The Front Row

I think Microsoft is in a great position to get this out because they’re pretty immune to price rises. They buy these in for their own data centers anyway. Maybe having an ex AI boss has its advantages. Who knows?

There is no doubt that Microsoft is using PCs as a much larger part of the playbook here. However, they’ve also emphasized how important gaming is to them and it’s that reassurance to Xbox fans which will be music to their ears.

Many people had reservations about this and where Xbox would be going in the future. We’ve known about it for the last two years based on certain rumblings around the industry about where Microsoft wants to take gaming. The fact now that we’re seeing communication coming out signifying the intent that this is a ‘complete reset’ as we suggested that focuses on their strengths. It’s going to be interesting how they can get people on board with the cost of this thing. Especially when the PS6 is going to be relatively cheaper and still pack a relatively good punch.

Of course, the openness of the consoles and modding possibilities are going to be of great benefit to those that are comfortable with that. The value of other storefronts being an option will ultimately save gamers in the long run as well on software.

There are, however, whispers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate being the only way you can reach that benefit, but I am not so sure, because it’s already a possibility on the Xbox Rog Ally already. I do think however, that it’s certain now that we’ll lose this online fee that’s been with us for the last two generations. We ‘might’ also see that family plan. I think anyway which allows your platform to become really enticing is a great way of bringing that marketing into play for this thing.

I just find it intriguing that we’re seeing a complete reset and the ‘full’ commitment to not only just invest in hardware but in the best gaming experiences and games. It’s not what some of the gaming community wanted. It is however, what the gaming industry needed because competition to be better and do better is something that improves each console no matter what side of the fence you happen to be on.

One of the last things Phil Spencer said before he retired was. “I don’t want Xbox to ever be afraid to innovate”. Be under no illusions, Project Helix in a way is not only his way of saying ‘goodbye’. It’s a reincarnation of Xbox with a vision to show how he might have wanted to see that experience translate to other devices so that it will always be around no matter what form it takes now and in the future.

It was clear from the circumstances at the time that this generation really wasn’t ready. In fact, developers are only just now starting to deliver the games and the promise of what this generation should have been from the start. Of course, there are always three year windows of games flooding out the gate in a typical scenario. However, this generation was different and is more of a six year window because of 2019.

There are many speculations about when Sony will be able to launch their next console with the PS6. I look at this way, if PlayStation isn’t able to beat Microsoft on ‘power’ and if they stick to the same traditional path of consoles that I truly believe they are doing. There isn’t that need to quickly rush into a console generation anymore when you know that what Microsoft are going to deliver is going to be a premium and expensive console.

Of course, there will be different levels of ‘power’ and multiple consoles from Microsoft that can adjust that pricing scheme. The way I see it though, for the most part, gamers will edge to what is achievable and what is cost-effective. As they have done for generations prior.

So I pose the question right now to you all. Why would Sony and PlayStation need to rush? Especially when the fact is the PS6 will likely be the premium console in a singular format that is based on sku’s that deliver a physical or digital approach to the pricing structure?

They simply do not need to rush at all. Many PlayStation fans are really happy ‘as is’ and they can wait when the promise of games and key franchises are returned into the fray. We’ve spoken about how these franchises that fans love will come back. Essentially I think Sony is in a really good place no matter what Microsoft chooses to do. The competition is going to be within their studios and with that appearing to become more competitive again. This approach could bring us back into a generation where it’s exciting for fans again.

If you were to ask me. When is the PS6 going to make an appearance? I couldn’t possibly tell you with any clarity which I delivered to you with the Xbox plan. I simply understand that the key to all this is really. How ready are PlayStation Studios? That’s the key takeaway here. Because ultimately, what we’re seeing with Xbox in its games-lineup as of late. Is that they’re ready and primed to go and have been propping up this generation for PlayStation fans with great execution.

Gaming fans know that Xbox doesn’t really have exclusives anymore. They’re now very much on competing platforms like PlayStation. I do not think it’s the software success of going multi-platform that has spooked Sony. It’s the incredible decline in the Xbox hardware.

