Microsoft's Console Strategy Could Spell the End for Xbox

This move makes life much more difficult for game studios. It’s tough enough developing a game for the Xbox One without having a second version that supports HDR graphics and a third version whose buyers not only expect native 4K graphics, but also other benefits of the monster CPU, such as smarter artificial intelligence. That’s more design work, more code and much more testing.

[Zediz]

Then the same will happen with the PS4,right?
Remembering Xbox S is only XO Slim that makes upscaling for 4k e have bluray UHD. That is in no way changes the development of the game.

[Sonyslave3]

i know right love how they leave Neo out lol hell take the Tales games it PS4,PS3, PC each console or device have it strength pc being the strongest and ps3 the weakest yet Namco have no probably what so ever.

[artisin]

The Neo is mentioned in the article. But Sony isn't releasing TWO consoles, but likely just a slightly more powerful console that handles VR.

[Goldby]

@Artisin

Handles VR Better*

Fixed your comment :)

[Babadook7]

Yeah Neo is different. It has great exclusives not on PC. Neo is coming a lot sooner and at a lower price. Neo will get decent sales with its headstart and affordable price which will lead to decent support from third parties. Affordable 4K bluray and VR are nice bonuses too.

Edit: And in terms of the power gap. You literally won't notice. The neo will be the primary target for devs. With Neo likely coming to 4.6 Tflops expect games to run 1440p there. What will devs do for Scorpio's additional 30% more gpu power at ~6 tflops? Well, 1440p plus 30% higher pixels. Or 1640p Wow. You won't notice that. Like at all. And I know most of you don't understand how this works but those are the numbers you will get. Because of diminishing returns you'll need a magnifying glass to spot a difference between 1440p and 1640p on your 4K tv. Nevermind that there won't be a difference on a 1080p tv. Sony has played their cards so right this gen and it just continues. But hey bragging rights will be had for those who waited for the more expensive yet less supported Scorpio. :D

[Zediz]

@artisin
Xbox S is only XO Slim that makes upscaling for 4k e have bluray UHD. That is in no way changes the development of the game.which is the same situation Ps4.

[S2Killinit]

You are missing the point. Why buy a console when you can play the same games on PC, tablets, and phones? Why console game? Soon the tablets will be strong enough and then say bye bye to your consoles.

[Omnislashver36]

The only thing I'm noticing with MS is they're willingly throwing themselves into the Dreamcast scenario... 2 years after, PS5 will be out, no devs will cater to Scorpio, and any lead they have will be diminished.

If they release an update to play PS5 level games (Xbox three?) They'll have abandoned Scorpio users. Unless they plan on Scorpio (X2) being the 1080p model and X3 being the 4k model.

It may or may not work out for them... the perfect 4:1 scale of 4k gives them some longevity, somewhat.

[UltimateMaster]

PlayStation is still going to be around for a very long time. They have real exclusive games that cannot be played anywhere else.
Microsoft on the other hand is simply helping Steam grow. Granted, their goal is to steal marketshare from Steam but that is not what's happening.
Now they'll say, "but you can only buy our games on our store" True. PC gamers love to have the reassurance that they can get the game at any time, but it doesn't mean that they will buy them all.

In order for PC gamers to really enjoy Microsoft games, they would need to open up their policies including allowing mods and hacks. Then the Xbox console fans will hate the fact people cheat online, it's a no win situation if they do it.

It's still going to be relevant in the US, but globally their share of the market is going to be significantly dwarfed. It will loose it's console sales even faster than before since people won't find a reason to own One.

Microsoft should put up a fight. PC is not exclusive to Microsoft even tough they own the OS.
Unless they have future plans to make it exclusive to their store and restrict games sites like Steam, they will loose money on all 3Rd party games they could have earned.

[GameNameFame]

Sony still has great line up of exclusive. You know you need playstation to play them.

Unlike Xbox which you dont need it to play its games.

[Gitgud]

PS4 neo is gonna be just a fookin slim. All of you lot who are hyping it too be some scorpio will be disappointedl. It'll be a faster PS4 with 4k video, nothing more.

[S2Killinit]

That is correct. The scorpio equivalent will be the PS5.

Not sure what to think about MS's decision to cut this generation short only after 3 years!

