cragis0001

@Kaloudz if steam hits the next gen Xbox. Then the Xbox store would need to follow a similar path to be competitive. It wouldn't happen over night as the Xbox store being preloaded would give it a major advantage.

@Kaloudz I think it's just a rumour spread to dampen what could be a good move by Microsoft going down the hybrid PC route.

@Kaloudz to be fair when I compare sale prices on Xbox, PS5 & Switch. Xbox does ok. Guess the whole argument that Xbox players don't buy games helps give us slightly better pricing on certain games. But Steam like sales would be awesome.

@Kaloudz hopefully we will get that wish & more if the next gen Xbox comes with Steam, Epic or any other store. As hopefully it will give us more competitive prices & descent sales.

@Kaloudz that why I don't believe the rumours that the new Asus Xbox handheld will not have access to our full library of Xbox games. With more games available on cloud. The new AI tools & the recent news of Sonic Unleashed 360 port being recompiled for PC. It's only a matter of when.

@Kaloudz I think it's only a matter of time with the Final Fantasy 7 remake series. As for Forspoken. It could be added to Games Pass & Microsoft foots the bill for development. But if it's released to purchase. Add a deep discount like Death Stranding for a few weeks.

@Kaloudz To be fair SquareEnix is in a unique position that it has a large library of games not on Xbox like Forspoken that can be put into Games Pass while new games can be sold at full price.

@VisitingComet1 it probably wouldn't do anything better. Except have a more user friendly interface. But as long as it allows you to run Windows 11 like the Asus Rog Ally. You get all the benefits of running nearly all types of games from all store fronts even from Playstation & Nintendo. Then you have emulators as well.

As for how it will sell. It be probably be marketed at first to be a Switch 2 competitor by Microsoft & the media. Be more readily available than it's handheld PC competitors in stores. So could do well.

@VoidPunk PC gets a ton of games consoles don't usually.

@PhileasFragg definitely. A 3rd party Xbox handheld that can play Playstation games via Steam. I bet it will have Xbox's mobile store. So do a deal with Nintendo to get it's current & future mobile titles. If not you can run them with Google's Android development tool. Then you can play old Nintendo games via emulators.

@IOI they were late to the game with Windows Phone. They charged a license at first to OEMs & played to their competitors strengths. Plus they underestimated the competition.

They have learned a lot since then. They also have a model which they can follow that has been successful. That's their Windows PC one. They will continue hardware like Surface does on PC. Which is a complete package with all their services on one device. But allow OEMs to create devices that fill the gaps in the market while having all software & services on all non PC devices.

@Jenkinss it makes perfect sense for places like Asia where a Microsoft Xbox console isn't popular. So if you invest in local OEMs & license your software to companies that may see better success. Xbox could become the Android of gaming.

@Kaloudz @themightyant @Titntin @Banjo- partnering & investing in 3rd party OEMs is smart. It gets an OEM Xbox handheld out the door quickly. The device & all other handhelds will benefit from the improvements in Windows 11. As Microsoft improves it for next gen. Then they can use the device as an example when speaking to potential partners & could even get them to invest in the next gen Xbox hardware by licensing it out for future use. Could you imagine in Asia where Xbox is at its weakest & you have a Tencent Xbox console in China or a Sega Dreamcast 2 in Japan.

@Banjo- it does indeed.
As if the Xbox OS becomes a fully working version of the Windows 11 gaming subsystem. Fully retooled to be more console friendly. It will make gaming on Windows 11/12 run better. Like the old tablet mode in Windows 8. But also being modular would allows the OS to be licensed. Add it being a potentially open platform. Then it's win win.
But the big elephant in the room is. Can Microsoft pull it off successfully.

@Banjo- The Xbox OS on the X/S already runs a part of the Windows 11 gaming subsystem due to it being a part of the Universal Windows Program. They just need to build up on it.

It does indeed.

It makes sense they'd wait for E Day & not have two clients to compete against themselves when it comes to multiplayer. Could that possibly add more weight to the collection being a hub? No sure. Multiplayer will definitely be a live service model. Will it be horde & PVP? As for the slide move? Will it be introduced in the collection or E Day?

@HonestHick indeed can't believe it's been about 20 years since I played the first gears game lol makes me feel old 😂.

