The uncertain future of the Xbox One

ET:"It’s difficult to know what to make of the Xbox One. When Microsoft first debuted the console nearly two years ago, its vision of the future of gaming slammed face first into the rock wall of consumer expectations. Microsoft offered a second-generation motion tracker with voice commands and an “always on” capability — but consumers didn’t want it. The company declared that online and retail disc purchases would be treated the same, only to find that customers valued the ability to trade in games at a local store. It promised a future in which families and friends could share games out of a common library — but at the cost of offline play."

[xDHAV0K24x]

play the games and enjoy! smh

[Gazondaily]

Games...something the author of the article seems to neglect in favour of talks of DX12 and Windows 10. Games are the KEY to success in this industry. Everything else is just filler. A strong focus on that and you can be certain that you will achieve some sort of success.

[TheRedButterfly]

And if Spencer's promotion was any indication, it looks like Microsoft has finally realized this. Putting a game developer as the head of the platform is the best decision they could have made. http://t.co/nwf6Rz6WGP

[christocolus]

@Septic

Well said bro.

@Redbutterfly

awesome gif.lol

[NatureOfLogic_]

@TheRed, Most of Xbox One games were planned way before Spencer's promotion. Also, if Spencer's strategy is to ignore majority of the year regarding games(Xbone exclusives for the holidays), I'd say he's doing a terrible job so far.

[Godmars290]

@NatureOfLogic:
My bet is that Spencer will need year to properly implement any plans he has. Something that might come too late for the system.

[Gazondaily]

@Godmars

One year is too late for the system? Is there some sort of ticking time bomb at MS HQ I'm not aware of?

[Godmars290]

@Septic:
The original the XB1 was *years* in planning before it was even announced, fell apart months before and after its release, with Spencer shoved into its helm while things were still breaking much less settling. There is no way that things have been fixed to a visible degree in all this time. No way he's had actual effect.

Look how long it took Sony to fix issues with the PS3.

[Gazondaily]

Yeah okay but why would any changes be 'too late?' I dont want to sound like im grilling you mate, just want to know what you meant by that.

[Godmars290]

@Septic:
To be frank, as much as many don't want to hear much less believe, MS have never dominated the console market. They had bragging rights in the US with the 360 for a while, but that was it. If they had had anything more, like a stable foundation in regards to games, talk of Spencer's done or will do, the XB0 future, would not be a thing.

But then, with the best thing coming out for the PS4 are sequels and remakes, the issues with the Order, we need to be looking and talking about the whole of 8th console gen, not just one console.

[christocolus]

Exactly.i don't even know why this is coming up. the article holds no water.

“But rumors that Microsoft would like out of the Xbox business continue to swirl, prompted partly by stealthy executive departures and ongoing legal issues surrounding
the Xbox 360’s disc-scratching problems.”

Stealth executive departures? The author is basically referring to Phil Harrison here. legal issues surrounding disc scratching issues? These reasons aint enough to cause them to sell off the division. lol and using that opinionated gamesindustry.biz article as a reference doesn't help prove his point.

” It’s entirely possible that Nadella would prefer to be out of gaming,but he’s not willing to defund and destroy the segment if he can’t find a buyer”

Hmm. Maybe the author needs to read these.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

Just like the previous gamesindustry.biz article, nothing here is fact. The entire article is just the writers opinion&imo Xbox One is going to be here for a while.

[Godmars290]

If they were genuinely good, didn't require fan-defense or bashing, no one would nee to talk. Would be too busy playing.

[Dudebro90]

Seems pretty certain to me....

[Cueil]

The vision seems more and more like it was a good one ahead of its time

[krypt1983]

What i laugh the most about if if there will be consoles after this gen they both will more then likely ship with the restrictions the xb1 was orig going to ship with and it will be widely adopted and microsoft should of stuck to theirs gun on some of the issues..

[EvilWay]

If they never got rid of Don Mattrick I would have been worried which is why I bought the PS4 first and bought my Xbox after. Now with Phil Spencer he has completely turned things around and is doing what is best for the console and those who support it.

This will be a great generation for both the Microsoft and Sony both will make a lot of money as sales have shown and a lot of great games will be played

[Gazondaily]

The article seems to be completely out of touch with reality.

