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Xbox held an internal town hall on Tuesday where Spencer said they don’t plan to stop making consoles

They're not falling like dominoes.

Xbox fans thought insiders were backtracking after Tom Warren's tweet when it was only Nate (apparently).

Jeff Grubb said he heard Microsoft considered bringing Halo and Gear of War to PlayStation, he never said they were going to be released on PlayStation. Nate from Resetera said Starfield was coming to PlayStation and this was later reported by XboxERA, but Nate backtracked on his statement. Stephen Totilo reported that Sea of Thieves is coming to PlayStation, but obviously, we don't have any confirmation on this report.

Shinobi on Resetera said there would be more when we found out As Dusk Falls was being released on PlayStation. There are a lot of rumors about Microsoft's multiplatform approach, but we don't know the extent to which these games are going to be released.


So, at the very least, we know Microsoft is going to release games on PlayStation which has started with As Dusks Falls and Likely Hi-Fi Rush. Anything other than this has not been coconfirmed.
Well apparently Starfield which was rumoured to go multiplatform isn't now according to someone 🤔 the fan fiction had grown to a point that Microsoft were effectively ending Xbox hardware even though a member on Gaf who has some connections was saying otherwise and a 2025/26 next-gen console is likely. Full third-party was also bandied about as if it was already confirmed, yes rumours started circulating and Xbox haven't done enough to stop them but the rate at which these rumours had grown to where they are now was 99% down to fanboys.

You don't have to take my word for it but we now got Gaf members saying it will happen in 3 years from now, just to cover their asses 🤣 it's hilarious that's for certain.
 

Elysium44

Banned
Depends if the Xbox version is partially or completely compatible with PC releases. Remember, another issue MS have right now is offering Game Pass in both console and PC flavours, which complicates their sales pitch. What if they could merge these things into a unified service, equally applicable to all users irrespective of what screen they choose to play on?

Game pass ultimate is that unified service already. Game pass doesn't seem to be very popular on PC, people prefer the convenience of Steam with its much better user experience. Perhaps if Microsoft had talented developers who could fix that... but they've shown no sign of doing that over the years. The Xbox app is a convoluted mess.

I recently took a screenshot on my Xbox console and wanted to look at it on my PC. I assumed it would be easy to do this... just look in the Xbox app. Nope, no way to do it. I googled, found the OLD Xbox app had this functionality but the NEW one removed it! And no way to find it on the web either, via the Xbox website. Your profile page doesn't have any way to look at captures. This is pathetic. (Yes I know you can copy it via USB stick but it should be made easier than that.)
 
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Killjoy-NL

Member
As I said, that's the problem. Misinterpreting, not paying attention to the context or the date and the fact that you don't even know who said it says it all.
The fact is that some of you have decided that what P. Spencer has said is false and that what is true to adjust it to the desired narrative and ignore many signs and actions that invite you to think otherwise (which are many more).

I am clear that if MS announces the development of new hardware and that it will continue in the console business (the strategy, philosophy or expectations with it is another issue)...... some of you will resort to the trick of blaming P. Spencer of being a liar, which is easier than admitting the error of denying other possibilities and listening to other indications.
I don't really consider Spencer a liar. He's just a businessman like any other.
Sometimes I just point out that Xbox' actions contradict whatever Spencer says.

Having said that, I'm going by what Spencer himself has said throughout this gen.

"Xbox becomes 'untenable' without the mobile market"

"It isn't a matter of just releasing good games"

"We can't outsell Playstation"

"We lost the most important generation last-gen, when people started building their digital library"

And outside of that, we just have to look at all the other ominous signs:
- console sales flatlining
- GamePass stagnating at 25-30M
(Vast majority of subs being on Xbox, 21.5+M, which sales are flatling and availability on PC isn't doing much)
- preparing to quit physical sales
- European retailers not stocking on physical sales

There's an abunce of signs that Xbox is dying.
Quite amazing how Xbox fans refuse to see this.
 