[thisgamer503]

If Neo doesn't release until mid 2017 and scorpio releases holiday 2017 then that is close enough for same gen. Which means the Scorpio will wipe the floor with Neo. If Neo comes out this year, that argument could ALMOST work if it wasn't full of so much fanboy logic. 2 consoles coming out within a year of each other=same gen. Spin it however you like. Remember how the ps3 released a year after the xbox 360? Were they not the same gen?

[joab777]

I agree. That's why I've always been in favor of it. Scorpio will essentially be a next gen leap for Xbone owners. It will split the base and devs will beg to harness it's power.

Here's the crux. Why would you buy a Scorpio if you could just build a PC and have access to all xbox's and PC games?

[S2Killinit]

@thisgamer503
No, what makes them not the same generation is the huge graphical leap of scorpio plus the fact that it will be VR compatible unlike the current xboxs (AKA exclusive games). What you don't seem to understand is that MS has decided to release their next gen console early so as not to have to compete with another Playstation head on. They are escaping the head to head. and furthermore, they are escaping the console market to the detriment of console gaming. So you spin it however you like, the fact is, MS's terrible sales is what has driven their hand. Its plan B, drastic measures. Hope it works out for them, but hope they don't ruin the console market.

[Budrazor]

Scorpio, it is not!

[jun19inf]

@S2Killinit
Microsoft's decision to cut this generation short was obviously fueled by the lack of sales. They are not in business to lose money. However, you fail to understand that the "generation gaming" thing is dead. Back in the day releasing a console took very long because most often than not, the hardware changed dramatically from the previous console forcing developers to learn the new hardware which took a long time (PS3 with the cell). This is why you saw gaming consoles taking 4+ years to come out. Fast forward to today and today's consoles are literally mid range PC's with average specs that can easily by upgraded at a faster rate negating the long refresh cycles. We upgrade components in our PCs all of time (Video card, Processor, RAM, etc). I wouldn't be surprised if Scorpio and or the PS5 allow a greater level of modularity across board.

[jun19inf]

@thisgamer503
I fully agree with you on Scorpio wiping the floor with Neo based on the rumored specs. It doesn't take a genius to realize why Neo was not mentioned at all at E3. Sony can't afford to look inferior by any means. I'm not a fanboy, I just call them like I see them and Sony got taken by surprised which is why they are most likely back at the drawing board trying to salvage the Neo situation right now. They are betting pretty big on the PSVR especially with it costing $499 + tax not including the games. Too risky for my blood.

[thisgamer503]

@S2 - so microsofts hand is forced. Why is Sony releasing Neo then? They already have the more powerful console on the market.

[cleft5]

No because you still need a PS4 or some kind to access Sony exclusive content. What Microsoft has done is essentially say you dont need a Xbox One or any kind to play Xbox exclusives going forward. That is the danger of what Microsoft has done. If Sony said all there exclusives are on PC then they would be in the same situation as well.

[thisgamer503]

So is Microsoft also giving away free gaming PC's that can play modern games? People who primarily console game don't build PC's. It's not rocket science. Keep the spin up though, you should be getting dizzy soon.

[ONESHOTV2]

your logic is wrong you still need a MS program such as windows store to run MS games the games are not going to steam so what are they losing ? nothing really but they are gaining money from it does that bother you in some way that's MS is making money ?

[Budrazor]

You'll just be able to play MS content at different budget levels. The Scorpio will most likely be cheaper than a high end gaming PC.

[Goldby]

@Oneshot.

Not 100% true, you can buy rise of the tomb raider on steam

[n4rc]

A Windows license is more profitable then a console I'd assume.. from their standpoint, the box itself is irrelevant and can easily be done away with.

Except those people that don't want a gaming PC and prefer a console.. which is the only reason they've ever existed anyways!

The console will only go away when people don't want them.

[Sharky231]

@thisgamer

Cleft is saying that if your own a pc and a lot of people do. Then you won't need an Xbox. That cuts out a couple of million consoles! I've been saying the whole time Microsoft really wants to grow the Windows store! They will in a sense just be selling games. If they sale a console or two that's fine. That's why spencer made the comment about console numbers don't matter. That's all the proof I need!

[zeuanimals]

@Oneshot:

They're losing 3rd party royalties that they'd get if people bought multiplats on their Xbox's and potential XBLG subscribers which were both major contributors to the 360s profitability.

