Can Microsoft Make a Comeback With the Xbox Series X?

Since revealing the Xbox One in May of 2013 to disastrous results, Microsoft has been on their back foot so far as the console war goes, falling well behind their rivals Sony and Nintendo in sales. To date, Sony has sold over 100 million PS4s while Nintendo has moved over 41 million Switches in just two years on the market. Conversely, Microsoft has not fared as well; while no hard data is available, some sources estimate the Xbox One has sold around 42 million units in six years. 

It’s said that competition breeds innovation and the same can be said for desperation. In their desperation to make up ground on their competitors, Microsoft has made it a habit to practice extremely consumer friendly practices. Chief among these is the invention of the Xbox Game Pass, a monthly subscription service that allows players to play over 100 titles including every first party game offered on Xbox. In addition, the company has taken a more open approach to multi platform games, allowing PC players access to Game Pass and porting exclusives such as Cuphead to Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, their willingness to allow cross play with PC and Nintendo for games like Fortnite more or less forced Sony’s hand to do the same. Now you can enjoy some of the biggest multiplayer experiences with your friends regardless of their preferred platform. Which is a move that, if Microsoft had been leading in sales, they would have been less inclined to make. 

The company has been aggressive in offering various console skewed to appeal to gamers of different needs. From more sophisticated versions like the Xbox One X which services serious gamers with a price tag to match, to the Xbox One S and it’s all digital counterpart which was being sold for $149.99 during Black Friday. Microsoft seems to be dedicated to offering something for everyone. In addition, if rumors are to be believed this commitment to console selection will extend to the next generation as they offer a high end of the recently announced Xbox Series X and a less powerful version. 

This brings us to the Series X, which was announced at the game awards and will come out Holiday season 2020. While the console has a memeable appearance (something that could actually work in their favor as all press is good press) and a potentially confusing naming convention, Microsoft being first to announce is important. They bought themselves precious time where they are the only name in the game for the next generation. However they haven’t revealed everything; according to sources, developers have been somewhat left in the dark when it comes to the actual power of the system, and as such so has Sony. This has allowed Microsoft to adopt a wait-and-see approach while also being first. With nothing really to lose, they can control the narrative. If they wish they can take a loss and undercut their rivals in terms of price once they see what Sony is officially working with. It is a risk to be sure, but with the sales gap being so large, this current generation Microsoft has to be willing to embrace such risks. 

With the good will they’ve built up through services like Game Pass and consumer friendly practices be enough for Microsoft to reclaim the top spot? That remains to be seen. What can be said for sure is that they are doing everything they can to get back in the game, and their innovations have made the gaming landscape a slightly better place.

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