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Sorcerer

Member
What the fucks a town hall in this context ? Sounds like some real office wanker shit.
It just means a meeting for employees within a certain division of the company only I imagine. I assume the information is not to be leaked to the press or public or in this case the larger company. The company at large is a "State", a company division is a "town" within that company State.
 
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cireza

Member
So is thinking that Xbox could make a comeback or something along those lines.
Sure, but I am not reading any of this around here. However we get a lot of Xbox is going to die. There is actually an obsession about Xbox failing if the number of threads created is anything to go by.
 
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Snake29

RSI Employee of the Year
I still on the side that traditional consoles for Xbox are dead. Streaming sticks, gamepads and some Xbox Branded hardware? Sure.

Custom $500 device with locked OS? I dunno. MS i s clearly winding down hardware as a whole, just look at surface. It will be the Death by a Thousand Cuts.

Xbox branded OEM devices will never work. Why would anyone buy that over the current console? It will not even be cheaper and it doesn’t make any sense for developers in general. They are just pc hardware so you get all the same issues pc games have right now.

Steam machines didn’t work, so will Xbox branded machines never ever works.
 
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DForce

NaughtyDog Defense Force
Well apparently Starfield which was rumoured to go multiplatform isn't now according to someone 🤔 the fan fiction had grown to a point that Microsoft were effectively ending Xbox hardware even though a member on Gaf who has some connections was saying otherwise and a 2025/26 next-gen console is likely. Full third-party was also bandied about as if it was already confirmed, yes rumours started circulating and Xbox haven't done enough to stop them but the rate at which these rumours had grown to where they are now was 99% down to fanboys.

You don't have to take my word for it but we now got Gaf members saying it will happen in 3 years from now, just to cover their asses 🤣 it's hilarious that's for certain.
You're being dishonest about the rumors.

Nate is the only one who backtracked from the rumors, XboxERA stands by their report. You said they're falling like dominos when we don't have confirmation of what's going on.

Ending hardware? No one reported they were ending hardware, it was a report about releasing games on other platforms.
 

Darsxx82

Member
I don't really consider Spencer a liar. He's just a businessman like any other.
Sometimes I just point out that Xbox' actions contradict whatever Spencer says.

Having said that, I'm going by what Spencer himself has said throughout this gen.

"Xbox becomes 'untenable' without the mobile market"

"It isn't a matter of just releasing good games"

"We can't outsell Playstation"

"We lost the most important generation last-gen, when people started building their digital library"

And outside of that, we just have to look at all the other ominous signs:
- console sales flatlining
- GamePass stagnating at 25-30M
(Vast majority of subs being on Xbox, 21.5+M, which sales are flatling and availability on PC isn't doing much)
- preparing to quit physical sales
- European retailers not stocking on physical sales

There's an abunce of signs that Xbox is dying.
Quite amazing how Xbox fans refuse to see this.

Maybe you don't consider P. Spencer to be a liar, but clearly you only choose from what he says and does what interests you to fit your narrative/desires and deny other possibilities.

You have a multitude of statements and clear indications to also support the possibility that MS is going to continue launching new hardware but you simply ignore those.

-The sales? At a time where MS has the best infrastructure to support its own hardware, it is the forecasts that matter. MS can perfectly consider that it is worth launching a product worth 25-30 million for what it generates. And MS can perfectly consider a product where its strategy is different from that of XSeries and previous generations as a last or penultimate opportunity...

- Xbox fans who are blind and don't want to see?? It's funny to hear this when the most surprising thing here has been to see people who defended a possible MS monopoly on consoles for when a new generation of consoles would be launched thanks to ABK and suddenly those same people now defend that there is no possibility of MS launch new hardware or continue in the console business just because they have ABK...🤔🙃
 
You're being dishonest about the rumors.

Nate is the only one who backtracked from the rumors, XboxERA stands by their report. You said they're falling like dominos when we don't have confirmation of what's going on.

