What We Already Know of Microsoft’s Strategy Could Give it an Advantage in the Next Generation

Over a week has passed since Sony announced some of the technology that will ship with the PlayStation 5, and Microsoft has been mostly silent. Despite the beefy specs that will be found within the PS5, Microsoft should not feel threatened, as it has already expressed its intentions towards future hardware.

[Srhalo]

What is Microsoft strategy? Get a bunch of websites to talk trash about PlayStation constantly?

I like Sony's strategy more. Just be PlayStation.

[Jin_Sakai]

Xbox One X was going to give them an advantage this generation also. We see how that went.

They still have no games that look good as Sony first party exclusives regardless of having the most powerful console on the market and have placed 3rd in hardware sales 11 months in a row.

I expect PlayStation 5 to be a repeat of what PS4 achieved this generation. Maybe even better.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

In terms of actually playing games in 4K, it does have the advantage. Gamers play games, not sales numbers.

[Silly Mammo]

Also, Gamers play games, not pixel numbers.

[Jin_Sakai]

“In terms of actually playing games in 4K, it does have the advantage. Gamers play games, not sales numbers.“

I guess that’s why PS4 is fixing to hit 100 million in sales. The have the best games.

If a game is selling well it’s usually because it’s a great game and it helps fund the next iteration. So sales do in fact matter.

As for 4K, I’d rather play games such as God of War and The Last of Us: Part 2 over some extra pixels.

[indysurfn]

And we know how websites make money, ads and payment for 'news articles' just like tv! 85% of all news is PAID for by a sponsor. Whether they list them or not.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Don't remember them ever claiming it was going to give them a sales advantage...only that they wanted gamers to have the most powerful 4K console.

[Al_Simmons]

@Sophisticated_Chap Bingo. Gamers play games. And Xbox doesn't have any. So, your comment was deliriously typed.

[Godmars290]

@Sophisticated_Chap:
How is that after all this time and a massive amount of examples is it hard if not impossible for some to grasp that graphics are not the end all be all of gaming?

Not only is it not the most singular element of gaming, it may actually be its least important. May compliment gameplay and story, frame rates, but all of those other factors need to be competently if not well done beforehand.

@343_Guilty_Spark:
Without 1st party games that take full advantage of that 4k consoles ability to deliver 4k. Unless there are 3rd party titles that don't look better on PC? What 1st party Xbox games have been complimented for their graphics or that matter?

[Ju]

You have to be MS to be able to blow the money. They sure have a long breath. While MS invested heavily to fix the XBO "problem" they had - under performing and not being actually cheaper as the PS4 at launch - they built a complete new machine which basically does the same thing - in 4k. And that not so great, when you see performance benchmarks where the PS4Pro - sure at lower res - constantly outperforms (higher fps?) your expensive flagship console.Sony was wicked smart in simply upgrading the GPU for cheap and catch the X mid flight - and taking the money where it actually matters and invest into the next gen instead. Looks like Sony yet again will be faster to market. So much so, that I feel they don't need to rush this out at all. The Pro cost Sony basically nothing compared to the X. MS basically spent money for 2 next gen consoles for no reason. The X at $500 did not fix the XBO problem, that is, the PS4 simply has the performance per $ advantage. What MS should have done is build a 1080p machine which simply outperforms the PS4 and reduce cost to sell for $200-$300 and replace the XBO instead. But probably rough, if you have an economy of scale but don't actually reach that goal which already cuts into your (forecast) margin. Just replacing the XBO would have thrown all that out of the window.

Now MS can boost all they want with "most powerful" console. It won't work. MS never understood the console market. Now they think they can tackle it on two fronts. A low end and high end. We'll see how that goes. Another huge selling point for consoles is it isn't fragmented and it is easy to understand for consumers. The rule is simple: One platform and all games run on that. Now splitting this into more will only lead to confusion. I do not believe there is a high price console market. It gets way to convoluted lately. Not even sure how this will go over with the PS5. Ideally. in my books, all games will run on both PS4 and PS5 - with the PS5 simply patching stuff in which doesn't work on the PS4 (or some "fat" version containing both). At least in the beginning. While MS's message is "the most powerful console" I am not even sure if they really believe in that. Otherwise why are they considering bringing an entry level 1080p console? Don't you feel betrayed? It will take 80% of the market if it will be cheap; same as the XBO probably is still outselling the X by a margin. Price is everything. Really depends how much the cheaper version will cost. I almost think it would be around $200. If Sony is able to push the PS5 out at $400, I would think those additional $100 over a $299 price tag would sway people to the much more powerful machine. If the PS5 will be $500...then Sony might have a problem, if there is a fast $299 entry level box. A PS4 Pro at $299 will not stand a chance against a Zen2/4TF machine at the same price. Well, its all at least a year away. Interesting to observe.

