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Let's Talk About Microsoft's Big Xbox News Today

Why wait until Friday? Alex Navarro joins me to break down Microsoft's decision to drop Kinect as a requirement and changes to Xbox Live Gold.

May. 13 2014

Cast: Alex, Patrick

Posted by: Patrick

In This Episode:

Xbox One

97 Comments

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pjdebrem

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Me and my girlfriend love the voice commands on the kinect.

I would not buy an Xbox without it anymore. But I can imagine a lot of people have no interest in this + this makes a lot of sense for the international launches.

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blabbermouth64

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Edited By blabbermouth64

@patrickklepek I suggest you call these videos: Why Wait?

I think you said why wait in the description for the last one too. I enjoyed the last one of these as week! Thanks!

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fisk0

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fisk0  Moderator

I think Sony really should do is to cut the cost of the Vita memory cards. Apparently the Vita has started doing pretty well in Japan at this point (I haven't seen the latest stats, but seemed like it outsold both the 3DS and PS4 throughout March and April?), but the most common criticism of the system I hear (and which I agree with) is the prohibitive cost of the memory cards.

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ripelivejam

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@dbene: i would say initially the xboner had more of the interesting games, and Titanfall was neat if a pretty fleeting thig. that said i think sony's got a more steady release schedule with the indie stuff, and i still see more potential in it.

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roboculus92

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@rasrimra said:

Why does Patrick think getting this news out before E3 means that MS will focus on games at E3?

MS hasn't focussed on games for... 8 (give or take) years now?

I'd sooner expect a focus on TV or new Live services.

Your memory must be rusty because their last E3 conference was almost entirely about games.

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mr_creeper

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@rasrimra said:

Why does Patrick think getting this news out before E3 means that MS will focus on games at E3?

MS hasn't focussed on games for... 8 (give or take) years now?

I'd sooner expect a focus on TV or new Live services.

Oh, man...thanks for bringing me back to reality.

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MichaelBach

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This is a great way to handle breaking news. Just two guys discussing it not long after it happens. More of this please :)

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patrickklepek

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Edited By patrickklepek

I actually don't like making predictions. Part of my reputation is built on being a reporter, so people tend to assume my predictions come with some sort of insider knowledge, when I'm really just making an off-the-cuff guess. It's why I avoid stuff like that.

@sammo21 said:

To quote Patrick from the recent GiantBombcast: "No. No. No. Won't happen. Nothing's going to change. No." This is why I don't really pay attention to insider information.

You know that was edited, right? :)

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0xdtmx0

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as a cable cutter, the xbox one had the opportunity (kind of still does) to be revolutionary. ms is missing the point that the one needs to replace cable tv as a better a la carte entertainment option. requiring a cable subscription negates that whole initiative imho. without that, the one becomes an inferior game machine to its direct competitor for all multiplatform games. this is exactly opposite of what happened last gen.

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dbene

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Edited By dbene

I would like for anyone who owns BOTH an Xbone and a PS4 to try and honestly tell me they play the PS4 more. I don't believe it.

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deactivated-6050ef4074a17

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@thiago123: It is doubly amusing because the last year entirely has been full of moments of established media figures getting stuff wrong or declaring things highly unlikely on the basis of how they just "get it" more than us outsiders. At some point you'd think certain folks would be a bit more open to thinking unconventionally. Hell, it's not like we couldn't have assumed most of the outcomes by just using simple reasoning anyway.

I know many people in the press like to make fun of folks on forums who crown themselves as armchair analysts, but at this point I'd take a well-reasoned "armchair analyst" on Gaf over almost anyone else. Established figures can tweet about how people are "jumping to conclusions" over NPD numbers all they like, but y'know who else apparently is? Microsoft.

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Thiago123

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@ptys said:

I'm not interested in either console at the moment but think I'd go XBOne if I had to choose as it just looks alot better put together? Surprised at all the MS hate out there as a year or two ago everyone loved X360 despite the terrible ads and pricing.

You know, I was going to write about my thoughts on the situation, having been a XBONE early adopter. But who cares what I think. When you early adopt, you will probably be burned. I understand this and am fine with it. I'll just say that yes, I would have liked to save some $, but all this stuff you think is gimmicky (snapping in TV, voice commands, etc) actually works really well (except the "Xbox, On" command which takes a few tries) and are very useful in certain situations, like when your 1 year old has crawled away with the remote. Now if they would only work on the UI which was much better with the 360's guide button.

