Is Halo still big enough to save the X1?

[greenmedic88]

I think we need to define what sort of state the XB1 needs to be in to be considered "saved" first.

By the strictest definition, saved from the danger of being scuttled, which would essentially mean MS is giving up on their home entertainment, living room hub aspirations and the Xbox brand, there are minimal odds of that happening, despite the grumblings of various MS board members.

So the XB1 is not in need of being saved from the danger of being abandoned, but if the situation were that dire, one game would not reverse its fortunes.

If we want to be looser and say that "saved" means the XB1 becomes more than an also ran entrant in the 8th gen console race, no; Halo 5 will not prevent that from happening if the XB1 is still in its current situation as far as $499 price and limited library of compelling titles to support this price goes.

If we want to be even looser and say that by "saved" we really mean give the XB1 the lead in overall 8th gen sales, the answer is no.

If we want to say that "saved" simply means selling very reasonably (within MS projections that have not been reduced to reflect current consumer demand) as would be expected of the successor of the XB360 (which doesn't guarantee success if we look at Wii U sales relative to Wii sales), it will take a combination of factors to pull the XB1 up.

But, if we look at the PS3, it can be done.

A gradual improvement of the library, catering to a wide range of tastes, plus functions that a broader audience wants to use, improved network services and functions and just as importantly, a slightly more general consumer friendly price (starting at $399), perhaps paired with a smaller, more attractive (and cheaper to manufacture) design will improve the commercial performance status of the XB1.