Gaming Industry

Are you an Xbox gamer who wants a Microsoft handheld that reaps the benefits of its entire eco-system and cloud gaming functionality on the move? Then you are in for a treat because we’re getting closer to the distinct possibility of a release that will allow the next Xbox handheld console to be played on the move and locally with the actual console in your living room in some way.

So, what can we expect from this handheld? I think we’re going to get an experience that is to a standard you get on your Xbox console. It’s obviously important for Microsoft to keep you playing their games anywhere you are. It’s also a big thing for the newer generation of young people.

Truth be told, this Microsoft handheld has been on the ascendency for many years. The fact they’ve just tipped their hat into the ring based on great feedback on competitor products. You could say, it’s reactionary, but to be honest, I just feel like it’s where gaming is heading in the context of things.

I think this handheld is going to be received very well and compliment your Xbox and PC setup. I don’t think Nintendo Switch is the competitor. I think we’re going to see Microsoft’s own focus on their own eco-system within their play anywhere and Xbox and PC setup. How far they’ll go will be interesting in terms of how open the store is and if it allows third-party stores to be on there.

If it does, it could give us a distinct outlook to the approach of how Xbox aims to complement its next-generation Xbox console. That of course, is not far off either and is something that everyone has a keen interest around the industry on in just how everything will entwine with the core messaging.

If it goes that way, it could mean that the approach Microsoft makes is a little bit of a shift. Xbox Game Pass is no doubt something that is grabbing the engagement numbers. However, for Microsoft to get software number decline numbers up it’s going to need to adapt and really take advantage of just how great value and how open the platform could be.

If Microsoft does that, that competition that Sony needs with PlayStation 6 could actually be there. Of course, it’s always going to be about the games. However, we’ve also learned that there is a line that Microsoft won’t cross when it comes to titles that people are expecting on PlayStation. I think we’re seeing that there is a commitment there to help sell software because PlayStation is great at doing that. However, it really is down to Xbox to adapt its strategy in-line and be absolutely clear on the future of the platform.

That’s why I think this next hardware from Xbox is a big one. Not only in response to how well it does. But how well people buy into what they’re selling and if it’s in-line with what the consumer actually wants. That’s going to be the most important thing going on at Microsoft. Obviously, they need to get back to piquing the interest again of people that might have gone the way of PlayStation. It’s going to be interesting how they try to win people back and how that strategy around the handheld unfolds. Not only that, but it’ll be interesting to see if what Xbox brings to the table is in-line with a vision that everyone at the head of the table is on board with.

They’ve really set the scene now for what is to come for the platform in the future potentially not only on handheld but console as well. There is no doubt for all this to ‘work’ they’re going to need to keep some games exclusive. Otherwise, what is the point? I think that hits home with everyone and is something we’ll all agree with. Microsoft seem to be edging a little bit better in regard to the protection of ‘some’ of its IP. However, the proof will be there once it’s announced, and we’ll know where we all stand. So yeah, keep your eye on this one as it develops. It’s potentially an important step in the context of things.

I get it; the majority of you love console hardware. But please admit to yourselves that options are good. That’s why here I want to give those that are looking into cloud gaming an insight into what to expect when they dive into the deep end and who the best service is for you overall. Everything is subjective; what works for you might not work best for someone else. However, highlighting credible services and what you’re going to need to get started is what we’re going to get into with this one.

I do a lot of research, not only for the articles that I write. It takes me a while because I care about the content I put out there. Anyway, let’s get into the fundamentals of cloud gaming.

Firstly, when you enter the world of cloud gaming. You’re going to need a good internet connection. I know, nothing new there. I’d say typically people go for around 300 MB. Obviously, if you have a family, always go for more. Also, though, keep in mind how you connect. If you’re going to go by your router’s Wi-Fi, you might not get the best experience. An Ethernet connection is preferable. That or a router that is Wi-Fi 6 and above, which you can get on the higher packages with your ISP. At the same time, though, consider the maximum speed the Wi-Fi might be able to produce in your environment. It might not match what you want if your router is incapable until technology catches up. I think it will with the next generation of routers, but until then there is a cut-off point for the speeds you’ll get on Wi-Fi if you go that route.