Another thing that’s certain as well, Nintendo is starting to gather steam and as a competing platform that is very much akin to ‘sticking to the ways of exclusivity’. It now paves the way for Microsoft to have the whole show floor regarding whatever policy they want to proceed with regarding their own games. I’ve spoken that ‘timed exclusivity’ is very much a thing that’s in the picture just because of how Microsoft is intent on that multi-purpose approach. Having said that, they’re going to need to bring back ‘the hype’ for the next hardware. One of the ways they do that is through Game Pass but other ways are appeasing the fans and bringing back the excitement to gaming again.

So who really wins out of all of this? Well, in terms of the PlayStation fanbase and that old school approach that has served the platform so well over the years. I would say, it’s them. That’s not to take away anything from the fact that Sony has been doing pretty dire on PC anyway.

But with all due respect, were they ever that serious about it to begin with? Poor optimization and everything else aside. It’s clear, that PlayStation is protecting what they see as games that you need to own their console for. That’s not to say that it will always stay like that.

It depends on how ‘successful’ Sony can continue to be. If we’ve seen anything this generation, they’ve amassed record revenues but the fan opinion of this generation hasn’t been the best. They still have a long way to ‘winning people over’ in the next generation. For that to happen, they’re going to need to reinvest and bring back some classics that fans love.

Do I see that happening under the current management at Sony? That’s an interesting question. With the closing of Bluepoint and how they handled that. That hurt the majority who wanted a Bloodborne Remake. So they’re going to need to have a big win for the next generation with returning franchises. Sony knows why people are zoned in on their platform. They have every right to protect their space in the gaming industry. That’s also coming from someone who is pretty much all in on Xbox these days.

Bringing Microsoft back into the picture here as well. The next generation will be a defining one for Xbox. They need to get so much right and that means bringing the gaming industry into an era that gets people talking again and that means real competition. It’s always going to be there as well. No matter what any of the big three do. These platforms have loyal fans, but where Xbox is concerned their focus needs to be getting back to what made them so effective in the 360 era. That’s why you have Asha looking into all the platform specifics and is taking stock in what to proceed with or what might need to change.

The future is inevitable and we’re going to see less and less exclusives. But what clearly is apparent is that Sony is not ready to take the kind of gamble that has brought the Xbox hardware to its knees. Until the industry can actually move forward from these hardware metrics. We’re always going to see that fight and that competition with exclusivity remaining a key part of the console platform and that’s especially for Sony and Nintendo.

Does that fit into what Microsoft’s plans are and does Asha have the power to really define the platform in the way she wishes? Only time will tell, what I do foresee is that it’s going to be ‘game on’ very much regarding Xbox trying to stay as competitive as they can through the vision they have for the industry, and that’s with PC playing a major part in that. Will other gaming fans become more attuned to Microsoft’s line of messaging in line with what is now our reality?

We all know what a new generation can do for anybody. We also know that if you get it right you can have the kind of success you’d like. For that to happen though, Microsoft is going to need to play their best ever chess match because they’re really running out of moves to make.

They’re going to need the fans to get onboard with whatever the next generation has in store for us. If that means invoking the spirit of the 360 era. Who’s going to actually say no to that?

Phil Spencer did many good things for the Xbox division, but like with anything in business, the indirection of the brand has been killing it recently overall. My hope is that Asha can steady the ship, while also bringing back some of the core pillars and direction of what having an Xbox means to the consumer, or at least, what it should mean to be a part of the Xbox family.

That means, not only serving Xbox fans ‘in the right way’ with timed exclusivity and raising the brand standards across the board. But also, meeting PlayStation fans half-way to meet profitability targets. Obviously, they’re going to have to meet both fan bases half-way regarding software. You simply cannot dilute your own brand and then expect your hardware to have any sort of leverage. That’s just an unworkable situation.

Xbox should focus on its strengths as a brand. They should bring more third-party games that need an audience to Game Pass. They have a service here which is a subscription model that is a promotion platform in itself. Beast of Reincarnation is a game for example.

That’s something I am very much looking forward to trying out. They’re already building the foundations around ‘value’ in terms of the software so extend that with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate family plan. When the new storefronts launch on their next generation hardware.

They need to be making sure that the software they’re selling directly has benefits to it over their competition store-fronts.

Microsoft has the money to revive classic franchises. Work with third-party studios and fund other projects that fans crave. Doing this not only provides fandom but it creates a profile around your brand of being a source to champion. Sony has done many good things over the years where they’ve championed that same mentality. We can call it ‘the winners’ mentality. Because it’s something that really does deliver when it comes to entertainment.

