The Xbox One X is out later this year, and it promises to be the most powerful console ever released. With more teraflops than Freddy Kruger on a beach holiday, the Xbox One X promises to deliver True 4K gaming to those with the requisite screens.
As somebody who loves technology, I’m excited for the Xbox One X – but that excitement’s a little tempered – because I’m still not convinced that I need one. There’s nothing about the system that’s making me wait for pre-orders to open with my credit card in my hand. It’s an Xbox One – just with more juice. That’s fine for people who favour specs, frame rates and shiny visuals, but for those of us who just want to play good games, there’s no draw.
That, of course, is the entire point of the Xbox One, so it’s not a criticism. Instead, there’s a bigger problem with the Xbox One itself, and that has to do with games. The single game set to launch alongside the new console, Crackdown 3, has been delayed to 2018. It means that the only really big showcase for the system is Forza 7 and that’s out on PC and the regular old Xbox One the month before.
While many people just want a system to play games on and don’t give a damn about exclusives and first party games, I think the brand is suffering because of a lack of them. It’s commonly bandied about that Microsoft’s relying too heavily on three core brands: Forza, Gears of War and Halo. Right now, it’s mostly Forza that’s propping everything up. Gears of War has lost its lustre, as has Halo.
The big problem? There’s not really much to replace them.
What do you think? Does the Xbox One have a first party problem that makes you less likely to care about the brand? Would some solid exclusives change your perspective?
We could see the situation change at Gamescom. Microsoft is going to host a live event this Sunday, August 20 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern, 8pm BST and 9pm CEST/SAST.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.
Last Updated: August 18, 2017
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 18, 2017 at 10:39
Sorry Geoff… we all know why you don’t want an Xbonks
https://media.giphy.com/media/7cOu6gGefvgxa/giphy.gif
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 18, 2017 at 10:42
“but for those of us who just want to play good games, there’s no draw.”
So they haven’t increased the draw range?
Admiral Chief
August 18, 2017 at 10:59
Hehehe
RinceThis
August 18, 2017 at 11:57
shush you. This is a sensitive topic.
Original Heretic
August 18, 2017 at 10:44
If Xbox had the same quality exclusives as PS, they’d dominate.
In a chip measuring contest, XB1X wins.
Ottokie
August 18, 2017 at 10:49
That first paragraph.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/do-not-want.gif
Admiral Chief
August 18, 2017 at 10:59
Hah
Guild
August 18, 2017 at 10:53
Isn’t there supposed to be a library of games that will get enhancement updates just for the XBX1? So there are games you could say that benefit from getting the XB1X.
I’d love to get a XBX1 but I don’t have an output that would benefit from it and my gaming library is on Steam and PSN.
Admiral Chief
August 18, 2017 at 11:00
You know how XboXXX would win? Allow Steam on the Bawks
Gluten-free Cheese Puffs
August 18, 2017 at 12:53
Pfffttttttt! Steam is too hard for the Bawks!
For the Emperor!
August 18, 2017 at 11:11
Surely by now they have had more than one party?
Admiral Chief
August 18, 2017 at 11:17
As long as there were no lemons involved!
Ottokie
August 18, 2017 at 11:18
https://res.cloudinary.com/teepublic/image/private/s–DodaYB0—/t_Preview/b_rgb:eae0c7,c_limit,f_jpg,h_630,q_90,w_630/v1481485960/production/designs/23373_1.jpg
Admiral Chief
August 18, 2017 at 11:27
You like lemon parties?
Heh
Pieter Kruger
August 18, 2017 at 12:11
I think they do yes, by they are working hard to fix it. They’ve stated many times that they’re moving away from announcing new games too early after the Scalebound cancellation (yes, Sony also cancels games….). MS is getting a lot of flak from especially the Sony fans (Scalebound announced….”it sucks!”, Scalebound cancelled “it was the only game I liked on Xbox..”), same with Crackdown before and after yesterdays’ delay! Anyway, I still play Gears 4 almost DAILY and there’s too many excellent 3P titles to ever play them all. Also knowing that 100’s of 3rd party games will look/play better on XboxOneX is fantastic! Cannot wait for Sunday……
RinceThis
August 18, 2017 at 12:19
How old is Gears 4? And Sony fans don’t give two hoots about Scalebound 😛
Gluten-free Cheese Puffs
August 18, 2017 at 12:52
Of course you’re still playing Gears 4… it’s the only game that was released on the boner since 2016.
Gluten-free Cheese Puffs
August 18, 2017 at 12:51
Yes, the boney X has a huge problem…. it’s being outsold by the Switch, and it doesn’t have any games.
Jonah Cash
August 20, 2017 at 17:34
With their boss saying that story driven games are done I was expecting this crappy situation for them. I think story driven games have a huge future and they better get to the party or they will be overtaken by the Switch as well…
Gareth Lagesse (eXCheez)
August 21, 2017 at 12:56
Yes. Apart from the always-impressive and expanding Forza series and intriguing new Ori IP, Xbox first party titles are really rehash after rehash.
Fortunately I only have a Xbox for Forza, so I’m quite content.