2025 Might Be The Final Year Fox Xbox As We Know It

It’s no secret that Xbox is heading in a new direction. While it’s still a major player in the video game console market, Microsoft has clearly shown interest in changing the idea of what Xbox can be. As Nintendo and Sony essentially continue the same approach that has made them successful for so many generations, Microsoft’s new approach contrasts with what players have come to expect, and it’s become harder to ignore the seismic changes taking place.

Whether it’s the introduction of online services, a change in approach to exclusive titles, or an altered attitude to hardware, Xbox is no longer the same as it was just a few years back. As hard as it may be to admit, Xbox is changing. And, with the way things are going, 2025 may be the final year in which players get to experience the Xbox they’re familiar with before Microsoft’s new approach takes full effect.

Xbox Is No Longer Just A Console

Microsoft Has Placed Huge Emphasis On Its Online Services

One very obvious way in which Xbox has changed in the last few years is with the emphasis on the hugely popular Game Pass. The introduction of a paid subscription service alters the common perceptions people may have of the requirement to play games on a console, providing immediate access to a huge library of games at once. Game Pass serves to give players a more convenient way to play their favorite games, no longer needing to make such huge investments in order to build the same library of titles from scratch.

This core idea of accessibility and convenience leads directly into Microsoft’s other major introduction: Xbox Cloud Gaming. This feature once again breaks down common perceptions of gaming, this time by removing consoles from the equation altogether. Whether it’s through a phone, PC, laptop or smart TV, Cloud Gaming works to increase access as much as possible for the player, always keeping them close to their library at any given moment.

While the breakthrough in accessibility is a benefit, the introduction of Game Pass and Cloud Gaming is indicative of a bigger shift. Xbox is no longer just a console, but instead a service that better connects the player to the games. It’s a shift that Microsoft is eager to inform consumers of, with the recent ‘This Is An Xbox’ campaign described on Xbox Wire demonstrating the many ways in which players can access the Game Pass library. Microsoft is making a concerted effort to reject the idea of requiring specific hardware, and in doing so, is breaking down barriers to entry for many players.

Xbox Hardware Is On The Decline

Microsoft Is Giving Players Many Reasons To Avoid Purchasing A Console

While this approach is certainly a boost in making games more accessible, it also illustrates a clear message about Microsoft’s lack of enthusiasm when it comes to showcasing Xbox as a console. Given how Game Pass will be a more financially viable purchase for many, it calls into question the worth of purchasing an Xbox Series X|S altogether, and players are clearly taking note of this. As reported by Eurogamer, Microsoft’s Q1 FY2025 financial earnings report revealed that Xbox’s hardware revenue had fallen to 29% year-on-year, demonstrating the declining interest in Xbox as a console.

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Microsoft’s lack of effort in maintaining Xbox as a fierce console competitor can also be seen in the company’s approach to game exclusivity. Several games that were once exclusive to Xbox and PC, like Hi-Fi Rush, have since gone multi-platform, while current exclusives, including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, will be making their way to other consoles in the near future. The lack of exclusive titles and emphasis on Game Pass and Cloud Gaming continues to push players to reject the notion of Xbox being a console.

That’s not to say Microsoft has completely abandoned hardware development altogether. The past year has seen the confirmation of both a next-gen Xbox console and a dedicated Xbox handheld that’s currently in its prototype stage. Yet, it’s hard to see either of these products being successful when Microsoft continues to show players far easier ways to access the titles being published under Microsoft, adding to the possibility that the company will eventually move away from consoles altogether.

2025 Could be Xbox’s Final Hurrah

Next Year’s Releases Are Reminiscent Of Classic Xbox

All signs are currently pointing to the idea of an Xbox console becoming a thing of the past. While the success of both Game Pass and Cloud Gaming has resulted in a huge boost in accessibility, it’s understandable that many current Xbox players would be upset at the prospect of losing a major console competitor. Xbox’s identity was built on the idea of being a fierce competitor in the console market, with its powerful hardware and groundbreaking titles that couldn’t be found anywhere else.

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Cloud Gaming Defeats The Whole Point Of An Xbox Handheld

Microsoft finally seems ready to dip its toes into the handheld market, but Xbox Cloud Gaming might already provide a more comprehensive alternative.

With that in mind, 2025 may be the last chance for players to experience that classic version of Xbox. In the next year, players will be treated to some major titles that are currently slated to be exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC. This includes Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s first AAA project in years, alongside a reboot of one of Xbox’s most iconic series, Fable. While it’s not the same as it once was, since both titles will be added to Game Pass, 2025 may be the last opportunity for players to experience the Xbox they fell in love with years ago.

With so many changes taking place, it’s hard to say what Xbox will truly look like in the future. Regardless, it’s become clear that Xbox is no longer the same as it once was, prioritizing its role as a service over a console. At the very least, there’s an opportunity for players to give one final hurrah to the Xbox of old before the new era is ushered in.

Source: Xbox Wire, Eurogamer