Everyone’s moving a lot closer to that mid-generation mark thanks to the PS4 Pro, the first generation 8.5 console, releasing in just under two months. This has everyone getting into the generation 9 mindset already, and starting to decide who this current period belongs to. Nintendo is unfortunately not a part of the conversation thanks to some serious trouble surrounding the Wii U. So much trouble, in fact, that Nintendo is diving right into gen 9 way ahead of its fellow “Big Three” members with the NX.
However, there’s still a discussion to be had concerning Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PS4. There are strong arguments to be made for each company this generation, even after all of the snafus that the gaming community has bore witness to. We’ve come up with five ways you can say that Microsoft won this time around with the Xbox One.
If you want to see an argument for Sony and the PS4, click here.
Xbox One’s Turn Around
Microsoft did not have an easy time after they first revealed the Xbox One during an event in early 2013. That special press conference spent so much time talking about TV integration and online connectivity that many fans started to wonder what it meant for gamers. Making matters a bit worse was the fact that the DRM implemented by the system left a lot of people wondering if they’d be locked out of their own console. When complaints arose, fans were met with the infamous “deal with it” solution, as well as Don Mattrick saying an offline option would be the quickly aging Xbox 360.
Microsoft has come a very long way since that nightmare, completely turning the Xbox ship around to the point where it’s actually beating the PS4 in monthly sales. A new message, one that is focused on games and gamers, while also providing media options to those who want them, has the console sitting in a much brighter light.
Listening to Fans
That turn around did more than just place the Xbox One in a brighter light, it also provided a new point of comparison. Thanks to Phil Spencer taking the reins and focusing on listening to fans and giving them what they want, the Xbox One is a drastically different console today than it was three years ago. Backwards compatibility, screenshots, better sharing capabilities, Games With Gold, and more features show a slow and steady evolution.
The PS4 in comparison is still pretty much the same console it was at launch. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if it already had all of the features you wanted, but to see a console evolve as if it is some sort of living thing is pretty impressive. It’s a great way to see how your investment in a console can grow, offering new and exciting entertainment opportunities.
A company that listens to fans is destined to go on and do great things, and Microsoft has been living proof of that over the past couple of years. In the beginning of 2014, the Xbox One looked pretty much dead in the water, but it’s clear to see now that adaptation with solid execution can put even the underdog on top in the winning seat.
Smart Deals
Sony wasn’t the only company stocking up on third-party support and exclusive content. Microsoft made the 360 a success by leveraging great titles from other publishers and developers to fill out their lineup. That approach is being utilized for the Xbox One as well, only a bit differently.
While you can still get some third-party exclusive games and content (timed or not), Microsoft also offers some extra services that deliver serious value to fans. EA Access is a prime example, offering limitless access to a vault of top-notch EA titles to subscribers. The subscription itself costs $5 a month or $30 a year, cheaper than what you’d pay for something like Netflix, Crunchyroll, or Hulu, and instead of shows you get to play critically acclaimed video games. You also get discounts and early demos of upcoming titles, which adds even more value to the experience.
Decisions like these show that Microsoft is putting the consumer first, providing options that can only better the experience, yet also making it clear that you don’t lose anything if you don’t want to partake. It’s an intelligent method of using the resources around them to incentivize the Xbox One fan base to stick around, and it attracts those not yet convinced into the fold.
Opening Up to PC
PC gaming is surging, and many players are looking for more connectivity between consoles and their PC brethren. Microsoft realized that PCs offer options not currently available on home consoles, and that the end goal is really to give players the ability to play their favorite Xbox games as they see fit. With that in mind, Phil Spencer is leading the charge to bridge console and PC gaming with the Play Anywhere initiative and other features. Instead of locking players into some arbitrary piece of plastic and metal, they are allowing the Xbox brand to be more of a service that allows fun, value, and freedom.
To be honest, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that Microsoft may be doing themselves a disservice. A lot of gaming PCs out there are more powerful than the current generation of consoles, and the ability to play games in better resolutions and more solid frame rates, usually with more features, is tough to compete with. Yet this has actually garnered more positive attention for Xbox. Console sales are on the rise for Microsoft and opening up is benefiting those without a PC as well.
Mods are coming to the consoles little by little. The ability to share data between and play with those on PC is making the choice seem more substantial. You can choose what you want and not have to worry about missing anything, and that’s what makes all options great.
The Future Is Bright
What really helps Microsoft shine this generation is that it’s becoming increasingly clear that the company has no intention of slowing down to take in new successes. The folks that make up the Xbox team are dedicated to constant improvement over what players expect. New features for the current consoles are still on their way, highly anticipated games are just around the corner, and there’s even a new console that will be released during holiday 2017.
That new console, known only as Project Scorpio for now, will provide 4K and HDR gaming, full VR support, insane power for a home console, and most likely some other impressive features as well. As time moves on, you can only expect to see bigger and better things from the company that has made a point of constantly doing bigger and better.
It truly is a great time to be a fan of not only the Xbox brand, but of gaming in general. Microsoft learned a valuable lesson back in 2013, and it’s allowed them to return to a winning position in this race. While the true verdict is still out, anything can happen, Things have been impressive for the green camp.
Again, if you want to see some sound arguments for Sony and the PS4, click here.
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