You need log into your microsoft account and give us your goverment ID to start using your Windows Computer, powered by Copilot. Would you like to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass with Copilot? Would you like CoPilot to play games for you? Copilot is very helpful, it can take screenshots of your whole screen every few seconds to help remind you of what you were doing 3 months ago. Copilot is very helpful, it can work your browser, manage your files, write your letters, use your computer for you! All you need to do is say, Hey Copilot, because Copilot is always ready to listen to you! You want to install a software? Downloading software from sites can lead to malicious spyware! Use the Windows store instead! You need to log in to your microslop account and give us your goverment ID to browse the Windows Store. Windows is so useful, it can give you weather updates, remind you of that thing you were looking to buy, things you were looking for, straight from your Start menu and task bar! You want to install Steam? I'm sorry that's not available in the Windows Store, consider Subscribing to Xbox Game pass instead! You want to run something outside of our guardrails? Don't worry, if something goes wrong, you can use Recall to see whatever it is you were doing before you did something you regret!

Ok, I can't keep this up. I cannot fathom why the fuck anyone would tolerate Windows... No game, no software, no nothing, is worth keeping literal bloated spyware that wants to drain your wallet, safety, and privacy. -- I will continue to say this;

Just Switch to Linux. If you really need a guidance, just use Linux Mint or Zorin. Explore and try other things, don't be afraid of making the wrong choice, just pick a flavor, learn it, and own your stuff back.

Tiny caveat: If the "windows tax" is less than the cost of building the device by parts -- which it might be -- then buying a new XBox Series X 360 Box X Box 360 One and installing linux on it might be a cost savings for a consumer... assuming no signed OS fuckery.

Maybe the online features of Xbox like multiplayer and such are going to be a factor in people wanting to stay. Network effect ...

And then feeds it into the actual orphan crushing machine

I, for a long time, wanted Microsoft to delete the difference between PC and Console. They are the same hardware, they can run the same software. Valve achieved this with the Steam Deck. I just wonder how Microsoft is going to fuck it up.

I’m confused by the pessimistic reactions, though.

Microsoft has done an amazing job of destroying good-will. And it's why I and an increasing share of people stopped using Windows (I still have to suffer with it at work though). For any gaming PC that runs Windows:

• Why is there a pre-installed Xbox app in Windows? It doesn't help play Steam, or Epic, or GOG, or even Amazon games. I don't think it even helps with Windows Store games...

• Why are there ads in the start menu?

• Why are there two control panels? Why do I always have to hunt to find the old one because the new one doesn't do what is needed?

• Why are there popup ads in the notification area?

• Why do I need an online account, or a hidden fucking terminal, just to get the OS going?

• Why is Copilot fucking everywhere?

• Why does the OS hoover fuckloads of data and send it to Microsoft?

• Why is there pre-installed bloatware?

• No, but seriously, why are there ads?

These are all questions that are relevant when you ask about why people are pessimistic about Windows as a gaming system. But with the merge of Windows and Xbox, all of the above questions apply, but you also get to add:

• How locked down will this merged thing be?

• Will multiplayer require monthly payments?

• Will it have backwards compatibility?

• Will they find another place to shove copilot?

• How many extra ads will there be?

In emulation and retro gaming forums I frequent the reactions seem mostly positive. Lots of questions surrounding backwards compatibility of course.

Oh God I know this will go over many people's heads but I was listening to a podcast where they where talking about the renewal of CUSMA (or USMCA for you Americans) and a senator said "I'm half inclined to think Donald Trump is ready to make a decision" to which Rob Russo, a journalist, rightly pointed out that was not clarity it is infact the absence of clarity. He then said, and this is why I laugh and the yes/no comment is so true.

"If I told my wife 'Im half inclined to take the garbage out today' she would not say that is a clear answer as to if I was going to do it"

Political and Business language needs to fuck off.

Microsoft was already releasing games on PC. All this does is removes any dedicated hardware. Officially forcing windows down Xbox gamers throats. One less option in the space not really one more.

Windows is not the future for gaming. Windows shouldn’t be anyone’s future

Bold of you to assume the oligarchs will starve when they can always print money out of thin air while the rest of us pay for it in inflation.

Reminds me of all the posts that say "but can it run crysis?"

Some games are just really difficult to emulate without original hardware.

With the inability to obtain hardware for new PCs and other computing devices (for reference see how hard it is to get a hold of a steam deck these days). I'm not sure if the steam machine is ever going to come to fruition while the AI boom continues to fuck up the market.

All xbox series s and x consoles are made to die. Microsoft put the hardware key in a 1 gb partition on the SSD that is encrypted and in XFBS format nothing can read. All those consoles will be trash in less than 10 years. So until we get the full schematics and a microsoft ex employee to tell us how to get around the partition, they are all going to break and be unrepairable.

I like to see what's going on in the handheld emulator world!