It Sure Doesn't Seem Like There's A Point To Microsoft Making Another Xbox

Paul Tassi - "Phil Spencer told Variety. “It’s why we look at expanding the audience with Xbox Adaptive Controller, or how we make sure games can be multi-generational with projects like backward compatibility. I care less that people play Minecraft on an Xbox One, but that people can play Minecraft no matter what console or device they have in front of them.”

Wait, what?

That’s describing the goal of any third party publisher, essentially, and if this is what Microsoft is concerned with, I don’t really understand why they’re staying in the hardware game at all. If they want to just bring their series to as many platforms as possible, that can be achieved without hardware of your own.

[SCW1982]

The point is to have a convenient pick up and play option if you aren’t into PC. And that’s a fine enough reason without exclusives.

[Nyxus]

But the PS4 does that + lots of great exclusives. No need to get an Xbox then.

[RainbowBrite]

Xbox is... or better said was, a different flavor of gaming. The original xbox was amazing, and then the first couple of years of the 360. But I agree there's no point now.

[SCW1982]

Agreed but its good to have options so the industry is always progressing.

[GUTZnPAPERCUTZ]

Already owned a Pro, I bought an X for a better performance gaming and 4k experience...

[Goldby]

@gutz,

Goos news both consoles can do that

[xRacer74x]

Not everyone likes the sony console. Their are little to no racing games seems like all Sony exclusivess are JRPG or another 3rd person clone. Not only that but their controller is no where near as nice as the Xbox Controller.

[BiggerBoss]

Why do we need a new Xbox console if the "Cloud" can make the Xbox One 4 times more powerful?

[Master of Unlocking]

We need Xbox and we need Microsoft just so Sony has competition. You have to be a rabid fanboy and/or be really immature to wish there were only one brand/corporation in any given business/industry. Competition is the best for us consumers.

[Goldby]

@Racer

GTsport
Need for speeds
TRack Mania
Dirt rally (also in VR)
Drive Club
F1
Crew
Project Cars
Trial
WRC
Assetto Corsa
Riptide GP
Ride
Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo
MX vs. ATV Supercross Encore
Nascar
Tour De France

please tell me how that is little to no racers.
or better yet

stop lying

[No Way]

Goldby - how exactly does both systems offer better performance?

[Goldby]

@noway

god of war can only eb played at 1080p 30fps on ps4. pro allows 60fps or 4k
and its pretty self explanatory for the one x

[BadElf]

But...but...the PS4 is a different console/company than Xbox and Nintendo. Things like this happen in the world. You know, opinions on what console to play games on?

[XtaZ]

Xbox is simply the superior console platform and experience so they will always have their place. Sony should just go third party because their console is literally just an extra annoying paywall to get through to be able to play some exclusives that would have run and looked better on other platforms.

[BiggerBoss]

The Xbox is what you go with if you want a game console with less games than the Ps4.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Well that's too damn bad because its stickin around. Who cares what what ppl say here, there opinions don't and never will matter. Having Xbox around doesn't take away your gaming experience on PS so just ignore the console and move along.

[PUBG]

Personally, I haven't liked the exclusive games that Sony has had this generation, just not my cup of tea. Halo MCC, Halo 5, Gears 4, Quantum Break, Gears Remastered, Titanfall 1, PUBG, along with all of the exclusive backwards compatible titles have been more than enough for me.

I can't wait to get back into Battlefield 1943 within the next couple of weeks, after I finish playing through the Borderlands series with a friend. Xbox has tons of great games, including the classics, which no other console has available.

Sony was golden last generation, and I don't care what people say, their exclusive line-up has been way overblown this time around. If I actually thought that they were great games, I'd be soaking all of my time into the PS4, but everything that they have going on, pales in comparison to last gen by a long shot.

I'd play Uncharted 4, Infamous: Second Sun, Killzone: Shadow Fall, and possibly God of War 4, even though it really isn't a GoW game in terms of gameplay, and then there's TLoU 2, which isn't out yet, but beyond that, there's nothing that interests me.

Not everyone likes what Sony is offering, and from someone who has been a big fan of Sony's products over the last 35 years, I can say without a doubt, that this gen Sony has relied on marketing more than ever, and it has worked. They've completely blown Microsoft and Nintendo out of the water this gen when it comes to marketing dollars, and people have bought into it, and so they spend their time on here defending their purchase, rather than playing these supposed 'loads' of games....

[DVAcme]

And not only that, get a Bluetooth dongle and DS4Windows and the Dualshock 4 is an excellent wireless PC controller, too. If you have a PS4 and a PC, you're not missing anything. What does the XB1 have? Sea of Thieves, Forza, Gears? Cause Halo and State of Decay have been releasing on PC, and Crackdown is apparently never coming out. Meanwhile, the list of what you'd be missing without a PS4 is long as hell and still growing.

[chrisoadamson]

The Xbox is more powerful . Has a better controller and better online service . All third party games are better. Some reasons

[pinkcrocodile75]

I agree with @Reaprr. The idea that we let Sony loose as the sole high end console platform is frightening.

We need MS and Nintendo there to keep all platforms on their toes. Take EA Access being withheld from PS4 users as an example. Sony has PS Now so therefore they made the decision for all PS4 users to not allow a third party service to compete as it were, even though it's not a streaming service but a download service.

If MS disappeared from the gaming space there is little incentive for Sony to capitulate with other software providers.

While Sony is in the lead in this silly horsesh!t console war they seem to be going down the route of isolationism and that while great in the short term is a bad idea in the long term, especially when traditional consoles become a thing of the past (when ever that may be).

I at least would like Sony to hedge their bets in this regard.

[jagermaster619]

But does it do true 4k? No so that's a reason to own an Xbox.

[Godmars290]

@RainbowBrite:
Have to ask what was so amazing and different about Xbox as a gaming option when it entered the market?