Every person that chooses to not get the Scorpio or slim will also not be contributing to hardware sales. Now, hardware sales don't help make them much money, in fact, they could be selling each console at a loss, but hardware not moving off of shelves is actively detrimental to them. No store wants to have tons of consoles that aren't selling, that's shelf and warehouse space that could be used for something else. If it sits there too long, the company that owns the warehouses or stores could actually charge MS if MS wants to keep those consoles stocked, or they'll have the consoles shipped back to make room for something that might sell.

That last paragraph is just a doomsday scenario for Xbox and I doubt it'll happen, but that's one of the possibilities of hardware that won't sell. So it's not like if too many potential buyers choose not to buy the new Xbox's in favor of PCs, MS will be fine with it. Though gaming is more of a side project and to make MS relevant for people who don't use MS's other products, so they're probably fine with it anyway, as long as people aren't thinking of MS as having nothing interesting for them.

[thisgamer503]

@Sharky

If people already own a pc? Like I said before, just because you own a pc doesn't mean it can game
The majority of PC's can't play games. People who are into gaming are usually either into console gaming, or into PC gaming. Console gamers aren't going to magically switch to PC because Xbox games are there. To think that way is pure fanboy logic. MS is just giving PC gamers what they've asked for years, to release MS published games on MS Windows. The marketplace they're releasing to may not be ideal, but it's a start.

@ Bruce755 below -

"They don't build PCs for a few reasons, first is price."

No. Ask 90% of console gamers why they game on a console and not a PC. The price will have nothing to do with it I assure you. Ease of use is the primary driver. PC gaming is more expensive to get into, but when you consider AAA games drop to $40 or so on PC within a few months, plus no subscription for online play, the cost over a gaming generation balances out between console or PC if you buy enough games.

[thisgamer503]

@Bruce - Answer me this. Look up sales of exclusive games. Tell me the biggest selling exclusive. Now, what % of the userbase of the console does that make up? Exactly. What games do the other millions upon millions users play? Multiplats.

I notice nobody ever answers this question. I guess the truth about exclusives having no bearing on the majority of console sales doesn't sit well with some. People need to think about this. A lot has been said about last gen ps3 vs 360 and yes ps3 won. Sony is a massive global brand. MS is not and yet they STILL gave ps3 a run for its money sales wise. You know why? It's easy: it ran multi platform games better.

[Braxmapoutras]

And that's the reason Xbox one "one" is going to be my last Microsoft console....they wanted a slice of the PC market and that's why they will release all their initial Xbox "exclusives" on PC...I bought the fucking box not even a year ago and I already regret it...instead of playing it clean and saying upfront when they released Xbox or even during last E3 they just go 2 years later and say no more xboxone exclusives for you....that's what I call shady....I bought it for recore, halo, scalebound and gears of war....but now all of them are coming to PC(yeah yeah halo 5 no,but halo 6 will be also on PC)...one thing for sure is that they lost my trust and my money going forward....and I'm positive that I'm not the only one that got burned this way....
Just to be clear I'm not against letting these games going to PC I just hated and despised the way they did it...because now I'll just build a proper gaming PC and just keep the Xbox one I bought for backwards compatibility games like tekken tag tournament 2....and I'll keep my ps4 for ps4 exclusives... If Sony would do the same I'd be as pissed and salty as I am with Microsoft right now....

[stuna1]

How will it happen to Sony? When simply put Sony aren't the ones diluting their effectiveness by bringing their exclusives over to PC's!

I'm not trying to state popular opinion, I'm stating a true concern, which I know will garner major disagrees. But many can't see the forest for the trees!

I could see if Microsoft had a solid bearing in the PC space, but the truth is what anchor they once had was massively compromised when they neglected their PC following for the console market, the support for PC gamers went out the window.

Now Microsoft are being seriously outsold by their competitor. What do they!? They run back to the same PC gamers that they neglected with promise of this overwhelming support, new api DX12, Win 10, Xbox1's library of exclusives, and so on.....

This newfound dedication looks good and all until you look closer! All these incentives are focused on the PC side of the coin, when for the last 3 years it has been the Xbox/gamers side of the coin that has supported these changes. The big question here is what incentives have they received !? B/C, consistent software updates, a high priced controller that might I add is compatible with wouldn't you know PC. Etc. Etc.

Where things should count they don't count, like the Xbox1 looking ahead at the real possibility of it own demise! Sharing all of what should have made it unique in the first place, its exclusives! Being obsolete because it maker made it obsolete, because they were losing!

