Xbox The Xbox One - - Part 14

[Travesty]

I'm not sure if they would do the seasonal thing again, since Games Pass is a thing?

But who knows?

 

[Iceman]

can you imagine what KI 2 would look like with a proper budget and the power of next gen??

and the next Forza Horizon?

and the next Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age or Mass Effect game?

KI already looked amazing to me so any improvement would be great.

Forza also looked amazing years ago and it keeps improving.

I'll be really interested in the next Elder Scrolls as it will be probably over a decade since the last one by the time it comes out, and 2 generations!

 

[Travesty]

Have you guys noticed the controller is a newer design? It's slight, but the dpad is different, the bumper buttons look closer to the Switch Pro Controller, and the face is completely flat.

It's not a big overhaul, but there are some subtle changes.

 

[Zorro]

Hmm, will have to take a look at a screenshot of the controller. From the commercial I thought it was identical

 

[Iceman]

I knew they were different but couldn’t tell what was different about them.

 

[X Knight]

yes, the Series X controller will be slightly smaller. The D pad is similar to the Elite D pad. The triggers also seem to have a texture to them. And there's a new dedicated Share button.

I hope the new controller isn't that much smaller than the X1 controller. Personally, I really love the X1 controller; it just feels right and comfortable in my hands. So, I hope they don't change it too much.

 

[X Knight]

KI already looked amazing to me so any improvement would be great.

Forza also looked amazing years ago and it keeps improving.

I'll be really interested in the next Elder Scrolls as it will be probably over a decade since the last one by the time it comes out, and 2 generations!

it's crazy to think this gen didn't get a proper Elder Scrolls game.

we also got only one Mass Effect, which was of questionable quality. And only one Dragon Age game, which was also only ok.

This gen just felt like it was "missing" something. And now it's almost over when it just seems like yesterday it began.

IDK.......I'm actually looking forward to saying goodbye to this gen and hello to the next one.

 

[Iceman]

it's crazy to think this gen didn't get a proper Elder Scrolls game.

we also got only one Mass Effect, which was of questionable quality. And only one Dragon Age game, which was also only ok.

This gen just felt like it was "missing" something. And now it's almost over when it just seems like yesterday it began.

IDK.......I'm actually looking forward to saying goodbye to this gen and hello to the next one.

Yes very disappointing. Elder Scrolls and Mass Effect are right at the top of my anticipation list alongside Gears of War. This generation has been weak IMO with very few new standout games.

 

[X Knight]

Yes very disappointing. Elder Scrolls and Mass Effect are right at the top of my anticipation list alongside Gears of War. This generation has been weak IMO with very few new standout games.

agreed. and not only on the games front, but some game companies, like Bethesda and Bioware, have had a "fall from grace" so to speak.

plus the focus on microtransactions, DLC, loot boxes, games-as-service, and even the occasional "social justice politics" creeping into the games.

All of that just takes away from the fun of gaming, imo.

 

[Zorro]

Has a new Mass Effect been confirmed to be in development? Shame about Adromeda's launch and it did get good update patches but many just didn't care anymore by then

 

[X Knight]

Has a new Mass Effect been confirmed to be in development? Shame about Adromeda's launch and it did get good update patches but many just didn't care anymore by then

I believe Bioware has stated they are working on one. Nothing much beyond that, though.

 

[Zorro]

Hmm, cool then

 

[X Knight]

According to this article, going forward, the console will just be called "Xbox" and the "Series" naming convention will allow them to introduce other models in the lineup as needed.

The next-generation Xbox has a much simpler name than you might think: It's actually just 'Xbox'

I had a feeling they would go this route in order to "reboot and rebrand" the console name. Makes it simpler this way instead of using terms like 360 and One.

Let the series name be the differentiating factor. Series X can stand for the powerful premium model. Something like Series S could be the lower-priced, less powerful model.

Though, this does make you wonder how they will handle the name of the next gen console. Or perhaps, it is a sign that they are moving away from the traditional concept of generation cycle. With, instead, one console that is iterative and continuously updated.

So, for example, the Series X will always be the premium model. So, what will the next major console upgrade be? Will it be called Series X2? or Series X (year number)?

maybe by starting over with the new naming convention, they can move to a more traditional number system. Not of the Xbox name itself, but of the Series name.

 

[Zorro]

I like that. Was going to just call it xbox anyway

 

[X Knight]

I like that. Was going to just call it xbox anyway

me too.

I also hope this is symbolic of how Spencer and co will reboot and rebrand the Xbox brand as a whole, after the missteps of this gen with the Xbox One.

wipe the slate clean and start fresh on a stronger footing with a stronger focus on GAMES, GAMES, GAMES.

 

[Iceman]

According to this article, going forward, the console will just be called "Xbox" and the "Series" naming convention will allow them to introduce other models in the lineup as needed.

The next-generation Xbox has a much simpler name than you might think: It's actually just 'Xbox'

I had a feeling they would go this route in order to "reboot and rebrand" the console name. Makes it simpler this way instead of using terms like 360 and One.

Let the series name be the differentiating factor. Series X can stand for the powerful premium model. Something like Series S could be the lower-priced, less powerful model.