The best cloud service out there, according to gamers? This might surprise you but it isn’t xCloud. NVidia’s GeForce NOW holds the crown for performance capability. However, it’s the most expensive and doesn’t have the catalogue of game support that Boosteriod has. That’s where the latter has the advantage there.

If you have Xbox Game Pass, it’s important to let you know also. That both support it. However, on the scale of cloud gaming support overall. You’re going to need to make sure if cloud gaming is supported on the said services. If they are, happy days. However, keep in mind that not all games will be supported until they’re greenlighted. Check out this incredibly insightful website. It will be a huge help, trust me.

If your interested in Microsoft’s xCloud. Something you need to know beforehand. The quality of streaming is not 4K (yet). They’re also working on you being able to play your purchased games with an estimated time of this November, although that is not confirmed. However, you can play Xbox Game Pass with an Ultimate membership, and this will provide you with a 1080p stream with DLC of games purchased supported. It’s not anywhere near the finished article. We’ve already discussed in past articles how Microsoft has a plan to improve this. That plan is in motion now as cloud gaming becomes more of something people become accustomed to as an option on any device they desire to play.

This is the first of many articles like this. I hope it helps you give cloud a go. If that’s something your looking at not now but in the future for your circumstance. But either way, happy gaming!

 

Since the 90’s, Sony has been an established gaming juggernaut in the gaming industry. Over time, it’s built an array of talented teams and even brushed it’s competition to the side. We all know what happened to Sega, right? Well, it’s kind of happening with Xbox. But not in the way we think.

There can be no denying that PlayStation has a lot of the hardware market tied down. In fact, Xbox might be completely removing itself where competition is so strong in regions where PlayStation is dominant. It’s clear, PlayStation has played a very smart game in how they’ve operated and built their brand.

There’s a reason why Microsoft is sending out feedback emails to people to understand why Xbox is faltering in the hardware market. Everyone knows why, every gamer could tell you. Even fans of Xbox know the best days were the 360 days. If Microsoft are to have success in getting Xbox back to that kind of level. It’s going to need to buckle down and sort it’s Xbox Game Studios out.

Maybe the new guy Craig, (great name, by the way, I approve) will be one of them to find their feet again. Because, let’s face it, Microsoft and Xbox are not really competing with PlayStation anymore per se. In fact, what they’re doing is creating hardware that will set them apart in the future based on the plans they have. The plans they have are Xbox Cloud Gaming and the new handheld device.

It’s pivotal Microsoft are the leaders for the next generation of gaming. We’ve already discussed in our previous article the steps they’re taking. But also, it’s becoming clear that they’re ramping up this plan. Because now Call of Duty for the first time will be on Cloud Gaming via xCloud. Not only that, but you will be able to play your purchased games as well.

That is huge news in itself. Obviously, there is a clear plan within Microsoft and Xbox to make sure they’re on top when it comes to being the leaders in gaming of the future. Whether hardware comes into that or not is irrelevant because, ultimately, Xbox is still in the game in one way or another.

Xbox are playing a very different game. One that is a waiting game that’s ‘waiting’ on the possibility of gamer trends changing. Not now, but in the long term. PlayStation have a bright future as well, because they’ve established themselves as the hardware king. The Apple of consoles and the prices to go with it. But let’s not for one moment think that the competition will not be there.

Enter Nintendo, now back off a hugely successful Nintendo Switch era. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be championing physical and backwards compatibility. Not only that, but it will be getting to the point where it’s technology is going to be ‘good enough’ to play your games on the performance you want to play them on. If anything, PlayStation does have that to contend with. Especially if they continue to price gauge.

We already know gamers will vote with their wallets. However, PlayStation might be having it all their own way at the moment with the success they’re having. Nobody can dismiss that competition from Nintendo going into the future. I think it’s a very different competition, but I seriously think that most gamers are looking to the Nintendo Switch 2 for answers. Whether they answer that call is another story.

