How Microsoft’s History Will Lead the Scorpio to Failure

Microsoft’s Scorpio is shaping up to be a beast. But this begs the question, will it succeed? Looking at the Xbox One’s glaring failures and mistakes, the Kinect, cost, and this “entertainment center” focus all tied to a singular problem: backpedaling. When Microsoft saw the large number of dissatisfied consumers when they were first unveiling the console – which at the time cost more than the PlayStation 4, they backpedaled. But it doesn’t stop just there, as Microsoft has a weak point that PlayStation has been beating them to for years

[FallenAngel1984]

Calm down now. It's just an iterative console. You don't see people wondering whether New 3DS failed or not since at the end of the day it's still a part of the base console it's a derivative of. Same principle applies to Scorpio.

All that will really matter is how games will be optimized for the console. How well an iterative console sells is irrelevant as long as it works the way it's supposed to.

[freshslicepizza]

the media is often to blame for depicting that we have to have winners and losers only. so i guess if the ps4 pro outsells the xbox scorpio then scorpio has to be the big target as a loser.

[phoenixwing]

I agree with you moldy. I don't think the xbox brand is a failure even though I prefer sony and nintendo over microsoft. Their sales are fine, they just look a little bad in comparison to the leader which was true last gen when the wii was dominating in sales. Microsoft is selling as much or more than they did last generation. So basically they're doing fine sales wise.

[GtR35olution]

History proves that the playstation console of every generation garners the most exclusive titles and the most diverse and highly rated exclusive titles. This has been truth for the past 20 years but for some reason history doesnt mean much to some. The xbox brand isnt as big as the playstation brand around the world and no matter what microsoft wants to do it just wont be as big as the playstation brand in the video gaming space. Outside of the US the xbox brand is seen as substandard when compared to the playstation brand. In order for xbox to have a chance against playstation it needs a lot of exclusive titles more than whats offered on playstation. Also it needs high production and quality exclusive titles like uncharted 4, tlou (for its generation), horizon zero dawn. The xbox hasnt had any generation defining titles since last generation.

[ShadowKnight]

The PS4 pro and Nintendo Switch will outsell the Scorpio regardless.

[Highlife]

I prefer Sony you may prefer xbox or Nintendo or whatever who the hell cares enjoy what what want have fun be entertained isn't that the point. So much wasted energy taking shots and defending

[Captain_Tom]

@phoenixwing

The fact is XBOX has been a dumpster fire of wasted money for MS from start to finish.

-XBOX lost 6 Billion
-360 maybe broke even (RROD and Disc-grinder counteracted the LIVE profits)
-X1 has lost money or maybe broken even

So overall XBOX is a net loss. Thus loser.

[Ceaser9857361]

Calm down! dont react to every negative articles regarding Scorpio.. The Ps4 pro did face it too and i said it back then to wait and watch since Scorpio will go through the same.. So relax and wait for its release... I hope the design is cool .. The base xbox one is too huge and i thought XBOX S looked amazing.. But since i am thinking about investing on the Scorpio (only if its 499) i didnt bother much about the Xbox S... Till then i am doing great with my PS4 PRO and Xbox 1 ...

[zerocarnage]

i agree moldy n Pheonix.

the windows 10 brand is far from a failure, these idiots don't know what they're talking about. Sure they didn't sell as many consoles as another developer, but you can see what's happening here, anybody remotely sonyFboy is giving bad press and getting on a hate train to try and derail scorpio success.

Obviously there worried about scorpio success or they'd all keep there mouths shut, it's a joke n half in how fanboys,people who are paid by the opposition and critics go off.

In my eyes good-looking to them all and Nuff respect, i don't feel the need to hate on any of them, i have respect for the developers of this industry and been fortunate enough to play own but a few consoles

[ZeroX9876]

damage was done when the Xbox One first came out. Lately, they've been correcting lots of problems the initial release had. I think all those changes are for the better in the long run.

