Will Microsoft Abandon the Xbox? It’s Becoming More Likely
A significant shift appears to be on the horizon in the gaming strategy of the tech giant. What if Microsoft completely exited the console market and abandoned its Xbox line? Several clues are beginning to point toward this once distant possibility, an idea explored by Tom Warren of The Verge in a recent article.
In fact, the Redmond-based company has piqued public interest by stating in a recent advertisement: “You don’t need an Xbox to play Xbox (…) No console required.” This announcement accompanies the launch of the Xbox TV app on certain Amazon Fire TV devices, allowing access to cloud gaming services without a dedicated Xbox console.
At the end of June 2024, the company indicated: “Over the past few years, we have worked to bring cloud gaming to more devices and people around the world. We are excited to add Fire TV to our growing family of cloud gaming devices and look forward to welcoming new players to this experience.”
“You don’t need an Xbox to play Xbox (…) No console required.”
A Shift in Strategy at Microsoft?
Simultaneously, the tech giant has adjusted its pricing structure for the second time in a year, raising prices. According to Warren, these changes come amid a challenging context for Microsoft, which has conducted layoffs despite a largely profitable fiscal year. The Xbox leadership has been significantly reshuffled over the past twelve months.
Last May, Warren heard from his sources that the company had decided to stop selling Xbox consoles soon in some countries within the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. He has not been able to confirm this information since.
However, it is conceivable that Microsoft might focus solely on cloud gaming, Game Pass, and PCs in certain areas. They might also continue to sell Xbox controllers. While the stock of consoles allocated to Europe might decrease, it is still uncertain if this scenario will come to pass.
In the meantime, as we indicated earlier, Microsoft has indeed increased the prices of its various Xbox Game Pass.
In the meantime, as we indicated earlier, Microsoft has indeed increased the prices of its various Xbox Game Pass subscriptions this week, which is bad news for its customers. For more information, click here.
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft might abandon the console market (at least in Europe).
- The tech giant would instead focus on cloud gaming and PCs.
- It is currently impossible to confirm this idea.
Links
- Xbox Official Site: Consoles, Games, and Community – Xbox
- Sell pre-owned Microsoft Xbox online – iGotOffer
- Everything About Microsoft’s Products – The complete guide to all Microsoft consumer electronic products, including technical specifications, identifiers and other valuable information.
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass plans are a mess, raise prices & lock day-one exclusives to pricier tiers [Video]
Video uploaded by YongYea on July 13, 2024.
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