Ending hardware? No one reported they were ending hardware, it was a report about releasing games on other platforms.
I'm telling you the rumours were exaggerated that's what I'm telling you, the original rumours doesn't suggest what is being predicted on here does it? The PS fanboys were so and still are wrapped up in Xbox going out of business as a console maker and going full third-party that the original rumours didn't even matter. They'd created in their minds a snowball effect that just kept getting more and more absurd, yet 90% on here were sucking it down like Coca-Cola.
 

Killjoy-NL

Member
Maybe you don't consider P. Spencer to be a liar, but clearly you only choose from what he says and does what interests you to fit your narrative/desires and deny other possibilities.
No, it's just a logical conclusion based on more than just what he said.
I literally made a quick summary of everything else.

You have a multitude of statements and clear indications to also support the possibility that MS is going to continue launching new hardware but you simply ignore those.

-The sales? At a time where MS has the best infrastructure to support its own hardware, it is the forecasts that matter. MS can perfectly consider that it is worth launching a product worth 25-30 million for what it generates. And MS can perfectly consider a product where its strategy is different from that of XSeries and previous generations as a last or penultimate opportunity...
Like the forecast of -40% decline in HW sales for Q1 2024?
- Xbox fans who are blind and don't want to see?? It's funny to hear this when the most surprising thing here has been to see people who defended a possible MS monopoly on consoles for when a new generation of consoles would be launched thanks to ABK and suddenly those same people now defend that there is no possibility of MS launch new hardware or continue in the console business just because they have ABK...🤔🙃
I don't think those groups are the same. 😏

Also, I haven't really noticed anyone making the arguments you just mentioned.
I'm certainly not part of either of those groups, that's for sure.
 

NEbeast

Member
Lol. Rather, it is what you and many here have wanted/desired to interpret while you exhaust the mocking emojis with each one who dares to predict that MS is going to launch new hardware.

In fact, if there is something to take from MS's actions, it is that everything indicates that it will continue launching hardware (another thing is the idea, philosophy or strategy it has in mind for that hardware).


I understood you, I just wanted to point out that there is an important group of people (here too) who defend and assure that there will NOT be a new MS console and therefore I understand the OP's reaction or wink.

That said. It is clear that believing or not that MS is going to launch new hardware is one issue and the viability or success of that hardware if it is launched without exclusives is another.

As I have said some times already. It all depends on what product MS wants. One with the potential to sell 40,50 or 60 million requires exclusives. For one that can reach 25-30 in 7 years of life, perhaps Gamepass will be enough.

It would be great if next week some light was shed on your hardware strategy.
Angry The Rookie GIF by ABC Network
 
Whatever fanboys of either side want to believe, the only true reality is the actual market itself. It doesn't lie or have any bias. It's that reality that is why Microsoft are doing any of this begin with. It doesn't matter if Microsoft are a trillion dollar corporation. They ain't gonna sustain something that is continuously declining and not showing any growth. If that trend continues, than Microsoft will consider pulling the plug on xbox. They've done it before with other products.
 

DForce

NaughtyDog Defense Force
I'm telling you the rumours were exaggerated that's what I'm telling you, the original rumours doesn't suggest what is being predicted on here does it? The PS fanboys were so and still are wrapped up in Xbox going out of business as a console maker and going full third-party that the original rumours didn't even matter. They'd created in their minds a snowball effect that just kept getting more and more absurd, yet 90% on here were sucking it down like Coca-Cola.

False. The original rumor was about Microsoft releasing their games on Switch and PlayStation. This started around the time when people found out As Dusks Falls was being released on PlayStation. Shinobi on Resetera said there would be more and then we found out about Hi-Fi Rush and possibly Starfield. You said the rumors were falling down like dominos which wasn't true. The only thing being talked about regarding Microsoft going out of the console business is when people were discussing Phil's statement about 2027 and that was MONTHS ago. We heard about the planned hardware for weeks when people were saying Microsoft planned to release their next-gen console in 2026.

