SvennoJ said:
killer7 said:
Change the rules! Marketing like an upgradable console. Use a damn DD, make GPUs, CPUs, RAM in a form especially designed only for their system, make it compatible with standard GPUs but make exclusive parts for the console! Sell the games on Discs that clearly show its for Xbox (Prime/Highfuck...) whatever... and you go. Haters could only call it a PC because they hate the fact its more powerfull than anything else including the PS6. Its High End, expensive and make it clear that you need an Xbox for the ultimate experience... that would make the systems lifecycle lasting far over 10 years making it the longest living console ever. If people don't like it for some childish fanboy reason let them stick with cheaper alternatives. Don't attack the Switch!! It does not make any sense! Even Sony failed 2 times. |
Steam Box already tried this as failed.
https://www.polygon.com/a/pc-buying-guide/steam-box
People weren't interested (not enough to make it viable anyway).
Consoles 'work' because they have 'set in stone' hardware specs which allows better optimization so lesser (cheaper) hardware can deliver a smooth experience that is not that far behind PC games required much better hardware.
Consoles 'work' because they deliver a lot more bang for buck in performance (and less hassle) compared to PC.
Any upgradable console will start out a lot more expensive compared to a dedicated console (like PS6) for the same perceived performance. Plus you'll be looking for performance profiles and compatibility like on Steam Deck vs Switch.
Steam Deck sales are at:
February 2025:Estimated to have sold between 3.7 and 4 million units, according to International Data Corporation
That's very niche compared to Switch (150 million), still below PSVR1 numbers even (5 million after that was 3 years on the market)
Steam Deck 2 will still happen, but it won't be any contest against Switch 2.
A Steam XBox will sell some units too but the power of Steam is that it runs on everything, which is what MS is after with their XBox eco system.
The power of Steam is that it already runs on the devices you have, your laptop in particular. The most popular GPUs are the ..60 variants, the budget cards. Laptop GPUs. 45% are still on Windows 10, so running on 3+ year old hardware at least. Also 16GB and 2.3 to 2.7 ghz 6 core CPUs 1080p are the norm.
The market for high end upgradeable boxes is already building their own boxes for much less than a 'Steam XBox' can be.
And thus sales will be limited as well as the effort to put into making it the ultimate experience. |
I wouldn't compare steamdeck to Switch, it's not like they play the same games or have the same branding behind them.
And I think there is room for a streamlined upgrade route, again there obviously interest based in scalable hardware based on what we're seeing in the console space with Series S, X, PS5 & PS5 Pro etc.
It shouldn't be looked as literally a PC with hundreds of different components options and potential drivers etc but instead a singular box engineered to have potential for several modular upgrades throughout the course of a decade.
I think it's just a matter of timing, just the same way that the N64DD failed in the 90s but something like the PS4 Pro succeeded.
Essay Pro