Xbox One X Will Have More Games If Microsoft Allows Exclusives For It – Frozenbyte Dev

The thing with the Xbox One X, and with the PS4 Pro as well, is that exclusives are not allowed. Basically, any game that hits the Xbox One X must also run on a base Xbox One and on an Xbox One S- at most you can make it run better, but you can't have an Xbox One X only game.

[FallenAngel1984]

It’d be stupid to make exclusives for an iterative console

[porkChop]

When next gen comes around, MS would be smart to allow exclusives that the regular XBO can't play. This way the X would likely be able to play next gen games in 1080p, where the next Xbox would do full 4K. The X has the power to do a lot more if they unchain it from the XBO.

[DJStotty]

All games on future consoles will be backwards/forwards compatible with all the xbox one family.

This is what Phil is gearing towards and can be easily done by developing primarily for the new console and then turning down assets etc for the old. Kind of what we are seeing now with these "enhanced" patches for games on the X and PS4 Pro, they will just do it the other way around.

That way the new console isnt held back and the old console gamers still get to enjoy the game albeit not at the same graphical fidelity

[bouzebbal]

"Xbox One X Will Have More Games If Microsoft Allows Exclusives For It – Frozenbyte Dev"
lol can a console have "less" games if it gets "more" exclusives?
seriously, x getting exclusives would destroy the brand even more.. that ain't happening (i hope).

[yomfweeee]

@DJ It isn't as simple as turning down assets for old machines. Eventually a machine won't be strong enough to run newer games.

[fiveby9]

I think consoles will be backward compatible in the future but not necessarily games. So when the next gen rolls around, I expect previously launched games will be supported on the new platform. But surely not all new games will be supported on the previous platform due to technical limitations. Of course with the current mid-gen refresh that would not go over too well.

[DarkZane]

@DJStotty

That's not gonna work. It's gonna bite Microsoft in the ass because devs will quickly stop supporting the Xbox family altogether because they will be tired to be held back by a weak last gen machine.

[chuckyj1]

I could see ms supporting 2 gens at a time... like X1 and X1X... then X1X and Next Gen Xbox... with 100% back Compatibility with older Xboxes...

[DJStotty]

@yomfweee

If they support it using the previous gen machine i.e. what chucky says above, then hardware limitations arent an issue.Picture what we have now. An "enhanced" game running 4k/60fps/1080p with extra assets etc on the X will be the standard going forward. The game is still playable on the base X, albeit with lower fidelity. Each time a new machine is released it will play ALL previous games. So your library goes with you. There will be a point whereas the old machines can no longer play new games at minimal levels but by that point that console will no longer be getting manufactured or supported.

@Darkzane

You need to re-read what i said, The games will be developed with the new console as the main target and then the console the game is played on will automatically know the quality to play the game at. I.e. why you dont automatically get the 4K updates etc on the base X

[FallenAngel1984]

The XOX isn’t going to play 9th gen games unless they’re cross-gen multiplats

[porkChop]

That's what I'm saying though. But those cross-gen games won't be possible if the X is still hitched to the XBO.

[FallenAngel1984]

It’d be even dumber to make any XO game not possible to run on base XO models

[TheCommentator]

I see your point, Fallen Angel, considering the One X is still listed as an XBOX One it is still 8th gen. It's natural to assume that all 8th gen production would stop at the same time because that's how it traditionally goes.

With regard to Pork Chop, there does seem to a lot of different hardware architecture in the One X, so MS may have purpose-built the One X with an ability to scale to future consoles. There's tons of ways to speculate on why releasing a new console every 3 years would be a benefit, and there are ways it might might not be so good either.

Really though, I see both of your points and they are both equally valid arguments to make. It'll be a few years until anything but speculation can even be argued anyways.

[rainslacker]

Come next gen, I have a feeling that it'll be up to the publisher if it'll run on this gen. It'll help remove the need to make a separate release for cross gen port purposes, so more chance that it'll sell more copies, and require less on the back end.

[TheCommentator]

Rainslacker, the One X could become a 1080P budget console for the 4K versions playable on the X's successor. They would no longer support Xbox One at that point, just scale between One X and the new console instead.

