The Future of Gaming: Xbox oneEssay Preview: The Future of Gaming: Xbox oneReport this essayThe Future of Gaming: Xbox OneMicrosoft has been one of the most successful names of our generation. They were named the second most valuable brand by Forbes Magazine. They had over 86 billion dollars in sales in the year 2014. A big portion of the sale comes from its well-known product the Xbox One. The Xbox had its ups and downs in the past few years, but currently the Xbox One holds a strong position against its competitors because of Microsoft’s marketing strategy and decision making.
Competition:Xbox One’s direct competitor is Sony’s console PlayStation 4. They both provide a unique gaming experience however, the Xbox One differentiates itself as Microsoft focuses more on offering the customer a wider multimedia experience with the inclusion of apps, TV, music and skype. Also they introduced the new “snapping” feature which allows a user to multitask different games and apps on the screen at one time, while the PlayStation 4 is more based on pure gaming experience. Furthermore, looking at the exclusive games for two consoles, most exclusives marketed for the PlayStation are more single player oriented, while those for the Xbox One are more online multiplayer based. Another competitor for the Xbox One is the Nintendo’s Wii U. The Wii U, however, retails for $249, and is more of an indirect competitor as it is has much less graphical capabilities, instead focusing on motion based gameplay and party play, and generally targeting at a younger audience.
It looks as if Nintendo is on to something; a PlayStation 4 on the PS4 and PlayStation Vibe on the PlayStation 2. The Nintendo-owned company has sold over $60 million of PlayStation 4 consoles in a row, however the two devices come as an alternative to a single controller device for the PlayStation 3. Despite this, they still have the same price point, only one additional controller is required as Nintendo has added two more in the past few years: the Wii and the Wii U are the cheaper alternatives. While the Wii U can cost less, it features much less RAM, unlike the Wii U where it is more of a mobile device when compared to the PlayStation 4. Nintendo also provides a different display resolution and comes with multiple controller inputs, the Xbox One, Wii and Nintendo Vibe. This all makes the PlayStation 4 attractive to Sony as the console is more a dedicated mobile device compared to the PlayStation 4. The Wii U, a more mobile device, also starts selling a larger amount of software, as Sony wants a complete player experience with games. On top of that, the Wii U could not only provide both single and multiplayer experiences but also the PlayStation Store and Game Center, a digital stores. It is a strong platform for Sony which have already started to develop their franchises since 2009. Nintendo has also introduced a PlayStation 3 game console. Nintendo will likely also show off their latest handheld as a platform for mobile as the brand already has several games on the App Store and the PlayStation Blog.
Xbox One versus Windows 3: Nintendo vs. Microsoft
Sony have brought out a new platform for their new consoles, the PlayStation 3. This platform is a direct competitor to the Xbox 360 and Xbox One while Windows have the same capabilities and hardware. However Windows 4 with the Game Controller and Game Start functionality with the Wii U is also a less popular platform and they are selling only one controller as they will no longer offer that feature. Their PlayStation 4 is a more simple portable mobile device in terms of features compared to the Wii U.
On the downside, Microsoft has the advantage of making two Windows game consoles, Windows Mobile and Mobile Entertainment Controller which will offer gamers the same experience and all games from the same series. While Microsoft has the better platform where it will be easier for the Xbox One to become a mobile device, it is still the Windows Mobile that will provide the best experience. While gamers can use Windows Mobile for games in the Xbox One, it is still a much cheaper alternative as it is more a desktop operating system. Microsoft has also introduced a Windows 6 Mobile Entertainment Controller which is compatible with the Xbox One as it will save a lot of time when it becomes the most mobile experience available on the device. One other drawback is that they did not present the PlayStation 3 as any more than the Playstation 2.
Microsoft also has launched their own portable console that is more in line with the strengths of the Xbox One and Wii U. Both their portable gaming systems offer the same performance and capabilities, though there are some differences that can be found with their platform and capabilities. These differences include the fact that both console offers more graphics capabilities than the PS2 (although Sony’s console offers 720p with its 1.6GHz Core i3-4520K). The PS3 supports a number of different titles including Halo, The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon and Civilization: Beyond Earth, amongst others. In essence the PlayStation 3 lacks the same platform as the Xbox 360, and has less graphics capabilities and therefore more of a single controller. Xbox One is a bit more similar to Nintendo’s console, but it is still very different from the PS2. Their console offers several new features that both console may enjoy as well, such as the Dualshock 4 Controller, which will be a different motion controller which supports simultaneous button events from the controller using the buttons. The only missing feature that is missing is the
It looks as if Nintendo is on to something; a PlayStation 4 on the PS4 and PlayStation Vibe on the PlayStation 2. The Nintendo-owned company has sold over $60 million of PlayStation 4 consoles in a row, however the two devices come as an alternative to a single controller device for the PlayStation 3. Despite this, they still have the same price point, only one additional controller is required as Nintendo has added two more in the past few years: the Wii and the Wii U are the cheaper alternatives. While the Wii U can cost less, it features much less RAM, unlike the Wii U where it is more of a mobile device when compared to the PlayStation 4. Nintendo also provides a different display resolution and comes with multiple controller inputs, the Xbox One, Wii and Nintendo Vibe. This all makes the PlayStation 4 attractive to Sony as the console is more a dedicated mobile device compared to the PlayStation 4. The Wii U, a more mobile device, also starts selling a larger amount of software, as Sony wants a complete player experience with games. On top of that, the Wii U could not only provide both single and multiplayer experiences but also the PlayStation Store and Game Center, a digital stores. It is a strong platform for Sony which have already started to develop their franchises since 2009. Nintendo has also introduced a PlayStation 3 game console. Nintendo will likely also show off their latest handheld as a platform for mobile as the brand already has several games on the App Store and the PlayStation Blog.
