Xbox One Catch-all

I was a bigtime XB1 Destiny player and am pretty interested in Destiny2. But I'm ticked off that they're still doing exclusive content for PS4. Anybody else aboard the S.S. WTFBUNGIE?

I hate to say this, but I feel like Sony has been crushing XB1 when it comes to exclusives. Especially in the indie games ecosystem.

RawkGWJ wrote:

I hate to say this, but I feel like Sony has been crushing XB1 when it comes to exclusives. Especially in the indie games ecosystem.

I agree and it is more than just indies. Sony has been nailing exclusive new IPs like Horizon Zero Dawn and more niche but still more than indie exclusives like Nier Automata and Persona 5. And while you can argue that the exclusive content in Destiny/Destiny 2 is minor, it is still hard to argue with the fact that you are getting the more complete experience for the same price locked in for a year on PS4. Given the huge following that the game has, that is a big coup for Sony.

Earlier in the life cycle Xbox I think was at least holding its own in exclusives. But over the past year or so, many of their new IPs have been shut down (Scalebound), majorly delayed (Crackdown 3) or viewed with some skepticism (Sea of Thieves). That has left them with some of the same standbys like Forza, Halo and Gears. Forza 3 has been fantastic but Halo Wars 2 I don't think was a big success and Gears of War 4 had a fairly lukewarm reception. None of their new IPs seems to have been big hits (Sunset Overdrive, Quantum Break, Recore).

Hopefully we'll be surprised at E3 and there will be some major new initiatives announced but the pipeline seems a little thin.

Sony won a massive advantage in mindshare at the beginning of this gen. Right, wrong or whatever, the PS4 became the platform of choice. That tanked the early strong exclusives Microsoft put out, and has probably slowed their roll in putting out more.

Most of Sony's exclusives I could care less about. I did just buy a PS4 forThe Show, which came with Uncharted 4. Both are strong games. But I have hard time thinking that Uncharted is a need unless you just need lots of Tomb Raider clones. If you want a licensed baseball game, though...

If I keep the PS4, then HZD is probably my next purchase. But browsing through the PS store does not make me feel like I was missing all that much. I'm not saying there aren't great games there, but not ones I was probably going to buy anyway.

But for now, I think Microsoft is quietly ending the XB1 generation and get a fresh start with Scorpio. Yes, it will play every single XB1 game, and all of theories 360 games Microsoft has enabled. And also yes, new games like Crackdown 3 and Sea of thieves will be fully playable on XB1.

But I think they will show off a console that will make you want to play Crackdown 3 and Forza 6 on Scorpio. I'm betting they will have some 3rd party Play Anywhere games. Wonder if we will see more marketing deals when they show off Scorpio at E3, working with publishers to secure that the very best version of many games will be on XB1. I think they will money hat some third party timed exclusives, too.

I think they will have some sort of VR accessibility that they will market as vastly superior to Sony's. I'm nowhere near sold on VR, but I don't think Microsoft can move forward without it.

I think we are seeing the winding down of the XB1, which is a little disappointing. I could also be totally wrong. If the system launches at $500, I don't see it selling well enough to change the mindshare. I think they need a $400 machine that blows us away to change the narrative of the gaming press. And that may be wishful thinking on my part.

I may buy in at $500, but I don't think many people will. They need to not only move XB1 gamers on to Scorpio, but they need a migration of 360 owners that currently age on the PS4 to come back. I don't believe that happens at $500.

But I think they held Crackdown 3 back for Scorpio's release, and I expect that they will announce more titles at E3.

They say they are announcing more exclusives at E3. I think Phil Spencer knows what drives gamers.

Unfortunately, he wasn't in charge at the beginning of this generation, and the people who were made horrible decisions. Sony was hungry to win back the throne and focused on what gamers want. They also pounced on the huge opening Microsoft gave them.

I'm really hoping Scorpio can bring Xbox roaring back.

We'll just have to wait for Sony to get its hubris back and mess up the PS5 enough for Microsoft to gain the upper hand. They seem to enjoy passing that back and forth.

Jayhawker wrote:

Sony won a massive advantage in mindshare at the beginning of this gen. Right, wrong or whatever, the PS4 became the platform of choice. That tanked the early strong exclusives Microsoft put out, and has probably slowed their roll in putting out more.

What "early strong exclusives" are you talking about?

Correct me if I'm wrong. But these are the Xbox One exclusives I believe.

Dead Rising 3 (Microsoft)
Dead Rising 4 (Microsoft)
Fantasia: Music Evolved (Disney Interactive)
Fighter Within (Ubisoft)
Forza Horizon 2 (Microsoft)
Forza Horizon 3 (Microsoft)
Forza Motorsport 5 (Microsoft)
Forza Motorsport 6 (Microsoft)
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (Microsoft)
Gears of War 4 (Microsoft)
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Microsoft)
Halo 5: Guardians (Microsoft)
Halo Wars 2 (Microsoft)
Kinect Sports Rivals (Microsoft)
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare (EA)
Powerstar Golf (Microsoft)
Project Spark (Microsoft)
Quantum Break (Microsoft)
Rare Replay (Microsoft)
ReCore (Microsoft)
Rise of the Tomb Raider (Square Enix)
Ryse: Son of Rome (Microsoft)
ScreamRide (Microsoft)
Shape Up (Ubisoft)
State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition (Microsoft)
Sunset Overdrive (Microsoft)
Titanfall (EA)
Zoo Tycoon (Microsoft)

Sunset Overdrive, Ryse, Dead Rising 3, Titanfall

I've been locked into the Xbox ecosystem since the news leaked that Microsoft was buying Bungie and their new IP 17 or 18 years ago.

