Xbox Hybrid PC Console (2027)
- Thread starter rickybooby87
- Start date
- Clickbait Hardware Hype
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
EXACTLY! Why are we even discussing this in this way?
mayham2199
Member
Sneakers made it clear that this device is expected to be very niche and expensive. The fan base is still holding out hope that Xbox has some chance to win this hardware race when MS isn't even trying to play that game anymore.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
saintjules
Gold Member
I will watch from the sidelines this time around to see what it will offer versus what PS5 Pro / PS6 does.
I wouldn't say Series X was bad for me this generation, I just haven't played it as much. And that's just due to being busy, etc., but when I do play a game, it's been PS5/Pro first.
I'll also watch to see what Switch 2 does. Switch is my least played Console of the 3.
I wouldn't say Series X was bad for me this generation, I just haven't played it as much. And that's just due to being busy, etc., but when I do play a game, it's been PS5/Pro first.
I'll also watch to see what Switch 2 does. Switch is my least played Console of the 3.
HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
I am curious as well if he put an actual price on it or just said expensive
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
The amount of confusion being put out about the next generation of Xbox devices isn't too dissimilar from the ocean of rumors that surrounded post-Saturn SEGA before the Dreamcast was officially announced. Back then, multiple partners and specifications were mentioned, from Lockheed Martin to 3DO (M2), etc. and then even with Dreamcast there was Blackbelt, Dural & Katana being simultaneously worked on before one was finally chosen. All reported by magazines & the trades of the day.
I think some of this confusion with Xbox hardware going forward, is intentional on Microsoft's part. They want to distract people from the absolute failure of Series X & S when it comes to hardware sales, they want to mitigate some of the perception damage they feel their multiplat strategy for non-Xbox consoles will do with hardcore fans, and they probably restarted next-gen development from scratch over the past year after it became clear Series S & X weren't working.
This is all preliminary, but I'm starting to piece together what the next line of devices could actually be. In short, I disagree with you on that it'll be another traditional console: that model just doesn't work for Xbox anymore, especially now that they're going more fully multiplatform 3P. But you're right, in that the new devices likely won't be outright PCs, either. Here's what I think is really going on:
That's about the gist of what I'm expecting at this point. That, assuming the "Xbox" handhelds coming later this year underperform, and I expect they will considering all the things they'll be missing. As for price, I think it heavily depends on if MS actually manufacture any systems themselves. If so, I think they'll only do soft-subsidized version while still keeping the base price at least 25% higher than comparative SIE & Nintendo systems just to ensure better margins for OEMs.
For example, if the PS6 MSRPs for $499 (cheapest option), then the 'Xbox' equivalent soft-subsidized by MS would probably retail for $629 - $649. They'd have to find some way to justify the higher price without relying on access to Steam, since you'd still need to pay more to access it on a soft-subsidized device. Maybe offer six months of GPU for free or just rely on the selling point of the features.
But supposing the person already has Game Pass (e.g GPU), maybe the amount they pay to get access to other storefronts lowers depending on how long they're planned to subscribe for and the tier. So back to GPU example, maybe that access is just an extra $5 a month for the length of time of their GP subscription. If the person doesn't have Game Pass at all though, they'd have to subscribe to the highest tier for a fixed time that includes access to alternative storefronts. Or, they subscribe to whatever tier they want to begin with, then if they decide they want access to Steam etc. they pay a determined additional rate for the remaining duration of their subscription.
Meanwhile for OEM variants, I imagine if they had a PS6 equivalent they'd price their option around + 50% that MSRP, or $749. But these would be non-subsidized, so you can access Steam and other storefronts upfront. Since OEMs aren't doing the R&D for the CPU, GPU etc. there aren't costs on that front for them to make up, plus the padding MS would put on their own equivalent device MSRP would further benefit OEMs, who would collectively increase the volume of supply.
However, a $749 MSRP is also assuming it's rather bog-standard to the MS equivalent in practically every feature. If OEMs were to, say, strip them out with a crap ton of Thunderbolt 6 ports or a higher-clocked version of the CPU, or much larger & faster internal storage, they could charge more.
I think some of this confusion with Xbox hardware going forward, is intentional on Microsoft's part. They want to distract people from the absolute failure of Series X & S when it comes to hardware sales, they want to mitigate some of the perception damage they feel their multiplat strategy for non-Xbox consoles will do with hardcore fans, and they probably restarted next-gen development from scratch over the past year after it became clear Series S & X weren't working.
