By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Machiavellian on 18 April 2023
Edit Thread
VAMatt said:
Machiavellian said:

Totally disagree, if XCloud was designed to get rid of hardware there would be no need to add it to a subscription service that allow you to download your games on hardware.  Not sure you understand that main point about GP.  MS understand that total cloud is not viable for a great deal of the countries that they have expanded GP to.  Why would MS limit their revenue stream to just cloud, getting rid of console hardware and GP ability to download games directly.  That doesn't make sense because a lot of people do not have the infrastructure for cloud only.  Also a lot of people do not want a cloud only device as their main source for games.  MS would be basically removing themselves from a huge market for no real gain.  Its the reason why XCloud is an add on component to GP.  MS covers both revenue streams and userbase.

We are still a ways away from a total cloud solution that is why you still will need both for at least another 10 years.  Its the reason why Stadia failed and why MS never went to that model.  The infrastructure isn't there to support it.  Also with most providers having cap limits it would be way to expensive for most people to even go full cloud.

Yes, we're definitely a good ways away from cloud only. I'm not suggesting that MS is exiting the hardware business in the immediate future. I'm saying that's their long-term goal. Game pass seems pretty clearly to be a long-term proposition for them.  

What I'm saying is that it is unlikely that they are going to get into a new segment of the hardware business.  They want to be less reliant on hardware, not more. 

When you say long term goal, I see it as a very long term goal but the immediate future, a mobile device that fits right into the middle of a mobile phone but the size of the switch, powerful enough to run current gen games at probably 720P would be a damn good device for MS to invest into as the Series S fits that bill.  Unlike Sony, MS already have a low end device, switching it to a mobile one probably at the same 300 price point would probably keep the Series S selling at a good clip.  

Also that device isn't a new hardware segment.  Its the same device, re-engineered for a more flexible purpose.  This would be no different then creating a slim version.  If you think about it, it fits right into the refresh market that was very popular for Sony.  MS basically take the same advantages from Sony with a new cheaper model and the switch with its mobile capability and combine them into one.