It is interesting seeing the data that Microsoft published.
Sure, we've known all along that Xboxes are very American consoles in a market dominated by Japan. But it is interesting to see how tiny it really is.
It is bound to get smaller too, right? With Game Pass being accessible on PC and potentially GFN too why would most people buy the dedicated box?
Europe
🔵 PlayStation - 80%
🟢 Xbox - 20%
Japan
🔵 PlayStation - 96%
🟢 Xbox - 4%
Global
🔵 PlayStation - 70%
🟢 Xbox - 30%
Don't take this as fanboyism, I don't even have a PS5 but I do have a Series S. I'm merely commenting on where I see Microsoft going with gaming and to me it makes more sense for them to concentrate on the Game Pass service and deliver those games to PC, GFN, and anywhere else that makes sense... Heck, why not replace the dedicated Xbox with a small gaming PC /laptod/handheld that can be used for more than just games. A Microsoft Steam Deck of sorts.
@NO_PULSE_XBL right, makes perfect sense to me.
I'm very excited about Game Pass potentially going to GFN because whilst Stadia worked great for me in the past, and GFN works phenomenally well for me now I have never had a consistent experience with Xbox Cloud.
@gpowerf @NO_PULSE_XBL I think I read somewhere that they are planning sth similar to the steamdeck. I honestly like their "open to all platforms/get as many people gaming as possible" approach more than ps or Nintendos gated community way.
I can also see a very valid market at least for the cheaper series s and xcloud/game pass as a good alternative to owning a gaming PC
@whatsgoingdom @NO_PULSE_XBL the Series S is a great deal and I see exactly why they made it. It is priced at a point where it is close to an impulse buy.
In fact, I am kind of surprised it isn't more popular! I'm very happy with mine, it really is the most affordable way to access Game Pass in a consistently performant fashion. Plus it is so tiny and unobtrusive, I'm a big fan of how small and easy to put away it is.
@gpowerf @whatsgoingdom Yup, ive got a Series X in my room where I stream from, but also have a Series S out near the couch so my wife and I can play it when we're in that room. Its a great little machine. I dont think I wouldve bought another Series X for that room though. Maybe just use an Xbox One until it died in that room.
@gpowerf Not being American this is not surprising to me at all. I never actually saw an original Xbox in use, ever (saw one after it was obsolete being used as a DVD player once!).
The 360 was more popular, but the PS3 was still the default around here for people who weren't just on a Wii. My impression is that in the Xbox One and Xbox Series generations only a subset of players who jumped in with the 360 are sticking around.
@gpowerf I don't know if GP reduces the amount of consoles sold, though. People want a set top box to play things without the hassle.
It's easy to forget that a lot of the mainstream of console players have a lightly used box under the TV for the half an hour a week they get to play the one game they play, or for the kids to use. The appeal of "Xbox, but in your tablet/laptop/PC" exists only for a specific type of player.
@gpowerf back when GamePass first came out, there were people high up in the ranks of Xbox saying publicly that they want to bring GamePass/Xcloud to as many places as possible. If they can get it onto PS5/Switch/Steam Deck, theyve been willing to talk...