170°

What If This is the Last Console Generation?

The introduction of Microsoft’s Xbox Games Pass could change the way people play video games forever. But could it also change the console cycle?

If the concept succeeds, streaming video game services could not only upturn the whole industry, they could also put an end to console generations as we know them.

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raginggazebo.com
PhoenixUp2695d ago

People thought the last generation would be the final one and look how that turned out

We’re still going to get new consoles. An on demand gaming service is just going to be an alternative, not the primary way people will experience games

darthv722694d ago

If I recall... people were talking about last gen being the last "traditional" console generation. and for the most part they were right. this gen we have discs that you don't actually play from but simply use as an installation or key to install from downloading. There has been an increased emphasis on service based gaming and being able to play your titles on various devices instead of just the console.

If things progress, we may not have physical media at all, especially given how its been put to use this gen. Pressing physical copies is an added expense that some publishers may not want to incur and so going with all digital distribution is a possibility. We have seen some publishers forgo releasing their wares in physical form all together this gen so that may increase next.

If there is to be something really radical in the sense that it changes console gaming further then it could lead to the release of modular systems. The iterative console this gen were just a taste and it may be that future releases would allow for upgrades instead of buying a mid gen upgraded system in general. I'm sure companies have been talking about this sort of things for the last several years and it is just a matter of time before we get to that point. The line between "console" and "PC" is blurring and there wont even be a line anymore at some point.

Nyxus2694d ago

No, they are still traditional consoles in every sense of the word.

darthv722694d ago

How so Nyx? There are those who feel the term "traditional" refers to the ability of just plug and play. No having to set up internet or download or install but just simply... pop in a game and play.

These current systems certainly play games but their doing so much more elevates their status above what people consider traditional consoles. They may have some semblance of tradition but many dont see them like that.

RacerX2694d ago

I have a great PC, but nothing beats the user friendliness and seemless experience being provided by consoles.

I really don't see them going away. And PS4's 80 million (?) consoles sold this generation proves it. If that number ever declines, then we can have a real discussion.

_-EDMIX-_2693d ago (Edited 2693d ago )

No.

The line between console and PC is actually not really blurring any more than it did the previous generation.

The Home console is not upgradeable it is a standalone box only created to play games

A PC is open source and created to be modular.

Home consoles have not become open-source and they have also not become modular so I'm sorry but you don't really have any idea of what you're talking about.

"There are those who feel the term "traditional" refers to the ability of just plug and play. No having to set up internet or download or install but just simply... pop in a game and play." Huh?

Buddy just stop it sounds like you're trying to force a definition to fit a narrative or an agenda

I mean that would be like me trying to say that there are those that believe console means putting inside of a cartridge without a damn disc, are you telling me that's what console really means because I said so just to argue? Smh.

You're literally trying to argue that traditional means it's never going to change at all as if there's never going to be even a slight technological difference between the systems that release in the future.

That might be literally one of the stupidest things I've ever read Because by that logic anything beyond the regular Nintendo to you is not a console because it is not a regular Nintendo.....

I mean what's next are you going to tell me that the N64 in PlayStation are no longer consoles because they have joysticks because the first Nintendo system doesn't have joysticks?

😂😂😂&# 128514;

Ok pal

So where on Earth did you read that home consoles are defined by never having any type of technological differences even slightly? Are you seriously telling me you don't understand just how stupid this actually is? Read what you posted and explain what you're talking about because I have no clue why anyone would seriously believe the term literally means to verbatim, to never change or adapt to the market.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2693d ago
porkChop2695d ago

It's not. Both Xbox and PlayStation have sold enough consoles to warrant another generation, and Switch is well on track to do the same.

Kingthrash3602694d ago

To you maybe....but the goal for Xbox was 200 million. Right now the 360 is out pacing the Xbox one year over year. MS on a consistent basis has been losing money to the xbox. Their software has more worth than their hardware. MS has already stated they will eliminate generational consoles ...while Sony has stated they will stay traditional.
Chances are MS will go digital, Playstation won't. The Google console will take the Xbox's place and hopefully they will show more enthusiasm on making actual games.

porkChop2694d ago

Moving away from "generational" consoles does not mean they won't make consoles at all. And regardless of the 360's sales, the Xbox One has still sold enough to warrant sticking in the console business.

darthv722694d ago (Edited 2694d ago )

Where do you get that number of 200 million from? also, i love how you spin the 360 as being successful in relation to the XBO but last gen you were all about downplaying 360 sales due to RRoD (I'm not going to dig through your comment history... you know you did).

Keep in mind every XBO sold is a legit sale where as there was a percentage of 360's sold that were defective replacements. At the end of the day a unit sold is a unit sold but dont go thinking there are 85+ million individual 360 owners out there. That's not how this works.

Nyxus2694d ago

200 million is ridiculous, whoever came up with that number must have been smoking something.

_-EDMIX-_2693d ago

I'm just trying to figure out who on Earth said that the goal for Xbox is 200 million? I'm not even doubting that someone may have said this simply where is the link?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2693d ago
TheColbertinator2694d ago

Maybe for Microsoft but Nintendo will do as they please. The future of Nintendo is based on games,the future of Microsoft is based on services.

porkChop2694d ago

Come on. Research is hard, bro. You can't expect them to get their facts straight before writing something.

goatking2694d ago

It is for xbox, but playstation and nintendo will keep going.

Show all comments (32)
170°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

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twistedvoxel.com
11h ago
lukasmain7h ago(Edited 6h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

5h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer5h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif3h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

3h ago
Obscure_Observer1h ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

Hereandthere4h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

4h ago
Lightning773h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot3h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer8845m ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer33m ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

Show all comments (18)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)
90°

The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative is close to its final deadline

Ross Scott—also known as Accursed Farms on YouTube—has been fighting tooth and nail for almost a full year to help spearhead game preservation. Starting after it was announced that Ubisoft's The Crew would be shutting down, permanently ending support for the game, Scott launched the "Stop Killing Games" initiative.

That makes a twofold deadline for the Stop Killing Games initiative. Or, at least, one headed up by Scott: The UK petition, which ends July 14, and the EU Citizens' Initiative, which ends July 3.

M3talDiamond7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

If you live in the EU then Please sign this or our game ownership rights and game preservation is
at stake. I know there isnt much time left but please consider signing the petition

-Foxtrot6d ago

I never knew Ross Scott was doing this

I love Freemans Mind

Inverno6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

People whine and in the end don't do a thing. Then whine more when they get screwed some more smh. If this makes it then it'll be monumental for consumers. That Pirate software guy was no help either smh.

GazCBG5d ago

The EU Date is the 31st July not the 3rd

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