Topic: So...is the next-gen Xbox pointless?

Yes, the title is jumping to conclusions, but it grabbed your attention, so it worked.

In case you missed it, Valve just announced the Steam Machine (https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine). Basically (from my limited understanding of PC, it's a plug-and-play console/PC hybrid, where you can plug it into a TV and start playing your PC library instantaneously. It even comes with a new controller release!

If you don't pay attention to rumors, it's widely believed that Microsoft's next-gen Xbox will be a console/PC hybrid, where you can plug-and-play and access your entire Xbox library (and potentially other storefronts, like Steam or Epic).

So, taking the limited, just-announced knowledge of the Steam Machine, and assuming that the rumored details of the next-gen Xbox are correct, what are y'all's thoughts on how Microsoft will handle it?

My main thought, other than Valve having a better naming scheme than whatever Xbox will come up with, is that Valve as a whole is better looked upon by the industry than Microsoft currently is. But, on the flip side, just knowing that something is a PC can turn people off, if they're scared of setting up and don't look further. Plus, people's libraries could play into their decision.

@orvisbean101 we actually had a few discussions in the past about this here, long before any actual announcements of these things falling in to place, as it was clear Xbox has been sceambling for a good few years, and when it was announced it was hard to see who Xbox were actually going to be targeting. We always expected Valve to be getting back in to the market before that point came, too. And so, it seems, as i've learned from your post here, it has come to be and they have cut in nice and early.

The last thing Xbox has is its 'brand name' in the US (Which steam do not yet have in the console space), and Gamepass. (Would the steam machine run pc game pass? - that would be an interesting wrinkle)

What i'm hoping though is Sony just come along and do something better. A Ps6/ps6 handheld, and Ps6 Pro at release, perhaps the pro with a more PC-like spec sheet, so they can offer something for everyone all at once, rather than the other two companies which will offer something very specific to very specific niches (or so it seems)

I'll have to have a gander at how the Steam Machine stacks up, I guess it is more in line with regular console gens, but if it is something high end I may look more favourably at the "pc console hybrid" space.

@orvisbean101 yup

I always said when PC Gamepass was announced that Xbox wanted to fight Valve more than Playstation.

Regarding the Steam Machine, it depends on if Valve is actually going to mass produce and market this device as well as price it accordingly. They cannot compete with Sony and Nintendo on logistics and marketing. For example the Steam Deck has only been officially available in Hong Kong since this year that too only at online retailers.

If Steam is serious they have to cede some profit to the middlemen who run retail stores.

The other concern is the already outdated Ram and the idea that it still isn't as plug and play as a traditional game console. Fidgeting with windows and Linux for battlefield anti cheat kernels etc.

But overall, I'd say if MS thought they had two years, they now have to really rush the next Gen device out

@cainhurst94 Yeah, I think the biggest thing is that it forces Microsoft's hand. They can no longer have a leg up just because their system is PC/console hybrid, that won't set it apart enough anymore.

I also agree that Steam can't compete with Sony/Nintendo for marketing/logistics, but I don't think it needs to. Xbox isn't nearly as big outside the U.S. as it is inside, so it's now facing a new competitor on its home court (that it already isn't doing so well in). As long as Steam can do enough to make a dent in Microsoft's market share in America, that'd be enough.

@orvisbean101 yeah at the end of the day this all depends on cost. Saw someone say it's expected to be the cost of a entry level PC so that automatically puts it in PS5 Pro range if true.

If everything is an Xbox, but the next generation Xbox is pointless…

Does that mean everything is pointless? 🤔

Gabecube has basically pulled the rug from under Xbox doing this, they will save face and say "everything is fine" but we know they are sweating bullets right now.

@Oram77 'Gabecube' is actually hilarious. 😂

@Kairuuu Yes, thanks to valve’s announcement, I’m now selling my LG Smart Fridge.

@cainhurst94 Yeah, price will be a big factor. I saw some people saying that it’s not the most powerful build, potentially even less than the base PS5/XBX, so if it prices like the PS5 Pro, that’ll be interesting. But it’d still be cheaper than building your own, so I could see them doing that.

@AgentCooper @Oram77 Phil Spencer tweeted about how all competition is good for the industry and congratulated Valve, so obviously everything is great at Microsoft.

I has been pointless since Xbox One.

And I hope that the Steam Machine is the last nail in its coffin.

I don't know that it's pointless but I do know I'm not buying another Xbox. The exclusives that I did play are now either on PS5 or are making their way to PS5. I'll probably get a Steam Machine because I do enjoy the Steam Deck and use it a lot when traveling. Microsoft dropped the ball by throwing so much money at various studios and purchases when really they should have been addressing the sheer lack of marketing. Advertising can make or break a product and everywhere I go I see Sony. PS5 is plastered all over buses, tube stations, billboards and that's just the UK. A chunk of their customer-base originates from that in your face visibility. Competition is great, it keeps companies on their toes and allows for competitive pricing but if they did announce a new Xbox tomorrow I'd be hard pushed to want to buy one. Especially now that Valve are making their machine sound so enticing.

@orvisbean101 to me, it seems more like Valve is trying to compete with PS5/Series X type hardware and price-point. It seems more for Steamdeck customers who don't own a decent gaming PC or for those looking to get into Steam games

Unlike a Windows PC, this will be running with SteamOS, which currently impacts on some games - like Battlefield, CoD, Destiny 2, Valorant etc as these require 'Windows' TPM Secure Boot and based on specs, probably will be about Series X/PS5 equivalent.

From an Xbox owners perspective, Steam isn't really an alternative as it won't have any Back Compat with their Xbox history. Their Xbox Profile, Achievements etc are carried over to Windows/Xbox PC so if you have games (Play Anywhere or BC) or services (Game Pass), Steam isn't ideal. Would Playstation 5 owners buy a Steam Machine for next-gen and give up their Playstation History?

The Next Xbox is likely to be a PC too so it will offer Steam anyway, but will also integrate better with your Xbox history. It won't be any 'less' pointless than Steam Machine to anyone with a decent PC anyway as they won't need to buy eithers Hardware but those with History on 1 platform (Xbox or Steam) will likely buy the one that makes it easiest to access and/or bring forward their Account and games.

Neither Hardware is 'required' - you can buy any Brand PC and have access to Steam/Xbox so its 'optional' - if it delivers the best Bang for Buck to suit your Budget and Performance expectations as well as bringing your Account and Library forward, it may well be the 'best' option for you, but not the only or even necessary purchase. These arguably won't get any 'exclusives' at all to incentivise buying - at least not 'hardware' exclusives as you'll be able to play on ANY other PC so for many, neither is worth buying as they have a decent PC rig.