I know I'm going to get slammed with disagrees, but I'm fine with that, but before everyone rushes to push the disagree button ask yourself does any of this at least sound plausible? Then think back at when Microsoft first entered the console space, the circumstances on them entering the console space, their history on the PC.

Look at what has changed for the better, what has changed for the worse! But above all those things analyze and look at how they've treated their supporter, studios and fanbases.

[jun19inf]

@stuna1
I respect what you stated in your post but in my opinion, Microsoft is not diluting their effectiveness they are simply providing more choice. Your still need a license to play the game via XboxLive or the Windows store. Not all consumers are like you and me who play games on their PC on a regular basis. Consoles will be here for a long time. Microsoft is expanding their business to target a wider audience simple as that. Companies change to adapt to growing concerns and challenges in their industry which is what they are doing right now. Everyone likes to hate on Microsoft which is fine but make no mistake about it, they are positioning themselves to deliver a killer blow. Imaging being able to play your shiny new game you just bought for your xbox on your laptop while sitting on a 4 hour flight.....priceless. You made some very good and valid points which is why from me you get an up-vote.

[USMC_POLICE]

I preordered my Xbox S today and will get NEO and Scorpio.

[Redgehammer]

Skittish investors.

[The_Sage]

The difference is, you can play Xbox games on your PC.

[Eonjay]

This doesn't make sense because diverging hardware hasn't stopped PC gaming from being a thing. People who expect the Neo/Scorpio/High End PC version of a game to play fundamentally different from PS4/Xbox One aren't being reasonable.
Today we have something called scalability. Its why most multiplats play the same on PS4/Xbox One/PC today.
Scorpio wont change this. There are PC rigs today far more powerful than the consoles of tomorrow and you don see devs scrambling to make 30 different versions of their game.

[artisin]

The point is the majority of consumers don't buy PCs just for games, though. Now, if you have a console with three different levels, and one supposedly vastly more powerful, why buy an Xbox between now and holiday 2017?

[thisgamer503]

If you know the next generation is coming after this generation, why buy this generation? This argument could be used all day. If your average Joe has money for a console and wants to play games, they're going to buy the console available now. Remember that 90% of gamers aren't the picky bunch that us Internet warriors are.

[Budrazor]

There is no reason too. Unless you want to add another one for whatever reason.

[uth11]

The play the same because today all platforms are built from the same codebase. Yes they will still build from the same codebase, but the worry is will they neglect the performance on the low-end consoles because now they can? Or will they bother to optimize to make sure it runs WELL on all platforms?

[TheOnlyGamer]

Another nonsense article about Xbox One getting spin-off, I don't know why some think of that? Because they hate Xbox maybe?

And how does N4G accepts these kinds of articles, Oh My God!!

[kneon]

Microsoft shareholders have repeatedly asked them to spin off the Xbox division so it's not far fetched at all.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Yeah 2, 3 years ago.

[Budrazor]

You can tell they don't like MS very much. The whole Scorpio thing pissed a lot of people off.

[Xavy]

Hate? Sony is hated MS is loved by the murica gaming media stop the FUD.

"And how does N4G accepts these kinds of articles, Oh My God!!"

lmao, do say the same thing about the hate for SOny and NEO, yeah thought so.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

DOOM I TELL YOU ......DOOM! I do so love the drama we see on N4G.

[Sweendog007]

My god these articles are a joke

Xbox will end why because Microsoft are expanding there business and seeing an opertunity on PC machines to expand their franchise games and get more people into gaming

Apple bring out an iPhone does that spell the end of the MacBook because they bring out a big tablet or phone ?

If anyone is stupid enough to believe Microsoft will leave the Xbox console industry behind they are badly mistaken and don't have a clue on how marketing works and how to expand your business. You don't stay the same in a market unless you expand. Microsoft stayed the same years ago and feel behind in business.

So stop with these stupid articles and use logic and common sense

[Gwynbleidd]

Thank you! I too don't get how people try to spin Microsoft expanding their gaming business and offering two new hardware SKUs to articles like the above one or any kind of "MS tries to spin off Xbox" nonsense.
Devs are already handling PC as lead platform most of the time and Xbox still has just two fixed hardware specs with Xbox One and Scorpio. With all the scalability (DX12 as a tool) that won't generate much more work for devs.

