Xbox Series S/X: Thread 05

[wakka]

Indeed yeah.

Like all the best ideas the Switch seems obvious with hindsight. But it was a risky move to merge the two console lines and prioritise portability after the Vita's relatively kitchen-sink approach to a handheld had gone down like a lead balloon commercially.

Now in the wake of Steam Deck et al it looks positively prescient.

I think it will be really cool if we see a three-way handheld battle next gen. That would be really quite exciting.

[hudson]

I really underuse handhelds. If I can, I go full screen. I hardly ever take gaming to the streets. Probably the most time I use them portably is when I'm on holiday abroad or something.

My Steam Deck is a desktop PC. Like the Switch, it's a great best of both worlds device. So whichever next-gen handhelds come out in the future, I hope they support HDMI out.

[wakka]

Yeah I don't really ever use my Switch handheld to be honest. Cos I live alone it's like, why wouldn't I just use the TV? It's not like the dog's gonna be hogging it lol

I'm more just interested in something new happening with hardware because I think the current outlook on PS6 and the next Xbox is a bit of a snooze...probably very similar but with more jiggaflops etc for relatively marginal gains.

[Neon Ignition]

Like a precision strike, Switch 2 is close to reveal and PS5 Pro goes up for pre-order in days with a State of Play underway so MS responds like a laser guided precision missile to destroy that hype in the only way they know how.


No - it's not another controller reveal

->Open Spoiler<-

It's six!

[Lebowski]

Wow their really leaning into that 90s 3rd party controler design, it’s like madcats has risen from the grave.

[endo]

BOOM! Generation over, cancel PS5 Pro, Microsoft has won!

[fishbowlhead]

They look like the controllers Game would force on you in a package deal on a console launch, but they look and feel so bad you threw them in the bin just out of pure hatred.

[Neon Ignition]

[Yakumo]

I watched that earlier today. Total bollocks apart from Metal Gear Snake Eater and Indiana Jones. Also found it very interesting how they mention indiana is coming to series S, X, PC and game pass. No PS5 though 😜. I mean it's obvious they won't mention PS5 but still...

[Neon Ignition]

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hideo-kojima-xbox-exclusive-od-overdose-risky/

Kojima's not wrong.

I'd say making a third party exclusive for Xbox these days is risky too!

[Neon Ignition]

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/10/microsoft-is-investigating-why-devs-are-prioritising-ps5-over-xbox

Microsoft is carrying out research to try and work out why devs are prioritising rival platforms


...Jeez... why could that be?

[fishbowlhead]

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024...-ps5-over-xbox
Microsoft is carrying out research to try and work out why devs are prioritising rival platforms


...Jeez... why could that be?

And this important research only cost them 2.5b in fees, I joke obviously but they’re so idiotic it probably did cost the price of making an actual game.

[CMcK]

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024...-ps5-over-xbox
Microsoft is carrying out research to try and work out why devs are prioritising rival platforms


...Jeez... why could that be?

What I don’t get with Xbox is why they openly discuss all this stuff? What does it being public knowledge bring them?

[Deuteros]

They didn't exactly issue a press release about it, a post on the Microsoft Game Dev Blog got noticed.

[wakka]

What I don’t get with Xbox is why they openly discuss all this stuff? What does it being public knowledge bring them?

The headline from Push Square is highly interpretive.

If you actually read the blog post from Microsoft, it's quite a dry article about a user research programme to understand how satisfied developers are with Microsoft's tools and support.

There's no verbatim mention of developers 'prioritising PS5', the only mention at all of developers who do not currently develop for Xbox is near the bottom, as follows:

Perhaps most intriguingly, the program welcomes input from creators who aren't necessarily bringing their games to Xbox. Hendersen explains this open-door policy: "If you are making video games, we're interested in hearing from you. If you aren't on Xbox, we'd love to know why. And honestly, if you are using our competitor's products, you probably have a great perspective we could learn from!"

IMO it might not be inaccurate that part of the reason for the programme is declining developer support versus PlayStation, but I'd be surprised if Sony didn't conduct similar user research programmes too.