stop the userbase from getting stagnant and bored.This is one reason why i think they say they still believe in hardware generations to keep their ecosystem appeal strong.
N30RYU
Member
They better nail the marketing while others nail their game releases.
I'm not interested in any spec if it isn't shown with a release date and price.
For all we know this premium console could be $600 and all it's games also releasing on XBO
I own a Pro, XBO, WiiU and Switch... And I really don't like how MS drop the ball so easily with a console close to perform like the PS4... And the games they tried to compete with were average as hell and almost the last nail in their respective IP coffins...
I'm not interested in any spec if it isn't shown with a release date and price.
For all we know this premium console could be $600 and all it's games also releasing on XBO
I own a Pro, XBO, WiiU and Switch... And I really don't like how MS drop the ball so easily with a console close to perform like the PS4... And the games they tried to compete with were average as hell and almost the last nail in their respective IP coffins...
On one hand they say "it'll just work, boosting res and or fps", on the other they say "we might have to dial it down", which implies individual patching, on hundreds of games already released.
Plus, some games are simply locked on res and framerate, and obviously assets.
So.... Which is it?
I have a feeling that behind the "simple messaging" there is quite a bit of obfuscation, which wouldn't be all that surprising from MS's PR tbh.
We'll see when the console itself is actually available, but that won't be until November (probably).
Plus, some games are simply locked on res and framerate, and obviously assets.
So.... Which is it?
I have a feeling that behind the "simple messaging" there is quite a bit of obfuscation, which wouldn't be all that surprising from MS's PR tbh.
We'll see when the console itself is actually available, but that won't be until November (probably).
Risk Breaker
Member
This is not true. AFAIK Devs are not forced to do anything for Scorpio, and old games will not automatically run at increased resolution.
So I guess the message wasn't that clear after all?
He meant a fully tailored next gen videogame for a 6Tf system.
Given it still has to run on an xb1 and the Scorpio is still sporting an old ass Jag CPU in there, I guess you will see upres'd games with better assets and call it a day.
He's not gonna have what he wants until next gen hits.
(these Pro enhanced consoles are not next gen per se)
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
Someone got paid to write that,
CJY
Banned
I have to say, I'm no Microsoft or Xbox fan but the simple messaging here is going to pay off for them in the long term I believe. I don't think Scorpio is going to sell as well as they would like it to, because Sony have this generation sewn up. No, this messaging will benefit Microsoft in the following generation. This renewed focus on giving the gamers what they want and delivering over and over again will pay dividends eventually. At least, I hope so. It would be a shame to see this kind of effort go unnoticed. They need to regain people's trust. No more fuck-ups and they can be on top again. Anybody at the top for too long can grow complacent, and I think it's starting to show with Sony. Maybe this e3 will change my mind on that
dgrdsv
Member
From everything MS has been saying about Scorpio lately it's pretty clear that they aim at providing the best console platform for key multiplatform releases, not exclusive games of some insane quantity. With 3rd parties dominating console sales this seems like a correct pitch to me as if I hadn't a PC I would certainly prefer Scorpio to PS4Pro to play something like Battlefront II.
In other words, people are overestimating the impact of exclusive games again and are underestimating the impact of having better multiplatform releases.
I think power actually had little to do with the current sales of each console. Price and bad word of mouth have more of an impact than power. Just about every mainstream gamer I know doesn't care if one version is softer than the other. If MS didn't shit the bed on policies and messaging while forcing a $500 box on everyone, the sales would be a lot closer regardless of the power gap.
I agree that Scorpio isn't going to turn things around for MS, but I don't think they are expecting it to either. They have been selling it as a niche device so far.
Nah there are games this gen that couldn't be done last gen even at lowering resolutions without compromises to the experience. 64-player Battlefield, Ark, Dead Rising 3 and 4 are all games that couldn't be done on a last gen console.
History says when there have been console advances to reach a certain display resolution you also got advances in software. That's a given because the hardware is more capable. If Sony didn't care about display technology then whats the reason for PS4 Pro? Has the hardware capability of the PS4 been tapped out. Hell no. Sony specifically said they were doing to take advantage of 4K tvs.