The "snowball effect" was about Microsoft releasing their upcoming games on PlayStation after insiders started reporting that Microsoft was planning on releasing games like Halo and Gears on PlayStation. You're lying about saying the original rumor was about MS going out of the console business when it was about Microsoft going third party while releasing a next gen console as soon as 2026.
 

HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
I'm just hoping they can come up with something compelling. Handheld or hybrid, something....anything different at this point is a good thing. If they are just going to bump up the APU to the next iteration of RDNA then that tells me they are just going to play it safe and let the Xbox console die by attrition.
As of Aug? Sept maybe? Whenever I first mentioned Xbox wanted like a 2 year window of having the strongest hardware I can say at that point they did not look to be playing it safe

It will be curious how in depth the talk goes with this meeting

I think the circle of people who know what’s up grew yesterday, will be curious to see if anyone gets fed any info in the next 48 hours
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Ok so you are deluded.... got it.

The joke in your post wasn't about new hardware coming. Its about you saying "Start the gen early and it being the best option". That is flat-out delusion on your part.

So you really think, that with everything going on, the best option for MS, is to "start the gen early"? You even believe, that somehow, a new console is exactly what the doctor ordered to make all Xbox problems go away?

But this is the real kicker, you are so deluded, that you actually think, MS with Xbox and a console released in 2026, that shares over 95% of its game library with a (at that time) 100M plus PS5 console, has a say in "starting the gen early"? Do you have no idea how any of this works?

The next generation of 4K consoles, does not start until Sony says it does, That is what being the market leader in a particular segment grants you. But sure, let's throw more money and power at the problem, that is exactly what MS needs. And as for fan fiction, we will see how this goes in say 3 years.

You definitely are deluded... and you talk about fan fiction? Please, there is and has always been only ONE rumor. And that is that MS is going multiplat. Can you kindly show me how that rumor has fallen off like a domino?
"They should announce next-gen consoles and convince people to spend another $500 on another piece of hardware, when they haven't even released the games they promised for the current-gen yet, e.g., Perfect Dark, Everwild, State of Decay 3, Avowed, Hellblade 2, Contraband, etc.

That's what people want and would appreciate."
 

Darsxx82

Member
No, it's just a logical conclusion based on more than just what he said.

Of course, of course it is a logical conclusion..... it is because it only pays attention to some statements and facts while ignoring a whole multitude of others that indicate the opposite....😉
I literally made a quick summary of everything else Like the forecast of -40% decline in HW sales for Q1 2024?

That's your problem, believing that the possibility of MS continuing or not in the console business and releasing hardware is dependent on how much XSeries sells...

And yes, you have made a summary and I can make you a longer one with facts and indications that indicate that MS can be planning to continue launching hardware...

- MS continues to oppose accepting the obligation to make ABK games multiplatform on consoles beyond COD. From yesterday you have his response to the FTC. If MS had already decided that tthey were not going to launch more consoles..... Explain to me the reason why MS continue to put the acquisition of ABK in danger and the possibility of new acquisitions in many difficulties 🤔

-By now Sony should already know MS's plans and know what games are released on PS5.... And yet there you have Sony legally supporting the FTC ( in the aspect of the possibility of affecting competition in the console market ) so that MS does not acquire ABK and that is still despite the agreement COD for 10 years.🤔

-You have confirmation of the leaked documents of the hardware roadmap and you have P. Spencer officially saying less than 1 month ago that they are developing new hardware and that they have a decided roadmap. Is it those parts where P. Spencer lies?🤔

- You have to say that MS has appointed Sarah Bond as head of hardware supposedly as the main competition 1 month ago....... You have to understand that they gave her an empty or residual position or that they are directly making fun of her because there is no plans to launch new hardware??🤔

- You point out certain rumors and turn a deaf ear to those that indicate that new hardware is being developed. Nate, Heis, Tom Henderson, Kepler, Jez, Grubb, this info in OP....

