Are Microsoft finally getting it right with the Xbox One?

I am the first to admit that I was not a fan of the Xbox One when it was first talked about early last year, the issues surrounding the original announcement have been well documented, but now six months after launch and with what feels like a complete 360 over nearly every feature and idea they originally talked about and Microsoft might finally be on the right track with the console. Focusing on what the public might actually have wanted to buy, an entertainment unit priced reasonably.

[christocolus]

They definitly are..atleast I've noticed that some of my pals (who wernt interested in the console before) are now looking forward to owning one.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

I do agree with you Xbone at first left a bad impression or taste in my mouth, put now I'm starting to like it for what it its!

[Ballsack]

I am waiting till e3

but so far Xbox one is now starting to look like something I will purchase come end of the year

[nosferatuzodd]

i will never buy a xbone never their desperate so they'll do anything to sell

[user1439414]

We all know that Microsoft screwed up big time with the XBOX ONE but maybe they can fix the mess they are in. Hopefully a new console is announced this year at E3 from Microsoft and PS4 can have a contender.

[smoothdude]

I can't wait to play Halo 5, so I'll end up getting one eventually!

[Kavorklestein]

@MrTehDiNGO

If they were to announce another console, it would wipe the floor with the PS4's entrails... They wouldn't make the same power/performance mistake twice.

Hell, for all we know, the eSRAM could be used in conjunction with the cloud or DX12 to make the Xbox one not only compete, but set it's own standards. I dunno the future, and I doubt it's really possible, but I have been surprised in my lifetime too.

Now as far as saying that the xbox one is somehow not competition, is plain stupid. It may not be as powerful as the PS4, but that's not the end-all and be-all of the competitive factors brought to the table with both consoles.

And the biggest factor we have to focus on is exclusive games.
After E3, we'll actually have a REAL idea what we can expect from these boxes.

I mean, we can't call it quits before the first E3 of the consoles' lifespans can we???
That would be plain and simple, extremely blind and foolish.

[GameNameFame]

@KavorKlestein

We live in a world everything follows logic not some voodoo magic or secret sauces.

You talk as esram, dx12 and cloud as some magical mythical power. Either you are just desperate or you dont get a thing.

-Esram offers no real advantage over GDDR5. It adds more complication. It can never sustain its peak. It is small.
Tell me which is better? small fast ram? or big and fast ram? Any software that benefits with esram works with GDDR5.

-DX12. Most of the DX12 highlights and improvement figures are for PC. even MS's own slide said "giving console like API to PC".

Its benefits are referring to PC not xbox one. Desperate fanboys decided to take it out of context. MS's own word says for PC.
Any minor benefit on X1 will just get ported to PS4 instantaneously. Literally, PS4 already has DX11 ported to it. They have such similar architecture that they both benefit from same software.

-Cloud. It has been a joke for a long time. First MS offered 0.3 tflop power which is very small power. Problem is, no one can find a use for this power for graphics in practical manner. lolol

Forza was first one to use it, but they couldnt figure out a way to use it. lol

Titanfall was another. AI? yes. My 10 year old PC and some PS3 games already run AI on server. TF looked graphically weak.

[Kavorklestein]

@Games Name fame
I never said I believe these things, but then again, you and I could BOTH be wrong and these things COULD end up helping the xbox 1.

I'm just saying we can't call it so soon, we gotta give them more time, etc...

I know both sides to the DX12/Cloud/eSRAM arguments, and I am not able to quite place my thumb on what is true or not.

I am not gonna assume that I have all the knowledge in the world however, because I could very well be WRONG about it all.

I'm just saying a little open-mindedness when approaching others,and their opinions, couldn't hurt, especially when WE have no idea of what Sony or Microsoft are truly capable of, or have up their sleeves.

If we knew all that, then I'd dare say we know EVERYTHING, and that I should get stock market, relationship, career, sex, political, financial, and any other kind of advice advice from you, or fellow N4G members.

Some people may have some good ideas, but just because one isn't the "norm", or the typical opinion, doesn't mean we need to burn people at the stake over it... in fact, it makes it look more like those in fear of new ideas or opinions are actually afraid that their OWN ideas stand risk to burn at the stake OR cease to exist within the parameters of known society/technology/reality.