[Phill-Spencer]

Damage already was done with 360 by rrod and the early drop of support with games a long time before the gen ended. That already warned gamers that microsoft's efforts just seem to aren't enough when it comes to the xbox brand. the tv focus and the other negatives of the reveal were only the final nails in x1's coffin. From the beginning it all didn't really scream "we have learned from our mistakes so this time we make it better!"

[Nu]

Microsoft needs to buy development studios left and right and pump out games like the easter bunny.

[Captain_Tom]

I mean the question is if you consider the X1 a success.

I don't, and thus I think the Scorpio won't be either.

[bluefox755]

I'm sure it does matter to Microsoft how well it sells.

[Shubhendu_Singh]

Thank you for introducing some sense.

Scorpio and Pro were not a make or break console. Everybody knew Pro won't / can't outsell PS4, and the same goes for Scorpio. PS4 and XB1 are still where the real jam is, and the trend set by them till now will continue to deepen till the gen ends.

[nicsaysdie]

You can't seriously be trying to compare Scorpio to the new 3ds. It's apples and oranges. Nintendo will always have support, because of their exclusives, which apparently don't matter to the hard-core Xbox fans. No one was ever worried about how well Nintendo and the new 3ds would do. The same can not be said of Scorpio and Microsoft. Also, Nintendo has throngs of people clamoring for their exclusives to the point where they become system sellers. Again, the same can not be said (to the same extent) for Microsoft. Finally. There were games that were only playable on the new 3ds that took advantage of the upgraded hardware. The same can't be said of Microsoft, because of parity with Xone. I personally think it's a bad position to put themselves in by releasing a console iteration so vastly superior to it's core, because if they release exclusive Scorpio content they will alienate the Xone players, but if they don't they may alienate the Scorpio adopters. Nintendo survives on their exclusives. In recent years Microsoft has seemed not to care as much, and is focusing on third party support. Sony seems to be doing well on both fronts. In short, don't compare Scorpio to the new 3ds, they couldn't be more different. But I do agree that people should calm down.

[Lennoxb63]

At first I read "Why I want Microsoft and the Scorpio to fail." Well... It might as well have been.

[thekhurg]

In a sea of "Scorpio will save the gaming industry" articles that have popped up, there's always going to be a polar opposite article in the mix. All of them are ignorant. Scorpio is going to release, Xbox fans are going to buy it, and nothing will change in terms of this generations development focus and fanbases.

[fenome]

Well said.

[LordJamar]

where is the scorpio will save the gameing industry articles none of those exist its either blind fanboy bait topics like these or just plain hate topics or skeptical topics there is no scorpio will save anything topics

t look at the front page "no one ask for scorpio", "how Microsoft will lead the scorpio to failure" "play station 4 still a scorpio slayer" none of that is positive

[meka2611]

Lol what sea of articles of saving the industry. All I see on n4g is articles saying how much it's gonna suck. Are sony fans so insecure to have this level of hate before the damn console even comes out.

[SaveFerris]

I see some parallels between the Scorpio and the original Xbox, when it launched a year or so after the PS2. While being more powerful, the PS2 was quite well established as the market leader. It will be interesting to see what happens for the remainder of this gen. as it will no doubt have an impact on future games console development.

[phoenixwing]

I really have no interest in the pro or the scorpio. I have my ps4 system and a backlog of games. I'll only give a hoot when the ps5 is announced. Still have yet to buy myself a 4k tv even. I went games over new tv for now.

[GrubsterBeater]

Same here. I'm thinking about getting a 4K T.V. next year when the price is nice, but right now I have no need for anything stronger than my PS4 and it's gigantic selection of games, and my huge backlog.

[2cents]

:)

So much salt in the air, must be a storm coming...

[Bathyj]

Ha. Thats funny.

[Krysis]

Not really, it was a childish statement. Congratulation for stooping to his and every other fanboys level from both sides in here.

