Xbox Business Update Podcast | Xbox Everywhere Direction Discussion

[rntongo]

The advertising is for folks who don’t have ann Xbox already. That means they are trying to get some % of people to cross over into the Xbox ecosystem with as little friction as possible. The console is a massive friction point and the only people buying a console generally means they are already invested into what is being offered.

Not entirely, its targeted to people that were still on the Xbox One, PS4, those who had moved to PC, plus those you've mentioned and others. Its very simply telling consumers you dont need to buy our hardware to experience Xbox. Which if they can implement would be impressive, but I have my doubts.

What is the likelihood that someone who is fully vested into PlayStation will buy into Xbox games if they had to buy a Console? What if they already have a PC and a mobile device? Very cheap bar to entry. Get them to try it and let them determine if they want to go further and get a better experience.

The key is to get people to engage with Xbox. That is the challenge they are trying to solve.

I'm not sold on the idea that there was no growth for Xbox's hardware. I'm more convinced disappointing hardware sales were caused by external and internal factors. External factors were chip shortage and global pandemic which led to supply chain issues and SDLC challenges. Internal factors were related to complicating the hw product line up with two SKUs launched at once, management's focus on acquisitions instead of the quality and consistency of Gaming software. So now they're simply pivoting completely away from their own hardware.

What makes me a supporter of the Xbox console is the simple greatness, convenience and gamepass provided by the console, the fact is that I also like MS games.

However, if they give me all the convenience and quality gaming experience in the Gamepass subscription system so that I have to buy an XboxPC, I'm fine with it. Actually, it wouldn't bother me if there was only one game version in the future, that is, the PC version of the games would run on the next Xbox console. I say, if all of this is paired with a gaming experience similar to the one I have now, I'll buy it.

I used to have a theory that it would always hold up. If a sufficient quantity and quality of games were made exclusive again, it would be a success. An example: imagine the debut of the next Xbox console with the following exclusive games, Elder Scrolls 6, Forza Horizon 6, Quake next gen, Gears of War, Spyro, they own AAA GTA clone. All of these were released exclusively for the console at launch and only a year later for PC. I'm sure those titles would make that console like candy. Then to continue the one-year exclusive strategy with similarly big titles every year. They have the development capacity for it. In fact, the formula would be that simple, people would simply not be able to resist such an offer.

But the management does not have enough confidence to do so. However, they would have nothing to lose, in fact, it would be the best way to multiply Gamepass subscriptions for a new console. Who would be a fool to avoid this? Seeing the aforementioned game titles, which you can get all at once, packaged in an affordable box for an $18 subscription, you'd be well on your way to becoming part of the subscription system.

Interesting take, and I especially agree that a sufficient quantity and quality of games made as timed exclusives would help Xbox tremendously. But the brand has been atrophied so much that they need to launch on other platforms almost immediately after launch for a large number of games. The strategy under Phil is pushing Xbox towards being a third party publisher.

Because it's not the same experience anywhere else. I would (and do, check my post history lol) that PC isn't that hard to work and most gamers could probably figure it out, but Xbox still provides a console experience you won't find on PC or any handheld (save for maybe Steam Deck but even then not really). Really good example of this: try using a PC or handheld as a way to watch videos and movies without spending all day reading guides on the home theater PC subreddit lol.

I agree with you 100% but MS Gaming thinks they can actually make it work without the need for a console. Where you dont need a console to experience Xbox. Of course you as a gamer know this isnt quite accurate. But the marketing is a clear signal to where they are driving things at the moment. Maybe they can pull it off?

My problem with this is these are all washed up has-been franchises from has-been developers. I'm sorry, and this might be overly harsh, but ES6 is going to be dampened by how bad Starfield was, FH6 will be damped by how every new title in that franchise is a location reskin of the old, Quake is good but isn't going to sell consoles (alas, this has always been a more PC oriented franchise), GoW hasn't been relevant for years (same for Halo although you didn't mention it), I can't even remember the last time I thought about a Spyro game. A new franchise would be nice but if its a generic 'GTA clone' nobody is going to play it over the real GTA6/Online.

I feel you 100% I get what you're saying. The reason for this imho is the focus from management has been on acquisitions and pivoting Xbox into some sort of Gaming service, cloud gaming, third party publisher type company. Thats the new strategy for growth. At the start of the Xbox One gen, there was still a lot of people from the OG Xbox and the Xbox 360 who helped create a spectacular launch line up but thats not the case anymore. Other goals took over. Never know there may be a change and at least one of these new upcoming titles will have that refreshing feeling you and others(including myself) seek.

 

[QPlayer]

Because it's not the same experience anywhere else. I would (and do, check my post history lol) that PC isn't that hard to work and most gamers could probably figure it out, but Xbox still provides a console experience you won't find on PC or any handheld (save for maybe Steam Deck but even then not really). Really good example of this: try using a PC or handheld as a way to watch videos and movies without spending all day reading guides on the home theater PC subreddit lol.


My problem with this is these are all washed up has-been franchises from has-been developers. I'm sorry, and this might be overly harsh, but ES6 is going to be dampened by how bad Starfield was, FH6 will be damped by how every new title in that franchise is a location reskin of the old, Quake is good but isn't going to sell consoles (alas, this has always been a more PC oriented franchise), GoW hasn't been relevant for years (same for Halo although you didn't mention it), I can't even remember the last time I thought about a Spyro game. A new franchise would be nice but if its a generic 'GTA clone' nobody is going to play it over the real GTA6/Online.

Thanks to Starfield, it's doing well, it received a great critical reception and millions of people are still playing this year's updates (check the official download data for creations mods if you don't believe it).
The Elder Scrolls 6 =/ Starfield. I am convinced that if anyone were to release a console with an exclusive ES6, everyone would buy it for this game alone. Even a year later, many people couldn't wait for the PC version, which is so popular, see the popularity of Skyrim today!
Forza Horizon 5 is the most popular car game ever made, it is played by more than ten million people, it still has millions of video views in various media, and is constantly on the daily agenda.
Gears of War can move a lot of fans, this year's Xbox Game showcase showed that.
Continued Etc.

I don't agree with you on almost anything, but this is a forum, everyone comments from their own point of view, but the facts about the games mentioned above are real.

 

[Cappuccino]

Thanks to Starfield, it's doing well, it received a great critical reception and millions of people are still playing this year's updates (check the official download data for creations mods if you don't believe it).

Starfield was hyped for half a decade and was the first Bethesda title since FO4 (76 was a satellite studio) and it received a whopping 83 on Metacritic and a 6.8 for user scores. A huge blockbuster from one of the most well known developers receiving what is essentially a B- is not good critical reception.