-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
[OPINION] Should Microsoft ditch the Xbox name for next-gen?
- Thread starter Psyrgery
- Start date
I don't like the XBOX brand name but I think it has significant recognition. It doesn't make sense to change it.
Also, I think changing console names only works if your company name is seen as cool and associated with gaming. Sega Megadrive, Sega Dreamcast, Nintedo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, those style of titles work because the company is strongly associated with the video game space.
But I'd say that's less true with Microsoft. When I thin Microsoft I think Office Suite, or Windows 10. So in that sense, it could be difficult to communicate newly named consoles as having an connection with gaming, they'd have to build their brand recognition up all over again.
They're better off sticking with XBOX, because at this stage the game is well known as a gaming line of products. If they pushed out a new name, it might not be as intuitive for lay consumers.
Also, I think changing console names only works if your company name is seen as cool and associated with gaming. Sega Megadrive, Sega Dreamcast, Nintedo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, those style of titles work because the company is strongly associated with the video game space.
But I'd say that's less true with Microsoft. When I thin Microsoft I think Office Suite, or Windows 10. So in that sense, it could be difficult to communicate newly named consoles as having an connection with gaming, they'd have to build their brand recognition up all over again.
They're better off sticking with XBOX, because at this stage the game is well known as a gaming line of products. If they pushed out a new name, it might not be as intuitive for lay consumers.
This question would have made more sense at the start of this gen.
Right now, though? MS has transitioned from having Xbox as a hardware brand to a service brand and it's working. Instead of Windows 10 game pass, it's Xbox Game Pass PC. Microsoft Games Studios is now Xbox Games Studios and they're publishing games on non-MS platforms now. Xbox has become the de-facto label for any gaming-related product MS puts out.
I would argue that, thanks to this transition, the Xbox brand is stronger than its ever been. It would be silly to abandon it.
Right now, though? MS has transitioned from having Xbox as a hardware brand to a service brand and it's working. Instead of Windows 10 game pass, it's Xbox Game Pass PC. Microsoft Games Studios is now Xbox Games Studios and they're publishing games on non-MS platforms now. Xbox has become the de-facto label for any gaming-related product MS puts out.
I would argue that, thanks to this transition, the Xbox brand is stronger than its ever been. It would be silly to abandon it.
Without Xbox, I don't think your average consumer will know what it is. This is why you shouldn't drag your brand through the mud. If they had reacted to the initial response the Xbox One had received, everyone would have moved on and praised them for listening. Instead they doubled down on confusion and silence. Now they are stuck with the damage caused last gen because dropping the brand entirely is just dropping the remainder of their mind share. I'm also not sure how dropping Xbox and naming it something else entirely is helping with their backwards naming structure.
I like that others agree with Xbox 5. 😁
Definitely not. I could see Microsoft calling it "Xbox Infinite". I'd be ok with Xbox Scarlett but I know they probably won't go with a codename.
"Xbox Two, Xbox Surface, Xbox Pro, Xbox 4k (this one wouldn't be that bad, but God forbid if one game doesn't run in native 4k)" just sound silly
"Xbox Two, Xbox Surface, Xbox Pro, Xbox 4k (this one wouldn't be that bad, but God forbid if one game doesn't run in native 4k)" just sound silly
I think hey would be best to go all in on the Xbox brand and drop the so far stupid numbering system they have used. Just call it Xbox and people will figure it out as the current one.
a console whose marquee launch title is a halo game should be called "xbox". all the work they've done in the latter half of this gen is about reaffirming their commitment to the target audience that was displeased with them, and trying to win them back over.
ditching the name would be a sign they're going in a different direction and a waste of all that slow burn goodwill.
people are ready to feel good about xbox again.
ditching the name would be a sign they're going in a different direction and a waste of all that slow burn goodwill.
people are ready to feel good about xbox again.
Agreed for sure. But where to start now? Xbox 2, Xbox TWO, Super Xbox, Xbox NEXT -- what are the options that really signify this is the newest, best, current thing?
- Xbox 2020
- Xbox 4
- New Xbox
They have spent this entire generation making Xbox the name brand for gaming at Microsoft. Think Xbox Game Studios, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live, Xbox App. It wouldn't make sense and would involve re branding everything
They could go the way of Sega and Nintendo, and just name every system something different.
Imagine though, the Sega Master System 2, Master System 3, etc.
Imagine though, the Sega Master System 2, Master System 3, etc.
Personally I hope they go with the year of console release. Like what they used to do with Windows. Of course this kind of kills their S branding since people assume the newer year == better/more powerful. Then they can add whatever branding after: Like Xbox 20 Infinity or something like that. The New or Next branding will push them to the corner yet again. What's after Next or New? Next Next or Newer? I just want them to stick to something. I am a big Xbox fan (360 was my main console and the original Xbox was my Dreamcast successor) so I hope they stick around for a long long time.