(Business Perspective) Does MS really need Xbox Hardware?

[NobleTeam360]

NobleTeam360 said:

Is Xbox needed? No, console gaming existed before Xbox and can do fine without Xbox if for whatever reason MS decided to leave. Hard to say if Sony and/or Nintendo would allow GamePass onto their platforms. I could see Nintendo being more open to the idea simply due to them not needing 3rd party games to be successful, Sony on the other hand would probably be more against the idea.

Regardless, I don't think MS is planning to leave console gaming anytime soon. I'm not sure why they would buy all these studios just to give up a handful of years later. We'll see another Xbox console after the Series X/S (beyond that, who could say).

I'll just add on to this post. People point out that Xbox is needed for competition and/or to keep Sony in check but Xbox isn't competitive with PlayStation in most markets. Hence why Sony has been able to get away with increasing the price of its console and games in general. People also point to North America which yes, MS is competitive in that region with PlayStation but unless suddenly North America is all that matters; Xbox's competitiveness is a minimal reason for it to stick around and has largely had no impact in stopping Sony from raising the prices on consumers. 

Essentially, Xbox being competition to PlayStation isn't a valid reason in my mind for Xbox to be needed.