Xbox Hardware Revenues Down Again Despite Content & Services Growth

Certainly not surprising. Microsoft has recognized that services and software was the best source of revenue going forward.

No surprise really when we consider the entire year in terms of news and the way xbox and microsoft talked about things. The brand isn't what it used to be or atleast it feels like the brand is "dying". Meanwhile sony while making mistakes aswell is selling the ps5 like hotcakes. Nintendo still riding the switch as steady as can be. Sad to see xbox losing steam but until microsoft figures out what it wants to do with the brand, not much will change. Even cod on gamepass won't change that.

Think MS has to put all its eggs into the services basket now. Not sure if next gen xbox will exist but there is no chance I will be buying it this time as I'll be able to play GP (if I decide to) elsewhere and most if not all games will end up on PS anyway - so would guess next gen hardware will be an even bigger bust for them. It's all about the CoD subscriptions for them now, possibly their only positive story this gen, albeit it cost them a lot of billions for that success.

The only thing keeping me in the Xbox ecosystem is my huge game library. I hope they'll have a next-gen Xbox, because despite all we've been hearing, I prefer to use Xbox as my main gaming machine.

Does this surprise anyone when they literally advertise that you don't need an Xbox to play Xbox games any more? I get that their early idea was to buy all of these publishers and simply make everyone buy an Xbox because all of the games would be on Gamepass day one. As it turns out a subscription service alone didn't entice people over to the platform much to their surprise. The amount of people who figured those who just played third party games from the likes of Activision and Bethesda grossly overstated their value. If all or most of those games are still coming out on Playstation and that platform has plenty of games that aren't on yours even from third parties most people are still going to choose the one that has more to choose from.

Nearly time to sadly wave goodbye to my series x. As not investing anymore in Xbox eco system.
I just can’t trust them to be there in the way I want next generation.

Call of duty on cloud via fire stick is actually pretty good. I was expecting a bad experience but I might play it there more often.

Are there people still holding on to Xbox at this point? If so wake up, you care more about Xbox than Microsoft do.

Xbox as a brand is going to become more irrelevant while the cash pours in for Microsoft gaming.

I don't get how people think there won't be a next gen xbox when it's known to be targeting 2026 for multiple next gen hardware releases.

They will obviously still make hardware going forward even if there comes a time that it is not the main focus of their gaming strategy.

I bought my Series X on launch day and between me and my kids it's almost always being used. Last gen I had an Xbox One then got a One S, then a One X, then the One X died so I bought another One X. Thank you Microsoft for making a system to last the generation from the start.

Are they streaming series x versions now? They previously streamed the series s versions, which makes sense from a server point of view, but folks are gonna want those bells and whistles.

Wah wah, my plastic box isn't selling, wah wah!

The long and short of it all is that gaming habits are changing and people are finding other ways to play, such as PC/Phone/Firestick/Tablet. It isn't 1995 anymore.

Xbox will be an almost full blown publisher within the next five years.

@BacklogBrad I don’t see how folks think that either especially when Microsoft came out themselves and specifically stated they are committed to next gen.

It’s now in the last breaths,good bye Xbox consoles .

What do they expect? What incentive do customers have to buy an Xbox right now?

Is it to play great first party games? Well...those are going to Playstation or just not coming out at all or being delayed into oblivion.

Is it to subscribe to a "Netflix like gaming experience" that is severely overpriced, offering an over abundant plethora of kiddie games or quality level of game boy games? Well...Xbox does have that in game pass.

So there you have it.

@Seioni Because people don't understand business and business strategies and they hold onto the console and the console wars as though a console is the only way to access Xbox games. Also, research goes a long way and this entire industry breeds doomsayers. It's ridiculous.

@OldGamer999 I already have pal. The hardware side is done and all in all that may not be a bad thing for some people. I play Xbox on PC and am happier there. I have a PS5 too and in the UK it’s the obvious main.
At some point Microsoft will work out a way to pull the plug on the console business and communicate that to people more clearly. They are communicating that now but being sensitive with it.