Making a game work for both One X and its' successor would actually make for less work and greater profits because then devs only have to make one version that scales between the two newest platforms. Compared to making a game only for a brand new console with a small install base, it would allow more accessibility to the new consoles' software because the One X's established users could buy and play the new games at a lower resolution as well.

This idea resembles the PC market in certain aspects and it doesn't seem far fetched to hypothesize that a console manufacturer would explore it. Like I said, there's a lot of benefits to be had.

[rainslacker]

@TheCommentator

That's assuming that MS continues on with the FC. That may not go over so well with publishers or devs if they want to not be held back by older hardware. It may not be an issue early in the gen, but the longer the gen goes on, the harder it's going to be to maintain the gap if the projected 10-12TB is the new norm. If the CPU's are substantially better for next gen, it means that it'll make it even more difficult.

So, I'd imagine that it won't be mandated for next gen. But it'll likely be allowed, thus my comment.

As of right now, the future of generations is up in the air, but I feel there will still be at least some level of generational distinction. Console makers shouldn't be expected to maintain legacy hardware indefinitely, and IMO, a new generation should be just that. No holding back. But of course, options to maintain legacy support would be welcome.

As far as costs go, it really depends on if MS changes the architecture or not. The idea that all you have to do is scale is really misunderstood. Even on PC, there is more work than just playing with a few sliders. However, I'd imagine that going forward, that MS, and likely Sony, will try to maintain some level of similarity between each console to make things easier. Again on this front though, sliders only really affect graphics, and there are things going on in development now that go well beyond that. I can say that the CPU's in all the consoles right now really aren't going to keep up there, so requiring FC is basically gimping future game design. Unfortunately, you can't really scale those things too well, because it causes a fundamental change to an actual game's design.

But, at the same time, iterative consoles, which is basically what you're speaking of, except across generational divides is still an unproven paradigm. It seems to be going well, but it's actual future is unknown. I wouldn't really take the word of either Sony or MS about what the future holds in this regard, because there is too much data that hasn't been accumulated yet by them for them to really lay out concrete future plans.

I don't think it's far fetched to think a console maker would explore it, I just think they didn't really start this gen out with that in mind, and I don't see the mid-gens with that in mind either. There is a lot more that needs to be fleshed out before that becomes a real possibility with mandated legacy support.

[Godmars290]

Just like it was kind of stupid to not only build a system around an unproven accessory, but try to make it dependent on an always online infrastructure? Not that that still isn't a thing that's still happening just not as quick.

MS have been on the wrong track since insisting that exclusives don't matter. Never really placed any importance on consoles as a platform except as transition to PC.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

They never said that.

[Razzer]

@shaggy

That list just says more people bought physical rather than digital. No way Friday the 13th, Minecraft, and Rocket League were in the top ten game sales for PS4 this year. Just no way.

[Brian7655492]

What does past mistakes by Microsoft have to do with a third party developer complimenting on how powerful the Xbox One X is? Sounds like someone has a grudge and can't let go. This is what they said,

“I think there’s definitely developers out there who’d like to bring their game to consoles, but the only thing powerful enough apart from PC would be the Xbox One X,”

If anything this developer is giving credit to Microsoft for making a powerful system while snubbing the PS4 Pro.

[morganfell]

If it isn't exclusives, and sales of the XoneX prove it isn't power, I want to hear the reason why Microsoft isn't just being outsold by Sony and now Nintendo but are instead being pounded this generation. Nothing they are doing is having an effect.

They are just getting run slap over. Certain persons can call it something else to make themselves feel better. And I am not trying to troll but sales wise a two to one margin is not close to what the second place, soon to be third place company desires. In the month their new console premiered, "the beast", and with Black Friday to assist, Sony took Microsoft to task. People can try to be more tactful about it but let's be honest. Sony is teaching MS a lesson on consoles. So what is the reason if it isn't exclusives?

Also any sales list of games fails to account for the influence provided by fans knowing a certain console offers games no other console can play. It isn't necessarily that people purchase those particular titles but rather they know they are buying a console that provides exclusives material. No list takes that impact into account.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

@morganfell

You don’t want the truth.