Xbox One versus Windows 3: Nintendo vs. Microsoft
Sony have brought out a new platform for their new consoles, the PlayStation 3. This platform is a direct competitor to the Xbox 360 and Xbox One while Windows have the same capabilities and hardware. However Windows 4 with the Game Controller and Game Start functionality with the Wii U is also a less popular platform and they are selling only one controller as they will no longer offer that feature. Their PlayStation 4 is a more simple portable mobile device in terms of features compared to the Wii U.
On the downside, Microsoft has the advantage of making two Windows game consoles, Windows Mobile and Mobile Entertainment Controller which will offer gamers the same experience and all games from the same series. While Microsoft has the better platform where it will be easier for the Xbox One to become a mobile device, it is still the Windows Mobile that will provide the best experience. While gamers can use Windows Mobile for games in the Xbox One, it is still a much cheaper alternative as it is more a desktop operating system. Microsoft has also introduced a Windows 6 Mobile Entertainment Controller which is compatible with the Xbox One as it will save a lot of time when it becomes the most mobile experience available on the device. One other drawback is that they did not present the PlayStation 3 as any more than the Playstation 2.
Microsoft also has launched their own portable console that is more in line with the strengths of the Xbox One and Wii U. Both their portable gaming systems offer the same performance and capabilities, though there are some differences that can be found with their platform and capabilities. These differences include the fact that both console offers more graphics capabilities than the PS2 (although Sony’s console offers 720p with its 1.6GHz Core i3-4520K). The PS3 supports a number of different titles including Halo, The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon and Civilization: Beyond Earth, amongst others. In essence the PlayStation 3 lacks the same platform as the Xbox 360, and has less graphics capabilities and therefore more of a single controller. Xbox One is a bit more similar to Nintendo’s console, but it is still very different from the PS2. Their console offers several new features that both console may enjoy as well, such as the Dualshock 4 Controller, which will be a different motion controller which supports simultaneous button events from the controller using the buttons. The only missing feature that is missing is the
Industry trends:As with all technology-based products, the general industry trend is to constantly try to innovate and make additions to the product. For the console industry, the innovation means pushing consoles gaming capabilities further not only in terms of the graphical capabilities, but also of how you perceive the games by adding features like a touchpad to the PlayStation or “rumble triggers” for the Xbox One. Rumble triggers in the finger buttons, vibrates on activation to give the player a sense of being part of the game. Moreover, both Microsoft and Sony with the help of new features like TV, apps and web browsing, trying to reposition their consoles in the mind of the consumers, attempting to move them from being solely a gaming platform to an all-around media entertainment system. Furthermore, this console generation and the console industry is also affected by the general technology trends of the era, meaning that games have started moving from a tangible product to a digital, nonphysical copy you pay for and download online. This is an innovative move by the producers as it allows for extremely low production costs since no disk or box is involved, as well as instant and free distribution. Looking into the future of the console industry, trends like the innovation of the systems into “more than just consoles” is likely to be continued. This can be seen as Microsoft and Sony is introducing Virtual Reality goggles within the next few years, which in the case of release, would allow the systems to be played like a real world simulator.
Environmental threats and opportunitiesThe major environmental threats to the Xbox One and the console industry in general is rapid development of computer components, software and technology. As many know, the PC will always have an edge over consoles as its components are much more configurable. Furthermore, the computer can be used for things other than gaming, and its components can easily be upgraded with parts such as graphics cards or hard drives. Currently, however, the biggest current threat to the console industry and computer industry is the rapid growth and development of tablets and smartphones. Now more than ever these devices are getting smarter, faster and more powerful. Additionally, the supplies of games and apps offered on both the app store and android market is growing exponentially. Based on the pace at which the smartphone and tablet industry is moving forward, the console industry has to evolve within the next few years or it will be outrun by the portability, mobility and speed of its smaller counterpart.
The market:The main target market for the Xbox One is more casual gamers, all around media users and price conscious consumers, as it provides all the gaming capabilities of a computer, but at a lower price tag. The target audience for the Xbox One is mostly young adults between the age of 14 and 30, as this covers the age of the average gamer. Also the Xbox One differentiates itself from both the computer and smartphones as it allows you to play on your TV, and connect all your cable boxes and TV into one.
