Hiya.
Been a minute, hasn’t it? How’s it hanging? Is it still hanging? Not experiencing any morning glory lately? Should probably see a doctor about it then.
Ignoring the joke that non-brits won’t get, it’s been two years since I made a thread so I forgot which category belongs in which.
Anytoots, thought I’d beat ppl to the punch and make this cuz it seems neat (not that Xbox is a particularly popular topic in the blue forums, per se though i do like some greens in my gaming meals).
I’ve somewhat documented in the past my falling out with the series, there’s no catalyst but I felt a gradual burnout due to Microsoft’s declining interest in accessibility in both its storefront and ecosystem in general (like it’s nigh impossible to change your email, so my library of 250+ games might get lost for good).
If this new toy from Microsoft supports steam then that would solve the issue (doubt it but still).
Though i still wouldn’t bet on it having the same customization level of the steam deck (and subsequently, the steam OS)
I’d also like to highlight that I’m not particularly system-loyal (though im sure this became clear in my two years of posting). I still got plans for buying either the PS5P or PS6 (the ps4 and vita are still my newest ps consoles though i haven’t touched either in years. My most recent PlayStation gaming session was…. The psp?). This is just for fun, I like peeking every now and then and see how each side is doing.
What do you guys n gals n everything in between think? Have you done any thinking at all? Is this a thinking forum? To think or not to think, that is the question… I think.
Excellently written piece.
I do have to wonder where this project is heading.
Also, another gen goes by without a “720” name being used.
(Question: how do we make articles embed?)
@Yousef- I follow all the news, be it PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and PC… so I watch and listen to all sides of the discussion and I’ve just never ‘got’ the business rationale behind the Xbox hybrid that we now know is code named Helix. If it’s just a PC with access to the Windows store and Xbox back-compat it’ll die as no-one will want it… but if it’s a PC with all storefronts (predominantly Steam) as well as being a back-compat Xbox, it’ll die as it won’t make Microsoft any money. And we’ve seen the moves that Microsoft make when Xbox ain’t making sufficient revenue.
Maybe I’m missing some angle, as I’m not spotless in terms of how I see the market responding to gaming products. Prior to its release, I really didn’t see the Switch blowing up in the way that it did. I also thought Gamepass would eventually gain more traction than it did… I can actually see Microsoft pulling the plug on Gamepass as it goes. So I’m more than open to other opinions on how the Helix could actually work from a business perspective… but as it’s stands right now, it doesn’t make sense to me.
@Yousef- I follow all the news, be it PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and PC… so I watch and listen to all sides of the discussion and I’ve just never ‘got’ the business rationale behind the Xbox hybrid that we now know is code named Helix. If it’s just a PC with access to the Windows store and Xbox back-compat it’ll die as no-one will want it… but if it’s a PC with all storefronts (predominantly Steam) as well as being a back-compat Xbox, it’ll die as it won’t make Microsoft any money. And we’ve seen the moves that Microsoft make when Xbox ain’t making sufficient revenue.
Maybe I’m missing some angle, as I’m not spotless in terms of how I see the market responding to gaming products. Prior to its release, I really didn’t see the Switch blowing up in the way that it did. I also thought Gamepass would eventually gain more traction than it did… I can actually see Microsoft pulling the plug on Gamepass as it goes. So I’m more than open to other opinions on how the Helix could actually work from a business perspective… but as it’s stands right now, it doesn’t make sense to me.
Excellently argued points as always, colonel, always appreciate your perspective on things. 😊
That said, I do happen to share your modus operandi of keeping tabs on the other side. I’ve documented my absence of brand loyalty and investment in wanting to switch team shirts every now and then see what I get out of it, as evident by me having plats on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam.
With that in mind, while I did express my disdain in Xbox, my nanny always told me to eat my greens so I wouldn’t wanna break her heart, so here we are now.
As it’s been highlighted numerous times by now, by both you and I, it’s an important conversation piece if this will truly include steam. My experience has taught me that Microsoft has historically overestimated the popularity of its ecosystem. While it’s true we can’t fully escape windows (still trying my best as a 2-year long Linux user and counting), both the edge browser and Microsoft store fronts, while forced on you in the Series X consoles, are not quite popular outside of it. Even Epic occasionally receives more visitors. It’s objective fact that Steam has the largest userbase on personal computers, followed by (most likely) GOG thanks to its DRM-free policy and its (mostly) censorship-free versions.