But, looking at that list, the only thing on their that I really cared about was the Halo:MCC and the only thing I really, really enjoyed playing was Sunset Overdrive.

Meanwhile, I would very much like to play Horizon and Gravity Rush.

Jayhawker wrote:

Sunset Overdrive, Ryse, Dead Rising 3, Titanfall

And Forza 5.

Jayhawker wrote:

But for now, I think Microsoft is quietly ending the XB1 generation and get a fresh start with Scorpio.

I think you're right. They've hustled all they can hustle with the Xbox One, and there's clearly pressure to try something else.

I also hope that they have a better sales pitch than, "it's more powerful". Right now, the Xbox division looks like a mess. They keep canceling projects, delaying others, and can't seem to offer a coherent vision of what the Xbox platform is. Their first and second party efforts have really failed to capture the imagination.

I hope that Scorpio can help them get back some of that verve and drive they had going off the original Xbox and into the 360. My concern is that they'll bank on more pixels and Master Chief to carry the day.

polq37 wrote:

Meanwhile, I would very much like to play Horizon and Gravity Rush.

Gravity Rush is greener on the other side of the fence. I wouldn't be too jealous.

polq37 wrote:

I've been locked into the Xbox ecosystem since the news leaked that Microsoft was buying Bungie and their new IP 17 or 18 years ago.

But, looking at that list, the only thing on their that I really cared about was the Halo:MCC and the only thing I really, really enjoyed playing was Sunset Overdrive.

Meanwhile, I would very much like to play Horizon and Gravity Rush.

This is pretty much my issue with the Xbox at the moment. It's fun overall, but I'm a little underwhelmed by the games.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Their first and second party efforts have really failed to capture the imagination.

This is what I'm most disappointed about with XB1.

I think about 90% of the games I am interested in are multiplatform with maybe 5% being Xbox exclusives and 3% being Playstation exclusive and the last 2% being PC/Nintendo exclusives. Mobile games are just a rounding error.

Same with me, Rykin. Personally, i am super happy with xbox right now but wish they would sell digital a bit cheaper and keep supporting Kinect.

There's no question in my mind the PS4 has had the better stable of games this generation, but I can't get past the fact I love the Xbox controller and I don't like the PS controller. Add that to the fact I've got a load of friends already on Xbox (none of whom are playing Mass Effect: Andromeda, you bastards), and I just don't feel the need to go for a PS4 as well.

I am in the same boat as you Milkman when it comes to the controller issue. My PS4 has been collecting dust because I freaking hate the DS4. I recently picked up an adapter that lets me use my Xbox Elite controller on the PS4 so have been playing some Destiny with Manach on it this week which has been fun. But I still much prefer the Xbox ecosystem.

There are some games on both systems that you will miss out on if you only have one but I agree that the vast majority of games I am interested in are cross platform (although I would have been bummed to miss out on FH3).

One of the ways the PS4 has been killing it is they've had a stable of fun, more "indie" games that's been more impressive than the Xbox's this gen. I played Helldivers at a friend's house recently on PS4; it was great. The PS4 got Rocket League way before Xbox, as I recall. I've played bits and pieces of bunches of little games I really enjoyed, and the Xbox just hasn't had that Castle Crashers killer downloadable title this gen I can think of.

I think the other thing that has hurt is canceling/delaying multiple games. Killing off Fable:Legends (or whatever it was called) and Scalebound just looks bad, especially the latter that was really pretty heavily featured at E3. Major delays on Cuphead and Crackdown 3 add to the optics that something's just not right in the development department. There may be similar examples on the PS4 (Last Guardian I guess although that did finally come out) but I don't think they got as much attention, in part because there have been so many more titles successfully released on that system.

On the other hand, backwards compatibility has been amazing and far more seamless than I would have ever thought.

I think this E3 is an important one. I agree with Clocky, the messaging around Scorpio has to be more than just more power. They need some unique, differentiating software to run on it.

@MilkmanDanimal

I thought Ori and the Blind Forest was one of the best "downloadable" titles I have ever played. But it looks like you are looking at more multi-player oriented stuff which I do find a bit lacking this gen.

edit

I think if Scorpio succeeds it will be more due to some third and/or first party break through hits.. if Scorpio fails I think it might be the final nail in the coffin of the Microsoft Console experiment.

It will be a challenge to market Scorpio on spec's alone.. Sony has already experienced a bit of that. You can't show 4K and HDR effectively over the internet and outside of Digital Foundry most sites don't go through every frame painstakingly to show the differences.

While a small % of gamers will care bigly about which version of a 3rd party title performs best on which platform for the majority of gamers they probably already have their minds set that the PlayStation brand provides the best gaming experience.