This is all preliminary, but I'm starting to piece together what the next line of devices could actually be. In short, I disagree with you on that it'll be another traditional console: that model just doesn't work for Xbox anymore, especially now that they're going more fully multiplatform 3P. But you're right, in that the new devices likely won't be outright PCs, either. Here's what I think is really going on:
-Replacing Xbox OS with a custom implementation of Win32 & Windows kernel
-Integrating Xbox OS & XDK libraries into said custom Win32 OS (over time, and also into general Windows)
-Likely retain Xbox OS for legacy purposes only, ran through hypervisor layer as an Other OS (dual-boot) choice (for all the various App X Xbox games & Xbox Store)
-All NEW games will only support the Win32 & associated kernel implementation, but effectively be PC builds customized to fit with the system spec
-MS Store & Game Pass integrated in new frontend UI for Win32-based OS (based heavily on Xbox OS UI for Series consoles)
-Alternative storefronts (i.e Steam) accessible on Win32-based OS, but either outright (pay higher cost for hardware upfront) or behind a Game Pass subscription (soft-subsidization)*
-IF Microsoft manufacture systems, they'll probably only do soft-subsidized options while OEMs do zero-subsidized ones
-Some support for specific whitelisted Windows apps from the Microsoft Store, can run under the Win32-based OS
-MS licenses out both OSes (Xbox OS, Win32-based OS) & associated UIs to OEMs for their partner devices; allows UI/frontend customizations (within spec)
-MS works with partners (i.e AMD?) for a performance specification/architecture, entailing R&D costs, but leaves device manufacturing to licensed OEMs. MS may design a reference device for OEMs to base things around
-Two different spec platforms: one for non-mobile/handheld, one for mobile/handheld, sharing tech. Both with some degree of scalability (boost/lower clock rates, enable/disable shader cores etc.)
-Some range of modularity for non-mobile/handheld spec including types of supported GPU upgrades (i.e low profile, within certain range of performance etc.), I/O ports (Thunderbolt, USB-C, Ethernet etc.), system RAM support (e.g 8 GB, 16 GB, 24 GB etc.), all depending on what the chipset supports
-Some range of modularity for mobile/handheld spec including output resolution support, touchscreen support, types of custom button config support etc.
-Strong likelihood of NOT being called an Xbox (maybe still retains an "X" letter somewhere in the name)
-Initiative slowly phased out over the gen as features specific to customized Win32-based OS implemented into general Windows & kernel, and missing Xbox OS & XDK libraries implemented into general Windows & kernel as well.
That's about the gist of what I'm expecting at this point. That, assuming the "Xbox" handhelds coming later this year underperform, and I expect they will considering all the things they'll be missing. As for price, I think it heavily depends on if MS actually manufacture any systems themselves. If so, I think they'll only do soft-subsidized version while still keeping the base price at least 25% higher than comparative SIE & Nintendo systems just to ensure better margins for OEMs.
For example, if the PS6 MSRPs for $499 (cheapest option), then the 'Xbox' equivalent soft-subsidized by MS would probably retail for $629 - $649. They'd have to find some way to justify the higher price without relying on access to Steam, since you'd still need to pay more to access it on a soft-subsidized device. Maybe offer six months of GPU for free or just rely on the selling point of the features.
But supposing the person already has Game Pass (e.g GPU), maybe the amount they pay to get access to other storefronts lowers depending on how long they're planned to subscribe for and the tier. So back to GPU example, maybe that access is just an extra $5 a month for the length of time of their GP subscription. If the person doesn't have Game Pass at all though, they'd have to subscribe to the highest tier for a fixed time that includes access to alternative storefronts. Or, they subscribe to whatever tier they want to begin with, then if they decide they want access to Steam etc. they pay a determined additional rate for the remaining duration of their subscription.
Meanwhile for OEM variants, I imagine if they had a PS6 equivalent they'd price their option around + 50% that MSRP, or $749. But these would be non-subsidized, so you can access Steam and other storefronts upfront. Since OEMs aren't doing the R&D for the CPU, GPU etc. there aren't costs on that front for them to make up, plus the padding MS would put on their own equivalent device MSRP would further benefit OEMs, who would collectively increase the volume of supply.
