Yeah I mean, it’s fair. Like I said I was just offering an anecdote. To answer your question just since it’s interesting to think about, among my close friends who play games:
four already had Xboxes
one started with Xbox one after being a huge 360 guy, but then switched to PS4 when it became evident PS4 was gonna be the default system. He’d be a good target customer for MS.
one has only ever been PS+Nintendo and I doubt game pass can change that
So then that leaves the two who bought it for game pass. One had a PS4 but sold it for the Xbox, one had no systems but had previously owned Xbox consoles. Both of them were sold on the idea of playing multiplayer with the rest of us across this huge shared collection of games, so it was definitely partly network effects in addition to GP overall value. They liked the idea of just getting “all the games” so to speak and being able to play solo, with their kids etc. as well for one price.
Yeah i probably am, but its not like carpenters insinuation is really a positive contribution.
Its just frustrating when I spend the time to do a long post explaining my position, for only to be replied with none of my points being addressed but rather just be accused of things with no reasoning.
Oh well, its all out there for posters to see.
I’m reserving my final opinion until after September, but at this moment MS is getting straight up killed by Sony and PS5. Sony’s marketing has been on another level, and I continue to get emails weekly about the PS5 coming soon. Social Media is all PS5 as well … I have seen stuff on the UI, hardware, etc from MS but nothing about games at all since Halo was delayed.
MS desperately need to show some kind of gameplay (not video) soon to get some kind of momentum
I have seen some brand tie-in promos for Halo that have still gone out, even if the game is now MIA. I obviously don’t know how a deal like that works, but I guess if the ads don’t run someone might be in breach of contract which is why they went out anyway. Presumably any promo branding on energy drinks and doritos that was planned has to be ordered months in advance too, so we’ll probably see more of it.
I can imagine most of Xbox’s marketing was going to be hung on Halo, and without it they’re probably trying to regroup.
I honestly feel like I can’t say anymore incase someone jumps up and accuses me of concern trolling.
They are certainly in an interesting position, where the game they were hyping up as the big flagship launch title is now delayed. I think at this point, they should focus on showing what Smart Delivery games will look like on the Series X. Show me Gears 5. Show me Horizon 4. Show me Valhalla. Show me The Avengers.
EDIT: By the way, the title of the thread has changed yet again.
Opinion: Consoles still matter. Launch window sales still matter. Therefore launch window exclusives still have value. Just not nearly to the same extent as they did previously. Not in the big picture.
The part that can’t be under-estimated though is how effective viral messaging is. When competition is empowered by hordes of loyalist that can dominate Youtube algorithms, messaging needs to be on point. Right now it’s not and it’s creating a headache for those of us who are excited about next gen but have to step over the carnage of plastic wars to get there.
That said, viral messaging works in both directions. I’ll continue to remind everyone that Epic’s company value exponentially grew and they gained enough money to compete as a platform this gen. All this from a game which originally started as a commercial AA failure. To the mainstream, Epic was nothing weeks after Fortnite launched. Now they are a household name. Content will continue to be king however it’s the mega hits that drive platforms. Good games like Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break don’t. Good games provide the variety and quantity keep people there once the mega hits bring them through the door. Microsoft is better off investing most of their resources towards content they own and delaying until that content can have real impact. It’s more important than paying for 3rd party exclusives that aren’t mega hits or rushing their own stuff.
In the big picture, we’re transitioning to a significant paradigm change. First to 10 million doesn’t determine whether Xbox as a platform explodes or reaches their goals next generation. If in 2021 Xbox studios are prepared to demo better, Halo is great and messaging is on point, the subdued launch will be forgotten by the masses.
I saw a Digital Foundry video which showed Gears 5 running on Series X and the stuff they were pointing at as being the big changes just wasn’t significant enough, imo. It’d be really easy to talk it down.
I think if they packaged together a lot of things, how quick changing game is, showed something that had a marked and noticeable improvement, whatever the flashiest games they’ve got deals on, etc, they might put something together that fans would like, but I think they need to get a deal sorted on a game that they can market around if they want to seem appealing to a wider audience.
Getting Cyberpunk optimised and running on series X first would probably do it. If they could say “we couldn’t wait so we’ve partnered with CDPR to help get Cyberpunk up and running on Series X, using the full power of Series X (whispering: and ignoring PS5 for 6 months), AND DID WE MENTION SOME EXCLUSIVE DLC?!” - then I think some people would be furious, but a lot of people would feel like they’ve got something to look forward to.
Easy, yes. Factual? No. The DF showcase of Gears 5 with very little dev time applied was a “WOW!” factor for me. I find it hard to believe anyone being honest with viable constraints would deliberately downplay this for any reason other than FUD.
They have done that with Quick Resume (showing multiple games) and the load of State of Decay with - if I recall - zero optimization of game code.
Is it buried under all of the other vitriol? Yes! But what you’ve asked for has been done.
With that in mind, and framing within a constructive feedback mentality, what else are you hoping for? More examples of the same? Or a mix?
For example, I’d love to see MS note (and show!) an X Enhanced game running in BOTH performance and visual enhancement modes. Especially if it can and would be done will no need for developer involvement.
Edit: A thought I intended to share but a work discussion derailed me. How much of this blasé response could be from the home equipment inadequacies? Poor streaming? 1080p sets with poor motion capability? I think the dedicated set ups companies used at E3 type events helped bypass this by ensuring the tech was shown “properly”. The same stream (Halo Infinite, for examle!) looked significantly worse on my 10 year old 1080p plasma TV then my LG OLED. And the plasma TV was top tier in it’s day!
