Former Xbox executive Mike Ybarra criticized Microsoft’s current Xbox strategy, saying that only a “moron” would continue to pursue console hardware after going third party.
Mike Ybarra, former Corporate Vice President of Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass, took to Twitter/X to share his thoughts on future Xbox console hardware, especially in relation to Microsoft’s third party software strategy. Responding to a post criticizing the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld for being Windows-based and not having a dedicated operating system (OS), he said that this makes sense to him, as Microsoft is out of hardware and exclusive software, including a dedicated OS.
“It makes sense to me since they are out of [hardware] and exclusive games,” Ybarra said. “That includes the dedicated OS, which is essential for any console device. They are a publisher who will embrace Windows.” He argued that the company’s pivot away from proprietary hardware and platform-exclusive titles fundamentally changes its identity, adding that “most will just pirate all the games to the devices unless they use Steam.”
According to the former Corporate Vice President of Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass, Steam remains successful because “it’s a flawless experience with a great return policy,” while Windows “is far from a flawless experience and will never be one.” From a business perspective, he believes that Microsoft’s current trajectory “is a fine strategy – if they can make good games and embrace Steam (will sell on PS, Nintendo, and PC). Big if given [their] track record of games for the last 15 years.”
Ybarra didn’t hold back on the idea of Microsoft continuing to produce Xbox consoles. “Only a moron would continue to make console [hardware] when the games all go (or will go) 3rd party,” he stated. For Microsoft to truly pivot, he said, it would need to “go back to exclusive, make great [hardware] at a loss, and strive to win the living room.” But, he added, “that’s not their strategy (which is fine),” saying that Xbox “just keep[s] riding the middle, not being clear, doing more harm for no reason.”
The exec was also critical of Microsoft’s recent “This is Xbox” marketing campaign, calling it “the wrong idea, [at the] wrong time.” According to him, “Xbox is about games – games always rule the world,” and warned that without parity between console and other devices like the ROG Xbox Ally X, “it’s just not an Xbox.”
