Rumors are swirling that Microsoft is pulling the plug on its Xbox hardware division. As per a series of online leaks claimed to be coming from credible sources, the tech giant’s plans for the next-gen hardware are thrown into disarray. It suggests a fundamental shift away from the physical consoles. It has sparked intense debate amongst fans as well as industry observers about what this iconic gaming brand’s future truly is.
How did the gaming community react to the “Xbox is over” claims?
The entire community has been set ablaze by the claims, with many fans as well as observers expressing a lot of disappointment, shock and grim resignation. The seen sentiment online is more of a farewell. An X user in this regard commented, “Hey if xbox is over we got playstation at least :)” trying to capture the deflated mood of the brand’s long-time supporters.
Others are seeing a historical parallel. As per a user, “History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes. Xbox is as overextended technologically and strategically as Sega was back in the day.” The comment perfectly highlighted a belief that Microsoft doesn’t have its strategic focus anymore, adding, “Nobody knows what Xbox’s core is anymore. If everything is an Xbox, nothing is an Xbox.”
There are many who are even critical about the recent direction of the company. A fan argued that, instead of the current path, all they had to do was keep things simple and keep the focus on making some better exclusives. Some are not even sure about what “their strategy is anymore,” especially as they are also killing Game Pass (increasing the price of it by almost double).
While things are to be considered as rumors unless an official announcement is made about anything at all, when an observer asked about the credibility of the claims, the user noted, “This guy leaked some insanely accurate Series X stuff years ago.”
Is Microsoft’s plan good or bad: What users suggest?
An observer echoing on to a very few voices suggested, Microsoft’s plans to be logical. The user commented, “The hardware is always a liability. If this is true, it’s not a failure, it’s a strategic retreat. The game is no longer won by selling consoles, but by owning the subscription service and cloud infrastructure. Xbox isn’t getting out of gaming; they’re getting out of the inventory and logistics business.” As per the user, “The future is an API, not a box.”
Now, whether the plan is logical or if this news is true, it is time that would tell. As of now, until any kind of official confirmation is received, let us all consider it all to be a rumor and nothing more.
But why are the rumors about Xbox’s demise gaining traction?
So, why is there a leak, a rumor or whatever the viewers are calling it, about Xbox being over? Well, the leaks point to a perfect storm of external and internal factors. The claim is that previously, Microsoft used to have really concrete plans for their new hardware. However, now, it’s all up in the air. The key steps that are required for launching a new console generation, as per reports, are not being met either. It is causing things that were once sure things to be delayed or cancelled completely.
Retailers’ confidence too seems to be collapsing. Costco’s departure from selling Xbox products is being cited as a major red flag. Leakers indicate that they are one of the many that we will learn of soon. Such erosion of the retail partnerships further makes selling physical hardware business increasingly untenable.
The new strategy of the company is also a full retreat to the software. Xbox’s future, as per leaks, is within publishing games on any and all devices. As per it, their large focus is upon most profitable IPs, including Minecraft, Candy Crush and Call of Duty. The Xbox platform vision to go live on through Cloud with Game Pass will transform into a primary subscription for access to games via xCloud. xCloud is a service that has been expected to see further increases in price. As an analyst on X has put it, future is an API. It is not a box.
