Games Inbox: Has Xbox become irrelevant this generation?
To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Blame game
I think these latest job cuts will be the final straw for many people when it comes to Microsoft. They have been failing so badly for so long it's got to a point where I think they're already irrelevant for a lot of folks, but this has got to be the final straw. Or at least it should be, because the final straw should be Phil Spencer, and all his horrible friends, leaving Xbox and brand new management coming in (or Microsoft just shutting it down, which is actually looking increasingly likely in the long term).
I just do not understand why this man still has a job. When hundreds of other developers get dumped for the crime of simply existing why is Phil Spencer, who has overseen two failed generations of consoles, still in charge and appearing in videos to pretend everything is fine.
He has got to go, and Microsoft has got to accept the mistakes he made. I know he tried to be everyone's friend but that only made it worse in my opinion. Of all those gaming T-shirts he wore, hinting at a revival of an old retro title, how many actually got made? Zero, nilch, nada. Unless Hexen 3 secretly came out and I missed it. We're not even getting Perfect Dark now.
I'll give him the fact that Game Pass seemed a good idea in theory but now it's clear it didn't work out that should be it, he's had all its chances. But no, he's still there even after this latest round of redundancies. Xbox is dead and Phil Spencer killed it.
Tom Meadows
Numbers go up
Funnily enough, the one thing that came to mind with all this Xbox madness is that at one point they were convinced they were going to buy Nintendo, with that awful email from Phil Spencer about how he knew better than them what they should do and how they shouldn't make their own consoles.
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Can you imagine what would be happening now if they had bought them (I believe they were trying around 2020)? What would have been pocket change for Microsoft would've meant destroying the longest serving and most revered company in gaming, just to watch the numbers go up on a graph.
The Xbox leadership couldn't organise a you-know-what in a brewery and I'm both shocked and not shocked that Spencer is still there. Has he no shame? Considering he must be a multi-millionaire, at the very least, why not just take the hint and retire into the sunset. Do you really want to still be at Xbox when they finally pull the plug on the whole thing? Because I don't think that's going to be long now.
Trepsils
Summer racin'
Fun list of summer games. I'd also add Wave Race: Blue Storm, another game with a summer feeling thanks to beaches, sea and lakes.
I finally picked it up this year (despite owning a GameCube for decades) and it definitely holds up thanks to its unique controls (which are hard at first but amazing once they click), water effects, and graphics.
Barry
GC: Blue Storm isn't usually most people's favourite, but we were tempted to include Mario Kart World in our list, specifically for the Wave Race-esque areas.
Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
No competition
I agree with RInce, Rematch has no chance of replacing EA Sports FC, it's barely even competition for it and anyone who says otherwise really doesn't understand football and the fans of the beautiful game.
But I do believe that a football game without licences *could* compete. Imagine something like a Sunday League Football game. It would need realistic physics and would preferably be a continuation of the vastly superior gameplay of PES.
The players could be AI-generated 'normal' people, you could manually input yourself and as many of your mates as you wanted. It could be more difficult and true to life and keep the realism (it's just wrong if you are running around with Messi and making him play badly).
You would be creating your own universe of rivalries and heroes as you played, which you do to a certain extent in EA Sports FC, after playing a season or so anyway.
I've talked myself into this! It sounds awesome. Inbox magic make it happen.
Themadmonk82
Mushroom casserole
Personally, if Donkey Kong Bananza is the alpha team, then what I would like to see most from a new Mario would be the A-team, B-team, C-team, even the Luigi team, all making a standalone Mazza game, 10-15 hours long each, akin to Bowser's Fury.
So, four or five games in one package, all buzzing with crazy individual ideas, as even the lowest ranking Nintendo teams would be near top tier compared to most other stagnant developers. Make it so.
I love the Luigi's Mansion games, just not the middle one.
big boy bent
GC: The Luigi's Mansion games are made by Next Level Games, who are Canadian.
The awful truth
I know I shouldn't be surprised at what's going on at Xbox, especially as we had the leaks, but it's still awful to see. Who knows how many people will be let go once it's all over. I think the only reason Turn 10 wasn't shut down completely is that they're helping out with Fable. When that's finally done, I doubt they'll survive.
