Has Microsoft's living room strategy panned out?

[desura]

I've heard recently that lots of analysts have called on MS to sell the Xbox division. That, and Bing.

Like, from the start, MS stated that the Xbox was about getting a foothold into people's living rooms. Except, right now MS has a box which costs $500 upfront, and even the last gen consoles still go for like $200. Meanwhile, the AppleTV is like $100 and the Chromecast is $35. Apple and Google are MS's biggest enemy, not Sony.

So basically, the Xbox's high cost means that it's only going to appeal to rich gamers, and not so much everyone else, and so it isn't doing so well in its overall purpose of taking over the living room for MS. Also, my impression is that right now there is less excitement over this next-gen of consoles than there was over the ps3/360 or the ps2/xbox.

Eh?

 

[purbeast0]

not sure how there is "less excitement" when both the ps4 and xbox1 broke sales records for any console launch and are over 2 million units of each out there in less than a month. it's way too early to say whether or not their living room strategy panned out considering the xbox1 has been out less than a month.

 

[desura]

not sure how there is "less excitement" when both the ps4 and xbox1 broke sales records for any console launch and are over 2 million units of each out there in less than a month. it's way too early to say whether or not their living room strategy panned out considering the xbox1 has been out less than a month.

Yes, less excitement. IMO there is far more of a gaming glut nowadays than there was in the past. Also, there is diminishing returns. Like, improvements this gen are definitely there, but they are more subtle improvements compared to what came before.

I don't really trust those numbers either...

 

[Koing]

I'm less excited about gaming in general and I guess I've grown out of being a gamer? I use to game a decent amount. But now I prefer to train and to coach.

C64 days, yeah loved gaming, waited 15-20mins for the tape to load and to corrupt lol
Master system, Mega Drive, NES, SNES, loved it all back then. I dreamt of having a Neo Geo system
PS2 = excited still, still gamed
PS3 = bought about 3 games, used it mainly to stream videos

Koing

 

[ronbo613]

My big question is "How much is all of this going to cost?" Not only the cost of the console, but micro transactions, micro economy, whatever you want to call it is going to raise the cost of gaming, for sure. I mention that since the Xbone is the "all in one" dealio. As far as being the digital entertainment center, I agree that it's too early to make a definite judgment, but some of my friends who have the Xbox One and tried to get their family to use it have found out that it doesn't work with popular remotes, kind of hard for non-console types to get used to the menus and the big question is "why do we need this anyway?"

 

[purbeast0]

Yes, less excitement. IMO there is far more of a gaming glut nowadays than there was in the past. Also, there is diminishing returns. Like, improvements this gen are definitely there, but they are more subtle improvements compared to what came before.

I don't really trust those numbers either...

you are wearing blinders. the jump between the 360/ps3 graphics on the ps4/x1 is greater at launch than it was between the ps2/xbox and the ps3/360 at launch. check out the ps3 launch titles.

http://kotaku.com/the-ps3-had-12-games-at-launch-heres-what-they-looked-513396910

here's a pic of god of war 2 running on ps2.

http://s.pro-gmedia.com/videogamer/media/images/ps2/god_of_war_2/screens/god_of_war_2_6.jpg

the difference in the ps3 launch graphics with the late ps2 games is less of a jump than the 360/ps3 and games like ryse and killzone: shadowfall.

but yeah don't trust npd numbers who is known in the industry, trust your opinionated conclusions based on no facts instead.

console gaming is larger right now than it ever has been in the history of gaming whether you want to believe it or not.

 

[desura]

you are wearing blinders. the jump between the 360/ps3 graphics on the ps4/x1 is greater at launch than it was between the ps2/xbox and the ps3/360 at launch. check out the ps3 launch titles.

http://kotaku.com/the-ps3-had-12-games-at-launch-heres-what-they-looked-513396910

here's a pic of god of war 2 running on ps2.

http://s.pro-gmedia.com/videogamer/media/images/ps2/god_of_war_2/screens/god_of_war_2_6.jpg

the difference in the ps3 launch graphics with the late ps2 games is less of a jump than the 360/ps3 and games like ryse and killzone: shadowfall.

but yeah don't trust npd numbers who is known in the industry, trust your opinionated conclusions based on no facts instead.

console gaming is larger right now than it ever has been in the history of gaming whether you want to believe it or not.

No, like according to the numbers, android handsets outsell iOS devices by a huge margin...leaving Apple with like 15% of the market...except something like 2/3rds of mobile browser traffic comes from iOS.

