Timing
On the other hand, with so little that we know about on the horizon, Microsoft’s timing with their new game lineup and hardware is going to be key. If the Scorpio does indeed launch at the end of 2017, the PS4 Pro will have already been out a whole year, giving players plenty of time to jump onboard 4K and HDR gaming with Sony. At PlayStation Experience in December, Sony head Shuhei Yoshida even indicated the demand for the system was higher than expected.
On top of this, the Xbox One S will also have been out for a year, featuring HDR gaming and 4K streaming capabilities. Because of this, Microsoft really needs to bill the Scorpio as something new and exciting, and not the same thing you can get with the PS4 Pro.
The timing is a bit worrisome for the new system, especially as we don’t really know specifics about the console. It may seem a little daunting to already have a powerhouse machine on the way, especially with a torrent of third-party titles hitting the current system. People may need to start saving up soon for the Scorpio, depending on how pricey it is, which means it’d be helpful to get a firmer release window and price soon.
Nintendo Switch is right around the corner, with a host of stellar looking first-party titles on the way. For some, the decision may come down to buying either the Switch or the Scorpio this year. Initial reports indicate that pre-orders are looking strong for the Switch, something Microsoft should definitely be wary of. Because of this, it’s incredibly important that Microsoft gives us more details on its system in the near future, giving players a reason to start saving and skip out on a different console purchase.
The timing of everything is only compounded by the sparse lineup of software we have for the Xbox right now. PS4 gets two big exclusives in February with Nioh and Horizon Zero Dawn. Luckily, Xbox has Halo Wars 2 to compete on that front, but we don’t know when to expect anything else.
Sony has NieR Automata, Persona 5, the Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane Trilogy, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Ni No Kuni II, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and more all confirmed for either a specific release date or window in 2017. Microsoft will want to have some big titles to talk about throughout the year, and keep driving their exclusivity perks to give consumers a reason to pick Xbox over the competition. Luckily, we have at least heard confirmation from Phil Spencer that work on both Phantom Dust and Crackdown 3 is moving along.
2017 has a lot of potential to be a great year for Microsoft, something they can capitalize on with impressive new hardware and a diverse lineup of games. Right now, we just don’t have enough information on what to expect from the company for the rest of the year. With Sony and Nintendo both making some big moves, it’s time for Microsoft to show their hand.
