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[GHG]

Well as I stated, having hardware not being exactly the same would help getting more interesting "fights" in the game space.
Having more first party games would help building better identity for the consoles.
Everything has become streamlined to a point it has become nearly impossible to spot differences in games between platforms. Doesn't mean the games are bad. But the overall context is not very exciting.

Happy for you that you are enjoying this gen though.

Sorry to say it, but the hardware being the "same" generation to generation is solely an Xbox problem. The controller is the same, even the UI was the same. The only unique thing Xbox created this generation on the hardware side of things is the proprietary SSD, which is of zero benefit to the consumer.

I get what they were going for in terms of continuity but everything about the jump from the Xbox One to the series consoles was lazy and poorly thought out. I've never seen Nintendo or Sony pull anything like that before when jumping a generation, and there's a reason for it.

New console generations are supposed to mark new gaming experiences and new ways to interact with the console. They failed in all aspects.

 

[Fart Knight]

Im an OG in these European skreetz. P3 hold it down!

 

[bitbydeath]

When MS leaves Apple will step in and wont be as nice as MS is to the competition

They’ll certainly have their work cut out for them then.

 

[mckmas8808]

Keep paying and paying and paying and then when you want to replay a game you find out it isn't available anymore because you have no control in anyway or form with subscription based media consumption.

A corporation's favorite consumer. One that pays, pays, and pays yet owns nothing.

 

[mckmas8808]

I don't think it is just the price point. Microsoft sold Series S for $229 for a long time. I think there was a Verizon offer of a Series S for something like $150.

I think we underestimated the use case Sony was catering to. Sony must have had the data to see how people engage and interact with their content, and there must be a big enough market for this particular use case (Remote Play) that we all just collectively underestimated and ignored.

100% agree. I've heard people talk about how happy they were with their Steamdecks and being able to game on the go. Just take that same thought and paste it onto remote play and you can satisfy at least half of that audience. If Valve can sell 2 million Steamdecks in 2 years, Sony must feel like they can sell a million in 2 years.

 

[Sweden85]

I really don't know who buys Xboxes here in Norway. My oldest 14, all his friends play on PS5 or PC, my youngest 7 all play on PS4, PS5 or Switch.

 

[M.W.]

I blame the S. Fuck you S.

 

[Jigsaah]

Xbox is going to do the most Xbox thing possible and try to jump start next gen consoles 2+ years ahead of Sony and think they have done something special even if it doesn't have the 11 out of 10 type of games.

Nooooo shot they pull another 360. Only reason to do this is.............................if Sony drops the Pro......sunuva bitch.

 

[Dick Jones]

If you think MS is bad Applle will be way worse

MS fucked it all up with the ABK purchase. That allowed the likes of Apple, Amazon, Google (in a newer form) and Meta to hoover up the third party publishers while pointing to MS buying ABK. A few years of actual proper work and leadership would have saved Xbox and kept the status quo.

 

[The Pleasure]

Dear God Please. Keep making Xbox Smaller. The duke controller still threatens to crush us all.

 

[GHG]

They’ll certainly have their work cut out for them then.

I'd bet that if apple made a dedicated console it would do well.

For a start they understand and have experience in the entertainment industry and their quality standards are as good as they come.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Nooooo shot they pull another 360. Only reason to do this is.............................if Sony drops the Pro......sunuva bitch.

Sony still bringing the Pro and Xbox targeting around double the Pro's power about 12-18 months after Pro comes out

Random thoughts (that I first said about 3 months ago )

So on vacation and traveling around a lot in the mountains so no cell service so wont be able to reply for a few days but it seems likely Playstation will have the pro market to themselves for a couple of years at least but sounds like Xbox will drop the next gen Xbox 2 well before PS drops the PS6

 

[Jigsaah]

Sony still bringing the Pro and Xbox targeting around double the Pro's power about 12-18 months after Pro comes out

Random thoughts (that I first said about 3 months ago )

Well this is great for me, I can get the Pro, then the next Xbox...then PS6

 

[mckmas8808]

I just realized a Portal device would have made alot more sense coming from Xbox instead of PlayStation. Sony isn't allowing cloud streaming from it yet. MS seems to want that everywhere.

Don't tell me MS is about to be late to the party yet again....

