cragis0001

@kmtrain83 Microsoft are still pushing mobile. But what Nadella learned from the killing off of Windows mobile has kept Xbox from a similar fate. He said in an interview. What he learned from killing Windows mobile is that it's better to be in the game & have a small dedicated fan base. Than not. As you can still innovate & grow having a small install base. But it's harder to be noticed & innovative if you don't have a platform to showcase it. They still want to introduce app stores on Android/IOS.
True Steam is the king of PC gaming. But they make the bulk of cash from Windows users. So it helps Microsoft also. Xbox focusing on PC gaming next gen will help the app store on Windows be more popular as I guess on a regular PC it will be the Windows store but on a dedicated Xbox device. It will be the Xbox store.

If Microsoft play there cards well. Xbox could be to gaming what android is to mobile. A huge eco system supported worldwide by developers & by many OEM devices. BUT!!! like most of Microsofts grand ideas. There never able to be fully implemented.

@DennisReynolds why won't it sell on Xbox? Yes JRPGs were rare as gold dust back in the day. Then when they did release. They were never the main titles Xbox users wanted. But now they are as regular as clockwork.

@Banjo- definitely. The old days of walled eco systems is on its way out due to new anti competitive laws. Due to the abusive behaviour of tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Google & Microsoft.
I also recon that PlayStations PC ports weren't just to make a quick $. But was also a way to avoid scrutiny from regulators. As Playstation could argue that if you don't like Playstations model of pricing you can purchase their content via PC on Steam or Epic store. With select titles available on Switch & Xbox.

@Jaxx420 true they removed the PSN restriction when Spiderman 2 released in January 2025. But they didn't lift the ban on the 170 countries that was blocked due to the PSN restriction until June 2025.
Stellar Blade was the first to take advantage of both restrictions being lifted & sold 1 million in 3 days.wWhen it released on the 11th June. Lost Souls Aside didn't do to well in August.

@Gemini53 I don't blame you to be fair.

This confirmation also gives credibility to the rumour that the next Windows OS will be more modular than the current Windows 11. So the next Xbox could have just the Windows gaming subsystem built into it reducing all the bloat that the current Windows 11 provides gaming handhelds like the Rog Ally X.

@Banjo- PlayStation will be forced to follow at some point. They are facing a $2.7billion lawsuit in the UK for over charging users on the Playstation store. Also a monopoly of digital games & dlc. In Asia & Europe I heard a while back there was meant to be lawsuits for dynamic pricing.

Xbox new direction is the result of the EU's Digital Markets Acts investigation into Microsoft. As the whole PC model was fully scrutinized & approved by the toughest regulator. Xbox only passed due to the combination of a disc drive.

@Gemini53 funny how you say Xbox users need to temper expectations. But Playstation users ran with the whole abandoning PC ports of single player games by an insiders trust me moment. As he thinks & sensed 😆.

@Jaxx420 the problem with your analysis is that most of the original Playstation titles like God of War 2018 & Horizon: Zero Dawn came out before the mandatory PSN requirement. So they had no restrictions. But the sequels were limited to regions that could access the PSN.

I've seen this happen countless times at Microsoft. They come up with great ideas which are either to ambitious or they can't get the word out due to lack of a descent marketing strategy.

The golden age of Xbox & Playstation is done!!!! RIP

Sounds like that deal with Namco Bandai to remake/remaster old IPS has sealed Bluepoints fate.

So it went from never being on Xbox. To not likely. So I wonder what this senior manager of multiplatform & account management has to play with.

I'm disappointed that we aren't getting Granblue Fantasy: Relink. As enjoyed it on PS5 & would have got it on Xbox as well. But oh well i'll give my money to Square Enix instead for FF7: Rebirth. As I'm currently playing FF7 remake intergrate.

@Fiendish-Beaver I wonder if Microsoft hope that 3rd party OEMs will fill the power gap. As if they license out the Xbox Windows hybrid OS. We could see all ranges from budget up to high end in all form factors.

@Balaam_ it doesn't matter if it goes well for Microsoft. It's something Sony & Nintendo will have to go through as well when they go all digital. New laws like the EU's Digital Markets Act are brought in to stop big tech like Amazon, Apple, Google & Microsoft from killing competition. So it was only a matter of time before the walled garden system that gaming giants adopt would be next. As Sony already has a few cases against them already.

@Sindayl because if it's an all digital system. Microsoft would be breaking all sorts of anti competitive laws. As it would have no competition on it. if you only had access to the Xbox store. Look up the the EU's Digital Markets Act. Microsoft got named a gatekeeper. They were fully investigated & had to make changes to Windows. When it came to Xbox. The report stated that access to content via disc allows consumers competitive pricing. But if that changed in the future it would further investigate. The fine is 10% of worldwide revenue.

