Microsoft Is Repeating the Same Mistakes With Xbox Series X That Doomed the Xbox One

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It’s often frustrating to be an Xbox fan, especially considering Microsoft’s history of great games like *Halo: Combat Evolved*, *Gears of War*, and *Fable*. You’d think that success would make it easy to keep players loyal. While the Xbox used to be a strong competitor to Sony and Nintendo, known for taking risks, Microsoft now seems to be making the same errors that hurt the Xbox One. These mistakes could ultimately lead to the Xbox Series X being the last Xbox ever, effectively ending Microsoft’s presence in the console gaming market.

Microsoft stumbled with the Xbox One. Its initial announcement was confusing, it heavily focused on TV features, and a strict always-online requirement upset many players. This almost caused even loyal Xbox fans to abandon the console. While Microsoft fixed these issues, it seems to be repeating the same mistakes with the Xbox Series X.

From Pro-Consumer Pioneer to Policy Regression

Xbox used to be known as a company that really prioritized gamers. When Game Pass launched, it was a game-changer, offering an innovative and affordable way to play. Features like Play Anywhere and backwards compatibility also earned Microsoft a lot of positive feedback, making it seem like they were truly focusing on what players wanted.

Initially, Microsoft built a lot of positive feeling with Game Pass, but that’s been changing. Prices for the service have increased sharply lately, and Xbox consoles now cost more too, suggesting Microsoft is focusing more on making money. At the same time, frequent reorganizations, job cuts, and studio shutdowns paint a picture of a company cutting back expenses instead of supporting the innovation it used to champion.

Honestly, this whole situation with Xbox feels like a repeat of the Xbox One launch – like Microsoft thinks we’ll just go with whatever they throw at us. But people are getting frustrated. They’re starting to feel like Xbox isn’t putting players first, especially with games being cancelled or disappearing. I’m seeing a lot of my friends and other gamers switch over to Nintendo and PlayStation because of it.

A Platform Without True Identity — or True Exclusives

Honestly, I think Microsoft’s biggest problem with the Xbox Series X is they haven’t really shown me *why* I need one. It’s a seriously powerful machine, no doubt, but power isn’t everything. What games are going to make me ditch my other consoles and *only* play on Xbox? When I think about the Switch or PlayStation 5, a ton of amazing exclusives come to mind. But with Xbox? I’m honestly struggling to name any must-have, first-party titles. They just aren’t giving me a reason to jump in.

The Xbox One faced challenges early on because it lacked unique, must-have games to rival those on PlayStation. While titles like *Halo 5* and *Crackdown 3* didn’t capture players’ attention, *Forza Horizon* and *Gears of War* had to carry the Xbox brand. With the release of the Xbox Series X, many hoped for improvement. However, despite Microsoft acquiring several game studios, including Bethesda and Obsidian, the most notable releases, *Starfield* and *Avowed*, were generally considered disappointing.

Look, as a gamer, I gotta say Microsoft’s exclusives just don’t hit the same way Sony’s do. Sony consistently drops games that *make* you want a PlayStation – like *God of War*, *Horizon Zero Dawn*, *The Last of Us*, and *Ghost of Tsushima*. Microsoft will have a good game now and then, but it feels…inconsistent. Honestly, it feels like they’ve lost their touch, and all these business choices just prove it.

The Cost of Losing Focus and Trust

It’s ironic because Microsoft has faced this situation before with the Xbox One, which initially failed and took a long time to recover. They rebuilt trust by being open with players, prioritizing their needs, and consistently delivering on promises. Unfortunately, it seems they’re now making the same errors again.

Many people are getting tired of having so many subscriptions, and it’s getting worse with prices constantly going up. It’s frustrating because the quality of what you’re paying for isn’t improving. On top of that, popular game developers like Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks are closing, meaning we won’t get new games from them. These closures affect both the people who work there and Xbox gamers. We’re even starting to see stores carry fewer Xbox consoles.

Microsoft’s communication is once again missing the mark, similar to the issues with the Xbox One. For Xbox to succeed, its public image needs a serious overhaul. Xbox needs to focus on what gamers actually want, instead of prioritizing profits. Microsoft previously failed due to overconfidence, and they seem to be repeating that mistake. While the Xbox Series X isn’t necessarily failing, Microsoft needs to act quickly and make changes, particularly if they plan to release another Xbox console in the future.

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2025-10-17 18:03