Discussion Xbox Helix (Magnus SoC) thread

[MoragaBlue]

Our new north star will be daily active players.

This makes sense. This new leadership seems to be much more precise than the prior one's, "everything is an Xbox."

Steam's amazing growth and success have been driven by the sheer amount of gamers using their platform, not just for gaming but for socializing with their fellow gamers. Goes without saying, as with any social platform (like live service) you need a large number of DAUs who are there on a consistent basis. If the new Xbox can accomplish this, they'll be on their way with one of the great turn around stories in recent memory, in my view.

I'm a PC gamer, who picked up a PS5 primarily for Bloodborne. Aside from playing & buying Bloodborne, I've also picked up about 20 games on the Playstation store, some which would have gone to Steam rather than Sony. If they come through with the proposed Xbox as it's been surmised to be, the same thing will occur--I'll be on there and buying games. If it's the most powerful system (Steam Machine's concept is great, but the specs just aren't gonna work for me), I'll buy my next games on their platform.

While I've always considered myself a Sony fanboy, my dedication ends the moment I get a better deal. It is what it is.

 

[marees]

This makes sense. This new leadership seems to be much more precise than the prior one's, "everything is an Xbox."

Steam's amazing growth and success have been driven by the sheer amount of gamers using their platform, not just for gaming but for socializing with their fellow gamers. Goes without saying, as with any social platform (like live service) you need a large number of DAUs who are there on a consistent basis. If the new Xbox can accomplish this, they'll be on their way with one of the great turn around stories in recent memory, in my view.

I'm a PC gamer, who picked up a PS5 primarily for Bloodborne. Aside from playing & buying Bloodborne, I've also picked up about 20 games on the Playstation store, some which would have gone to Steam rather than Sony. If they come through with the proposed Xbox as it's been surmised to be, the same thing will occur--I'll be on there and buying games. If it's the most powerful system (Steam Machine's concept is great, but the specs just aren't gonna work for me), I'll buy my next games on their platform.

While I've always considered myself a Sony fanboy, my dedication ends the moment I get a better deal. It is what it is.

i am beginning to suspect that Microsoft has to subsidize the console to raise active player count

2 other options are

1. more exclusives from first party devs
2. bundle free limited xcloud hours with other services such as discord, netflix etc.

 

[MoragaBlue]

While personally I'm not a live service player, I do, however, think it's a great business model and one that I would fervently pursue if I were running a game studio.

All you have to do is take a look at C&C, Marvel Rivals, Apex, etc., and appreciate the value of a consistent annuitized YoY income stream. I'm just not convinced to go about it the way Sony has--throw 10 darts and hope one of them hits the bullseye. There's no doubt Xbox is highly motivated to replicate the live service success (I mean, who doesn't want a C&C which routinely has over 1 million daily concurrent players), and can learn from Sony's, in my view, misguided approach. Rather than throwing things at the wall and see what sticks, it's better to focus and take a more surgical approach. I'd imagine the initial necessary steps to potentially pull this off are: 1) high sustainable DAUs; 2) entrenched ecosystem (subsidizing Helix will accelerate adoption) a la Apple's; and, 3) a hit "must play" title, like the early days of Halo.

Easier said than done, Arc Raiders pulled it off; mint 15 million units @ $40 a pop and have the live service revenue too. You just have to make a game that people will play en masse, and there's no "spreadsheet or checklist" cookie cutter way around this; which is why, in my view, it's encouraging to see Xbox, at least publicly, commit to returning to the old Xbox ways of going about making games.

They also mentioned if organic growth stalls, they'll pursue M&A options, which I take to mean if Xbox studios aren't up to the task to make a great game (again, games people want to actually buy & play), find someone who can. Unlike their Activision/Blizzard purchase, they just need to ensure it's actually accretive to growth & earnings.

I've never been an Xbox or Microsoft fan, but it's an exciting time to see how this all unfolds, at least from my point of view. And, I can't help but root for them on this one.

 

[marees]

new Xbox CEO unwilling to commit immediately on steam access on Xbox Helix

In an interview with Game File, Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma refused to confirm Steam’s presence on the new Xbox console.

Source(s)​

Game File, Stephen Totilo X account, Xbox Wire, ResetEra forums

Game File’s Stephen Totilo discussed a memo from Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty. The executives reaffirmed a commitment to an “open” ecosystem. Totilo wondered if that meant Project Helix would follow the ROG Xbox Ally. The Windows gaming handheld is compatible with all third-party storefronts.

When asked for clarification, Sharma replied that the goal was to invite “more people to create on the platform and more players to participate in customizing and extending that.”

Microsoft's partners are also confused about Helix​

Head of Epic Games Store Steve Allison earlier suggested that the marketplace would launch on the new Xbox console. Even so, the Microsoft Gaming CEO explained, “I wasn’t part of those conversations, so we’ll make those decisions going forward as a team and with our partners.”

Marketplace support might influence the Helix price​

After reading the interview, Homura wrote, “Surely they aren't dumb enough to release a super expensive PC that doesn't allow Steam.” On the other hand, some posters believe the restrictions could lead to a more reasonable Project Helix price.

If purchases were made primarily through its own store, Microsoft wouldn’t lose revenue to Valve and Epic Games. That may make the company more willing to subsidize the cost of the hardware, as seen with the Series X, PS5, and Switch 2. Nevertheless, facing the ongoing memory shortage, it wouldn’t be any cheaper to manufacture.

Unlike a traditional Windows gaming PC, a more closed-off system could also support Xbox exclusive games. In the same interview, Sharma said she was reconsidering exclusivity. In any case, Helix may not be the versatile Xbox console buyers had been anticipating.

Xbox CEO hints Project Helix may block Steam, limiting appeal of console PC hybrid

Statements from Microsoft leadership have some gamers concerned about the new Xbox console. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cautioned that Steam and Epic Games Store support isn’t guaranteed. Despite a high Project Helix price anticipated, buyers may have a limited selection of games.

www.notebookcheck.net

 

[MoragaBlue]

I had assumed the new Helix would have both Steam & Epic store apps on the PC side. I had imagined an Xbox mode where it's similar to the PS, everything localized on their platform; and, a second option to have the PC boot, if you will. If this isn't the case and there's no access to Steam and/or Epic games, I'd need a larger discount, I suppose.

This is fine for games that are sold and downloaded directly, but I'm not sure if all games offer direct sales these days. I know that for OTP (a baseball sim I like to play), you may buy and download it directly from their website or Steam. I've always chosen Steam because of the convenience and automatic downloads, but, I suppose, I could, for the right price, be incentived to return to the the days where I downloaded directly applying updates manually as necessary.

Not a deal breaker for me, if true, but they'll need to subsidize like the old days as well.

 

[marees]

it's a real dilemma ultimately. Microsoft has pushed themselves into a corner, and it makes you wonder if its studios can even get the investment they need without PlayStation's install base now — even if the sales overall end up being anaemic.

So, I ask you, dear reader: what do you think will happen with Xbox exclusives?​

https://twitter.com/x/status/2048402396850671875

Let's predict: Will Xbox return to "exclusive" games?

The big conversation right now revolves around whether or not Xbox will return to "exclusive" games. It's actually a very big decision.

www.windowscentral.com