Xbox: What’s Going On? From Flying High To Crisis – Does The Console Even Have A Future?

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Despite the PS5 having sold approximately 66 million units, the Xbox Series X/S has managed to reach just 28 million – a significant gap. What factors might have contributed to this disparity, and is there still hope for Xbox in the gaming industry?

Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on at Microsoft.

Missed Opportunities

In the late 90s, Microsoft ventured into the gaming console market to rival PlayStation. The original Xbox established a base with Halo: Combat Evolved, but it couldn’t outperform the leading PS2. However, in 2005, everything shifted when the Xbox 360 was released. Features such as Xbox Live, Achievements, and popular games like Halo 3, Gears of War, and Fable II turned the console into a success. Despite facing troubles like the “Red Ring of Death,” the 360 managed to sell approximately 84 million units, coming close to the PS3’s sales figure.

2013 saw the debut of the Xbox One, but it didn’t go as smoothly as planned. Instead of prioritizing games, Microsoft opted for TV integration and Kinect, which overshadowed the gaming experience. The PS4 swiftly outperformed with more than 117 million units sold, while the Xbox One managed to sell just 51 million. Furthermore, the popularity of Halo waned, causing many gamers to switch allegiances.

The Game Pass

Introduced in 2017, Game Pass grants users access to numerous games for a recurring fee each month, making it appealing to gamers. However, the closure of studios like Tango Gameworks, even after the success of Hi-Fi Rush in 2024, highlights the potential pitfalls. Microsoft’s aim of amassing 100 million subscribers by 2030 appears ambitious – one might wonder if it will be sufficient to secure Xbox’s future.

Performance

Despite Microsoft advertising the Xbox Series X as the most potent console globally, games such as Starfield can only manage 30 frames per second (FPS). Additionally, these games must perform equally well on the less powerful Series S. With few exclusive titles, simultaneous releases on PC and PlayStation 5, and a lack of compelling reasons to choose Xbox over its competitors, the question arises: Why should one opt for an Xbox?

Microsoft is placing more emphasis on cloud-based gaming and creating an Xbox system that operates seamlessly across various platforms. Does this signify the end of Xbox as physical hardware? As PlayStation thrives with exclusive games, and Nintendo Switch has sold over 140 million units, Xbox stands at a critical juncture. The upcoming years will determine whether the brand persists as a console or continues solely as a gaming platform in the market.

Ultimately, there’s just one aspect that truly counts: the games themselves. Regardless of whether it’s Xbox, PlayStation, a personal computer, or Nintendo, what really matters is enjoying ourselves while we play.

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2025-02-05 12:10