"As a recent GamesIndustry.biz piece points out, Microsoft may be stuck with Xbox One for a very simple reason: There aren’t many companies that have both the capital and the interest in gaming to buy the segment at anything like a fair price. "

Are we still going on about how MS are going to sell the Xbox division? Really?

The future of the X1 depends less on Windows and DX12 than the author of the article thinks it does.

One thing above all else will ensure any sort of success here and that's games. I think the article neglects the importance of this way too much.

It talks about how its not based on doom and gloom but on Nadella's whims and yet ignores the fact that really, she has given a rather robust support to Spencer and his squarely gamign focused vision for the Xbox brand.

So in my opinion, this is just more unwarranted doom and gloom.

[Godmars290]

Can't hep but notice that many entities are out of touch with things. From game reviewers and their audience/readership to publishers and what a game needs to sell.

[ShottyatLaw]

It's best to just roll with the tide. The doom and gloom rhetoric cycles through every so often. Over the last few years it's gone from 3DS, to Wii U, to Vita, and now onto the next. All the while, I sit back just hoping my favorite hobby continues to grow and provide me with entertainment. F*** me, right?

Specifically to the MS issue, they didn't give up after the OG Xbox's performance compared to PS2; nor did they quit after the RROD (the type of doom not too many electronic companies have ever overcome). If they were able to go through all of that, pull into the black, then invest in a new system launch with the X1, I don't see them giving up anytime soon.

I also look to the last 4 years or so of acquisitions, starting with Halo IP. In 2013, they added Gears. And then there is the 2.5 billion spent on Minecraft. That's a lot of money in a short amount of time for a company looking to get out of the business.

[IRetrouk]

I dont think its uncertain, they are investing, their numbers are steady, i think they are fine right now.

[Jazz4108]

Terrible opinion piece

[Gilgamesh15]

No, it's another terrible "oh I wish so hard MS would exit gaming, maybe if I write enough of these it will happen" propaganda piece. This is what happens when fanboys become "journalists".

[remixx116]

And why people even want the Xbox brand to go is beyond me, it results in lost jobs, sad people and considerably less games and as gamers isn't that what we should care about most-GAMES-!!!!!!!!

[samchez77]

There is no more an aggressive & abusive fanboy than the Xbox fanboy. Were you not around last gen?

Time to reap what they sew.

[MasterBaker]

It was pretty uncertain when they first revealed the Xbox one, but now that they fired most of the top guys and now have people like Phil Spencer's in charger, then I'm pretty sure it'll be ok. this year is looking good for Xbox one, great exclusives and maybe a new UI when windows 10 releases? I'm happy and look forward to what's in stored for Xbox one.

[hello12]

E3 2015 Microsoft wins again with content thats all folks!

[strickers]

Again???? False promises more like.

[samchez77]

Yeah, Ori & The Blind Forest should keep this console in the positive headlines for years!!! *sarcasm*

[reko]

What about games?

[MetroidFREAK21]

Lol these articles about the "uncertain future of XB1, or PS4" really need to stop... This generation of consoles are off to a great start, both consoles have outpaced their older brothers by a significant amount. Props to the PS4 for selling over 20 million units and having great exclusives. Props to the Xbox One for constant updates, improved functionality over 360 (in my opinion) and for having great exclusives. The gaming society I knew growing up as a gamer for my entire life is gone. Now it seems people only care about what console looks better, or calling other people rude names on the internet. I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one am tired of all the fighting to prove what console is better or worse, when we simply as gamers shouldn't really care. I for one hope both consoles continue to succeed and have them both have a great library of games for all of us to enjoy.

[Blackleg-sanji]

Let's be honest for a sec gamers let's take off out console loyalty glasses for a sec and be real. By no stretch of the imagination are these consoles future uncertain or even failing both are selling at a very good place both how some great games, does microsoft wish they were either ahead or not so far behind worldwide I'm sure! And I'm pretty sure sony wish their 1st parties went all as planned but I mean it only gets better from here maybe it's the lol kid in me coming out but look what we got coming so many sequels new ups promising hardware in morpheus and hololens I'm excited

Sorry for long post

[Joe913]

It is doing very good still doing better than the 360 when it came out stupid article.