OK, maybe not that sensitive actually 😂 “You don’t need an Xbox to play Xbox.” And I didn’t.
Makes no sense for Microsoft to invest millions in a new console any longer.
To be honest, the Xbox app licenced onto HP/Dell/Lenovo hybrid type PC for under the tele makes more sense.
For those in America and beyond; ‘tele’ is television.

@Fenbops I think you are right. They need to get on with it and call it Microsoft Gaming. I think it’s a sensible, different offering from PlayStation and Nintendo. No point having a PS5 clone.

I fear for Sony more than Microsoft. Microsoft can and will exist in the gaming space when Xbox is done. The money is in the digital games and subs.
Sony need the console but this gen has been awful and they have treated the customers badly. PS5 No at £825. No chance.

@x3King84
Xbox issue it not to be sensitive for us.
It’s they have a GPU issue and they are not sure what to do.
Just over 50% of Game pass subs are on Xbox consoles that is massive compared to the millions of other devices that game pass is available on.

Pull the console plug and piss everyone off then game pass could have over 50% less subscribers, that’s a massive drop and then probably not financially viable.

I think Xbox thought that game pass would be absolutely massive on other devices so they could ditch consoles and afford to lose the console subscriptions, but as we know game pass has gone stagnant and with over 50% subs on consoles they are now stuck with what to do.

@Ken_Kaniff with 2 more years left on Series and a next gen console, that isn’t happening in 5 years. The only ones saying MS is leaving hardware is the ones not fully understanding the new strategy they have. Not trying to be rude in saying that. But Xbox is showing no signs of leaving hardware but they are showing the power of software on more devices and i think outside of 3-4 titles we will continue to see that. Cha Ching $

@Fenbops
Xbox have a GPU issue and they are not sure what to do.
Just over 50% of Game pass subs are on Xbox consoles that is massive compared to the millions of other devices that game pass is available on.

Pull the console plug and piss everyone off then game pass could have over 50% less subscribers, that’s a massive drop and then probably not financially viable.

I think Xbox thought that game pass would be absolutely massive on other devices so they could ditch consoles and afford to lose the console subscriptions, but as we know game pass has gone stagnant and with over 50% subs on consoles they are now stuck with what to do.

That’s the only reason Xbox consoles are still around, it has backed fired on them and they don’t know what to do.

@OldGamer999 do you think Game Pass, in hindsight, should be smaller in scope? A select number of smaller games, occasional AAA banger and sell the rest for full price? Can’t help think they’ve backed themselves into a corner with it.

@HonestHick
I think the only reason Xbox consoles are still around is the below.

Xbox have a GPU issue and they are not sure what to do.
Just over 50% of Game pass subs are on Xbox consoles that is massive compared to the millions of other devices that game pass is available on.
Pull the console plug and piss everyone off then game pass could have over 50% less subscribers, that’s a massive drop and then probably not financially viable.

I think Xbox thought that game pass would be absolutely massive on other devices so they could ditch consoles and afford to lose the console subscriptions, but as we know game pass has gone stagnant and with over 50% subs on consoles they are now stuck with what to do.

As a side note I preordered the PS5 Pro in the end and it’s has started the despatching process.

@x3King84
Not sure I think they thought it was their big thing, but be it a console or game pass, you need top quality AAA games to get people to take notice.

Also with Xbox consoles having over 50% of the game pass subs, they would have tried to sell more consoles to get the subscription numbers up.

They have tried and lost their way with Xbox consoles and GPU, they don’t even advertise them in the UK so I’m not surprised the Xbox brand has no momentum.

@OldGamer999 let me know an honest opinion of what it is like? £825 seems a Halloween horror on par with the Reeves budget 😂🎃

@OldGamer999 are you looking to off-load the X to fund it? Magpie gave me a decent price. I was slightly sad to say good bye and sometimes when a relationship ends and you go your separate ways, you are tempted to look back. I didn’t.

