TheEstablishment

@Nexozi If you insist. I guess I could use a second pillow, after all. LoL

As for PC gaming....

I was once a PC gaming elitist who crapped on console gaming and looked at it as inferior. I look back at those years and wonder why because I was truly spending more time upgrading parts and tweaking settings than I was playing games. I got an Xbox one back in 2015 and never truly went back to PC gaming aside from running classic systems via emulators for retro gaming nights a few times a month. As for AAA gaming, I'm all Xbox and Switch (depending on the game).

My issue with PC gaming is using Windows. I've always said that if they found a way to put a great skin over the Windows environment and made it feel more like a console experience it would be perfect, and if appears we could be heading that way.

@Project13 Honestly, Microsoft could lay off a billion people and I'd still use their products because I enjoy them. I can separate personal enjoyment from corporate greed.

Judge my character all you'd like but at the end of the day I rest my head on a $200 pillow that sits on a $8,000 mattress. And I play my $500 Xbox on a $5000 TV. I love my life and couldn't care what happens to people I don't know.

Xbox is the strongest it's ever been with over 140M active users across PC/Console/Cloud, and over 500M across all platforms. Game Pass is raking in billions, Microsoft studios is making money hand over first, and things are looking up for Microsoft and Xbox. It's a beautiful thing.

The 25th anniversary should be splendid

Anyone who sees this as anything other than Sony is intrigued by what Microsoft is doing and is seeing the potential profits and want in, are delusional. We are entering a new age of gaming where it's becoming more about the games and less about plastic boxes.

Money is in the games.

@Millionski It's clear that many here don't quite understand business, or understand it to a point and can't grasp how the back end of it works.

Bottom line is that companies almost never discuss profits and almost always discuss revenue dollars. Profits are usually kept internal whether it be good or bad. And for those who think Game Pass subs are lower now than it was 2 years ago? Well, I have a timeshare on the beach in Iowa I'd love for you to take a look at.

Anyone who thinks Game Pass numbers are anywhere below 40M are nuts. Last we knew the official number was 34M almost 2 years ago. Since then we've seen countless smash hits like COD MW3, BO6, Indiana Jones, Diablo 4, Avowed, Oblivion remastered, Doom The Dark Ages, and many other games hit the service. So with that output you're telling me that you think subscribers actually fell? Give me a break....

Remember, a lot of these subscribers are still on the trial plan, some are on the core plan, and a chunk may only be on the PC only plan. I'm sure a majority are likely on the Ultimate plan, but there are those who simply just need access to playing online and opt in for the core plan. So trying to "math" your way to a subscriber count is pointless. I'm going to guess 40-43M.

Also, for those saying this is just revenue and not profit, I don't know many major brands who talk in profits over revenue. It's almost unheard of. Before I opened my private practice I worked in grocery, retail, telecommunications, and for a radio station, and I've never heard anyone saying "Okay team, this quarter we made $$$ in profits!". It's almost always revenue and profits are kept relatively close to the chest for both negative and positive reasons. The fact that GP makes $5B a year is insane and a resounding success. If I had to guess, they probably spend a couple million dollars a year on acquisitions and content, but who knows. Who cares? It's a hell of a service and a hell of a fun time.

Everyone is so wrapped up in nonsense like how many plastic pieces a company sells, or how many subscribers a company has, that they almost forget to play the games they're offered. Touch grass, people

Spin it all you want but these results are freaking amazing for a "dead" brand.

I'm not going into it thinking it'll be as good as last year, especially since it seems the big game their pitching is going to be Outer Worlds 2 and I didn't care too much for the first one. Hoping for a few surprises, though.

@PlatinumMikey

Weird. Just....weird.

Guy #1: "So how's the weather today?"
Guy #2 Reply: "I heard the hamburgers at that new restaurant aren't any good."
Guy #1's reaction: " WTF, this dude needs help..."

@PlatinumMikey Where in my post did I talk about sales?

Like what....? What a weird post, dude.

7 chapters in and I'd say this is a simply incredible game and is definitely up there for my personal GOTY. I'm a sucker for all things DOOM and this game definitely doesn't disappoint.

These comment sections are always the same....

Those who understand business and can actually see what's going on praise Xbox/Microsoft for what they're doing.

And those who aren't business savvy and don't understand the industry make repeated claims that Xbox is going away and this is bad for Microsoft.

Yawn.

These comment sections are always the same....

Those who understand business and can actually see what's going on praise Xbox/Microsoft for what they're doing.

And those who aren't business savvy and don't understand the industry make repeated claims that Xbox is going away and this is bad for Microsoft.

Yawn.

