(Not sure if “Trojan Horse” wiuld be the best name for your first point, since you explicitly state that Xbox isn’t looking to harm Sony nor Nintendo, but rather work alongside the,. Maybe “Symbiotic Strategy”? Or “Software First Strategy”?)

Addressing your first section… You are describing the current business model of Microsoft Gaming: Place software revenue over hardware. It’s a short-sighted perspective on behalf of Microsoft, as (…appearently i accidentally deleted the remainder of this paragraph as I was editing….)

Address your second section… Phasing out software exclusivity means giving additional value to Sony, PC, and Nintendo. If you already own a PS5 or NSW1/2, then why purchase an Xbox? You theorize that by pivoting focus toward hardware over software, Xbox will become the optimal platform as far as technology is concerned…but this theory just isn’t based in reality. XBSX and PS5 are nearly identical when it comes to game development (somebody far more informed on this than I could explain the details), PS5 Pro is currently the most powerful system on the market (and not an Xbox system), and most third-party titles run far smoother on a PlayStation system (which comes entirely as a consequence of PlayStation’s domination over Xbox resulting into more software sales coming from PlayStation and not Xbox; hence, resources must be pivoted toward the most popular system). What evidence do you have to suggest Microsoft is pivoting resources toward hardward R&D? What evidence do you have to suggest that this R&D strategy has led or will lead to optimal third-party experiences over PlayStation? Or is this entirely conjectural?

Addressing the next section… I agree that GamePass is the only reason to own an Xbox at this point. And, it makes sense why Nintendo and Sony are not interested in offering such a service on their platforms, as doing such would send consumers into the Microsoft Gaming ecosystem; not because they fear it would “cannibalize their own store fronts” (if you own a NSW1/2, I’m not sure how GP would “cannibalize”/negatively impact the over 60% of all software sales that go to Nintendo first-party?). What I’m not underdtanding, however, is your logic that GP’s existence must imply Xbox’s existence in the long-term future? GamePass is available on PC, and noting XBSXS catastrophic decline over the past 3y, I’d imagine the higher-ups at Microsoft are prepping to either (i) reinvigorate Xbox hardware sales figures (which, judging by their recent first-party development, suggests this isn’t too crazy of an idea), or (ii) prep for a Microsoft Gaming future relegated entirely to PC. As long as Microsoft still has a base of consumers to purchase an Xbox, then I do believe they will continue producing successor systems; but if Microsoft is truly “jumping the gun” with next gen very soon, then this would suggest to me that Microsoft isn’t satisfy with XBSXS current sales figures. If next gen sees similar numbers, then it’s hard to entirely say whether they'll be interested in furthering support for Xbox, and begin to go “all hands on deck” with PC/PS5/NSW1/2.

Some Key Reasons to own an Xbox and why cross platform games shouldn't affect this decision.

1) Xbox IPs —> (?) How is this a reason to purchase an Xbox? All their games are coming to PlayStation?

2) Day and Date —> (?) Do you mean that to say that “You won’t have to wait super long for that Xbox port”? If so…Indiana Jones is going multiplat within a few months of launch. Hi-Fi Rush went multiplat within 18m of launch. And, judging off Microsoft higher-ups recent remarks, it doesn’t appear as though these multiplat releases are going to be taking too long to release moving forward.

3) GamePass —> Okay.

4) Backwards Compatibility —> Only useful if we’re discussing people who have already owned an Xbox system prior, and already have an established personal library.

5) Eco-System —> (?) How is this a selling point? I’m confused…

6) Controller Design —> Controller design is utterly useless if I can’t play SMOdyssey nor God of War on the system.

….not entirely sure why i devoted time to read through and thoroughly address every point that was made lol. But, you can take-it or leave-it.

Wow what a load of actual Xbox propaganda, with brand exposure pictures, bad memes and headlines, conspiracy and 4D chess lunacy, even following "hardcore" fanbase slogans by the book.

Congrats, you have managed to outdo yourself with this one!

I just hope this thread was satire

How much does Phil pay you?

Thank you for devoting time in reading it all 

First point: they can work alongside but they are planting the seed. Only time will tell. The idea of this strategy is to work your way in and when the tides change, you hit hard.

Second point: The added value to other platforms is why Xbox uses have services like GamePass. Think of it like this, you pay premium prices while Xbox users get it day and date for peanuts.

Third point: Are all Xbox games coming to other platforms? A 4 year old Forza Horizon game confirmed all games that? Heck PC still doesn't have all Xbox games. But you are allowed to hope and pray.

Forth point: literally waiting years to play old games while paying premium prices for early access is not a W you think it is.

I literally wrote an article years ago about Xbox leaving the industry but guess you conviently missed that one right?

To sum up your entire point with one question.

Why are they making another Xbox?

The good old, embrace, extend, extinguish.

MS tried, embraced the console market with the XBox, extended with XBox Live, tried to extinguish competitors with Gamepass and buying up publishers. It didn't work and now MS is flailing. They can't hit hard since too many people enjoy Nintendo and Sony games. MS can only shoot themselves in the foot as we see happening now.

Your peanuts cost $240 a year and lose access to everything if you stop paying. PSN is now $80 a year, 2 full price games to keep forever a year to balance it out. Reality is, most people don't play a lot of games, they play a few online games a lot.



"Forth point: literally waiting years to play old games while paying premium prices for early access is not a W you think it is."

That's what XBox is right now. Waiting years to play old Sony games on PC, while paying a premium subscription for early access of MS games.

Meanwhile if you wait a few months, games are much cheaper, further finished and less buggy.

The reason they are making another Xbox is moving away from Xbox hardware is no small thing and is a major business restructure that needs a carefully orchestrated pathway forward, and a continuing with hardware is the equivalent of not jumping ship till the new system is not just ready but is in a strong enough position to enable a phase out.

In my opinion over the next generation we will see more steps made toward those goals with each step seeing a continued upswing of people's expectations move away from hardware toward Xboxes future being a 3rd party multi platform multi software delivery business continued hardware and preparing them for the future.