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[JB2448]

http://gamingbolt.com/the-switch-wi...-has-had-in-all-of-2016-and-2017-put-together

I'm not looking for this thread to happen again, but I feel like this is a discussion that is worth having on the forum. The Xbox One's exclusive retail software lineup in the past two years has been comparatively anemic to the Xbox 360's and original Xbox's lineups at similar points in their life cycle.

At this point, with the Xbox One X launching in three short months, what can Microsoft do in order to entice existing console owners to upgrade or consider investing into the Xbox ecosystem? Having three console makers is an important balance in order for competition to fuel progress and pro-consumer initiatives. Any of the big three deciding to cut their losses and transform their dedicated console hardware business into software based on another platform or an open platform running an operating system (such as Microsoft's Windows 10) would spell a shift in the dynamics of the three-way platform balance.

Will this holiday show that exclusive software isn't entirely necessary in order to sell a premium platform iteration, or will the potentially poor performance cause Microsoft to reconsider its position in regards to dedicated video game hardware production? If the worst happens and they decide to withdraw from it, what can be done in order to ensure that there is adequate competition in the dedicated video game hardware space for consumers?

My apologies if this thread doesn't meet standards. Feel free to lock if the discussion isn't fruitful.

 

[Inuhanyou]

I say it in every MS thread about exclusive software. They don't need to do anything. They are just following a different path.

Just because they are not Nintendo and Sony, doing things the traditional ways or ways you may not necessarily like doesn't mean they need to change. That just means their ecosystem isn't for you.

They are killing it right now in terms of their profit margins and investments.

I game on PS4 and am looking to pick up a Switch later because MS turned me off with their decision making years ago, but that's just my view on their path. That doesn't mean my viewpoint is the general law or proves they are doing anything wrong for the vast majority of userbase that sticks with them.

 

[Yearsoflurking]

Microsoft needs to continue what they're doing and offer a variety of services that will allow them to invest in 1st party. If gamespass takes off like xbox live did they will be in an excellent position

 

[The Pet of the Month]

I had a gander at the article yesterday, and the author does bring up good points. But, personally speaking I couldn't care less about exclusive titles if they don't interest me. That being said, I'm not the only person that buys video games, and one title that doesn't pique my interest can easily be bought by millions of other players.

I think Microsoft can get folks to invest into the Xbox ecosystem by leveraging their strengths: services. Nearly all Microsoft products are service based these days, like Office and Visual Studio. Xbox has two services of their own, Gold and Game Pass. Three if you count EA Access.

Spread out Xbox, give out consoles with PC purchases at the Microsoft store, bring small Xbox Live titles to mobile like there was once on Windows Phone to pique interest into niche titles and rejuvenate interest in bigger titles, bring Xbox Play Anywhere to as many games as possible and make them playable on as many kinds of Windows 10 builds as possible, etcetera.

Don't get me wrong, I feel exclusive titles are important. Those quirky, weird games like Gravity Rush really cultivate the ecosystem. But, I feel that, if Microsoft can leverage their services end, I could not care less about their exclusive output.

 

[FelipeMGM]

I'm not looking for this thread to happen again,

.

 

[blakep267]

http://gamingbolt.com/the-switch-wi...-has-had-in-all-of-2016-and-2017-put-together

I'm not looking for this thread to happen again, but I feel like this is a discussion that is worth having on the forum. The Xbox One's exclusive retail software lineup in the past two years has been comparatively anemic to the Xbox 360's and original Xbox's lineups at similar points in their life cycle.

At this point, with the Xbox One X launching in three short months, what can Microsoft do in order to entice existing console owners to upgrade or consider investing into the Xbox ecosystem? Having three console makers is an important balance in order for competition to fuel progress and pro-consumer initiatives. Any of the big three deciding to cut their losses and transform their dedicated console hardware business into software based on another platform or an open platform running an operating system (such as Microsoft's Windows 10) would spell a shift in the dynamics of the three-way platform balance.

Will this holiday show that exclusive software isn't entirely necessary in order to sell a premium platform iteration, or will the potentially poor performance cause Microsoft to reconsider its position in regards to dedicated video game hardware production? If the worst happens and they decide to withdraw from it, what can be done in order to ensure that there is adequate competition in the dedicated video game hardware space for consumers?

My apologies if this thread doesn't meet standards. Feel free to lock if the discussion isn't fruitful.

