You all may be aware that Xbox is focusing on improving the dashboard. It’s long overdue in our opinion because we’ve been rolling with this one for a while now. What does all this mean for the next generation Xbox? We’re going to be seeing a lot of change and the way the team are going about that is by bringing Xbox fans into an even bigger role. Feedback is a big thing for any platform. However the way Xbox is going about it is proactive. It tells me that they’re serious about getting the whole environment completely right in terms of the look and feel and bringing you a simplified approach across the devices of the eco-system.
That’s important because this is the biggest change in Xbox’s history. Bringing PCs more in-line with the Xbox brand and vice-versa. It isn’t a small feat but this has been ‘years’ in the making. It is however a necessary one. This is how Xbox will find its longevity and it’s how they find an audience with those that are comfortable in what’s going to be offered next generation.
How do you get people more excited? You start improving your product based on the feedback. You take the proactive approach and you then find that after years of maybe not doing enough to listen to Xbox fans. You’re starting to become proactive again and restore some of the faith that has been lost.
That’s an important step in a brand that’s 3rd place. It also goes a long way to saying ‘we hear you’ and we’re going to do all of this to make your experience better.
I think what most fans are hoping for. Is that we get a streamlined experience from the next generation Xbox. I do not see how that wouldn’t be the case. Especially when Windows is prominent for being the most accessible operating system and it’s the most used. Making sure you don’t alienate your core fans is going to be one of the core principles of the brand.
At least it should be when Sony will be keeping to their ‘traditional’ console approach. You don’t want your biggest customers leaving your brand and Xbox has a responsibility to make sure they keep things simplified. Which I believe they will do. Microsoft is not a trillion dollar company for no reason.
They do however, need to stop stepping on their toes and tripping over with some of their decisions involving Xbox.
Xbox needs a ‘win’ next generation. I think offering different price ranges of hardware will all happen. I certainly don’t think they will ignore the Series S console success but they will also learn from the mistakes of it as well. Why has my opinion changed on this from last year?
It’s because of what I am seeing with Xbox now ‘listening’ and being ‘proactive’. Personally, I feel like we could have one of the most exciting Xbox generations in a while. If you think about it. Xbox is the biggest gaming publisher. Whatever you think about that.
That tells you they are now firing on all cylinders. That’s only going to improve going into the next generation with Project Helix.
The platform is being progressive and there is ‘support’ from Microsoft that believes that ‘gaming’ is important in everything they do. Of course, actions speak louder than words. What we’re seeing now though is PC and Xbox becoming truly unified in its approach. While the jury is still out after so many years of uncertainty for the brand. It’s a step in the right direction Xbox fans have long been waiting for.
Written by Craig Clark
From gaming industry headlines to all things Manchester United and entertainment, Craig covers the stories everyone's talking about — alongside his own published works.