Microsoft have long been on the back foot through this generation, struggling to keep up with the hugely popular PlayStation 4 and having to recover the goodwill of the gamers were turned off by the Xbox One’s original vision. 2019 for the company was another year of consolidation and preparation for the next generation of consoles.
"Microsoft could easily steal a lead on the next generation" - delusional.
Despite strong effors, 2019 was another dull year for Microsoft. Nintendo had more momentum despite the Switch being underpowered and Sony remained strong with sales and exclusive games.
Having lost this generation again at last place, Xbox best hope is to prepare for next gen and see if they can get a different result.
It's like always having to be reassured with xbox. Listen it come last again get over it
Microsoft didn't struggle to keep up with Sony. They drowned under Sony's sea of games including VR games that are still coming like Iron Man and Sniper Elite. And in order to compete next gen, they will try to be more like Sony or use Sony strategies.
The console has a monolith design, they're pushing for more in house studios, calls their developers Xbox Game Studios which is similar to Sony Worldwide Studios, increasing the amount of big budget single player releases because of Sony proving that single player gaming still makes a lot of money, trying to hire previous Sony developers that helped create Sony's biggest games and speaking tech speak of "we're doing that also." "See?" "We're relevant too."
We're going to actually see in real-time next gen on how game pass affects sales of games and if Microsoft can sustain launch releases or will they have to relent and go with something like 3 month time delay before hitting game pass. Again, playing is not the same as buying.
The system size is fine. The thing is, is to sell it worldwide like Sony and Nintendo do. Microsoft saw their market share shrink. Their job is to open new markets and be consistent in releasing a good selection of games. No more crack downs, sea of thieves launches and state of decays. No wonder Xbox fans jumped to game pass. Who would want to pay $60 for 60% level, low quality games? I wouldn't either if I were them. Especially with Phil lying beforehand that they were great. The difference between TLofU2 or Death Stranding's actors in awe of the creativity. And Terry Cruise vanishing and no actors saying anything about Gears or Halo.
Look, all Microsoft has to do is stop trying to be a lying, misleading, greedy company and make games. Be a gaming company. Nintendo was a card company but became a game company. Sony was an electronics company but became a game company. If Microsoft stopped all the nonsense, they'd be accepted and respected more if they became a game company. Still do the other stuff like windows. But be known as a gaming company like Nintendo and Sony without a second thought that comes off consumer's lips.
By the look of things Xbox will have the most powerful console and the best game subscription service with GamePass.
And if they’ll have a big lineup from their new game studios then it’s probably many that will pick up a next-gen Xbox and a PlayStation. Because this narrative that “everyone” with a PS4 also have a capable gaming PC that some fanboys try to play is just nonsense.