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Thiago123

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Edited By Thiago123
@sammo21 said:

To quote Patrick from the recent GiantBombcast: "No. No. No. Won't happen. Nothing's going to change. No." This is why I don't really pay attention to insider information.

It was particularly great how the video started with Patrick's admission of being wrong about Kinect, and ended with him making an equally decisive statement about Nintendo's future with the WiiU Gamepad.

I get it. It's their jobs to voice their opinions and sound knowledgeable, but it is always bothersome to hear them do so with such conviction and certainty, when they are really just guesses. Maybe just for this video he could have leaned on this very recent experience and finished with "but I'm probably wrong. Again, I get it though - This is true of all personalities in any entertainment medium - the NFL draft just ended and the 'experts' make so many surefire predictions. They always get their horns tooted when they are right, but rarely get called out when they are wrong.

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Zevvion

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That's what I was waiting for! POWER TO THE PEOPLE I say. It is SO important that they sell the Xbox without that trash.

They WERE going to force players to use Kinnect once they had a big consumer base. They failed and now they will give us what we want. I will purchase an XBOX One now.

It sounds like a good thing that they are changing their box to fit the consumer's wants, but it is also very, very bad. Their entire vision is now dead in the water. Half of the reason the Xbox One is the box it is, no longer makes sense. In almost every regard, the Xbox One is now just an inferior PlayStation 4. Sony put all their resources into making the PS4 what it is today. Microsoft put a good deal of their resources into making the Xbox One what it no longer is.

I am a dedicated gamer with a lot of money. I always own all consoles and I will this time as well. But people who can only buy one have almost no reason to get Xbox One at this point. It's a complimentary system now, instead of its own unique machine.

How long until they rework the entire box, finally update their horrible OS and release that as the new and improved version? Why should I get an Xbox One now? They are most definitely going to change more things about it. Best to wait.

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nosnitsttam

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I honestly think Microsoft's original vision was bold and ambitious, and I was ready to welcome the digital future and start sharing my games with friends. It's a shame microsoft wasn't able to get their message across better and get people excited for what they could have had. DRM is always met with opposition at first. Steam basically does everything the xbox one was going to do and no one complains about that, but they did when it launched. As much as i like saving $100, i hate seeing the company bow to the masses so often. Just because the mob is screaming the loudest, it's not always worth the price of giving them what they want. People get spoiled and start to feel entitled. If you keep bending to pressure, you'll never stand out. Right now i don't particularly want EITHER console since i have a great gaming PC that's getting 90% of the games coming out on these new consoles. The xbox one's original features made it at least somewhat enticing to me. now they're just beefed up versions of the same consoles that we've had for the past decade.

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mrfluke

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@dedbeet said:

@mrfluke said:

i agree its a reason to be mistrusting of microsoft, but it does fully even the playing field between them and sony now.

Except for the fact that Microsoft has tons of money to blow if they want to and Sony doesn't. i.e. with Microsoft willing to change everything about the Xbox one to compete with Sony, expect to see them locking down more 3rd party exclusives. The playing field is about to get much more uneven.

you know i agree with you, might really come down to a game of endurance between the two and if thats the case Microsoft has a shot of taking Sony out.

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TheTerribleFamiliar

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@chalkcharmer said:

Microsoft is not a good company. They were incredible for a while, and people praised it rightfully so. However, they have become lazy and unperceptive to what the customer really wants. This spans from gaming to operating system(s). Not JUST Windows 8/8.1, not just Xbox One.

Microsoft has created some good things, but they are no longer what they were in any respect. Sadly, we do not have a replacement.

Yes. They've been incredibly lazy in how they have addressed consumer concerns with the Xbox One. They've done nothing to change the platform. How lazy of them.

I'm conflicted about this news. I liked the original vision of the device and wish their marketing department had done a better job of selling online DRM to consumers. Make it a console box that worked like Steam with a great digital storefront and library with frequent and deep digital sales. I wanted a killer app for the kinect. That doesn't seem likely to happen now. Ah well. I hope this gets consumers excited about the Xbox One. I'm having a lot of fun with it.

The camera in the Kinect is where the money is. You could add a cheap mic to the gaming controller and drive a lot of the audio control. It would probably even work better :\

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xxDrAiNxx

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Great News !

