Support NeoGAF

[XXL]

Hopefully it is a PC than plays Xbox games.

I have one of those already.

 

[Topher]

I have one of those already.

Kinda, but I'm talking about non-Play Anywhere games as well. So if I own Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on Xbox then I will be able to play that same game on PC.

 

[IDKFA]

I imagine it will coincide with modifications to Windows to make it more living room friendly. Still, it won’t sell in big numbers and I think MS is ok with that. I agree though. They are going to need some other hook to make it a compelling product over just getting a PC.

They'd need to make it a powerhouse for it to stand out from the normal Xbox consoles.

5070 GPU
7800X3D CPU
64GB DDR5
2TB SSD
AIO cooler

Now that would make it stand out from just being another console that has access to the Microsoft game store.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Because it would be free of annoying PC flaws. Everything optimized for comfortable gaming by default.

Likewise many people love branded products, not MOCs.

How would the PC part of the machine be free of the annoying PC flaws?? This thing would have 2 OSs, some Windows version and an Xbox OS.

 

[T-Cake]

I read on here somewhere that they are trying to get more Xbox devs to put their games on Windows Store for the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative. It'll be an Xbox by name but probably be a PC that runs a gamified version of Windows and only games from the Windows Store. That way your cloud saves work across the PC Xbox, previous Xbox consoles and the rumoured Xbox handheld.

 

[simpatico]

Pros:

- Gaming democratized. Non-Nintendo exclusive games are a thing of the past
- Xbox launches with a library in the hundreds of thousands
- Microsoft will continue making gaming controllers
- They might decide not to buy Valve

Cons:

- The Sly Cooper themed GaaStraction shooter will never see the light of day
- There will be a stigma amongst young people are which version of the Xbox you own (muh puddles)
- Much less to argue about on video game forums. Likely the end of ResetEra. Where will we mine for salt after big news events?

 

[XXL]

Kinda, but I'm talking about non-Play Anywhere games as well. So if I own Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on Xbox then I will be able to play that same game on PC.

I know. I'm just fucking around.

 

[FingerBang]

Microsoft lose control of that 30% cut of third party games.

Therefore the only way it would make business sense would be to sell hardware at a profit.

You essentially make Xbox a desktop Windows PC with an Xbox logo on the front.

They can still find a middle ground.

Make a Windows for Games you can sell a license for.
Make the Windows Store the default store. Make it possible to install other games by having to go into desktop mode.

Make games bought on the Windows store somehow better by offering better services:
Eg immediate sync between devices (move from your Desktop to your Handheld)

Ask others to be on directly on the dashboard by giving you a cut, even if smaller (even 5% of steam would be massive there)

Sure, it' a risk, but they're a publisher now. Their goal should be to sell games more than anything else.

 

[welshrat]

Then it's just a pc

 

[Parazels]

Then it's just a pc

Or a normal console, running windows games.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

I don't understand what you mean, like it runs Windows? or Steam OS?

Isn't an Xbox that runs PC games is just a prebuilt, without the ability to upgrade?

 

[Zacfoldor]

There are no cons for the consumer if it can run Steam. None at all.

That doesn't mean it is good for Xbox. It would be similar if PS6 could also play all Steam games. Basically a prebuilt PC depending on what the OS lets you do.

If Xbox wants to sell me a preconfigured bespoke gaming PC worth twice what I pay for it on the open market, I'm in, but I need to see what they are selling and what they can do. I wish my current Xbox could run steam at least that would be an advantage over my pro.

I don't love MS but I don't hate on good shit or killer deals. The issue I see in allowing steam games comes down to how MS is going to make money, what is the business plan. They are doing a disruptive thing, granted, but what business sense does it make? I don't understand. Will they do a deal with valve so steam doesn't get their cut on the device? Will this just be a prebuilt ARM computer with Windows 12s and their own big picture mode and it is basically a prebuilt? What would MS charge for a prebuilt at PS6 levels that runs Steam? Fuck if I know, but there are some issues to sort out beyond how great it would be for the consumer.

 

[viveks86]

Why buy your games from the Microsoft store if you can get the same games, probably cheaper as well, from Steam?

Why buy games at all if you can use Gamepass?

At least, that's the hope. A best-of-all-worlds machine where all these options can interplay.

The problem is going to be quality control and dev/partner ecosystem support for play anywhere (both technically and financially). If devs were already whining about just 2 SKUs with Series S being the black sheep, imagine all these tiers that are going to show up. Plus a handheld? I don't know man. This could be the biggest paradigm shift ever or a complete disaster where they leave the gaming hardware business entirely. One way or the other, this seems like a Hail Mary.

 

[Crayon]

Going from console to pc and how happy you are with it is such a personal choice. Assuming you are playing the same games, it a million little periphery things, each you may or may not like.

SteamOS bridges the gap a little but there is pretty extensive customization there. You can rip into linux and change anything. Valve really took advantage of that. Some seem to think booting windows into big picture mode is the same thing. I have no faith in ms to match it.

 

[Spiral1407]

Why would I buy an unupgradable PC that requires XBL to play online?

