Phil Spencer do not think that streaming will replace traditional consoles anytime soon, if ever.

[GameZone]

In a recent interview Phil Spencer was asked:

"Do you think the time is near where consoles will simply disappear at one point, and we will use screens only to run games from remote servers?"

Phil Spencer answered:

No. There are certain scenarios where a stream game is the best answer. On a console the best scenario for you is to download that game and play. If you are on a PC that`s capable of download and play that game, download and play that game. Not all devices are capable of playing the most demanding games that we see here on the show, so streaming is an option in those scenario, and there are some scenarios of like instant start and trials where maybe streaming on a device might be interesting, but I think for years and years the best way to play a game will be to download that game and play it. The same thing on PC. I think streaming is something that is further out in terms of it becoming a really mass marked where everybody`s doing it, and even way further out before it`s the best way to play that game, if it ever is.

It`s about giving you a choice as a player, not about replacing what you do today.

The entire interview can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5y0OvZgcIs

 

[Deleted member 40133]

This is what I've always thought. It is a supplement to, not a replacement to "traditional" console gaming

 

[GameZone]

This is what I've always thought. It is a supplement to, not a replacement to "traditional" console gaming

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So did I, but EA and Ubisoft seem to think otherwise.

 

[rokkerkory]

He speaks the truth (for now at least streaming won't be the main option)

 

[Betelgeuse]

I think streaming is something that is further out in terms of it becoming a really mass marked where everybody`s doing it

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This is an interesting quote, because I've seen xCloud - and whatever rumored streaming box that will release fairly soon - framed as Microsoft's renewed push for the mass market and potential mechanism for recapturing market share lost during the XB1 era. I've also seen it argued that this streaming box will be the cheaper sibling to Scarlet, which might be $500 given X's release price.

So I wonder how reflective this remark is of Microsoft's overall attitude on streaming and the degree to which they're internally positioning it as a mass market device. It may be that it's conceived as a slow burn, with the first streaming box and Azure backend merely laying the groundwork.

 

[VallenValiant]

So did I, but EA and Ubisoft seem to think otherwise.

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They want what benefits them. Doesn't mean they will get it.

 

[litebrite]

That's the biggest thing MS learned from their always online debacle. Do not restrict options and force customers to do something one way, instead provide plenty of options and let customers decide what's best for them.

 

[Samanosuke Akechi]

Nice words to hear Phil. I'll hold you to them.

 

[GameZone]

They want what benefits them. Doesn't mean they will get it.

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Such scenario would also benefit Microsoft, but they still act differently towards the idea.

 

[Betty]

At least he can admit it.

I'm glad too, I can accept a future where streaming on consoles is the main draw, but I still want a console to utilise.

 

[AndrewDean84]

Of course it won't. It's going to be another way people game is all. Like how streaming isn't the only way people watch movies or TV.

 

[Deleted member 40133]

So did I, but EA and Ubisoft seem to think otherwise.

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Of course they want to push it. More profits kept In house, doesn't mean it will work. MS, Google, Amazon could make it work eventually. I don't think publishers could

 

[VallenValiant]

That's the biggest thing MS learned from their always online debacle. Do not restrict options and force customers to do something one way, instead provide plenty of options and let customers decide what's best for them.

Click to shrink...

Pity the Windows team does not agree with you.

 

[BigTnaples]

Ever is a strong word.


Glad to see this stance now, but eventually we will be able to stream 16K VR with little to no compression, and at that point, I think physical discs will be all but gone.

 

[kennyamr]

If platform holders allow both systems to continue evolving, then we can have a future where every game we purchase online can be downloaded to the console and also be streamed to any laptop/mobile device on the go when we are not at home.*

*For an additional fee.

 

[OneBadMutha]

I'm excited about the possibilities of streaming. Never once thought about it replacing traditional consoles. Some games will transition well to a phone or tablet on the go. If you can take your entire Game Pass library with you to lunch or on the toilet, why not?

 

[Derrick01]

So did I, but EA and Ubisoft seem to think otherwise.

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They want a streaming future so they can use their own solutions and bypass the 30% cut they give to the 3 console makers, just like how they all use their own client on PC to cut out Steam. That's the only reason 3rd party pubs want a streaming future.

 

[Deleted member 25108]

good. At least Spencer realises at best this will just be an additional market.

Anyone who thinks streaming is replacing traditional consoles for anyone but the most casual of the casual is deluding themselves. Even amongst a casual audience, they will still buy dedicated hardware.

EA and ubisoft think the future of their montizited shared world titles are in streaming. But even they know they will never convince the hardcore to give up dedicated hardware.

They just want as many MAU as possible and the ability to cut Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft out the picture entirely. Thats why they pushed for always online this gen and why they will push for streaming the next.

