Poll: *** Xbox Series X|S - General Discussion Thread ***

[xaldub]

Xbox 360 had a good run I've always had both consoles on each generation but xbox one, series s and X any models in-between didn't deliver for me very poor.. even though series X has slightly better hardware than ps5 many games have been running better on ps5. It's almost like developers spend most of there time on the popular console ps5 then port it over onto the Xbox?

Several developers have publically admitted to the PS5 being their lead platform for optimisation. For example, Sony paid the developer's of Hogwarts Legacy to prioritise development on their platform and provide exclusive material.

 

[dannyjo22]

Xbox 360 had a good run I've always had both consoles on each generation but xbox one, series s and X any models in-between didn't deliver for me very poor..

The 360 was the best console I've ever owned and I lost over 10 to RROD. Lots of us would say that console was the peak even though the early hardware was terrible. Then despite that, they blew it with the xbox one launch. Kinect and always connected, they never recovered from that. Now though I look at it and I actually dont have very much physical media anymore. They went too soon and it should have been backed up with cheaper content due to not having to ship and make anything. Win people over.

Fast forward to now and I think the Series X is a fabulous built piece of hardware but I played more exclusive X360 games in the first 3 months of ownership than I have in the years I've had this box of remakes.

People online saying Halo and Gears going to PS5 would increase the player base and make the games last longer. Part of the problem with Xbox is them thinking those games are still relevant.

The part of me that likes to see the world burn wants to see what happens if a company that sold so much online content, DLC and games decided enough was enough and bye bye. How long they would continue to support it? Hopefully they convert our gamer scores to Tesco Clubcard points.

 

[BuffetSlayer]

I mean if your consoles always make a loss but you can retain customers and sales revenue by buying game studios and creating multi platform content, the obvious question is why keep losing money on hardware?

One solution is to go digital only - perhaps a mix of streaming content vs digital download on other platforms, or withdraw fully and just become a game developer and focus on quality content and sell it to other platforms.

Perhaps Microsoft will become a subscription platform like Ubisoft or EA games with their USP being the ability to augment their leisure related products with their productivity products on the same subscription platform.

I guess time will tell. It will certainly be a brave decision to withdraw from the hardware side of things and I’m having a hard time believing such a move is on the agenda, but I guess you just never know!

 

[ooStevo]

I wish I went PS5, I could easily make use of the Portal and I'm more into (as mentioned above) cinematic single player games than online fps games like i used to be and ive missed out on so many on PlayStation

I went off gaming for years because of the Xbox One (stupidest name ever) I was fully into online gaming with the 360. I was addicted to Gears of War 3 for years,also COD black ops 2 was brilliant. People with spunking penis and stuff for their emblem was amazingly funny! Back to Xbone my god what a letdown. So tldr,go with PlayStation.

 

[omnomnom]

I think for original cinematic single player experiences both have been a let down tbh.

 

[Vandle]

It's the unimaginative games, constant reskins, sequels and remakes surely. Not the console itself to blame. Lack of good first party games on Xbox is a failing of MS management for one reason or another. They tried what they thought would be the future with the Kinect but it didn't quite come off. Can't blame them for that but the concept was cool. Does make me wonder why Xbox has no support for VR and seem totally disinterested in it but I guess that's a different discussion.

I say it all the time but after having every generation of both consoles the Xbox operating system and online capabilities is miles ahead of Sony's and always has been. It felt a generation ahead when it launched and Sony are still playing catch up. Just have a good session online with a random and try and find him again in either console and tell me which is easiest. Or compare friends achievements, or see what you've bought in the past from the stores, manage add ons, join someone online, download a game remotely, etc etc.

 

[Vandle]

By the way, in terms of digital content I am picking up my preorder of Helldivers 2 tonight at my local high st shop on the way home from work. Its the same price as buying it from the PS online store. How can that be?
Due to world time differences neither version is available to play until 8pm our local time. When I'm done I'll stick it on eBay and likely get 60% or so of my money back. Why would I go digital version?

