Silent Hill: Townfall Skips Xbox At Launch, Other Games Too
▼ Summary
– The author disagrees that only older games will be stream-only, arguing the next generation will likely be all-stream or all-native for games.
– They predict the Xbox may lack a disc drive next generation, while the PS6 might offer one as an optional add-on.
– The author believes the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S will be fully supported with new games for the entire current console generation.
– They express uncertainty about converting Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to the cheaper PC Game Pass if a user switches platforms.
– The author plans to buy the next Xbox (“PCBox”) but likely forgo a long-term Game Pass subscription, opting for short-term subscriptions only when specific games are available.
The future of console gaming is sparking intense debate, with many players questioning the long-term value of subscription services and the physical media they grew up with. Speculation is high that the next generation of Xbox hardware may launch without a disc drive entirely, a move that would fundamentally shift how players build their libraries. In contrast, industry watchers predict Sony might offer an optical drive as a separate add-on for the PlayStation 6, though it remains unclear if current PS5 drives would be forward-compatible or require another purchase.
Looking at the current hardware cycle, both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are seen as powerful platforms with plenty of life left. Developers are expected to support these consoles throughout the entire upcoming generation, with new titles releasing simultaneously on PS6, the rumored next Xbox (often called “PCBox”), and the existing machines. The dramatic leaps in visual fidelity between console generations appear to be slowing, making extended support a more practical and likely scenario.
For many, the calculus around services like Xbox Game Pass is becoming more complicated. With subscriptions running years into the future, some gamers are hesitant to commit long-term without knowing Microsoft’s precise roadmap. A subscription ending in mid-2027, for example, allows a user to assess the landscape after the next console announcements before reinvesting. A significant point of confusion involves the potential shift from console to PC gaming. If a player transitions to a PC-focused ecosystem, a stacked subscription to the premium Game Pass Ultimate tier could represent wasted funds compared to the lower cost of PC Game Pass. Currently, there seems to be no clear mechanism for converting or downgrading a subscription, leaving early adopters in a potential bind.
This uncertainty is leading some to reconsider their approach to gaming subscriptions altogether. The strategy of subscribing for a single month to access a few specific titles, then canceling, is gaining appeal over maintaining a continuous, expensive subscription. The perceived value of these all-you-can-play services is not universal; for players who buy and finish games at their own pace, a permanent subscription can feel like a poor investment. The evolving hardware and service landscape means that for a segment of the audience, the era of long-term commitment to platform-specific subscriptions may be coming to a close.
(Source: Pure Box)