I can accept and respect your opinion that you do not see any possibility according to your criteria... but another thing is to accept that you say that whoever thinks of a high possibility that MS will continue launching hardware and continue in the console business (the philosophy or strategy what he thinks for her is another topic) is simply a blind fan who doesn't want to see. Mainly because a majority here who also think so are far from being an Xbox fan.

I don't think those groups are the same. 😏

Also, I haven't really noticed anyone making the arguments you just mentioned.
I'm certainly not part of either of those groups, that's for sure.

I invite you to take a look at the ABK acquisition thread and then compare..... I assure you that you will have a lot of laughs when you see the 180° turn of many of those who now tell you to think about the possibility of MS launching new hardware is having no judgment...😅
 
I don’t think people on here realize they aren’t the gaming mass market. Most people who would make a purchasing decision between Xbox and PS5 (or Game Pass) have no idea any of this nonsense is even happening…

It can be useful on here though, you learn stuff every day - like this thread just taught me As Dusk Falls was a Microsoft exclusive. Had no idea. The sky is definitely falling if they can’t hang on to that one :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 

II_JumPeR_I

Member
Another fail decision that will bite them in the ass and this time you will lose the goodwill of the community with that multiplatform strategy
 

HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
Exactly, revenue means nothing without considering COSTS

Their revenue skyrocket because they spent 70 billions to buy ABK, no shit!!!

LOL
I have spent a lot of money over the years investing in properties and even though my ROI hasn’t paid off yet I can still be super happy with my revenue
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
I don't believe anything, and I don't make up BS. I am waiting to see what they will announce, and for now the only evidence is that two games are going multiplat. Which I don't give a shit to be honest. What matters to me is that they continue making hardware.
Why? Console sales do not matter. 😛
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
I have spent a lot of money over the years investing in properties and even though my ROI hasn’t paid off yet I can still be super happy with my revenue

And their gaming dept is now generating $7bn+ in revenue, higher than ever before. Damn.

It’s an important quarter for gaming at Microsoft as it’s now the company’s third largest business. Gaming contributed $7.11 billion in revenue for the quarter, more than the $5.26 billion from Windows, but behind the $13.47 billion from Office and cloud services and the giant $23.95 billion from server products and cloud services.
 

HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
And their gaming dept is now generating $7bn+ in revenue, higher than ever before. Damn.
It’s like people expected the ABK acquisition to pay for itself in 2 months or something, that’s not how things like that work

If I invest 3 million into a property if I can get it paid back and in the positive in 5 years I am happy with that return

If it takes me 20 years at my age that’s not worth it

For a company like MS they can let those investments make money for decades if possible
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
I have spent a lot of money over the years investing in properties and even though my ROI hasn’t paid off yet I can still be super happy with my revenue
You're happy because the revenue exceeds the expenses. But you wouldn't be happy if the revenue is less than the expenses you incur each month on those properties.
 

Killjoy-NL

Member
And yet fantasies about the demise of Xbox seem to dominate your every waking thought. :messenger_hushed:
Nah, only when I enter a discussion related to the rumors or console sales.

I'm also playing Helldivers 2 alongside my PC brethren.
 
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Audiophile

Member
I expect more consoles but I don't think they'll do so well given that the main reason to a buy a console is the games it offers. Xbox doesn't have a lot going on to begin with and moving their games to PS will only further devalue their platform.

If it's a choice of PlayStation, MS/Xbox & Third Party games vs MS/Xbox & Third Party games there's little reason to choose the latter.

Only remaining reason I see to own an Xbox if they go this route is as a plug and play backwards compatibility box going forward; and tbh, the XSX will do that fine and you'll likely not have a need to get a next-gen Xbox. There's also PC but then some people don't want the faff and others don't want to or can't spend 3x the money.

MS also have the economies of scale against them, while with Sony it's very much in their favour. Sony seem to be outselling MS 2:1, with PS5 trending up and XS tending down (plus their main, high selling console is a "lite" one). Sony can build a superior box for less money and as evident by this gen they can match them on performance with superior/more efficient design choices (smaller, cheaper chip with faster GPU front-end & a simpler memory interface) and better APIs.