I mean I think it's abundantly clear that during the holidays nobody needs exclusives to move hardware. Just 3rd party game bundles priced competitively. Assassins creed and Mordor are going to move systems(likely the S as I don't think they would be bundled with the X)Exclusive games aren't going to make somebody buy an X. Either they are or they aren't. There are a bunch of games with x enhancements that we know of.

 

[Snakeyes]

A better question is whether improving the situation when it comes to exclusive software is even a priority for Microsoft internally. They could be perfectly fine with having the best version of third-party games that are popular in the West, making money off Live subs/Game Pass, Xbox being a living room extension of the Windows ecosystem and a handful of tentpole exclusives to keep people coming back.

 

[etta]

It looks like they just don’t give a shit, though. They’re fine with being second best and with the money that GTA/COD/Madden...etc. brings in. They don’t care about unique franchises like Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break, Gears/Forza/Halo seems enough for them.

 

[PositiveGamer]

Why invest in exclusive IPS when no one buys them??

Sunset, Quantum, Halo 5, and even Gears 4 all underperformed...

I am sure thats the reason for cancellations among lack of news...

Maybe they are slowly rebuilding the brand with the game pass, ecosystem, online services etc etc..

Then later, (next Gen) bring back the games after gaining the trust of many that simply walked away with the reveal of Xbox one.

 

[wapplew]

Microsoft's 2017 software output is the repercussion of games cancellation, it's anomaly, not change of direction.
They'll back to their usual output next year.

 

[timberger]

I mean I think it's abundantly clear that during the holidays nobody needs exclusives to move hardware. Just 3rd party game bundles priced competitively. Assassins creed and Mordor are going to move systems(likely the S as I don't think they would be bundled with the X)Exclusive games aren't going to make somebody buy an X. Either they are or they aren't. There are a bunch of games with x enhancements that we know of.

I don't think this argument really holds water anymore when you've also got another, more expensive and successful console on the market (Switch), which is selling pretty much entirely off the back of exclusive software.

 

[AAMARMO]

The current situation at Microsoft Studios:

 

[Scrawnton]

Honest question: was putting all first party game son Win10 a good idea? It seems to have taken a lot of wind out of Xbox sails because now it is seen as nothing really being exclusive.

 

[Figments]

While I certainly feel that Microsoft needs to be doing better securing and developing exclusive software, I don't necessarily believe they need to about face on the whole of their current strategy. The focus on improving the services and featureset of Xbox Live over the past few years has bore quantifiable fruit--not in hardware sales, but in user engagement--so to some degree it has succeeded.

However, if Microsoft's focus is no longer on selling you a box, they still need to make damn sure that they sell you on their "ecosystem" or whatever buzzword they're calling it. That requires a combination of exclusives and features--Netflix didn't become a powerhouse only through exclusive content (though that's likely a poor comparison)--and the former is certainly lacking.

Games like Sea of Thieves should only be a START, not an END. If singleplayer games aren't in the cards, then make a crapload of INCREDIBLY GOOD multiplayer games. Utilize service features to bolster game development--Phil Spencer's thoughts on using Game Pass as a means to fund singleplayer content is a good example.

Spoiler

Though on a personal note, they shouldn't chase the trend of "cinematic" games that Sony's largely been going for. I fucking hate it, how it seems like every game is chasing that Last of Us pie.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Microsoft's 2017 software output is the repercussion of games cancellation, it's anomaly, not change of direction.
They'll back to their usual output next year.

Problem is their "usual output" has also been lacking.

 

[Bits N Pieces]

They don't have Japanese support and the cancelation of Scalebound, Fable, Phantom Dust along with a few studio closures is just exasperating the current schedule. In about a year or so they should be back to there normal output.

 

[goldenpp72]

Keep thinning out internal dev while letting the rest gobble up their lunch, seem's to be working out for them.

 

[EVA UNIT 01]

I say it in every MS thread about exclusive software. They don't need to do anything. They are just following a different path.

Just because they are not Nintendo and Sony, doing things the traditional ways or ways you may not necessarily like doesn't mean they need to change. That just means their ecosystem isn't for you.

They are killing it right now in terms of their profit margins and investments.

I game on PS4 and am looking to pick up a Switch later because MS turned me off with their decision making years ago, but that's just my view on their path. That doesn't mean my viewpoint is the general law or proves they are doing anything wrong for the vast majority of userbase that sticks with them.

