The general public doesn't care about studio acquisitions, when those games start dropping, that's when things will change.Despite the fact that they have a lot of good acquisitions and the Xbox Game Pass is looking good, in the end, is the market looking forward to it especially outside the US?
Coz from what it looks like, all eyes are still on PS5 and Switch.
I'm not sure you've understood what Microsoft's strategy is, and some of your assertions are factually incorrect. Small indie success aren't out earning the big studio games, for example. Sure, Valheim sold a million copies in a week - nice. Call of Duty pushes a billion USD and change in revenue in less than 60 days from launch on a bad year. Valheim pulled in less than USD$20 million in half that time, and they have no reoccurring revenue model. It's not even in the same galaxy.It feels like Microsoft assessed the market in 2018 and landed on three key realizations.
1. The market is going to grow significantly over the next 10-20 years.
2. Prestige development studios are overrated.
3. Locking games onto single platforms no longer makes any sense.
Most people probably agree with 1. Point 2 may be a bit more controversial until you zoom in and see titles like Valheim (4 person studio) blow up and out earn massive studio games. In fact, many of the industries biggest hits are from small to mid tier studios. Point 3 seems to ring true once you look at how EA, Ubisoft, and Activision outgrew studios and Nintendo and PlayStation.
Is there any scenario where Microsoft isn't one of, if not the biggest publisher in the PC+console industry in 5 or so years?
Those 60$ games are coming out in 2-3 years. If you keep your subscription active until then you'll have paid WAY MORE than the money you would have paid to just play the games you actually want (unless you're on the 1$ deal like me but you get the point)But thats the point I think. You can play the games the day of the release and buy them late and cheap if you want to.
Also because of game pass I was introduced to generes and games I thought I would never like. The entry barrier has vanished. Which is a great thing for both the makers and the consumers.
Microsoft is really good at incomprehensible corporate babble I'll give you thatITT members don't realise how open Microsoft/Azure is and how it has transformed MS in the last decade. Xbox and Gamepass are just the latest iteration of embracing an agnostic approach company wide. It's already paying dividends and the acquisitions just accelerate and compliment their strategy inside of console business and beyond it into mobile and PC or anywhere else they choose.
How someone looks at the big 3 console brands and doesn't see 3 major players now all performing exceptionally well is beyond me. How someone looks at what Xbox/MS are doing for their 2-5 year roadmap and doesn't see them breaking out of the traditional console closed system race while developing within it simultaneously is beyond me. They're not exiting console warring, they're increasing studios, market segments and simply applying their Azure success to Xbox now. Open platform, not a monopolistic approach. They have a strategy to take on the likes of Steam, Amazon, Apple, Stadia. Nintendo and Sony aren't their direct competition in the wide aspect of MS+Xbox. The largest companies in the world are pushing aspects of the gaming industry outside of consoles. Xbox is in a unique quality position across console, devices and PC.
Series X/S, xCould, Gamepass, Elite/Adaptive controllers, Bethesda, crossplay, backend services (e.g. Sony cloud infrastructure) and more. You're now seeing the fruits of the years under Phil coming to light. There's more to come. Microsoft are masters of long term market capitalisation, always have been able to grind to a #1 or #2 spot eventually. There's no doubt within the console space Sony and Ninty are bringing the exclusive games. Everything outside of that Xbox is killing it and poised to bury it over the next 2-6 years; specifically this current generation just getting started.
No, they had a lot more back in 2013 but most were shutdown after Xone tanked it’s launch.I'd argue it was both.
Microsoft entered into the PS4/XBO generation with 7 first party development studios.
You could definitely make a case that those 7 weren't as talented as Sony's, but the small number ensured Microsoft could only produce one or two notable exclusives a year, while Sony was able to pump out 3-4 a year.
Note that Sony's games division is about as profitable as Activision and EA combined, depending on the year. The same goes for Nintendo. Why do you think that is? Because they print money off every game sold on their platform, off every subscription to their online services, and off every console sold (immediately in Nintendo's case, within a few years of launch in Sony's case). And this money comes in reliably, year after year, with no need to roll the dice on the latest flash in the pan mobile fads. Why would you give that up?
I'm not sure you've understood what Microsoft's strategy is, and some of your assertions are factually incorrect. Small indie success aren't out earning the big studio games, for example. Sure, Valheim sold a million copies in a week - nice. Call of Duty pushes a billion USD and change in revenue in less than 60 days from launch on a bad year. Valheim pulled in less than USD$20 million in half that time, and they have no reoccurring revenue model. It's not even in the same galaxy.
