Xbox has Abandoned its Initial Vision

Games; games, games is all that seems to matter in the new direction that Xbox is taking moving further away from its initial media hub focus and alienating Day 1 supporters. While I get that it's supposed to be a gaming console where games are the focus, many gamers bought into having a console that offered more. Day 1 users have supported Xbox through a number of issues since launch and it's been sad to see many of those great side features be slowly stripped away. It's only gotten worse as their drive towards pure gaming is causing issues and making me feel that the original vision I pre-ordered, waited in line for with my friends and bought into is vanishing. I understand there needs to be a drive towards gaining users for the console through games, but I don't feel that they need to push away the original supporters of Xbox One. I like Kinect, I truly do love walking into the room and telling my Xbox to turn on. That's what feels like a modern device to me and I've defended the accessory since its Xbox 360 launch. Mentioning many times that they'll still support it yet here we are a couple years after this needing to be a must have part of the console to it not even being natively supported with a questionable future on Scorpio, it's terrifying.

Xbox has Abandoned its Initial Vision



It really all started back with the removal of the Xbox Entertainment division which I had thoroughly enjoyed with its initial content and promise of future unique video to the console. It was going to be exciting having digital movies and films dedicated around the brand. It was going to be great to discuss the content with friends as it was something everyone could easily access without regular Cable or Satellite restrictions or viewings and that's gone. We also still haven't heard a thing about the Halo TV series in years despite it apparently surviving the closure, doubt we'll ever see this be released. It slowly got worse with almost no releases for anything on Kinect and dashboard updates removing aspects of its integration bit by bit. First went the gestures to control aspects of the console and even now we're starting to see less voice features being used within the dashboard. This being in the preview and while they may add some back I'm definitely seeing areas where voice won't be support moving forward.

They've also decided to shutter their Xbox Fitness service which has been one of the best examples of Kinect while being the least marketed. The choice for what to do with Kinect has already been greatly limited and with further removal of what makes the device useful or support for it, it's no wonder it's dying out. Everyone I had talked to was also excited about the Xbox DVR feature that has been shelved recently as well (might still release) as that was supposed to be something finally releasing since it was discussed since launch. It would have been great even with limit to record content so I could keep playing with my friends instead of a small snap in the corner or ditching everyone I was playing with. I know why Xbox is pushing towards just games more and some programs are great such as the Xbox Play Anywhere (cross-buy/cross-play), I just feel that they need to tread carefully as not to upset the existing base of users that likes the system they've had for the last couple years.

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Xbox has Abandoned its Initial Vision

Gamerheadquarters Reviewer Jason Stettner