| the_dengle said: Microsoft isn't even really in the gaming business. They don't care about video games. All they care about is selling their hardware, their operating system, their subscription online service. The games are just a means to that end. |
I semi-agree with this.
I don't think Microsoft SHOULD quit the gaming biz, but it seems like they are to some extent. They have always stated that the Xbox was a way into the living room and that they wanted it to be a "media hub." The neXtBox will likely use a modified (or not) Windows 8 as its OS, and that will allow them to push other W8 products to "ensure full compatibility". Sure they will keep turning out the few exclusives they have, and try and woo third parties with fat stacks of cash, but they aren't a gaming company.
Xbox 1 was the foot in the door, 360 was the beginning of the media hub, 720 will be the full realization of their ultimate goal. Back when MS was considering entering the console biz, Sony pretty much owned the home what with their TV's, sound systems, dvd players, and to a lesser extent their laptops and the Walkman. MS saw that the original Playstation relied quite heavily on third parties, and they saw their opening. With their E3 conferences focusing less and less on exclusive games and more on things like the ESPN/UFC/Etc apps and third party offerings.....are we really that surprised?