The OG Xbox was about PC ports, trying to get what was popular on PS, getting extra content added if possible, copying/continuing some of what Sega did since they had picked up Sega people, but largely ignoring console strong genres like side-scrolling shooters and JRPGs. Made a big show with the 360 towards library diversity only to make it known as the 1st/3rd person shooter console.

They are in the exact position they are now because of failure to develop in-house creativity and diversity. Wanting/expecting that to come to them, being focused on the service and distribution and letting that effect everything they did.

[Kribwalker]

@Goldby

in that entire list of yours and not one of them is better the Forza Horizon 3, not even close.

Some people like the xbox controller better. Some people like the gears halo and forza. Some people don’t like JRPGs or Anime style or over the shoulder action games. There’s plenty of reasons for and against both consoles. But to make it easy, i buy them all and play them all 😉

[DigitalRaptor]

@ jagermaster619

"True 4k" is just a fake Microsoft marketing buzzword, but if you want an answer, yes it does.

In fact, PS4 Pro has more enhanced games than the Xbox One X does... by a LONG way.

[DarkVoyager]

Couldn’t agree more. Just add State of Decay 2 to the list of underwhelming exclusives.

“Spencer himself has previously said he knows that Microsoft needs to step it up in terms of its exclusives, yet we have seen few signs of that happening. That might change at E3, but in the last few years Microsoft has cancelled a number of high-profile exclusives (Scalebound, Fable Legends, Phantom Dust), delayed others (Crackdown 3) and released hyped games that turn out to be underwhelming and undercooked (Sea of Thieves). So even if this is the new mantra for them going forward, it may be several years until we see any possible harvest of these seeds being planted now, like the upcoming Fable 4.“

[SCW1982]

The Irony is you can't just make an amazing exclusive if you don't have the talent to be able to do that, that's what makes Sony's World Wide Studios such a power house .They were cultivated and formed during PS1 and PS2 generations so that when PS3 came around these studios could really flex what they have. (Naughty Dog has always been amazing since Crash.)

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

SCW1982 - The irony is MS studios has been around for a looong time.

Sony entered the console space after a Nintendo backstab. Now, Sony went on to compete and humble a giant in many ways.

Your point about Sony Worldwide studios is 100% correct, my point is - the blueprint was laid out for MS.

Invest in talent, create a positive culture within your 1st parties - let them free to create.

What does MS do? Buy Halo exclusivity from Apple, jump in bed with Epic for GoW. Huge game comes along - Minecraft - spends 2 BILLION to acquire all assets and IP ownership. Next big game comes along - PUBG - buys exclusivity for its console.

They always look for the easy way, they are - arrogant, lazy, pig headed, dishonest and all round terrible company with some sleazy and greasy people in positions they shouldn't be.

[kneon]

@xX-oldboy-Xx

Sure, but does Microsoft have the patience to let studios mature into something that can compete with the likes of Naughty Dog? It would take many years and several game releases, and some studios just won't pan out.

[Saigon]

@kneon,

No, and I believe that is his point. At one point I remember when MS first entered the console industry I thought they would have some great games and developers because of their actions with PC. But, none of the studios they owned ever transitioned from PC to console or multiplatform. They were either one or the other and those studios paid a serious price for not making that transition.

I see what Forbes is trying to say. MS has so many assets in Cloud Computing, why are they still in the console business where they could switch over to a PaaS process.

[morganfell]

@DarkVoyager,

And that really is the issue. Talk...talk...talk...but no action. It doesn't matter because the same people that fall down on their knees in praise every time Phil promises something will do so again on Sunday. Then after a couple of years the disappointment will sink in (it takes that long for some people to realize the truth) but by then more promises will be made and the praise will be reignited. They just never learn.

[trooper_]

Only a delusional person would think exclusives isn't a justifiable reason to own a console aside from multiplats.

[trooper_]

And they would be delusional as well.

Plenty of people want to see what the console they buy can do aside from multiplats.

[SCW1982]

I think you misunderstood my comment. I wasn’t saying exclusives aren’t important. They are extremely important but there are reasons to have a console aside from them.

[chiefJohn117]

I can tell you, not everyone buys for exclusives or even play exclusives. I know COUNTLESS ps gamer that don't own a single exclusive and if you were to ask them "you have bloodborne?" or "you plan to buy Death stranding?" They'd have 0 clue what you're talking about. Madden CoD and 2k lol that all the gaming talk I hear from them. Oh and now fortnite, that game has taken over.

[BiggerBoss]

@reaprr

What OTHER reason do you want a console for?

If you JUST want the BEST version of multiplat games, then PC is the obvious way to go.

PS4 is the way to go if you want incredible exclusives and good multiplats.

Xbox is the way to go if you want crappy exclusives and middle-tier multiplats.

[trooper_]

@SCW: True but for most people, they always ask about the games before buying a console. I wanted XB1 for Killer Instinct but I wasn't going to buy a system for literally one game I liked. So I went with the PS4 because it had more games and stronger exclusives.

[BadElf]

Exactly

[Prince_TFK]

The world, and the entire gaming industry, are big enough to accommodate more than just one console. Even if people don’t like a particular console, that doesn’t mean it should die. There is always a market for that particular console.

These people here are very entitled, if its not for them, then it should just die. If only one console exist in the world, how would it be good for the industry?

[Wotbot]

Agree

Look how arrogant Sony where with the PS3, with out the 360 you would have still been paying a crazy amount for it, and all the lies that went with it.

[snkiworld]

Without Games?

[SCW1982]

@xracerx

How old are you to be so misinformed?

[SCW1982]

@xtaz

Thanks for making me laugh extremely hard. With that logic the only thing that should exist because of performance is PC.