Though, this does make you wonder how they will handle the name of the next gen console. Or perhaps, it is a sign that they are moving away from the traditional concept of generation cycle. With, instead, one console that is iterative and continuously updated.

So, for example, the Series X will always be the premium model. So, what will the next major console upgrade be? Will it be called Series X2? or Series X (year number)?

maybe by starting over with the new naming convention, they can move to a more traditional number system. Not of the Xbox name itself, but of the Series name.

That sounds great. Exactly what I wanted. I hope they go the iterative route and from now till the end of time every Xbox title in history is backward compatible on the latest console.

 

[Iceman]

me too.

I also hope this is symbolic of how Spencer and co will reboot and rebrand the Xbox brand as a whole, after the missteps of this gen with the Xbox One.

wipe the slate clean and start fresh on a stronger footing with a stronger focus on GAMES, GAMES, GAMES.

Spencer has been great since he came in. Every year he makes the Xbox ecosystem better. He just came in at its lowest point post Don Mattrick so the recovery job has been and will be a very long road.

 

[X Knight]

Spencer has been great since he came in. Every year he makes the Xbox ecosystem better. He just came in at its lowest point post Don Mattrick so the recovery job has been and will be a very long road.

yes, a long road to recovery indeed.

for me, the jury is still out on Spencer's legacy. the next few years will be critical, imo. Can Spencer actually deliver on all the "good talk" he's been giving? Or will his talk be just that - talk.

I'll admit these past few years have been frustrating from an Xbox owner's perspective. Yes, Spencer has made improvements, but on big, key issues, so far he has yet to fully deliver.

Hopefully, what we got at the Game Awards last week is a positive taste what's to come. Now, they need to build solid momentum with E3 next year and whatever Series X related events they have planned.

They need to have a solid launch lineup and let us know more about the projects they have planned for the coming years. Give us Xbox fans something to feel pumped and excited for. The Series X and Hellblade 2 reveal finally did that for me. Something which neither E319 or XO19 did for me. I want to feel more of that hype and excitement throughout next year as we get closer to launch.

and maybe that's why they need this clean slate. to make a clean break from the X1 era which still has the taint of Mattrick and the early missteps.

 

[X Knight]

just a heads up for anyone interested in getting/extending their Gamepass Ultimate subs.

retailers like Best Buy and Amazon are currently running a promotion where you get 3 months free if you buy 3 months of Gamepass Ultimate for $45. So, you're getting 6 months of Gamepass Ultimate for $45.

Also, as an added tip. If you are using Bing searches and other activities to earn Microsoft Rewards, you can redeem those Rewards for Amazon gift cards, which you can use towards the purchase of the Gamepass sub on Amazon.

For example, if you have enough Rewards for $20 worth of Amazon gift cards, you could technically buy that 3 mo Gamepass Ultimate for $25, and still get the bonus 3 mos free.

As a reminder, you can also earn Microsoft Rewards through Xbox by using the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox.

 

[Travesty]

Yeah, I've been using Bing Rewards for about 10 years now. I haven't had to buy a game in a long, long time.

 

[X Knight]

yeah, the Bing/MS Rewards system is one reason why I'm more loyal to the MS/Xbox ecosystem.

I do wish the rewards could be used at more retailers, like Best Buy. It used to support Gamestop, but not anymore.

 

[Limonade]

I'm not sure how much longer Gamestop will be around, they've already closed a few stores around my area. Anecdotal? Yes. But still, I haven't really stopped by their stores in a long time.

 

[Travesty]

They'll probably be around for another 5-10 years. As long as there's physical copies of games, they'll be around.

Granted, the wont be nearly as popular as they once were, but they'll be around for a bit. And as far as we know, the new Xbox, PS5 and the Switch still have physical copies of games.

 

[Zorro]

I usually use MS rewards for gamepass or $5-$20 xbox gift cards

 

[Iceman]

yes, a long road to recovery indeed.

for me, the jury is still out on Spencer's legacy. the next few years will be critical, imo. Can Spencer actually deliver on all the "good talk" he's been giving? Or will his talk be just that - talk.

I'll admit these past few years have been frustrating from an Xbox owner's perspective. Yes, Spencer has made improvements, but on big, key issues, so far he has yet to fully deliver.

Hopefully, what we got at the Game Awards last week is a positive taste what's to come. Now, they need to build solid momentum with E3 next year and whatever Series X related events they have planned.

They need to have a solid launch lineup and let us know more about the projects they have planned for the coming years. Give us Xbox fans something to feel pumped and excited for. The Series X and Hellblade 2 reveal finally did that for me. Something which neither E319 or XO19 did for me. I want to feel more of that hype and excitement throughout next year as we get closer to launch.

and maybe that's why they need this clean slate. to make a clean break from the X1 era which still has the taint of Mattrick and the early missteps.

Yeah, Mattrick was a console killer. The next console can be a clean slate with the last remnants of his toxic gas finally gone lol.

Hellblade 2 looks amazing. Finally a new top single player exclusive. The Xbox Series X also looks like its building on the successes of the X1X with technical excellence paramount and full BC an ongoing thing from now on.