HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
Just talking out loud here and I have zero clue which way this will go but the only thing I could think of holding it back from being full bore Windows PC will be the license agreements with all those console only games
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Xbox will "reevaluate" its approach to video game exclusivity
- Thread starter seb85
- Start date
Topher
Identifies as young
Good point. The legalese of all this gets lost in trying to suss out what they are trying to do. Really the person who has been pushing the "full bore windows" approach the most has been Jez Corden so maybe time to pump the brakes on that theory. lol
Skifi28
Gold Member
Exclusives were good until they weren't and the future was multiplatform with only evil Sony holding back games, but now exclusives are great again apparently. Though if they don't end up changing anything I predict multiplatform will be amazing once again.
Mr.Phoenix
Member
I see what you are saying, and I can understand how you see it panning out, I just disagree.
My reasoning is simple, in a perfect cloud gaming world, a cloud gaming "console" or even just the service would always be cheaper than any other physical format. At least with regard to up-front costs. So if the price advantage is the reason people go to cloud gaming because gaming hardware is now expensive... then that would have happened a long time ago.
On another note, inasmuch as gaming hardware is pricer now than ever, people tend to ignore the fact that hardware always self-corrects... eg, its the reason that everyone and their dog is releasing a handheld now. A handheld is going to be the most practical way to more or less push for a sub-1080p gaming device and one that will come into that $400/$500 price bracket.
Yes, I have, and maybe I am just jaded, but I simply do not trust Microsoft. If I am standing on a beach and burning up, and an MS exec walks to me and says its really sunny out today.... I will still look up just to make sure the sun is actually there.
I hear all the unifying Xbox talk, but to me, that just means "hey, now you only need to make your game for the PC, and it will work on Xbox". And yes, there will be the Xbox store cause well, they would love you to buy said games on their store... but i do not believe that any game released for Helix will be different in any way than its Steam counterpart.
What I mean is that we can't be talking about Windows and Xbox like these two things can realistically co-exist, and everyone will be happy. For one to succeed, the other quite literally has to die.
If they really want to make the Xbox brand stronger, then they have to pull support away from Windows PC, take a Sony and Nintendo approach to gaming. Make people go out and buy an Xbox because that's the only way to get certain games and a specific type of experience. They can keep their cloud stuff going, but the best way to experience Xbox, should be the hardware itself... and if they are doing that, then they can't also be on PC (Windows).
And if they are doing the whole Windows thing, then do it right, accept that all that really matters is the Xbox store, and make a storefront that would give Steam a proper run for its money, even if that means discounting games on the store and being the cheapest way to buy games on the PC. Make your games be everywhere, so you are a proper platform agnostic publisher....etc.
I just dont see the two things coexisting, and its that kinda messaging confusion that MS seems to keep doing. You can't eat your cake and have it, something has to give.
Thats ok... what I said clearly needed some more context lol.
70% of something is better than 100% of nothing.
But this is kinda the problem, isn't it. Are they primarily a platform holder? Or primarily a publisher? To succeed at either would require two completely different business models. Microsoft's issue, and their failing... is that they haev been trying to do both at the same time. That will NEVER work.
If you accept that no one buys PC games on your store, then your fight there is either to incentivise people to buy from your store, or be totally fine just selling your games on other people's stores, but then if you are making hardware along with that, then make sure those games from those stores will run on your hardware just fine. This puts you in the steam and windows territory.
But then if what's important to you is selling third-party games on your store? Then the best way to do that is by having your own hardware that third parties support, which is different from the PC, and the best way to make people buy your hardware to begin with, is to have exclusives that (you guessed it), isn't on the PC... which brings you right into PlayStation/Nintendo territory.
RickMasters
Member
Depends, for sony.....i mean, when marathon, destiny and helldivers 2 make the majority of their revenue on PC, I think they would do well to atleast put GT on PC, then keep all their SP games exclusive. but PC should should always been on the table for MP games. especially now they they rely on gaming for revenue even more than movies or music, or any of their shrinking electronics departments. they cant JUST rely on PS users alone for future growth as a SONY, the company.