[hulk_bash1987]

In all seriousness Microsoft has their fanbase and they are what keeps the Xbox brand alive. They just need to invest in more first party studios. Thay have the hardware part down in spades. It's the software they need to focus on. Hopefully we see that at E3 and moving forward.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

For a small niche sure..

[Realms]

That's great but MS has given gamers who haven't bought into there marketing zero reasons a side from more pixels to want an xbox one x. I understand preference nostalgia even fondness for a particular brand, but it's getting harder and harder to justify owning an xbox one only over a PS4 or Switch. Even the most powerful argument goes out the window when you have the xbox one still on the market kind of hypocritical when it also delivers in most cases the worst experience in terms of performance.

[rainslacker]

Ms got me interested in the brand early when Spencer took over. I brought my first x box, after a couple of generations of being indifferent or too wrapped up in other consoles. There was a very positive vibe for the brand at the time, and I thought Spencer would do well because I've always figured him to be more inclined to deliver games, than worry about pr speak.

Less than 6 months later, they announced going multi plat with qb, cancelled scalebound, and stopped showing new games, all with the excuse that they would wait closer to release. Now, a couple years later, I'm still waiting to see those promising titles we were promised.

It's not the first console ihe ever been disappointed in, but it's certainly the biggest disappointment, mainly because there is no real reason it should be going like this. The reason it is going like this is because it's ms, and I should have remembered that before buying the console, because I've known how ms operates long before they got into yhthe console business.

[SuperSonic91]

PS4 already have the bigger competitor than Xbox: PC and Mobile gaming

[tontontam0]

Oh I thought idiot people like you are extinct, where I'm from everyone knows that owning a gaming pc is as convenient as owning consoles. so they base their choices on what games they want to play. and it turns out that those who bought consoles chose consoles because of the exclusives games.

[cbuc1125]

100% agree on all points here.

[BiggerBoss]

Unless Microsoft were lying, then the power of the Cloud will make the Xbox One 4x more powerful.

So CLEARLY, there's no reason to upgrade unless Microsoft were lying.

[The_Jackel]

which from their records, im guessing they were lying like normal

[chrisx]

xbox is basically a 3rd party console now

[Sgt_Slaughter]

My One S has essentially become the console I buy a game for if it's significantly cheaper (more than $10 or so) and doesn't have a PS4 Pro upgrade patch. Everything else is PS4/Switch.

[Cueil]

why don't you own an X then?

[BiggerBoss]

@cueil
Why WOULD he buy an Xbox One X? Just to play the same games at a slightly higher resolution?

[jent]

@BiggerBoss Couldn't you have said the same thing about the decision to purchase a PS4 over an Xbox One in 2013? It may be different today given the few really amazing exclusives in the last couple of years on PS4, but it didn't start that way.

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

i only use my xb1 to watch youtube now. the games pass is a good feature but i didn’t continue it after the 14 day trial expired. halo is terrible now, but i have to say that i still enjoy gears horde mode. i got subnautica, which is a good game, but not a system seller. you knew ms was doomed when they let scalebound go.

[Unspoken]

Yep, the PS4 no longer holds the title for the best place to play 3rd party titles. It lost the title quite a while ago.

[rainslacker]

A while ago being less than a year now?

[crazyCoconuts]

"To me that feels more like a marketing tactic for someone who is very far behind its competition rather than a coherent vision for the future."
I think that's what's really going on. You can't take Phil Spinster too seriously. Minecraft has a different history, but MS isn't stupid - they're not going to release Forza on PlayStation.

[Nodoze]

At this point....why not release Forza on the Playstation? I am being serious. The game would probably sell at least a few hundred thousand copies (maybe more). Perhaps the competition would spur Polyphony to speed things up (slowest developer EVER).

[ILostMyMind]

Because, as has been said before, this is all just pr of those who can not beat the competitor.

[Zerobalance]

If you want to play Forza get an Xbox or buy a gaming PC. Simple! Maybe you will understand what MS is going for choice.

[PhoenixUp]

Does anybody still think that Microsoft would invest billions of dollars into cultivating a hardware brand just to later bow out?

[-Foxtrot]

Well I mean they could always use the brand to slowly transition into something else...try and keep as many of their audience as they can. It kind of feels all this gen has been for to be honest and why we haven't had many new investments with first party studios and exclusives...because they don't plan to stay where they are too long so they see it as a waste, just hold off until next gen as much as they can. But you know, speculation, speculation.

[PhoenixUp]

@ Fox

What else would they want other than a console? They entered the industry in the first place to spread Window’s influence in more living rooms and I don’t seem them suddenly backtracking on it now.

@ gamer

Yet none of those brands were as prominent in their respective industries as the Xbox brand is in the gaming industry.

If Microsoft wanted to discontinue the Xbox brand they would’ve done so after the original console lost them $4 billion. Despite that lost they decided to stayed in the hardware business, so it’s unlikely they’ll do so now when the brand has proven to be more profitable.

Many of their services appeal to people to who have an Xbox console. It’s not likely they’ll retain as many subscribers or revenue income if they ditch the hardware space.

[Goldby]

Zune says hello...

Or more accurately goodbye

[xRacer74x]

Sony Mp3 player and first attempt at a network for music failed as well.

[Goldby]

@Racer,

sony still makes mp3 players, and we are talking about hardware, not software/services.

should we bring up groove? or MSNplayforsure?

speakign of hardware, Kinect and MSN watch aswell

[Razzer]

"Does anybody still think that Microsoft would invest billions of dollars into cultivating a hardware brand just to later bow out? "

Um...…

Microsoft writes off $7.6B, admits failure of Nokia acquisition
https://www.computerworld.c...

Not that that is going to happen to Xbox, but well......there it is.

[Zerobalance]

It seems that every gen there is a dud console & this generation it is the Xbox. MS will learn dust themselves down & come back fighting.