I trust the mobile browser data statistics over the sales figures...

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yes, less excitement. IMO there is far more of a gaming glut nowadays than there was in the past. Also, there is diminishing returns. Like, improvements this gen are definitely there, but they are more subtle improvements compared to what came before.

I don't really trust those numbers either...

What? They are confirmed numbers from retail analyst companies.

I don't think you know what you're talking about when you say the improvements are subtile? You could never stream live gameplay, never record it and upload to youtube and facebook right from your console, could never shut down the console and start it back up to have your gameplay saved right where you left off, yould never switch between TV and gaming near instantly without swapping inputs, you also never got games that look like Ryse and Killzone, couldn't do the fast paced and fluidly animated fighter like Killer instinct with full motion stage backgrounds and all the particles that go along with it, you couldn't get a game with as many characters on screen at once without any character models dropping out once they are dead like Dead Rising 3.


This jump is bigger than any before for launch games.

No, like according to the numbers, android handsets outsell iOS devices by a huge margin...leaving Apple with like 15% of the market...except something like 2/3rds of mobile browser traffic comes from iOS.

I trust the mobile browser data statistics over the sales figures...

Cause android users can have their browser load up the PC site which gives more functionality. The browser then reports itself as a PC browser. Also you do know that most carriers give you an android phone free when you sign up. You don't get the old flip phone anymore. Even if you just want voice and txt you get the android and with many plans on smaller carriers there is unlimited data included by default. So someone just wanting voice and txt messaging can have an android phone and never use the browser.

What does that even have to do with your incorrect statements about the state of gaming?

My big question is "How much is all of this going to cost?" Not only the cost of the console, but micro transactions, micro economy, whatever you want to call it is going to raise the cost of gaming, for sure. I mention that since the Xbone is the "all in one" dealio. As far as being the digital entertainment center, I agree that it's too early to make a definite judgment, but some of my friends who have the Xbox One and tried to get their family to use it have found out that it doesn't work with popular remotes, kind of hard for non-console types to get used to the menus and the big question is "why do we need this anyway?"

It does work with proper remotes if the remote supports the Xbox IR codes. Harmony remotes for example. Your throw away cable box can't work with it no and that hasn't ever been the case anyway. The Xbox 360 also doesn't work with a majority of so called "universal remotes"

As for micro transactions and whatnot that has been there for years and years. Why do you think it'll suddenly be more expensive now? Hint...it's not and won't be. Gaming is one of the cheapest hobbies you can have in terms of cost vs time spent having fun.

 

[Fulle]

The Playstation 2, which was previously the bar for "best selling console", sold roughly a half a million units on launch day, and then proceeded to sell about a hundred thousand units a week during its first few months.

The Xbox One sold about a million units on its first day, and hit around 2 million units before it's 3rd week.

The ONLY thing that's EVER in the history of consoles, held up to the level of sales the Xbox One is currently producing.... is the PS4.

They're both easily the #1 and #2 console launches of all time. Releasing at the same time... in a recession.

It's obvious that there is still a large amount of interest in console gaming.

Now, with the Xbox One, MS is selling the unit at a price where they are taking minimal losses, and they'll hit profitability on each unit FAST as a result. They established Xbox Live last gen, for solid sub money, and they're about to make a huge amount of money.

Everything MS has done with the Xbox brand is about to come home raining dollars on them, and if they sold the Xbox division right now, they'd be complete idiots.

 

[cmdrdredd]

They aren't going to sell the Xbox brand. It's making money where they are having a hell of a time selling Surface tablets and copies of Windows 8. Plus the integrated WIndows 8 into the Xbox One console so they are tied to the same fate in some ways.

 

[Fulle]

Yeah... in addition to being strongly profitable by itself, the Xbox is about to go to work promoting MS's other consumer software and services.

Every Xbox user is going to get used to Windows 8 menu aestetics, they'll be exposed to MS services like SkyDrive and Skype.

The thing is awesome for them.

 

[Dumac]

Xbox isn't the most financial part of MS, but it is the most loved by far.

Nobody loves windows (well, practically nobody). Tons of people love Xbox. The way for MS to get into people's hearts (and pockets) is Xbox.

You are crazy if you don't think the Xbox One is going to sell an extremely high number of units throughout its lifetime. It is a great piece of hardware and the demand is higher than ever before.