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DedBeet

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@mrfluke said:

i agree its a reason to be mistrusting of microsoft, but it does fully even the playing field between them and sony now.

Except for the fact that Microsoft has tons of money to blow if they want to and Sony doesn't. i.e. with Microsoft willing to change everything about the Xbox one to compete with Sony, expect to see them locking down more 3rd party exclusives. The playing field is about to get much more uneven.

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Plixen

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Thanks guys for the video I really enjoyed it. Might as well throw my thoughts into the pile. On one hand as others have said this benefits the consumer and I am all for that. A few problems still exist for me though. Microsoft has kind of used up their good will with me and even though they are course correcting quickly I do not feel compelled to purchase the One. It does feel disingenuous considering all of their previous statements and declarations. I think Alex was saying and I agreed that where would they have been if that R&D had not focused on the Kinect. Not that the resolution or frame rate is everything in a game but if I have the option I know what I am choosing when it comes to the same game on multiple platforms. For me there would have to be several first party/exclusive titles that I actually wanted to play and could not play elsewhere before I would consider the purchase. But hey I am still glad to see the company listening to the people. Thanks again for the scoops!

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Edited By sammo21

To quote Patrick from the recent GiantBombcast: "No. No. No. Won't happen. Nothing's going to change. No." This is why I don't really pay attention to insider information. I have to say I think the fact Vinny offered to remove it from the podcast is a little lame. I never found a problem with Sony's attitude towards Microsoft as Microsoft was doing that for like 6 or 7 years, smugly and consistently. Hell, they were even getting it from MS in the leadup to E3 before Microsoft almost swallowed their tongue for a few minutes. I think its interesting no one really took Microsoft to task for their attitudes then but now people act like Sony should be taking a higher road...

@mrfluke I don't really consider the fact they are the same price is them being on "Even footing".

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Stimpack

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@mrfluke: It's definitely going to be an interesting generation. Hopefully everything works out to the benefit to us customers, and then everyone can be happy. I can't imagine much is going to change in terms of eliminating the hardware performance gap.

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pirateogta

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@rasrimra:

You must have missed last year's Microsoft E3 conference because it was about 90% games with very little talk of TV or other services. They got all that out of the way at the Xbox One reveal event the month before, and ended up showing more new games at E3 than Sony despite having a half hour shorter conference. Furthermore, Phil Spencer has declared that this year's E3 will be completely focused on games once again. I do agree with Patrick, though, that they will likely spend more time talking about Kinect than they would have if it hadn't been dropped from the console, simply to reassure people that they are still dedicated to supporting the device.

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Katkillad

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Edited By Katkillad

Were people actually getting banned here for disagreeing with DRM? I need to know so I can decide if I renew my membership or not.

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LarryDavis

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@white: He's straight up saying "hey go back Amplitude please, we need something good to happen today".

Wouldn't surprise me if Harmonix totally abandon MS now.

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I must say, I'm impressed by Microsoft's ability to make an even bigger mess of this thing. The X1's most ardent customers -- the ones who sunk $500+ and bought into this thing -- get burned with this switch. Developers get screwed. And for those who already didn't want the system, this makes it even less interesting. Just baffling. I keep thinking MS is done bailing on its convictions but it just keeps plugging away!

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@yosoyju said:

This smells a bit of desperation but winds up benefitting consumers.

Especially in Canada where the cost of this SKU remains the same as the United States. Where as Sony has raised the PS4 cost here. $449.99 for PS4, $399 for Xbox One. For now.

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JTNY71

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Thanks Patrick you turned on my Xbox lol

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mrfluke

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Edited By mrfluke

@stimpack: (for the record i do have a ps4 atm) aside from exclusives, i do wonder how much of a difference itill really be down the line.

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Strongparm

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I feel like MS needs to look closely at the three operating system structure next. Can they improve their game software performance if they eliminate some of that overhead and give up some of that memory and processsing power to gaming?

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Calmgamer

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Edited By Calmgamer

Glad Microsoft is making this change. I will now buy an Xbox 1 - so they won me over at least. Holy crap though - Sure reinforces the perception that Microsoft tends to blink in the face of criticism. Kind of unfair considering the new management - but I guess Spencer can only play the hand he was dealt.

I do think that Phil Spencer is making the right move here - too bad he wasn't in charge a couple years ago.

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spookytapes

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Woof, I already had xbone buyers remorse and this isn't helping.

