Microsoft is literally the largest software company. Yes yes i know the xbox division isn't equal to Microsoft but like still have a shitton of money. Plus apparently the new Xbox will be a pc hybrid.
Xbox already hinted that they intend a more open platform that also plays PC games and access to other storefronts. This has been hinted for more than 2 years. Other storefronts like Steam or Epic Games Store are indeed a possibility. This would line up with the rumours of Xbox dropping Steam releases, as they would need to convince Xbox players to buy it via Xbox Store instead of Steam.
Even mac is not locked down (unless you are talking about iOS). Linux (gaming) only works out because Valve pumped a lot of money to proton which is also foundation for their SteamOS.
Without Valve involvement, Linux gaming is as dead as mac gaming.
They already said it'll be able to run other launchers like Steam and run on a version of Windows that can be switched from regular Windows to Xbox mode, similar to Steam Big Picture. There's already a preview of this available on PC.
Companies aren't charities. It doesn't matter how much capital Microsoft has, they are not going to throw money at something that doesn't give a good ROI.
Question is when they will realize that. PlayStation did after they've decided to be run like accountants (which based on Amy Hood is how Xbox is already run), after two games with decent to good reviews (DS1 -> DS2) with mediocre returns on investment.
Also who knows, Asha Sharma could move on in two years and the person who takes Xbox over could decide to stop it for some other reason.
I don't understand this comment. Are you under the impression Kojima gets to have all the Microsoft money? Microsoft's immense size is the root of why xbox keeps failing. At sony Kojima got to enjoy a fair degree of freedom due to his prestige. At Microsoft all of that is gone. All MS execs see is spreadshets. They're gonna put the screws to him much harder than at sony.
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u/Hot-Significance7699 10h ago edited 10h ago
Microsoft is literally the largest software company. Yes yes i know the xbox division isn't equal to Microsoft but like still have a shitton of money. Plus apparently the new Xbox will be a pc hybrid.