So world wide, in the month of October 23', Playstation sold 75% of HD Power consoles whereas Xbox sold 25%. A 3-1 advantage is crazy when Starfield just released.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Well this is great for me, I can get the Pro, then the next Xbox...then PS6

I think thats their very thought behind this, try to get out a "next gen" console all to themselves for awhile

We will see

 

[poppabk]

MS fucked it all up with the ABK purchase. That allowed the likes of Apple, Amazon, Google (in a newer form) and Meta to hoover up the third party publishers while pointing to MS buying ABK. A few years of actual proper work and leadership would have saved Xbox and kept the status quo.

Pointing to MS? Why do they need to point at anyone, they can and always could just go buy that shit up if they wanted.

 

[Topher]

Sony still bringing the Pro and Xbox targeting around double the Pro's power about 12-18 months after Pro comes out

Random thoughts (that I first said about 3 months ago )

If so, then console generations will be further pushed out of alignment. You'll have PS6 12-18 months after the next xbox. Could be we get to the point that new console hardware comes out every year between Sony, MS and Nintendo.

 

[GHG]

Sony still bringing the Pro and Xbox targeting around double the Pro's power about 12-18 months after Pro comes out

Random thoughts (that I first said about 3 months ago )

Power is not the issue though so this strategy will only make things worse for them unless the console is paired with games that can only be played on that console at the time of release.

The reason I say that is because the demographic for gaming consoles is an aging one, and those most concerned with power have long since made the jump to PC.

 

[Topher]

Pointing to MS? Why do they need to point at anyone, they can and always could just go buy that shit up if they wanted.

No they couldn't. They would have to get through anti-trust regulators just like Microsoft and probably have a harder time doing so. Now there is precedence for ridiculously large corporations to get even larger and that's is what Dick Jones is saying they will point to and he's right.

 

[Little Chicken]

Sony still bringing the Pro and Xbox targeting around double the Pro's power about 12-18 months after Pro comes out

Random thoughts (that I first said about 3 months ago )

Is power really that relevant outside of the hardcore gaming community? Most people are playing on their phones or using 7 year old laptops to play ROBLOX and Minecraft.

Multi-generational brand loyalty is more of a factor to Sony's success than the power of their hardware.

 

[GHG]

Is power really that relevant outside of the hardcore gaming community? Most people are playing on their phones or using 7 year old laptops to play ROBLOX and Minecraft.

Multi-generational brand loyalty is more of a factor to Sony's success than the power of their hardware.

And how do you think brand loyalty is built and maintained?

 

[mckmas8808]

He became head of Xbox in 2014.

Games can take 6+ years to develop. Efforts to drastically improve a studio can take 5-10 years...

The console cycle isn't his friend.

That's 9 years as the head. WAAAAY more than enough time.

Sorry to say it, but the hardware being the "same" generation to generation is solely an Xbox problem. The controller is the same, even the UI was the same. The only unique thing Xbox created this generation on the hardware side of things is the proprietary SSD, which is of zero benefit to the consumer.

I get what they were going for in terms of continuity but everything about the jump from the Xbox One to the series consoles was lazy and poorly thought out. I've never seen Nintendo or Sony pull anything like that before when jumping a generation, and there's a reason for it.

New console generations are supposed to mark new gaming experiences and new ways to interact with the console. They failed in all aspects.

Exactly! Some seem to not understand this.

Sony still bringing the Pro and Xbox targeting around double the Pro's power about 12-18 months after Pro comes out

Random thoughts (that I first said about 3 months ago )

If MS does this, their brand will be DEAD by 2030! You can book it!

 

[Little Chicken]

And how do you think brand loyalty is built and maintained?

Really good marketing and product placement

 

[midnightAI]

I'd bet that if apple made a dedicated console it would do well.

For a start they understand and have experience in the entertainment industry and their quality standards are as good as they come.

Yeh, they could call it PippinToo

 

[Spukc]

First gen i didnt buy an xbox.. with a gaming pc there is zero reason

 

[gerth666]

If this rumour about next gen Xbox releasing a bit after ps5 pro is true it's going to go down like a lead balloon. To me it screams can't let playstation have the performance crown again, and we can't release a pro console into our line up because like a bunch of helmets we already got two consoles. I reckon it's typical reactionary Microsoft. It's going to be the next Dreamcast, only people who will buy it are hardcore Xbox zealots

 

[Little Chicken]

If MS does this, their brand will be DEAD by 2030! You can book it!