[LexHazard79]

What a waste of time it was reading the usual doom, hate Xbox articles. I wish the community did a better job and not allowing these submissions. I can garauntee every person who approved it was a not an Xbox gamer.

[Algorithm427]

Microsoft will not leave gaming, they will just phase out the Xbox brand and focus on PC. It's a brilliant decision. It's the best thing for Microsoft. Huge profits to be had. If they release another console it will be similiar to a steam box but with windows live. Looking forward to the future.

[XeyedGamer]

Great article!

[samchez77]

I simply cannot understand why all you diehard Xbox fans stick by your current gen console. How can you ever trust or respect a company that got it sooooo wrong, and threatened to destroy the beatiful gaming industry as we know it. Heck, event the console itself is underpowered and fell short of curent gen graphical expectations. If it wasn't for MS's chronic desperation to "win" (well, it is the American way) and the pooling of resources to keep it afloat......it would be dead in the water.

It's true. Loyalty really is blind.

[Moldiver]

"I simply cannot understand why all you diehard Xbox fans stick by your current gen console. How can you ever trust or respect a company that got it sooooo wrong"

You are free to disagree here, But in my opinion is ..the games! I bought A PS4 at launch and an X1 at xmas. Right now the X1 gets more playtime. Halo:MCC, FH2, SSO,Ori FM5 and KI are better than anything I currently own on my Ps4. Especially in terms of replyability(infamous, KZ, TLOU and resogun. Had DC for about three days at launch, before returning it. looking forward to bloodborne though.)

"and threatened to destroy the beatiful gaming industry as we know it."

Newsflash. DRM has existed for years. ask anybody with a steam account or buys digital software. And in the end they yeilded to consumer demand. I trust MS to respond to peoples wallets. Because they are about money after all....right?. So we always have the final say. as evidenced by the dropping of many of the policies, kinect and the price.

"Heck, event the console itself is underpowered and fell short of curent gen graphical expectations"

WiiU owners are over their console not being anything special in the specs department. Doesnt stop them from enjoying there games. I dont think any xbox owner really cares when they are playing FH2, Halo, And incoming stuff like scalebound crackdown, QB and a new gears. I know I dont. Im over it. Besides I have a PS4 and two PCs that spank either console. If I want no compromises I play on my PCs. As it happens I prefer to play with my friends on my fave games. So its Xbox. Like many I was put off by the launch. I bought a PS4, first because of MS. But the xbox turned out to be the console I wanted.

"It's true. Loyalty really is blind."

Indeed . loyalty is also what got sony through an overpriced PS3 launch that had probably the worst launch line up I had ever seen in my 24 years of gaming. If people are enjoying their xboxs, I dont see a problem with standing by that. And anybody with a problem with that probably does not enjoy their own console.

[parentsbasement]

Good greif man , that was a spot on , terrific post ...well said...but , you know that wont fly here....

[RealityModeler]

Here's how I explain my loyalty to "Ms" and not a company promoting "daemon run" OS devices, and if you're wondering why much of what I comment is in relation to "what Sony fans think", that is because their illogical BS has made me think about these ideas... if not for their illogical BS, I may not have Realized how much better I really think the XBox One actually is.

Sony fans may claim that PS4 has some better features, such as Share\Remote Play, though let's look at that again this time next year.

Sony fans think longer lasting AA batteries that are replaceable with rechargeable are inferior while they have to buy multiple controllers to change batteries, constantly plug in with cables making that they might as well call their controllers wired with temporary wireless, and throw controllers away when the batteries quit holding a good charge.

Sony fans also seem to think an external easily replaceable PSU is worse all while the internal PSU of the PS4 makes its sleek angled design appear well designed... as a doorstop when the PSU fails out of warranty.

Sony fans think the XBox One is "ugly", though I prefer a console that doesn't have only two front USB ports that forces cables, adapter hubs, and dongles sticking out the front making it look toyish and messy (though there are workarounds in some cases, such as recharge stations, it is annoying that many people who comment about how ugly the XBox One is don't use them).