However, a $749 MSRP is also assuming it's rather bog-standard to the MS equivalent in practically every feature. If OEMs were to, say, strip them out with a crap ton of Thunderbolt 6 ports or a higher-clocked version of the CPU, or much larger & faster internal storage, they could charge more.
mayham2199
Member
I could have swore he brought up pricing but maybe I got him confused with
HeisenbergFX4
who I've seen say near $1000. The closes I could find was this:The strange thing though is he's claiming these machines will not run steam or a version of windows. More that XboxOS will be ported everywhere. Really curious to see what MS will do here but his idea makes a lot more sense to me as far as MS continuing to charge for subs and push their store.
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HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
Oh I 100% believe the next Xbox "consoles" will run a modified version of XboxOS but also still stand by my statement Xbox consoles will sideload SteamI could have swore he brought up pricing but maybe I got him confused with
The strange thing though is he's claiming these machines will not run steam or a version of windows. More that XboxOS will be ported everywhere. Really curious to see what MS will do here but his idea makes a lot more sense to me as far as MS continuing to charge for subs and push their store.
Xbox hardware is dying at the register, they have to change something they can't bring the regular Xbox console formula to the table next gen and expect anything to change
I don't believe the mockup we recently saw of having a Steam tab on the PC Xbox app is their big move, this does nothing and is already done elsewhere
DragonNCM
Member
I just love my Series S as second console & I hope they will make it also next generation.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Man.....this is scary if true.
ExtendEmbraceExtinguish
Member
I could see them trolling the industry awaiting 100 usd cost for games. Basically 70 or less on pc ecosystems and 100 on traditional consoles.
Core console owners will have no issue on a 1k device but that excludes mass market unless they are replaced with pc owners ( non pc enthusiast). Msft needs to advertise well here and start evaluating pc competition vs similar products that hamper their ip value.
If they can guarantee priced out pc gamers a 5-6 year device. They will do fine but advertising is the key unless this thing has no online pay/mods/ect.
Core console owners will have no issue on a 1k device but that excludes mass market unless they are replaced with pc owners ( non pc enthusiast). Msft needs to advertise well here and start evaluating pc competition vs similar products that hamper their ip value.
If they can guarantee priced out pc gamers a 5-6 year device. They will do fine but advertising is the key unless this thing has no online pay/mods/ect.
Donald mac Ronald
Member
Ridiculous to be hybrid portable shit.
The core buyers of home consoles wherever that is Xbox or ps. They don't want their games to be handicapped by a Portal version. They don't want to have their games switchified.
Only the deluded morons who lap up anything Xbox will argue it's good.
When you're in last place, 3rd party Devs are already sick of the garbage peasant model you forced on them, aren't going to be too happy having to have parity with something worse than a series s. To the point they will just skip the platform.
You think Xbox can survive without 3rd party support?
I guess Phil needs another piece of shit to throw at the wall and see if it sticks again.
The core buyers of home consoles wherever that is Xbox or ps. They don't want their games to be handicapped by a Portal version. They don't want to have their games switchified.
Only the deluded morons who lap up anything Xbox will argue it's good.
When you're in last place, 3rd party Devs are already sick of the garbage peasant model you forced on them, aren't going to be too happy having to have parity with something worse than a series s. To the point they will just skip the platform.
You think Xbox can survive without 3rd party support?
I guess Phil needs another piece of shit to throw at the wall and see if it sticks again.
existensmaximum
Member
And games suffer because of it.
reinking
Gold Member
Or exciting. It could go either way.
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Miyazaki’s Slave
Gold Member
Dude posted a link to their own quote in a response complaining about you using "their" joke. They are getting plenty of attention already.
(...this is how you get ants)
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mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
They will learn.
HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
Tarin02543
Member
bye bye playstation and xbox, from now on nvidia and nintendo are winners.
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
If that's the case, where does the Win32 stuff come from? Do you think the modified Xbox OS will be Win32 with lots of Xbox OS code customized into it?
It feels like MS want to make their game dev pipeline even more streamlined so moving away from the App-X stuff of Xbox OS as it currently exists would be a way to do that, but they would still want the vertical control and funneling to their preferred storefronts (i.e the Xbox Store) even in a Win32 environment.
Partly why I was thinking they'll enable some dual-boot type of thing. The BC-focused Xbox OS, and the "future" custom Win32 with some shared Xbox OS code, and integrated XDK libraries. And it'd be through the custom Win32 partition where access to stuff like Steam etc. occurs.