PivotForge

Gamer since the 80s, I enjoy all platforms and good, respectful discussions/chats

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

Hi. I used to go by “TheClubXbox”.

I once planned to build content around Xbox, but when I finally had the time, I realized that space just isn’t for me. Too much negativity, drama, and childish noise. That’s not how I live my life, so I’m not bringing it online either.

Life forced a reset recently. So I made one here too.

Same guy though. Still gaming when I can. Always will, for as long as I’m able.

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@Senninsage @pixelelatedG @digitalfoundry While the game looks good, it's not out yet. So to call this a system seller or not a system seller is guesswork from both sides. If it turns out to be a 90+ meta/opencritic it's possible, but anything in the lowers 80s it won't sell consoles, but appeal to fans of the genre

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@SuperSisi Quake. It paved the way for online shooters

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@xMBGx No. Considering the rising cost of hardware I'm more interested in playing as much as I can on one platform. And it's more convenient.

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

Oh it's costly. But they need to double down on it. Because right now if you ask a random person on the street to mention a games console, they'll most likely say Playstation or Nintendo. Because they have done a phenomenal job of making sure that everyone knows who they are and what they deliver. Now, if you were to ask another random person : "what's game pass", they most likely have no idea.

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

We're going to be playing on Xbox Series and Playstation 5 in 2030 at this point 😬😬

[Paul Tassi @PaulTassi]

I know things are bad but this is insane

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

3% profits 👀 For perspective, XBOX/Microsoft could put money in the bank and get 4-5% interest risk-free and without doing anything. So this is worse than I thought

[Derek Strickland @DeekeTweak]

Sharma confirmed the profit margin news which is very surprising.

This is a new era of transparency.

"We will end this fiscal year at about a 3% accountability margin."

That's not quarterly but annually. Xbox has made $16.8 bn revenue so far in this fiscal year (FY26).

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@dreadfulsean @LeeStrong77 @DeekeTweak 3% is terrible. They could put their money in the bank and get 4-5% risk-free and do absolutely nothing

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

They finally got a pipeline of studios able to push out good games. So they don't have that issue anymore. Now they need to figure out the messaging around exclusives etc and stick to one transparent strategy.

And to boost all of this you need people who's experts in the field of marketing. It's not enough to do interviews with gaming influencers etc. They need to be visible at every major sport events, ads on busses, bustops, taxis, you name it. Collabs with influencers outside of gaming who's got an enormously reach etc. They need to shove the XBOX logo down everyones throats.

If XBOX really want to compete then heavy marketing needs to be everywhere. Because that's what Playstation been doing for decades already

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@DFilms92 @Wario64 What marketing though? It's been near invisible. I see Playstation ads plastered everywhere. Finding Xbox ads out in the wild is almost like finding a unicorn. At least here in Europe. So what XBOX needs more than ever is marketing experts and a budget that supports it

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

You're not going to grow your brand by cutting in marketing. I'm curious to how they even get to that conclusion. Even the most powerful companies with the most recognizable brands keeps on pushing hard on marketing. Because you need to be in people's face, front and center!

[Wario64 @Wario64]

Bloomberg: Xbox Plans Significant Layoffs as It Transforms Under New CEO - first major cuts in July

'Xbox is also planning to significantly slash budgets for marketing and some other areas of the business'

https://t.co/fF8jHLHnUQ

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@kjngamer Just watched the video. He's not celebrating or saying he's happy about it. He says he gets why they're doing it, both doing some exclusives and some multiplatform. Which you left out on purpose I assume as it doesn't fit your agenda. This isn't a gotcha.

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@Jacob697941 @charlieINTEL They've done down-payment alternatives before

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@DeekeTweak You never say no to bacon. Ever.

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@djodjeee_ Probably my favorite singleplayer game last generation. It's a slow burn, but what a fantastic game

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@GiboAgain I think you're right, it's a pretty hardcore playerbase. I feel it peaked on Xbox 360. That said, I'm very curious to see if the new one recaorures the magic of Gears and makes old fans come back, and also is able to draw in new players

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@Swurv__ Personally I wish exclusives wasn't a thing, but to answer you..
There is one advantage at least to exclusives and that is that the game is developed specifically for that hardware and platform. So as for optimization, it's a positive. But I really don't see other advantages

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

Exactly. Not sure if these guys are familiar with how the corporate world works, but every business is always expect to grow. In example : It's common to say that if you expected to grow your business with 200 mill and only hit 100 mill, they look at it as 100 mill lost and not 100 mill up. So it's all about perception

[PivotForge @PivotForge]

@cannab1senjoyer @LeanandCuisine Closer to 3 mill actually and they say "if the desire is there" 😂
Well obviously the desire is there