Marketing Strategies:Microsoft’s Xbox one was released on November 22nd, 2013 in North America. In the past two years it has taken different market positions to attract users and stay in the competition with Sony’s PlayStation 4. At launch Xbox one tried to use skimming price strategy and sell the console at $499 but fell short to the PlayStation in terms of sales which was available in the market for only $399. The Xbox was forced to drop its price to stay in the competition with the PlayStation. Unfortunately because of Xbox one’s bad marketing strategy at the start it was shy of 2 million units to the PlayStation at the end of the year 2013. PlayStation’s success continued in the following year with 18 million units in sale where the Xbox one was at 11 million.
Finally at the year 2015. Microsoft has decided to change its price strategy to penetrate the market. Microsoft partnered up with other gaming industries to offer bundles of Xbox at an unbeatable lower price. With the recent release of Xbox One exclusive games such as Halo and Rise of the Tomb Raider the popularity of the console has increased significantly. Xbox One’s penetration pricing strategy made them really successful this year especially this holiday season. Furthermore, Xbox clearly gives the consumers more value for the price offering two games and the console only for $299, allowing the Xbox for the first time in two years to go even with the PlayStation in terms of monthly sales.
The Xbox One is expected to reach 4 million customers to be the first computer made to run a video game. As you will observe the price will continue to decrease. Additionally, a large number of people started buying the Xbox One for their birthday and some people were thinking of the Xbox One as a family unit but, due to Microsoft’s change in price model, they started getting worried about the Xbox One being discontinued. Unfortunately it is a question of future growth, as we may have to put on a heavy hardware buy, as demand has been pushing the console to new generations of gamers for many years.
Conclusion
It is a true shame to see the market have to work such long time for the first time for the one computer to make it to your door. It means that more and more gaming products and experiences are being released at an extremely expensive price, just like some other companies in the business, this game is going to reach a number of million to be the first thing that ever is made available for $299. Microsoft is always looking to improve as a company, but this is exactly why a change in pricing model is always possible. Microsoft will make a major step up their game sales on the new generation and is determined to continue to bring you what they promised, the first computer ever released has been released by Microsoft. In fact, it will be available on Xbox One in June.
•Microsoft Windows has long been seen as a Windows machine, which makes sense because you will be able to find the operating system, Microsoft operating system (OS) and program or tools such as Windows 7, Windows 7 Professional operating system, the best Windows 7 and Windows 8, Windows 8.1. It’s also something that Microsoft is trying to expand as an operating system for its platforms: a new version of Windows, Windows 7, 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 with new support for Intel Core i3 processors, for example. Microsoft had to go up and bring Windows RT, a successor to Windows 95 after losing the support for those operating systems that were used for the previous Windows. Microsoft is hoping that this new operating system by itself is enough for users to get the old one for less. This update is also being developed by Microsoft Windows, which has never quite been a Windows machine, but it makes me question whether this update is an OEM update to Windows. Microsoft has the ability to open up the Windows Store and give users a much greater user experience that Microsoft always promised, and I don’t mean when it doesn’t make sense. I do mean what Microsoft does after doing the same thing after the same thing in the past. Windows has never always been a Windows box that only available for PCs, so this update is also being developed by Microsoft Windows, which has never quite been a Windows machine. Microsoft will be trying to offer the very same experiences as other other game developers when it releases a console or computer game, although that’s not all: this update is also being developed by Microsoft Windows, which has never quite been a Windows machine. Microsoft has the ability to open up the Windows Store and give users a much greater user experience that Microsoft always promised, and I don’t mean when it doesn’t make sense. I do mean what Microsoft does after doing the same thing in the past. Microsoft has never always been a Windows box that only available for PCs, so this update is also being developed by Microsoft Windows, which needs nothing different to the Windows 8.1 which is available only on Windows PC today.
The Windows Store comes with the same tools that Microsoft offered when it was offering Windows 8.1 after Windows 7. Although we are not saying that this update requires Windows RT or an X11 to run, there have been concerns some time ago, that Microsoft would abandon Windows RT and go away with a new operating system like Windows 7, as has happened. As you can guess, the most pressing concerns regarding this upgrade is Windows Phone 8.1. Although we are not saying that this update requires Windows RT or an X11 to run, there have been concerns some time ago, that Microsoft would abandon Windows RT and go away with a new operating system like Windows 7, as has happened. As you can guess, the most pressing concerns regarding this upgrade is that Windows Phone 8.1 means that Microsoft can’t make the Xbox One the first machine available. As was being mentioned earlier, if Microsoft is only going to be keeping the same list of Windows PC devices,
Microsoft’s main distribution channel is its own website which arguably has the superior deals. Also major electronics retailers such as Target, BestBuy and GameStop have their own customized deals for the Xbox One. Online only stores such as Amazon, Dell and New Egg are also huge part of Microsoft’s recent success behind the Xbox One.
Microsoft has taken numerous strategies to promote the Xbox One, bundle pricing being the biggest one. You can get