 

[Kill3r7]

So did I, but EA and Ubisoft seem to think otherwise.

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EA and Ubisoft do not make consoles. As third party publishers their objective is to increase their potential consumer base as much as possible. Streaming is one way to accomplish this.

They want a streaming future so they can use their own solutions and bypass the 30% cut they give to the 3 console makers, just like how they all use their own client on PC to cut out Steam. That's the only reason 3rd party pubs want a streaming future.

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Agreed. They want to lower the barrier to entry and cutout the middleman.

 

[Blablurn]

Damage Control

 

[statham]

Ever is a strong word.


Glad to see this stance now, but eventually we will be able to stream 16K VR with little to no compression, and at that point, I think physical discs will be all but gone.

Click to shrink...

Well, no duh.

 

[goldenpp73]

But it's the future so i'm told

 

[litebrite]

Pity the Windows team does not agree with you.

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Well they are officially releasing Game Pass on PC soon, have been publishing MS first party games to Steam recently, and Phil mentioned hearing PC players and addressing the issues with the Windows Store at X018.

 

[sredgrin]

So did I, but EA and Ubisoft seem to think otherwise.

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Ubisoft's participation is via Google, who would be pushing it, not them.

 

[statham]

Streaming is the furture. Its just a few years early.

 

[GameZone]

Streaming is the furture. Its just a few years early.

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I stream games all the time. I even use my in-home PC as host computer when I`m on the go, but I would never it with downloading something.

 

[JINX]

Damage Control

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??This has always been Spencers stance.

 

[Edge]

Streaming is the furture. Its just a few years early.

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If you call not owning stuff personally anymore, loss of control over "your" games and being the bitch or a "marionette" of a service the future, then yes. Dark times.

 

[One Eyed Willy]

Streaming is the furture. Its just a few years early.

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This, and why is it the future?

Because the future of gaming will be driven by 8 year olds who today largely play streamed-like games and want on demand experiences. Anyone over the age of 20 is going to be bred out of the industry. Your opinion won't matter in the face of an emerging market who demands instant gratification and will be willing to take sacrifices along with it.

If you call not owning stuff personally anymore, loss of control over "your" games and being the bitch or a "marionette" of a service the future, then yes. Dark times.

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Hows your CD collection going?

 

[nekkid]

Damage Control

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For what?

 

[blitzblake]

"Please buy our new streaming box in 2020, it's not the best way to play, but it's definitely a way to play."

 

[JimmyJacking]

Damage Control

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??

 

[Cranster]

That's the biggest thing MS learned from their always online debacle. Do not restrict options and force customers to do something one way, instead provide plenty of options and let customers decide what's best for them.

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Yup, their original plan for the Xbox was never going to work. Atleast now their new leadership recognizes that.

 

[MaulerX]

It`s about giving you a choice as a player, not about replacing what you do today.

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Was there anybody who truly thought otherwise?

 

[GameZone]

This, and why is it the future?

Because the future of gaming will be driven by 8 year olds who today largely play streamed-like games and want on demand experiences. Anyone over the age of 20 is going to be bred out of the industry. Your opinion won't matter in the face of an emerging market who demands instant gratification and will be willing to take sacrifices along with it.



Hows your CD collection going?

Click to shrink...

In the future 8 year olds will probably be able to download and play high demanding games on their tablets within seconds to get the premium experience.

 

[Edge]

Hows your CD collection going?

Click to shrink...

It's fine, but what's even better is my over 350 Blu Ray big movie collection. Best quality, best sound, hours of extras for every movie, several movie cuts, several uncut movies that you wouldn't get anywhere else and nobody ever can take them away from me. No licensing issues, not being dependant of what a service gives me or what not. Every single film in his own little case, which I can physically take out of my shelf. It's amazing, what a good feeling.

Thanks for asking.

 

[Handsome James]

It's fine, but what's even better is my over 350 Blu Ray big movie collection. Best quality, best sound, hours of extras for every movie, several movie cuts, several uncut movies that you wouldn't get anywhere else and nobody ever can take them away from me. No licensing issues, not being dependant of what a service gives me or what not. Every single film in his own little case, which I can physically take out of my shelf. It's amazing, what a good feeling.

Thanks for asking.

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That's a lot of movies dude.

 

[daniel77733]

If discs ever get eliminated, im basically done with gaming because while people think otherwise, I believe a digital and/or streaming only setup would not only increase prices but I don't think that there would ever be any kind of sale or discount. Physical Discs IS what makes games go on sale digitally. Even now, you see years old games still cost $60 digitally when not on sale. Imagine what the price and cost would be if there's no competition.