I sure hope Microsoft succeeds and sticks around.. the industry would be far worse if they exit.

** apologies for the edits **

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

One of the ways the PS4 has been killing it is they've had a stable of fun, more "indie" games that's been more impressive than the Xbox's this gen. I played Helldivers at a friend's house recently on PS4; it was great. The PS4 got Rocket League way before Xbox, as I recall. I've played bits and pieces of bunches of little games I really enjoyed, and the Xbox just hasn't had that Castle Crashers killer downloadable title this gen I can think of.

This also sums up how I'm feeling. It may just be "grass is greener" syndrome, but it seems like PS got much more interesting indie games. I feel like every XB1 indie game is a pixel art side scrolling platformer, and frankly, I'm absolutely bored of that genre.

Whoever is in charge of curating the indie titles at Microsoft must love pixel art platformers. Either that or they are phoning it in. Out of laziness? Lack of passion? Ineptitude? it's hard to know why.

EvilDead wrote:

@MilkmanDanimal

I thought Ori and the Blind Forest was one of the best "downloadable" titles I have ever played. But it looks like you are looking at more multi-player oriented stuff which I do find a bit lacking this gen.

Ori was super niche, though. And though not pixel art, still a side scrolling platformer, right? I honestly don't even remember if I played it or not. I think I might have, but then fell off because of how long the game was going to take to finish.

RawkGWJ wrote:
EvilDead wrote:

@MilkmanDanimal

I thought Ori and the Blind Forest was one of the best "downloadable" titles I have ever played. But it looks like you are looking at more multi-player oriented stuff which I do find a bit lacking this gen.

Ori was super niche, though. And though not pixel art, still a side scrolling platformer, right? I honestly don't even remember if I played it or not. I think I might have, but then fell off because of how long the game was going to take to finish.

I don't know the sales numbers but it turned profit in the first week. I think it must have gone on to do pretty well. It's not a traditional platformer though. It's one part Metroid with opening new areas and exploration. It also has similarities to super meat boy with insta-respawns on death and some tricky manuevering. It gave me vibes of games like the original Echo the Dolphin and Flashback.

I bought Rise and Shine and started playing it yesterday. It's a side scroller. More of a shooter than a platformer. Its on sale, and I had been interested in it since launch.

[quote="RawkGWJ"This also sums up how I'm feeling. It may just be "grass is greener" syndrome, but it seems like PS got much more interesting indie games.[/quote]

Microsoft also hasn't done a very good job about messaging with the Xbox One indie games they do have as console exclusives. They seem to have taken the approach that a lot of people here tend to: if it's also on PC, it doesn't really count. The Xbox One has been the exclusive console platform for indie games like Superhot, Cities: Skylines, Elite Dangerous, Dungeon of the Endless, Ori and the Blind Forest, Inside, and others. But they're not getting hyped up and featured the same way that Sony's managed to do with Rocket League, The Witness, and others. Sony's just out-marketed them there.

TheGameguru wrote:

I think if Scorpio succeeds it will be more due to some third and/or first party break through hits.. if Scorpio fails I think it might be the final nail in the coffin of the Microsoft Console experiment.

Yep. I can see Xbox becoming some kind of PC gaming brand, like a storefront or a launcher service or even a line of pre-built PCs, but if Scorpio underwhelms, I don't think we'll see another Xbox console.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Yep. I can see Xbox becoming some kind of PC gaming brand, like a storefront or a launcher service or even a line of pre-built PCs, but if Scorpio underwhelms, I don't think we'll see another Xbox console.

Being underwhelming and being a financial success are not the same thing. I think the PS4 took the early lead based on performance numbers and some of the exclusives (Call of Duty). From what we have seen of Scorpio I think it could shift the balance in Xbox's favor. The PS4 Pro's 4K performance has been a bit lackluster so the Scorpio should be able to win with the videophiles who believe that all that matter is resolution and fps. I haven't decided if I will be getting a Scorpio or a PS4 or a Switch or just stick with what I have at this point. With the library of Xbox One and BC 360 titles I have the Scorpio sort of makes more sense than the PS4.

RawkGWJ wrote:

** apologies for the edits **

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

One of the ways the PS4 has been killing it is they've had a stable of fun, more "indie" games that's been more impressive than the Xbox's this gen. I played Helldivers at a friend's house recently on PS4; it was great. The PS4 got Rocket League way before Xbox, as I recall. I've played bits and pieces of bunches of little games I really enjoyed, and the Xbox just hasn't had that Castle Crashers killer downloadable title this gen I can think of.

This also sums up how I'm feeling. It may just be "grass is greener" syndrome, but it seems like PS got much more interesting indie games. I feel like every XB1 indie game is a pixel art side scrolling platformer, and frankly, I'm absolutely bored of that genre.

Whoever is in charge of curating the indie titles at Microsoft must love pixel art platformers. Either that or they are phoning it in. Out of laziness? Lack of passion? Ineptitude? it's hard to know why.

Over 500 id@xbox releases, they definitely are not all pixel art platformers. The service and level of commitment MS has given to indies this generation is huge.