The Xbox Is Dead: Why Microsoft Can’t Solve the Problem
Dumping on the Xbox has become somewhat of a national sport among gamers in recent years. And now that Phil Spencer is leaving the company, everyone is looking at what’s actually wrong with the console. Here’s my take on why the Xbox is probably dead in the water.
Sony’s PlayStation won the console war many years ago, if there even is such a thing anymore. That’s not news to gamers. But if you’re an outsider looking in, the console’s problems may not be that obvious. Just looking at spec sheets, you couldn’t tell just how far the Xbox is lagging behind. So clearly, there has to be another issue. Many issues, actually. And in my opinion, none of them are realistically going to be fixed under Microsoft Gaming’s new CEO, Asha Sharma.
The Xbox’s Fall from Grace
The Xbox wasn’t always the “lesser choice”. I still remember a time when the Xbox 360 ruled living rooms and children’s bedrooms everywhere. Back then, Microsoft built the Xbox brand on strong exclusives and Xbox Live. And it worked. Games like Halo and Gears of War dominated the market.
But then came the misfired launch of the Xbox One, which Microsoft still hasn’t fully recovered from to this day. And the company is continuing to make the same mistakes today. When the Xbox One launched, it was praised as more than just a gaming device. What Microsoft failed to realize back then was that players actually wanted a gaming device.
And that remains true today. Most gamers don’t want a complicated ecosystem with crazy AI-features and hit-or-miss innovation just for the sake of it. They want a powerful, affordable gaming device with great games. Unfortunately, that’s not what gamers are getting, and likely won’t be getting anytime soon.
Asha Sharma: A Contradictory Personality
When I first heard of Phil Spencer’s departure, I was cautiously optimistic. Because even though he was most likely not behind each bad decision of the past couple of years, he carries a fair share of responsibility. But then I took a look at his replacement, Asha Sharma. While she seems like a genuine, kind person, her portfolio is what concerns me. And now her latest interviews have added to the confusion.
For the last two years, Sharma served as the Head of Product for Microsoft’s AI Platform. That being a whole other can of worms, which I am not going to get into here. Beyond that, Sharma has held top positions at several well-known companies. Overall, her CV is impressive! But one thing is missing: any prior association or experience within the gaming industry as a whole. And that is what worries me.
Sharma’s Core Commitments: Empty Promises?
In an interview with Variety, Sharma discussed her main commitments to the gaming community. Those are “great games, the return of Xbox, and the future of play”. There is no denying that, on paper, these commitments sound amazing.
As stated previously, what gamers want is a solid gaming console and great games. Two core components that Microsoft has seemingly distanced itself from over the last few years. Years of delays, cancellations, and unattractive exclusives have eroded player trust in the console.
Further, Sharma has repeatedly stated that she has “no tolerance for bad AI”. However, she does concede that AI is and will continue to be a part of gaming. Whatever that means in practise remains to be seen. I suspect Microsoft may be hoping for a boost in game development through AI. If that’s the case, it explains why an AI enthusiast with no experience in the gaming industry was chosen.
And even with the best intentions, it can’t be denied that Sharma is stepping into a bad situation. Cost pressures, increasing competition from consoles like the Steam Machine, and other factors will not be easy to overcome.
So while I truly hope to see some positive changes and the return of the Xbox, it’s hard to stay optimistic. Microsoft has already dug itself a deep hole in gaming as a whole. And I am just not sure whether a new CEO with no gaming experience, who admittedly still has “a lot to learn” about the industry, will be able to save this rapidly sinking ship.
What do you think? Can Xbox recapture the moment and make a comeback? Let me know in the comments below!
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