The Dark Age Of Xbox (2010-2015)

Xbox's Reputation Spirals Downwards

Stagnating in both hardware and software releases, Microsoft's misguided focus would carry through into their next system. In 2013, things were still going very badly for Xbox and the reveal of the ill-titled Xbox One was no different. The same mistakes that had dogged Sony in the previous generation, namely focusing on anything other than games, now infected Microsoft. Trying to be an all-in-one entertainment device was bad enough, but gamers were furious at the company's efforts to control used games alongside the forced inclusion of an even more expensive Kinect sensor.

The Xbox One was set to require an internet connection to run, alongside an authentication system that would block used games until players paid a fee. Microsoft had left an open goal and Sony took it; at their E3 2013 conference immediately following, Jack Tretton and Andrew House utterly demolished any chance of the Xbox One's early success. By rejecting the restrictive digital rights management practices and pricing the PS4 at one hundred dollars cheaper, Sony guaranteed their own lead right out of the gate and sent Xbox reeling. It got even worse when the head of Xbox, Don Mattrick, doubled down on their measures, saying that those who don't have a constant internet connection should buy an Xbox 360 instead.

When the Xbox One did arrive in November 2013, Microsoft did attempt to generate some new ideas for its third console, but many of these ended up falling well short. While titles like Sunset Overdrive and Dead Rising 3 were mildly successful, others like Crimson Dragon and Recore failed both critically and commercially. This further discouraged Microsoft from new ideas as they appeared to shift towards what was most profitable. As a larger corporation with deep ties to the computer space, they certainly had the funds lying around to stay in the business.