...Well, it's that time of year again. The end of the grandest time of year for all young human beings - The Great Summer Vacation.
During this time of fun, sun, and late-nights ~ Microsoft has decided to use most of this time to educate us. So what was there summer-school course? "How NOT to Announce Your New Console!"
So, if you were naughty and didn't sit in on any of the classes - I'll briefly recap all that was said and done:
STEP ONE:
"Include one of the biggest turn-offs in gaming history as a fore-front feature of your new console."
If it's one abbreviation that most, if not all gamers hate, is the horrifying "D.R.M" This practice is scorned by many, as being unfair, and completely stupid. So if it's hated by so much, what sense does it make to make it a fore-front feature?
STEP TWO:
"Create an 'improved' version of a widely-hated (yet originally optional) add-on and make it mandatory to operate the system."
"Kinect - You are the Controller."
Yes...when introduced, the Kinect Motion Sensor for the XBOX 360 looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Being able to control the system by simply moving your body and using your voice seemed amazing, like JARVIS from the Iron-Man series. But instead, Kinect, while being a financial-success, is considered to be unresponsive, laggy and clunky.
So what did Microsoft decide to do? They upgraded and improved it and sincerely believe that this all-new "Kinect ONE" ~ is indeed the 'true' Kinect-experience that people actually want. But with such a sour taste left by it's predecessor, you'd think they'd play it safe and simply announce it as, like before, an OPTIONAL accessory. Nope ~ How about MANDATORY? Mandatory as in - the entire system can't function without it. Genius, no?
STEP THREE:
"Develop your console to be a virtual spy and watch your every movements and listen to every word you say."
After the info-leak on the U.S government spying on conversations, the last thing anyone would want to do is add to mass-hysteria. But no, Microsoft was sure to declare that the new 'improved' Kinect is so advanced, that it could see your facial expression, identify the faces of different people and even read your heart-beat, as well as listen to basically everything you say. Simply amazing, ain't it?
STEP FOUR:
"Design the new system to look like a cable-box and VCR had a very romantic night."
As technology improves, units are getting more streamlined and smaller. Like how we've moved from giant, 'pregnant' CRT monitors, to near-paper thin LCD TVs. Or even how computer towers are being replaced with moderately-sized 'all-in-one' systems.
Apparently Microsoft just didn't get that memo and decided to take what seems to be like a fused cable-box and VCR and slap an 'XBOX' logo on it. Oh, and it can't stand vertically either. Isn't that an awesome space-saver?
STEP FIVE:
"Parade secondary, T.V and media-features when you're announcing your GAME console"
There's no doubt that game consoles have grown from simply having the singular function of playing games, to being complete media hubs. From playing DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, to surfing the Web, streaming videos, movies and T.V shows, accessing popular social networks, and now - even recording live footage of gameplay - these machines have grown to have almost all the features of an average PC.
But even though it's nice to have all these nifty-addons ~ at its core ~ the machine is still a GAME console. So then, what should you do first? Parade these secondary, unimportant media features first an d then slide the word "game" in your presentation every so often, or just show the games right off the bat?
FINALE:
Okay, that's basically a summary of what Microsoft taught at their summer school course, this year. They've almost completely violated their fanbase, by showing them just how backward they could be.
Thankfully, almost every 'lesson' that I mentioned has been revised. There's no more DRM. The Kinect is once again optional. Games are consistently being talked about. All of that is good - but the damage is done. During the last few months of basically punching themselves in the gut, Microsoft has either scared or completely ticked-off a huge chunk of their fan base. Some have already made the jump to the two rivals, and even now that most things have been fixed - they're not keen to come back.
As to how or why Microsoft took such a startling and face-desk (not palm ~ DESK) approach to announcing their new system is beyond me. But they've realized their error and now they're backtracking. But alas, it will take time and a huge effort to right their many wrongs.
Can Microsoft fix their broken reputation, or will the One be a failure-in-progress? Only time will tell...
Dear team,
Xbox has always been different.
We started with a simple idea. Games should bring people together through shared experiences. That led to the first Xbox in 2001, Xbox Live in 2002, and new ways to connect, from friends lists and achievements to parties and play across devices. Today, Xbox reaches over 500 million players around the world, with some of the most important franchises in entertainment.
re-evaluating exclusivity 💀
PS players will need to go back to pretending to dislike Xbox games
Or meaning since it’s doing so good they might just do everything day 1.
They didnt say re-evaluating their multiplatform approach.
🤣🤣🤣 Xbox is so dead. I know you scared🤣🫵ӿ 97;
Aww you’re hurt that they’re going back to exclusives!
The mask has slipped… we know you PS gamers LOVE Xbox games
Hurt over video games 🤣🤣
Lmao we all grew and got jobs but apparently you stayed home broke 🤣🤣.
Man I love loyal dogs like you. MS kicked Spit and slapped you around but you still come back on all 4s.