@HonestHick my theory of it being a hub follows the success of others like Halo MCC, COD. But also Fortnite & Roblox. As to some they are a community in themselves. It also has advantages for users of cloud streaming. As they can access any game in the series or mode from one spot. As for the multiplayer. If they follow the hub model they could go free to play. The campaigns would be classed as dlc. So 1-3 first then add the rest with the updated visuals & play mechanics.

@HonestHick hopefully we find out soon enough. But if they make the collection into a hub. Then it may also explain the lack of multiplayer as they could start off with 4 & 5's then use the live service model to add the older maps, skins, modes etc.

@HonestHick if they do it that way they can have all the campaigns in one place & merge the multiplayer into a live service model.

I wonder if the Gears Collection will be a hub like Halo MCC & COD. So it will release with all the campaigns this year & then E Day in 2026. Which will include multiplayer & maps from all previous games.

Left 4 Dead 1 & 2. Been playing on my Asus Rog Ally via Steam. But would love to play on Xbox again.

I wonder if Fable, Gears E day & more will get delayed to next year to launch on the next Xbox. As now their pushing being a 3rd party publisher. They'll need a stellar launch line up to sell consoles. Plus it will stop the negative headlines that they run better on Playstation from the media.

I enjoyed Rise but preferred World. So looking forward to Wilds in the next few days. But disappointed in Fables delay but considering the amount of games announced lately I think I'll cope. Nice to see more Asian games announced also both indies & AAA. Hopefully the announcement of Blooper Teams new Konami game is a hint that Silent Hill 2 is coming this year to Xbox. The sequel to Edge of Eternity has been announced Edge of Memories. Ratan looks fantastic also.

@IOI Windows phone, mixer & zune didn't make money I'm afraid. Xbox is now making more money than Windows & it has a whole line of products via the Surface team. So I don't Xbox hardware going anywhere. If anything I could see the two teams work together.

@Kaloudz or even if they had a release schedule on the Xbox store. Like what most gaming websites have. Maybe in the preorder section which if it isn't available yet you can wishlist it.
But can't wait till Monster Hunter Wilds releases next week then on 21st March you have Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land by Keoi Tecmo.

@Kaloudz no I agree the whole narrative that Xbox users don't play Japanese games is probably why those announcements get swept under the carpet. Which is a shame as RPGs have always done well on Xbox.

It was mentioned briefly on Pure Xbox. But I get most of the Japanese gaming news through Gematsu. Just like I did Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals. I'd recommend it.

@Kaloudz hopefully we get more. As I'd love cygames to release Granblue Fantasy on Xbox. As they released Little Noah Scion of paradise at the end of 2023.

@Kaloudz looking like it.

@Kaloudz very true 😔.

@IronMan30 to be fair Nintendo hasn't had many descent competitor's in the handheld market. Sega with the Game Gear & Playstation with the PSP were the exception.

@Kaloudz it also looks like level 5 has put some work into the Xbox port. As it includes 4 player online co op. To Steams 3, PS4/5's 2 & Switch's 1.

@Kaloudz well I had to mention it. As if the writers are getting fed up with all the negative attention Xbox is getting for it's lack of attention to it's hardware & 1st party going multiplatform. Then publish the good news that Xbox's hard work has gained more Japanese support with Level 5 now supporting the platform.

Hopefully the first of many. As I can't wait for this. I'd love to be able to play Holy Horror Mansion, Professor Leyton, Deca Police as well on Xbox.

@Kaloudz comes out in May. PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S & PC were announced on Friday last week

@IronMan30 exclusives don't sell consoles though. It's a myth sold by fanboys. As look at the most played games across the board & their all 3rd party service titles in. Nintendo has the best exclusives & it couldn't save Nintendo during the GameCube, WiiU. They were successful due to unique hardware.

@IOI to be fair, what's to cope hard about?. So Xbox games are going to Playstation for full price. Why would I ditch my already owned console with Games Pass specifically for a Playstation. I own a PS5 for Sony 1st party titles & other exclusives. But It gathers dust due to their recent screw ups. As I have no interest in playing the remastered games I had on my PS4. The live service push means most studios will be lucky to have a game ready until the PS6 has released. Super hero games are boring & 3rd party exclusivity is becoming less of a problem. Even with Asian publishers like Square Enix, Level 5 & MiHoYo.

@FraserG I take it that's why their hasn't been an article on Level 5 bringing Fantasy Life i : the Girl Who Steals Time. Their first published game to Xbox in 20 years.