One other thing, though, in 2020, I wonder if there will be a 1080p market. If we are honest, it doesn't really matter. We are our own victims demanding ever higher resolution which really doesn't do anything for the games. 4Tf with a fast CPU can render 1080p better (with proper filters) than the current gen can do 4K, I suppose; for sure with framerates beyond 60fps. But that would be great today...in 2 years? Not so much.

[Saigon]

From reading through this I didn't read not one proposed strategy other than speculation. They pretty much took Sony proposed negatives and spun it in MS favor. For example the discussion of BC. They clearly love what MS implemented, and I must say it is cool they were able to do it but the article preaches as though it is fully BC with every game released on the Xbox infrastructure. The well intuned would state otherwise. MS has done a great job in implementing the majority of games released for BC but it is not the whole catalog from the first Xbox.

This article is well written, but the assumptions without clear evidence make the article lack. The 8k assumption is highly overrated. While, yes, Sony did claim it was capable of performing in 8k does not mean it will be something used right away. MS can't keep using Sony strategies to be successful. They need to come up with their own. I was disappointed in the article stating that MS should use Sony strategy for the PS4 for the next Xbox. Very disappointing to read that. I rather MS come up with their own method or plan similar to Sony, Nintendo and now Google.

[kneon]

Microsoft could follow the Playstation model of success, just produce a steady stream of great exclusives. The problem is that building up studios that can consistently produce that level of quality can take decades. You can't just throw money at a team and have them produce gold. They very well might, but most likely it will take a few releases for them to really get going.

[phoenixwing]

I think mark cerny was gloating in that interview about the ps5 and its ssd. Microsoft probably didn't account for them using that bit of tech at hand, expecting them to go cheaper. We'll see when next gen rolls around or at E3 what microsofts console has in store. If microsoft doesn't have an ssd that has near enough bandwidth then I'm pretty sure sony will make games and encourage others to make games that use it to its full potential making the nextbox look terrible in comparison.

[fiveby9]

I hope MS does well next generation. But regardless of how good their upcoming console is, I will still be buying a PS5. The question for me is will I also be buying another XB? That depends on their games lineup. Stadia? Don't know enough about it to give it serious consideration at this point.

[gamer7804]

Microsoft is trying to remedy their mistakes from the start of the generation. New leadership, New Studios, More BC, an Optional Cloud solution, and More power via the X.

I loved Sony's strategy at the start of the generation with focus on single player games. But they have become a bit arrogant and dropped over half the games from PS plus and even censoring games that show a little skin on their platform.

IMO they each have things they need to work on fixing.

[derek]

If I get the same great games/vr games as I did from Sony this generation then sign me up for more "arogant" Sony lol. It is Microsoft, who thought they could coast an entire generation without a stable first party output, that showed themselves to be arrogant.

[gamer7804]

@derek so you would be against in addition to having more of the same great games as well as having 2 more psplus games a month and developers' freedom to create? It doesn't have to be one or the other.

[ShadowWolf712]

DoA 6 came out unscathed. Senran Kagura still has teenagers being blasted naked.

But sure, they're going after anything showing a bit of skin.

[Al_Simmons]

I feel like that's exactly what they're doing but just like Lauryn Hill said...... "It ain't workinnnnnnn'...... No. It ain't workin'." Lol

[OB1Biker]

Only Single Player website were losing their minds for a multiplayer only Ms exclusive at the start of this gen. Looks like they ll be doing to same thing next gen.

[Spurg]

Microsoft will introduce the option of 2 consoles for next gen. One streaming only and one premium. The digital console along with Gamepass and the upcoming Xcloud is a match made in heaven.

[RosweeSon]

Just need what they’ve lacked all Gen now then top quality exclusives they’ve got the hardware and the services down 15 years of practice will do that get smashing out games but up developers and do some deals if you have to as much as they suck but if they do next Gen with as little effort as they’ve done this Gen which was essentially cruise control then not remotely interested sorry haha

[ThinkThink]

I disagree, plenty of games, but to your point, didn't MS invest in a bunch of studios to beef up their exclusive portfolio for next gen? It appears they are putting quite a bit of effort into setting themselves up for a better go around this time. I still hope MS comes in 2nd place next gen. I much prefer the hungry MS.

