Comments 278

Re: Poll: How Important Is The Xbox Play Anywhere Program To You?

darylb24

I think for older gamers stuck on console, it is not important, but for the ever-increasing cohort of younger gamers who play across console, mobile, PC, Cloud, and handheld, it is great to only have to buy one version of the game. I really hope Sony implements something similar in the future if it ever does a PC launcher.

I love the idea that all these games can come with me to a PC or Windows-based handheld, depending on where I want to play.

Re: Xbox President Talks Positive & Resistant Feedback From Fans, How It's Shaping The Future

darylb24

Changes that are resulting in growth for the Xbox brand and appeal to younger generations are, of course, going to annoy and upset the hardcore console gamer fanbase of Millennials and Gen X players.

It may be a wise move from a business perspective right now, but the older generations of gamers who grew up with consoles will almost never like it.

The youth of the future are far more focused on live service, mobile, portable, and PC gaming, and MS is very much leaning this way while PlayStation and Nintendo are holding onto the shrinking console market. I can't see any more than 1-2 console generations for them as younger players with their new habits have increased purchasing power and moved to cheaper and more flexible gaming formats.

MS will be there in the future with the infrastructure to take their money, regardless of what we like or don't like.

Re: Analyst Questions Whether Next Xbox & PS6 Could Slip To 2028 Following GTA Delay

darylb24

I think Sony will be more concerned with console sales than Microsoft will.

Sony wants to hit the 120 million+ sales that PS4 did across its 7 years, while Microsoft is less interested in hitting any console sales targets and keen to move across to the PC gaming space.

They may both delay into 2028, but it would be for different reasons.

For MS, it would be waiting for the GTA 6 PC port to come over so they can put it on their new machine day one.

For Sony, it would be so they can milk additional console sales for the PS5.

Re: Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Shares His Thoughts On Valve's New 'Steam Machine'

darylb24

@outswimmingtheflood MS gaming is making more money than it has ever done, and it has a brand new platform to sell even more software. They are a software and services company, and the new Xbox PC will only be a small factor in what is now gaming's largest publisher.

Sure, it is not what traditional console gamers want, but MS is very happy with things at MS gaming right now, with a pivot towards younger generations that will give them another 50 years in business.

Re: Talking Point: What Does The 'Steam Machine' Mean For Xbox's Next-Gen Console Plans?

darylb24

I do wonder if Steam will allow its platform onto the new Xbox PC, given that it will be making a competing hardware product now.

Either way, MS and Value will be fine, but how will Sony and Nintendo fare with their dated business models in the shrinking home console market?

The key factors for my home PC purchase, like many, will be:

Price - Dependant on power level, but ideally under £999.99 for me (Or £599.99 for the mass market).

Power - Should be more powerful than the Series X (Seems like the Steam Machine is weaker with less RAM than a Series S).

Accessibility - Can I just run the game? Or do I have to mess with PC game settings?

Back Compatibility - Can I play my old Xbox game library on it?

Re: Xbox Journalist Says Latest Rumours Are 'A Huge Challenge For The Brand Right Now'

darylb24

To be honest, the marketing department needs a major overhaul, as the communication and optics have been poor.

It's clear that Xbox is slowly pivoting away from the dying console space, and the more hardcore 5% of gamers are lashing out at the change.

Right now, most Xbox gamers just play their games and are not engaged with the future of Xbox.

But Microsoft has to be careful because these YouTube videos and constant "Xbox is dead" messaging will seep through.

Someone at Microsoft or Microsoft Gaming needs to get this trend by the scruff of the neck and make it very clear that Xbox is here to stay (which it is going by the increasing yearly revenues).

One day Xbox will just publish games, and sell off their oem to 3rd party partners like Asus, and they will be making more money than they ever did in the expensive home console space.

Re: New Silent Hill F Xbox Advertisement Makes It Clear You're Only Buying A 'License'

darylb24

A physical disc is nothing more than something nice to look at on a shelf and a license on a disc.

Sometimes, you even have some or most of the game on the disc.

But you don't own it any more than a digital licence.

True media format ownership would mean you can copy, transfer, or redistribute these games.

In this life, the only thing we truly own is ourselves, and even that is up for debate.

You don't need to own things to be happy. You just need to enjoy and appreciate things that come your way.

Re: Xbox Issues Statement Denying Rumour That Next-Gen Console Could Be Cancelled

darylb24

I will say, after reading the statement again, I do believe it's actually a clever way to keep things vague. The sad thing is that I genuinely do not trust Microsoft to follow through with what they say anymore due to the number of times they have pivoted in a matter of weeks.

It makes me feel unsafe in my investment over the last number of years. I know that seems a bit dramatic, but when you feel uncertain about the future and there is no clear reassurance, you start to wonder if it's worth investing your time and money into this ecosystem.

I cannot say I have ever felt uncertainty with Nintendo or Sony. I trust them to be around in 5 years.

For Xbox, it's more like I hope they are around in 5 years.

Re: 'Price Increases Are Never Fun For Anybody' Says Xbox Exec Defending Game Pass Changes

darylb24

The value is there but unfortunately Microsoft failed to realise that game pass is for mostly casual gamers who would never have time to play the 10-20 hours of day 1 games per week to make the subscription worth while.

For me maybe I could justify the £22.99 a month based on the amount of day one gamepass games I've played ahd saved money on buy I know I'm one of a rare few.