I don't know how long Rare has got left either, once Sea Of Thieves starts to fade in popularity. If they've had to cancel Everwild have they even got any new games in development or are they basically a support studio now, for their own game?
As for what's going on with Perfect Dark. As you said, that's just so obviously Microsoft's fault, in terms of bad management, it's just kind of pathetic. The amount of talent they had working for them, and they produced absolutely nothing and were apparently a disaster the whole time anyway.
And then there's some new MMO at ZeniMax that they've been making since 2018 but now it's been canned? What an earth was it? Was it really not close to being finished at this point or is Microsoft's bad management catching and Bethesda had forgotten how to make a game properly too.
Watson
GC: There were faint rumours the ZeniMax game might have been the Starfield equivalent of The Elder Scrolls Online, but there was no evidence of that.
Oops! I did It again
After seeing what Xbox has done yet again, letting people go, I'll never buy an Xbox game or console in my life. The big bosses keep their jobs and overpriced wages, yet someone that does all the work for 1% of Phil's pay packet gets kicked out the door.
What a joke of a company and I hope the next gen Xbox drops like a lead balloon because my cash will never go in his pocket.
David
The human factor
I'm not sure what to say about this latest Xbox disaster, except that I'm very sorry for anyone losing their job. Which seems to be a lot of people. Of course, none of them have done anything wrong. It's not their fault Xbox is in the state it's in. But of course, business being what it is, it's the people most responsible for a problem that are the least likely to be punished for it.
How Phil Spencer hasn't been kicked out by now I do not know. Maybe he's got dirt on someone at Microsoft because at the very minimum he should've gone once it was obvious the Xbox Series X/S wasn't working out, so several years ago. You could argue at the end of the Xbox One era, when it was obvious he hadn't turned that around.
Him and all his other cronies, there's not one of them that seems to have a clue as to how to do their job properly, although I suspect that the real problem is that the people above them, in Microsoft proper, have no interest in gaming and don't like that it's not the easy money all their other stuff is.
For me, I'll never touch an Xbox console again and cannot believe there's any point in releasing next gen, hardware because I don't know who else is going to want it, especially if it's going to be pushing AI rubbish. Personally, I'd prefer my games to be made by human beings. One day, it'd be nice to have them as execs too.
Gordo
Inbox also-rans100 % agree about EA Sports FC 25; absolute joke. It's all about store packs with EA, pay to win.
Gary
With all this talk of AI, I have a real bad feeling about the PlayStation 6. Especially as it's now got no competition from Xbox, pushing Sony to do better.
Blench More Trending
Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter.
MORE: Games Inbox: What will be the first Mario Kart World DLC?
MORE: Games Inbox: Why I sold my Xbox Series X to get a Switch 2
MORE: Games Inbox: Is EA Sports FC 26 going to be a flop?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
13 hours ago
- Metro
Everyone should play Rematch: the best new football game in years
A reader enjoys Rematch on Game Pass and insists that while it's not trying to compete with EA Sports FC it is the best arcade style game in a long time. If Rocket League ditched the cars, took International Superstar Soccer and mashed them together, the result would be Rematch! This new Xbox Game Pass title from Sloclap – the minds behind Sifu – is a wild, stylish, and surprisingly strategic take on football, that's less about realism and more about flair, chaos, and pure arcade joy. Forget everything you know about traditional football sims. Rematch throws out the rulebook, literally. No offsides, no fouls, no referees. Here, you control a single player in third person view, trying to out-dribble, out-pass, and out-style your opponents in six minute matches that feel like a cross between a street tournament and a martial arts showdown. If you love a good sliding tackle without the consequences of a red card, you will be right at home here. The controls are tight but demanding. Shooting feels like aiming in a third person shooter and passing requires finesse and timing. It's not pick-up and play easy, but once you get the hang of it, the satisfaction of threading a perfect through ball or pulling off a last-ditch sliding tackle is immense. Every player has the same stats, so it's all about skill, positioning, and teamwork. You will need patience, but if you have it, it will pay off in the end. Teamwork is where Rematch really shines – or stumbles, depending on your squad. Because you only control one player, communication is key. A well-timed 'Pass!' shout or a humble 'Sorry!' after a botched shot can make or break your team's chemistry. But when your teammate decides to go full Messi, and dribble through everyone (and fails), expect a flurry of sarcastic emotes and a few rage quits. I have rage quit more than once and probably caused others to do the same. If you think you can win at this game alone, think again. Still, when it clicks – when your team moves like a unit, covering space, calling for crosses, and pulling off slick one-twos – it's magic. You'll find yourself grinning like a kid playing five-a-side in the park, minus the scraped knees and need for TCP and plasters! Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Visually, Rematch is a treat. The anime-inspired graphics give it a vibrant, kinetic energy. Players move with exaggerated swagger, and the arenas are compact, colourful, and designed for wall-bouncing trick shots and last-second saves. It's like playing football inside a neon-lit skate park. It's similarities to Rocket League are evident throughout. The game's Season Zero is already live, with ranked play and seasonal content promising fresh modes and cosmetics. While there's no real-world team licensing the customisation options are still fun, and more are on the way so hopefully we will get more variety with updates as they arrive. Also, the learning curve might scare off casual players. The controls are intuitive once mastered, but the early hours can feel like trying to juggle a football while blindfolded. And while the lack of commentary adds to the street football vibe, a bit more audio flair wouldn't hurt – it can feel very quiet and a pumping soundtrack would be most welcome. Despite its quirks, Rematch is a bold, refreshing spin on the football genre. It's not trying to be EA Sports FC, but rather it is carving its own lane, and doing so with style, swagger, and a whole lot of slide tackles. Whether you're a football fanatic or just looking for a new multiplayer obsession, this one's worth lacing up for. Grab your mates, stretch those thumbs, and get ready to shout 'One more game!' until the sun comes up. Rematch is here and it's a beautiful mess – in the best way possible. More Trending Score: 8/10 By reader BaldB3lper The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: As an Xbox fan all I can say is that Microsoft betrayed us - Reader's Feature MORE: Gaming peaked with the PS4 and I want the PS6 to recognise that – Reader's Feature MORE: After 24 years of wasted potential the Xbox dream is finally dead - Reader's Feature
Metro
18 hours ago
- Metro
As an Xbox fan all I can say is that Microsoft betrayed us - Reader's Feature
A reader is angry with the recent layoffs and changes at Xbox and accuses Microsoft execs of betraying both their fans and their employees. I don't know where to start with this week's Xbox news, but I can tell you this, if Phil Spencer or any of the other execs dare to appear in another showcase or livestream, I don't think I'll be able to hold in my anger. Then again, I'm not sure I'd watch anyway. I'm done with Xbox now and while I'm too deep in the 'ecosystem' to get out quickly, I'm going to try and make sure I give them as little of my money as possible. I remember, back in the day, that I had vague dreams of being a game developer but the way things are now I don't know if there's a less stable or less respected job in the world. Although developers are made to feel like pampered kings at other companies, compared to how Microsoft treats them, where they're literal human sacrifices to make their financials look better for investors. Even though Microsoft is the richest company in the world! Even if your empathy levels aren't where they should be, it's a terrible thing because now they have less people to make their games, while they try and use AI to plug the gaps. Studios have been shut down, games have been cancelled, and you know that's only the start of it. We're going to see Microsoft making less and less games until all that's left is Call Of Duty. All of this is on top of the blatant lies told to us about Microsoft's multiformat plans. They'll say that their plans changed but they knew, when they said it was only four games, and that some games were never going multiformat. Gears Of War is already announced, Halo is inevitable, and they only haven't done Starfield yet because they've realised no one will care. I'm not upset about this because of console wars jealousy but because I realise, as many fans do, that without exclusives you cannot have a console. Microsoft tried to convince itself that wasn't true, and that Game Pass alone could be their exclusive, but now they won't admit to themselves that it hasn't worked and that by making everything multiformat they've lost everything that makes them special. Sure, they might be the biggest publisher in the West, because they own Call Of Duty, but who ever cared or had any loyalty to Activision? Which is who they've taken the place of. But Xbox isn't just a third party publisher now, they're a company that used to be much more than that and nobody's going to forget what they should've been or how far they've fallen. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. The worst thing is I can only see things getting wore from here. Especially with Spencer staying in charge. Xbox is only going to get more bitter and petty over time, trying to undermine Sony and Nintendo, especially when it comes to AI and streaming – technologies which Microsoft has full control of. You can laugh if you want, but I feel betrayed. I imagine their developers definitely do. Xbox don't care about its customers. It doesn't even care about gaming. It just cares about the bottom line. I no longer see Xbox as the upstart company, doing the things Sony wouldn't or couldn't. I see them as the giant bully, trying to muscle out other firms that have done so much for gaming, but which Xbox couldn't beat even with all the money in the world. Particularly in the Xbox 360 era, I was an unashamed Xbot fan and felt like Microsoft were pushing the envelope in the face of the stuffy, old-fashioned PlayStation. Now though I see that it was nothing but a mask, that they have now ripped off entirely. More Trending Nobody important at Xbox cares about games or their fans, only money. And now I think they are going to have considerably less of both. By reader Gambit The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: Gaming peaked with the PS4 and I want the PS6 to recognise that – Reader's Feature MORE: After 24 years of wasted potential the Xbox dream is finally dead - Reader's Feature MORE: Rainbow Road in Mario Kart World is the best track ever – Reader's Feature
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
Tech review: Gaming specialist unleashes OXS Storm wireless headphones
The gaming headphones industry is a fairly cluttered one, and also a very competitive one. Littered with big names and big players like Turtle Beach and Logitech - it's an established market and it's big business as gaming continues to accelerate. Online gaming particularly continues to be a huge leisure activity, and any gamer worth their salt knows the importance of a good pair of headphones. With that in mind, I tried out the Storm A2 headphones, the latest product from gaming audio experts, OXS. I have an OXS soundbar so I am well aware of their dedication to targeting gamers with high-end products. The headphones look premium and have a decent build quality with metal around the cups and the headband. The ear cups themselves have memory foam lining, and the headband also has this on the underside, for comfort. The quality is decent and for what is essentially a middle of the road kind of price for a decent pair of gaming headphones, there certainly can't be too many complaints in terms of the build. As with many headphones these days this pair fold away for storage and for travelling and can be reasonably compact in a carry case if needed. They are pretty comfortable to wear, although I did test these out on the hottest couple of days of the year and it was a bit clammy because the ear pads to stick a bit. I expect on a cooler day i'd be a lot happier! From a sound perspective, I thought these were up to the task in hand, switching modes gives you an extra bass boost and the Active Noise Cancellation, I have to say I found to be pretty effective. The bass boost adds a bit of oomph to the sound and I'd suggest that using it is the best option, unless treble really is your thing. I felt that with the bass kicked in, the headphones really enveloped your senses and got me hooked into what I was playing. There's a lot of great bullet points to deliver, like a 70 hour battery life, super low latency to avoid lagging, and all the wireless connection options you could need. It connects to all devices and consoles, other than Xbox. You can even connect to a mobile phone, should you so wish. The rich, deep sounds of the headphones through the surround sound are perfect for gamers, allowing you to hear every noise and direction the game throws at you. I had no issues with the mic, other than that it's very much pointed straight down like an arrow, so you need to train it to stay in place, which works after a while. I liked the sound, and for what I need I was really impressed. It isn't the best sound I have heard, I have better general headphones. But for the price, I think they offer a decent degree of quality and satisfaction.. OXS Storm A2 Wireless Gaming Headset is available for £129.99 from Amazon. Customer reviews Amazon user: Ear cups are comfortable but after about an hour long online meeting, my left lobe felt sore. The cups are not big enough for my whole ear so they pretty much sit on top of my ears, which, for me, can be uncomfortable after a couple of hours. Amazon user: It's about turning on surround mode. Just because it's turned on doesn't mean the sound field expands impressively, but it is said that when you turn it on, the sound comes forward, and anyway, it's such a good sound that I recommend turning it on all the time. The treble isn't bad either, but the volume is to such an extent that the midrange is particularly beautiful and not too loud.