However, be under no illusions Microsoft and Xbox are looking to the future on a much bigger scale. They aim to improve on hardware, and they aim to sway the majority into the cloud and playing the games wherever and however you want to play them. The choice? Well, that will ultimately be up to you to decide where gaming goes next.

Not everything is ‘dead’ about this generation. There have been some golden nuggets, as you will find in any generation of console gaming. There has, however, been very little of excitement surrounding this generation. It’s something that both Sony and Microsoft are going to have to pick up on. Especially to have any chance of igniting the console space in the way they have done both with the PS4 and Xbox 360 eras, respectively.

People are saying this generation isn’t all that great, and they have every reason to say that. People are looking for Microsoft to magically rediscover their greatness from the 360 era but the team are so out of touch with gamers that everyone is considering moving on from the platform. It’s quite the conundrum, but if anything, you should be looking at the Nintendo Switch 2.

Everything is pointing to a device that is going to resonate with the gamers of today and console. And for everything else, well, there’s a PC. In fact, Microsoft seems to be stepping up their attention more so than their actual console.

So yeah, if your serious about great videogames. Something that matters to all of us, Nintendo still has them. It’s not even something you have to consider anymore, even if they raise the price of the launch by £100 in-line with inflation. The Nintendo Switch has lasted 8 years, where else is there a better investment in gaming right now with the quality of games coming out? And also, come to think of that, where else is a gaming company catching up to a level of technical power that hasn’t really been there before.

I seriously think the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be a better investment than a PS5 Pro will ever be. If GTA VI comes out on PC at the same time as consoles (sceptical), what is even the point of a closed eco-system? This is coming from a gamer on console since the 90’s. Sony really has to step it up for the PS6, in my opinion. As Microsoft will as well, the only platform that’s got some relative stability right now is Nintendo. That’s the reason why everyone should be excited for what’s to come for their generation.

I mean, the situation will always change in this industry. That doesn’t, however, change the fact that modern gaming is rather shit right now to the majority who think that way. I mean, it’s not even a secret anymore. There are discussions online that are talking all about this generation, and the majority isn’t shining.

But yeah, Nintendo is going to release a modern platform that’s going to utilise everything that made the Nintendo Switch the success it is and was. If they are consistent and follow-up on that with the Nintendo Switch 2. Then absolutely, it’s going to be a no-brainer for anyone who is serious about great videogames. And it’s just the competition everyone needs.

We all know that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is being made by Ukrainian developer GSC Game World. With everything that they’ve had to go through, I hope this game not only does well on Game Pass. But also, when it arrives on PlayStation, I also hope it sells a shitload as well.

Not because of the political nature of what is going on over there. But because of the principle of working so hard and building a world in circumstances that are extreme and deserve appreciation.

For the game they’ve created, for the art, for their families. The whole thing of building a game in such circumstances is commendable. I’ll be buying this one, and I am looking forward to playing this franchise for the first time when it drops on my platform of choice.

 

We all know the difference between physical and digital. But how different is purchasing something digitally to actually a subscription such as Xbox Game Pass? Sure, your buying a digital license indefinitely when you ‘purchase’, but actually, I think where Xbox Game Pass could shine in the future is this realisation by the consumer that actually they aren’t really that different because we’re technically using a digital licence to play the said game or ‘rent’.

I actually think the situation around digital games could be better. We need legislation that forces gaming companies to give us more ownership. Those that are added to our library and technically bought should be a mainstay in our lives. We should have the ability to pass on our libraries as well.

Of course, Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service, many people downplay just how good a deal you get from this. Because of how the digital situation of ownership stands at this moment in time. There isn’t much difference between them. So if your buying all these games for your PlayStation, for example, you’re not really in control. However, with Xbox Game Pass, at least you know that the majority of first-party titles will stick around and your not paying a fortune for the privilege of potentially playing with the same license.

I get it, everyone likes purchasing videogames, especially after being physical for most of our lives. But is that really what your doing now, ‘purchasing’? I think with the recent news that Sony is going to be forced to change it’s purchasing terms on it’s own store. This brings up a very good point of how there does need to be a change in the future. Especially to digital licencing and around our very ownership of games in this way.