 

[Parazels]

Why would I buy an unupgradable PC that requires XBL to play online?

Ask 300.000.000 console users, how they live with these "unprecedent" restrictions!

 

[Fbh]

Convenience. The same reason the large percent of people who buy consoles just to play COD, Fortnite, GTA Online, Sports games, etc don't just buy a PC.

I mean yeah. But if this runs PC games with all the implications that come with it's not going to be as convenient or cheap as Ps6 or Switch 2(3?).

 

[gooner4life_uk]

Just buy a PS5, then when it comes out buy a PS6.

 

[Parazels]

I mean yeah. But if this runs PC games with all the implications that come with it's not going to be as convenient or cheap as Ps6 or Switch 2(3?).

It would have convenient console interface. You wouldn't even know about windows without some special debug mode for advanced users (or something like that).

 

[clarky]

Same pros and con as playing on PC except you get Phils fat fingers and cunts like Bond telling you what you should enjoy.

Fuck these knobs off.

 

[Holammer]

Lots of "just a pc" comments. Does it scare you? Being able to do anything you want with the hardware? Download some mods on Gamebanana or ModNexus? Emulators?
You guys have Stockholm syndrome.

 

[IDKFA]

Why buy games at all if you can use Gamepass?

Because not all games are on Gamepass. If you want to play new releases from third party publishers then you'll need to splash the cash

 

[Rawbutt Jellybean]

I mean yeah. But if this runs PC games with all the implications that come with it's not going to be as convenient or cheap as Ps6 or Switch 2(3?).

Why wouldn't it be? Consoles already run most PC games. This would probably just be a console with more options.

 

[RoboCain]

I'm really curious about this topic.

My first thought was that MS is going to bring the Xbox ecosystem into a client or an OS for anyone to run on their compatible hardware.

Being a pessimist, later I realized it is way easier for them to just give you whatever you own on Xbox in their current PC store and let you access to your "legacy" Xbox content via streaming.

 

[Spiral1407]

Ask 300.000.000 console users, how they live with these "unprecedent" restrictions!

The problem is that current consoles are still distinct from PCs. If the next Xbox starts running actual PC games, then that brings with it all of the negatives of the platform and removes one of the few advantages consoles still have (ease of use).

 

[RoboCain]

LOL, so they stopped competing against Sony, but want to compete against Valve and SteamOS and PC handhelds?

Not really, they own a lot of mayor game IPs. Xbox most likely will become a spec like Valve is doing with Steam OS. And Xbox is still a bigger brand name than Valve or Steam.

 

[Parazels]

Delete

 

[viveks86]

Because not all games are on Gamepass. If you want to play new releases from third party publishers then you'll need to splash the cash

Agreed. I was just adding gamepass to your equation. I think MS is trying to create a console-like environment where both gamepass and steam can interplay, without the other inconveniences that come with a general purpose PC. A best of all worlds that’s focused on gaming

 

[DanielG165]

Potential pros: Even easier access to your Steam games, less “tinkering” than on a traditional build, and the play anywhere accessibility of Gamepass.

Potential cons: Less customization than PC, less choice overall, and an expensive entry-point for a console hybrid machine.

 

[AtomicStarving]

WTF are you talking about... I can do X millions things with my pc

 

[reinking]

What I want... (and will not get)

I want Xbox to stop chasing everything that is not console gaming when it comes to their console. Steam/hybrid/PC. Make a console and support it first and services second.

In addition to a traditional console, I have always wanted them to partner with a PC manufacturer and make a few tiers of gaming PCs that they can optimize their first party games for.

I do not want a hybrid because I feel it will fall short on both ends of the spectrum. I believe it will limit its use as a PC (or else why not just make a PC?). I believe it could also water down the console experience because I do not expect it to be able to support every game on a service like Steam. Suddenly, games just working on consoles are no longer a thing or they have to limit it with a curated list of games. One other thing about an Xbox hybrid console, the closer it gets to a PC, I believe it is more likely MS will axe the PC Game Pass subs and roll everyone into Ultimate. Why give off brand PC gamers the cheaper ride when your PC-lite players have to pay full price?

 

[tmlDan]

Pros? none, maybe price?

Cons? i already have a PC so i don't care

 

[diffusionx]

The next Xbox won't run PC games. This stuff is totally stupid. The reasons why are very simple and easy to deduce for anyone with multiple brain cells.

 

[Jesb]

GFN integration would be a plus. Although this is already pretty late on that. It can already be had for less than the price of a new console.

 

[VAVA Mk2]

Pros:

• developers have no longer make dedicated games for Xbox;
• free multiplayer;
• more graphic settings;
• potentially more hardware options;
• easy integration with an Xbox handheld (same OS, same games; only different settings).

Cons:

• perhaps, digital only;
• worse optimization;
• no exclusives.

Did I miss something?

You can't upgrade hardware or customize on a console.

 

[SHA]

Pros
1. It can play all of the worthwhile Sony exclusives.
2. You can get worldwide game keys for cheap.
3. Customize your game's settings exactly how you want them.

