| Ryuu96 said: Not really sure what you want me to say, I'm trying to enjoy my games, Lol. |
| Angelus said: Is it weird that I just do not care about this stuff? Like, as long as I keep getting great GamePass content, MS can put games wherever for all I care |
Based takes, that is the way to look at it. Keep calm and carry on playing what you like.
For this whole situation, this would be my take on it. The core point of a console ecosystem always was and is the ecosystem, not the console. In the past the console was the main point to bind the ecosystem together, but times are changing.
Nowadays I see the following ecosystems (and a lot of it is ignored by console warriors, because they tend to ignore everything besides console): in the console space Nintendo, Playstation and Xbox. The console ecosystems always have the generational bump to overcome, they start their new generation at zero userbase. In the mobile area we have dominating Google and Apple, but other trying to get in, namely Netflix with their games collection. I am not aware how much gaming content Amazon presents with their gaming store. Then we have the streaming ecosystems, which are a mess currently as signified by the demise of Stadia, but might have a big future potential. There I see Xbox XCloud and Amazon Luna. And in the PC area we have dominating Steam and also GOG and Epic. I don't see itch.io as a ecosystem as it is, it has no binding experience, it feels more like a Bazaar or a flea market.
Anyways, in my opinion Xbox shifts their focus from console to Gamepass. Something I actually like, because quite frankly Gamepass is amazing. They are entering definitely the streaming area with XCloud and are also offering their ecosystem on PC. The Activision acquisition let me suspect they also want to offer something on mobile. Not sure if they do an complete store with their non-gaming apps as well, or more a game-oriented app with achievements and all. Maybe both in parallel. But something will come.
So I don't think they will stop the Xbox console, why would they. If I assume their strategy correctly, they are trying to create the best ecosystem by being available on every device. So the console is part of it and they will not give up on it unless other console makers allow Gamepass on their systems. Steam by the way sees this similar, this is how I see Steamdeck, they are broadening the reach of their ecosystem.
Also, let me steal Ryuus graphic here:
Everyone may put the games down on a bit different positions in this spectrum, but the main thing is: there are experiences considered core and stay exclusive to the Xbox/Gamepass ecosystem. Others on the other hand may be used as invitation to their ecosystem. Nintendo does that with their mobile offerings as well. And despite all the panic (or maybe Chapagne for Playstation fans), we are talking about smaller and older games here and not even all of them, but a selection. As a rumour. People seem to take that as a sign for MS to bow out, but as I see it, it is more a sign of strength, seeing how Xbox is positioned very well for a future with a very amazing ecosystem - amazing because it connects the experience over multiple very different devices.
Also, maybe we will see multi-device gaming experiences again. Nintendo tried something in the past, with linking Gamecube and Gameboy Advance. But think you have a full immersive experience on console or PC, but if you are commuting and play on your phone, this game adds the successes into the PC/console game as say the results of a field agent. Would be interesting to still progressing your main game, while on the phone.