[Bathyj]

Congratulations on elevating yourself to the moral high ground.

[2cents]

:)

So sensitive

[Chevalier]

A bunch of seagulls arrive!

[2cents]

:)

[Markusb33]

Funny thing is when I'm playing on my ps4 I don't give Nintendo or xb players a single thought as I'm playing and enjoying a game, this must be the same for xb and Nintendo gamers.

[Petebloodyonion]

Another article that was written by an insecure fanboy who need to reassure himself against the inevitable: a newer and more powerful product that will be available for the consumer (just like a better tv will come out this year).

Suddenly power isn't important anymore (1080P what?) Now we're back to exclusive matters.
But this PS4 fan should decide what is an exclusive, So let's not count what ppl are actually buying on X1, because games like Halo, Gears, Forza are still the top sellers on the console So instead let's focus on Scalebound an AAAAAA game that was cancelled (became AAAAAA the moment it was canceled).

Well, author, you can sleep safely and sound, The truth is Scorpio will just be another product in MS line of product that won't put a dent in Sony's market share.
Perhaps MS is actually just trying to please THEIR consumer base instead of trying to take over the world.

[Stogz]

Let's not act like Xbox fanboys haven't changed the same way. At the start it was power doesn't matter, games do. Now they've switched too.
Those typical Xbox releases are the highest sellers, but they've all sold well less than previous versions, suggesting they're not as popular as they once were, further supporting the narrative that MS needs new exclusives.

[zuul9018]

Please stop saying "fanboy" you goddamn nerds.

[Krysis]

You are in a comment section of an article about a new piece of video game tech. Most of know and embrace that we are nerds. GTFO Dude Bro

[zuul9018]

Yea im a nerd, but geek culture has created 2 of the worst words ever. Noob and fanboy. Luckily nobody uses noob anymore as apparently the new "hot thing" is fanboy. Im just trying to do my part to move people on from it.
Have you ever called someone a fanboy in the real world? I bet theyd call you a fag haha. Just being real sir.

[XXanderXX]

Wow , moving on now .
It will not​ feel , simply on the facts they have learned from their prior mistakes.

[ninsigma]

Not necessarily. And in fact, if they actually learn from their history, then it could actually lead Scorpio to success. These sorts of articles really get out of hand once new stuff is revealed.

[Cherchez La Ghost]

You guys can never get enough of the negative articles on MS, huh?! Always the same song.. SMDH!

[DaGreatOne]

This gonna be a long wait with all these opinion articles. I'm more of a Sony fan myself, I haven't really clicked with too many Xbox games this gen but I will continue to give them a chance.

[Kuma]

In GTA5 life invader was aa clear MS reference. I switched to the PS4 just because I can do everything with anonymous gift cards while the Xbox1 wants all your info including your first born. I suspect Scorpio will be worse.

[zuul9018]

Hmmm, could you give me an example or point to a case youre referring to?
I think you might be the first person ive seen with an argument like that and im very interested.
So when they say whats most important to you in a console and you have some people say Games, Graphics, Online Multiplayer, or what have you, you would say "the ability to use anonymous gift cards" ?

[Krysis]

You can do the same on an Xbox. You go to target and get points card and subscription card. Completely anonymous.

[alb1899]

Stop this already.

[corroios]

Wait for the price, then wait couple of months after the launch, like january or February .

[WelkinCole]

What is funny is xbox fans believing this will change things. When PS fans says no they get offended.

You guys have not learned anything from the last 3 years. Scorpio is not going to save the x1.

[zuul9018]

Nah, whats funny is when someone posts something like what you just did sir.

[LordJamar]

dosent need saveing

[meka2611]

Lol really dude? I got both systems and play them equally, maybe xbox a little more. And they only ones scared on n4g are the sony fans. All articles I've seen on here have been, "why the scorpio will fail;" so tell me who is salty again? Plus how insecure do you have to be to try and justify your purchase of a console by dissing the other one.

