OP
OP
So must believe MS is going to continue course with their two SKU models. One that is more powerful, while the other is more affordable.
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Do you think Microsoft will go for the two (different) power SKUS consoles again next gen?
- Thread starter TheRealTalker
- Start date
- Microsoft
I think it hinges on the ARM decision they made in Jan-Feb this year. If they are not going ARM, I would say for sure they are going 2 SKUs. ARM would complicate these predictions imo.
EDIT: The ARM slide form the leaked Xbox FTC docs for reference:
The current "S" is underpowered. My idea is that the next gen "S" would be comparable to the PS6 in power level and have the X be the outlier. I believe that MS claimed that the X was their pro console, if that's the case they should increase the delta between the two for next gen.
I agree with your logic but I see Nvidia GPUs fly off the shelf's at unprecedented prices and nothing makes sense to me anymore. I truly think there's a demand for a ultra premium console with little compromises, the discourse around the PS6 pro is one of many examples. MS had the right idea with the original Xbox, the power it had gave the console a distinct niche in the industry dominated by the PS2.
Some days I agree with you and some days I don't. Like, I waver on this issue. I know my personal preference and bias for the high-end console approach is probably clouding some of my judgement, so it's hard for me to say. I think you make good points, though.
The strategy has not worked in the way they (and fans) had hoped but it's definitely "saved" them from selling even fewer consoles this gen so far.
If they go down the same road again, they must find a way to do so much less to the detriment of those that build the games.
If they go down the same road again, they must find a way to do so much less to the detriment of those that build the games.
I think they'll go 2, but way index on the S equivalent next year.
IIRC Microsoft has an internal mandate/culture/something that they want to have the "most powerful" hardware each generation. So in my mind that means there will certainly be an X.
But the realities of the current gen are showing that the S is their bread and butter (and baseline), but it was absolutely marketed as the alternative console to begin with.
I expect them to lean into "we just released the Pro model early" dialogue that they have piloted with the Series, but like...actually mean it next time.
IIRC Microsoft has an internal mandate/culture/something that they want to have the "most powerful" hardware each generation. So in my mind that means there will certainly be an X.
But the realities of the current gen are showing that the S is their bread and butter (and baseline), but it was absolutely marketed as the alternative console to begin with.
I expect them to lean into "we just released the Pro model early" dialogue that they have piloted with the Series, but like...actually mean it next time.
I'm not sure they will go for two skus. It wouldn't surprise me if they tried to develop something more balanced between power and cost. Series S has sold really well despite it's lack of power but it sure has frustrated developers trying to balance between it and series x/ ps5.
Yes, to help differentiate themselves from Sony by having a low-cost entry for their ecosystem. I think, if anything, them only having the Series X would have cratered sales even more (regardless of the stock issues); the Series S is saving Microsoft in this case.
Hmm?
www.tomshardware.com
Hmm?
Desktop GPU Sales Lowest in Decades: Report
Nvidia continued to dominate in Q2 2023 amid inventory correction, says Jon Peddie Research.
That's sort of how they originally sold it. Xbox One and Series controllers are cross-generational and so is the OS.
However, we never ended up getting any Xbox One X exclusives (as in on Series X|S and One X but not One S) so generations still seem to be a thing.
But this would go against the cheaper, underpowered setup they current have.
Why do that when they could just make one console comparable in power? Another more powerful version day one gets one upped with a mid gen refresh from Sony. Like what may happen soon.
Then whats MS's answer?
Tech advances. IMO it would be a waste to do an even more powerful console day one. Like how MS thought the XSX was their mid gen refresh....which is still wild to me.
Its an interesting situation thats for sure.
I'd honestly be very surprised if they didn't tbh. It's been successful enough for them as is and consumers won't take kindly to removal of options
I think that depends on how good the PS5 Pro will be supported and how many Xbox fans will beg MS to release something similar.
I can't believe that MS would want a reality where Sony can always brag in their marketing how much better their versions of games are.
GTA VI alone would be such a pr disaster for MS if sony gets Rockstar to support the Pro day 1.
I can't believe that MS would want a reality where Sony can always brag in their marketing how much better their versions of games are.
GTA VI alone would be such a pr disaster for MS if sony gets Rockstar to support the Pro day 1.
Probably? Part of the reason for the S in 2020 is they didn't believe they would see the cost of the Series X come down in a way to allow them to have a $299 console. I don't see that changing in 2028 especially with each major node change costing more overall rather than seeing a reduction of costs like we used to in the past due to the increased wafer costs and yields not significantly improving.
