Any excuse to use that image, right? But seriously, Xbox is in an incredible position right now. Microsoft is firing on (nearly) all cylinders as we enter into this Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S generation, and there's reason to believe Xbox could very easily eclipse the so-called 'glory days' of the original Xbox and Xbox 360 generations over the next few years. So, let's take a look at why Xbox is in its strongest position ever.
The most obvious and timely thing to start with is the Bethesda acquisition. Xbox boss Phil Spencer made it pretty clear the other day that Xbox intends to make the majority of Bethesda games exclusive to Xbox - or at least, any platform that will willingly support Xbox Game Pass - which is big news for those interested in The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Wolfenstein, Starfield, the new Indiana Jones game, and much, much more. And that's not to mention the vast majority of Bethesda titles that are now available on Game Pass at no extra charge for subscribers.
And speaking of Game Pass, it's a service that has evolved so substantially in recent years that it's becoming impossible to ignore, even for those who have traditionally leaned towards Nintendo or PlayStation consoles. Combine it with Project xCloud, which Microsoft clearly intends to put a lot of focus towards over the next decade, along with the company's increased focus on PC gamers, and Xbox is slowly beginning to corner every single area of the market. The new consoles are important, but Microsoft is by no means entirely reliant on their success anymore.
Of course, this all comes down to the incredible team at Xbox and the work they've been building for years now. The likes of Xbox Game Pass and backwards compatibility are innovations that were initially revealed many years ago, but feel like they were truly meant to be ready for this generation. Forward planning is the reason why the Xbox ecosystem is in such a strong position right now, and it's ultimately the reason why Xbox was able to steer itself out of the mess that was the Xbox One launch, and completely transform itself into the brand we know and love today.
There can be no doubt; Phil Spencer has done an incredible job since taking over as the head of Xbox back in 2014, and Xbox might not even exist today without him. With Spencer at the helm, Xbox has established a new identity in which the player has become the focus rather than any specific console, and as consumers, that's fantastic news for us. The days of buying first-party games for full price are over (if we want them to be).
We could go on forever about how strong of a position Xbox is in right now, and the future looks incredibly bright. The biggest unknown at the moment is how some of Xbox Game Studios' biggest upcoming titles will fare, with the likes of Fable, Perfect Dark and Halo Infinite boasting the potential to significantly accelerate Xbox's success in the early part of this generation, so hopefully they'll live up to some extremely high expectations. For now though, we're just grateful to be Xbox fans during this very exciting time for the brand. The party's only just getting started!
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know how you feel down in the comments below.
Comments 37
Very excited. Obsidian might be able to work on Fallout again, Microsoft has access to Id tech, Sega is going hard on gamepass with Bethesda now joining the ranks, and Double Fine has a safety net to just make some weird and goofy games and not worry about the business side. Good times ahead.
Yeah, Certainly I'm fairly excited about future of
💚 XBOX 💚
According to insider Jez, it looks like Microsoft is planning some incredibly impressive exclusives and acquisitions with big third party studios down the line which will be mind-blowing if it ever comes to fruition.
https://youtu.be/OFQDyLAr6C4?t=2h41m30s
With PS5 selling as well as it is, and many of the big games (for me at least) not coming out for a good 3 or more years, I don't think we'll see the rewards of the Bethesda purchase and the shift in direction for the xbox brand for a while. Maybe not even during this new gen.
I think it's the series 2 that will feel like the second golden age for xbox.
Meh to be honest. Short term feels like an extension of the XB1 era (game droughts, buggy system updates, etc.) and Nintendo in 2017 taught me not to get excited about far into the future as Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 are vaporware so exciting Xbox stuff for me at the moment are things like Flight Sim console and Halo 3 getting new maps which are only like a few months away.
360 is still feeling like the much better era of Xbox.
Well I look at it like this, they have the following.
Best designed and more powerful console.
Best quality of life designed console, by a long way, smart delivery, easy memory upgrade etc.
Best UI operating systems.
Best value with GPU.
I prefer Xbox’s controller, Joystick configuration.
Overall better attitude towards gamers at present.
Some good existing studios and new studios.
That’s why I kept the Series x and sold my PS5.
Also I just purchased my Team Xbox mug 😂
Definitely exciting times and makes me really happy I switched back over to Xbox for this new generation. The potential and excitement that the future holds for the Xbox brand are both higher than they've been in quite some time, so obviously I'm really excited.