I didn't need your rushed assembly of "Facts"
of why anything being touted by MS or the Xb1/dx12 as being false.

I've done my own research, and have actually probably spent more time researching it if I'm willing to admit that its not likely, but still within the realm of possibility. But, Who knows?
Not you.
Not Me.

Basically, if you don't have a time machine, you're not right.

And neither am I.

We just gotta wait and see.
Period.
That's all I'm trying to say, and that all I've ever really tried to say about anything concerning the console's futures.

[kickerz]

Pretty good read. Although the article states Titanfall didn't sell that well yet it nearly sold 2 million copies which ain't too bad

[mrpsychoticstalker]

Best console out there (opinion)

[Xavy]

lmao just NO

[Elit3Nick]

@Xavy what part of "opinion" didn't your little fanboy brain comprehend?

[marlinfan10]

@elite

in a fanboys mind, no ones opinion can be different from theirs

[MetalProxy]

Haha oh hell no! (Opinion)

[Spotie]

So you're all saying Xavy can't have an opinion about sometime else's opinion? Do you realize the irony in you expressing your opinion that Xavy can't express his opinion on psychotic's opinion?

[marlinfan10]

@spotie

"lmao just NO" isn't much of an opinion if you ask me.

if he said no and said why he doesn't agree that'd be one thing, but he didnt. all he did was tell the guy he was wrong and laugh

[SniperControl]

I definitely want one, but over here in the UK, the dis-kinected X1 is a total rip off.

I can buy the Titanfall Bundle with kinect for £350, the same price MS are gonna be selling the new bundle.
Even at full price the TF bundle is £380, so MS are basiclly saying kinect is only worth £40. Absolute BS

New dis-kinected bundle should be around the £310 - £320 mark.

I will get mine during the Christmas sales or January sales, hopefully should be around the £300 mark.

[incendy35]

Or you could look at it, as they are giving away Kinect for 40 dollars and you get Titanfall. That is an awesome deal.

[Saints94]

Incendy.... You don't know what 350£ value in dollars do you?

Or 40£ from the looks of it...

[iain04]

Agree about lack of value with kinect less console. Just picked up Xbone Titanfall pack with an additional pad free from Argos £380. Pure bargain.

[Baccra17]

Definitely looking like a second console choice now, can't wait to see what Capt. Phil has in store for us to wash away the bad taste Mattrick left. I think MS E3 will pleasantly surprise many this year.

[christocolus]

“ Can't wait to see what Capt. Phil has in store for us to wash away the bad taste Mattrick left.”

Lol.. I can't wait either. E3 will be the start of many good things to come.

[3-4-5]

* My Video game experience from 2007-2012 consisted solely of gaming on the Xbox 360.

Before that I had an OG xbox.

I play other systems and PC but during that time that was all I had.

* What Microsoft did with XB1 was like a kick to the sack.

* I went out and got a Wii U a month ago and I LOVE it.

* I'm still debating on which PS4/XB1 I will bet getting at some point, but since Sony fixed the controller issues I HAD with Dual Shock, there is almost no reason for me to get a XB1.

I think I'll get a PS4 eventually even though I've never owned a Sony console.

I just kind of felt betrayed. Not personally, but I was so excited to get an XB1, and then they announced it and then I was like " wHHHHATT...bb.b..u.WHY!!!!!!&q uot;

* I like that they put Phil in charge now but they really need to impress me this E3 to win me back.

Sucks because 360 controller is my favorite of all time, and xb1 is 95% the same, but I just can't do it.

I have a choice.

[rainslacker]

It's hard for me to hate the console now. Some of the upcoming exclusives are quite appealing to me.

Still not a big fan of MS due to seeing how they work for the past few decades, but I do want an X1. I'm thinking by the end of the year, or sooner if they open up dev kit access or Kinect for PC access before that.

[TimeSkipLuffy]

While I still remain a PS fan and nothing probably will change that because I started with the amazing PS1 and the legendary PS2 after that I agree that MS is now pulling all the right triggers for me to make me buy a secondary console (which I already did). I am a gamer first. All console competitors should learn from each other and take the best part out of it to make their console the best for their fans! You gain nothing but praise from your fans for keep improving and admitting wrongs and doing things better and better!

