(Business Perspective) Does MS really need Xbox Hardware?

[Azzanation]

Ryuu96 said:

Additionally Microsoft clearly doesn't agree as the CMA have already confirmed Microsoft's next Xbox console is in development and they have info about it and Microsoft's plans for hardware in the future.

Hardware can be a Dongle. 

ShadowSoldier said:

As a Sony Fanboy, I DO NOT want Microsoft to stop making consoles. I need Microsoft to be good or we'll get arrogant Sony...I was on these boards when Sony was at the height of their PS3 humbling.

Look, i dont mean to sound rude but that sounds like a you problem. As mentioned previously, if you cant trust a company you invest into than maybe that's on you.

Pemalite said:

Azzanation said:

1) Plenty of articles hinting it. I didn't have to look far for it.

Microsoft President Questions Whether Gaming Consoles Will Still Be Around In 10 Years | Pure Xbox

Microsoft's Xbox Plans to End the Console Wars With Sony (businessinsider.com)

Did you even read what you posted? The first link had a quote from Phil Spencer and I quote:

"I don't think Xbox Series X is our last console", also claiming that Microsoft "will do more consoles to make that great television play experience work and be delightful."

The second link is telling us they are going to support as many platforms as possible.

Again. You DON'T have any real hard evidence that Microsoft is abandoning the Console market... So I would appreciate it if you didn't spread false rumors and try to assert them as fact.

Azzanation said:

2) Sega couldnt compete, they were the 3rd wheel and all 3rd wheels in this industry fall off or die. Thats a historical fact.

No. Sega failed to compete, so they faltered. That is how competition works.

At the time that Sega failed, Sony was the only real competitor remember, Nintendo and Microsoft were yet to launch the Gamecube and Xbox.

The whole "3rd wheel" argument is thus bullshit.

And that is a historical fact.

Azzanation said:

3) PC never needed Competition of the likes of another Steam. Its only hurt PC gamers when more try to enter. That has been obvious by many. 

PC always had competition.
You keep regurgitating the same arguments, but it's not forwarding the conversation.

Azzanation said:

4) Sony doesn't have to accept GP, however they have been accepting Xbox owned games which will more than satisfy MS. Increasing their 1st party game sales. But as you mentioned before, Sony can take a cut of GP profits which i am sure they will gladly accept.

Sony is also entitled to reject games and services from it's platform.

If Microsoft wants Gamepass to succeed, then it needs a Trojan horse to do it, because Sony can very quickly shut it down without Xbox around.

That is a fact.

Azzanation said:

5) Ill be here when MS stop making Xbox consoles, they might hint of a hybrid system next gen however they are going to leave only in a matter of time. It isnt needed and many will gladly see them leave. No idea why Xbox fans defend this so hard.

I won't be. Once Microsoft abandons their consoles, then I will abandon the brand.

The console Market has evolved over the decades and thus it is only logical to assume it will keep evolving, nothing lasts forever.

Azzanation said:

6) Porting isnt an issue. They literally made almost all 360 games work BC on X1 consoles. 

Almost all 360 games?

Don't lie.

Only 633 games out of 2154 are backwards compatible.

It's a fraction of the library.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_backward-compatible_games_for_Xbox_One_and_Series_X/S

Azzanation said:

7) What does Steamdeck sales have to do with GP being officially green lit for it?

It means it's an irrelevant platform in terms of Gamepass having a bolstered user base...

Because not only have Steamdeck sales been modest, but not every Steamdeck user uses Gamepass.

Get it?

Azzanation said:

Xbox hardware needs to go, it's not doing anyone any favors hanging around. The Console market isn't big enough for 3 platforms. Thats the reality Xbox fans need to understand and accept. No matter how good the hardware is.

I'm not any more of a fan of Xbox than Switch or Playstation.
I don't have a horse in this race, I just like competition and Microsoft -is- providing competition.

I am a PC gamer first and foremost. Microsoft providing hardware competition and higher-end hardware ensures that PC ports will keep pushing hardware on my preferred platform, the PC.

Azzanation said:

Give Sony and Nintendo the keys and let them drive the hardware front, its only a matter of time before the hardware market isn't necessary either.

You know people said the same thing about Nintendo handhelds that phones and tablets will make the handheld console market redundant?

And here we are in 2023. - The Switch is at 120~ million+ units sold and still going.

If you have the games and services in an attractive package, then people will still buy it.

I for one will -never- partake in cloud gaming because it is not technically feasible due to my geographical location in the world stage driving up latency, I am not the only one who feels this way either.

There is always a place for hardware.

Apologies for the 3-day delay in replying, life got stupidly busy for a little bit.

All Good, i have been flat out as well. Alot to take in with this reply so ill try to keep mine shorter.

1) The articles linked say more than you think. Phil said " he thinks" and another manager said they want to build bridges to their rivals, you know who isn't building bridges? Those planning on competing in the hardware market. I am only joining the dots here.

2) Sega failed because there was too much competition. If the PS brand didn't exist, Sega would still be in the market. You claim its BS about the 3rd Wheel, well which 3rd Wheel in the console hardware market worked well in the end? My proof is with all the 3rd wheel exits we have seen many times in the gaming industry.

3) Steam is the only main platform of its scale on PC, anything else isn't even comparable. The closest thing Steam had for competition was Epic Game Store which caused more dramas with PC gaming than benefiting competition. Which is exactly my point. Steam doesn't need competition, it doesn't need split revenue, EA Play, UPlay, Battle.Net, GoG etc are not competition. Steam Drawfs them all by miles.

4) Nothing says Sony will reject GP. They will want Xbox games to sell even more consoles and software which they will benefit from. GP brings in more money for Sony. If Sony doesn't except, then MS will just sell games separately on PS which will increase sales and player counts drastically. 

5) You can do what you want, I am not telling you what you can and can't support.

6) This porting argument isn't making any sense. If all 20+ studios make all their new games with PS in mind than no porting will be needed. Like how Redfall   and Gears 3 were in development for PS. Also, it wouldn't take long to port games like Sea of Thieves to PS etc.

7) The SteamDeck point has gone over your head. The point I am making is with a previously comment stating why isn't GP on Steam and I answered saying Valve and MS greenlight GP working on a dedicated Steam device. Sales have nothing to do with this. Its proof that GP is technically supported by Valve.

8) MS doesn't have to provide you with competition just for competition sakes. Money speaks louder than words, if Xbox isn't selling, they are not bind to keep Xbox on the market just so Sony and Nintendo don't screw up. I see this point nonsense. You don't need Xbox Hardware, it's not benefiting anyone apart from the small minority who buy it.

Stay safe, don't let a busy lifestyle stress you out.

Last edited by Azzanation - on 16 May 2023