[Sweendog007]

What makes it worse is that people fail to understand what a game is made on

A PC - if anything it makes developing much easier

[thisgamer503]

Unfortunately I get it. I just think it's stupid. It's pure fanboyism. It happens on both sides of the aisle. Right now PS4 fans are throwing a fit over Scorpio.....for some reason. Xbox fans are now bashing Neo....for some reason. Neither side "wants" the other side's console so the whole point of arguing is pointless. The only people who have valid comparisons to make are those who own multiple consoles, which is in the minority and damn near frowned upon here. Think about that last one. This is a gaming site for ALL major gaming systems. Instead of excitement we get ridiculous clickbait articles pitting one side against the other. The gaming world has turned into U.S. politics and it makes me sick. /Rant over

[BossBattle]

When you have a company like Microsoft worth 260 billion they aren't going anywhere. They said they were commited to Xbox gaming and proved it with 2 new skus. The only ones doubting are Sony fans. Xbox fans don't doubt. Nintendo (18 billion) is worth more than Sony (17 billion). So you guys should worry about Sony especially when they went thru the court settlement when lying about the Linux OS on the PS3. Their movies are failing and they don't make that much off of PS4 hardware sales. You guys have submitted every Xbox hate filled article you can find but the bigger game sites say different.

[artisin]

Microsoft's worth about $400B actually. And of course MICROSOFT isn't going anywhere. The Xbox is just a loss leader for the company, it doesn't have to exist. And many shareholders want it to go.

[Sayai jin]

Interesting! Since when do you sit in on MS board meetings or have insider info?

[BossBattle]

The haters want it to go. The fans want it to stay. I'm sure Sony has shareholders ready for them to drop certain parts of their business. Movies come to mind as something they should leave alone, it doesn't have to exist. We at least know that the Xbox brand will be around for a while especially from the positive feedback concerning the Scorpio releasing next year. That news is reassuring to shareholders I'm sure. Thanks for the update on how deep MS's pockets are.

[artisin]

@Sayai Jin - it's not "insider info," it's literally one Google Finance search away.

[Xavy]

With all the money they have and yet are losing bad and now they are holding the white flag lmao. No money in the world will make Xbox a bigger brand then PS.

You want proof? Look at the state of the bone right now =D

[BossBattle]

Xbox is fine. They messed up with always online, DRM, and weaker specs with the Xbox One. The 360 sold just as many as the PS3 did. There's always going to be a device to uprise against a top brand. Sony day will come because hardware will eventually become obsolete. That's why AT FIRST Yoshida doubted there would even be a PS5. Then he later changed it. But the point is they already see a projected decline in hardware profits. Analysts are predicting cloud based game services in the future, like a netflix of gaming. Sony is like Blockbuster right now. That's a good idea installing PS Vue on televisions but its not enough. Microsoft just bought Linked.in for $26 billion because they forsee a boom in cloud based applications.

[SynestheticRoar]

I'm getting a Sega flashback.

[Software_Lover]

*DJ Khaled voice*.............. Another One!!!!

[Rock31]

Xbox is stronger than ever the fans love were phill is take it, Scorpio will be the most powerful home console ever made. If your a ps fan be happy for what you have and stop hating on the the best box the Xbox.....

[xDealtwithIt]

This is like the fifth Xbox doom article I have read since being here. The media sure hates MS and the Xbox. Let's me know their doing something right.

[S2Killinit]

This is what I've been saying! And not just for xbox, but for the whole of console gaming. If MS succeeds, say good bye to console gaming. But it seems some gamers are destined to follow MS even to the demise of consoles...

[joab777]

I'll tell ya this much, unless Scorpio is cheap, many ppl including myself will just build a PC and buy the NEO. There will be no reason to buy the Scorpio. I'd rather have a 6 Teraflops or better PC, and use Win10 and Steam etc.

[thexmanone]

whether you buy your games on console or windows 10, MS wins

[GameBoyColor]

Xbox doesn't. This might be the last gen for xboxs' if scorpio doesn't pull through. But i don't expect many people to go out and build or buy pre made pcs. So it could go either way.

[fatsodubmo]

Again I will ask this question...

My tv upscales eveything to 4k through interpolation. Would a console that outputs upscaled 4k content improve my images at all or does having both upscale become redundant?

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Agenda shill piece. I warned the few Xbox fans on this site about other shill websites like this one using this running theme.

The answer is simple. Microsoft is making a billion dollar investment in the future of the Xbox brand. They've announced not one, but two new consoles, new controllers, and tons of new games. Anyone who is telling you they're leaving the biz, or that it will end the Xbox brand, is merely repeating a "running theme" from a black PR campaign. You see those quite a bit on N4G.