Cons
1. You're all digital now exactly how Microsoft always wanted.

I don't think that will happen without platform integration, cause I'm sure the specs clearly are not the issue here. Unless they add official mouse and keyboard support on Xbox, we'll still be dealing with the same issues, cause we're talking about a 100,000 steam games here, it's definitely a huge investment but I'm not sure how they gonna implement it on Xbox which is a platform with just over 2000 games.

 

[Shifty1897]

Why launch such files on a game console?

Because that is what PC games are, at least on Windows. There's always an EXE file.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

And Xbox is still a bigger brand name than Valve or Steam.

 

[Pedro Motta]

And Xbox is still a bigger brand name than Valve or Steam.

I don't what some of you are smoking, but I don't want any of that. Makes you dumb.

 

[Ritsumei2020]

Pro: if upgradable, people who have the cash can upgrade it as they please

Cons: if its not affordable, it will be dead on arrival

 

[Felessan]

There are no "PC games", games are linked to a store now and it's Steam games or MS PC store games.
And question is what MS would allow on their box
- If MS only allows games from its own store its not much different from Xbox console
- If MS allows any store, margin on hardware will be put to market level, making it non-competitive in mass market against Sony pricing. This essentially will mean that MS abandoned console and now fight for PC market with their own shell OS, trying to undermine Steam and steal somehow it's customers

 

[PeteBull]

Pros
1. It can play all of the worthwhile Sony exclusives.
2. You can get worldwide game keys for cheap.
3. Customize your game's settings exactly how you want them.

Cons
1. You're all digital now exactly how Microsoft always wanted.

Yup at that point just get urself proper pc, where u can get game keys for 20usd or less vs 70 proper console price(or who knows, with next gen ms could bump it up to 80 ;p ).
W/e u gonna save on the cost of mashine, u will easily have to fork up additionally over 6-8years of the duration of the generation on much more expensive games.

 

[BlackTron]

Infinite freedom of PC comes with the infinite possibility of things that can go wrong. The more things you tighten up from ever possibly going wrong, the more all those benefits of being a PC go away, and it becomes more console like.

All benefits of PC with all of console doesn't exist.

Op wants the mega all time library without ever having to use Windows, which might be attainable in a Steam Deck like way that it's very useful but wouldn't play PC games no frills until you install Windows on it.

 

[NeonDelta]

What if it’s you can buy games on steam and play the Xbox versions on the console by linking your accounts.

 

[Mownoc]

If you can just use other stores like steam or play any pc game then MS don't get money from third party software sold meaning they now have to sell the hardware at a profit.

Consoles price to performance advantage over PC is a main advantage because Sony/ms sell them cheap at a loss, but say goodbye to that if Xbox hardware is no longer a closed platform.

Xbox Series X with that business model could have cost over $700. https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-loses-up-to-200-on-each-xbox-console-sold

 

[Akuji]

Wrong thought Prozess. That are the pros from ms side ? If you play on PC u pretty much already are in the same eco System.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Pros : a lot

Cons : price.

Am assuming 30% cut will be divided between xbox and steam etc.

 

[rodrigolfp]

It would have convenient console interface. You wouldn't even know about windows without some special debug mode for advanced users (or something like that).

That is just Steam Big Picture mode on startup like on Steam OS or even on Windows you can have it.



Under the hood it's still Windows or Linux.

 

[panda-zebra]

If the box is generic and open enough that it allows access to Steam and other store fronts, it's just a PC and there's zero point to it.
If it's OEM boxes with varying specs locked down to MS's own storefronts and subscription services, it's not a PC, it's just a generic consolised box built within a spec running specific os/sw to provide a walled garden, only they managed to forgo huge R&D expenses on custom chips/parts and instead have a framework for bolting together discrete parts to gain the certified badge and take a license fee.

Pros:

• developers have no longer make dedicated games for Xbox;

Of course they do. It's not going to be a PC running Windows 11 letting people do what they want, otherwise it's just a PC.

Pros:

• free multiplayer;

LOL

MS are a services company. The one huge thing they still have something of a grip on is paid online. Through their cold, dead hands will they ever relent.

Pros:

• more graphic settings;

Possibly, if there's varying spec levels. But devs can offer this right now, and some do. Seems they mostly prefer not to because the console playing audience doesn't generally want anything more than prioritising graphics or performance.

Pros:

• easy integration with an Xbox handheld (same OS, same games; only different settings).

Well it worked soooo well having Series S and Series X 2-teir specs, why not...

If it's basically just going to be a PC then...why not just buy a PC?

This is why it makes zero sense with what we've been told so far. There has to be some level of innovation of value add beyond being just a semi-gimped PC with an xbox certified sticker on it.

 

[BlackTron]

Pros : a lot

Cons : price.

Am assuming 30% cut will be divided between xbox and steam etc.

That would require a new agreement on Steam's part which I'm unsure they would care enough to do.

Steam would have little interest in making this product more attractive than gaming on your old 1060, where they still get full cut of all those idie games.

They would probably say MS is free to put steam on it like any other PC or handheld, with no motivation to pay for it.