[shinrock]

Ahhhhhh! Ps1, the. 75-80 hour console. Likes to lay on it top! Lol! The good ol days.

[choujij]

While I agree they're definitely improving, I think whatever success they have from these changes will still be limited. Improving your reputation is a very hard thing to do, and takes many years. It's not as simple as a "okay, you can have your way now" to surefire success. Yes, a lot of fence sitters may be persuaded now, but the general public aren't so forgiving. And it's not so much the brand in this case, as it is the platform. So in my opinion, in all likelihood the Xbox One will be stunted this gen, no matter what they do.

[christocolus]

People said the same thing about the ps3 at launch,especially after their bad pr,higher price tag and lofty expectations of the cell but it worked out for them. They made the necessary changes, including the removal of ken kutaragi as the face and chief pr person for PS. MS is doing same and its already obvious the changes are yielding some good fruit. For one the bad press/image is changing, Phil is now the head and they have a new CEO who actually sees a long term plan for the console and is actually investing in games and new studios.

“So in my opinion, in all likelihood the Xbox One will be stunted this gen, no matter what they do.”

All the mishaps the ps3 faced at launch didn't stunt its sales so why would it stop the xbox one? I know atleast 5 of my friends getting the xbox one after E3 and funny thing is most of these guys didn't give a damn about the console until recently. Ms has been making the right moves it can only get better dude. Go on forums now and various game threads the xbox one is now being talked about in a more positive light..I was at neogaf recently and it was shocking to see a lot of gamers there talking about picking up an xbox one now.

[choujij]

Did it really work out for them? I guess that's a matter of opinion. Let's consider that it barely sold more than half of what it's predecessor the PS2 did (80m compared to 150m), and the fact that it actually cost Sony money. Lots of money. In the billions actually. On top of that, it took 7 to 8 years to catchup to 360's install base numbers and even then it only squeezed into second place behind the runaway success that was the Wii.

While you're more than welcome to think the PS3 was a resounding success, from the looks of it, I'd have to disagree and also use the PS3 as my example and state, it too was stunted. Don't get me wrong tho, tt's one of my favorite systems of all time. But it was still stunted and cost the company billions.

[No_Limit]

The most important to come away with this is that they are giving us options that the majority have been craving for for the longest, so in that sense, they are doing it right.

-People complain about too much TV. Haven't heard a thing about TV ever since the first reveal in May of last year, it is all about games. checked

-People complain that apps shouldn't be behind paywall and a model similar to PSN+ regarding free games should be implemented. Checked

-People want discount of XB1 digital games. Starting in Jun, each month will have discounts on XB1 digital games up to 50-70% off. checked

-Gamers want a Kinect free sku at a cheaper price. checked

-Gamers want to use their own external hardrive, not forced into buying a more expensive proprietary HDD. checked and it is up to 16tb

We can keep saying 180 or they lost their original vision all we want and no doubt MS is doing this mostly to compete better and getting trust from gamers, but it is a good thing that they are listening and actually doing what they said they were going to do. That is a win in my book.

[KonsoruMasuta]

Yup, now all they have to do is get rid of the paywall for F2P games and subscription MMOs and get rid of the parity clause.

Microsoft definitely has my attention now.

[Edward75]

The subscription MMOs are up to the developer. Unless I am missing something and paying for FInal Fantasy ARR on PS4 when I don't need too lol,

Or if Elder Scrolls online will be free to play on ps4 and subscription based on xbone.

MMOs pay type has nothing to do with the system it is on, but up to the company putting it out there.

[KonsoruMasuta]

Edward, learn how to read. I'm talking about Microsoft's paywall, not the subscription fee.

You need XboxLive Gold to play subscription MMOs. You don't need PS+ to play Subscription MMOs on PS4.

You don't need PS+ to play Elder Scrolls Online on PS4. You need XboxLive Gold to play it on XboxOne.

Reading comprehension does wonders.

[Funky Town_TX]

Some people just hate M$ and there is nothing M$ can do about it.