Sohurmk833
Member
How many do?
kevboard
Member
the way I think the Helix will work is that it has an updated version of the current Xbox OS. so running the Windows kernel + Hyper V for games in Xbox mode.
and in PC mode I bet it will run an even more locked down version of Windows 11 S, where the S mode can not be turned off, and where non-gaming apps are omitted from the store.
I expect that you will not be able to install any programs unless they are in the MS Store, and that side loading stuff that isn't in the store will be a hidden away feature, only doable through USB (so no downloads through a browser), and that it also gives you a safety warning if you turn side loading on.
that's my prediction. and that would allow them to strip away a big chunk of the OS
MisterXDTV
Member
Absolutely, they are trying to be a first party and a third party at the same time, that is, by definition, impossibile
It's one or the other....
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
Oh, I get the trust thing. 100% with you and understand that.
I guess, if we look at the kind of feedback Ive been having when I say I dont understand why someone wouldnt just buy a 9800X3D and a 5080. I received constructive criticism that many, many people do not want to buy a PC. They want the ease of a console. So for that fact alone, I feel that the two devices absolutely can co exist. it has to be able to co exist based on the feedback I have received. Many users do not want PC or anything that goes a long with it. So if your only choice to play these games is to have an Xbox or a PC, I dont see how one has to die or can't co exist. That throws it all on its head.
Well every prebuilt PC on the planet comes with a month free of PC gamepass. its one of their largest growth sectors in gaming in the last few years. PC gamepass has seen considerable growth year on year.
TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
Asha Sharma: "Xbox is re-evaluating its approach to videogame exclusivity"
Xbox fantards: "Xbox console exclusives are BACK!!!!!....YAY"
Xbox: "Xbox first party games will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC for the first 6 months post-launch. Please be excited"
Xbox fantards: "Xbox console exclusives are BACK!!!!!....YAY"
Xbox: "Xbox first party games will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC for the first 6 months post-launch. Please be excited"
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
I think the genuine truth to it, is the industry is completely fucked and Sony and Microsoft were trying to make as much money as possible so they both went multiplatform, microsoft much more than sony.
They now have the data to do an A / B test and can make a business decision based on that.
hououinkyouma00
Member
suddenly exclusivity is good
Exclusivity was always good IMO. Gaming was better when every platform had it's own unique reasons for owning it and it's own unique identity. Now that is mostly gone .
But I get the point of the posts. Exclusives are bad when it only works for one platform and not another. I think Xbox should have exclusives but the important part is that the reason it works for Sony and Nintendo is that they have compelling exclusives (whether they are to everyone's taste or not doesn't matter because they sell well especially on the Nintendo front).
Sohurmk833
Member
I asked how many players are on PC Gamepass. Not about "growth" or any other PR bullshit.
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
Why would you ask that question to me?
RickMasters
Member
That has more to do with thenbadwill they had built up with gamers until that point. And still is an uphill battle for them. but on paper (they have a tonne of studios, and far more resources than the sony or nintendo) they have all the tools to win back a lot of gamers and even gain some loyal ones. if they make the right moves that specifically grow their xbox userbase.
back in the X360 era the halos, gers, forza etc sold gang busters because they had a huge userbase and a ridiculous atttach rate (I think it was 5:1 on games) . Exclusives sell when you have a lot of people to sell them too. because not every one console user nessicarily buys every exclusive. if that was the case every games would have sales equal to how many consoles its sold. there are 60 million PS5s in the wild, yet only a fraction buy the PS5 exclusives. I mean do 60 million of you own a copy of astrobot...or was it more like only 2 million of you? does that make it a system seller, success or nah? Im sure it did its job and sold a few PS....why would MS own exclusives not sell consoles? we just seen FH5 do 5 million on PS5 alone, more than double what astrobot did in less time.....I wonder how many of those people would have bought FH if it was an xbox eclusive that was not even on PC.......