Maybe that’s a different way of looking at Xbox Game Pass until there is a real change.

 

We all know there is a vast majority of you who will be still rocking the PS4. It’s a great console after all, but have Sony really given PlayStation fans much reason to upgrade? I don’t think they have; I also think it’s a declaration from PlayStation fans that, actually, is saying, ‘we’re quite content with playing at this level of power’ if your not going to bring us substantial games that make the most of the power of the PS5 in the first place.

There is that argument out there for sure; other people will also be on the side of how Nintendo is getting to levels of adequate power that might substantiate them switching to Nintendo with the Nintendo Switch 2. If you factor in the rapid rise in popularity for handheld and mobile gaming, it really is clear that there is a vast majority who are happy ‘as is’ until something better comes along.

The comments coming from the PlayStation boss recently about PC gaming being too difficult aren’t surprising. Sony has us all locked in, not just digitally but within an eco-system that is still rocking on from the success of a Sony that made the most of the Xbox One disaster of launches. That’s pretty much established Sony’s current dominance. I will say though, unless Sony really starts getting their act together, they’re going to sooner or later lose the faith of people. This is already being kind of brought up in the conversations online.

People might say it’s ludicrous or insane to be talking this way, but what are people meant to do? Pay the £700 for a PS5 Pro and not have an opinion at all? PC is looking more favourable, and to be honest, if Xbox does come out with a way to upgrade their console next generation as we’ve discussed and ‘open up their entire platform and PC library playable within that platform’. Who is to say it’s not achievable to ‘win back’ fans?

As I see it now, Microsoft is doing a lot with their hardware division. Making a much-needed handheld is one of them. But if they also innovated on their console to the extent we talk about here. They will win back people ‘if say’ you were able to play PlayStation games a year later via this approach.

So yeah, I do think there are ways. Ways in which Microsoft can compete with PlayStation if they’re smart. PC might actually make it’s way into the living room in a ‘big way’ and offer a great value proposition with that brings the ease and compelling nature of the PC. If Microsoft decided to allow Xbox to go that route and delve deeper into their PC roots. Then this Xbox or console in your living room could essentially make Xbox great again. That’s why they shouldn’t be written off and also the reason why Sony shouldn’t get complacent.

Everybody is wondering where the Nintendo Switch 2 is? What it’s going to have that it does better than it’s predecessor. The biggest theme here is that Nintendo are old-school and in the modern day of bad gaming company decisions of late. This could go in Nintendo’s favour. Because ultimately, I know the conversations out there on the internet by fans. Could Nintendo actually prosper in the same way Sony did back in the PS4 days? I think so, especially if they play a perfect game.

Players are looking for great games and Nintendo has them in spades. In a world where graphical fidelity is king. For most players out there they just want great games with great frame rates – performance is king in the realms of most. If Nintendo gets that right then that goes a long way to sell this thing. Of course, it’ll sell anyway, but what I am saying is that Nintendo only have to get the basics of what fans want right for this to be an absolutely mental launch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will have backwards compatibility. I believe that, I think with Nintendo bringing out new Nintendo Switch SKU’s so close to a prospective Nintendo Switch 2 announcement window. It’s not the wind down scenario of Nintendo generations before. Nintendo are treating the Nintendo Switch a lot more differently. You could say, a little bit like what Sony have done with PS4.  So there is some substance to that.

I also think we’re going to hear something soon from Nintendo ‘within a period of time where the PS5 Pro dies down a little’. I don’t think Sony launching a mid-life console effects Nintendo’s plans. If Nintendo where showing this thing off back at Gamescom and with news that production is in full swing as well. It cannot be that long away from details being made available to us. There are even rumours going around that the probability is within six weeks.

Everyone is now looking at Nintendo to see what they can offer us. The gaming industry has been incredibly strange of late, but if Nintendo can offer that modern touch while still offering that blast from the past. Anything is possible, and it’ll go a long way to bringing back a bit more faith to players that have felt this generation hasn’t offered that much.