Microsoft's Surprising New Take On The Console War Isn't Surprising At All

Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have been talking about more and more over the past few months "people who want to see others fail in order for the green team to succeed - that’s not me. There were people when the Sony deal was announced, I could see it online, ‘what are you doing helping them out?’" We're also seeing cross-save and cross-play move from gamer pipe dreams to reality, and soon enough they're likely to just be expectations. We see this in all sorts of ways: from Cuphead and Xbox Live on Switch to Minecraft on every platform known to man.

[lxeasy]

I'm all for this new direction. We gamers come out as winners.

[trooper_]

Not really but okay.

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

Lol imagine following the words of Microsoft

[2pacalypsenow]

Microsoft and Sony competing is good for gamers, them playing buddy buddy is not good.

[lucian229]

But it isn't even a competition. Xbox this Gen has held zero contest

[GrubsterBeater]

At least there is someone holding Sony’s feet to the fire... at least in theory.

Maybe XBox being around reminds Sony of what NOT to do, and continue to give gamers what they actually want... you know... games. Crazy right?

[Petebloodyonion]

@ Kohox Because Sony care???
I guess you forget who made the 1st digital game only console called the PSP GO.
Or how about Online Passes.
Or Sony Stance earlier on this generation about NOT making AAA games and that we should embrace indies (Remember the indy station 4).

My point is that all these companies want money and to please their Shareholder. They will not hesitate to take a shadier route if they can get away with it and make more money.

[GrubsterBeater]

@petebloodyonion

“Because Sony care???
I guess you forget who made the 1st digital game only console called the PSP GO.”

First off, your premise isn’t even correct..
PSP GO was NOT the "1st digital game only console” considering that it is a HANDHELD, and NOT a console.

Secondly, the PSP GO (being a handheld, not a console) was more of a convenience for PSP games, while giving gamers the option of something cheaper by not including disk-read parts, while also being an OPTION. You could always get a regular PSP that WAS NOT digital only. You had the option. It was up to you, instead of being forced upon you by the company that made it.

[Petebloodyonion]

@ both above
The PSP go is a Gaming Console, portable yes but still branded as a "Portable GAMING console" and made by Sony. So trying to twist that fact to please you doesn't change the truth that Sony too seem to have a degree of interests in a digital-only Era.

Again my point isn't to try to paint Sony evil but just highlighting that these big companies have the investors and share-holders interest first.

[Lexreborn2]

Microsoft isn’t just playing buddy buddy with Sony though. They are playing buddy buddy with Nintendo as well. So, it sounds like they are trying to play nice with the market.

[bluefox755]

Their direction seems to be: Services and quantity over quality. Probably a more lucrative approach, but not for me.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Definitely the way forward for a money hungry company like ms, their reliance on subscriptions to make ends meet is a slippery slope. I reckon about 3 yrs into Scarletts lifecycle they'll get caught out after releasing a glut of mediocre titles. People will start dumping gamepass - like they do with Netflix and activate it when a game releases of decent quality.

[ILostMyMind]

I think that would be the right way for Microsoft. I don't think it's a bad idea. Sony and Microsoft can coexist in this way and be profitable for both. Sony with hardcore gamers and Microsoft with casual market f2p (Game Pass).

[dcbronco]

Gamers have a rare but vocal group of morons within them that is so self destructive they actively lobby against themselves. Car people have their favorite cars but they don't hope everyone driving the competition crashes or gets their vehicles recalled. Some gamers are that special brand of stupid that can only end up with them old and angry at the world for how bad their life sucked.

[majiebeast]

it must suck to be an xbox fangirl, go watch Ninja play fortnite.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I've said this a million times N4G has a special breed of stupid more than any other site I've visited, true story. Only morons constantly dig or find excuses to cry about Xbox every 2 seconds. They can do everything right and ppl, sorry fanboys still cry and complain for no reason either. Only a year and a half left of this ignorant brain cell killing rhetoric from them, all they have is there little disagrees and nothing else, no logic, intellect, 0 arguments just a hive mind of insults and belittle anyone who doesn't either play their console or isn't there main console of choice, very, very, fake gamers who only one console on the market.

Just like @MajieBeast

[majiebeast]

Haha man you are salty its actually pathetic. Must have been a rough gen for you guys ill tell you a little secret the next one wont be much better,

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Tekiz Quick search of my comment history and you'll see that I barely yay and praise everything MS. What I do like however is MS taking responsibility in taking care its first party. They've never or barely done any work on its first party issues ever in all of Xbox, but its good to see they are finally. My issue is everyone pretends its not real or its fake or something, when its factual, its real. That's my biggest issue with yall.