Good little boy 🤣🤣
My only question is what games are PlayStation gamers gonna play now? They don’t really come out with new games anymore. I’m looking forward to wolverine, but after that then what?
Lmao
There’s no way after everything it’s going back, the damage is done
What you are seeing now is the new management telling what the core fanbase (aka…you) want to hear so they are pumped full of hope and are more likely to invest in the next Xbox console
When Phil took over after the awful Xbox One reveal he did the same thing, he told people what they wanted to hear for damage control.
It’s crazy people are getting suckered into this again.
And you'll now go back to again thinking exclusives suddenly matter, that multiplatform is no longer the future, or that revenue from multiplatforms doesn't matter, like all you flop flopping xbox grifters lol.
The whole post just sounds like the previous phil corpo slop talk to me, whole thing reads like a nothing burger lol.
If they go back to exclusive games it at least shows that they are finally getting it. They would be turning down immediate money for something that will potentially workout in the long term.
Only issue is they've already opened Pandora's box. A lot of their base has moved to PC or jumped to PS. So will be a long road to get back on track.
We have been saying this from day one exclusives are a must if you are going to be selling hardware look at Nintendo and Sony before Jim Ryan. That's the proven formula. You had some that were deluded and blinded by loyalty accepting that multiplat was the future and that MS was merely getting ahead of where the industry was headed, but at least they can finally see the light and agree with what everyone has been saying for a decade+
True, blame it on the rabid fanboys. MS can do no wrong and spinner this multiplatform move. While the actual fans moved on.
I feel like with the new Xbox coming they are hoping to bring back those old fans and then if it goes well. Bring back exclusives.
If the new console is performing like series x and one. Naw they staying multiplatform.
I think it's too late, xbox sales were diving even before ABK, they got even worse since then even long before the full multiplatform push. I'd be surprised if they even went back to timed exclusivity at this point, Helix is basically a PC and is going to be expensive, they already struggle to sell cheaper xbox consoles, it will be low volume and they'll have a very small 'console' base to sell to, which has already been conditioned to just play via gamepass anyway.
Despite all of that, it's clear that Microsoft's Xbox division is broken beyond repair.
It isnt. But I dont think they mean in 'games', rather, footprint.
They own the OS but as far as gaming is concerned, Steam dominate. I imagine the VAST majority of people who use the Xbox app/launcher are PC gamepass subs. No ones buying their 3rd party PC games through Xbox PC.
Insider Gaming writes: "Marathon was one of the best-selling video games in March 2026 in the United States. On Wednesday, Circna released the best-selling games of the month, and it featured six new releases along with two games returning to the top 20 after previously falling out."
Is it April fools day again?
The game is dead.
EDIT: the numbers are fudged. “digital sales on Nintendo and Xbox weren’t included in the data”
well it's not on Switch / Switch 2.. so their number would be zero.
The game had a decent launch however the userbase numbers are dwindling on Steam.
“ Is it April fools day again?
The game is dead.
EDIT: the numbers are fudged. “digital sales on Nintendo and Xbox weren’t included in the data”
Does it hurt you to hear a SONY game was BEST selling ?
You gotta let go of those OBCURED feelings 🤷🏿
I mean the only reason MLB was the best selling title was because it was multi-platform. Likewise with Marathon. Will ring true for MS games. Only Nintendo titles are truly flexing their muscles when they chart as they are only to be found there.
Yeah sure, yet the player count is no where near what they want for a AAA game with so much money behind it
Why people are trying to spin this game like it’s done overly amazing is baffling to me.
It won’t even be a blip on peoples radars by the end of the year .
The release on Steam of the anime-style gacha-less open-world RPG DragonSword: Awakening is facing a legal challenge from its gacha publisher.
This whole thing from Microsoft has been one wild ride. I still can't believe all of this has happened. I used to be such a big Xbox fan. Loved the original Xbox, and I still play my 360 every week. I'm going to have a wait-and-see approach for the Xbox One though. The only gripes I still have with the system is no SKU without Kinect 2.0 and the HHD can't be replaced. If MS fixes these I will seriously consider buying one later down the road.
The feeling I had, as a gamer, is that MS gathered some managers and partners (TV) and planned the next console/experience.
It DOES feel they were and still are behind with both concept and implementation of this new console.
They DID present games at E3, but when you look closely, they mostly are kind of 360 portings (Ryse and Dead Rising) or just big buyout (COD and Battlefield timed-content exclusives). As if games were kind of an afterthought, compared to Kinect and the TV experience that were the focus during console development.
They present you the future, and still use AA batteries, I know, it's been said again and again, but to me it's a meaningful thing.
So, basically, I really thing they had lost touch with the core market / base, or, perhaps, wanted to kind of shift it, but pre-orders said loud and clear that gamers were not interested and they had to backpedal.
Hilarious article.
It really hits home what a farce the Xbone has been, yet millions of "people" are still willing to buy it, but they're also doing everything they can to defend this hideous contraption, and Microsoft's hideous ideas.