Have you considered a Steam Deck to have a taste of the Master Race?

I could see MS doing the handheld but again there are so many handhelds already licenced with Xbox so who knows. Maybe a hybrid.

As long as Xbox exists as a publisher or via a PC app I’m happy personally. Still adore Forza, Age of Empires and more.

@HonestHick I didn't say they were leaving hardware, but they will be publishing 75% of there titles elsewhere within five years. They'll have a next gen console, but there will only be a few titles they keep exclusive.

@OldGamer999 agree about their GPU issue and the stats show Xbox console gamers aren’t buying as many games in the ecosystem.

I can’t be bothered with the PS5 Pro, £800 for an upscaler. Nah 🤣

@Fenbops
I did decide at the last minute in the end
But I do get what you are saying about Pro.
But I’m sure new Sony Studio games staring with Ghost 2 will make the Pro shrine more than these quick update patches.
Time will tell.

@x3King84
I’m not expecting to much from the Pro straight away with these quick fix patches.
Maybe when Sony Studios like Ghost 2 release next year they will make the Pro shrine.
I don’t need a disc drive so it’s £700 to me minus £250 for my PS5 slim so it’s £450 to me, the price of a PS5 disc or series x disc.

As for the budget unless shops put prices of items up because of the budget it worked out ok for me, I didn’t lose a penny in my take home pay.

@Ken_Kaniff my short reply to that is, thats the whole plan and it has been for 3-4 years now. They been saying they want games on every screen. It’s the smart business move and we will see more publishers and companies doing that. Locking games to one box outside of Nintendo is largely over with.

The next Xbox just has to be a hybrid pc/console with semi-open architecture (steam is the one I'm personally interested in). I think in that way it doesn't need to sell like PlayStations do, it just needs to be a part of the pie (pretty much like series consoles are now, but without locking Sony games off)

It seems the only successful path forward for Xbox now is if the next ‘console’ is just a PC, but which can optionally boot into ‘Xbox mode’. Thus having a TV-friendly UI, being compatible with the full XSX library (including the backwards compatible library), and having access to Steam and other desktop Windows applications.

As has been rumoured. But is such a device too good to be true?

@neodalaman The future of Xbox will be cloud gaming on mobile phones and tablets, Xbox on PC, an Xbox branded handheld device, streaming sticks, and a traditional console. There will totally be an option for everyone, because Microsoft wants to reach as many gamers as possible.

All these "Xbox consoles are going away, R.I.P Xbox" posts are absolutely absurd and quite frankly embarrassing for those who write them. Same with the "streaming will never be the future" posts. If you love traditional consoles, you'll be okay. If you like handheld switch style consoles, you'll be okay. If you love playing Xbox on PC, you'll be okay. If you love streaming Xbox on your mobile devices, you'll be okay.

@Cakefish Well, we know a handheld is coming. They've all but admitted it without admitting it. I'm sure a traditional plug in TV console will follow, if it isn't released alongside the handheld. But I really wouldn't be surprised to see an Xbox branded streaming stick hit the market for around $99-$119 bundled with a controller. I know they put it on the shelf during the CTC/FTC arguments while acquiring Activision because of their stronghold in the streaming market, but now that they're done with all that I wouldn't be surprised to see a device like this hit shelves.

Of course there Hardware sales are 'declining' when their messaging is that you don't need an Xbox and that's backed up by releasing their games Day/Date on PC and Cloud.

That immediately cuts out the PC gaming market who may have bought an Xbox for Exclusives like Halo, Gears and Forza in the past. With Cloud and the infrastructure 'improving', XB1 Owners can still play games like Starfield or Flight Sim without needing to upgrade 'yet', especially as a lot of games still release on XB1 hardware too.

There are 'incentives' - they still have 'exclusives' - whether they are timed or not and its the ONLY Console - the 'low cost' hardware option - to offer Game Pass too - but also in the last year, Microsoft hasn't exactly released a LOT to entice people to buy an Xbox - maybe with BO6, Stalker 2 and Indiana Jones all arriving before Christmas and the Black Friday Sales to come, they may sell more this year - not enough to catch Sony or Nintendo, but they have a different business model to Microsoft.