[rainslacker]

It would be unheard of. Ms has done it several times in the past.

Companies do this is what they're doing isn't working how they want, and get new plans to make money

[xboxcult]

Microsoft is doing there own thing with the Xbox One. When it comes to BC and the Game Pass service Xbox One is killing the competition. PS4 is killing it with high quality exclusive games, and Switch is gaining a lot traction with current releases and the hand held market.

The True Gamers Gospel: Love all systems and hope for great games!
- Say no to fanboyism

[xboxcult]

Here we go with the fanboy down votes. Defending Xbox one is a big no, no around here!

[Razzer]

You do know that you can express your opinion and others can disagree.....right?

[The_Jackel]

^this
also when you come across like you're an idiot that knows nothing, you are going to get downvotes

[GUTZnPAPERCUTZ]

He is not saying you can't, but don't act like there is not a Pro Sony issue with this comunity

[Razzer]

"He is not saying you can't"

Whining about disagrees is just as bad.

"but don't act like there is not a Pro Sony issue with this comunity "

Then there is a "Pro Sony issue" with the world. PS4's install base is more than double that of Xbox One. Why people think that won't/shouldn't be reflected in gaming communities....no idea.

[xboxcult]

Yes, I know anyone can express there opinion. But.......
- When I say something positive about PS4 and Switch = instant up votes in large numbers.
- When I say something even remotely positive about XBox One = Instant Down Votes in large numbers.

- The opinions seem unfair and toxic.

[UCForce]

Maybe you should understand how Console business work in market. https://youtu.be/ypditG7qbX...

[Razzer]

"The opinions seem unfair and toxic. "

lol.....how is a downvote "toxic"? Seriously pal, you need to grow some thicker skin. Why anyone gives a shit about upvote/downvotes I will never know.

[DVAcme]

It's not defending the XB1, it's defending the XB1 against the mountain of evidence that it's absolutely not worth it. Simply put, the XB1 doesn't have enough exclusives compared to the other consoles and the PC handles 3rd-party gamed way better and has a METRIC SHITLOAD of more games thanks to Steam.

[Eonjay]

Microsoft and Sony are to huge companies. They don't need defending and it is wrong to tell people that they need to buy every console and game to be a true gamer. More than fanboys I hate those who try to sell people on a commercialized version of gaming. Just no.

[DigitalRaptor]

"don't act like there is not a Pro Sony issue with this comunity"

Uh-oh, better try and declare that there's a Pro Sony issue with the whole damn world then. 😂
---

"The opinions seem unfair and toxic"

You can believe that, but real world numbers AKA sales, reflect that Sony and Nintendo are doing a lot better and have more popular and beloved brands for reasons that more gamers recognise and appreciate. That's not really unfair but something that is earned from years of dedication to gaming, so a dedicated gaming news site with a community that amplifies this is not really unfair either. Okay, MS has done some classy things for gamers over the past couple of years, but that doesn't really make up for too much. You can also say Nintendo is killing the competition when it comes to having their games be portable, and XB1/PS4 isn't portable but it only paints part of the picture. I don't hold your comments against you though - I can see that you're very well intentioned.

[trooper_]

Or people don't agree?

Stop taking disagrees so personally.

[Razzer]

"Love all systems and hope for great games! "

Hope? lol.....no. DEMAND great games! Love is optional.

[xboxcult]

Just trying to spread anti-fanboyism.
Like I said in my original post I think all 3 consoles have something great to offer at the moment. I play all 3 regularly. I can't hate on any of them.

[DVAcme]

So I can:
a) Spend about $3000 to have all consoles and a gaming PC, including one console that has no significant exclusives that merit a purchase, or
b) buy the console that has the most exclusives and a robust third-party library.

Yeeeeah, I think I'll stick to b, thanks. Not only that, if you advocate having all consoles, then you'd want to buy the games for the system that runs them best. That would be a PC. That leaves just having a console for the exclusives. That'd be a PS4 or a Switch.

Face it, dude, if you have a gaming PC and a PS4/Switch, you have ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to own an XB1.

[xboxcult]

Backwards compatibility, Xbox one enhanced games for bc, and Xbox game pass. I understand if you have a high powered pc, then argument for xbox one makes a little more sense, but there is still a bunch of bc games on xbox one and Xbox one x enhanced 4k games are coming out pretty quickly. Like I said all 3 offer something. I agree ps4 has the strongest exclusives.

[DVAcme]

@LevelSmack The only reason PS4 doesn't have backward compatibility is that the PS3's Cell Processor architecture is drastically different to the PS4's more traditional one and it'd be a nightmare hardware-wise, so count your blessings. PS5 WILL have backward compatibility, and that means it'll have a WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better game library at launch than whatever Microsoft makes next. And Game Pass, while nice, accentuates the XB1's lacking exclusives library and lack of interest in it, as the MASSIVE dropoff in Sea Of Thieves userbase showed. And if Sony does a Game Pass-style service, or they make Playstation Now download capable, Game Pass is DONE.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

At this point I find it my opinion harder to make another Xbox unless we hear a roadmap this E3

[WickedLester]

Wasn't a point to either mid gen console if you ask me. The standard PS4 and X1 wouldve been fine until next gen.

[ILostMyMind]

Every PS user agree with you.

[leeeroythe3rd]

The day you lose either platform is the day that quality and cost go out the window

[r2oB]

Developers would still have to produce quality games because they compete for our dollar, even if there is only one platform. There are almost 80 million PS4 sold and probably a bit over 30 million Xbox Ones sold, so it’s a safe assumption that there are 40 million gamers with only one console (excluding Switch). So having a single platform would have little, if any, effect on the quality of games developers make. Hardware wise, Sony would still have to make a quality console since people could still migrate to PC if they release a trash console (or simply not buy it). And Sony couldn’t just arbitrarily inflate the cost of the console as people wouldn’t buy it if they couldn’t afford it.