GOG also likes to persevere a ton of delisted games, such as a few key important Yakuza games that have been removed after their new remasters came out, a powerful console with convenient access to such storefront would be a thing of beauty for folks such as myself with deep investment in keeping our past alive.
But i don’t see Microsoft sharing such sentiment, hence why I’ll likely decide to have no horse in this race and see where the waves take me. ✌️
What do you guys n gals n everything in between think? Have you done any thinking at all? Is this a thinking forum? To think or not to think, that is the question… I think.
My main concern as someone who generally does buy both consoles whenever they are available would be influenced by something I've noticed a few too many times with the Steam Deck. It's a great machine (for the most part) but Valve have verified plenty of games that run terribly on the system and that shouldn't be happening. Almost every Unreal 5 game runs badly, yes it's Unreal 5 and people expected issues with the engine but a game like Vampire Survivors shouldn't struggle on there and it does. There are so many verified games that crash or just won't play and that's my concern with Helix. The Steam Deck is designed for PC games, and Helix is designed for console and PC? I don't see how there won't be a trade off there and they'll need to be incredibly transparent or they risk supplying a system that just like the Steam Deck verifies something as 'working' when really it doesn't.
There's also the question of upgrades, my gaming PC is easy to upgrade and if this Helix machine has a custom sized case/space limits then I'd wonder how it can be upgraded over time. Games are getting more demanding not less, it makes me wonder if they'll sell their own custom hard-drives/Ram etc. Then there's the price, it's a ballpark figure right now and it already looks like it might be more than people are willing to pay for a machine. If they push the price too high they'll be in that area where building a gaming PC from scratch is the better choice. I see Helix as being a novelty and not the ultimate road to PC gaming, I can't not see there being limitations and issues with compatibility. I'd like to be wrong, I like PC gaming and there are many gems on there that I'd like to see console players get access to.
That's the technical side. I see it more from a business perspective. They may have lost the 'console war' but they still have a console/a player-base/dedicated games and exclusives (for now) and I see Helix as one big gamble. I'd prefer to see them continue console only, Sony need the competition, it keeps things balanced and it's necessary. That whole twitter announcement felt so low effort, why even have a marketing team if that's how you are going to announce a major shift in your games division. I don't think that helped my confidence with that proposed move/product, but again I'd like to be wrong.
I don't think Xbox fans deserve to be put through the ringer after supporting a product/company for decades of their lives. As I said in the original article we all have nostalgia for our preferred system and Microsoft almost seems to be forcing this change on them. There are surely Xbox fans who only want a console for the games themselves and don't care about PC access or they simply can't afford the entrance fee. I see that as isolating a portion of your existing customer-base and that rarely ends well. They'll be aiming for high-margin sales rather than volume. If they do that (and they will) They limit themselves through high price points, a brand intentionally creates an exclusive, 'in-group' perception that can significantly increase brand equity but also introduces severe risks. The gamble as I see it is 'the PC experience through convenience' but that's not a sign of superior quality, nor does it build the perception of prestige and trustworthiness. Not when a person already has options, I.E. buying or building a PC, your one time exclusives existing on another machine (PS5/PS6 in theory) or Valve's Steam Machine.
A high price-point (in marketing) generally means selling more than a physical product. I do buy a lot of products with an existing prestige and they aren't marketing a product when I make a buy, they are marketing a life-style. Helix (in my opinion) can only market the convenience of 'the PC life-style' and that too depends on which Vendors are onboard with the machine. If they can't manage it properly that high price may cause prospective customers to feel excluded, potentially damaging the brand image among the broader public and not just their existing loyal customer-base. It's never a good idea to isolate existing customers. I like expensive products with prestige, I understand I'm being sold a life-style and not just a product. I understand how a product can quickly become a veblen good. Once a product passes a certain price-point it requires a very specific, high-cost marketing approach that is less sustainable during economic downturn. Everything I hear lately is 'things are getting more expensive', I don't know, there's a personal detachment there. I personally don't think that this is the right market or time to release such a product and time will tell if that gamble pays off.
The short version: I buy every console that gets released, I like that Sony has competition and I see Helix as one big gamble to sell PC access as a convenience. I don't think Microsoft are the company I'd choose to pave the way, and I'm saying that as a PC gamer too. Time will tell. Either way I've enjoyed reading peoples thoughts, they are easier to digest than the original article's. Temporary drive-by accounts are a little too high-strung to follow and things get lost in translation, everything I've read here was concise and easy to follow, thanks.
These violent delights have violent ends & in their triumph die, like fire & powder Which, as they kiss, consume.
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Topic: Project Helix Speculation
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