@BAMozzy There are a TON of Xbox One players left in the ecosystem due to many of the games being streamable now, with many still being able to be downloaded on Xbox One. Plus, casual players may not feel the need to upgrade from the Xbox One X because graphically speaking it's good enough.

Well, they spent 4 years telling you not to buy them, and they treat console owners like 3rd class ecosystem citizens. What would anybody expect?

@TheEstablishment If it’s not going to unified with PC then the next traditional plug-in TV console will need to stop this trend of declining sales from XBO to XSX, else more third party developers will inevitably lose interest in supporting the platform. That’s the core issue; consoles need to hit a critical mass of playerbase to be sustainable.

Not surprising at all. MS will continue to make consoles at least for the next gen, but we are likely to see traditional consoles morph into hybrid portables before eventually becoming obsolete.

MS is playing the long game and laying their infrastructure for the future. I can already play GP in so many different places, I barely need a portable most days when traveling. As they add game library to streaming this will escalate the irrelevance of a home consoles.

@TheEstablishment exactly - so that's why the Console sales are not going to be 'high' when Gamers havre alternatives - some of which are 'cheaper' because its hardware they already own- whether that's PC or Last gen Xbox - let alone all the other range of devices that Cloud gaming enables.

Some may prefer to spend their 'console' money on a Handheld console PC and use Game Pass and its option if performance is better....

@OldGamer999 "I preordered the PS5 Pro in the end and it’s has started the despatching process."

You're weak.

That is all.

They also don't need to be the best selling, they just need to sell enough to justify the research/development and obvious support for its lifetime, that also includes supporting 3rd Party devs and all their SDK's too...

As Long as its popular enough that its still profitable - and they still have customers that want to play Xbox games that way, then they'll make one. Its not about selling more Consoles than Sony, its about having a bigger 'reach', more gamers in your 'ecosystem' and/or playing your games. Its just the entry point for 'hardware' based gaming and entry price point too - with high end being more 'custom' build PC based on your budget and preference.

Point is, as long as there is demand big enough for a entry hardware in a console format for Microsoft Games, they'll make one - not necessarily to outsell Sony/Nintendo - but sell enough to justify making it. Their 'playerbase' isn't just the console like others.

@HonestHick I agree. I wish all these publishers would do this, and let what these companies offer on there platforms from a feature standpoint be the decision on what console you buy.

@Ken_Kaniff I believe it will be. Sony is money hatting games off the PC and Xbox but then telling Stellar Blade it’s ok for God of War to be on PC and make more money. So Sony is the only one winning the deal. Devs are going to see MS making money hands over fists with all screens included. They will want that. Final fantasy’s square Enix already said they want PC and Xbox. More will follow. Plus with Xbox acting more like PC, you can buy a game on Xbox and play it on PC or a handheld PC with your cloud saves moving across all devices. The future is PC fused with console. MS is way ahead of Sony in this area.

@NEStalgia
I’m such a graphics whore. 😆

@Weebleman Yes, I think they changed to use Series X chipsets to stream

We all know consoles don't make money the games do. Microsoft getting Activison was a crafty move as they are now up 61% revenue. The console might not do well but their content does. It goes to other platforms which they get the money from. You then realise. Wait a minute. If I have an Xbox and pay 11.99 I get the game for a month. They are taking advantage of the Netflix tactic. They are pushing the Xbox everywhere. The console is not important to them. It's the gaming industry revenue that is pushing them forward.

@DesertRanger They were using X chipsets before but splitting them into running two instances of the Series S version of the game at S performance levels.