Microsoft aren't interested in being a publisher - that's just a means to an end. They want to be a platform that other publishers use, because that's where the money actually lives. Hardware, first party titles - that's nothing, that's just about building a user base for their platform, on to which they can then sell other peoples work and take a cut. Sony makes billions a year not because of hardware or first party sales, but by taking their cut of third party sales on their PS platforms. They have a 120 million install base on PS4 alone; that's a lot of ancillary purchases that Sony gets to make money from.
Microsoft's strategy for Xbox is to push a reoccurring revenue stream - Gamepass - alongside the traditional platform model, using the service and first party titles to hook you in. Their approach should target the hardcore and casuals alike. It's a good value proposition - I have my Xbox Series X and Gamepass - but the scenario under which Microsoft's current strategy fails to work is pretty simple: they don't build a big enough platform base, and it all comes crumbling down. The damage the Xbox One did was enormous, and Mattrick's decimation of their first parties is a decade-long problem. They're basically rebuilding from scratch. Their Zenimax acquisition was a good step one. Now, it all hinges on Microsoft delivering strong first party titles consistently. Not a big hit once every three years, but three hits every year. That level of quality software brings in the gamers, that boosts Gamepass subscriptions, and that builds their platform to make money from. They fail to deliver on the first party titles, and no one shows up to the party.
So, do you think Microsoft are going to turn it around? Do you think they're ready to start delivering the industry-defining titles that made the OG Xbox and 360 the consoles we remember?
Sounds about spot on for your quality of reply given your first statement. You're a gamer at heart and see what games you want to play and buy into that, simple and clean. Just as it should be.Microsoft is really good at incomprehensible corporate babble I'll give you that
When was the last time Microsoft was successful in a customer-facing marketSounds about spot on for your quality of reply given your first statement. You're a gamer at heart and see what games you want to play and buy into that, simple and clean. Just as it should be.
However, if you're gonna shit post an entire company best you learn the language to assimilate and retort some debate.
Exactly where our differences rest. You believe number 1 is the only measure of success because Playstation/Ninty are having great runs for two generations. You don't consider Xbox backing games like Ori or Sea of Thieves or crossplay or xCloud or regional server support in games like Apex or Titanfall or Killer Instinct (examples of Azure in Australia for mates and me) measures of success. You don't consider $5+Billion in a quarter and Gamepass already having 20Million subs successful. There is no arguing with a totalitarian stance such as that.When was the last time Microsoft was successful in a customer-facing market
When people say stuff like that I always wonder do you enjoy making stuff up?Everything Microsoft touches turns to shit. They can't manage creatives. They're just a dysfunctional monopolist with more money to throw around than they know what to do with.
On one note the biggest gaming market is US then China then a Europe (as a whole) followed by Japan. They are competitive in EU and US... (i dont know about China). If they can maximize their customers there does the rest of the world really matter?Despite the fact that they have a lot of good acquisitions and the Xbox Game Pass is looking good, in the end, is the market looking forward to it especially outside the US?
Coz from what it looks like, all eyes are still on PS5 and Switch.
How do you think your experience would change if you had to pay $60-70 for each game you wanted to try? (not counting the free games)I have a different take.
"GamePass is the best deal in gaming".
I've heard this ad nauseum over the last couple of years by games media.
And yet, it's wrong.
Fortnite is free. I burned through the entire GamePass library in 2-3 weeks after getting my Series X. I sampled the 10 or so games that appealed to me. I really enjoyed a few of those. Now GamePass is stale for me.
I played Fortnite 20 or so hours over the last two weeks. That game is a better deal than GamePass.
I'm not trying to proszletize Fortnite here. I'm saying it's possible individual games are the new Netflix, not GamePass.
I'm not certain one way or the other. I just think it's possible the industry shifts towards the "game as platform" instead of "subscription as platform."
How do you think your experience would change if you had to pay $60-70 for each game you wanted to try? (not counting the free games)
People talk about Gamepass like they would burn through it in weeks or months top and then have nothing to play - but if they get 2-3 $60-70 games they can play for many months or even years.
The offering on Gamepass is very good NOW and in 2 years it would be even better.
How the fuck did they get all that money turning everything into shit?Everything Microsoft touches turns to shit. They can't manage creatives. They're just a dysfunctional monopolist with more money to throw around than they know what to do with.
This. Sony will sell more consoles and the die hard fanboys will get wet panties because of this, but i'm sure MS will make more money with gaming in the future,They out earn both Sony and Nintendo in 5 years. I can't envision a scenario where they don't dramatically improve their position in the market in relatively short order.
If Sony would stop buying exclusive deals, MS might stop buying publishers.Microsoft realized it can’t compete with the playstation’s first party catalogue. Credit to sony because I’m sure they got spooked by the 360’s early success and made the necessary steps to regain the market.