But the truth is early failures permanently shot the Xbox from achieving all that it could this gen.

[Godmars290]

@343_Guilty_Spark:
...what...?

ffs...

@Brian7655492:
"What does past mistakes by Microsoft have to do with a third party developer complimenting on how powerful the Xbox One X is?"

What weighs more, a kilogram of steel or a kilogram of feathers?

@morganfell:
"Sony took Microsoft to task."

You know what? No. Sony might have capitalized on MS's early mistakes with the XB1 but the truth is, at least in the US if not western markets, even if they had done a competent presentation the Xbox would still likely be a dwindling contender this gen. By all counts the 360 was facing a shrinking sales gap against the PS3. The PS3 might even have done better than the 360, only around then console sale numbers stopped being important - for some reason. And now with Nintendo back in the game with Switch the whole of the JP games market seems to be on the rebound.

To be more blunt if not direct: When MS could claim to own the industry exclusives didn't matter and consoles themselves were dying. It was also the best gen for gaming yet everyone was complaining about sales.

Now MS have shot themselves in the foot, if not lobbed off both legs, Nintendo is back Sony's doing exclusives plus less than 4k AAA 3rd party and everything - aside from AAA - comes off as being rather robust and healthy.

From this last bit of ramble please take this away: MS has never changed course, just said they have, and AAA gaming needs to die in fire.

[Godmars290]

(Yes. Maybe my last post wasn't all that coherent, but looking at 343_GS and "The Brain" Brian, look what I have to freakin work with!)

"What weighs more, a kilogram of steel or a kilogram of feathers?"

Or, if a PC dev is talking about porting an already existing IP to console, then isn't that dev talking up how the XBX is the best console for porting PC games to?

[morganfell]

"Sony took Microsoft to task."

"You know what? No."

You know what? Yes they have.

Acting as if everything that has occurred, Sony's success, is built on the mistakes of Microsoft is laughable.

While they capitalized on the initial stumblings of Redmond, they have also consistently and continually done the number one thing necessary to take them to task. Pushed out unique exclusives that were fielded to a broad range of gamers. They invested and backed new tech many predicted would not fly, and particularly not on consoles - VR - and they have expanded and improved upon that initial tech. They did not rest on their laurels. They did something different instead of the same old dude bro shooter approach.

While they have taken every opportunity to avail themselves of what a multiplatform deal could offer, they have never stopped servicing the gamer first and that is taking MS to task.

[Godmars290]

@morganfell:
No, no they didn't.

While Sony did make fun of MS for the XB1's original online policies at E3, possibly learned or retained the message "its the games, stupid", no one was taken to task.

It is only laughable that Sony took advantage for MS's mistakes, if only because MS has repeatedly made those mistakes. Relied more on software than hardware, targeted a specific segment of the gaming audience while saying and insisting that their brand has general appeal. They have hurt and blinded themselves with their own bias, and Sony has had nothing to do with that.

[TheSaint]

MS have done a lot of stupid this gen.....

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

The Xbox One X like the PS4 Pro is an iterative. The Xbox One X will not get exclusive games.

[Guyfamily999]

The CPU's in these consoles are only 30 percent improvements over base hardware, I don't see why people think that warrants exclusive titles... There will never be a game that could run on the X but couldn't run on the base system with lower resolution and or settings. GPU power generally doesn't lead to innovation, especially when all of that GPU power is immediately used for higher resolutions and not things like physics.

[TheColbertinator]

Would like to see X exclusives personally. Then they will truly fear our unlimited 4K power.

Make it happen,Microsoft.

[Goldby]

Unlimited 4k power yet can't achieve 4k on every game...

It would be stupid to make exclusives for it, unless ms is in the market to lose even more users.

But then again,ms did state every game must be forward and backwards compatible so I guess that means any nextbox game has to be able to be played on the one x as well as og one
So eventually ms will have to make the decision, do games run on ever system with some being shells of the proper version or will they make the one x their base console

[HyperMouse]

The same that happened with the 360 will happen, slowly they will fade it out, and when they finally do we will see some proper XboxX games that use the full potentials of the system.