[Immorals]

The leaks already pretty much confirmed this

[Rimeskeem]

I dont want that heaven then

[cabbitwithscissors]

Bad idea of segregating your customers with different system configurations. More work for the developers, class segmenting the players between high end and low end, and also differentiating between mid-end and high-end graphics. If they want to do this, just get a PC. Consoles are there for a reason, same base configuration for everyone. Now, I know you're going to say, the last gen was with different console variations, but that's more like testing of waters to me. Doesn't look good if you ask me.

[ThinkThink]

More work for developers, more options for consumers which lead to more sales.
Also, I haven't heard devs complaining about it, have you?

[Al_Simmons]

Dude, BYE.

[Thundercat77]

Has any Microsoft strategy so far gave them an advantage over the competition? No.

Not even having the more powerful console worked for them. The only strategy they like to use is to hype lies and mislead people.

[ziggurcat]

I'm not sure if focusing on a strategy that involves completely eliminating the need to purchase their hardware or (in some cases) software is something that could win anyone an advantage at any time.

[Vasto]

What are you more excited to see at E3?

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Nothing - all the good stuff will be announced before or after.

[Skuletor]

New third party games

[SprigganN4G]

DINO CRISIS Remake!

[TheColbertinator]

In LA near where E3 is held, I wanna hit up that Japanese restaurant near Sunset Blvd. they have that clam and chicken butter broth served with onions and cucumbers.

After I head out of E3 that is what excites me the most.

[BrettAwesome]

I think I might just go for Taco Bell. It's been a while, and they beat El Pollo Loco by a mile

[TheColbertinator]

@Brett

Taco Bell's gordita crunch snackers are my weakness. And a medium Mountain dew baja blast.

[BrettAwesome]

@Colbertinator
Fuckin' A, dude!
I never been to Jack in the box. They any good?

[TheColbertinator]

@Brettawesome

They are ok. Their tacos, sourdough bread burgers and deli trio sandwiches are pretty good. Breakfast and fish sandwiches there are horrid. Avoid those.

[MasterCornholio]

I’m really looking forward to Nintendo’s Direct. I really want to see more footage of that Pokémon game and Metroid is something I’m looking forward to as well.

[indysurfn]

I'm excited to see if Square Enix messed up FFVII remake, into a bloody hack and slash.

[bellome]

The usual marketing shitshow MS pulls out ever year. Can’t wait to see how ridiculous they will be this time around.

[bluefox755]

MS simply doesn't do that well when it has decent competition. This can historically be seen with their phones, their consoles, and their services. Windows and enterprise software does great, because they own the market, everything else, not so much.

[Silly gameAr]

Makes you wonder if Windows would improve if they had decent competition.

[Christopher]

They improve because they buy out competing element companies and integrate them into their system. Though some turn out like Skype and still send you spam constantly, but most of the stuff they aquire is integrated pretty well and shows their evolution. .NET Framework has been one of the better things to hit the market as well.

[chiefJohn117]

They've done pretty well with Xbox did you miss how much money they made off it? Doing well doesn't mean being #1. It's like saying Burger King isn't doing well. Xbox revenue is well ahead of Nintendo and for the install base, better numbers per customer than PS.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

And Burger King is a lot better too!

[BehindTheRows]

"Better numbers per customer than PS".

That might be the biggest load of spin I've seen in a while. Did you happen to miss how PlayStation raked in more in 2018 than both Xbox AND Nintendo? Why conveniently ignore that?

[chiefJohn117]

@Behind this isn't about PS we all know it sold the most and made the most money I basically say this with "not being #1 doesn't mean not doing well" do you have comprehension issues? but yes Xbox has a higher buy ratio than PS4 it's a fact. And many articles have been written about it.

[Razzer]

MS doesn't reveal any sales numbers for hardware or software so there are no facts in that regard at all. Any other source of data is pure speculation, not facts.

What we do know is how much revenue Xbox and PS4 have brought in. PS4 wins. Period.

[chiefJohn117]

Razzer still havent learned your lesson. Idk about y'all but making billions is "doing well" to me lol
https://www.google.com/amp/...