The marketing, messaging and delivering are amazing for Scorpio and it's what I was waiting for from a mid gen upgrade but at the end of the day Microsoft has no exclusives and my PC is more powerful than Scorpio so I'll still be playing multiplats on PC and exclusives on PS4 Pro.
For console only people, it's something else...
For console only people, it's something else...
wapplew
Member
And Switch just become fastest selling Nintendo console with Zelda.
Sure, but that's also the only public message about Scorpio. So the simple message being targeted at hardcore enthusiasts is probably not what it needs to be if you want to hit mass market or it must expand and no longer becomes a simple message.
THat's what PS Pro exists for as an iterative unit yes.
But my point is that when we're talking about a PS5, its not going to be designed as a "4K box" as you say, but an actual next gen machine to advance software complexity itself.
This means possibly sub 4K games in certain cases yes, but the gain in actual gameplay design will be felt just as they are in every gen, hence Sony's differentiation of the Pro from an actual next gen console.
That's just my opinion of course
Again, as Phil has stated time and time again this console is for the enthusiasts. If their message reaches beyond that kudos for them.
RowdyReverb
Member
I'd agree that it is a huge step-up from the Xbox One's announcement. There were way more questions than answers and it felt like MS didn't even have the answers. With Scorpio, it feels like they've anyicipated every question, from how 360 games will run better to how 1080p users will benefit.
Completely agree. You can look no further than this board's surprise at Wildlands selling as well as it did. Exclusives matter to an extent but thinking it's what the general population is focused on most is naive.
OfficerRaichu15
Member
Hit me with the games Microsoft and I'll jump in(maybe viva piñata in 4K :/)
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
He's not wrong. They're on the right track though. Strong and steady lineup of exclusive software is the only part of the puzzle that's missing. As far as platform and services go, they're doing a much better job than Sony for the most part.
I agree and of course you're right, but the console market has been tempered to expect generations and revised hardware to be clearly different. Maybe in 5 years everything will be different and the argument null, bur right now people are asking if this is a new generation or not, and they're right to be confused.
Sony
Banned
I don't really see how the article you linked is relevant to the discussion the OP started. The OP is about messaging.
KZXcellent
Member
I feel like their messaging has been on point with the Scorpio, yes. I also liked last year's E3 Presser where they had a great showing and I liked the ballsy promo for the Scorpio at the time. A transparent message about how Scorpio is the strongest machine on the market and your games will look at their best on Scorpio. That said though, they need more messaging for me to bite.
Fact of the matter is though they need major exclusives. The usual rotation of Gears, Halo and Forza isn't enough for me and I assume many others. Titles like State of Decay and and Sea of Thieves look promising but I don't see those games as major system sellers and more on the AA level like Killer Instinct. Crackdown also has me nervous since it seems to be have had a hard time in development. Hell, I forgot about it until last month. The hope is that E3 cures my anxiety and ensures I have a reason to buy a Scorpio. I'm confident Microsoft can do it and I'm excited to see them succeed.
If all they manage to do is have the same exclusives they have now and a system that 3rd party games look better on then I have no interest. Wake me up when they announce Lost Odyssey 2.
Fact of the matter is though they need major exclusives. The usual rotation of Gears, Halo and Forza isn't enough for me and I assume many others. Titles like State of Decay and and Sea of Thieves look promising but I don't see those games as major system sellers and more on the AA level like Killer Instinct. Crackdown also has me nervous since it seems to be have had a hard time in development. Hell, I forgot about it until last month. The hope is that E3 cures my anxiety and ensures I have a reason to buy a Scorpio. I'm confident Microsoft can do it and I'm excited to see them succeed.
If all they manage to do is have the same exclusives they have now and a system that 3rd party games look better on then I have no interest. Wake me up when they announce Lost Odyssey 2.
Teletraan1
Banned
They didn't have to do a full games blowout. They could have picked one title everyone knows is coming and show it actually running on the scorpio and all this "where is the games" rhetoric for the next two months goes away. It just distracts from whatever message they were putting out there.
