LogInROG Ally portable console with Xbox branding is something that few people care about, Laura Fryer thinks.
Laura Fryer, one of the first employees at Microsoft Game Studios and a co-founder of the Xbox project, shared thoughts on Xbox hardware and its market position. Laura, who also produced games, including the original Gears of War, expressed the view that the hardware side of Xbox is dead, despite the company’s statements to the contrary.
Fryer criticized the 'Xbox Anywhere' slogan, calling it style without substance, and described the ROG Ally portable console with Xbox branding as something that few people care about.
Xbox Wire
"As one of the founding members of the Xbox team, I’m not pleased with where things are today. I don’t love watching all of the value that I helped create slowly get eroded away," Fryer said. “I’m sad because from my perspective, it looks like Xbox has no desire or literally can’t ship hardware anymore. This ROG Ally partnership is about a slow exit from the hardware business completely."
Laura thinks Microsoft is trying to herd everyone into Game Pass, acknowledging there is a lot of value in the service. She also believes that the reason for setting a price for games like The Outer Worlds 2 at $80 is to make their availability on Game Pass appear even more attractive.
The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian Entertainment
Even though Xbox still holds popular and promising IPs, Fryer is uncertain about the long-term viability of the platform’s current direction.
"I think Xbox hardware is dead. The plan appears to be to just drive everybody to Game Pass. And let’s be clear, it has a lot of value. I’m thinking that might be why they decided to charge $80 for Outer Worlds 2.. And here’s the thing, maybe it will work," noted Fryer.
You can watch the full video with more comments below:
Last week, we reported that Microsoft is allegedly preparing to reduce staff in its Xbox division next week. It is said to be a part of a larger corporate reorganization.
Please join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.