@OldGamer999 You get that dopamine rush when you first boot up a game that looks pretty, and then an hour later you realize you're still playing the same boring committee-designed game you've been playing for years, and it still doesn't look perfect. And trying to make use of all that hardware isn't financially sustainable for developers. It's the exact dead end Yokoi warned about in the mid-90s. The whole graphics snob thing definitely drives a FOMO/obsessive personality flaw in a lot of the market, it works to sell things quickly but then never generates satisfaction as everyone waits to experience the dopamine hit again next hardware release. While never being satisfied.

I think the Xbox booze dispenser thing is basically the equivalent product.

@NEStalgia
I’ve always been a bit of a graphics junky.
Why else a Neo Geo back in the day.
But I’m the same with TV picture quality and to some point sound.
If you don’t have a good system with real rear speakers you so miss on the sound of game.
If you don’t have a top end TV you are not getting the best possible visual experience.

Always been that way, and it’s a great hobby and fun.

@OldGamer999 I think everyone easily gets stuck on that, which is how it's such a successful business. But I also think it's a dead end distraction that after a point delivers less and less satisfaction for ever more and more cost to consume, and ever more and more cost to produce, while also detracting from the actual purpose of the experience. Technophilia is easy to sell, but impossible to ever be satisfied with. VR is, for now the one exception where there's still leaps and bounds for improvement. I think "4k gaming" is more or less as good as it's ever going to be, visually, in terms of the ability to have costs in delivering it be worthwhile. VR has massive room for powerful hardware to improve upon it, but the problem is we've hit a brick wall for what we can do on hardware, too, without extreme costs, short of quantum computing happening. It's kind of like building airplaines faster. For decades they could make planes go faster and faster and faster. But now, once you get to the point of going faster than sound, you're not going to get many gains of any conventional fuel or craft design, and trying to go faster than light may be an impossible barrier anyway.

@NEStalgia
We are definitely getting to some point of diminishing returns I think nowadays.
Well console wise including cost/performance ratio.
But there a very few games this generation so that push the graphics even after four years.

I remember playing Uncharted 4 and Last of us 2 on PS4 Pro and thinking well we are seeing something really good here.

But this generation hasn’t really done that yet.
I think the whole cross generation has not helped and then there time and costs etc.

It’s definitely been a strange generation for me.
Do I feel we have advanced, yes you can see it abit against the game I mentioned above, but not a lot especially after for years and consoles with SSD and 12tflops on series x compared to 6tflops on Xbox one x.
It’s all gone ray trace and high LOD which really is taking its toll on the is generations consoles especially when trying keep 60fps.

It’s feels like the consoles should have been at least 24tflops to keep.

It early days yet but been the PS5 Pro is still making sacrifices at 60fps upscaling using PSSR.

Alan Wake 2 looks great on Pro with full ray tracing but you still only have that at 30fps.
Not powerful enough for 60fps.

Services are what they are advertising then consoles so if multiple ways to play and only dedicated buy the consoles not surprising really. I hope it doesn't mean they go oh less than Xbox One or other factors time to abandon them. If the services work then by all means, if the third parties on there Indie/otherwise why not.

I care for gameplay not vibes, story (depends), graphics (depends on artstyle USED with the level design/HUDs), movesets being good and varied not just wow generic characters human, animal (humanlike or actual animal like), insects, aliens, whatever. Not dumbed down so much to be casual level imagination understandable when I'd like to see some be broader of imagination pushing not so basic. Themes can vary but if too much drama/story focus I'm just not interested, give me something to play not a thing to watch/not care about the mission details or characters because I just end up not caring at all very early on and won't buy the product because I know enough about the type of audience they are for.

The problem I find is it's like they keep selling the Xbox as a PC. I get the digital storefront side is over people with PS4s that was clear with but I just find it's the IPs too. Impulse Tr4iggers are cool but don't mean anything to people and people don't even know they exist anyway compared to HD Rumble/Haptics or other controller gimmicks. But I find Xbox OG/360 even if they are what they are of IPs they are still exciting, I knew more about Xbox One IPs then did OG/360 yet the others offer MORE and also MORE exciting ideas in them then Xbox One/Series offer of gameplay ideas yet they have variety like Nintendo just not gameplay excitement like Nintendo or old PS/360 IPs offer (even if most on OG/360 were 3rd parties exclusive to it not just 1st party that got ignored when Halo/Gears/Forza got more focus and I branched out and go wow this is exciting).