I wonder if this is MS telling Xbox to stand on its own two feet and recoup costs; but in releasing games on the leading, competing platform to do so they gonna devalue their own hardware. Xbox has backed itself into a corner and are leading into a vicious cycle. They'll do fine as a third-party, but the hardware aspect of the business will almost certainly end up being a great big ball and chain. They'll have to have some crazy-big curve balls for it to go any other way.
 
False. The original rumor was about Microsoft releasing their games on Switch and PlayStation. This started around the time when people found out As Dusks Falls was being released on PlayStation. Shinobi on Resetera said there would be more and then we found out about Hi-Fi Rush and possibly Starfield. You said the rumors were falling down like dominos which wasn't true. The only thing being talked about regarding Microsoft going out of the console business is when people were discussing Phil's statement about 2027 and that was MONTHS ago. We heard about the planned hardware for weeks when people were saying Microsoft planned to release their next-gen console in 2026.

The "snowball effect" was about Microsoft releasing their upcoming games on PlayStation after insiders started reporting that Microsoft was planning on releasing games like Halo and Gears on PlayStation. You're lying about saying the original rumor was about MS going out of the console business when it was about Microsoft going third party while releasing a next gen console as soon as 2026.
When did I say that? I only know too well what the rumours were, you seem to be confused my friend. It was the fanboys who created something out of nothing and made these silly predictions, sorry buddy but you're barking up the wrong tree 😅
 

cireza

Member
Why? Console sales do not matter. 😛
Unlike you, I don't care about sales.

What I will care about though is Sony being the only manufacturer to have an offer for decent console hardware (which excludes Nintendo by default). Obviously, I am not going to spend my money in any Sony hardware in the future. If Xbox gives up on it, then it will most certainly affect my gaming habits in a way.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Unlike you, I don't care about sales.

What I will care about though is Sony being the only manufacturer to have an offer for decent console hardware (which excludes Nintendo by default). Obviously, I am not going to spend my money in any Sony hardware in the future. If Xbox gives up on it, then it will most certainly affect my gaming habits in a way.
Why wouldn't you spend money on a Sony hardware? You'd rather change your gaming habits than play on a PlayStation?
 

cireza

Member
Why wouldn't you spend money on a Sony hardware? You'd rather change your gaming habits than play on a PlayStation?
I am not going to elaborate on my personal behavior, who cares ? It will be a loss for everybody if Sony loses a decent competitor in the hardware department.
 

DForce

NaughtyDog Defense Force
When did I say that? I only know too well what the rumours were, you seem to be confused my friend. It was the fanboys who created something out of nothing and made these silly predictions, sorry buddy but you're barking up the wrong tree 😅

I'm not confused. You lie often and forget what you have sold people in the past.

I'd suggest waiting what Phil says next week because all these rumours are starting to fall like domino's and these predictions everyone have made are not looking likely.

Well apparently Starfield which was rumoured to go multiplatform isn't now according to someone 🤔 the fan fiction had grown to a point that Microsoft were effectively ending Xbox hardware even though a member on Gaf who has some connections was saying otherwise and a 2025/26 next-gen console is likely. Full third-party was also bandied about as if it was already confirmed, yes rumours started circulating and Xbox haven't done enough to stop them but the rate at which these rumours had grown to where they are now was 99% down to fanboys.

You don't have to take my word for it but we now got Gaf members saying it will happen in 3 years from now, just to cover their asses 🤣 it's hilarious that's for certain.

I'm telling you the rumours were exaggerated that's what I'm telling you, the original rumours doesn't suggest what is being predicted on here does it? The PS fanboys were so and still are wrapped up in Xbox going out of business as a console maker and going full third-party that the original rumours didn't even matter. They'd created in their minds a snowball effect that just kept getting more and more absurd, yet 90% on here were sucking it down like Coca-Cola.