[hello12]

In fairness even x box fan if their been truthful will admit they had a terrible pre-launch all of they're own making really.

Don Mattrick internet comment was a disaster. Buy a 360 if you don't have internet?

No Don people will just go buy a PS4, you dumb fool.

I'm glad he's gone and was not a good boss for x box.

Phil Spencers gets it least it seems like he does?

[marlinfan10]

@funky

i don't think they're too worried about the little kid fanboys that hate "M$" for reasons the fanboys don't even know themselves. you can't please the unpleaseable...unless you're sony of course right?

[Salooh]

Quantum break is an awesome start for me. Sunset drive looks great but it's not a must buy for me. I'm more into serious games. Hope they do the same with gears of war , the darker , more serious it become the better. And bigger multiplayer =/= better . I love gears 1 so i hope they make it more like it or give us modes like it. I am mostly looking forward for these two games.

All they need to do is to be reasonable with the fans + never stop focusing on games.

For me it will take all this gen to win me. I'm not falling for another 360. So if that happen i won't fall for another One in next gen too lol .

I'm hoping success for them but i'm not gonna forget the past just because they did few good things after a disaster.

It's good that you people satisfied of what they offer though ^^ .

[rainslacker]

I want dev kit access on the console and PC access to the Kinect. MS said they would bring that, and that would make me get one today if it was in the next update.

Only thing that turned me off was the DRM/24-hour check in, other than that none of the other stuff mattered to me.

Otherwise I agree with you.

[Funky Town_TX]

Make the games and everything else will follow. It's not rocket science.

[snookiegamer]

Xbox One will be just fine. All the bad publicity will die down soon enough...and if it doesn't?

I'm sure it won't prevent X1 owners from enjoying the games/experiences.

Shame we all just can't move on now though.

[KonsoruMasuta]

Thing is, people won't forget. Buying a game console is like making an investment, you give them your money and they deliver the content and features.

As an investor, would you just randomly give your money to a company that has proven themselves to be unreliable in the past? No, just like any other person, you will be cautious.

You can't just say "Forget about all those bad things they did, just give them $400! You need to learn to move on!"

[Salooh]

Don't see why there are disagrees , even the fans knows that 360 had that fate. Even they complained . I don't see a reason to defend this fate. If people acknowledge what they did and demanded for focusing on real games x1 wouldn't have the same fate too .

Defending wrong things will make the fans regret it . Then they deserve it xP

[snookiegamer]

@KonsoruMasuta

Hi :) I can agree that a console is an investment yes, and a very longterm, expensive one at that.

..but I would suggest anyone unhappy with their investment to sell their console and go with one that makes you 'happier', be that PC, Wii U, PS4 or whatever. Rather than complain, or dump on Xbox One, mostly coming from non-X1 users.

Consoles are not an object you're stuck with, and I never mentioned 'forgetting' the Xbox One's negative publicity, I only stated we can move on now.

X1 price, X1 resolution, X1 Kinectless, X1 eSRAM bottlenecks, X1 180's ALL old news now. Can't keep repeating the same old, same old. Utterly depressing when it was PS3 last gen, and it's totally depressing to a gamer this gen...and this is coming from a PS4 user.

[maniacmayhem]

"Thing is, people won't forget."

Correction, certain fanboys won't forget. So far Xbox One is delivering on content and definitely features.

Every company has had their missteps and mistakes and those companies have been forgiven by the many fans on this site and outside, so to place this unrealistic expectation on one is not being fair.

[TheGamingArt]

Nope

[DigitalRaptor]

I say: Yes.

They've made some good business decisions lately, but their horrible, horrible original decisions will loom over the brand for years to come. People will continue to favour Sony this generation for as long as PS4 is providing them with great games and unique experiences - and continues doing what PlayStation always has done.

Damage has been done. They've made it hard for themselves. They've handicapped their USP by removing Kinect. Their continual flip-flopping shows a Microsoft that:

1) didn't really know what gamers wanted in the first place
2) have refused to stick to their guns, sacrificed a vision to try and shift more units
3) are reversing policies that should've been done many, many years ago and that many of us were telling others were unreasonable

This second point really sums up that if MS can't make up their mind about their vision for their console, how can they expect gamers (who are going to be making a long-term investment) to have confidence in their decisions to purchase one?

