June 15th 2025.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Xbox 360, I've been reflecting on the era and how things have evolved since then. As a reader, I must admit that I am frustrated with the current state of affairs, particularly with the introduction of the ROG Xbox Ally and the shift towards multiformat releases.
Despite my frustration, I found the Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday to be quite enjoyable. While most of the games featured were from third-party developers, there were some intriguing titles that caught my eye. Personally, I was most excited for High On Life 2, There Are No Ghosts At The Grand, and Cronos: The New Dawn. However, there were many other potential gems showcased, including Keeper – although I have found that Double Fine tends to struggle with gameplay elements.
The biggest news to come out of the event was the announcement of the new portable device, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally. While the device itself seems impressive, I can't help but cringe at the name. Can you imagine a parent trying to buy that for their child at Christmas? And let's not forget that it will most likely come with a hefty price tag.
At first, I saw the ROG Xbox Ally as a mere distraction or a small experiment at best. As someone who already owns a Steam Deck, I didn't pay much attention to it. However, I was shocked to learn that Microsoft has cancelled their plans for a next gen portable and that this non-Xbox device may actually be the future of gaming for them.
I've always been a fan of Xbox consoles, probably because I used to be a PC gamer. However, upon reflection, I realize that I only purchased the Xbox One out of brand loyalty. If I had thought about it more logically, I may not have made the same decision.
Yet, I found myself purchasing the Xbox Series X/S out of muscle memory more than anything else. Was I just a chump? It frustrates me that Xbox seems to be so indecisive at the moment. I almost didn't watch the Xbox Games Showcase because I knew I would have to see Phil Spencer, or one of his associates, grinning into the camera as if nothing was wrong. And, as expected, he teased the return of Halo – as if that would excite anyone.
News flash, Phil: no one cares. You've run that series into the ground, just like all the other Xbox exclusives. They feel outdated and unoriginal, and I doubt they are even appealing to their original fanbase anymore. The only reason they may sell well on PlayStation 5 is out of curiosity or as a way to celebrate Sony's victory over Microsoft.
In all honesty, Xbox has essentially become a third-party platform. The only thing that sets them apart is their console hardware, but how long will that last? The ROG Ally is made by Asus, so if Microsoft doesn't release a handheld, will they really invest in another home console? The costs of research and development, marketing, and everything else would be astronomical, and I doubt it would sell more than the Xbox Series X/S.
Phil Spencer has been teasing the idea of a handheld for years, so why the sudden change of heart? Is there anything that is set in stone with this company? I've even heard people talking about them potentially bringing back exclusives in the next generation if things go well.
As a die-hard fan of the Xbox 360, I must admit that its golden era is long gone. It was the new kid on the block, full of innovative ideas and daring to do what Sony wouldn't or couldn't. When was the last time Xbox did something like that? Probably when they introduced Game Pass, but even that hasn't been as successful as they had hoped.
Ever since the disastrous Xbox One reveal, everything has been a mess. I cannot comprehend how a company with endless resources and half the games industry under their belt can be so incompetent. From now on, I'll stick to PC gaming, pretending that the Xbox 360 was my one and only console.
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