Let not make this a PS vs Xbox thing not with the discussion is about for once take the console war out of this I know it hard for y'all but try. MS making billions annually isn't good? They doing bad Like BlueFox suggested? Yeah PS wins, they made more hooray. (Irrelevant to the point but hopefully getting it out the way help clear ya mind about the topic)

[Razzer]

I didn't say Xbox wasn't "doing well", now did I? Hilarious. You don't want to make this a PS vs Xbox thing unless you are talking about attach rates. Then....you want to make it a PS vs Xbox issue. And how is it you know the attach rates for the "install base" when MS won't tell you what the install base is? And just the other day you were making shit up about how One X is outselling PS4 Pro.

If you don't want to talk about financials (which would be wise) then just stop yapping about it.

[BehindTheRows]

Nope. Your response remains spin. Myself, and others, have highlighted why.

[BrettAwesome]

2018 was Sony's best fiscal year ever, because of the PS4

[WelkinCole]

Not sure man. Linux rules the server space and with more enterprise system going cloud/web services it makes their server enterprises offerings less attractive. Docker containers and Kubernetes are the future and they are opensource standard that works best on Linux.

Azure is good but in terms of tech they are way behind AWS and GCP is catching up fast. I would say GCP is actually innovating more than Azure and AWS at the moment and they primarily push opensource projects which is gaining more and more adoption/support.

[sushimama]

You know what is going to majorly offset this perceived advantage they may have next gen? It's what they produced and how they acted THIS GEN. It's going to give them a major disadvantage going into next gen. They are already so many laps behind in the next gen race. And lets be honest, they're not catching up to anyone. All they can hope for is not lose by a bigger margin.

[indysurfn]

Right? And to top it off, after Microsoft said many times about the 'reveal' and learning mistakes, they turn around and announce the Xbox one DIGITAL. Proving that they did not learn a thing!

[Nacho_Z]

Just a load of biased waffle about hypothetical things that the author would like MS to do with no evidence to back anything up. Sony releasing their PS5 specs early doesn't mean that MS are going to beat it.

[indysurfn]

That is true! Sony especially since it's ssd like storage is several times faster than anything that is fully developed now. They could be talking about something that is 12+ months out from being finished! So how would Microsoft beat it if they are just trying to catch up!?

[i3eyond the Circle]

They’ve acquired studios.

Expressed clearly they are setting the benchmark for consoles going forward.

Have an actual cloud platform that I’m excited to see how will actually perform once launched.

This generation we’ve seen them become masters in their craft for Xbox development.

From onboard 360 emulation that can even render them natively in 4K to perfectly customizing the internal components of the Xbox One X to give us a Native 4K Red Dead Redemption.

Everything about Xbox’s next generation is exciting to see because they are bouncing back off a terrible one.

PlayStation in all honestly I know what I’ll be getting and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that because it’s always good exclusives.

[Stanjara]

1. Studios: We must see new games, and then play them. Promise
2. Cloud: Latency and picture quality: we must see it, then play it + another subscription model. Promise
3. Expressed benchmark; great hardware is nothing without great software. Promise
4. Master of their craft. No
5. 360 emulation: Yes, that is a good move.
6. Next generation is exciting to see. Yes

[Rimeskeem]

Acquiring studios doesnt mean anything if they cant produce good content.

They have expressed lots of stuff and have failed miserably

Da Cloud? How about they get to sea level first

They have cancelled more games than anyone else this generation

Perfectly yet not all games run 4K60

I am not excited because I have yet to see them prove anything this gen

PlayStation doesnt just have good exclusives, they have a passion for the gaming experience. They give everything and believe in their studios even if the game may release for loss.

[Vasto]

Xbox is just where its at now. We still have so much in store for 2019.

[Zeke68]

"We still have so much in store for 2019" - is that you Phil Spencer?

[indysurfn]

I will give you that they are buying studios (again) but even if they dont distroy those studios and ALL of them produce AAA games they will STILL be less then either Sony's AAA' studios or Nintendo's Studios.

Sony+Nintendo as my main game platforms. Followed by PC (it will have the best xbox games anyway) then Android.

[FallenAngel1984]

Uh oh, time to return to that “Ways Xbox will finally defeat PlayStation” chalkboard again

[Veneno]

There's not a big enough chalkboard for that anymore.

[Christopher]

***Microsoft will still be able to produce the most powerful console consistently, because it will fully optimize every title, regardless of age.***

This makes no sense to me. Microsoft will have the most powerful hardware because they will support older software?

[TheColbertinator]

Microsoft can show off how powerful Scarlet can be by running Minecraft in 8K.

