Is Microsoft's All-In-One Strategy Forward-Thinking--Or Backwards?

On 05/25/2013 at 02:24 PM by gigantor21

So, I've already posted my thoughts on the Xbox One's conference (it sucked) and news about it's constant online-requirements (which suck even more). But I want to go into more detail on why I not only don't like the "all-in-one entertainment" strategy, but why I don't think it's as good a business model as people in the press or MS and it's unpaid defenders online are making it out to be.

The notion of having an "All-in-One" strategy is rooted firmly in a 2005-06 mentality. Where people don't already use smartphones and tablets to watch TV and movies, or to enhance the viewing experience. Where broadcast and cable TV aren't being eroded by Netflix, Hulu and Redbox. Where a network-enabled console is the best hub for a broad range of digital entertainment, as iPads and Galaxy phones don't exist yet.

Microsoft is likely to to add more redundancies and complications to the living room instead of eliminating them. For one, you'll have to buy a separate reciever to use the TV functionality, and have an existing cable subscription and box to route the signal into the console. I'd bet money you'll also need a paid Xbox Live account to utilize the full suite of options, like the Fantasy Leauge stuff and Skype video calls, along with other paid services like Netflix and the like.

When most cable companies give you video-on-demand and DVR features, why would you pay extra to make the Xbox another go between? Is the ability to use voice commands in lieu of a remote or the buttons on the TV/cable box that big a deal? Not to mention how, again, PCs and mobile devices already offer complementary viewing apps. Sure, you can't Snap your cellphone's fantasy leauge or movie ticket app onto your TV screen, but at least you can use them without needing a whole new console.

To me, a lot of the general entertainment functions MS is making noise about are handled pretty well by tech people already have. And considering that the functionality isn't even built into the device and will likely be put behind a paywall, I don't see them as major value adds anyway. The core functionality of the console as a games machine is still going to be the determining factor, which is why I've never bought into MS's "Trojan Horse" strategy as far as the Xbox is concerned.

That they're going all in on this model is risky, to put it mildly.

leeradical42

05/25/2013 at 03:14 PM

Well the funny thing about this is that both systems are very close to being the same ( check iut my comparison blog ) but the main difference being the two things we all seem to hate and thats not being able to play used games and 24 hour internet, first off whats this going to do to used games well they will be piling up at gamestop unless they decide not to take them in on trade, your just going to have a ton of used games nobody will want, and in turn is going to make the digital games more appealing, and to be honest i think this move by Microsoft will be there demise and is going to hurt them bad cause most people that i know who want the Microsoft One doesnt know about the 24 hour internet or about the used games and after i told them they quickly went to the PS4.

gigantor21

05/25/2013 at 07:30 PM

Microsoft needs to do a LOT to clear the air, and prove that the platform is really worth the investment. It's amazing how tone deaf and cagey they've been about a lot of those issues. I suspect (as some of the avalanche of rumors state) that they either haven't finalized anything or are being forced to change course due to the horrible reception they've been getting.

Regardless of how good or bad the system ends up, this was probably one of the worst reveals of any console from a purely PR standpoint.

05/25/2013 at 07:47 PM

I totally agree this has been a disaster from what i can see and if they dont make some serious changes there going to loose there rep and alot of money unless theres alot more CoD fanboys then i think there is.

Super Step Contributing Writer

05/25/2013 at 11:48 PM

Yeah, but hey, Microsoft's stock is up, and Sony's is down as of yesterday. Not sure what that's based on given how large the overhead of these companies is, but there ya go. lol

To be honest, though I have a cellphone and it can do stuff, I would prefer it if all be available through the easy methods Microsoft showed and have no problem with the all-in-one approach ... minus that probably pay-wall ... and their used games fee ... and this cloud processing business sounding like single player experiences could be inferior ... I don't have nerd rage, I have consumer aversion.

05/26/2013 at 10:47 AM

There are so many unpalateable caveats to Microsoft's vision that it has to be twice as good to be half as appealing. I just don't trust or like their handling of their products enough to give them the benefit of the doubt.

PixlBit