I mean, just imagine, if they teamed up with Platinum games and brought back Scalebound. Imagine if they decided to actually do things beyond Call of Duty and brought back Singularity or even Prototype. They have the kind of IP that can cause a seismic shock within itself.

I’ve spoken about the fact that Xbox Game Pass can get even better. Just imagine if Xbox actually started utilizing some of the IP they now have under their umbrella. While also delivering this on mass to families in a more affordable way. It just makes sense regarding what they’re trying to do with their handheld hardware as well. You really want to be leading not only on content but on subscription metrics where it can benefit the consumer and the brand overall. It’s that combination and balance that best represents where I feel Xbox needs to go next.

It’s an exciting time to be an Xbox fan. Microsoft just needs to start understanding ‘what it has’ while also, protecting and committing to the platform. Because nothing kills a brand quite like uncertainty, you put that to bed, and then you can start building those pillars and realigning your ambitions. From a business point of view, this appointment could be onto something. Time will tell if Asha can match the expectations of Xbox fans and restore that ‘winning’ mentality. Because that’s what creates enthusiasm and breeds confidence and is something everyone can remain faithful to.

The brand is suffering, a while ago I wrote an article about how PlayStation was losing its soul. It has lost everything that made the PS4 era so damn popular. It actually had a leadership team that got what its fanbase wanted. The euphoria from that and its comeback on decisions that Microsoft made back in the day. It was a real reason why they ‘won’ the console sale numbers.

Rising PlayStation Studios costs and even their lack of new IP. It’s been sequel after sequel with their mainline franchises. Taking out the equation of course all the good stuff they’re doing elsewhere. They’ve done a horrible job of not being able to ‘read the room’. Yet, the PlayStation 5 era is the most profitable it has ever been and every negative that I am talking to you about now ‘it’s just noise’. The thing about noise though, when it starts to get louder, you then start to get a crowd, once that happens it turns into a stadium of people that think that maybe the issue is with the company itself.

Another thing that has absolutely killed the hype is that the competition is just not there now. We do have Nintendo, but can you class them as competition when their hardware isn’t even on the same level? So everyone’s looking at Xbox, but with your library of games stuck in the PlayStation ecosystem.

You’re stuck. You made your choice years ago and on that basis your mind is set on the brand of your choice. To what end? Nickel and diming in every regard. Something has to change, Sony will have to open up their ecosystem in the same way so that their software is no longer gated.

It just has to happen. Otherwise, why wouldn’t Microsoft and PC not be a solution people aren’t worth considering? Yes, Sony has tied up some ‘timed’ exclusive deals of late. However, that’s only going to last so long before people start to recognise that as anti-consumer.

PlayStation fans deserve not to have their software gated to the hardware. Eventually there may come a point where they follow in the steps of Microsoft there. When? Who knows, but it’s definitely coming. In fact, the transfer of digital licenses or even the change-over to a new console entirely. Should be as easy as transferring your music from one music service to another. There should never be this lock. Our digital licenses should be exchangeable wherever that is possible for other versions of consoles of those same games.

How long can Sony live on their PS4 popularity? Let me answer that question for you now. Infinitely, because of the way their ecosystem is. If consoles are just PC’s in essence, then eventually things are going to need to change there. Licensing needs to become simpler and more exchangeable for other versions when gaming fans become absolutely disappointed in what their chosen platform is doing.

Is this technically possible? Maybe not now within what PlayStation is doing. However, the multi-platform approach is becoming more a step where we reach that possibility. I personally think it will be but whether it comes to fruition is another thing entirely.

Microsoft so far has gotten its open ecosystem very right. With Steam dropping into the equation. It’s interesting where the industry takes us. But maybe, if you’re a visionary, you see the point I am trying to make.

Let’s get it right, Fallout is just a bigger name and with its exposure now in TV form. It’s living a second life of sorts in terms of getting everyone interested in the next big thing from that team. It took only 18 months for Obsidian to develop New Vegas. Which is arguably the best game in the franchise. Now with it seeing it’s age, we could see a new lease of life within one of these popular entries in the franchise.

If Elder Scrolls is still a way off. I just see Fallout being the one that naturally falls into that slot. Microsoft are really starting to come into their own with these studios now under their wing. If they can manage to keep these teams ‘active’ in the best way, then I can only really see Xbox in the long-run benefiting substantially from that.