@Fiendish-Beaver I wonder if it will be similar to Stalker & Monster Hunter Stories. Sequels are announced for Xbox first. Then in time the prequels drop before the later launches.

@BacklogBrad I could imagine that the Spiderman games would sell a few million on Xbox easily.

Just Fable for me I'm afraid. Play on Xbox via Games Pass & probably buy a copy for my PS5 if progress transfers.

@EVIL-C if it skyrockets to the point it makes little sense to subscribe I'll cancel. Plus I rarely go to the cinema these days. As you need a mortgage to take a family of 6 to the big multiplex.

Awesome!!! Thundercats will be back on Netflix 😆

@Questionable_Duck I've got a feeling that Microsoft/Xbox will strip down not needed features of Windows 11 in time. For it's future PC/hybrid & OEM partnerships. As the Xbox OS runs the Windows 11 gaming subsystem.

@ElkinFencer10 the fact it will integrate & run every rival store front on a PC. Guarantees it will be digital only. As it's the only way to prevent Microsoft/Xbox from breaching most anti consumer laws.

@BAMozzy people said the same when mobile gaming went free to play. That it wouldn't work. It be poor quality. Which it mostly is. But mobile gaming now brings the biggest amount of gaming revenue. So I can see free to play cloud services being extremely popular. Even if it offers just 1080p.
Sony already allows Helldiver's 2 to be playable via Xcloud. So they allow there only official published game. As MLB the Show can also be played. But that's MLB that licenses it. It's just Destiny 2 that's not available. But that's Bungie. it's also not available via cloud on PlayStation by the looks of it. Could be wrong.
Gamers aren't buying games either. An article today states the average gamer in the US. Buys 2 a year. Sony said something similar not long ago also.
I'm sure Sony does want everyone on PlayStation. But there are people who won't touch one. So they release games on PC, Nintendo Switch & recently Xbox. For the extra revenue. Will be no different with cloud.

@BAMozzy I do. As Sony argued during the ABK deal that they expect Microsoft/Xbox to be a key player in cloud gaming within the next decade. So why wouldn't Sony want to take advantage while Microsoft is ahead of the curve. As so far Sony's attempts at cloud is basic & its mobile strategy is in its infancy.
Plus kids today don't want to buy a $500-$1000 next gen console. Let alone an expensive PC to play games. They want them on their phones. So the rumour of a FREE Game Pass subscription to stream not just purchased Xbox games. Like GTA6 from the Xbox store. But also Xbox games day 1 will be well received by the younger generation.

@BAMozzy I believe that Sony's interest in Xbox ports is purely down to cloud gaming. Look at Helldivers 2. It originally launched on Xbox consoles. But now can be played via cloud for anyone who purchased the game. With an active Games Pass subscription. Also add talk of a FREE version of GP. Then it gets more interesting specially if access to purchased content doesn't require advertising to be consumed.

They need to stop bringing Phil & the gang to the Tokyo Game Show. If they want support from Asia. It should have been Mena Sato Kato's show today.

I'm putting my bets on Monster Hunter Stories 1&2 being announced or shadow dropped.

Horizon is my favorite PlayStation franchise atm. So would be day 1 purchase. Like Helldivers 2 was. If true!!!! But till it gets announced by Sony themselves. Pure speculation.

Deca Police from Level 5 is my top wish suprise announcement. But be happy with Silent Hill 2 remake. Some news on FF7:Rebirth & maybe a teaser for part 3.

@WildConcept6 should use both 😁.

@Kaloudz I'm sure they'll find something to fight about. Considering it's the platform wars now lol.

@WildConcept6 aye there just jealous to be fair. As if it was Sony that offered the value Games Pass does they'd be celebrating how consumer friendly Sony is. But it's Microsoft so the garlic & crosses come out.

It's just Games Pass that's the problem 😆😆😆. It's like when fanboys on Push Square say that Xbox users are conditioned not to buy games. But when you say. Well if Games Pass is such a problem on Xbox. Playstation Plus must have a similar effect on Playstation. They make excuses.

@Kaloudz I'm looking forward to seeing how nicely Microsoft & Sony act towards each other in the future. Now that both are 3rd party partners to each others eco system.

@Kaloudz next gen could be great. As it could be the first time where if you pick either an Xbox or PlayStation. You may not need to worry of buying the other to not miss out on a wide variety of games. But the downside each console could cost the same as both ATM.

@Kaloudz PlayStation got rid of the web browser a while ago. But it looks like it's just the standard PlayStation website through Edge on Xbox. I can't see Sony allowing Games Pass even via cloud.

