Xbox is the box of the past: The original developer has just cleared the gaming console
The age of new Xbox hardware is over. At least, according to a former executive at Xbox.
Laura Fryer, a member of the Xbox founding team, says that Xbox hardware may be on the way out, without suggesting Microsoft’s marketing.
Following the unveiling of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, Fryer shared his thoughts on the future of Xbox as the person who helped get the product off the ground.
Unfortunately for console fans, you’ve made a tough decision.
Here’s a look at what Fryer had to say about the future of Xbox and how ROG Xbox Ally could shape it.
See also: The best gaming PC deals this month
“They bet their whole business on Game Pass”
Fryer has been a leader in the video game industry for decades. Although he is no longer affiliated with Microsoft, he shared his expert opinion on the future of Xbox hardware in a video posted Sunday on his YouTube channel.
Unfortunately for console fans, thanks to Microsoft’s announcement of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, Fryer thinks that Xbox may completely leave the hardware market, and it’s part of a big change for the whole genre that depends heavily on Game Pass and Xbox Anywhere.
Fryer announced the state of things on Xbox at the moment, saying, “They bet their entire business on Game Pass and leave the hardware intelligence to their partners at Asus.”
He continued, “I’ll admit, it’s a great message for gamers. Who doesn’t want to play their games with their family and friends on any device and any platform? But that’s all it is — it’s marketing.”
“They bet their entire business on Game Pass and leave the creativity in hardware to their partners at Asus.”
While Fryer acknowledged that Game Pass has “great value,” he also expressed confusion about which games can be played on Game Pass and Xbox Anywhere.
For example, the ROG Xbox Ally is a Windows device, so it can’t play native Xbox games; only native PC games are supported. The line between that is blurring, but still worth noting.
Similarly, the Core and Standard Game Pass subscription tiers for the console do not include the same-day releases that are one of the service’s most important selling points. In contrast, it is the PC version of the Standard Game Pass subscription it does include one-day releases.
Fryer also called out confusing moves like this in his video, saying, “In my opinion, Xbox’s strategy has been chaotic. So, it’s hard to say what they’re going to do next.”
His predictions for the future of the console were dire, to say the least: “Obviously, as one of the founding members of the Xbox team, I’m not happy with where things are today.
“I don’t like watching all the value I’ve helped create slowly erode. I’m sad because, from my point of view, it looks like Xbox either doesn’t want to or won’t be able to ship the hardware anymore. So, this partnership [with Asus] it’s about getting a little bit out of the hardware business altogether.”
“Personally, I think the Xbox hardware is dead.”
Is the “future of Xbox” just…PC gaming?
Fryer’s opinion on the state of things on Xbox doesn’t bode well for gamers who choose their console over PC. While Fryer mentioned how inexpensive PC games are when you build your own PC, he also praised the convenience that comes with consoles.
They are generally less expensive than a gaming PC and, at least historically, are easier to use since you don’t have to worry about things like driver updates.
With the Xbox apparently leaving the hardware, gamers looking for the comfort of a console may switch to the PlayStation or Nintendo Switch 2.
Even if those players want to continue playing their Xbox games, Microsoft, ironically, has made it very easy for them to dispose of the Xbox hardware without losing access to their games.
“Personally, I think the Xbox hardware is dead.”
Fryer pointed this out, too, saying, “Here’s the problem: Xbox doesn’t do exclusives anymore. Even if Xbox delivers a great game, Xbox Anywhere means I can play that game on any platform.”
If the ROG Xbox Ally is any indication of Microsoft’s plans for the Xbox brand, we could be looking at a future where “Xbox hardware” is just… Windows gaming PCs. Of course, there are other amazing gaming laptops for those looking to get into PC gaming.
However, it’s not the same as a console and it’s easy to see why long-time Xbox fans might be disappointed to see Xbox consoles ride off into the sunset.
As Laura Fryer said, “It’s been one year since its 25th anniversary [original] Xbox and it looks like they are abandoning everything that made the Xbox brand great in the first place. “
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