Look, I'm all for this... MS is going all in and willing to lose large chunks of cash in order to try and grab a larger base of users. I can respect that, but it also looks like there is a little desperation mixed in. Kind of like they are just shoving cash forward and if it doesn't work out they will probably leave the console arena. Which I hope I am entirely wrong on.. just what it looks like to me. Kind of like a "hey SONY can you match this?" Like they know SONY needs the profit and can't afford taking losses like that if they follow in pursuit. Seems risky and I'm sure they have SONY more than a little uncomfortable at this point in time. It will be fun to see how this all plays out.
I hope it does work. I would love to see MS and SONY going head to head and forcing each other to outdo each other at every turn. That is a true winning scenario (in theory) for every true gamer out there. However where you take losses and cut corners there will be setbacks and trust falls in other key areas, which will likely come in the form of higher game prices, more paid DLC, "convenience items", season passes, loot boxes (or another way to get around the whole gambling debacle), etc. Those things don't bother me, but I know they really get under some people's skin, and honestly I don't think you are going to have less pay to win, loot boxes, and all that if they make things more "consumer friendly", by cutting costs in other key areas, which appears to mainly be in cost of entry while likely making many players feel alienated once they get into the game and find paywalls or crucial paid DLC that they either can't afford or simply don't wish to purchase.
Like I've said a thousand other times I support every console and platform. Value isn't the most important thing for me, but I know it is for many others. I just wonder how they plan on recouping all these losses outside of the things I've already mentioned (if they plan on recouping at all.. perhaps that is their goal for the long run, take losses now for more profit later?). I mean, on one hand I know it's MS and they have money to burn, to say the least. However, if they keep going the route of cheaper services (and other things like $1 for 3 months deals and other things like that) and promising free upgrades then at some point they are going to have to stop those things unless they believe that they can get their $ spent per person much higher than other platforms while also eating into a large percentage of their untapped market share from this gen (which they proved they could last gen).
Pro-consumer on the front end.. sure, but at what cost overall? If they can manage this moving forward and find a balance with their services and turn a good profit to insure the longevity of their products then I say it's a good move, but if this method fails are they going to abandon the services or just cancel more games and set their sights on something new once more? Do I have my doubts? Sure, but MS is taking some bold moves to shake things up and they are willing to try something different, and I respect the hell out of that. Shaking things up and pushing innovative ideas? Sure, why not. Just keep the option of physical media and support your products and people like me will support the endeavor.
Don't think I'm being anti MS (I'm just concerned), because I'm not a fanboy of any one thing. I play on everything and spend plenty on each and will preorder both the XSX and PS5 the day they go live. These are just concerns I have. Sure, this isn't their first rodeo (and yes, I'm aware that people stake their livelihoods and reputations on this), but I want to see both come out the gates very strong and make profits. (not saying MS isn't already.. since I don't know, but it seems difficult to envision) If only to re-insure that neither is going anywhere any time soon.
I think it's safe to say that these bold moves MS are making will have to pan out for them or they will either have to drastically shake things up or reconsider their position once again, and that is what scares me about the whole thing.
I'm pulling for both and Nintendo as well. Hell, I'm even pulling for Atari VCS and all the other small fish in the sea as well. I'll even throw in PC and mobile while I'm at it. All video games matter, and I support the industry. One thing I can say for sure is that it's making things exciting and I can hardly wait to hear and see what's coming next.
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