The problem is that wanting everyone to be able to play on GP, and launching a new 12Tflops beast of a console, just don't mix. They don't want to showcase the Series X hardware, they want games on GP that everyone with a potato pc can run, effectively robbing Xbox fans of that next gen thrill and excitement.
Xbox fans all defend GP like its their kid sister, but deep down they all want to see new AAA ip's like they are seeing on the competitions platforms. Unfortunately, those are not the type of games that will boost GP subscribers and keep them subscribed for the long term. What MS is looking to copy is the success of games like Fortnite. Games that anyone with a pc can run and that'll keep them engaged with the service.
I understand that a lot of people think GP is the best thing MS has done this generation, but it comes at the expense of not having truly exciting next gen games early on. And the truth is that MS's complete focus on GP directly affects the kind of games we'll see rolling out of their 15 studios in the long term.
I actually agree.
The only thing to understand is: Thats fine.
Theyve made their console super powerful not only for their own studios (who will flex eventually) but also for third parties to be able to utilize that power. The profiler should allow Devs to get games to work across the Series S and Series X no problem if the only thing downgraded in teh Series S is the GPU. (Scaling graphics is alot easier than scaling CPU tasks).
Xbox fans should still get "Nextgen experiences" just not from first party studios till the XB1 is dropped completely.
Which again is fine.
MS are going one way, Sony are going another and Nintendo is doing their thing.
People who want the Sony style Cinematic Single Player experience can get that.......they will just need to buy a Playstation to do so.
Im more into the Xbox ecosystem just because I joined XBL way back when and at this point I dont feel like permanently migrating, I like the Gamepass route because Im also someone who rarely replays games once ive completed them and im a cheap bastard, hidden gems and MS style live games for "free" is a good deal for me and alot of people.
But ive still owned every Playstation console(even the PSP and PSV) because I like those Sony exclusives....people who want that style of game can just nut up and buy the console that offers that.
I dont think either strategy is bad or that any manufacturer needs to copy another, if anything having companies that are employing different strategies is actually good for us all.
Want those Single player exclusives you get that, want a service that gets you a bunch of "free" games and dedicated studios producing live games, you get that too, want some Pokemon, Zelda and Animal Crossing the industry provides.
If anything the companies taking different routes "should" help reduce the tribalism thats present in console wars.
Since the companies arent so directly competing with strategy we shouldnt be directly comparing them its effectively like owning different style cars for different situations....which is again fine.
You dont find Supercar owners that tease Sedan owners for having back seats that add weight or truck owners who haul stuff around all day telling city car owners that small peace of shit couldnt lug 20 pigs.
MS fans seemingly want something to one up Sony fans about....and Sony fans showoff that Sony gonna Sony as an insult to MS fans.
But that doesnt really make sense.....if you were someone who wanted Sony style games, logically you would be a Sony fan, if like Nintendos approach you would be a ninty fan.
Why does MS have to be like Sony....why does Sony need a counter to Gamepass?
All these companies are billion dollar earners....clearly there is space for different strategies at the end of the day we all win.