(Opinion) This is the LAST Xbox...!!!

[Landguy]

Zappykins said:

Landguy said:

I have claimed before that this will be the last mainstream generation of gaming consoles.  I was thinking that between tablets/smartphones/smart tvs/ and computers and laptops, there just wouldn't be a need.

But, I can see clearly that the need for a gaming console will be greatly diminished in the US and Western Europe, but it has a place in most of the rest of the world for at least one more generation if not 2.  Will there be another generation in the US and Western Europe?  Yes, but it won't include an XBOX.

If you look at how the sales of the Xbox's have always been, they have been mostly in the US and Western Europe.  This generation has seen that even those markets are extremely challenging for Microsoft.  MS isn't really making money on the XB1, and probably never will if they want to sell any consoles.  They will have to keep dropping the price below the PS4 and that makes no financial sense.  This current generation will probably only sell 150-160 million total consoles.  The US and European markets will shrink dramatically from last gen. This is where the problem really lies for MS.  Having only 10-25% of the market outside of the US and Europe doesn’t leave much for them next generation.

So, that leads me to believe that the XBOX itself as a console is on its last lap.  MS will not drop the brand altogether though.  They will not sell it either.  MS will license the brand to 3^rd parties.  With the Windows 10 integration, MS will have 3^rd parties making consoles.  They will just license a special Windows 10 OS and simple base configuration for the hardware.  Software developers will be able to easily make games for the 3^rd party Xbox’s and Windows 10 simultaneously.  Seeing as how Sony went X86 this generation, the cost to develop will be much lower for everyone, as porting the games will be much easier.  Heck, you never know, maybe MS and Sony will work out a deal and the PS5 will have Windows 10 compatibility?!

 

One thing is for sure, this will be the last Xbox made by Microsoft.  

Why do we have one of these threads every week?

Do you realize that the tiny EDD division which Xbox is in made more profit last Quarter than the entire Sony corporation has made between 2008 and 2014?  This is with Sony selling off parts of its companies and valuable real estate.  Did you see a weekly thread about 'Sony closing' as its value plunged from a high of 216 Billion to now  36 Billion? (Which is roughly half a year's revenue for Microsoft under Balmer.)

For what it's worth Apple could buy all of Sony for CASH and it would still have over on Trillion dollars sitting in the bank as of their September 2014 numbers.  And that's cash.

Plus the Xbox One is still outselling the 360 at the same time period.  Plus, with Windows 10 DX12 it should be easier to develope game for 3 platforms at one time. 

Don't get me wrong, I have an XB1 and don't yet own a PS4.  So, I am not some type of Sony fanboy.  Clearly, the console business is shrinking this generation by a significant margin.  The need/want for dedicated consoles is declining every day.  Over the next 4 years, all of the devices that people will buy for other purposes will get more and more powerful.  Will they be PS5 powerful?  NO, they don't need to be for most people.  Most people just enjoy playing games.  For the hardcore gamers, there will be a PS5/Nintendo system.  Next gen will probably sell only half or less of this generation.  Consoles are already comodity items.  THey make no money for the manufacturer when they are sold.  They require people to buy many games and accessories along with subscription services to get ahead.  If the userbase shrinks, there is no profit left.  Someone has to go...  MS has proven that they are changing their ways.  Out with all of the closed systems and windows only apps.  In with UNIVERSAL programs, such as Cortana, Office, Minecraft, MS Health/Band, and many others that they have announced.  Windows will no longer be a requirement to get to MS products.  Why waste time on a next gen console that can sell 40 million at the max?  Instead, they will likely work with Sony to make the PS4/PS5 Windows 10 compatible somehow.  Universal apps are the future of all software that is sold to the normal guy on the street.