Let’s just get this out of the way: yes, Microsoft dropped the ball when it came to the Xbox One, and that is an understatement. They decided to go into a direction that gamers didn’t like, and they have had to use the past years to make up for it. And let’s get this out of the way too; I am an Xbox One day one owner. Xbox is my gaming home and I have undying loyalty to them, but even I can admit that they took a huge step back since the 360 era. That being said, no one can deny that the Xbox team that brought us the Xbox One is not the same as they are now. Specifically, a lot of that comes from the current head of Xbox, Phil Spencer.
Phil Spencer has been the saving grace for Xbox this generation. He has done nothing but been a positive force for the platform and been the face of its most successful initiatives. That includes bringingXbox Game Pass to Xbox and PC, making it the best subscription service in the industry with a wide variety of games for only $9.99 a month. Last year, he helped guideMicrosoft to acquire seven studios, including Ninja Theory – known for the critically acclaimed gameHellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice– andObsidian Entertainment, known for numerous great RPGs likeSouth Park: The Stick of TruthandFallout: New Vegas. He also had a hand in the creation of a brand new studio, The Initiative, that since its announcement has hired staff who previously worked at Rockstar Games and Sony’s Santa Monica Studio.
Phil Spencer has done a lot of good in a little amount of time, and with him steering the ship for the next generation of Xbox, I really can’t see how they can drop the ball again.
[pullquote]“Phil Spencer has been the saving grace for Xbox this generation."[/pullquote]
It is normal for Microsoft and Sony to release their new consoles in the fall gearing up for the holiday season, which they both did the past few console generations. They want big sales and big numbers at launch. That is playing the short game; Microsoft needs to play the long game.
For example, the Nintendo Switch released in March 2017 and has been a huge hit since launch. Granted, a big part of that is due to the system’s ability to give gamers a portable console-like experience, but it did well for them regardless to go for a less crowded spring release. If Microsoft did the same, they would get around a six-month head start on Sony, giving gamers a chance to try the system out for themselves or to see what the critical response is like. Also, it has already been reported thata family of new Xbox consoles will be releasing: one more powerful system like the Xbox One X, and one that is less costly like the Xbox One S, so for those that have never jumped into the platform they can do it at a more affordable cost.
If Microsoft went for this route, would show gamers that this new generation will be different from the Xbox One. If the new Xbox and PlayStation release near by each other, then I think Microsoft will be done for. There is too much in Sony’s arsenal to try and challenge them at this time.
[pullquote]“I hope that this year, Microsoft proves to those people that they should be taken seriously in the next generation."[/pullquote]
Now is the time for Phil Spencer and the Xbox team to truly show us what the next generation of Xbox is going to be like at their E3 Briefing tomorrow. Show us the consoles, show us the specs, show us the games. Show us why players should invest in Xbox. Xbox is a great place to game, but to a lot of people six years later, they still see the platform as a joke after its botched reveal. I hope that this year, Microsoft proves to those people that they should be taken seriously in the next generation.
As we near E3, what do you want to see the most at this year’s show? What’s your dream scenario? Be sure to let us know in the comments.Lastly, be sure tocheck out some of the other hopes and dreams for E3 2019from the rest of theDualShockerswriters.