 

[Dumac]

No, like according to the numbers, android handsets outsell iOS devices by a huge margin...leaving Apple with like 15% of the market...except something like 2/3rds of mobile browser traffic comes from iOS.

I trust the mobile browser data statistics over the sales figures...

Sounds like you just like whatever numbers fit your narrow opinion better.

 

[desura]

Sounds like you just like whatever numbers fit your narrow opinion better.

Well, no, it makes perfect sense. The shipped units numbers are basically what gets sent out to stores...which doesn't necessarily mean that it gets sold...but actual usage numbers from actual consumers are better data since they are the end-user.

Just saying. No one I know is gob-smacked crazy for these new consoles like people were crazy for previous console releases.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I think people put way too much stock in "breaking first day sales records". Firstly, more people game now than ever before. Secondly so many people have been waiting forever for the next gen. It's no wonder that all those gamers rushed and bought the new gen up so quickly. What I do think you will see is a quick trail off in sales on one or the other if not both after some short period of time. Then another pick up in sales a couple years down the road when the real grit games start to make an appearance and bugs have been worked out. I would be interested to see if they sell remotely the number of systems as the previous gen when it is all said and done. The game climate has changed since the 360/PS3/Wii. Many of those people will not buy this gen. Your hardcore gamers bought those first day systems. Many many others are gaming on phones/tablets instead.

I would say the "hype" this gen is lower too. Again, I think it's the people (of this forum) who have been chomping at the bit for months that think there is some abundant hype machine in overdrive. The big killer? The lack of any real killer release games. I'm sorry but those few games that the few of you are pumping your fist about? They are niche. They are mediocre at best when you consider the waiting period (and the cost which is not just a drop in the bucket). It is a clear showing that quarterly numbers were more important than quality products. It is a true showing that there was a heavy "just get it out the door we'll fix it later" mentality with this gen and some of the "partially" finished games.

 

[purbeast0]

^^ there hasn't been a "killer release title" since mario 64.

i'm also not sure why you brought up that more people are gaming now than ever, which is true, which is why gaming right now is larger than it has ever been, which means there is more excitement.

 

[ImpulsE69]

^^ there hasn't been a "killer release title" since mario 64.

You might be right on there? I don't remember, did Halo come out at release for the first Xbox?

DC had Code Veronica right off the RE hype, but I don't know if it was killer or not.

 

[purbeast0]

You might be right on there? I don't remember, did Halo come out at release for the first Xbox?

DC had Code Veronica right off the RE hype, but I don't know if it was killer or not.

halo came out at release of xbox, but it wasn't a hyped up game. it caught more steam after it came out and people played it and then wanted in on it. it was a new ip so people were hesitant, whereas m64 wasn't.

and code veronica was not a launch title.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I remember being Hyped for Halo because I first saw the project at a MacWorld keynote back in 1999.

Then in 2001 before the release of the console I went to an Xbox Retailer show where they had dev boxes setup with their new games. I spent 2 hours playing Halo there after the obligatory marketing presentation.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I think people put way too much stock in "breaking first day sales records". Firstly, more people game now than ever before. Secondly so many people have been waiting forever for the next gen. It's no wonder that all those gamers rushed and bought the new gen up so quickly. What I do think you will see is a quick trail off in sales on one or the other if not both after some short period of time. Then another pick up in sales a couple years down the road when the real grit games start to make an appearance and bugs have been worked out. I would be interested to see if they sell remotely the number of systems as the previous gen when it is all said and done. The game climate has changed since the 360/PS3/Wii. Many of those people will not buy this gen. Your hardcore gamers bought those first day systems. Many many others are gaming on phones/tablets instead.

I would say the "hype" this gen is lower too. Again, I think it's the people (of this forum) who have been chomping at the bit for months that think there is some abundant hype machine in overdrive. The big killer? The lack of any real killer release games. I'm sorry but those few games that the few of you are pumping your fist about? They are niche. They are mediocre at best when you consider the waiting period (and the cost which is not just a drop in the bucket). It is a clear showing that quarterly numbers were more important than quality products. It is a true showing that there was a heavy "just get it out the door we'll fix it later" mentality with this gen and some of the "partially" finished games.

I was like "OMG PS4" when it launched and then a second later I was thinking where are the killer games to buy it for.

 

[Sulaco]

halo came out at release of xbox, but it wasn't a hyped up game. it caught more steam after it came out and people played it and then wanted in on it. it was a new ip so people were hesitant, whereas m64 wasn't.

and code veronica was not a launch title.