[Artemidorus]

It won't fail it will sell, but I do believe it won't shatter any records.

[Gecksta]

I was guessing Forbes article !

[BDSE]

If this fails, it's the last console from Microsoft.

[PFFT]

Highly doubtful. It will be fine.

[zb1ftw777]

There's enough salt in this journalist to supply an entire fleet of McDonald's fries.

Lol !!!

[DaGreatOne]

No tell them pass that salt along to burger king, their fries could use some.

[Bathyj]

I dont know what a group of French Fries are, but I doubt its a fleet.

[TardcoreGamer]

More doom and gloom clickbait trash. SAD

[Razzer]

How can anyone make predictions without having all the details. Like design, features, and....Oh I dunno......PRICE!

[Tussin187]

While I admit that it way too early to say something like this, I do find it funny how people are reacting. I see some people are getting upset of the negative news on the Scorpio and crying it's the fanboys.

Um, oh yes, I remember there where absolutely ZERO negative articles on the Pro. Sony got a free pass right?

Personally, I don't like the type of articles especially when a system is not fully revealed yet. At least wait until E3 when everything is out and then you can make a better argument.

Now we have to hear this crap until E3 and this bickering over 6 Tflops vs 4.2. I really can care less anymore. I just recently finished Horizon and I never once thought to myself how much better it would look it if was 6tflops instead of this measly 4.2.

Everyone needs to calm a bit until ALL info is out and you can continue this neverending arguments. The arguments made more sense between the OG PS4 and X1 because they came out at the same time. Now we have systems releasing a year apart (perhaps more later) and the diehards are beating their chests over power. Makes​ so much sense.

[starchild]

PS3 came out a year after the 360 and they were compared all the time.

[rainslacker]

The bickering, casting of blame, and misdirection to avoid having to address any real criticism won't ever end. When one issue is resolved, everyone moves onto something else to bicker about, cast blame towards, and misdirect any criticism away from.

[LordJamar]

compared to what pro got lol. what micosoft scorpio is geting is much much worse i know i was there

[HyperMouse]

Agreed making their exclusives available to PC was a huge mistake

[gedden7]

MS has so much money to burn I almost think they are just wasting money so they can make a tax right off or something.... They're wasting more money with the Scorpio. Good luck I'll plan to NOT buy.

[LordJamar]

good for its its not ment for you

[meka2611]

I agree they might waste some money here and there, but they can afford it. Now sony on the other hand cannot, their last couple movies were huge flops, the only thing keeping them afloat is the playstation.

[bolimekurac]

wow people are just scared to death arent they, one negative article after another. get used to the scorpio cause its coming and obviously it will play the better versions of 3rd party games. people wanting the scorpio to fail just like this article shows what pathetic people many gamers have turned into. really really pathetic. as a game all of you and i mean all of you should be happy that ms is delivering a powerful console which will lead to better looking games. the same way ps4pro is delivering better looking games. i just dont get why you have hatred towards ms. is it because they dont get those extra 8 jrpgs form japan, so now lets hate them to death. pathetic

[Dark_Knightmare2]

I don't hate ms I have an x1 and they gave me one of my favorite franchises ever in halo but I regret buying an x1 and I for sure have no intention of getting the Scorpio. It's not because they don't have those 8 jrpgs like you so derogatorily put it though that is one of the reasons but it's because they don't deliver the games period. Yeah this comment will be downvoted to oblivion but I have the right as an x1 owner to state my opinion and that's all I'm doing. Now if they can actually support the system with high quality exclusives,better live sales etc I'll def get a Scorpio because I love gaming but until they do that I'll just wait it out

[meka2611]

Not gonna downvote you, in fact I upvoted cuz you actually gave a well thought out argument. I do have a question though. The main games I miss on xbox are jrpg's; if you said you don't care about those, which games is xbox missing? Not trolling or anything, just curious.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

@meka2611 first I want to say thanks for being understanding. No I like jrpgs I said as much in my comment it's just not the main reason or the most important.