Primethius
Banned
It is an incredibly simple message but it also feels ridiculously mistimed. So much of MS's focus seems to be on the Scorpio where as everyone knows it's not meant to be a big seller and now, on top of the PS4, you have another competitor in the field whose product is appealing to the mass market and finding loads of success.
The competition is focused both on their existing bases and drumming up mass market support where as MS seems to largely be on the Scorpio train and retaining their existing base.
So while the message is simple, I don't really think it's effective or timed all that well.
The competition is focused both on their existing bases and drumming up mass market support where as MS seems to largely be on the Scorpio train and retaining their existing base.
So while the message is simple, I don't really think it's effective or timed all that well.
By far. All eyes on E3.
There's gonna be some fireworks this year cause they're coming in hot!
Captain Tuttle
Member
Great point about the GAF bubble. I think MS is going after two types of people: Xbox owners who jumped to Sony because of the power difference (and price although I think if the power was equal between the two and prices the same much fewer people would have left MS). The second group is Xbone owners who want a big jump in power (me and my friends). MS isn't going to catch up with Sony in any meaningful way in the short to medium term, I think this is part of a longer term strategy where MS builds and expands it's ecosystem including Windows Gaming
Need games and their lineup is severely lacking compared to ps4. This console will be niche. Selling 500 dollar console to only the hardcores of the US/uk. The rest of the world won't even care. Xbox has a brand problem world wide if they didn't buy your console at 250 then they sure as hell won't care about a 500 dollar one.
This is definitely an article that people will choose to be offended by. No fan of Ben, he's written some dumb shit in the past, but I don't disagree here. Microsoft's entire angle is power and all your old shit will benefit too.
I do loathe when people use the phrase "it just works." Nothing ever just works and it's the most annoying fucking tech thing to say.
I do loathe when people use the phrase "it just works." Nothing ever just works and it's the most annoying fucking tech thing to say.
RedAssedApe
Banned
#4thegamers
I get what you are saying, but it was clearly a hardware related reveal. They even used DF. I think it would be wise for them to wait for E3 and blow it out. Why gimp E3 by showing their shit now?
I myself would rather see it now and fuck E3 because I have zero patience. lol
I feel like the message of effectively "all old games will run better, and new games get a more dramatic bump" with the technical explanation to make it appear valid, with an impending game showcase at E3 (itself still months out from the actual launch) is a good place to be at.
Demanding to see games right now only possible on the Scorpio is (1) impatient given the looming E3 show, as all announcements are toned down in the months before, (2) a mostly silly criteria, with the way modern software scales, and (3) obviously an insistance that the product split its own market in a self-destructive way.
Demanding to see games right now only possible on the Scorpio is (1) impatient given the looming E3 show, as all announcements are toned down in the months before, (2) a mostly silly criteria, with the way modern software scales, and (3) obviously an insistance that the product split its own market in a self-destructive way.
Shrennin
Didn't get the memo regarding the 14th Amendment
I feel like Microsoft letting developers decide what to do with the Scorpio is brilliant (as well as making sure that the Scorpio's power can be used almost effortlessly to boost Xbox One games and the fact that "boost mode" is always on with Scorpio). It's also nice to hear confirmation from Spencer that the next Xbox is being planned, and I feel like Microsoft wants to, from here on out, control the power message.
They have also said they recognize they need to focus on exclusives, so their plans with software aren't entirely clear.
While I think the "no games" talk is exaggerated or trolling, exclusives do matter. It's one of the reasons Sony was able to turn things around with the PS3.
I mean... sure?
Microsoft are doing a good job with controlling the message but I'm not convinced the message has all that wide a reach. There is still some way to go between where they are now and convincing gamers, at large, that the power gap is worth the price of admission, that Digital Foundry speculate will be $499. Getting Digital Foundry and its audience to salivate over the most powerful console ever made isn't hard.
Microsoft are doing a good job with controlling the message but I'm not convinced the message has all that wide a reach. There is still some way to go between where they are now and convincing gamers, at large, that the power gap is worth the price of admission, that Digital Foundry speculate will be $499. Getting Digital Foundry and its audience to salivate over the most powerful console ever made isn't hard.