Basically, a single platform scenario wouldn’t be an Armageddon type outcome (obvious hyperbole) many people seem to think. The PS1 and PS2 were basically single platform generations considering the disparity with the competitions, and those platforms had many of the best games (obviously graphics have to be considered relative to their time).

I’m not saying I want Microsoft gone, at this point I don’t care whether or not they make another console. I’m just merely responding to your hyperbolic comment about a single platform generation.

[CaptainObvious878]

There’s just as valid an argument that a monopoly is also the best thing that can happen to the industry. Most gamers, especially older ones who’ve been around a while, would probably agree the PS2 years were the best years in gaming. PS2 had a monopoly then. By having one massive unified customer base instead of a fractured customer base, companies took more risks and released more games at any point in our hobby’s history. There was no worry of timed exclusives or content, no DLC, and no MT. Development times and costs were reduced as they rarely had to port to multiple platforms. We saw some of the best and most innovative games ever during that time. Sony is never going to repeat the mistakes of the PS3 era. Just saying, There’s a strong case to be made if MS was reduced to irrelevance. It’d be incredible to re-live that era with today’s technology.

[Bobafret]

So there it is, you guys do want Sony to be the only platform. Why does it bother you that not everyone likes what you like? That there are other choices?

[Razzer]

"So there it is, you guys do want Sony to be the only platform."

You guys? Why are you taking one person's opinion and applying it to a larger group? So you can demonize the entire group? How idiotic is that?

[starchild]

PS2 was not a monopoly.

See, this is the problem with some of you guys' thinking. You assume that one company having a huge lead over its competitors is some kind of unheard of "domination" or monopoly. But it's actually very common in most industries. Samsung sells far more TVs than its competitors, but it still has to stay on its toes in order to not lose market share to those competitors. Android has over 80% market share, but that doesn't mean that Apple phones aren't a strong competitor.

You think the PS4 selling twice as much as the Xbox One is some kind of rare domination, but it's actually very common in many industries.

The PS2 was not a monopoly. People had choices. The PC, Xbox and GameCube all had great things to offer. Sony could not rest on their laurels because they knew that they could lose customers to those other platforms.

I don't think those were the best days in gaming anyway. I far prefer the current generation. Gaming in general continues to get better and better. And competition drives this industries, just as it does in others.

[Nodoze]

The 1X will be Microsoft's last console. They will not create another one.

[ILostMyMind]

People are still buying, even without effort from MS. They will continue to make so due to fact that XBox is now just a weak PC with Windows 10.

[showtimefolks]

Money
Gaas
Xblive membership
Pc/Xbox Eco system

Ms will stay in gaming business like EA and Activision but for most of the wrong reasons

[Fantomex]

Whatever the wrong reasons are?

[showtimefolks]

Pushing below average unfinished games with Gass type service

[Fantomex]

Very good. Crackdown is delayed again so maybe it won't be unfinished. SoT is a letdown, hopefully Crackdown won't.

[angelsx]

On this E3 Phil should announce his retirement

[ILostMyMind]

It'd be better for the gamers.

[candystop]

Saddened by the words of Phil here. Hopefully I'm not reading into things correctly. Only a few more days until e3 and my deciding factor on just walking away from the box or getting excited for it.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

It sure doesn't seem there's a point to writing another article claiming the Xbox sky is falling. Every year, the Xbox conference is trashed b4 it's even happened. This site is so predictable. As I've said b4, have you guys forgotten when all PS4 had was killzone and knack, while Xbox had ryse, tf1, ki, dr3, Forza 5 and more?

[ILostMyMind]

You're deluding yourself. PS4 never had just KZ and Knack.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

Name which other AAA exclusives PS4 had in the launch window. You can't, because they only had knack and killzone. Even PS4 fans admit that it always takes Sony a while to get going. It's only the rabid PS4 fanboys that claim differently.

[Codedan]

Crazy they didn’t conclude that with the PS3.

[Razzer]

Crazy that anyone would conclude that with PS3. PS3 was getting great games well into this generation.

[UCForce]

PS3 made a huge comeback.

[akaFullMetal]

There was multiple upon multiple articles about the demise of Sony due to ps3. However, Sony turned it around and has gained good will all in one generation. If Microsoft can do that, they may be fine, but so far they havent.
Also , ps3 was about 5 years ago, why would there be articles about that?

[P_Bomb]

I was still buying PS3 games well into the ps4’s launch. Bought Beyond, Puppeteer, GTAV that fall instead of a PS4, bought AC Rogue instead of AC Unity a year later, and Yakuza 5 a full year after that. Just platinumed MGS3HD earlier this year. Beast support.

[gamer7804]

ahhh Forbes, trying to figure out what Microsoft is doing, nice try though!

[Tross]

They can stay in the console game if they start trying, and get the concept that games come first. If they still don't get it, their next console will fare just as poorly if not worse.

[AuraAbjure]

The point is to design a home console that actually has a home cpu in there and not a mobile one.

[Gwiz]

Microsoft has a real problem now with the X being pretty fresh and far from being utilized as it could be.The next step they take is going to be a very interesting one, they can't just abandon the Xb1 SKU's now that will surely kill the Xbox brand.

[mogwaii]

Exactly, Microsoft have lost it bad.

[SegaGamer]

Basically, Xbox is looking towards a Netflix of Gaming future and they need a device to get this thing started, that is what the Xbox One and Xbox One X is for.

[buck nasty]

Agreed. But if nothing else; the Xbone serves as a competitor (however weak the exclusives may be) for the PS4. I have both consoles, and went into this generation with no preconceived biases against either. Of course, anyone with eyes and ears knows that Sony has crushed it this time around....but: A one-horse race is no race. having one company with the monopoly on gaming would not be great for anyone. Competition breeds effort, which spawns greatness.

