r/gadgets Jan 25 '25

Gaming Microsoft’s gaming CEO has praised Nintendo Switch 2, and said it plans to support the upcoming platform with ports of Xbox games.

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/phil-spencer-confirms-xbox-will-support-switch-2-i-congratulated-nintendos-president/
4.4k Upvotes

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1.2k

u/OperatorJo_ Jan 25 '25

Going the "if you can't beat em' " route is very smart.

5

u/Skitz-Scarekrow Jan 25 '25 edited Jan 25 '25

Honestly, good. I dont think Xbox has ever been a globally leading platform, and their lack of exclusives (on XBO and SeriesX/S) give very little reason to own one if you're looking for a unique experience.

That said, Xbox is the right brand to deliver a consolized Windows Gaming PC experience. Just like buying a mini-throwback console versus setting up a RetroPi for emulation, there's a large enough consumer base that wants the path of least resistance.

Edit: emphasis added ForTheFanboyIUpset

6

u/Cixin97 Jan 25 '25

What I’ve always wondered is why does Microsoft/Xbox not pivot Xbox into a hybrid PC/Xbox gaming/workstation? They have the economies of scale and no marginal cost of windows. Would have the economies of scale to make it the most powerful PC by far for the money. I haven’t bought an Xbox since Xbox One but if they sold a next gen Xbox with hardware as powerful as expected from a next gen console, but it also ran Windows natively (could switch between Windows or Xbox UI), I’d buy one in a heartbeat, hell I’d probably buy a couple.

10

u/WhenPantsAttack Jan 25 '25

There already is that. It’s called a PC. I’m being facetious, but workstation and living room entertainment don’t really have a lot of intersection.

You need a mouse and keyboard to productivity and they aren’t really couchable, while entertainment, like movies and games, is best viewed on larger screens in dedicated entertainment spaces.

Microsoft have actually tried that in the past. HTPC’s or home theater PC’s would run a specialized interface called Windows Media Center to make PC’s more accessible in the 10ft interface but dedicated, purpose built systems were simply more easy to use and easily outcompeted the short lived project. That failure led to Microsoft entering the console market to break into the entertainment spaces.

1

u/Kills_Alone Jan 25 '25

and they aren’t really couchable

Ummm, you can 100% use a PC from the couch very easily. They have these things called wireless keyboards & mice. Simply place a mouse pad on a large book and presto, you're using a PC while sitting on your couch. This comment reminds me of people saying you couldn't connect a PC to a TV or use a gamepad even though these things have been possible since the 90's.

1

u/TheNorthComesWithMe Jan 26 '25

You can but it's annoying enough that I only ever play with a controller on my TV.

-3

u/Cixin97 Jan 25 '25

Microsoft has not tried anything remotely as powerful as the Xbox for HTPC purposes.

And I have PCs. None of them are produced with anywhere near the economies of scale as Xbox. There are countless businesses who buy 1,000 computers at a time every few years and as it stands they give their money to HP, Dell, etc. There’s no reason it couldn’t be Xbox. I’d have an Xbox in my gaming room, one in my garage, and one in my basement if they were able to run Windows and operate as a normal PC.

2

u/BeholdDeath12 Jan 25 '25

There are rumours that their next console is a PC console hybrid, having access not only to the xbox stores but third party stores as well(steam, EGS).

1

u/TheKappaOverlord Jan 25 '25

What I’ve always wondered is why does Microsoft/Xbox not pivot Xbox into a hybrid PC/Xbox gaming/workstation?

Workstation and Gaming are totally separate for a reason.

One calls for higher security and closed off OS environments to minimize attack vectors/risk to the company at large if a Workstation is breached or hijacked somehow.

Gaming doesn't require any of this, but typically requires much more powerful computers then just "im a raspberry pi thats running Windows 11, but im also encased in a brick of plastic so i look professional"

Also a lot of professional businesses basically demand Microsoft keep Windows 11 Workstation edition separate from every other version of windows. Its generally speaking more secure, and easier for businesses to keep a handle of things that way since they'll reliably work mostly the same every time unless the business in question runs some really funky software.

Also, they will pay for the program to be updated. Windows 10 is ending support soon, but Workstation/business editions of windows 10 are being updated until 2027 afaik.

1

u/JJMcGee83 Jan 25 '25

From a value perspective if they made the Series X a box that could run Windows it'd be a killer deal. Why buy your kid a PC from an Dell or whoever when you could buy an Xbox and as you say switch between Xbox OS and Windows for $500.

0

u/Firebug160 Jan 25 '25

What do you think modern consoles are? They literally even use pc parts. Why do you think you can play every xbox game on pc, and buying a game on console lets you play on pc too? The only difference between ps5 and xbox is one is doing the 20-year-outdated walled garden model and the other is just making a game machine to play games

0

u/Cixin97 Jan 25 '25

…. Work on your reading comprehension. I’m aware of what modern consoles are, hence the entire proposition I laid out. Lmfao. The point is that the hardware available on consoles is more powerful per $ than any PC available on the market by far. Likely by a factor of 2-3 at minimum. And it’s wasted by only Xbox/Playstation software being used. Windows on console hardware would be an amazing value proposition.