If Microsoft were going to release something like the Pro, it will be in the works already, they won't magic up a response, that's impossible. I think they won't bother, it's over, complete waste of their time and effort.
They need to concentrate all their bandwidth on next gen and their studio output. People will switch, just have to make it appealing, a Pro console will do absolutely nothing for them this generation, the ship has sailed, games are what will turn heads and they can still do that all the time.
I don't understand how anyone can say this strategy is clearly working while Xbox continues to lose market share. All the Series S has done is further devalue the Xbox brand to the point where people will only consider buying an Xbox at all is if it's significant cheaper than a PlayStation. I'm a series S owner btw.
With FSR/DLSS, Cloud Streaming, and a boat load of AI/Raytracing/assistance cores, a lower powered second SKU won't be nearly as hampered as the current Series S is when trying to run more demanding games. The scaling is getting easier, so I do definitely think they will continue this pattern.
These are the save reasons the Switch 2 will be a much larger pain in the butt for Sony and Microsoft as well, as it should be a much more viable 3rd party option
These are the save reasons the Switch 2 will be a much larger pain in the butt for Sony and Microsoft as well, as it should be a much more viable 3rd party option
Probably yes, i hope they don't
Will microsoft do only one sku next gen?
{Yes}
{No}
{a bad joke here..}
You need to made it asking the opposite of the title, that's the title, so for this one it should be:
Will microsoft do only one sku next gen?
{Yes}
{No}
{a bad joke here..}
People argue their market share without the S would be even worse.
Definitely, as long as the lower model can run the games the premium model can. It will continue on. If anything the lower model becomes even cheaper for a cloud-streaming system/dongle or something. The diehard fanbase can still get the premium experience with the more expensive system, while the casual public that just want to play the game can still game with the cheaper version
Obviously there is no real way to know the answer to that but we do know that a premium priced consoles can be successful by looking at previous generations or the PS5.
i think it depends on how the chips shape up.
If you can get adequate performance by switching to ARM I see them releasing a console and a handheld at the same time.
If you can get adequate performance by switching to ARM I see them releasing a console and a handheld at the same time.
We also know that an underpowered console can be successful each gen because they continue to end up winning the gen over and over again.
Biggest failure?
S is selling about as well as the X is, right? Wouldn't call that a failure
Playstation 1 and 2.
EDIT: And Xbox's BEST gen was 360 and it was underpowered in some aspects compared to PS3.
Maybe. Though it seems they had a streaming device planned this gen (on the shelf behind Phil Spencer in one of his videos etc) and scrapped it.
Not sure there's a big enough maker for an Xbox streaming box when most people have smart TVs, Rokus or other streaming boxes/sticks, smartphones/tablets they can just put an Xbox streaming app on.
Definitely think they'll have at least two though as a cheaper console is good for the 2nd console market, lower income countries etc.
No: having to juggle 2 APUs was a mistake.
Should have had 1 console engineered in such a way that they could do price promotions without taking a bath on every unit sold and be able to at least break even on MSRP shortly into the generation. It also means not needing to worry about how many of each console they need to make to meet demand. Mainstream consumers aren't daft, they know the Series S is underpowered relative to the other offerings as such trying to pincer Sony on price failed. The data is conclusive now and we know that consumers are willing to pay a bit more for something they know is more powerful.
Should have had 1 console engineered in such a way that they could do price promotions without taking a bath on every unit sold and be able to at least break even on MSRP shortly into the generation. It also means not needing to worry about how many of each console they need to make to meet demand. Mainstream consumers aren't daft, they know the Series S is underpowered relative to the other offerings as such trying to pincer Sony on price failed. The data is conclusive now and we know that consumers are willing to pay a bit more for something they know is more powerful.
Of course there have been highs and lows, but no one can deny that Nvidia has been distributing successful with their new pricing model.Yes, to help differentiate themselves from Sony by having a low-cost entry for their ecosystem. I think, if anything, them only having the Series X would have cratered sales even more (regardless of the stock issues); the Series S is saving Microsoft in this case.
Hmm?
Desktop GPU Sales Lowest in Decades: Report
Nvidia continued to dominate in Q2 2023 amid inventory correction, says Jon Peddie Research.
For whatever reason, people want the most powerful consumer tech they can afford. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the next 599 dollar console next generation.
I meant that the two new SKUs will have the same or similar processors.