So lately, there's a lot of fuss and hate regarding the possibility of two Microsoft's biggest brands merging. Understandably, many Xbox gamers are afraid that MS simply wants to kill the Xbox brand off. Personally I think it's something much bigger than most of us think and it potentially could be the best thing ever happened to gaming industry  ... or at least the most revolutionary. 

These are my personal thoughts on how this transition should look like in order to be successful:

- Microsoft keeps doing what it does best, developing software. Creates Windows Xbox OS (which is streamlined Windows, focused on gaming), available free for any hardware manufacturer as long as their machines pass the minimum requirements, meaning those machines would be "Xbox certified".

- The Xbox certificate is also granted for any Windows 10 and above machines, again, as long as they pass the requirements. Form this point all certified Windows PCs are fully compatible with any Xbox game, developed for current Xbox OS.

- All Xbox games running under Xbox OS are completely locked in terms of any graphical settings. The same games running under Windows, have those setting unlocked. That would keep Xbox hardware fragmentation to minimum as same as the price of those machines (unlike Steam machines). 

- Unified e-shops, servers and services. Xbox live is still available, but not mandatory in order to play online.

- MS is no longer obligated to develop new hardware each generation. All new tech will be supported by software updates. In order jump to next gen Xbox hardware, new Xbox OS will be developed, with new minimal requirements. 

Of course this new strategy would save Microsoft's shed loads of money, so it make sense from the business point of view. And if any, MS is the only of big three, who can do it and, if played right, it could work.

Why do I need hardware with a streamlined windows for? at this point people may as well just buy a PC.

A lot of people own laptops these days. For me a purpose built pc is usless when I have a laptop, so xbox still has some purpose 

So, that would make Xbox devices into SteamBox-like machines? Just an OS and the hardware 3rd party manufacturers choose to sell it with? I don't see it. People who game on PC already have Windows, so a more limited version of it is not attractive even if it's free. And people who preffer consoles will be confused if there are suddenly multiple XBox consoles with different specs (and if they were going to lock the games on XBoxOS, why would they need multiple hardware options anyway). And if they are just trying to mix the XBox brand with PC gaming, they would either have to abandon mandatory subsrcriptions for online multiplayer, or keep them and be utterly outsold by Steam, GoG and others.

Xbox brand is dying if its just a new name for the windows store, and your told to buy a w10 pc to use it.

Besides I feel like i have enough "stores" to buy games at as is.
I dont really need more than GOG & Steam.

Three things.

Cost: it's free OS and it'd create some healthy competition on the hardware market.

Convenience: it's sill Xbox and it's still feels like console, without worrying about compatibility.  

Freedom: you could actually build it yourself if you think you could do better for less (which goes back to the cost). In fact, that also opens some extra possibilities such as Xbox laptops or potable devices in the future as new hardware doesn't always mean faster, but also less power hungry. 

And pretty much people are building their own PCS ranging from $$ to $$$$$$$$.

Hence there is no need for a streamlined windows

Just sell windows and controllers to play xbox games on PC lol. 

i too own a laptop these days.

I have steam installed on it works jsut fine.

So a virtual xbox on windows 10 plus a controller would work too.

No. First, we're talking about Xbox brand. Even my grandmother heard Xbox name here an there. Second, settings locking and min requirements would eliminate fragmentation. When I say minimum requirements, it doesn't have to mean hardware only. They could even have design guidelines in order to be less confusing. Manufacturers wouldn't put some beefy hardware in them as it wouldn't make any difference, apart from maybe better hard drives or faster RAM. Steam machines on the other hand are extremely fragmented and on the top of it, slower than equivalent Windows PCs. That wouldn't be the case here as this OS would be definitely quicker than Windows as games would be optimised and it'd take less resources. Not to mention, MS can really push this system if they want. Steam and MS are not even in the same league in terms of promotion and advertising. 

----- edit -------

I meant Valve, not Steam. Sorry 

I will be looking forward to the WinBox! Or Xdows.... or... something...