MS opens up The Initiative and hires former GOW teams for next gen project
Site: Nope its not real. Nothing will change they'll have no games ever on Xbox. Its like I say the sky is blue but the site says nope its purple.

@Majie Naw I still enjoyed myself this gen. But my enjoyment has nothing to do with my issues with ppl like you here. The willfully ignorant type that make it impossible to have real discussion in articles like these. Its like cyber bullying, so Im gonna fight right back. You're not getting an Xbox which is fine, so mind your own buissness, just do that one favor, its really not that hard, its like I'm talkin to children I swear that's literally what it feels like half the time.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

"Must have been a rough gen for you guys ill tell you a little secret the next one wont be much better,"

Since you think this is factual and nothing will change lets bet a full AAA game on it. I'll gladly take a new game from you. Since you're so supremely confident, Can't wait until you give me my 60$ game.

[dcbronco]

It has nothing to do with being salty. It's about people to stupid to know when they're actions can destroy what they claim they love. Like a idiot on steroids.

[SethBrundlefly]

The grammar in this article is terrible.

[IRetrouk]

The war will rage on regardless, from all sides, each company wants you, they dont want to share, they want your pennies all to themselves, ms and sony may work on some tech together and use each others patents etc, but anyone thinking that this is leading to xbox and playstation somehow working together... madness, its lip service people.

[scoot_n_loot]

My primary console platform has been Xbox since I switched from N64 in 2001, so I'm really happy to see MS doubling down on gaming. The future looks bright.

[The-Matrix-has-you]

I mean... “Brighter” but man if you have never owned a PlayStation you just don’t know what you’re missing. At the beginning of each generation I tell my self I’m only going to get one console but I always cave for some reason or another and end up with them all haha. However if I could only pick one it would be PlayStation, it has never disappointed me. Oh and I freaking loved the N64!

[scoot_n_loot]

I eventually got a ps2 and I own a ps4 but it's not my primary console and I don't use it much. Just a mater of preference. N64 was the proverbial shit, though!

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Why? Sony has dominated, they were the days of PS2. Sony entered a market the monopolize byn2 companies and destroyed both of them, one to the point they soley became a dev/publisher.

And in all this time you've stuck with xbox you've never once thought about getting a PlayStation? I think it's time for a change, don't believe the ms PR - if you're a gamer you deserve better than what ms provides.

[scoot_n_loot]

I've owned Nintendos, playstations and xbox's and I do a lot of my gaming on pc. Just when I'm on the couch and I reach for a controller it's usually an xbox controller.

[LordJamar]

Jesus Christ you sound like a freaking cult let the man enjoy his damn Xbox you freaks

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

LordJamar - not much of a narcissist? Look at why you've called yourself haha. Apparently he enjoys all consoles, I misread another comment, how silly of me.

[W4rfight3r]

I went from Ps2 to Xbox360 to XboxOne o:
I don't think I missed much cause all my friends here just went and bought the ps3 and 4 for fifa and cod.....(yes I mean it it's weird but true. They never even heard of GoW and tlou)
While I bought my xboxes for forza and halo, and other games and never regretted it.
OH right I also had an atari lol

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Mate if your happy with Halo and Forza more power to you, and your mates are buying PlayStation for Fifa and COD - what do you say that? You can't fix stupid would be a start.

[OB1Biker]

Good stuff!
Only PlayStation for me now. Tbh I dont see the point of owning the two ecosytems.
i actually hope both play on their strengths and push whats different in them.

[scoot_n_loot]

Yeah owning both is overkill. That's why I haven't bought a switch yet. Can't justify spending on another platform that I probably won't use much.

[OB1Biker]

I feel Nintendo is different though. I'm not interested but bought 3ds for my kid and might have to buy the Switch at some point. It's a different approach though whereas xbox and playstation are more similar and very much in competition despite what the PR guys say to sound cool.

[Razmiran]

Hey guys, here is the xbox one, for 500 dollars you will get next gen games
-4 Years go by-
Well, we are sorry our 1st party offerings have not been up to snuff, but give us another 500 dollars for xbox one x and you will get true 4k exclusives!
-present time-
Well, no worthwile games came out of that, but we are building our next gen lineup! Give us xxx dollars for scarlet , and who knows? Maybe we have a few unnanounced games? Look, halo!
Thats their strategy so far

[trooper_]

The circle of empty promises, lol.