Halo, quite simply, saved the Xbox and MS in the console arena, single-handedly. That's not my opinion, there's any number of articles over the years about the massive impact Halo as a single game had for the original Xbox.

Pre-release hype doesn't make a killer app. That's a red herring. Sales do, and more importantly, sales that drive console sales.
In other words, people are buying the console basically just to play THAT game. Halo was the epitome of that. Halo was a "killer app" in every way you can define the phrase.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I have little or no interest in the new consoles. I have 2 Xbox 360s, a PS3, and a Wii and just don't play them enough to justify a new console at the moment. That might change once a few new games come out on the PS4, but until then, I'm not excited about the new consoles either. (I can't see myself buying an Xbox One after Microsoft's repeated bungling of the 360 and their "let's nickel and dime the customer" on everything).

About the sales numbers -- you guys have to remember a few things. First, there hasn't been a major console launch since 2006 (Wii U does not count). Secondly, as someone said earlier, gaming is more mainstream and popular than ever. Lastly, we're in the holiday season and these are viewed as the "must have" gifts this year. MS and Sony probably could've placed Commodore 64s inside of XBOne and PS4 cases and they'd sell like hotcakes this time of year.

In terms of overall excitement OP, I think your view is probably tainted from hanging out at AT. Many of us were very disappointed in the hardware specs of both the XBOne and PS4. People forget that when the XB360 launched, it was towards the high end of hardware specs. The XBOne and PS4 use very ho-hum GPUs and I'm not impressed with the screenshots I've seen. Improved over XB360 and PS3? Sure, but even a mid-range PC spanks both of them.

I see the idea behind Microsoft's living room strategy but agree that cheaper alternatives will likely win out in the end. A Roku is a superior solution for streaming content IMO and Roku and Apple TV will just keep getting better and better and add new features.

 

[Doppel]

Many analysts have made the monumentally incorrect assertion that because mobile gaming is growing console gaming must die, as if the pie cannot grow. It can, and is. purebeast is right console gaming is bigger than it ever has been, and these new-gen sales are the best we've ever seen. As far as MS's strategy I'm not sure what their end goal was. If it was simply to get a piece of hardware attached to the TV yes the xbox is a terrible way to do it because there are many devices at a small fraction of the cost to do it.

he big killer? The lack of any real killer release games. I'm sorry but those few games that the few of you are pumping your fist about? They are niche.

The launch lineup mostly sucks on both consoles. Just as it has on every console to ever come out going back basically forever. Games like Super Mario sold the NES (and for good reason, hot damn that was awesome back then), but with few exceptions like that, or Wii sports, I can't think of any killer must-have for xbox, 360, ps1, ps2, ps3.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Halo, quite simply, saved the Xbox and MS in the console arena, single-handedly. That's not my opinion, there's any number of articles over the years about the massive impact Halo as a single game had for the original Xbox.

Pre-release hype doesn't make a killer app. That's a red herring. Sales do, and more importantly, sales that drive console sales.
In other words, people are buying the console basically just to play THAT game. Halo was the epitome of that. Halo was a "killer app" in every way you can define the phrase.

Great post and you're 100% correct.

My main reason for buying the PS3 was for the GoW and Uncharted series as I considered those killer games worth having.

 

[purbeast0]

Halo, quite simply, saved the Xbox and MS in the console arena, single-handedly. That's not my opinion, there's any number of articles over the years about the massive impact Halo as a single game had for the original Xbox.

Pre-release hype doesn't make a killer app. That's a red herring. Sales do, and more importantly, sales that drive console sales.
In other words, people are buying the console basically just to play THAT game. Halo was the epitome of that. Halo was a "killer app" in every way you can define the phrase.

yes, but what i'm saying is halo, at the console launch, was not a "killer release" title. it became one as the console got more and more popular. what the OP is talking about is neither of the current consoles having that title at release, which i agree with, and it doesn't really matter in this day and age.

halo was a new franchise, for a new console, and people were skeptical. but once it was well received, it started to gain steam and momentum. it had nowhere near the star power of nintendo, which with the n64 was the 3rd console AND the first to ever do 3d graphics, and also mario, who was the #1 gaming icon by far at the time, and for the first time, in 3d.

so i'm not saying halo didn't become the "killer app", but at the xbox launch, it certainly was not the "killer app" in the sense that people were camped out to get an xbox + halo and they were hard to find for months. i remember you could walk into a store and snag an xbox very easily as soon as they were out.