[ShadowWolf712]

Good thing there's more than just Microsoft competing, eh?

[starchild]

It's sad that a sensible comment like yours gets so many downvotes.

A wise man once said, "hell is the impossibility of reason". Well...welcome to N4G...welcome to hell.

[quenomamen]

Anybody else head spinning lately with these Xbox articles ? MS is moving to a future without consoles. Then its can this game save Xbox ? Then its MS dont care bout sales and I'm happy with that. Then its back to all MS needs to do is this and that and theyre back in the game. You guys need to mke up your minds. If MS is as confused as its fan journalists then they have no hope.

[LandoCalrissiano]

It's almost as if ms is more concerned about people on their network using their services in any form rather than selling consoles or games. Are people just now figuring this out? Same concept with phones. There's a reason Google bought Android and put that os in every phone, not just their first party hardware Google Pixel. Android os commands the market with 38% of ALL os even beating out windows. MS is doing the same thing Google is doing. Meanwhile Sony is concerned with their cute little Pixel, even if it sells 200 million units, that's nothing compared to the billion+ people dependent on MS. So yeah, it "can be achieved without hardware of your own". But if your own hardware sells, and you have 59 million free and paid Xbox live users along with the utterly massive pc gaming market, I'd stop counting Xbox sales too. It just doesn't matter as much as counting people.

[chiefJohn117]

MS owns Minecraft and it's a money maker if I was him I'd say the same thing.

Point of another console is new and better tech and power which leads to better/ realistic games all of which in turn get people to buy. Hell exclusive on Xbox can literally be non existent or all available on ps people would still buy Xbox due to different tech than ps such as the controller. Options and competition. Thats like saying What's the point in choosing Burger King when McDonald's have all the same food?

[3-4-5]

only 3 people in a billion dollar market.

What other industry is there where you can only have 2 top competitors and nobody else to worry about competing against? Not many.

You don't leave that kind of a market when your market share is what it is, even if it's 3rd out of 3.

So many business's have to compete against hundreds of other companies and there is only 3 there.

* What you are asking is = to if Ford said " Yea we aren't making cars anymore"......

^ It just isn't a smart business decision and anybody who suggests otherwise honestly just doesn't know what they are talking about.

It's just common sense.

They just made bad decisions.....By this authors logic, Nintendo should have called it quits after the Wii U.....or Gamecube.....or before the NES.

So many people posting articles that make no sense and trying to pass them off as "knowledge".

It's pathetic at best. Don't fall for the "Forbes" name. They lease their name out to any random blogger.

I could put an article out via "Forbes" tomorrow, as long as I paid them money for the use of their name.

Don't fall for it. They know absolutely nothing about gaming and it shows by the type of articles they let through.

[Chevalier]

To be fair Ford did announce they are stopping making cars. They only will be making SUVs and trucks going forward

[chris235]

people are still thinking the xoxbox is a gaming console? wow. micky$oft achieved something great. they abandoned their core audience (the gamers) but their core audience is too stubborn to realize that. so there is still coming money in from a segment they are ignoring. this, my
kids, is how easy money is made. no input - maximum output. and the fans are still hoping and dreaming. just perfect.

[Ulf]

This guy is the WORST writer on all the assorted business mags. He can't grasp concepts beyond the shallowest "does it make money in a vacuum?" ideas, and never has been able to.

There will always be a Xbox, because Microsoft doesn't want you using Google Docs on your GoogleStation, or some Sony variant thereof, in your livingroom. Pretending MS is only about games, or that anything they do is really about games, in the grand scheme, is just stupid. Throwing in the towel is the stupidest, worst option -- it opens the gates to a whole new playground for companies like Sony, Apple, and Amazon, and if you can't see that, Forbes writer guy, you should head on back to business school.

Besides, Microsoft *does* make money on Xbox. Arguably a lot of money, albeit not as much as Sony in the past few years. Even the Sony fanboys would shrivel up and die in an ecosystem with just Nintendo and Sony in it, with all the other real estate being taken by Android and iOS devices. If you want to continue to get good content from Sony, you gotta make them fight for it.

No businessman in his right mind would spend $100M on a game if it brings in less profit than someone *else* spending $100M. Only a complete fool would think Sony would continue making even as close to as many exclusives, if MS were out of the picture. They aren't philanthropists -- not by a long shot.

[CurbStompin]

LOL

- Phil Spencer

[thexmanone]

LOL

-Sony Fans

[rekkkk]

LOL

-salty xbox fan

[Wotbot]

I’ve said before and no doubt I will get loads of down votes.

MS has always been weaker on exclusives, that’s a fact, they need more which I am sure they are working on.

How Many good exclusives does PS have, 8 or 9 maybe at the moment being generous , MS has maybe 2 or 3, the Switch will end of having more than any of them.

So apart from the above, the Xbox does everything else better, the controller, the UI,ply anywhere, backwards comp, the console, better 3rd party console versions, you could keep going, they are leading the way on functions and as a platform, but the need more good exclusives to attract more gamers.

Sales really are not that bad, comparable to the 360, it just the PS is selling unbelievably better.

I own all the consoles, so I can play all the exclusives, my platform of choice is the X box for the above reasons and you don’t get as many annoying kids on it.

[Hedstrom]

A wierd statemant! If you want youre games at as many platforms as possible, why dont just release the games at as many platforms as possible?
Unless this is more of a marketing statemant to not admit we are loosing to the competition.

[tontontam0]

Xbox fanboys don't think so, they are happy replaying old games on their xbox one x, xbox fanboys are too busy playing old games they have no time to play current gen games. xbox two will be perfect for xbox fanboys to play their backlogs at a higher resolution.