@Kaloudz If Sony published the PlayStation app as a progressive web app (PWA). Then we could play PlayStation Plus content on the current Xbox series via the edge browser. I will check to see if it's already possible.

@Fiendish-Beaver I could imagine Sony is very protective of the Horizon IP due to its value. As the Tencent lawsuit proves. But to be fair letting Tencent make a Horizon title for the Asian market would be a gold mine for both companies. More so than the Lego deal. But I'm sure the reason for not allowing it is the background details that we never get told about.
But my point still stands from earlier though. As the evidence points to that Lego has never pushed for a multiplatform release when it does deals with console holders. As Forza Horizon had stand alone Lego dlc which never released outside Xbox & PC. Then you have the Nintendo WiiU which sold miserably. But it didn't force a multiplatform release of Lego City Undercover. So to me I'd suspect it was all Sony. As the absence of an Xbox port is another indicator that Sony has full control of where it released.

@Kaloudz I can see PlayStation porting PlayStation+ everywhere. Specially now that it's looking at being a platform. So expect an Xbox style push to cloud, mobile, smart TV, Fire sticks & next gen Xbox etc. I'm surprised there hasn't been regulator scrutiny. As something basic as a refund should be a must in this modern age.

@Kaloudz if it's a hybrid PC. I bet PlayStation will port it's app so you can stream Playstation+. You'll have Nvidia GeForce Now plus others. So like Store fronts I'd suspect that Microsoft would have to step up.
Each regulator will have contact info on their website. I need at least 2 caffeine hits before I wake from homosapien to human 😆
As for refunds. I see it being the next big area of regulator scrutiny. As I'm sure Sony is in trouble in a few countries for it's no return policy.

@Fiendish-Beaver you keep talking about contractual obligations? I still don't see why Sony would allow a similar situation to MLB with one of its own IP. Sony was vocal that it was MLB that called for it to be a multiplatform title. It makes no sense that Sony would allow Lego to hold Horizon hostage. If anything I'd say it gives Sony more leverage.
As for Xbox. Your looking at it in 2D. Yes it may be the smallest as a console provider with 30 million customers. But as a platform provider where the console is but a small part of the strategy. Then Xbox is already beating PlayStation. As Sony is aware of its potential growth from it's own investor call. As the expansion to any online/Bluetooth device has begun with smart TVs, Amazon Firesticks. Games Pass is readily available via cloud. There are hundreds of games that can be purchased via the Xbox store that can be streamed today. With a full roll out is meant to be later this year. So Xbox is possibly the cheapest place to play GTA6 next year. As you may not need a console to play it. Just the game via the Xbox store plus a controller to play on the device of their choice. That's why Sony is porting games to Xbox. As that alone could shift millions more copies.

@TrollOfWar I agree 100% I've been stung a few times believing in there grand visions. Just for it to be either scrapped or severely reduced in scale to the point the boat has sailed long before the product releases.
I think what they are doing with the Xbox PC app in preparation for the Xbox Asus Rog Ally is a hint of how the software is going to work with integration. Microsoft is also working hard to get games on the Windows Store also. But it will be interesting if Steam, GoG & others turn up in the Windows Store. As the Epic launcher is already in the store.
But or me it needs to be native. As if it's a case that Steam software is emulated or cloud based mostly in nature. It's a no for me.

@Kaloudz Having more competition would help in every aspect of the next gen Xbox. Better pricing for games in the Xbox store. Cheaper access to be online. Games Pass would still get decent games as it have increased competition etc. I'm sure there would be more benefits but I'm not long woken. Not enough coffee yet lol. As for a better returns policy. I would recommend you put a complaint into your local government consumer regulator. As if we all did it rather than just moan on the Internet. They'd be investigated. It's not perfect system!!! But Microsoft tends to jump quicker than the others.

@Fiendish-Beaver I only used the word forced. As that's the term that gets thrown about when it's generally mentioned that Sony has put games like MLB the Show & Lego Horizon Adventures on other formats.

@Kaloudz it will be interesting to see how Microsoft implement it. If they can also pull it off. As Microsoft tend to have grand ideas then fall at the final hurdle. If you know the later part the Universal Windows Platform life cycle. Then you will know what I'm talking about.

@Kaloudz I hope it improves pricing of games to be fair. As Steam is dirt cheap with great offers. So Microsoft will have to respond to compete if Steam becomes a reality.

@Fiendish-Beaver but why would Sony contractually sign a deal with one of its most successful new IPs to a kids toy company that they know would sell better on a rivals platform over its own?.
It's obvious to expand it to a new audience to make more money. That's why I'm surprised people are still sceptical of Sony's intent going forward.
It's like Sony intentionally made the deal to make a game that they thought would help make them a successful 3rd party publisher on the Nintendo Switch.