I'm here.
All MS offers me is gears and I switched to PC and sold my xbone. I'll be possibly buying crackdown there too (also got recore on PC)
They have little to offer me personally but I'm happy to have access to it on PC.
They have their own path and it's up to each individual to decide if it's wrong for themselves.

 

[theWB27]

It looks like they just don't give a shit, though. They're fine with being second best and with the money that GTA/COD/Madden...etc. brings in. They don't care about unique franchises like Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break, Gears/Forza/Halo seems enough for them.

They're always going to be second best. If anything...there should be more threads on why Nintendo doesn't want to battle for first place. They are better situated to go after Sony worldwide.

You just named two franchises they took chances on...not to mention when they tried to expand their portfolio into more Japanese oriented software....and people don't buy them when they do take these chances.

I don't think this argument really holds water anymore when you've also got another, more expensive and successful console on the market (Switch), which is selling pretty much entirely off the back of exclusive software.

Nintendo software huh? Nintendo has pretty much made it clear they're ok being the +1 of the three.

 

[bombshell]

It looks like they just don’t give a shit, though. They’re fine with being second best and with the money that GTA/COD/Madden...etc. brings in. They don’t care about unique franchises like Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break, Gears/Forza/Halo seems enough for them.

The article uses the Switch exclusive 2017 lineup as comparison to show how dire the exclusive lineup of 2016 and 2017 combined has been on Xbox One. It does not use the much bigger lineup of the first place PS4 to do so. So if it continues to be so dire for Xbox, they should be careful not to become third place soon.

 

[BruceCLea]

Phil isn't doing a very good job in my opinion. I hope they announce some new stuff at Gamescom.

 

[etta]

They're always going to be second best. If anything...there should be more threads on why Nintendo doesn't want to battle for first place. They are better situated to go after Sony worldwide.

You just named two franchises they took chances on...not to mention when they tried to expand their portfolio into more Japanese oriented software....and people don't buy them when they do take these chances.

Worldwide sales don’t mean much to me because I don’t play multiplayer with people from other continents.
And luckily I am situated in the NA market because my tastes align more with this region than Europe or Asia.
So for me as long as the console is doing strong in NA, it is doing strong enough.

 

[Vince DiCola]

More 1st party studios.
More exclusive titles worth a damn.
Less meddling in studio's vision.
Just pay a few studios to make something Cool, trust their vision, don't try to shoehorn things like co op, micro payments or PvP multiplayer.
You could end up with something niche or something as awesome as Bloodborne

 

[therealbigrich]

I say it in every MS thread about exclusive software. They don't need to do anything. They are just following a different path.

Just because they are not Nintendo and Sony, doing things the traditional ways or ways you may not necessarily like doesn't mean they need to change. That just means their ecosystem isn't for you.

They are killing it right now in terms of their profit margins and investments.

I game on PS4 and am looking to pick up a Switch later because MS turned me off with their decision making years ago, but that's just my view on their path. That doesn't mean my viewpoint is the general law or proves they are doing anything wrong for the vast majority of userbase that sticks with them.

This is exactly right and I wish everyone had this thought process. I'm actually still a big fan of Xbox while owning a switch and ps4.

 

[JB2448]

Honest question: was putting all first party game son Win10 a good idea? It seems to have taken a lot of wind out of Xbox sails because now it is seen as nothing really being exclusive.

I absolutely think so. More people being able to experience games Microsoft produces is great, and there doesn't seem to be a major overlap between people that game on PC and consoles exclusively. At the same time, for that niche, there was cross-save and cross-purchase functionality for digital purchases of software released on both Windows 10 and Xbox One.

I meant more about how three dedicated video game platforms can coexist when one has a clear deficit in pure retail exclusive quantity. Games being released on Microsoft's PC operating system and enabling more people to play games they wouldn't have been able to otherwise while still trying to further ROI in their ecosystem isn't a negative for them or for consumers.

Just looking at https://www.microsoftstudios.com/studios/, first party game software production is coming from few studios internally. Having that software appear on more platforms (even if they're only Microsoft owned and operated except for Microsoft Casual Games and Minecraft) isn't a bad thing.

 

[Boke1879]

They are making a profit based on Live and transactions. It's clear they are moving more towards a service based model.

But yea I wouldn't expect them to invest in big AAA SP first party titles much in the future at all.