[Artemidorus]

Right now the only benifit tp owning an Xbox is having the most powerful console to provide the best looking 3rd party games.

They have proven the last two generations that they can't find the correct balance that people want in 1st party.

[AgeInTheCage]

Delusional xboxone s owner spitting bs about xboxone being the most powerful console when the fact is that everyone that does buy an xbox gets the cheaper and mainstream S (249.99) instead of the more expensive X 499.99, fact.

Another fact is that the xboone s is the worst looking of all current gen consoles. No ones buying the X, xbox players needs to quit pretending their S is X and start demanding that phil spencer starts investing in EXCLUSIVES.

[Artemidorus]

I don't own an S so no idea why you thought that.

Facts are facts Xbox One X is the most powerful, you can't gather SJW gamers like yourself to say different because there isn't anything better hardware wise for a console.

[AgeInTheCage]

@Artemidorus. Fact is that 98% of all ps4 and xbox gamers have the base console, yet here every single xboxone owner claims to have an X every single time a debate on gaming is talked about. I understand why they do it, its because Microsoft sold them lots of lies and there's NO WAY to tell if you're playing base xbox or base ps4, so you insecure xboxone owners ALL claim to have the X like its something to boast about when it has 0 games to show off its power.

Im an owner of a launch og xboxone (x) lol and launch ps4, Xboxone was a bad purchase because all their games can be played on pc.

[PUBG]

Just another nonsense article. I have loads of games to play on Xbox One. The continual droning on about Xbox having no exclusives is getting tired. Just buy whatever console you like and enjoy it. If you also game on PC, but don't want to buy an Xbox, then use the Xbox app on Windows 10 for free, and get in on the Xbox fun that way.

[Eonjay]

Xbox has no exclusives. This has been coming loudest from real Xbox fans that care more about justifying their purchase than Microsoft looking good.
Your 'shut up and pay Microsoft ' attitude is tired.

[PUBG]

Another nonsense article with another nonsense reply. You just make things up as you go, just like some of the other usual suspects on here do, for whatever reason. You shouldn't waste your time replying to my comments, since I really couldn't care less what nonsense you choose to spew. I don't care what console you choose to own, just stop dragging people down who do actually like Xbox.

[xPaYDaYx]

Don't count em out yet. Sony wasn't the hottest thing last gen then they came out swingin with the PS4.

[Eonjay]

The started swinging last gen with exclusives. To be honest I think that after people played TLoU we already knew we were getting PS4 because no reasonable person would deny themselves being able to play these caliber games.

[starsi360]

I use my xbox one X daily. Playing Destiny 2, Saints Row and NFS Payback at the moment and I have a huge backlog of games to play too.

I’m fully aware that xbox has an issue with exclusives and sure, I’d love them to pull a few big hitters out of the bag and deliver. It’s shameful that they haven’t done more to fix that. But people seem to be blinded by this issue and think the whole system is written off because of it. It’s great hardware, a great controller. The dashboard is now very slick and user friendly (after many tweaks and updates) and xbox live/party system etc works like a dream. ‘Looking for group’ (I’ve just discovered it) has revolutionised playing games like Destiny 2 with others for me, and I love the back compat.

So when people say thIngs like ‘is there a point in another xbox?’ The answer from me is yes. I really enjoy mine and it’d be a sad day I feel they decided to leave the gaming market. In my opinion, of course. 😀

[2cents]

Another article set to flame the fire.
Comments full of PS fans, most totally oblivious to the fact that without Xbox competition, Sony would screw us all.

[ILostMyMind]

At this point, really, MS should just launch their products on PS4. If they launch SoT, SoD, Halo, Gear, XB Controller, they can save these games and make lots of money. Maybe Sony will allow crossplay with MS in these games.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

At this point, your name is redundant, as after reading one sentence of any of your comments, it becomes obvious your chosen name is very apt. Do you really think they will do what you suggest when they make most of their money from Xbox live and game pass and selling 3rd party games and exclusives on their marketplace?

[dreue]

It is funny some commens, ohhh i dont rrally like sony games, not my cuo of tea, but then points out battle field etc.... It is not like those games are multi plat.... The only thing sony is 100 focus is on games.... And very different games.... That is the reason is doing better.... Ms is not in the same road.... That is the reaspn sony always will be around they build great experiences.... While almost all can have a good pc to play other stuff... I think ms rrally is looking for a service more than console....

[welly300]

Make it a steam box. Upgrade every 3 years offer a trade in deal.

[_LarZen_]

It’s the future of gaming. Play the games you like on the devices you own.

[ILostMyMind]

I want to play them on PlayStation.

[adonisisfree]

If Microsoft makes an exit, Sony won’t be too far behind.

[syphon32]

They probably finding out hard to compete... They screwed up not having a couple of solid first party developer...my advice to Microsoft..... Games sale consoles.. Good games sale more consoles..... Epic games sales even more consoles... See the common denominator...now get back to work

[StormSailor]

Microsoft needs to turn multiplatform and compete with EA for the title of humanity's worst Third party gaming company

I see a lot of potential in this.

[hiawa23]

As a life long multiconsole owner and Xbox being my favorite platform, and I am not interested in PC gaming, there is always room in my home for an Xbox, especially one that plays my 3 generation of Xbox games at no extra cost and new games which Sony is not doing, so I look forward to the successor of the Xbox 1X.

Keep em coming, Microsoft, you have 3 generations of fans out here, who pay no attention to the negative haters. The more console options gamers have the better for all gamers. It is interesting to me that some gamers want less options.

I expect MS to do what is best for their company. If that means another Xbox, I am all for that, if it does not, I am fine with that as I have generations of games I am still playing on the Xbox platform.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Valid criticism is healthy...Blind loyalty to a company is unhealthy..... Think about that, you fall into the later. MS gets a lot of hate as they have earned it, not any conspiracy.