[uth11]

I've said it before, but MS is full of execs who were at the company in the 90s through early 2000s when whatever MS delievered, the public would buy, because of their monopoly in certain areas. They learned the wrong lessone, they still don't seem to haven't figured out that in a competative market, you have to deliverer what the customer actually wants. They still think they determine what the consumer will buy. So I see them making the same mistake over and over-- deliver a whole bunch of stuff that nobody asked for, then face a backlash and have to backpedal-- Windows 8, Xbox One reveal, Kinnect, etc.

[GrmpyolGamer]

Yep. The butthurt is strong in this one.

[yay111]

N4G would be singing the praises of a PS4 pro with Scorpio's specs, but ofcourse...

[subtenko]

Not failure....i dont think xbox one is a failure its just not the best

[TheColbertinator]

Keep them coming. On the launch,I expect the haters to be forever silent

[headblackman]

these articles are toxic to gaming and n4g should be ashamed of itself for allowing these poisonous articles to keep circulating on their site.

[DarXyde]

"Failure" is a pretty strong word. If it stimulates hardware and software sales positively and meets bare expectations, I wouldn't consider that a failure.

But really, my opinion does not matter. That would depend upon Microsoft's interpretation.

[Yohshida]

Cant wait to see where they shift after they bring out the games again. Past 3 years was about power, while Xbox gamers said it was about games. Articles like that wouldnt have worked any time before now. Gotta love it.

[PFFT]

These articles are getting more and more ridiculous. These people should be ashamed of themselves.

[DAEMONIFEAR]

* facepalms man seriously

[medman]

Scorpio will be a success in it's own right...I don't presume Microsoft expects to sell 100 million, or even 40 million Scorpio's....that's not what this console is about. I, as a gamer who has always bought multiple consoles, like what Microsoft is doing with Scorpio, though I must admit I just wish they had gone full boat and updated the cpu on the same level as they have the gpu, but I understand them not wanting to leave xbox one install base in the dust. Ultimately, I think both the Ps4 pro and the Scorpio are smart moves by both companies....they give users who have more advanced equipment the opportunity to step up to a next level, while not spitting on the ps4 or xbox one in a way that would anger core gamers who don't have 4k video or audio yet to fully take advantage of the new consoles. Win win for both.

[zerocarnage]

wow, all these negative articles against Scorpio n ms.

Just shut up already n get a god damn bunch of brains.

Get behind ms, get behind Sony and get behind Nintendo and any developer that dates get into the industry, no need for all the damn hate. Have respect for what was built and what is being built.

I sware people who hate on developers are a god damn joke n you don't deserve to game or be apart of any of the industry. Every year the hate gets worse towards developers and any respectable gamer would know how far we have come and how much hardworking has been put into getting this industry is where it is today.

You haters should be ashamed, let's see you haters freaks get into the industry and do any better, you most likely wouldn't last a week..

[starchild]

"Every year the hate gets worse towards developers and any respectable gamer would know how far we have come and how much hardworking has been put into getting this industry is where it is today."

This is sooo true. It's nice to see someone who recognizes this. A certain segment of gamers have such a ridiculous attitude of entitlement and they are so antagonistic toward developers.

[meka2611]

It's a generational thing, it's the same generation that you see pissing and moaning about proper pronouns and all that bs.

[sreevenkat]

Simple answer is : More exclusive titles = More sales; No exclusives = No sales.

[glennhkboy]

What's wrong with backpedal? What's wrong with listening to your customer? If MS didn't kill Kinect & the whole "US entertainment center" thing, it will fell even further.

[Malacath]

For a console to be successful it doesn't have to be the number one seller.

PS4 will probably always be in the lead but that doesn't make xbox a failure.