[UCForce]

If MS do that, it would split the fanbase and cause consumer angry.

[nRicosS]

Lol fear

[Ceaser9857361]

Colbertinator if what you say happens , trust me Xbox one along with their beloved "X" will hit ROCK BOTTOM

[doos_vd_kak]

"Then they will truly fear our unlimited power"

"unlimited" lmao, until 2021 comes and the next gen of consoles arrive and the current mid gen upgrades are forgotten about and over shadowed in terms of power.

Do people remember a gen for who had the most power?

Or do they remember it for who provided the best games?

[343_Guilty_Spark]

If a game is made using X assets and downgraded for the S ....how is that any different than just making it on the X?

Developers scale down not up. They

[MagicBeanz]

Guess we have nothing to fear.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Facts

[UCForce]

Nope, that would split the fanbase completely.

[PsBoxGamer]

The hell with it.There selling the Xbox one X to ppl that want the extra power so they should be getting what they paid for. If ppl have an issue with it then they need to upgrade!

[UCForce]

@PsBoxGamer Then you are just blinded. Xbox One X is a mid gen console. Not a next gen console. Do you really think that everyone have enough money to buy Xbox One X ?

[rainslacker]

Technically, one exclusive would mean it'd have more exclusives.

However, I doubt you'd see many games become exclusive unless the install base really got up there. Seems rather silly to remove a large part of a potential audience, and I doubt there would be enough money to make right now for a AAA production. It's not like the beginning of a gen where people buy a large number of games to go with their new console.

At best, you might see the occasional PC port through digital distribution, and maybe some indies who don't really care about making money on the larger install base.

[Hardiman]

See they went ahead and amped up the power for the X but the fact that it's iterative hardware it's still connected to the Xbox One it can't show off its potential.

If they were to do that it would really piss off already weary customers! Truth be told I could see Microsoft eventually making games just for the X. They'd be the ones to do it.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Nintendo released games exclusively for its iterative New Nintendo 3ds.

[denawayne]

Why is there disagrees? You stated a fact.

[NotoriousWhiz]

@dena, probably because those people feel that Nintendo releasing exclusive games on their iterative system is vastly different from Microsoft releasing exclusive games on their iterative system.

[rainslacker]

And it pissed off some 3DS owners.

More importantly, those games didn't sell amazingly well, so it just kind of shows that trying to cater to a smaller base isn't a good way to make money. If MS decided to allow exclusives, it's basically doing what Sega did with things like the 32X. you split the fan base, and it dilutes the brand, and causes people to be weary about future hardware and how it may advance.

IMO, MS already is known to drop hardware or software support when it suits them, which is usually before the consumer is ready. The Xbox brand has been OK for the most part to not fall into that, with the exception of the OGXbox, but that was more because of how NVidia screwed them over.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Dumb. A low grade GPU doesnt hold back a beastly one.

This logic is flat out dumb.

[Goldby]

The games must be able yo be played on the one. So no matter how powerful the console is it must still be made for the lowest common denominator aka Xbox one

[Cyborgg]

I think everyone already knows that

[kungfuian]

I'm sure 2 or 3 iterations from now, presuming they stay with an iterative model, Microsoft will allow it.

Once they do I'd imagine it will work similar to the way PC developers are allowed to set their min specs. If devs want to make a lower spec scalable game available on all older X-box hardware (X-box 1 and forward) or if they want to make a high end spec game which will only work on the highest end hardware. It will be a choice on the dev side just like PC.

Microsoft might also just set dates where certain old hardware is not longer guaranteed to work on all new games; like it's 2020 and effective this date original X-Box 1 compat is no longer mandatory. So Devs can support the oldest hardware but it's not required, and they will get to decide if they want high end games and a smaller user base of potential buyers or lower end games and a larger user base.

In either case I can't see this happening until at least the next X-box comes out, meaning we prob won't see exclusives that ever really take advantage of the 1X. The 1X specs might give it better legs in the market a few years from now but the benefits of it's hardware with regard to exclusives will be held back and basically irrelevant.

