The Xbox Scarlett is the upcoming next-generation console that Microsoft is working on right now. From what we have seen since 2017, Microsoft is on its way to making the biggest comeback ever since the Xbox One was released in 2013. In order to appreciate and realize why Xbox Scarlett will redeem Microsoft, we need to see what went wrong with the Xbox One.
The Xbox One was announced back in 2013 and the idea behind the console was that it was always going to be connected to the internet. That did not stick well with the fans and the marketing did not help explain things either. The PS4 was announced at the same time and all Sony had to do to sell loads and loads of units was pitch the exact opposite of what Xbox was selling.
Fans were fine with a console that did not need to be connected to the internet and the PS4 did that. The Xbox One was initially only available with Kinect and that added to the price. Fans picked up the console that provided better hardware and was priced cheaper, the PS4. Xbox executive Don Mattrick even went on to say that if people wanted a console that was not connected to the internet then the Xbox 360 was the product that they should get.
This was a nightmare and later on, the always online feature was removed and the console was available without the Kinect which reduced its costs and made it a little more appealing to the public.
Why Xbox Scarlett Will Dominate Next Console Generation
Let’s start things off with what happened last year. Microsoft announced the Xbox One X, the most powerful console on the market that can run games at native 4K. Some games can even run at 60 FPS. That is a lot of power keeping in mind that this is a console that costs $500. The Xbox One X has been very successful and it shows that Microsoft has the hardware to keep up with Sony.
With the release of the Xbox Scarlett, the Xbox One X is will a price cut and will most likely be the lower-end model that Microsoft will offer. If that is indeed the case then things will be very interesting keeping in mind it is already more powerful than the PS4 Pro. If the company can get the price down to around $350, I do not see why people would not be interested in buying the more powerful version over the Xbox One S and even the PS4 Pro.
NPD analyst Mat Piscatella tweeted the following regarding the Xbox One X:
Xbox One sales show the highest growth of the three major [hardware] platforms in the US this year, and the Xbox One X in particular has been performing phenomenally.
Player-first Ecosystem
Microsoft is working on a player first ecosystem and it has been supporting cross-play throughout the year. Games like Minecraft and Fortnite can be played across consoles and other devices like the Nintendo Switch and even smartphones.
Microsoft has already introduced the Play Anywhere feature that allows players to play games that they have bought on Xbox on Windows 10 but it seems that the company is looking to take things to another level with the Xbox Scarlett.
Some code was found on GitHub that hinted at possible cross-play between Steam and Xbox. Right now the Play Anywhere feature is limited to the Windows Store and frankly, not many people use the store. PC gamers are more inclined towards Steam. If this feature is going to come out then it will be a step in the right direction. In a recent interview Xbox Boss Phil Spencer mentioned the following:
We feel we can play a bigger role delivering for PC gamers on Windows. We haven’t always had great focus or consistency with our approach to gamers on the PC. The PC gaming ecosystem is incredibly vibrant and successful so it starts with us asking ourselves what role we can play and what we can add for both gamers and developers.
The Adaptive Controller
Xbox recently released the adaptive controller that allows people with different kinds of disabilities to play games. The regular Xbox controller is not ideal for some people and that is where the adaptive controller comes in. It provides a lot of customization and makes gaming accessible to people that have special needs. This is something that has gained a lot of traction this year.
The controller can be configured in multiple ways and players can customize it to be able to perform actions in-game using their hands, feet, shoulders, and even chin. This hardware will also be compatible with the Xbox Scarlett as it is already compatible with the Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X.
Xbox Game Pass
The Xbox Game Pass provides access to a library of hundreds of games for a small monthly fee. Some games are also available on release. This is a major highlight of the brand and something the fans are very excited about.
This will surely be carried forward for the Xbox Scarlett as well. New games are added to the library every now and then which makes it even more exciting.
Backward Compatibility
Many Xbox 360 games are playable on the Xbox One and Xbox One X. This means that if that if you already bought these games on the older console then there is no need to buy them again on the new version. This is another feature that will most likely be offered on the Xbox Scarlett as well.
Always Online Console
The first time Microsoft pitched this idea, things did not go too well. Times have changed and it is 2018. Microsoft is slowly hinting at a streaming service that will allow players to play games online on any device. This could be the Xbox Scarlett or it might be another console on its own.
The basic always-online concept is still there. People seem to be taking it much better this time and keeping in mind that there is still time before the next generation of consoles release, I think people will come around.
Let us know what you think about the Xbox Scarlett and whether or not it will redeem Microsoft in the coming years and close the gap between Xbox and PlayStation.