I just don't see any games I want to play on Xbox Series like at all. They have the variety/good 1st party here I just don't care for any of them or waiting on them a LONG time as well. Among the variety I just go maybe Gears Tactics or Hi Fi Rush, South of Midnight, maybe, Fable/Perfect Dark eh, I mean I tried Perfect Dark both entries on 360 (got disk for it before RR) Xbox One Rare Replay for the N64 one but otherwise eh. Not something I desperately need to play on the Xbox besides my genre open mindedness the gameplay appeal just isn't there.

The values/story/graphics get pushed and the gameplay looks safe, sad and bland. Too normal, not exciting in the slightest or the trailers don't help and the footage doesn't help either it's just so for everybody that nothing exciting happens in the games anymore so I look old gen or Nintendo now and I never usually looked toi Nintendo.

Even then I've got plenty of OG/360 BC to play on my Xbox One (especially as some of the OG Xbox/360 games picked up aren't Xbox One compatible either or because of the BC glitch that is now fixed of course right?) I just haven't bothered to much compared to on older consoles or a bit more my PS4 as a now when picking up Xbox One/PS4/Switch games on and off.

Part 2:
PS5 and Xbox Series have the gimmicks that are 'ok' but not exciting me (Quick Resume is digital so can't), the games aren't interesting for either 1st party but Xbox has the more variety appealing then Sony's offerings & I played Space Marine 2 recently, on PS5 as that's what it was bought on and the haptics/gameplay was great. I questioned the operations getting the class focus and campaign didn't lean into it but after playing it I can understand why they didn't even though as prep it would have made sense to lean into other modes more curated but oh well.

Beat the story, may go to the operations (if don't game over that much & get used to the leveling system and perks) and otherwise I've no interest in Astrobot (nostalgia milking and not what I want games to be, it's why I hate Indies that don't prototype enough they go oh I'm heavily inspired and I go cool see you later no purchase from me you didn't try hard enough, it's a disgusting product)/Ratchet Rift Apart retrying.

It's just too much disappointment of IPs I want to like as a platformer fan and fan of Ratchet but they are so unappleaing-ly bad or nostalgia milking garbage I can't be bothered.

GT7 and Forza Motorsport 8 are so bad I can't even be bothered. The content/mode handling is a joke. They can push graphics/car brands but if the core mechanics, boring modes or lack of ANY to mix things up is the case why should I play? The racing genre sucks so hard these days I can't be bothered.

I want things to DO with the cars, same as open worlds I want MECHANICS to play with not a boring recreation of reality or fantasy locations but the tasks are mundane boring human talking, combat and collecting/escorting. I don't want generic RPG quests to do I want more particular mechanics driven. Not casuals basic garbage and boring worlds because nothing playground mechanically FUN about navigating them.

Splatoon 2 had a grapple and nothing special but HOW they used it made it so much fun. The level design was really challenging and varied. The right tweaks over the first game. I played it in 2024 that's why bringing it up didn't get to it till early 2024.

BOTW is just Zelda games past ideas and new ones into an open world. How is having items and shrines (the only things I cared for in the game really the rest was pretty eh open worlds tuff not into, kind of like Sunset Overdrive tower defence spots then the generic outposts in other games, they appealed to me) so simple yet good enough.

Part 3:
Devs/players go WOW this is great and I'm like yeah because other open worlds are so story/recreation garbage focused they forgot what other mechanics to offer are like.

I play linear games and they NEED good mechanics or pacing to be engaging, so why do open worlds go eh lets be more bland.