It's just the nature of an iterative hardware/software platform. Ask any PC gamer, in a platform with infinite iterations (no clear generations) devs might eventually have the choice to support only the newest hardware, but they will almost always target the low to middle ground spec based on shear economy of numbers.

[DJStotty]

Its not a case of they are "not allowed", MS/Sony will not want to alienate their base fanbase potentially forcing them to upgrade to play a game.

[corroios]

Microsoft ended exclusives games. What they should do is go back on that policy. You want to play a Microsoft game, then you need a Microsoft console. Without that the word exclusive have almost no impact in sales of the Xbox.

On the other hand, it save Cuphead, because it sold more then 60 % on the PC...

[Belinker300]

PS5 announcement incoming.....

[UCForce]

I don’t think Sony is in that hurry.

[KickSpinFilter]

LOL if 2020 is incoming

[chris235]

way to talk about hypothetical games that might or might not be compatible while the whole xoxbox branch got no games to back it up or justify a purchase.

[Mister_Wolf]

I get them wanting to release the Xbox One X, but it won't change their fortunes this gen. The writing was on the wall very early on this gen that MS had fucked up, and it has continued to play catch up.

I think they should've continued to remain with the Xbox One S, draw a line under this gen. Focus their attention on getting things right for the next gen.

[Elda]

Agreed! They should have concentrated on developing & delivering a slew of interesting compelling AAA exclusive games first & foremost.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

That’s not why they are in the current situation. They had lots of exclusives at launch.

[Mister_Wolf]

How many of those exclusives lived up to the hype? How many were new IP's?

Halo has been a disappointment on Xbox, Gears was too. Forza apart from Horizon is now stale.

Quantum Break was disappointing.

Both Dead Rising's were shite.

Crackdown looks like a remaster of the 360 game.

Sea of Thieves makes me think.....so?

I enjoyed the original Xbox's run better than this one.

[jrshankill]

This is all your opinion. You didn't play any of these games did you?

[Mister_Wolf]

I have had an Xbox from day one, I played Halo 5, Gears, Forza, Forza Horizon, Quantum Break, Dead Rising 3/4, I've played both of the original Crackdowns. Ryse was shite too.

The one exclusive which was a new IP that deserves credit was Sunset Overdrive, that was a great game.

Look at the exclusives for the 360, even look at the exclusives for the original xbox, they were great, especially with the original xbox where Microsoft took chances with their games.

[windblowsagain]

This is the last xbox.

I would be very surprised to see another one.

[NotoriousWhiz]

We need another xbox, because without competition, Sony will take advantage of its consumers, and no the Nintendo Switch does not count as competition.

[Vanfernal]

Early Xbox One adopters already got shafted by the X... This would only make it worse...

[thexmanone]

If that's the case, early Ps4 adopters got shafted by the Pro.

[Vanfernal]

If you don't see how paying $500 for the most underpowered current gen console (not counting the Switch) just to have another one released a couple of years later dwarfing the performance of the og Xbox means you're getting the short end of the stick then you're just being blinded by fanboyism. The PS4 was cheaper and stronger since the beginning and then they merely replaced the original model with the Pro while making a cheaper alternative with the Slim. Also unless you have a 4k TV there's not a huge performance difference between the 2 PS4 skus. Apart from the Xbox exclusives (which also come out for Pc) there's basically no reason whatsoever to go with an Xbox One nowadays.

[jrshankill]

How did anyone get shafted by the X?

[DragonDDark]

No

[OC_MurphysLaw]

It will happen eventually, but it won't be for a good year possibly two. once they feel like they have a large enough base on the X and are transitioning standard customers into the X at a high enough rate they will kill off the standard Xbox One

[trooper_]

That will kill the fanbase they have left.

[GamingSinceForever]

If MS hardly makes new exclusives for the XO with a much larger install base, why would they try investing in exclusives for the much smaller install base of the XOX?

Common sense should tell most that graphical fidelity was never the reason that MS has struggled to introduce new IPs. They lack direction and talent.

[DarXyde]

We're already having these conversations?