 

[KingBroly]

They need to attempt and reach a demographic outside of their own, which I question they can do honestly, at least in the next 3-5 years.

They need Platformers, they need some like Devil May Cry, they need to bring back Fable and not over-abuse it with stupidity. Because right now they have Shooters, Racers and Indies. That's simply not enough. Closing down studios left and right because they don't allow non-service games anymore has simply been their undoing. There's really nothing to get excited about on Xbox anymore because you can get it somewhere else.

 

[bombshell]

Worldwide sales don't mean much to me because I don't play multiplayer with people from other continents.
And luckily I am situated in the NA market because my tastes align more with this region than Europe or Asia.
So for me as long as the console is doing strong in NA, it is doing strong enough.

Well, Xbox One has been doing the opposite of strong in the US so far in 2017 based on the NPD numbers leak.

 

[Dabanton]

Honest question: was putting all first party game son Win10 a good idea? It seems to have taken a lot of wind out of Xbox sails because now it is seen as nothing really being exclusive.

I'd say it was. It's all money coming back to them. No matter if you play on Win 10 or Xbox

To weird fanboys these games are seen as not exclusive. To sane people who like to have a choice of where they want to game it's a great thing.

 

[Yearsoflurking]

It looks like they just don’t give a shit, though. They’re fine with being second best and with the money that GTA/COD/Madden...etc. brings in. They don’t care about unique franchises like Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break, Gears/Forza/Halo seems enough for them.

Sunset overdrive and quantum break bombed you're listing reasons why they're in the position they're in. If those games were successes we would be seeing sequels

 

[jdmonmou]

Honest question: was putting all first party game son Win10 a good idea? It seems to have taken a lot of wind out of Xbox sails because now it is seen as nothing really being exclusive.

At first I didn't like the move since it made my Xbox One redundant, but I came around to embracing it after I sold my Xbox. I can just keep putting my money into PC upgrades rather than having to also spend that money on Xbox consoles which is a great thing honestly.

And MS makes most of their money from game sales, not console sales. It's very easy for anyone now to get in the Xbox ecosystem. The budget conscious can get the Xbox One S, the high end console gamer can get the One X, and the PC gamer on Win 10 can just stick to that. MS can now sell games to all these people. I don't think they're concerned with one platform cannabalizing the other.

 

[DriftingSpirit]

I say it in every MS thread about exclusive software. They don't need to do anything. They are just following a different path.

Just because they are not Nintendo and Sony, doing things the traditional ways or ways you may not necessarily like doesn't mean they need to change. That just means their ecosystem isn't for you.

They are killing it right now in terms of their profit margins and investments.

I game on PS4 and am looking to pick up a Switch later because MS turned me off with their decision making years ago, but that's just my view on their path. That doesn't mean my viewpoint is the general law or proves they are doing anything wrong for the vast majority of userbase that sticks with them.

I think the general idea is that MS' software can be better and more appealing overall. Their software output shouldn't be declining as the generation goes along.

 

[nekkid]

I'm not looking for this thread to happen again

Good luck with that.

 

[theWB27]

Worldwide sales don't mean much to me because I don't play multiplayer with people from other continents.
And luckily I am situated in the NA market because my tastes align more with this region than Europe or Asia.
So for me as long as the console is doing strong in NA, it is doing strong enough.

And people still don't support their NA efforts when they do try. They go big at the beginning of a gen....their games flop/don't perform well...they settle into safer bets later on.People rag on Halo/Gears/Forza...well they sell units.

 

[blakep267]

I don't think this argument really holds water anymore when you've also got another, more expensive and successful console on the market (Switch), which is selling pretty much entirely off the back of exclusive software.

Nintendo doesn't follow the same logic as the PS4 or Xbox as they don't have any of the big third party games so they need exclusives more ban anybody. If Nintendo doesn't have a Zelda they're screwed. If MS doesn't have an exclusive game they still have GTA V and the newest COD coming out that will sell hardware(sells hardware for Sony also)

 

[Mediking]

I say it in every MS thread about exclusive software. They don't need to do anything. They are just following a different path.

Just because they are not Nintendo and Sony, doing things the traditional ways or ways you may not necessarily like doesn't mean they need to change. That just means their ecosystem isn't for you.

They are killing it right now in terms of their profit margins and investments.

I game on PS4 and am looking to pick up a Switch later because MS turned me off with their decision making years ago, but that's just my view on their path. That doesn't mean my viewpoint is the general law or proves they are doing anything wrong for the vast majority of userbase that sticks with them.