[Razmiran]

It can be broken, maybe the next E3 they come out swinging with lots of great games
...But I dont think the "Hey lets keep quiet and mysterious" is working for them right now, people are tired of waiting for E3

[jznrpg]

@Raz they can break the circle. But they will probably hop back in it again in short order

[ApocalypseShadow]

What's really been entertaining is seeing long time Xbox fans flip to the blue side to become PlayStation fans and seeing the reality of Microsoft's situation. Microsoft being nice is just a front. It's only to get you locked in to services but using games as the carrot. They'll dump the core faster than you can say Cortana if cloud services for casuals become big. Just like they did with Kinect. Also funny seeing them trying to save Mixer with Ninja.

But watching or actually listening to people like Crapgamer and II MBG II turn and see the light about how exclusives matter and how Sony's offerings were worth buying a PS4. And talk that they aren't even interested in buying Scarlett at launch butt are waiting for PS5. This is what Microsoft has done to its base this Gen. Made a lot of them wake up.

They became blue in emotions waiting for good, Xbox first party games. And now have fully went to the blue side and have become gamers again instead of Microsoft mouthpieces. Their current podcasts are hilarious to hear. But glad they woke up. And seeing them enjoy PS4 hits they missed.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

I recently discovered MBG - I advise all xbox owners, especially diehard fans to watch his YouTube channel. He was once a true xbox fan - now he's enjoying gaming again that he got a PS4Pro.

[LordJamar]

I don’t know what’s worse you blindly follow these guys or actually believe there big and important and represent anything major in the Xbox community

[LordJamar]

I stop reading when you said MBG and crapgamer omg no just no is this what you base your opinion off on for Xbox and it’s community from these guys lord have mercy on your soul blind following the blind

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

You are seriously a pickle bro, do you remember the 360 days? xbox owners were incessantly bagging PlayStation owners. That's where most PlayStation owners base there view of xbox owners.

The fact that some people that post vids on YouTube, that were once xbox diehards - now see the error of their ways. You've gotta take that on board mate, if they've jumped ship - why wouldn't you? Are you that blind?

[AmUnRa]

Whats your problem with Crap and MGB? are you so butthurt that they
"Jumped out"? That they prefer PS4 now?
LJ you are just an xboxfanboy, dont try to hide it. I and a lot of people here on N4G can see right trough you.

[Tross]

I mean, everyone knows the whole “console war” thing is over-embellished. Yes, there are two companies selling rival products. At the end of the day a business wants to stay in the black through whatever means necessary. It doesn’t care if it’s in first, second or third place.

Of course moving the most units is excellent for achieving that end, so that first place spot is coveted in that sense, while trailing behind is...less coveted. Playing up the console war thing and rallying the fans is a great business tactic too, as it can translate into people buying more of their favourite brand’s products (obviously there’s a clear winner here).

Sony and MS never hated each other. Their “rivalry” is strictly business (and is probably mutually beneficial). Ergo, I don’t think this is a new stance so much as Phil just pulling back the curtain just a little bit. But of course, if Sony vs. MS is your favourite soap, pay this no heed.

[OB1Biker]

'Surprising New Take On The Console War Isn't Surprising At All'
Ahhh Forbes poetry

[timotim]

Microsoft's new take is ubiquity. Xbox everywhere.

[gangsta_red]

It's going to be the way a lot of these companies move forward.

[Cmoney007]

MS: Did you enjoy our E3?
Me: It was not very good at all.
MS: You are not excited about the future of Xbox?
Me: Why would I be excited about a gaming console becoming more of a service?
MS: So why would you even care?
Me: Many of these games will be on PC. If they are quality, then I will probably buy them on PC.
MS: How do you feel about Sony?
Me: Sony is not perfect, and they need to not censor mature games, but MS still has more problems than them.

[FallenAngel1984]

Microsoft wouldn’t be acting all friendly if they had a chance at actually surpassing 100 million or even 90 million

[timotim]

Selling 100 million of a particular box is nice and all, but being able to reach 500 million people on consoles, PC and mobile is even better. They are going for the bigger fishes...not worrying about numbers fanboys think is important.

[IRetrouk]

I mean yeah, eventually their streaming service is going to reach people on PC and mobile, along with their console gamers, but a streaming service will not pull in the same number of gamers as a console will, consoles are still more important to gamers than a streaming service. And yes how many they sell is also still important, from costs to mindshare.
A potential 500 million customers, yet cant win a single gen, not with power, not with pr, not with moneyhating, not with a year head start, not with defective consoles, yet somehow, because of a streaming service, they are now gonna smash the game? Ok.

[IRetrouk]

Probably not, but atleast the beating this gen has woke them up a bit finally, if they can stick to the more games promise this time and not choke like this gen then we should be in for an interesting gen.

[Ninver]

Xbox at second or third place behind Sony is healthy for the industry. No anti gamer practices and they motivate Sony enough to keep consistantly releasing AAA exclusives. PERIOD.