[The_KELRaTH]

It would have more games if MS just let it run Steam lol (7672 new games in 2017 or 21 per day!)

[ziggurcat]

There is no way they would split the fanbase like that. They have also been very clear since the beginning that there will be no exclusives specific to the X.

[tontontam0]

Of course xbox fanboys wants exclusive xbox one x games, according xbox fanboys all xbox owners have already upgraded to xbox one x, so ps4 and ps4 pro is doomed.

[fingazblank]

Really, farking hell... Making games scalable on pc isnt that hard for experienced game developers. So what the fuck is the problem here.

[HyperMouse]

Saw this coming you cant release something multiple times more powerful and have games run on both, its simply a waste.

[Vizigoth04]

Interesting tidbit. I think Sony saved their money on the PS4 Pro. Simply put it out for those with 4K tvs. And to not separate it's importance from the base PS4. It'll be interesting how Sony tackles PS5. I think if they stay true to their roots they'll be just fine. Microsoft should just brand themselves an Xbox PC. That would resolve all their transparencies. Xbox Surface Pro anyone?Obviously desktop form so it can receive future upgrades. I just think it would be weird to push out yet another bells and whistles Xbox and call it Xbox 2 at the same time PS5 comes out. I personally have a dream where Sony and PlayStation teams up with Razor and Project Christine for a modular update-able console. That's my wish list in a nutshell. And from Nintendo, just future more powerful versions of the Switch will suffice.

[fathertime4464]

Title should say would not will....

[3-4-5]

* If they were smart they would shift 100% of the new IP's over to the next gen xbox console and front load the crap out of it's first release year. That would give those same devs more time to create their second game and get that on the next Xbox sooner rather than 5+ years later.

Move everything to the next xbox Microsoft.....give us an amazing experience on the next one. XB1 is nice...it's ok...even good a time...

Don't try to make this better....just move on to the next one internally with the IPs.

[C-H-E-F]

lmao sooo dumb, if you can't make a proper game work on xbox one then you cant make it happen on xbox one x. we've seen this with countless devs crying about ps3 architecture now they made games on the ps4 and they still suck. When you have games like GT5 &6, TLOU, Uncharted, Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, GOW, etc launching look the way they look you have 0 excuse why your games are still pathetic in the x86 Playstation 4 lOl... Plus this isn't another console it's an extension of the xbox one family. So why make an exclusive title that's castrating their fanbase its small enough as is.

[KickSpinFilter]

Never gonna happen. Just like Kinect for XB1 is mandatory for console to work.

I kid...Not gonna happen.

[InTheZoneAC]

Frozenbyte Dev=part of what's wrong with the industry. If you're so needy for iterative exclusives, what's holding you back from making a game for the One/X right now?

[KickSpinFilter]

@shaggy2303

Actually...
Exclusives do matter, look at it this way:
Exclusive Games: A1, B1, C1, D2, E2, F1
Multi-plat 3rd Party AAA's XX,
Player 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
So All players picked up game XX
While Player 1,2,5 Picked up Game A1, B1 +XX
Player 6 picked up F1 +XX
Player 3 picked up only C1 +XX
Player 4 picked up D2, E2 +XX
Exclusive Games Key: Letter Number = Game, and Console 1 or Console 2

So while every player bought 3rd party game XX, most were steered in the Console's 1 direction due to the choices in exclusives. Sure they did not sell as much combined as the XX game, but there was choice, a diversity of exclusives on console 1 that led more to buy that system.

So yes, exclusives do matter quite a lot.
Cements player base, Keeps 3rd party engaged in DLC first deals.
Warrants developers releasing a game to that console over another console.
Larger player base engaged supplies funds for console company to reinvest into company infrastructure.
Sells more systems
Just to name an obvious few.

[Tazzy]

No exclusives isn't going to help the Xbox One X to me its a dying brand and they'll be a third party company in the next few years I have an Xbox One S and haven't bought anything for it in awhile. :\

[TheOttomatic91]

The problem is that Xbox doesn't have a fanbase that is willing to take chances with brand new IP, they just want Halo, Gears and nothing else