Within a few years, things could look very different than they did coming out of the last generation. Like Dezzy, I think they have the best of several things (even though the masses will disagree on the UI and the controller), and on the games side things look extremely bright.
It could be glourious, they've built the foundation with the Series X, Gamepass, and their purchases.
It's time to start delivering on it.
Don't get me wrong I love my series X, but it needs these games to actually launch at some point.
I'll be excited when i can finally buy a series X in stores..... Anyways i'm glad i finally came back to Xbox the middle in of last gen i originally swar off Xbox blowing though 4 xbox 360s with multiple issues. Right now i'm enjoying gaming again. Without the opinion of fan sheep.....
I gave my 360 and all my games and accessories to my coworkers kids and went with ps4 last generation. Didn’t really enjoy there console and business. Game pass made it easy to get back in the Microsoft ecosystem. I absolutely love my Xbox x and my decision. Playing games I’ve always wanted to try and getting back into series I haven’t played since the GameCube. Wish I could get my friends and family to make the jump.
I wouldn't say I am really Excited because all we have right now is 'potential' to not only compete with Sony on Quantity of good First Party games, but also compete critically with them. You only need to look at the end of year Awards to know that Sony's studio's dominate the nominations and Winners.
However, its all potential right now. Perfect Dark, Fable etc have not shown anything yet other than a CGi trailer to reveal the fact these games are in development. Both are coming from 'unknown' developers - PD by the Initiative as their first game, Fable by Playground who have only made Forza Horizon games. I know they have recruited 'experienced' devs who have worked on massive games in the genre in the past but these are still 'unknown' right now. Halo Infinite looked very disappointing to me - Static, lifeless, bland world - even if you allow for the lighting issues and other technical problems. Definitely isn't a Day 1 purchase for me - yet! Wanting to see a BIG improvement first. I can't see it competing for a GotY title - especially if Horizon 2: Forbidden West releases this year.
I also feel that most of the newly acquired studio's have to prove themselves. Their last games were average at best. Ninja Theory and ID Software perhaps the exception as Hellblade and Doom: Eternal are both great, critically acclaimed successes but games like Fallout 76, Prey, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, State of Decay 2 etc didn't live up to the expectation. Reputations have been 'damaged' before MS took them on.
Of course the potential is there - not only in individual studio's but the wealth of talent and experience to help studios realise their ambition. Imagine what 343 and ID Software could do if they collaborate on Halo. Doom: Eternal shows how great their engine is both graphically and on performance so imagine if Halo: Infinite used ID Tech and were helped by ID and/or Machine Games...
11 comments here. On a similar article on push square 249 comments. If GPU and the extra power and Bethesda announcements had shaken up the balance we would be seeing more people seeking this place out.
I love GPU... but it’s just not the big draw for most gamers and it isn’t making them jump from Sony.
In this digital age... getting people to switch consoles gen to gen is difficult. Especially with last gen being playable on next gen.
I’m not convinced the future is bright and I think Bethesda will actually now release less games which is a very bad thing. Would much rather they were independent
I don’t talk about Xbox as “we” like others because it isn’t a football club. It’s a bit of electric equipment and I am a gamer. I own Xbox, playstation and switch. I want them all to have banging exclusives and great features and string third party support. I’m pro gaming and want good competition
@Dezzy70 we all know your alter ego, the other Dezzy, came in here to be that one vote about giving up on Xbox altogether.
My history was Xbox, xbox360, PS4.
Loved the 360, but wanted to try some PS exclusives (last of us, little big planet etc).
The PS console was fine, but didn't really get into the PS exclusive games... just didn't quite feel the love I had for the 360.
Now I'm back to series x and very happy.
Gamepass means I'm trying (and enjoying) games I might not have not bought (Control, Wreckfest etc) and includes games I would have bought included in it (Dirt 5, Gears, Forza Horizon)... Factor in xcloud as well, it's great.
The Bethesda thing doesn't excite me too much, but let's see.
I think PhilS is generally making the right moves... but just need to see some game changing new IPs... can't run on Halo and Gears forever!
GamePass alone spoils me rotten each month and as long as they keep feeding the beast, as a gamer, I’m happy.
I prefer my playstation tbh I only use my Xbox to play gears & halo however I do like that Xbox has better backwards compatibility
Microsoft and the Xbox right now remind me of a football team that completes a load of transfers in the summer window and raves about having the best team in the league without seeing their team play a single game that season.