Multiple consoles can co-exist and it's a good thing. Both PS4 users and Xbox One users have benefited from the competition between the consoles in features that wouldn't exist if there was a console monopoly.

[RedPill86]

We've seen tons of companies change in ways we didn't expect. This is no different. This is baseless speculation as their plans are always changing, and you know the same as I do. Jack. Shit.

[Npugz7]

Ya right the Xbox 360 was such a failure lol!!

[CitizenFour]

The negativity on this site is ridiculous.

[Elvfam511]

It was only two games that would made me buy a Xbox 1. Crackdown 3 (hope it doesn't get cancel) and scalebound. To bad scale bound it got cancel hope they able to bring it back and some type of form

[oSHINSAo]

This is way, If someone has the curiosity of try something new, they didn't, Because Media is so balance to one side and being so negative is not healthy for competition.

And what is more sad is the people that approves this kind of Articles, if this can be called Articles, and we know who approves them.

[Tankbusta40]

This really isn't something new, Microsoft is trying to make a console like a computer, the problem is they ruined their exclusivity by already making them available to the PC crowd. Microsoft have been totally reactive this gen ever since they bungled the One launch, they need to be proactive and think about reviving the brand, not just trying to out power the Ps Pro. With exclusives coming out to PC, they have essentially made a steam machine that will cost 60 bucks a year to play online. We saw how well steam machines took off.

[meka2611]

See now I don't agree with all that, "it's not exclusive cuz it's on pc." Let's do a little math, keeping scorpio and ps4 pro out of it, you can get those consoles for around $250 to $300. Now for a pc of comparable specs you will spend at a minimum of around $800. So to say that having their exclusives on pc doesn't mean a thing when not everyone can afford a pc to play those, it's actually just more options for gamers, which is a good thing.

[Tankbusta40]

I have been really disappointed in Microsoft lately, I have never been a huge fan of their exclusives and thus never really been a fan. With that being said, I wish they would get their act together, they completely bungled the Xbox one and now they are putting out this reactive system that doesn't need to be put out. Microsoft needs to gain market share with this system and they wont. Look at the ps plus, its a fine system and all but it has sold a million plus compared to the 50 plus million regular ps4's. Microsoft needs to get it together and force some competition to Sony, or else Sony will run away with the market and then make the same terrible decisions Microsoft did after the 360 thinking they own the market. Healthy competition please Microsoft, not dumb reactive decisions. Making their exclusives available to PC has already ruined their brand as it is and that was another reactive decision.

[davand114]

It's just a upgrade console that's not going to be M$ main/flagship console. M$ flagship is going to be the x1s. The scorpio is just a console for the major xbox fans, it's going to be niche and not the console most people buy, just like the ps4 pro. I doubt that M$ is putting all their hopes in this console.

[hengst2404]

Wow, by this logic, MS should just quit the console business all together. Clearly their past failures mean future failures. Could you imagine if MS had stopped at Vista? No Windows 7? Or perhaps stopped at Windows 8 and that was the end? MS has had some successes and some failures and even some of their successes (XBOX 360) had elements of failure (red ring of death). Folks seem to like the Switch, but the Wiiu was garbage and arguably the Wii itself was not all that impressive outside of first party games. Should Nintendo have quit? Perhaps we can let consumers decide for themselves.

[InTheZoneAC]

It's crazy how people stand by Microsoft like the victim in an abusive relationship. Other regions see this, why doesn't NA? They have had average/below average support every generation. So you get a shiny toy, problem is you have nothing from MS to take advantage of it.

Speak with your wallets people, think about the products you buy

[DAEMONIFEAR]

*Facepalm

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Jesus...the amount of doom and gloom articles from obscure sites coming out is comical.

[WilliamSheridan]

So much Sony fanboy PR damage control on this website...

[nicsaysdie]

Why do people keep bringing up windows 10 in regards to the Xbox brands future?