Xbox: Past, Present & Future
Fully written by Robert Stevens ( feel free to follow him on twitter – @captaingamepad )
As we approach 2016, I felt it was time to reflect on what has been a roller coaster period for Microsoft and the Xbox One. Each brand has its highs and lows with Xbox being no different, make no mistake there has been many lows since the system’s reveal back in 2013 but I am confident the future will have far more highs. I distinctly remember where I was when the Xbox One was unveiled for the first time, at a friends apartment, as long term fans of Xbox we gathered in front of the large screen TV in excitement, drinking our beer, eating our snacks, talking games and how much we have enjoyed spending our gaming time on the original Xbox and Xbox 360. The positivity was wonderful but it soon evaporated.
Despite our knowledge of the follow on E3 to be all about the new titles coming to the system, disbelief still filled the room as the minutes past. It was a disaster of a premiere and I will never forget the look on my friends faces, anger and shock would be fitting to describe it. These are people who have spent a lot of hard earned money on Xbox and a genuine passion for it, myself included. The most telling aspect of the whole day, was that those who were behind the unveiling obviously thought it was good enough, that it would satisfy and please fans, it didn’t and I was glad fellow fans spoke up about it. I believe a fan should not only give praise but also provide constructive criticism in the hope things improve. They spoke up in droves and despite a better E3 conference weeks later, Microsoft has been paying for that day ever since.
For what should of been an exciting time for Xbox and the fans, it ended up turning into chaos, pre order numbers were alarming, so called “insiders” were running riot with doomsday stories with the media hanging on to every word and the competition, Sony’s PlayStation 4, riding a wave of glory that has resulted in its dominance in the market today. Something had to give at Xbox and thankfully it has with not only a turnaround in policies and focus but a new leader who’s mindset is about what made the brand a success in the first place, gaming.
The turnaround still has its lingering issues, the hardware is still lacking in certain aspects when compared to its leading competitor which has resulted in resolution being one of the dominant discussions whenever a multiplatform game is released. The markets in Europe and Asia are not responding well to the necessary changes and the mindset anomgst the more casual gamers still hasn’t left 2013. It’s a tough period but one I’m confident Phil Spencer and the team will learn and benefit from long term.
It is by no means all doom and gloom though. The Xbox One has a great controller with a option to upgrade to the newly released Elite controller which in my humble opinion, is the best controller on the market and could possibly be placed into a best of all time category. The games are delivering, with the brilliance of original IPs like Sunset Overdrive and Ori & The Blind Forrest alongside established franchises such as Halo and Forza Motorsport. Xbox Live continues to evolve with the preview program monthly updates which allow members to give much needed feedback resulting in a new dashboard experience that released in November. The UI is an improvement on the previous interface but it’s clear more work is needed and when the programme resumes in Febuary 2016, it is hoped the team continue to listen and deliver on more requested features.
The games keep on coming into the year ahead, fan favourite Remedy are bringing the gorgeous looking action shooter Quantum Break, Crackdown will return with promising cloud features, Gears of War 4 will no doubt be a return to form after the disappointing spin off Judgement, Halo Wars 2 will excite fans of the original, Keiji Inafune will be bringing his latest project, Recore, to Xbox and don’t forget one of the most anticipated Xbox exclusives next year, Scalebound, by Platinum Games! Also digital indie releases such as Cuphead compliment the portfolio nicely. It’s stands to be a very promising year and if it reaches its potential, it could be one of the very best Xbox has ever offered.
The core fans are starting to notice the turnaround too with a much more positive outlook and enjoyable community despite the attempts of a few outspoken morons to make it look idiotic, which to be fair, lingers in every fan base. The community buzz is also being helped by the actions and willingness to engage fans by the Xbox team. Phil Spencer, Aaron Greenberg, Major Nelson and company have been terrific in their attitude to fans and their approach is to be commended. You can imagine they are bombarded with tweets and messages daily but you can see they make a conscious effort to reply and discuss topics to fans when possible and long may it continue.
As for Xbox in the media, I have become increasingly disappointed in the lack of professionalism by certain individuals who proclaim themselves to be journalists. Whilst there are some thoroughly decent and intelligent people in games media, who are fair and objective whatever the brand, they are let down by those who let their own unhealthy and obnoxious leanings to the competition slip into what is supposed to be a professional medium. Are Microsoft and in particular, the Xbox brand immune from criticism? Certainly not. However, it’s approaching 2016, things have improved and I do think gamers as a whole deserve better than being served up infantile demeanours that suddenly crop up when the time they feel is right to strike but are found wanting when criticism could easily be thrown at the competition. This isn’t it right and is an insult to the term journalism. Is a persecution complex a result of wanting a more balanced, objective and professional media that can praise and criticise no matter the preference that may reside in the individual? I don’t think so.
Whatever has been thrown at Microsoft this generation, genuine or disingenuous, they must use it to their advantage going forward, not only with Xbox One but with future plans they have for the next generation. Given what has happened since late 2013, the whole experience could may well end up being a long term blessing in disguise. I’m hopeful it will be.
Thanks for reading.