Microsofts pivot to supporting the xbox, PC and potentially the Switch in the future makes sense because they probably came to the conclusion that Asian and European markets are firmly under control of Sony.
It’ll take multi generations worth of development for Microsoft to catch up imo. UNLESS they continue buying big studios.
Honestly, what I can't imagine is a scenario where Microsoft becomes the biggest publisher. I think is easier to imagine them leaving the game industry as console manufacturers if this generation they don't win.Is there any scenario where Microsoft isn't one of, if not the biggest publisher in the PC+console industry in 5 or so years?
I would say it was more MS's mistakes than Sony's merit. If the Xbox One would have been 399 without Kinect at launch the numbers would be different today. At launch both only had shit games and it took Sony till 2016 for the first massmarket AAA. By that time they already won the gen thanks to the launch price.Microsoft realized it can’t compete with the playstation’s first party catalogue. Credit to sony because I’m sure they got spooked by the 360’s early success and made the necessary steps to regain the market.
Same as last gen and the gen before it and the one before that?Honestly, what I can't imagine is a scenario where Microsoft becomes the biggest publisher. I think is easier to imagine them leaving the game industry as console manufacturers if this generation they don't win.
There's enough games to play where you never have to touch an xbox and you still have access to over 99% of them.This is literally their strategy. Get delusional fanboys like yourself to buy their games on pc or stream on your pc/phone/tv.
That’s fair they definitely shot themselves in the foot with that launch. I also think their breakup with Bungie set the tone and changed the landscape of gaming this past generation. Bungie was their best studio. They wanted to move on from Halo but Microsoft’s refusal soured the relationship. Imagine Destiny (despite its problems) being a Microsoft exclusive? Man that would have been a console seller.I would say it was more MS's mistakes than Sony's merit. If the Xbox One would have been 399 without Kinect at launch the numbers would be different today. At launch both only had shit games and it took Sony till 2016 for the first massmarket AAA. By that time they already won the gen thanks to the launch price.
Microsoft won the 360 generation. Firmly had grasp over North America and Europe. I believe the only reason the ps3 even got a slight edge (only at the end of the generation as well) was because the ps3 sold 10 million units in Japan while the 360 only sold a million I believe.Same as last gen and the gen before it and the one before that?
The thing is that Destiny is Halo. Right down to enemy types.That’s fair they definitely shot themselves in the foot with that launch. I also think their breakup with Bungie set the tone and changed the landscape of gaming this past generation. Bungie was their best studio. They wanted to move on from Halo but Microsoft’s refusal soured the relationship. Imagine Destiny (despite its problems) being a Microsoft exclusive? Man that would have been a console seller.
I think they almost leave the market (as hardware manufacturer) last gen. And this gen could be the last one as we know it. Also, I see gamepass as their transition to only software company. So yes, if this generation they don't surpass Sony or at least they really grow, I believe Microsoft will leave the console hardware market.Same as last gen and the gen before it and the one before that?
See you in 5-7 years.I think they almost leave the market (as hardware manufacturer) last gen. And this gen could be the last one as we know it. Also, I see gamepass as their transition to only software company. So yes, if this generation they don't surpass Sony or at least they really grow, I believe Microsoft will leave the console hardware market.
I think it’s easier to ask if there’s any scenario where their strategy would actually work.
I’d rather quit gaming than have to buy an Xbox to play games.
Indeed. I remember Bungie wanting to "move on". It's Halo MMO. Bizarre.The thing is that Destiny is Halo. Right down to enemy types.
I’m huge Halo fan. My favorite series of all time. The game while similar doesn’t feel or play like halo (in regards to pvp)The thing is that Destiny is Halo. Right down to enemy types.
2. Prestige development studios are overrated.
That must be the reason PlayStation outsold them more than double in the last gen /s
Their strategy is genius and it boils down to just removing pretty much all barriers of play. Get rid of the console, get rid of the controller, get rid of the cost of individual titles - if you cant see why that's a big deal and your retort in this thread has been "Sony has exclusives" you're in for a bad generation.
I don't think Microsoft's output was half of Sonys last generation. I don't really understand how XBox stayed afloat with such tepid output.
Microsoft doesn't need you to buy an XBox. They're perfectly happy with you on a PC.
Wow, this is an aggressive comment. Take a deep breath, it'll be better for your health.So what exactly are you going to play without a controller and a console? Its just the beginning of the year and i think your comment already has the chance for the stupidest in 2021.
Unless you think every household comes with a PC, a beefy one at that and with perfect, uncapped, very fast internet. If thats so then you probably never left even your own town to think such a thing is even possible in the near future. Go ask Stadia how they are doing nowadays with that play anywhere on anything attitude.