[CaptainCook]

It means all Xbox games will be forward and backward compatible on older gen, and newer gen consoles. No one gets left behind.....

[Christopher]

But how does that make their hardware the most powerful? You don't need the most powerful hardware to be backwards compatible and being backwards compatible doesn't mean you have the most powerful hardware. Two entirely different things.

[MasterCornholio]

“ No one gets left behind”

Until old hardware holds back the technical capability of new hardware. There’s a reason why modern games are not even programmed to run on a 1st generation Intel Pentium.

[strayanalog]

I must have overlooked the strategy part in the article, because all I read was speculation.

Interestingly, the start of Generation 9 is looking to mirror 8. Sony was quiet last time and Microsoft shot first, whereas this time Sony spoke up first and we're waiting on Microsoft.
I regress, anyway, besides the obvious, not inviting Don Mattrick to speak and probably trying to hit the moniker "most powerful console" of the Big 3, I would wager Microsoft is going to push their first-party content (finally), continued legacy backwards compatibility, and enhancing LIVE and cloud gaming, which is basically what we all already knew.

[ShadowWolf712]

Eh, not really? I mean, Sony had their formal PS4 reveal before MS had their Xbone reveal, and then Sony dunked on them at E3 that year.

[SprigganN4G]

MS should do the "big X360" and launch 1 year before PS5 (This november) with similar specs, 499 and retro with all other Xbox and 1 or 2 "true next gen" title.

[knickstr]

Read your website title. If Microsoft made more of those they would be in better shape.

[DVAcme]

Two of the three generations that Sony and Microsoft have shared have ended overwhelmingly in Sony's favor, and the PS3/360 generation was only neck-to-neck because of how Sony bungled the PS3's launch and start of the generation. Microsoft has had no wins whatsoever this gen compared to Sony, and Sony is already standing on a much stronger foundation than Microsoft for next gen. MS's console will have backward compatibility? So will Sony's, along with a MUCH larger and more solid library of exclusives. Microsoft bought a lot of new studios? Sony already has many more PROVEN studios and haven't neglected any of them. What innovations in terms of media does MS have, none? Sony already announced full support of PSVR from launch with the PS5 along with announcing its successor, poised to keep Sony as the market leader in VR. Microsoft promises streamed gaming? Sony has already had streamed gaming for years, but wisely does not depend on it and is quietly gaining more subscribers as we speak.

Like, seriously, name ONE selling point Microsoft has that Sony hasn't countered or any unique feature Sony doesn't have. There's none, period.

[Christopher]

***name ONE selling point Microsoft has that Sony hasn't countered***

BC via digital download with disc recognition of ownership of older titles as well as selective free upgrades to those BC titles to higher resolutions in some cases.

Sony can't offer true BC of PS3 titles and chooses to not do it with PS1 or PS2 titles it seems.

[DVAcme]

This generation, Sony didn't NEED backward compatibility, while Microsoft touted it as a system-selling feature. It was not. And both Sony and Microsoft have backwards compatibility in their upcoming consoles, but that just means that the PS5 right out of the box will have a library that already puts the next-gen XBox to shame.

[Christopher]

***And both Sony and Microsoft have backwards compatibility in their upcoming consoles***

So far, Sony's next box will only be BC with the PS4, nothing before it. Microsoft has promised forward compatibility with the XBO and backward compatibility for all past games they can get licenses to make BC.

[Vasto]

Microsoft does not need to say anything. They know they are too good!

[MasterCornholio]

Knowing Microsoft they will always say something.

[neomahi]

Sounds like wishful thinking from a fanboy that fears defeat, if you ask me. Sony isn't necessarily focused on power, if that was the case they'd have gone after Xbox One X to combat that.
You're also spouting off requests for power and visual fidelity, surprising, over performance. Your requests cost $$, remember part of what got Microsoft in trouble this gen and Sony last gen? That's right. Xbox One X is still expensive and Most Powerful Console isn't slingshoting Xbox One past PS4 sales, power wasn't necessarily prevailing over Xbox One this go around, because power isn't everything. A pretty looking game is nice, but it's useless if the game isn't fun.
You havent really thought this through before you published it. "Before you knew what you had, you patented it, packaged it, and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox, you only thought that you knew that you could, not that you knew if you should..."

[william_cade]

Crackdown 4?

[MasterCornholio]

As long as they get a competent developer to make it I don’t see the issue. But please don’t ever use Sumo Digital again for that franchise.

