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Veknoid_Outcast on 24 October 2012
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HoloDust said:
Veknoid_Outcast said:
HoloDust said:
Really bad article - that said, I do think Microsoft most likely "wins" next-gen (probably best hardware, large "core" user base, 3rd party love, subscription based model, Kinect as default, SmartGlass....). Still prefer Sony as gaming company, but I think Microsoft is pulling all the right business decisions.

I have a question, and this is for you or for anyone with a better understanding than I. How will some of these business decisions affect the industry in general? I know some analysts predict that console owners will eventually migrate to the PC. Now I don't know if this is going to happen, but will Microsoft's decisions make it more likely or less likely? I imagine things like SmartGlass, digital sales, and subscription fees will move consoles and PCs closer than ever before. But again, I'm no expert.

I guess what I'm getting at is this: will Microsoft win the next generation, but damage the console market in the process?

What do you think, HoloDust?

Well, I'm no expert myself, so I'm pretty uncertain of what next 6-7 years are bringing us - I don't think most console users will migrate to PC, but I think it's possible we'll see some shifts. I think Microsoft is going for double hit in that period, both in console market and on PC - their is good article on Gamasutra about similarities of shift from DOS to Windows and shift from Win desktop applications to Windows Store apps in the future (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/179420/). This means (when gaming is concerned) they are going after Steam in long run (and I guess Valve will have their counter-measure ready). I really can't wait to see if and how much Win8 and NextBox are connected, but I sense Xbox 720 will be just one of the parts in Microsoft's Next-Gen entertainment platform. That said, I'll probably keep doing what I usually do, enjoy the show, get PS for Sony's exclusives and PC for everything else.

Thanks for you response :)

I think your last sentence speaks to the idea that consoles and PCs may merge sooner or later. I own all three seventh generation consoles, and love them all. But to be honest the most expendable one is Xbox 360, only because most of its high-profile games are available elsewhere, on PS3 and PC. If I lose my Wii, I lose Super Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Pikmin, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Star Fox, F-Zero, Donkey Kong, etc. If I lose my PS3, I lose Gran Turismo, Uncharted, Killzone, God of War, Ratchet & Clank, etc. If I lose my Xbox 360, I mostly lose Halo and Gears of War, and also Forza and Fable, but not much else.

So if Xbox 720 becomes even more like a PC, including a high price tag, and a PC offers almost everything an Xbox offers plus other applications and utility, won't fans eventually notice the similarities and jump ship?

We still don't know what exactly the next Xbox will be, so maybe my question is moot.