14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is still forecasting a future for the new Xbox One that focuses on digital distribution and all the different things that were removed from the next-gen console in order to please gamers earlier this year, according to executive Phil Harrison.
The Xbox One was revealed back in May and its emphasis on digital distribution, always-online connection, and other such aspects meant big restrictions for gamers who were used to current-gen consoles.
While Microsoft tried to stay strong, it eventually caved in to the pressure and changed a lot of things while abandoning the digital future for its Xbox One.
That long term vision hasn't changed, however, as Microsoft's Phil Harrison told GamesIndustry that the company was still confident in the future of the next-gen console.
"Our long term vision hasn't changed at all. We haven't diluted our long term vision, which is all of the benefits of a connected ecosystem and what that means for all of the stakeholders - us, developer, publisher and crucially, the player. None of that has changed," he said.
Harrison believes that the Xbox One needed to fulfill the current expectations of consumers, especially when it comes to retail titles.
"What we recognized was when you put a disc slot in the front of a machine certain expectations come with that disc slot. We had to adapt some of our policies and it was best that we did those before we launched, which we've done. All of that can be handled in the vacuum of the pre-launch activity."
"And it allows the players to have a choice. They can consume the content through the medium they like the best and fits with their particular situation. I don't think there's a negative to that."
As such, at some point in time, Microsoft could start pushing for a more digital-focused strategy on the Xbox One.