I'm like sorry but your product isn't worth my purchase/time unless it's comparable of exciting mechanics and quests to do or the side challenges and if the side content sucks then that's it no purchase, the story main missions can be whatever even if when they are bland I'm not having fun at all because the story is told but the missions themselves are so boring because the writing doesn't make me care and the generic tasks aren't enjoyable at all I do it to get them out of the way, NOT BECAUSE I'M HAVING FUN GAME DEVELOPERS.

I don't think BOTW is great I thought it was fine but the fact it blew people's minds just makes me laugh because other games are so bland in comparison with their mechanics because of their story/graphics proprieties or eh tasks/quests when I play old linear games and go that mechanic was well used of possibilities, because it HAD to land or else why bother, level design was paced well and it was fun, not story and graphics garbage too basic and bland to play like modern games are.

GT7 I'll get a few years from end of service like GT Sport and it went offline eventually anyways.

FM8 has no interesting modes unlike GT7 having them same as even 6/Sport had which I don't like either entry but they still have modes and appealing use of the cars in situations then RACING only wow they really got that right it is a racing game. Sigh how bland can you get.

So why should I get FM8 then? Other than the position selector with more depth I can play games with that feature and less depth and still be fine with it in an MX vs ATV game. Progression is ok but not that exciting really.

It's why I bought 5-7 is the content, the side mode content 6 had was more fun then the actual main game races which is why 6 annoyed me so much 5 & 7 mixed them up better.

So they were still enough for me to catch up on after having not bought 6-7 at all and going oh this is fair to oh this is bad but still enjoyable enough to own. So when FM1 is more exciting to me for it's only in it tracks after being stuck with 2 and it's 360 remaster and cut back content that's ok but not the same even if refinded yeah that says a lot to go backwards then forwards.

@OldGamer999 right, they keep throwing "more" at everything. But what more can they really throw at it? And if the goal is to make visually perfect 1:1 recreations indistinguishable from reality, is anyone willing to pay the extreme prices to do that? Enough people to justify an industry? Video games becomes a weird bespoke elite luxury next to Rolex dealers? $4000 consoles to play $350 games on? That's a dead end. At some point the need to stop adding "more"and recognize live action is cheaper to make on location than trying to recreate locations in real time.

@NEStalgia
I think the one company that realises that is Nintendo. They come up with some amazing worlds and gameplay but never go life realistic.

It’s not everybody’s taste what Nintendo do, over the last year or two i have sort of gone off them, but had some amazing WII and Switch times with them. Maybe it’s my age not sure or it’s always Mario or Link etc or the formula beat of their games have gone a bit stale on me.

@OldGamer999 Nintendo has fallen into a different kind of rut where they seem to be doing a lot of copy and paste type design, with almost mobile like minimalism. People keep raving about how the switch iteration of franchises is their best ever and I don't get it. It's the most formulaic they've been, kind of sterile and corporate, and seeming to always chase the "Japanese kids love crafting things" trend ever since Minecraft blew up there.

I haven't been happy with post-Iwata Nintendo. The clock is the most interesting and Nintendo thing they've done in years....... And that was Iwatas "QoL" project, so it's actually one last bow from him.

Game Pass is the main focus for Microsoft - not the Console. The Xbox though is the ONLY console option for Game Pass.

The entry tier for gaming these days is not the Series S, its the Cloud. You can play games without hardware - but its not the highest image quality, Series S is the entry tier for 'Hardware' based games and offers a step up from Cloud. Series X is the 'Premium' Console with PC offering Customer choice on hardware spec - but ALL are optional ways to play Xbox games.

As a gamer with a 4k display, I would prefer to play on Series X over Cloud. But others may find the Series S is good enough for them. Some may prefer to play the 'few' games not released on their XB1 hardware via cloud rather than spend money to upgrade their hardware - it maybe 'better' than most 'native' games - especially on XB1S hardware that may not even be 1080p, let alone 60fps and/or offer 'performance' to XB1X users who maybe limited to 30fps.

With Saves in the cloud, it means you can pick up your progress wherever you play - you are not limited to playing on just your Xbox hardware - if you switch to PC or choose some handheld option, you can play your 'Xbox' game anywhere...