@IOI LOL. Your comments always make me laugh due to how absolutely ludicrous they are and how far off the path they are versus what's actually happening. Please, never stop.

@Ricky-Spanish @balaam_ The game developers received a hefty sum of money to be on Game Pass to begin with to make up for the cannibalizing of the sales, but they also received payment for those that did sell. Either way, they're happy.

Microsoft is laughing all the way to the bank, meanwhile still offering the best online experience, best subscription service, and best native console expectations in the world. And that ISN'T going to change.

@NattyKing It isn't 1996 anymore, console sales are but a mere piece of the pie and is no longer the lions share. Finding customers outside of selling a plastic box is how gaming companies are going to prosper, focusing solely on a piece of plastic is simply limiting yourself within the ceiling of how many are willing to buy your plastic box. There are 3 billion gamers in the world, there are only about 400k console gamers. And that 400k is likely a generous number.

If people want to shackle themselves to a plastic box like it's 1996 that's up to them, but in the business world it makes sense for Microsoft to be taking the approach they are and it's obviously working.

Hardware is good to keep around as an option for customers, and as a safety blanket for those who can't sleep at night without one, but it's no longer the core driver of....well.... anything.

@Fiendish-Beaver You're not convinced that there will be another console generation despite Phil and company literally screaming from the rooftops that it's going to happen, and in multiple different form factors. Come on dude. You're one of the biggest doom and gloom guys on here and when stripped down to the core you're opinions are waaaaay off the beaten path. There will be more hardware, that isn't even a consideration for argument, and I'm of the belief that there will continue to be hardware after that. Hardware for Microsoft is a piece of the pie, not the whole thing, and to offer hardware as a choice is a smart thing to satisfy the dedicated hardware folks.

@Kaloudz The first expansion, Morrowind, took me maybe 6 hours to complete. Each expansion has taken me between 4-8 hours to get through. In all honesty, I don't do side quests as a lot of them offer trivial rewards and don't really enhance the core storyline. You're free to jump into a zone and dive into the core story quest regardless of expansion though, it isn't like you need to complete them in order or even complete them at all, though you will receive an achievement and a cool "title" to accompany your name out in the world. Each continent can take a couple hours to clear the main quests in those special areas.

I always find it best to pick a map and use the zone guide to direct me to the first quest, which is usually waiting for you once you enter the zone. The main quests marker always looks different from the side markers.

My favorite thing to do is run dungeons and collect entire sets of gear that goes with my class (I tank). Usually take 5 or 6 runs through to get it done but it's fun. Dungeons usually take about 15-20 minutes to complete, while trials (raids) can take an hour at best.

There is no FOMO in this game and everything is just there waiting for you. You don't need to follow any sort of path and are free to create your own path by picking a zone and completing the story. Its only overwhelming if you let it be, but if you focus on one area at a time it's fun as hell.

@Kaloudz It's amazing. Just follow the main zone quests and avoid all the side quests until you complete the main quests. You'll be able to tell the main quests from side quests due to the unique icon. There is also a build in guide that will guide you through zones. Other than that run dungeons and collect gear and enjoy! Probably my favorite game ever, if I'm being honest.

Xbox is on fire right now, no matter how some may try to spin it, and this June should be another huge showing for the company.

"Disarray", pfft....please ...

@TheGameThrifter LOL at those tying themselves to a single plastic box. The console is a piece of the pie, not the whole pie. People need to realize there is more paths to succeed in this industry than just plastic boxes.

@Fiendish-Beaver I personally think we'll always see an Xbox in some form due to the sheer amount of GP subscribers tied to it. If for some reason the plastic box went away I'd imagine our digital libraries will be streamable via the PC and phone apps. If not than Microsoft would have a HUGE problem on their hands and it would be a PR nightmare and they can kiss any chance they have at a digital future goodbye.

@Weebleman I agree. But you don't need to outsell your competition to be #1. Look at Mac Books and iPhones. There are way more Windows PC's and Android phones in people's hands than Macs and iPhones, but yet Apple isn't chomping at the bit to get rid of them due to money from iTunes and software they generate. Same thing for the Xbox itself. It may sell less than its competition, but it's bringing in GP subscriptions and software sales and making the company a tidy chunk of change.

@dodgykebaab Xbox is the strongest it's ever been and the proof is in the revenue reports Microsoft posts quarterly. Xbox made more money in 2024 than they ever did in any year prior, and this year is likely going to surpass that number as they creep towards eclipsing Sony in gaming revenue. More income means Xbox is in a stronger position than it ever has been and just because your selling less plastic boxes than you did before doesn't mean you're not producing great content and services that draw in strong dividends.