 

[Timber]

Connected to the ongoing Microsoft/Xbox internet rumours/meltdown this was posted at Resetera overnight and feels like one of the more significant pieces of news, assuming it's true.

Resetera forum link

Not only laptops, but also consumer electronics, the demand is extremely bleak. It is understood that the two major game console manufacturers, Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox, both faced the challenge of lower-than-expected sales and excessive inventory during the Christmas season last year.
In order to clear inventory, Sony has notified its supply chain, including assembly plant Hon Hai, and power supply manufacturers Delta Electronics and Lite-On, that PlayStation orders will be cut in half in the first quarter of this year, from about one million units per month. , lowered to 500,000 units, and Microsoft also informed assembly plants Pegatron and Hon Hai, and power supply manufacturers Qundian and Lite-On that "Xbox production will be completely suspended in the first quarter."

What I hadn't appreciated is how bad things have got in terms of demand. I'd read that MS was selling only about 1 million console per quarter, which in itself is likely unsustainable. However halting production temporary feels like significant news in and of itself.

 

[thor]

By the way, in terms of digital content I am picking up my preorder of Helldivers 2 tonight at my local high st shop on the way home from work. Its the same price as buying it from the PS online store. How can that be?
Due to world time differences neither version is available to play until 8pm our local time. When I'm done I'll stick it on eBay and likely get 60% or so of my money back. Why would I go digital version?

I may be in the minority but I prefer digital over physical these days. Even to the point that I'll pay a bit extra if I need to to have the game digitally (e.g. £63 digital vs £56 physical for FF7 Rebirth).

I just prefer the convenience of having all games ready to play without having to insert a disc. And not having the noise of the disc drive spinning up is a (minor) benefit too.

One bigger reason, that hasn't affected me yet but might for others, is playing games on PS Portal when away from home. I've done that several times and I can play pretty much any game I want as I have most of them digital. If I had them physical, I'd be limited to whatever disc I had in the drive.

 

[dannyjo22]

I think for original cinematic single player experiences both have been a let down tbh.

True but sadly I don't think the demand is there anymore for single player story driven games. Which is why you get so much of this live service pap. I cannot for the life of me get my son interested in a good SP game. All the kids I know what live service games/MP games. I've tried so many of the absolute classics on my son and he looks at me like i'm 105.

He will sit there watching someone else play a MP game while waiting for his mates to come online, yet when I suggest trying say KOTOR while he waits he gives me the sad old man look

 

[xaldub]

True but sadly I don't think the demand is there anymore for single player story driven games. Which is why you get so much of this live service pap. I cannot for the life of me get my son interested in a good SP game. All the kids I know what live service games/MP games. I've tried so many of the absolute classics on my son and he looks at me like i'm 105.

He will sit there watching someone else play a MP game while waiting for his mates to come online, yet when I suggest trying say KOTOR while he waits he gives me the sad old man look

Sales figures would suggest otherwise : Hogwarts Legacy was the highest grossing game last year period, Tears of the Kingdom was next. Titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Spider-man 2 also sold bucket loads. All single player story driven games. But I agree the younger generations seem to prefer the likes of Fortnite, CoD etc. Problem is, even kids only have so much time for live service games. By their very nature they are designed to take up all your time.
As for KOTOR - geez, show him something modern lol. Yes, it was good back in the day, but it's quite dated now !

 

[barnettgs]

I may be in the minority but I prefer digital over physical these days. Even to the point that I'll pay a bit extra if I need to to have the game digitally (e.g. £63 digital vs £56 physical for FF7 Rebirth).

I used to think that way with my kids' switch(s), but I found out the hard way last Christmas when the digital copies I purchased on one switch can not be played by any kids on the other switch apart from myself as an owner. Regardless of that, my kids' accounts were under my primary account. Thankfully, I purchased a couple of digital copies at a big discount.

Also, a physical copy works out much better and is cheaper in the long run because you can sell physical games that can be played on any switch console without being limited to one user. A digital copy is always tied to your account until they cease or move their online services.

I would only purchase a digital copy if the price is hugely reduced.