You lost me when you said they're "killing it" on their different path.

Xbox needs major restructuring and remembering what IPs they can do justice.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

And people still don't support their NA efforts when they do try. They go big at the beginning of a gen....their games flop/don't perform well...they settle into safer bets later on.People rag on Halo/Gears/Forza...well they sell units.

Problem is Franchise Fatigue is setting in for all three of those.

 

[//DEVIL//]

I have a serious question I would like to ask.

Clearly the xbox one isn't doing great in terms of sales. US or world wide ( since the Switch has been released and they have been in third place so far in the US and almost dead out side), will MS call it a day with the hardware if the xbox one X sells poorly ?

I mean, I am really torn with my estimate in terms of sales. In one hand its the most powerful console in the market. That alone will help drive sales. but in the other hand the price doesn't really help much, and outside their lunch period I find it hard to sell the console for the asking price.

I do not own and xbox since I own a very powerful PC. but I do not want them to get out of hardware either because if you left Sony alone in the market we are fucked.

 

[MugiwaraCole]

I'm not looking for this thread to happen again,

You sweet summer child.

 

[The Pet of the Month]

Problem is Franchise Fatigue is setting in for all three of those.

It's hard for me to see franchise fatigue for Halo and Gears when those games get sequels every three years. Forza seems to be doing better than ever with yearly releases, too.

 

[facetheslayer92]

I don't have anything to add as to what they can do as I think the heyday of Xbox, however brief it was, is over, but I love the idea that in a few years your Xbox will be backwards compatible with OG Xbox games, most 360 games, XB1 games, etc. I think that's fucking rad.

 

[Mr.Deadshot]

Not canceling promising games like Scalebound would be a nice start. Not turning great old franchises in F2P garbage like Fable Legends or the last Age of Empires game would be another good way. Not closing studios like Lionhead and Ensemble could also work for them. Resurrecting old franchises like MechAssault, Crimson Skies and Freelancer should also help.

 

[Samanosuke Akechi]

 

[guyssorry]

It's sad. I have so many exclusives for the original Xbox. So many good exclusives. XB1 is highly disappointing, in comparison.

 

[timberger]

Nintendo software huh? Nintendo has pretty much made it clear they're ok being the +1 of the three.

If they can keep Switch sales going strong, they'll probably be outselling Xbox with it in the not-too-distant future.

 

[LaNaranja]

So, is it just me or is the article in the OP really poorly written?

An in-depth analysis on Xbox’s dire exclusives situation, highlighted via an unflattering comparison.

 

[Jeff Freecss]

Comparing Nintendo Switch to Xbox One is just dumb. If we want to count the number of games worth playing, Xbox One's number will easily be multiple times more than Switches'. I have a Nintendo Switch. Although every game I played on it so far are very enjoyable, I find that the games worth playing in the EShop can be counted in one hand.

People keep saying one masterpiece is all the reasons they need to buy a Switch. Yet when it comes to Xbox One, the quantity is always the only thing that matters.

Technically, even WiiU has more notable exclusives than Xbox One. Yet it's the WiiU that died first. This fact alone should show that the number of exclusives is not the only factor to determine a gaming plaatform's success. And I don't see why all the sudden we are all pretend otherwise.

 

[DESTROYA]

As a person that loves new hardware I'm really not that interested in what the Xbox one software lineup has to offer, the Scorpio announcement would normally have me pretty excited but for some reason doesn't. I really think it's lack of exclusives.

 

[chaosmaster(1)]

I think they'd rather save big new AAA ip investment for a new generation. I think they feel that investing big for the Xbox One now won't give them the HW returns they'd like. They most likely want to be number 1 in their core territories again growing in territories where they lost improvement from last gen.

I think they'd rather time it alongside a rebranded next gen console where consumers are more open to the platform as well as MS having an opportunity to grab early adopters is my thinking. The plan currently is to ride it out and milk the whales as much as possible and hopefully work on a plan for the next battle that will yield them better results. From my observations MS would rather go hard at the beginning of a generation.

They won't touch Sony or the 360 but I do think the brand is capable of being in a much better position than it is now.

 

[Leyasu]

So, is it just me or is the article in the OP really poorly written?

lol

Gamingbolt thrive on two or three paragraph blogs wrote just for n4g.

How gamingbolt is still allowed on here raises questions