I also don't like only being able to plug in a USB hard drive that only supports being used for backups (reported about the new PS4 firmware) and that can't be automated\used without a cable is sticking out the front all the time while XBox One not only has USB ports in the back where they should be, it has one on the side for side expansions while PS4 only has add-ons that stick out the front or requires putting things on top looking humpback. While writing that last sentence, I recall an example of a Sony fan being illogical... he posted so sure that PS4 is better because it supports replacing the hard drive with SSD, as if he'd never heard of a USB 3 external SSD drive that performs practically as well as when connected via SATA, plus then you can put it in your pocket and plug it into another XBox One elsewhere (don't bother with the but but but, the slower disc still is used some... that PS4 owners can't then still use for even more space after they upgrade).

I also don't like how Sony fans like to think that throwing star shurikens (discs) are here to stick, especially with how that many (most?) people buy digitally that now can't share their games with 10 people because of that BS against MS as if that was evil and anti-consumer while now everyone is buying digital anyway, only now without being able to share (well).

Continued, I ran out of character space.

[RealityModeler]

Additionally, I prefer the mouse and keyboard support that appears as if it is coming to XBox One to support gaming that is optimal for mouse and keyboard plus that may support Universal Apps that will allow it to work for email (etc.) and Universal Apps (such as Universal Office, that I may not use on XBox One though I will enjoy trying it and there may be other Universal Apps I use all the time... I like features and options). If you haven't heard of those features yet, I am expecting you will when they start releasing better optimized DirectX 12 games with Cross Play and Cross Buy starting later in the year... I'm NOT certain yet about Universal Office Apps (the Jan. Windows 10 announcement mentioned a comment that seemed as if they implied that Universal Office was possible on XBox One), though it does appear even more likely that mouse and keyboard support is going to happen due to seeing XBox Ones appearing to run keyboards in Fable Legends videos and this comment from a year ago,

http://gamerant.com/xbox-on...

"Speaking of those who prefer mouse and keyboard to controller, Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) teased the possibility of mouse and keyboard support for the Xbox One. Again, he wouldn’t reveal whether, in fact, such a feature is in development, but he strongly suggested it is something Microsoft is looking into."

I like better features rather than just BS about focusing on games then being hypocrites when accepting that Sony spends resources doing more than that. It is absurd that Sony spends time developing PS Now that is 100% DRM and supporting TV with Vue, all while MS got railed by Sony fans for similar... they then claim that Sony focused on games as the priority all while many people think XBox One games have been better to start with and Sony games keep being delayed as they're working on releasing TV features and their 100% DRM gaming that is cloud based, etc.

There are many other reasons I prefer XBox One regardless of some slight graphical differences that I doubt I could really see from 8-10 feet away from my TV, especially as MS improves, and I definitely think they will improve on performance, even though Sony fans, of course, say they will never improve all while their logic is consistently flawed and hypocritical causing I don't believe them, such as how they claim PS4's hardware design is better yet all of what I just mentioned indicates to me that they're either exaggerating in the best case or obviously extremely ignor(e)ant at worst. I think Sony's hardware is overall inferior to XBox One in every way other than it has more raw graphics power, and I still think MS could overcome brute force with SMARTER... technology is known for that, and besides that, I expect 9th gen XBox sooner rather than later that will carry over the current XBox One OS improvements and features with backwards compatibility and possibly forwards compatibility using Cross Buy (so you can buy games for the original XBox One then install them on the 9th gen later).

I also prefer MS games and media features, and I don't like "daemon run" OSes (such as Free BS d that the PS4 OS is based on), because I think they're fLAMER compared with OSes that run with "services".

As for Microsoft's "secret sauce", I think of "secret sauce" as involving a *combination* of ingredients, that others can't replicate and that has great taste, rather than "raw" (sushi) power that is often about Sony fans telling fish stories, AKA bad fishy taste.

I don't think MS was "so wrong", as you put it... I think Sony fans claiming that are.

You asked how. As far as I am concerned, that is how.

[Mrveryodd]

I have an xbox one .... And I love it ....

[Scatpants]

Seems pretty certain to me that it will continue along in second place for this generation releasing a few decent exclusives each year. What is uncertain here?

[Max-Zorin]

Dumbest article of 2015.