@Isolte yeah I agree. But only time will tell.

@Isolte I'm not sure either!!! But the issue Sony has that these cancelled games will hurt them financially in the years to come. If 3rd party exclusivity disappears or gets more expensive? That's another blow. Then you have the weak PC sales!!! Then Sony has to worry that if Xbox's strategy is a success & they become a top publisher on all platforms. Then it will be harder for Playstation management to convince the board that porting to Xbox is bad business.

@Isolte The problem is that Playstation need to recoup the money they lost on all those live service games they cancelled & watching Xbox becomes the largest publisher will have the board of directors asking questions.

@Jenkinss it all depends on what the next gen Xbox becomes. As it is rumoured to be a PC hybrid. So if it includes Steam like Phil said he wants then he has removed the 3rd party problem. Microsoft said they are working on making PC gaming on Windows as seem less as being on a console.

@DennisReynolds if Xbox isn't competition anymore. Then why are they still buying up 3rd party exclusives? To keep games off of Xbox. Do you think Sony is happy that a rival console manufacturer's games are selling better on their platform. Do you think Sony isn't concerned that the more Xbox expands. That they get dethroned from the top spot in revenue.

@Fiendish-Beaver people said the same thing about Windows!!!. When Microsoft ported their software on nearly every device under the sun. But I can still buy a Microsoft Windows Surface tablet as it's part of the software eco system. Xbox will be no different. It may be niche. But like a Surface tablet. The Xbox console will be the place to get all Xbox services on one device. So as long as the rest of the eco system is healthy. The Xbox console users still benefits.

@Isolte Sony is in a weird situation. As Nintendo consoles are traditionally 1st party first. 3rd party is a bonus. PC rejected their games due to PSN. Which they buckled under the pressure. So it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back from that. As for Xbox!!! I think they'll resist due to Games Pass. As if they release game on Xbox. Then Xbox hardware looks attractive due to Xbox first party being $20 on Games Pass or $70 to purchase & PlayStation studios $70. Where on PlayStation hardware its PlayStation & Xbox studios $70

@Fiendish-Beaver but the Xbox console is but one component within the eco system. So as long as the rest of the eco system is healthy via, Xbox app store, Cloud & Games Pass on any device with an internet & Bluetooth connection for controller support. Then 3rd party support will remain if not grow.

@Sol4ris id hope not either as AA indies have been a breath of fresh air when it comes to fun & innovative gameplay. But after the Ninja Gaiden 4 announcement. I'd have thought that even more devs including ones that didn't think of an Xbox version initially may change their tune if they get to release on all platforms & money up front for the Xbox & Games Pass release. It's a win for all involved.

@IOI if everything that Phil has said becomes a reality. Then the next gen Xbox could be an open platform. So it all depends on how they implement it. If they follow the Windows 11 app store route. Then the Xbox store is still the main hub. They may allow stores like Steam, Epic & GOG catalogue to be fully browsed within the store & purchased. For which Microsoft takes 12% of each purchase. Or they will allow you to download the launcher from store. Which bypasses Microsoft altogether. But requires the developer to pay a one off admin fee of $99 to use the store.
As for hardware. They have talked of 3rd party consoles. Which could mean that Microsoft may partner with Valve. So as well as an Xbox console & handheld. Valve has a future Steam Box & Deck with Steam OS. Tencent, Samsung & Sega could be good partners for the Asian market. So the more who are invested in the hardware the cheaper it becomes. They may also license out to OEMs. So the next Xbox doesn't necessarily have to cost $1000

@DennisReynolds the main reason Xbox has lost to PlayStation has been its lack of quality games. Plus they don't market the brand. But both are changing as Xbox has games, they are marketing the brand. Plus soon Xbox will be everywhere to the point people won't be able to ignore the brand. So if the eco system grows. The console benefits as it's part of the eco system.
As for PlayStation. They literally threw there games down the toilet which could take a decade to recover from. So they are loosing revenue which effects the quality of games. Means less revenue for marketing. Plus Ninja Gaidens 4 announcement of Xbox publishing 3rd party on all platforms. Will mean its harder & more expensive to secure 3rd party exclusives. Which could effect people choice next generation.

@Lrapsody if the rest of the Xbox eco system grows. The console regardless how many users play on it will benefit. So no the console isn't going anywhere.