Physical Discs IS the competition for digital and streaming. Without it, publishers will fuck over every gamer a billion times more than they already do simply because if you really want to play a game, you'll have no other option or choice but to pay the full price for the game even years after release. Some will say the other publishers will be the competition but I disagree. First, I think outside of the top 10 to maybe 20 publishers, majority would die out because majority of gamers aren't going to take a chance on the $60 Elex's and Immortal Unchained's of the world. It's just not going to happen. Second, I wouldn't doubt for a second that all the publishers would have an agreement amongst themselves to never lower the prices.

It would take them longer to make as much money as they do now but they would still make that money. Instead of a few months, it would take a year or two. Because think about it, say GTA 6 is $80 and is never ever going on sale. I would say that 90% of gamers who want to play GTA 6 will do so day one. The other 10% will eventually give in. I also believe that due to all of this, you'll see less games being released. Publishers will stick to what they know will sell for them and that's it. Any of them taking risks would be gone.

Of course, this is just my own personal belief and opinion based on one thing - Publishers now rarely if ever pass on their savings to the consumer so what makes anyone think that without physical discs creating competition for digital and streaming, that they would all of a sudden pass on their savings from there no longer being physical discs onto us - the consumers. It's just not going to happen.

 

[Golvellius]

For what?

Click to shrink...

He wishes that there was any damage that needs to be controlled.

 

[DrDeckard]

Great response. It seems like we are on the same page. Am I at home playing my games? Then I'm playing on dedicated hardware.

Am I out on the road with work and I have my laptop with me? Then I'm streaming.

 

[Aprikurt]

I mean lots of places in the world are JUST getting decent internet for browsing, YouTube etc. I don't know about where you guys live, but most people just don't have the infrastructure, or would be unwilling to pay top dollar for the best internet speeds to get it.

I hear other people talk about PS Now but I can barely get it running.

 

[Deleted member 21709]

Good.

 

[Easy Rider]

Ever is a strong word.


Glad to see this stance now, but eventually we will be able to stream 16K VR with little to no compression, and at that point, I think physical discs will be all but gone.

Click to shrink...

Not that strong if the problem to solve is overcoming the limitation that the speed of light poses.

 

[khamakazee]

Pity the Windows team does not agree with you.

Click to shrink...

What a weird way to twist this around. You also have the Xbox to stream to. Did you somehow forget Microsoft is also a business and would use exclusives to entice people like literally anyone else? Steam hardly makes any games on their own anymore and don't have hardware to sell to. Is DOTA on consoles? Does GOG make their own games or hardware ?

You're basically trying to change the whole meaning of what this topic is about, which is options to gamers and how streaming is not going to mean you cannot buy the games still and play like we already do. EA doesn't even sell hardware but they even restrict their titles to their store because guess what they have their own service on the PC. What a revelation they want you to use their services !

I mean lots of places in the world are JUST getting decent internet for browsing, YouTube etc. I don't know about where you guys live, but most people just don't have the infrastructure, or would be unwilling to pay top dollar for the best internet speeds to get it.

I hear other people talk about PS Now but I can barely get it running.

Click to shrink...

This is why streaming is not taking over. Not everyone wants to stream games either. However it's nice to see more options being presented.

 

[Datajoy]

Edit: DP

 

[Datajoy]

It's fine, but what's even better is my over 350 Blu Ray big movie collection. Best quality, best sound, hours of extras for every movie, several movie cuts, several uncut movies that you wouldn't get anywhere else and nobody ever can take them away from me. No licensing issues, not being dependant of what a service gives me or what not. Every single film in his own little case, which I can physically take out of my shelf. It's amazing, what a good feeling.

Thanks for asking.

Click to shrink...

 

[PSOreo]

Having it as an option rather than the only option is a much better way at looking at any new technology.

 

[Deleted member 2793]

If you call not owning stuff personally anymore, loss of control over "your" games and being the bitch or a "marionette" of a service the future, then yes. Dark times.

Click to shrink...

Couldn't say better. I like actually owning the stuff I pay for.

 

[radiotoxic]

Well, I hope you are right Phil.

 

[Justsomeguy]

This is an interesting quote, because I've seen xCloud - and whatever rumored streaming box that will release fairly soon - framed as Microsoft's renewed push for the mass market and potential mechanism for recapturing market share lost during the XB1 era. I've also seen it argued that this streaming box will be the cheaper sibling to Scarlet, which might be $500 given X's release price.

So I wonder how reflective this remark is of Microsoft's overall attitude on streaming and the degree to which they're internally positioning it as a mass market device. It may be that it's conceived as a slow burn, with the first streaming box and Azure backend merely laying the groundwork.

Click to shrink...

It's seen as opening up whole new markets, think China and India for example ... Has the potential for huge market expansion in the medium to long term. It's not so much about Japan and America Sony vs MS, as it is a whole new market and strategy.