@HonestHick As weird as this may sound, you have to look at Xbox like you would an Apple product, oddly enough. Apple Mac Books don't sell as much as Windows based PC's, but yet it's a better made product with features people love that you can't get on Windows. There are WAY less iPhones in the wild than there are Android phones, but yet people seem to love the features of iPhones thanks to stuff like iTunes and the App store. Despite this, Apple doesn't give up on Mac Book and iPhone because they're not #1 in sales. Just because you can't outsell your competition doesn't mean to can't be number one in services and software. Xbox is going to be producing more revenue than Sony come the middle/end of the year and they know that it's only a matter of time until they're owners of the lions shares of money in the gaming market.

All the doom and gloom surrounding Xbox in the social media space is so ridiculous. They're posting record revenue, they're opening up their games and their ecosystem to everyone, and they're realizing that they're not going to hit their 3 billion gamers goal by stuffing themselves inside of a plastic box. Microsoft is truly on the right road and the future looks insanely bright.

@Crecca Your comments makes no sense. Sega was almost a billion dollars in debt at the time, so much so that their president gifted the company a few hundred million while on his death bed to try to stay alive. The Xbox brand is profitable, making more money now than it ever has. The Sega argument makes literally no sense, kiddo.

Eh, this is happening too slow. I need games like Diablo 3, Lego SW and POTC, EA Fight Night Champions, and others to be available. The entire library needs to be able to move from device to device for many who are invested or actually believe Xbox will leave hardware behind (which isn't happening).

Anyone who knows a thing or two about business knows it's good, the only people who think it's bad are either console warriors or children. It's crystal clear what they're doing and it's the absolute right thing for business and nothing anyone will say against it will change it. Business 101, folks.

"XboX iS deAd, gUYS! No MORe ConSOLeS!!! It's TRue beCAUSe a guy oN TwiTatER saID sO!"

~User23874688 w/anime avatar

"XbOx is FiNishEd, I WoRk in FiNANce and I kNOw ThiNGZ!"

More consoles will come, more games will be shared, and by this time next year Xbox will be generating more revenue than anyone in gaming, if not sooner. People need to friggin' relax and play their games instead of trying to spread the doom boom.

"BUt XbOX iS LeaVIng thE ConSOle maRKEt"

Clowns who thought that Xbox is leaving the console market always make me laugh. There will always be the console for those who enjoy that experience even through cloud/PC/multiplatform is the primary focus.

@DeanyBabyy What Microsoft got, and will get, is an additional revenue stream that has resulted in good money for what could be considered their lesser titles. Wait until Halo/Gears hits PS/Nintendo. It's about making money, not selling plastic boxes and satisfying the few die hard. There are 3 billion gamers in the world, only about 70M own Xboxes. Go where the money is. Business 101, kids

I've got games in my library like Diablo III, EA Fight Night Champion, Star Wars KOTOR, Battlefront (05), MW2, L4D2, and others I'd love to stream. And even though I don't think they will, but if they ever did abandon hardware than they'd have to find a way to make your entire library streamable on Firestick, PC, phone, whatever.

@SleeplessKnight Because PC players are tied to Steam more than anything else and Game Pass, while fairly popular on PC, isn't a service the hardcore PC players are going to even care about. As for the PC being a "goldmine", well....it is. But mainly because of the big store fronts like Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle net, ect.

Again, anyone who thinks Xbox is getting out of hardware clearly has zero understanding of the gaming industry. With that said, I'm all for games to be in every platform known to man. Microsoft is making bank and that's what it's all about in the end.

@nomither6 Type in "What is the Nintendo Switch" into Google and see if anyone agrees with you. Regardless of your opinion, the Switch is very much a console and there isn't anything you can say that can change that.

@nomither6 Nobody sees the switch that way. The console is designed to play on the TV and in mobile mode, unless it's the Switch Lite. The Lite is meant to be a mobile only device, while the original Switch is a hybrid. No marketing term, no play on words, it's legitimately a hybrid. There is literally no way you can flip it to support your argument.

@nomither6 The switch is a hybrid. A portable console that can be played at home or on the go. If you never play it portable than it's very much a home console.

@BSlyTheGamerGuy It'll be this fiscal year. M$/Xbox is going to produce around $33 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025, Sony is likely to produce $26 billion. Many Industry analysis is pointing to this and business insider did a whole article based around it.

@Fiendish-Beaver The console will always be there in some form, but it isn't the prime focus of the company, nor should it be. Limiting your reach to just one plastic box makes zero business sense whatsoever. 3 billion people play games, why limit yourself to under 100 million people? Business 101, my man. Make the console one of many pieces of the pie.