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kishinfoulux

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Microsoft can never please people can they? Mistakes or not they've made changes for the better. But let's keep hating on them.

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divergence

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I think they are making the right moves. Three years from now people won't remember or care about all the reversals they made.

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Edited By ptys

I'm not interested in either console at the moment but think I'd go XBOne if I had to choose as it just looks alot better put together? Surprised at all the MS hate out there as a year or two ago everyone loved X360 despite the terrible ads and pricing.

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rjaylee

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@the_dude_abides: Don't be shitty about another man's hair loss. That is definitely not cool.

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ajroo

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Edited By ajroo

@stimpack: Not to mention they spent the last few months swearing they were not going to unbundle the Kinect from the XBone. You just cant believe anything they say.

I called this. Its the last bullet in Microsofts gun. Otherwise they had a whole summer of lackluster sales ahead of them.

Microsoft has just kind of looked leaderless and pathetic throughout the entire last year. This doesnt change that.

Alex is right on.

Also---Just remember--- now you will have a choice of two consoles at the same price, but the PS4 is known to be more powerful, so isnt it still the better deal?

Lastly--- Thanks for doing this vid guys. I like you jumping on big news and giving your thoughts....

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MikeOfAllTrades

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Edited By MikeOfAllTrades

Next page.

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Nigthguy

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And here I thought I would never have to worry about having the Bombcast spoiled

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The_Dude_Abides

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that combover is doing nothing for you alex.

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goofballs

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Edited By goofballs

Patrick just turned on my XBONE

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benderunit22

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Edited By benderunit22

Good move by Microsoft, even though it only further highlights the bullshit they've been talking, leading up to the launch about how integral and awesome Kinect was going to be. From what I've seen, it's a good way to navigate the awful menus, if it works. That recent Kinect Sports quick look however has shown that it's still very much an unreliable piece of garbage in terms of using it for what it was developed for (and that's a goddamn first-party game.)

The lower price point will definitely help the console pick up steam and I can forsee it overtaking the PS4 in the US. Globally though, the slight lead, public perception as well as the constant, annoying 1080p60 debate every damn time a 3rd party game is released will probably further cement the PS4 as the main console the same way the 360 was the main console last time around. For the individual video game player though, just look at the lineup and make your own decision. You like the Halos, Gears and Forzas or the Uncharteds, Killzones and DriveClubs.

I'm an analyst, obey me.

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Edited By Rasrimra

Why does Patrick think getting this news out before E3 means that MS will focus on games at E3?
MS hasn't focussed on games for... 8 (give or take) years now?
I'd sooner expect a focus on TV or new Live services.

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Edited By HyperBear

I still think it was a great move for Microsoft to make, even though it's caused John Drake to be sad and really hungry :( :(

The people who are negative about it are really the early adopters who have bought one up till today (which, they shouldn't be negative because you've all gotten to play with Xbox One ahead of myself and those of us who haven't bought an Xbox one yet) and Harmonix, who have a valid reason to be a little depressed, but think about it; Fantasia is launching on Xbox One, with at least 5 million Xbox One's with Kinect, and on Xbox 360 with over 10 Million+ Kinect camera's sold, so combined at least 15 million Kinect's that are in consumers hands. If they were to capture only 10% of that marketplace, that's still around 1.5 Million copies of Fantasia sold and they should do alright. (*I hope people still support Amplitude on Kickstarter though, it really needs funds fast*)

I still don't get everyone's frustrations with this decision. Yes, it's another '180' for Microsoft, but they are not just ditching Kinect and dropping support for ever. The Xbox One will still have a sku with the Kinect included, just like they do now with Xbox 360. And they will eventually have the new Xbox One Kinect Sensor being sold separately for those who buy the new sku. And I cannot wait to buy my Xbox One on June 9th, right after their E3 Media Briefing :D

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Akeldama

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This video turned my Xbox One on like 5 times from you guys saying the command.

NO BIG LOSS!

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BoatDrinks

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I'm surprised how well the xbox one has sold considering how fucked up the whole process has been for them

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chalkcharmer

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Microsoft is not a good company. They were incredible for a while, and people praised it rightfully so. However, they have become lazy and unperceptive to what the customer really wants. This spans from gaming to operating system(s). Not JUST Windows 8/8.1, not just Xbox One.

Microsoft has created some good things, but they are no longer what they were in any respect. Sadly, we do not have a replacement.