It's pretty far fetched that the next Xbox would be comparable to a PS5-Pro.

Even the Series X destroys the relatively over-powered Xbox One X.

I think the next Xbox will be designed with PC development in mind first and foremost, not necessarily a dick-measuring competition with Sony - it makes more sense for them to double down in their own PC/living room/GamePass eco system now. Xbox services success speaks for itself and something Sony hasn't been able to replicate yet, so it's something they can elevate further.

 

[GHG]

Really good marketing and product placement

 

[Topher]

First gen i didnt buy an xbox.. with a gaming pc there is zero reason

Pretty much why I sold my Xbox. Every first party game is there on PC day one whether it is with Game Pass or Steam. I soon realized that I only turned on my Xbox for MS rewards quests and then later found out I can do all that with the Xbox app on my phone.

 

[Topher]

 

[Klayzer]

This post brought to you by....

I think he meant "superior products", just guessing.

 

[Jigsaah]

If so, then console generations will be further pushed out of alignment. You'll have PS6 12-18 months after the next xbox. Could be we get to the point that new console hardware comes out every year between Sony, MS and Nintendo.

I wouldn't be mad at this honestly

 

[C2brixx]

Buying ABK didn't put them all in on consoles. Neither did buying Zenimax.

The overall price of the acquisition doesn't mean anything either. They bought Skype in 2012, where are things with Skype now? It was probably a large purchase for them relative to their overall market cap.

I was responding to a post questioning Microsoft's commitment to video games. Which judging by the over $80B in acquisitions over the past 5 years they clearly are. There have been questions about Microsoft getting out of the console business since this was Gaming-Age forums. I guess will be here 20 years from now arguing the same topics.

 

[mckmas8808]

I wouldn't be mad at this honestly

It'll be a nightmare for devs though.

 

[poppabk]

No they couldn't. They would have to get through anti-trust regulators just like Microsoft and probably have a harder time doing so. Now there is precedence for ridiculously large corporations to get even larger and that's is what Dick Jones is saying they will point to and he's right.

Ridiculously large corporations get larger all the time and each time they have to force it through the regulators. "B...b...but you let MS buy Activision, its not fair" isn't gonna carry the day. None of those companies have shown any real interest in pumping 10s of billions of dollars into buying 3rd party publishers, because they all have much more lucrative businesses to invest in and they are only interested in gaming as a way to shore them up.

 

[MisterXDTV]

It's pretty far fetched that the next Xbox would be comparable to a PS5-Pro.

Even the Series X destroys the relatively over-powered Xbox One X.

I think the next Xbox will be designed with PC development in mind first and foremost, not necessarily a dick-measuring competition with Sony - it makes more sense for them to double down in their own PC/living room/GamePass eco system now. Xbox services success speaks for itself and something Sony hasn't been able to replicate yet, so it's something they can elevate further.

Since 2016 Spencer-led Xbox has launched 4 consoles

Xbox One S
Xbox One X
Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X

Solution to the problem?

Release another console!!

 

[German Hops]

Why are Europeans like this?

 

[Topher]

Ridiculously large corporations get larger all the time and each time they have to force it through the regulators. "B...b...but you let MS buy Activision, its not fair" isn't gonna carry the day. None of those companies have shown any real interest in pumping 10s of billions of dollars into buying 3rd party publishers, because they all have much more lucrative businesses to invest in and they are only interested in gaming as a way to shore them up.

Eh....you are suggesting all markets have the same level of competition and that's just not true. That is a major consideration when dealing with regulators. If Apple decides to buy EA or Take Two then Microsoft pretty much wrote the script on how to do it. Make a bunch of side deals and yeah, say "this is all it took for MS". If you don't think lawyers are going to hammer that point relentlessly then I suggest you revisit what we saw over and over with MS-ABK.

MS has more lucrative businesses to invest in as well. So what? They bought ABK anyway.

 

[lh032]

TGA 2023, surprise Elder Scrolls 6 teaser lets go.

 

[Diddy X]

They had gained enough momentum with the 360 and had their chance to crush Sony but fucked up with the xbox one release.

 

[Sushi_Combo]

Why are Europeans like this?

High Standards.