[hiawa23]

There is no blind loyalty here. I have owned every console since 1980, so I have been console gaming many years and not just loyal to one brand.

Whoever makes the games I want that is the platform I play them on, so I don't fall into the latter.

You are right, MS earned their fortunes and misfortune. I don't feel for them, as they are going to be fine no matter what happens to the Xbox brand.

As a gamer I just don't concentrate on negatives as a person, in my life, and certainly not when it comes to video games. Life to short as far as I am concerned to focus on any negatives. Maybe that is just me. Like I said I am fine with whatever happens. Life will go on.

[DVAcme]

Honestly, Microsoft would be better off using the XBox name as a brand for a gaming PC. At least that way they could have a much bigger library and have additional functionality. As a console, the XBos brand in unsalvageable at this point. Anyone who says MS has any chance to recover and win this generation is an absolutely deluded MS fan, cause objectively and rationally, it can't possibly compete with Sony. Hell, it can't compete with Nintendo, and they just started with the Switch.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

I'm just hear to read the sad console warrior comments.

[mozzie]

is this guy serious? on one hand he talks about back compat and the adaptive controller and in the next sentence he practically says that microsoft should just stop making hardware? lol.

[MetalGearsofWar]

If Sony had a monopoly....

[ShadowWolf712]

Xbox leaving the hardware scene would not create a monopoly.

[MetalGearsofWar]

Yes, it would.

[ShadowWolf712]

No, it would not. Nintendo still exists, and it would leave an opening for a number of other companies to get in the game as well.

[TheVigilanteCode]

There is actually a point to MS making another xbox.

Xbox Live subscriptions and GAAS. As long as their userbase (even if it's 36 million in total and around half of them pay for xbox live gold) continues to pay them in billions falling for fake marketing, they will keep making xboxes.

Their customers give them free money for xbox live online play, when we can play online for free on PC. The sad truth is, even their first party games can be played on PC online FOR FREE, on their own servers. Sony on the other hand does the same on PS4 (which of course is anti-consumer too), but their exclusive games are platform sellers and cannot be played anywhere else other than a PS4 (or Pro).

So essentially, an xbox gamer is paying microsoft, for a PC player's usage of the azure servers. And microsoft is used to this free money. It offsets their R&D budget, while they take it back year over year.

[kreate]

I hope MS stays in the console business and continuously give Sony some competition.

[starchild]

Every intelligent gamer wants competition in the gaming industry. If Microsoft left, which I don't think is going to happen, I would hope that Google, Amazon, Apple or somebody would enter the market to bring strong competition to Sony.

Nintendo is great but they don't directly compete with Sony. They have a different kind of approach for their gaming platforms.

Less competition would make things worse for everybody.

[DVAcme]

Facts:
-PS4 has around 1,500 games, and of those over 500 are exclusives or console exclusive.
-XB1 has around 1,300 games, and of those a little over 150 a exclusives or console exclusive.

Microsoft has a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOT of catching up to do.

[AgeInTheCage]

Lets count how many games on xbox are ONLY on xboxone, Thats when it starts getting really sad.

[Thomaticus]

I'd like to see Xbox become a brand of gaming PCs.

[DarkZane]

There really isn't any point in them making consoles anymore. It's only gonna get worst next-gen, they are just redundant at this point.

Multiplatforms can be gotten on all other platforms like PS4, PC and Switch. Microsoft having the most powerful console doesn't matter one bit. Most people don't care about playing it in the best way possible (otherwise PC is where they'd go) and the difference isn't as big as everyone says it is. It will matter even less next-gen, since the console with the most exclusives will be the one who win again.

Which brings me to the other part: Exclusives. The fact you can play those exclusives elsewhere as well (on PC), means there is really no point in spending hundreds of dollars on their systems when you likely have something good enough to run the game on your PC. Yes, it costs a lot of money to make a PC to max their games at 4k/60fps, but if you want to run their games better than the Xbox One S, it really doesn't take much. You can either run them at 30fps (which is what Xbox runs games at) with higher settings or you can get that 60fps if you want.

At least Sony and Nintendo offer games that aren't playable on anything else (and they offer a lot of them unlike Microsoft which barely has anything).

Even if Microsoft stays in the console race next gen, they can't win. The 360 was a decent console, but the only reason they did so well with it wasn't because it was good or decent. The reason the 360 did so well isn't of its own merit, but because Sony screwed up so bad. Had the PS3 launched at the same time and the same price, the 360 would have ended up like the original xbox. I am not saying the 360 was a bad console, but I am saying it's not why it won (they actually were trying in the first half of last gen).

Maybe Sony will make some mistakes, but I don't see them making big ones like they did with the PS3, plus they have worldwide appeal. Xbox is simply a much smaller brand than Playstation (it's not even in the same league) and they don't have worldwide appeal, they only appeal in North America and that appeal is slowly dying. There is no way Microsoft is ever gonna win another generation again at this point. It's simply impossible for them to win. The PS5 will outsell the next Xbox by at least 2:1, even if the next xbox ends up being more powerful. The fact that people know Sony will release exclusives left and right and that Microsoft won't mean that the PS5 will sell like crazy when it's released and will be impossible to find for a while. Meanwhile, the next xbox will sell their initial batch fast, but you will be able to find one pretty quickly.

[Drithe]

Microsoft needs to bow out and let Sega come back.

[BlaqMagiq1]

They're literally isn't any real point to Xbox anymore now that arguably all the important titles are already coming to PC or are on PC already.

[S2Killinit]

They will make another while they work diligently in the background on the demise of console gaming.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

There is a lot of denial around the direction gaming is headed toward. Things like PSNow and conectivity sticks will eventually replace hardware altogether.

[timlot]

Embarrassing that the top story on N4G for the past day and half has been a fanboy's opinion piece. Never change.