That said, im assuming their strategy is a closed box console (possibly two skus), hyrbid PC, PC chipset to go into MOBOs for fully custom builds and a of course ROG ally X as the flagship handheld with the xbox OS finding its way onto the othe PC handhelds. something for everybody at every budget. even sony seems to be releasing PS6 in two tiers with an S-like model at launch alongside the regularmore powerful one, a handheld , then probably a pro version a few years later in 3031.
I think both companies are fully aware of the state of the economy and realise that you need to make hardware at different price points to reach as many gamers as possible, even if the low end model can hamstring/slow development due to opmtizations needed. I think in the world that we live in its a necessary choice. shit is getting more expensive and people are struggling to pay rent, save for homes, holidays, put kids through school. gaming cant price itself out of reach of regular working people with families. but that dont mean MS and sony cant cater to their potential customers at any budget. for some kid somwewhere in the world maybe just playing COD or a GT or a god of war or a halo even at 30/1440P is probably better than nothing at all or a phone for gaming.
Sohurmk833
Member
Because you claimed that a lot of players use PC Gamepass.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
There are a few issues with pitching it to pre-built crowd.
1. This won't be upgradable for the most part. We don't even know if storage upgrades will be allowed but RAM, GPU and other components are out.
2. How locked down will the platform be? It's unknown but half the point of a PC is flexibility from mods to utilities to avoiding paid online, installing anything you want and more.
3. General distrust of MS. Do people want Copilot, Recall, heavy telemetry monitoring, and other inevitable MS shenanigans?
I think this is certainly an interesting attempt by MS but there are way too many unknowns currently to judge one way or the other.
Personally I don't believe in competence of Microsoft management. I deal with them constantly on professional basis supporting a 9 figure contract (for MS software) and man, even there it's a shit show. There are certainly some sharp technical people (who MS is trying to buyout and drive out as we speak) but overall dealing with Microsoft is a huge challenge. If it's like that for their "pay the bills" Enterprise approach think how bad the House of Asha and Booty must be.
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Sohurmk833
Member
They matter if you still have a healthy platform. So they don´t matter for Xbox.
J Required
Gold Member
I'm the biggest Sony fan here, and I still say: do it, Microsoft. I've always believed exclusives are essential for building brand value. Pull your games from PlayStation—and even from Steam.
Sethbacca
Member
Who still trusts Bethesda enough to buy an entire console for that game though?
Zacfoldor
Gold Member
I wonder if Asha has pierced the rears of any new gaming devils this morning or if she's waiting till she's had her coffee.
Always was. We just had nincompoops in charge.suddenly exclusivity is good
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SenkiDala
Member
Why ?
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
In response to the below post. Quite telling that you did not quote this poster to ask them how many copies of games Microsoft sells on the XBox store?
kevboard
Member
they are not good, they are a necessary evil.
Zacfoldor
Gold Member
I mean, I get it, the last thing a Sony fan would want is a competent Microsoft.
I would be right there with them but the specific chemistry of this human called Asha....intrigues me. A rare and radiant maiden unbothered by the petty politics and arguments that have come before. A Valkyrie. Dare I say, an equal. I would see her fly.
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Sohurmk833
Member
Doesn´t change that you made a claim and have zero proof for it. Nobody using the Microsoft store sounds at least believable because the store is the biggest piece of shit imaginable.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
To me a full blown Windows (with some guardrails) and Xbox mode makes the most sense. Otherwise you will have a very hard time convincing PC gamers to buy this and Xbox audience isn't used to $1200+ prices.
SentientStone
Member
Please give us Killer Instinct on PS5 before rethinking. 
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
I love people like you, when did you join? - oh makes sense.
You trust another poster because you want to and ask questions you know there aren't answers for, then say the data provided is not what you want and not good enough. "I'm not trusting percentages" etc. give me numbers. you are discussing selectively and in bad faith.
Below is some information for you, I am sure you can look up some more if you want it.