 

[SHA]

Next day news, xbox is a threat to the future of Playstation, it's either this or the op, nothing in between.

 

[Skifi28]

Why are Europeans like this?

Blame evolution.

 

[Topher]

They had gained enough momentum with the 360 and had their chance to crush Sony but fucked up with the xbox one release.

They wouldn't have crushed Sony, but they could have at least brought forward the base they established with 360 and continued their dominance in North America. All they needed was a simple new beefy Xbox but instead created Xbox One which lost out on price, power and had the most convoluted confused PR campaign that centered on TV, DRM and eliminating used games. What a disaster.

 

[buenoblue]

He became head of Xbox in 2014.

Games can take 6+ years to develop. Efforts to drastically improve a studio can take 5-10 years...

The console cycle isn't his friend.

Are you honestly saying Phil hasn't had time?? Look I liked Phil in the beginning and was sure he was gonna make Xbox great again, but he just makes empty promises and doesn't have the balls to run shit right.

 

[King Dazzar]

Pretty much why I sold my Xbox. Every first party game is there on PC day one whether it is with Game Pass or Steam. I soon realized that I only turned on my Xbox for MS rewards quests and then later found out I can do all that with the Xbox app on my phone.

I use a home theatre PC all the time, hooked up to my 85" TV. But for me I still like the hassle free simplicity of a plug n play box with a straight forward controller based interface/ui (I'm aware of steams big picture, but its still not the same to me). I like picking up my controller and it being seperate from my PC and using quick resume I'm instantly back where I was last playing. But the more they start abusing the ui with ads etc and constantly pushing towards a netflix/fire tv type experience. The more it might very well push me back to PCing again.

They're not doing themselves any favours by disappointing their existing customers, whilst expecting growth too. If anything they need to be working to retain their existing users, let alone attracting new ones. I dunno. I hope they start doing something better in the console space. Because as much as I love my PS5, Sony need to be kept in check. But Xbox do just keep doing head scratcher after head scratcher.

 

[buenoblue]

Sorry to say it, but the hardware being the "same" generation to generation is solely an Xbox problem. The controller is the same, even the UI was the same. The only unique thing Xbox created this generation on the hardware side of things is the proprietary SSD, which is of zero benefit to the consumer.

I get what they were going for in terms of continuity but everything about the jump from the Xbox One to the series consoles was lazy and poorly thought out. I've never seen Nintendo or Sony pull anything like that before when jumping a generation, and there's a reason for it.

New console generations are supposed to mark new gaming experiences and new ways to interact with the console. They failed in all aspects.

This is a good point. The controller and UI being pretty much the same as the Xbox one was a mistake. It was a chance for a clean break and new exciting start.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Since 2016 Spencer-led Xbox has launched 4 consoles

Xbox One S
Xbox One X
Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X

Solution to the problem?

Release another console!!

Focusing on hardware power was a losing strategy since day 1. OG Xbox was better than PS2 and GC and finished in last place. 360 was better than PS3 and finished in last place. XBone, XSex, etc.

If people really cared about hardware power on consoles then the Switch wouldn't be running away with 2 generations, both PS4/XBone and PS5/XSex can't touch the Switch.

If you actually care about hardware power, you are already a PC gamer. If you don't, then you are a console gamer and you have a Switch and maybe a PS4 or PS5. The end.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Are you honestly saying Phil hasn't had time?? Look I liked Phil in the beginning and was sure he was gonna make Xbox great again, but he just makes empty promises and doesn't have the balls to run shit right.

I think he has had less time to make a meaningful impact than people think and that it takes a lot longer to turn around studios than people think.

Can someone give an example of a company that has turned around faster and at the scale that Microsoft needs?

 

[poppabk]

Eh....you are suggesting all markets have the same level of competition and that's just not true. That is a major consideration when dealing with regulators. If Apple decides to buy EA or Take Two then Microsoft pretty much wrote the script on how to do it. Make a bunch of side deals and yeah, say "this is all it took for MS". If you don't think lawyers are going to hammer that point relentlessly then I suggest you revisit what we saw over and over with MS-ABK.

MS has more lucrative businesses to invest in as well. So what? They bought ABK anyway.

I don't remember MS hammering past deals as a precedent for them being allowed to close this deal. It definitely didn't seem like a linchpin of their case by any means.