[AK91]

A consoles feature won’t win them much fans but hey at least it’ll be cheaper, we’ll as long as it works as well as it should for all gamers acros the world.

[HighPlayer28]

The only thing that will make people forget about that disastrous E3 is high quality 1st party exclusives next gen from Xbox studios. All Microsoft has to do is make more great exclusives on the level of Gears and Halo. I believe they will do it next gen because they have more talented studios now which gives then more development time and year output which is very important.

[indysurfn]

Except Microsoft just bought the whole thing back up with the xbox digital ONLY box. So they themselves will not let it die.

[jwillj2k4]

I hate that everyone waits for Microsoft to turn around and “do the right thing”. Put Sega or Atari in their shoes and people would’ve already called game, set, match on their console. Their whole platform is a joke when it comes to gaming. They continue to think because they have brand recognition that they can go against the grain and carve out this uncharted, unwanted space where everyone shares everything and all games are good enough if they meet the status quo and achieve mediocracy.

[Veneno]

"Microsoft should not feel thrwathened,"

????????????????!!!!!!??????
Of course they should feel threatened! Do they really want another ass pounding from Sony next gen?

[DrumBeat]

Except we have no idea what Microsoft's strategy is going forward. Sony should just keep doing what they're doing; never try anything gimmicky. They should make traditional consoles for the rest of their existence. No need to do anything else, or sense in doing anything else.

[BenRC01]

Hardware... Yawn. Show me games. Ms have Forza and thats it. Halo died with bungie and every other first party game has been a flop.

[Mr_Luke]

Microsoft strategy? An overpriced console that won't move them from the 3rd place, with a lot of PR things (cloud, kinect, etc style).
Unless this time they change it.

[RosweeSon]

Could also be a massive disadvantage if everyone knew their plans and they sucked like launch of xb1 then i amongst many others I would presume would swerve like the plague. They need to prove to me with actions everyone can talk we all do it actually do it tho. No PR spin just blow us away with a plethora of games to warrant purchasing your new system FIFA’s COD’s etc great but I don’t play them these days backlogs too big and they were what they were, well Fifa is it barely changes except for changes sake Xbox need top exclusives and rare aren’t what they used to be they sure could be tho.
Sony Nintendo Gen again for me next Gen (I did have and xb1S for 4 months, long enough, don’t know why I bothered I was right with my initial thoughts poor but nailed the Exclusives) now they need to wow me like they did when 360 launched online, games, achievements. What happened 🤷🏻‍♂️😜 😂

[MAULxx]

MS are the ones who have something to prove to gamers. They put themselves in this position of winning back their own customer base they used to have. They've done some good things & have made some moves in that direction but not nearly enough. They need a steady stream of exclusive games for next gen. Sony seems to be able to work with artists & studios quite well & to let them produce good quality games. Why is MS so inept when it comes to this?

[bellome]

Microsoft strategy is full on article marketing.

[Tross]

What strategy? Regardless of what their plan is it hasn’t exactly panned out this gen. If they can by some miracle become more of a competitor next gen then I’ll regard them as such. Until then they have an uphill battle ahead of them, and not an advantage.

[Chumdiddy]

I don't game on Xbox but I'm also not a fanboy for anyone. I own Sony so I want the Playstation to do well but I'd buy an Xbox if they stopped being so generic and had decent games.

What I don't get is why MS doesn't just go all-in? You're MS. You have so much money lol. Why not take losses for a generation or two in order to literally sink your competition financially? Make your next Xbox a device that costs $800 to make that you sell for $400. Make XBL free. Etc. You can afford it! Sony can't and Nintendo doesn't even really care to ne a direct competitor to either of you.

They're just pulling their puds with the strategy they've had for the last 15+ years. Yes, you'll lose your ass for a gen or two but you'll then the king of a market worth hundreds of billions a year. It's an investment that would be returned a hundred times over within a decade.

I'm not saying I want this as much as I've always wondered why they haven't done it.

[Al_Simmons]

I mean, logically xbox has the advantage of being more powerful because it's coming out sooner most likely. That's about it, though.

[derek]

What a stupid article. If the author of article is reading this comment section, be better by being less fanboyish and more neutral in your analysis. It will make your article more objective and less dishonest in service of trying to make the xbox look better.

[Bytor]

Sony might have the most advanced hard drive ever made but somehow Microsoft's machine we know nothing about is better.