PC Game Pass experienced strong growth, with revenue rising 45% year-over-year by mid-2025, as Xbox shifts focus toward PC and cloud, targeting 50 million total subscribers. Despite this, subscription growth plateaued at around 35 million users in 2025, leading to price cuts in April 2026 to around $14/month and a change in strategy for Day One releases.
Topher
Identifies as young
Yeah, they need to pick one. PC or console. Doing both is yet another confusing strategy from Microsoft. Ever since Xbox One, it seems all they can do is overcomplicate things. If they are truly "returning to console", I think they need to lean into consoles hard with value. Make it less powerful and undercut PlayStation in price. Stop trying to be everything to everybody. If the goal is to rejuvenate Xbox then leave the PC side out of the equation and drop this "other stores" nonsense.
Otherwise, just make it a full fledge Windows PC and be done with it.
Merline
Member
Sony has a strong, healthy platform with over 100 million consoles, which is why they can afford to keep their games exclusive and still reach a massive global audience.
Xbox is in an entirely different situation. Outside the USA, the Xbox console is basically dead. Even in its home market, it is being crushed and outclassed by the PS5.
I genuinely feel sorry for Microsoft Studios. Imagine pouring years of effort into a game that is exclusive to a platform that has virtually no real presence outside the US anymore.
PlayStaytion
Member
If you could convince Ass of can whooping it doesn't matter.
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
All of this work is being done to try and turn that around. We need competition because Sony has completely dropped the ball this gen and this might make them hurry up and sort their shit out. I want more decent single player games from Sony. Big triple A games from their large studios.
Sohurmk833
Member
I trust common sense. And i don´t trust nebulous PR. You still haven´t disclosed how many people are on PC Gamepass btw. As said "growth" doesn´t interest me.
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
All good man, lets just leave it there. Free to use your common sense. Peace
Artistic
Member
I could be wrong, but I think there was a situation where Rise of the Tomb Raider was supposed to be an Xbox One exclusive and due to Sony fan backlash, it ended up being a timed.
Topher
Identifies as young
If you paid more attention to the state of both platforms then why that is would make more sense.
kevboard
Member
Please give us Killer Instinct on PS5 before rethinking.
I don't think a KI port was in the cards either way tbh
Topher
Identifies as young
No, it was always timed. Microsoft was intentionally misleading with its wording to make it out like it was a fully exclusive Xbox One game.
Artistic
Member
The specific term that comes to mind is "money hatting" exclusives.
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
The good news will be that if the next Xbox plays Steam we dont have to worry about Sony moneyhatting exclusives anymore because no competent dev or publisher would agree to a playstation exclusive that isnt on steam, so we should see that side go away, hopefully.
demigod
Member
They gave us trash like Avowed, HellBlade 2 and South of Midnight instead.Please give us Killer Instinct on PS5 before rethinking.
Knucklepux
Member
I get what you're saying but…
Helldivers 2 significantly outperformed Helldivers 1
Uncharted 2 significantly outperformed Uncharted 1
Borderlands 2 significantly outperformed Borderlands 1
My point is that comparing the Fable generation of TWO generations ago to today doesn't make sense. Also Gears 4 and 5 had different leads and released on the Xbox One. I think really marketing and pushing a Marcus and Dom return will do wonders. People hold the 360 games close to their heart.
SenkiDala
Member
Yeah well I could understand this one, Tomb Raider has an history of being on PlayStation too. But for Elder Scrolls... Not at all ? Morrowind never made it on PS, Oblivion arrived very late on PS3. I wouldn't be surprised if ES6 would be only on Xbox/PC. I mean it's Bethesda belong to Microsoft. Nobody's expecting Spider-Man of Last of Us on Xbox.
HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
1. Not sure how many looking for prebuilts even care about upgrading in the future
2. This is big for the PC crowd, how restrictive it is
3. Kind of circles back to point 2, how much crap will be on it and what can we do with it
Topher
Identifies as young
So are we going to see fewer instances of Microsoft moneyhatting timed exclusives for Game Pass as well?
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