[Yukonsbud]

They will be fine ppl.

[Godz Kastro]

The reason i dont post or debate on this site anymore is for articles such as this.... As well as the comments.

[Keltech]

Tell the truth l, it's because you were such a Xbox fanboy from '06 to 2011. After D-riding Microsoft for so long and then get left behind by the focus they put on kinect you had no more troll Sony comments, so you left. Now you're back, just like a few, in hopes Scorpio will bring back Microsoft to the top and the rest of you trolls will make a come back.

[King_Lothric]

Well you got to understand that Microsoft is forced to do "something" as they are loosing miserably on the console market. Thus why they are trying windows 10 merging strategy and now a hybrid PC xbox called Scorpio.

They are on a bad position compared to the competition so they must do whatever they think can work. Even if it is destroying their console business. The thing is that MS new strategy is solely based on just "more power". They believe having more power will turn the coin to their favor. They may be in for a rude awakening.

[Xavy]

MS is leaving the console biz soon, they cant compete with Sony. This is a smart move for MS.

[ClickbaitAF]

LMFAO

Care to share where you got that information from?

[Hoffmann]

What strategy?

[n4rc]

I don't think adding HDR requires much on a developers end..

And all game engines are typically scalable.. it's literally a parameter to go from 900p to 1080 or 4k.. just like the textures etc.. you can simply download a texture pack if your hardware can handle it..

Sounds like the author is trying to jump on the clickbait bandwagon without doing much research (didn't read more then what's displayed here)

[n4rc]

Always love the people that seem to think clicking that dislike button somehow makes it any less true. You don't have to like it, but that's how it is.

[mozzie]

lol that was the plan all along, Code once run on pc, xbox one, xbox one s, scorpio. dx12 uwp. pc games already have 4k textures and usually pc games don't have better AI, so i don't see them implementing better AI for scorpio. but 4k texturs will be made for pc anyway. and AI can be done through the Cloud, like forza drivatars.

[hiawa23]

Well, I guess it is the end of the PS4 also, cause MS is doing the same as Sony accept the Neo is probably coming this year and the Scorpio is allegedly more power, and all your Xbox 360 bc, all X1 accessories, games work on the Scorpio. Hilarious how this is the end of the Xbox yet Sony is fine.

[fromchildren]

Xbox will survive, it has the teraflops an cloud backing it up. Also, microsoft is very rich.

[medman]

"Microsoft's Console Strategy Could Spell the End for Xbox"....I disagree completely. I've always owned multiple consoles, and currently game on pc, ps4, ps3, 360, nes, snes, and genesis. I skipped the xbox one because I really didn't like the direction Microsoft was taking with the machine. Too much cloud talk nonsense, telling me Kinect was mandatory and was integral to the console (blatant lie), and a focus on entertainment and not games. No thanks. But the Xbox One S and the Scorpio show me Microsoft is making a concerted effort to give gamers more of what they want.

The Scorpio in particular interests me because it seems like Microsoft is throwing down the gauntlet, and designing a console that will be a beast...hopefully they back that up and bring interesting and unique titles from their first party developers, something more than Gears, Forza, and Halo. I fully intend on buying a Neo, and I fully intend on buying a Scorpio. Microsoft has regained the interest I had lost in their machines. I love the redesign of the Xbox One S, and with a 4k blu ray and HDR10 support, that makes sense for a lot of people to pick up, but I will personally be waiting for Scorpio and Neo.

[SegaGamer]

Why are people submitting these articles ? do they want this place to be full of crap ? because that is the way things are going. I'm fed up with the pessimism.

[opinionated]

I disagree. It's never been easier for a small group to make great games. AA has been successful and a popular path for top creators. Ken Levine who I think is one of the best game writers wants that small 100 head independent studio. Kojima is another example. Having random publishers dish out to these guys in platinum freelance fashion will only bring better games and more creativity. The technology to create games has increased along with the machines so I don't think it's a strain.

Now that they all use the same architecture and have plans for HDR then it becomes another option not a mandate. Same with resolution. It will be popular among devs because it's another sticker to put on the cover.

[Mithan]

Nah, Xbox will be stronger than ever.

[dcbronco]

Stupid articles could signal to everyone that you are clueless and they shouldn't take your financial advice.