In reality, they will never outpace the PS4 for this generation, but as long as they bring some great experiences to their user base, they can offset a lot of the negativity surrounding them and their brand. They won't dominate in any capacity that they believed their decisions would enable them to, but Phil can still do gamers proud.

[hello12]

E3 is it for me. Games is why i bought a console and just hope Microsoft is not just hyping it up and they do knock it out of the park?

[marlinfan10]

they started slow but they're definitely starting to turn it around.

[welly300]

Sony need to step up, get updates flowing still basic things missing its to quite in the sony camp.lack of online games infamous was crying out for online the Order no online whts goin on. E3 is sony last chance for me x1 or pc here I come.

[kewlkat007]

I think so, looking at all the constant updates, reversed policies and new policies enacted, in the name of competition, market forces and after the removal of certain execs.

At the end of the day, they are still business decisions that should help the console sell in the future. Whether you never liked Xbox, or just hate Microsoft you can't downplay their new attitude with Phil in place.

Remember: When Netflix wanted to spin its DVD mailing business to Qwikster and raise prices in 2011 . They lost 800K subscribers and fans grumbled about it and it was reversed. Plenty of examples out there, well I still have Netflix 3 years later.

I was out of town all week and I just turned on my Xbox One, well waddaya know...an Update. Keep the games flowing and the apps, like Plex, so I can stream from my 20TB media server and it's an all-in-one machine for me with the benefits of Kinect.

[vividi]

I think they are, I brought the titanfall bundle without much expectation, but it really surprise me and I am loving it.

[The_devils_chum]

Sony from the old ps2 days is back, like it or not they corrected many things from the get go.

Microsoft has done many changes but its too little too late. I dont care that there not shoving the kinect in my face anymore or that they dropped the price. What it comes down to is that im not going to pay the same price for a console that promises to deliver inferior multiplats for a long time to come. If you think dx12 and clouding computing is going to change things then your just playing yourself.

[Belasco]

Judging from your comment history, you were never going to purchase an X1 anyway, no matter what they were going to reveal last year. And as far as DX12 and cloud goes, no one knows, so the only one "playing themselves" is you chum.

[marlinfan10]

"too little too late"

im guessing you've been saying that for a while now right? lol no one cares about a fanboys opinion and you're the epitome of a fanboy.

i don't think I've ever read a comment of yours where you aren't bashing the xbox so its no surprise you'd say its too little too late.

[Belasco]

Microsoft has no choice but to work with the hand they dealt themselves. They have taken steps in the right direction but they also need to realize that they cannot please everyone. Give me real exclusives and a great online experience, at least continue to support some Kinect features, and make Gold worth the money.

[mochachino]

Definitely headed in the right direction but they need a better price drop and to make games with Gold better games.

[user9558903]

The sooner people start to realize this "fanboyism" is for immature children the sooner everyone will win no matter which console you own

[Aussiebeachbabe]

Well said Broba that's exactly what they are by the sounds of it: that is children. They have that " mine's better than your's" mentality like little kids do.

[trenso1]

i will still probably never buy one but i can see they are improving over what was revealed last year. i can only imagine the abysmal sales there would have been if they didnt do all of those 180s

[Ghost_Nappa]

Bad grammer, poor punctuation, didn't read.

[Dlacy13g]

whether you think they are getting it right or not it has been an amazing year to watch Microsoft. This is the kind of stuff somebody will write a book about and hopefully it will be soon.

[quenomamen]

Looks good now, 9 months after launch ? You don't build trust with a crappy launch then 9 months later expect peope to come back, the damage has been done. I'm sure the Pinto was a lot better after Ford fixed the exploding rear end gas tank, but the danage was done. As for new hardware at E3 ? That is the definition of denile and fanboyism if I ever heard it, lol.

" mmmaybe they'll just come out with new hardware, yea then everything will be hunky dory "

Talk about desperate.

[BitbyDeath]

Almost there still need to remove the parity clause.

[D-riders]

people who thought kinect was the future are idiots.