On the hardware front, we can look back like 2 years, In this very thread where we talk about exactly this. Whats happening today is much align whit what some hace said. MS Xbox plateform will be open to other store. But like back then, I don't think MS will stops producing Xboxes but 2 main will happen for IMO:
1) Xbox will be expensive. It will no longer be sold at a loss on launch. It will aim for profitability even on much lower number.
2)they will reduce the use of semi custom design to enhance compatibility or even remove the need to create a separate pc/xbox build and reduce investment needed in designing new device.
But Xbox remain essential, like other pointed out, to defined the specs of a gen so that devs know what to aim for which will also allow partners to make device without much compatibility issue . I also think they will still make a low tier (mobile device friendly specs) / high tier.
This is kinda the best case scenario for me when I think of for the future of Xbox hardware.
I fact like many other here I have switch to mostly PC gaming from Xbox during the gen. So this is just Xbox following the flow of their userbase.
On Gamepass front lol the opinion press have just been thrasing MS since the change announcement (and rigthly so). I wonder if MS will back down again like they've now done a few time with unpopular annoucement?