Yes I've bought into the hype but its easy for Phil to rave about how great he and Xbox is but they need to start producing the goods in the way that a football team needs to win trophies. Not a single decent new game has been released yet with The Medium being okay and I've struggled to get into it.
We need the Xbox to BE great and not for us to be told it WILL be great eventually.
But like I said, I'm in on the hype train but just waiting for it to pull into the station....
Microsoft has remarkably improved over the last few years. I think once the new gen is all said and done, there's a very reasonable chance Xbox will have the best and most impressive slate of games. Looking forward to the next few years on the Series X (now if only I could bloody well find one...)
I am cautiously optimistic. I loved my Xbox 360 so much, but MS had some very non consumer friendly positions when it came to the RROD and their competition. I hope this new found success doesn’t go to their heads. In my opinion the same was true for Sony in the PS4 era. I like this new friendlier world of gaming persists.
Let's just say I switched from PS4 and I couldn't be happier! Everything about Xbox screams "built for gamers and by gamers" which accompanied by the best CEO in gaming history in Phil Spencer makes me incredibly excited about Xbox and its future. Yes, I might be exaggerating a bit but I haven't been this excited about a piece of hardware and the software that is/will be made available for it since I bought my Amiga 500 in 1994
Microsoft have positioned themselves very well looking forward. Right now it’s a little lacklustre, but I’d say that about PS5 too.
I think the bulk of all these deals will really start to show their heads a few years from now but there’s definitely stuff we don’t know about I feel that’ll drop sooner rather than later, FH5 and Starfield come to mind. With Gamepass they have something pretty much unrivalled and have a big head start on the competition, they’re in a very strong position with that potential alone.
I really do wonder where they’d be if they hadn’t dropped the ball with the Xbox one though, the 360 was really strong for them and they failed to capitalise. I think they’ve learned from their mistakes however and are coming back stronger than ever.
@Stocksy This stuff takes time. Sony fanboys are still going through the various stages of grief. They weren’t all going to pop over here to instantly hop on the train. A lot of them are still just mad about the acquisition. I feel once MS starts putting out some quality titles, traffic here might pick up.
I think Xbox is gonna take over..
@Sakisa I’m so glad you mentioned double fine! There’s tons of amazing stuff going on with Xbox right now but for me personally, double fine having creative freedom is incredibly exciting.
Super hyped! Xbox One was certainly a mess but back on with the Series X and LOVING it. Absolutely blown away by the console and game selection
I just wish Phil would be immortal being and never leaves Xbox. He is one of the best executives and gamer.
@Senua Don't forget to mention Rand, or he won't be happy! haha
Looks good on the long run, but for now its a console with no new exciting games. Of course there are a lot coming but until then... we just wait.
@Flugen
Can say the same about PS5.
I bought Spiderman MM at launch and other than that, I've been playing back compat games and waiting for Rachet and Clank in June. Will get Oddworld for free with PS+ in April, a the FF7 R upgrade in June, but it's a very similar situation to Series X right now.
Just bring on Fable.
And I sold my Xbox One X about 2 days ago...
Both consoles have great games coming (ps5 more so this year) but honestly there's absolutely no reason to get one of the new consoles right now, I see all these scalpers for the ps5 and series S/X and I don't understand why people pay those prices for a console with no heavy hitters on it yet. And by the time the real big heavy hitters come out the console stock shortages will be fixed
@blinx01 Yup totally agree with you. Its all too soon
@UltimateOtaku91
Yeah, even though I bought both and paid retail price, I wouldn't be overly concerned if I had to stick to the One X and PS4 Pro until later in the year. That seems to be when all the big games will be coming bar Rachet and Clank. By then the consoles should be easily available.
It's all very exciting and in terms of potential for the future I agree. But in the shorter term there is seemingly still little new of note coming soon / in 2021.
Personally I think they were in a stronger position during the Xbox 360 era than they are right now. Back then, for a time, it was the console of choice in most markets and had a wide range of games including exclusives from Japanese studios, something they are finally getting again now.
But yes the potential is there and the future looks bright indeed, we're just not there quite yet.
Phil is doing a fantastic job. So much excitement around the Xbox Ecosystem right now. It’s undeniable. Now just get those major 1st party games to us and it will be hard to stop the momentum.
@Stocksy
This is the same nonsense we heard from fansites like Push Square, that somehow Instagram likes and YouTube views are now valid engagement metrics. Remember when the PS5 logo reveal set the world on fire? Yeah, me neither.
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