There's no confusion. I called you out on your dishonesty and now you just choose to play dumb.

Let me ask you simple questions.

1. Are the sources of these rumors coming from PS fanboys, Xbox fanboys, or journalists?
2. Did Phil say they could exit the console business if things don't improve by 2027?
3. How many rumors have fallen recently?
 

Days like these...

Have a Blessed Day
Yeah......that's been repeated multiple times by some of us. HeisenbergFX4 HeisenbergFX4 has been preaching that for a while now.

r3LvPps.png



The speculation from some is that Microsoft going multiplat will cause the demise of the console, not that Microsoft plans on killing the console.
It's says that "that there were no plans to stop making consoles" not that there ARE no plans to stop making consoles. Things change. Checkmate gre e n cats.
 

Quasicat

Member
What the fucks a town hall in this context ? Sounds like some real office wanker shit.
We used to call them “Faculty meetings” but then we had a series of years where we were making the local news for really bad reasons. I guess “faculty meeting” had a really bad context for us, but “Town Hall” sounds like we have an open forum to speak.
 

ReBurn

Gold Member
I think that is what people have to largely understand about Microsoft. Whether they continue to make hardware is really not up to them. Ultimately, they can "make" whatever they want, but there isn't necessarily going to be a market for it, especially not in physical retail.

The Master System sold 16 million units
The Genesis sold 31 million units
The Saturn sold 9.26 million units
The Dreamcast sold 9.13 million units

The reason why Sega discontinued the Dreamcast is because sales evaporated and they realized that even if they came out with a Dreamcast 2 at some point, it wasn't going to sell more than 10 million units.

As Microsoft starts to release their games on PlayStation and Switch 2, their consoles WILL sell less, and they're already not selling well.

Before all this happened, I projected the XBS was going to sell 5 million units or less this calendar year.

Now? I think they'll be lucky to sell 3-4 million units. In an entire calendar year... They could sell even less than that... That's zero gamepass growth.

Microsoft can do as much damage control as they want next week, but this was a DEVASTATING week for their brand.
Sega ran out of money. They were financially incapable of continuing to support Dreamcast. They had also lost most of their third party support with Saturn and they didn't get it back with Dreamcast, meaning they were missing most of the biggest third party games. Neither of those applies to Microsoft.

Nintendo is closer to Sega based on console history. After NES their console base slipped dramatically. SNES sold less than NES. N64 sold less than SNES. Gamecube sold less than N64. As nostalgic as we are for N64, if you look at the numbers it was actually a commercial failure. Like Sega, less than stellar hardware decisions cost Nintendo most of their third major party support. If Nintendo didn't have the DS handheld line to support them financially that plummet from SNES to N64 to Gamecube probably would have killed the company and we likely wouldn't have seen the Wii at all. After WiiU Nintendo leaned into the things that they were always best at, handheld gaming and whimsical imagination, and it made the Switch the success it is now.

The real test for Microsoft at this point is whether they can learn from the mistakes they made from Xbox 360 to now and get back to what made people buy over 80 million consoles that generation in the first place.

In my opinion them going full corporate Microsoft branding is one of the worst things they have done to Xbox. When you think of fun Microsoft is not a brand that stands out. Prior to Xbox One most people might not have even known Xbox was from Microsoft. Then with One they released a VCR with that stupid tiled interface Microsoft was pushing on Windows users and bam, Xbox was boring. Even now, seeing Nadella talk about gaming is boring. Microsoft really needs to be thinking about why people lugged their OG Xbox and 100 lb crt TVs to their friends houses for console lan parties. Because they've lost whatever that was and they need it back.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Copying this small part from RedDragon Tweet, but I think he nailed what's going on:

Microsoft CFO: "New Strategy & Goal is to have 1st party games on PlayStation and Nintendo."
Phil Spencer: "No plan to bring Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo."

Rumors: "Xbox games will hit PS5 / Nintendo."
Phil Spencer: "Xbox consoles will still exist."
 
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