 

[TheVoice]

By the way, in terms of digital content I am picking up my preorder of Helldivers 2 tonight at my local high st shop on the way home from work. Its the same price as buying it from the PS online store. How can that be?

Not sure what you mean; the PS Store price is RRP and you've paid the RRP. It's available cheaper elsewhere e.g. ShopTo.

 

[Mobius 1]

I used to think that way with my kids' switch(s), but I found out the hard way last Christmas when the digital copies I purchased on one switch can not be played by any kids on the other switch apart from myself as an owner. Regardless of that, my kids' accounts were under my primary account. Thankfully, I purchased a couple of digital copies at a big discount.

Also, a physical copy works out much better and is cheaper in the long run because you can sell physical games that can be played on any switch console without being limited to one user. A digital copy is always tied to your account until they cease or move their online services.

I would only purchase a digital copy if the price is hugely reduced.

A lot of people purchase digital these days, including me. Haven’t purchased physical in a few years now.

Yeah, it may cost more.. but so what. Saves me getting up and changing discs..also saves me reselling said discs when finished with them - all a waste of time I’ll never get back. Time is more important to me than money. But all horses for courses I guess.

 

[barnettgs]

A lot of people purchase digital these days, including me. Haven’t purchased physical in a few years now.

Yeah, it may cost more.. but so what. Saves me getting up and changing discs..also saves me reselling said discs when finished with them - all a waste of time I’ll never get back. Time is more important to me than money. But all horses for courses I guess.

I agree with this, as my kids tend to leave game cartridges around the house, so sometimes we have to look for them. I think it is probably easier to deal with physical copies on the Nintendo system, rather than dealing with ownership issues, especially for the kids.

In the meantime, I'm just trying out the Steam app on my PC, and it is great to download the games and play them quickly.

 

[Vandle]

Not sure what you mean; the PS Store price is RRP and you've paid the RRP. It's available cheaper elsewhere e.g. ShopTo.

I mean why is the digital version not cheaper than the disc? The cost difference associated with either should surely be considerable.

 

[ooStevo]

It's the unimaginative games, constant reskins, sequels and remakes surely. Not the console itself to blame. Lack of good first party games on Xbox is a failing of MS management for one reason or another. They tried what they thought would be the future with the Kinect but it didn't quite come off. Can't blame them for that but the concept was cool. Does make me wonder why Xbox has no support for VR and seem totally disinterested in it but I guess that's a different discussion.

I say it all the time but after having every generation of both consoles the Xbox operating system and online capabilities is miles ahead of Sony's and always has been. It felt a generation ahead when it launched and Sony are still playing catch up. Just have a good session online with a random and try and find him again in either console and tell me which is easiest. Or compare friends achievements, or see what you've bought in the past from the stores, manage add ons, join someone online, download a game remotely, etc etc.

It is the console to blame. It's ugly, unimaginative,the OS is rubbish,the controller is a gen behind. It has no VR,even though MS could trounce them if they wanted to. The PS5 might look 'ugly' but it looks cool.That's better than a big black box. It's more powerful than PS5, but where's the results? I loved XBOX and XBOX 360, but they've failed.

 

[beachBOYken]

All this talk about physical/digital prices, you can knock about £10 off the price of digital if you get gift credit from somewhere like cdkeys/shopto, Ive never paid full price for digital content as I always pay via gift credit instead, anyone who pays full price is doing it wrong. lol.

 

[biron_w]

I mean why is the digital version not cheaper than the disc? The cost difference associated with either should surely be considerable.

Greed. All publishers are super greedy and want ALL of your money.

 

[TheVoice]

I mean why is the digital version not cheaper than the disc? The cost difference associated with either should surely be considerable.

It effectively boils down to retailers being able to make deals with suppliers/publishers (through promotional activity and/or guaranteeing a certain number of units sold), and suppliers willing to make those deals because a physical copy has a value attached. Plus retailers don't want stock hanging about forever, it's a liability, so they'll price it accordingly. They charge RRP and know that people who are more price-sensitive will just buy physical.

Similar to how buying something direct from a manufacturer tends to be more expensive than from a retailer.