Microsoft Risks It All In Huge Gamble, Sends Xbox Scorpio To Harshest Critic

In a huge gamble, Microsoft is betting big by sending its upgraded Xbox One Scorpio to its harshest critic in the hopes of earning some good will from gamers. This move could either kill the new console before it even launched or it could give it the juice it needs to finally surpass Sony’s PlayStation 4. Unfortunately, some are of the opinion that it’s far too late for Microsoft.

The critic in question is Digital Foundry, which recently sent out a Tweet announcing that it just got its hands on the Scorpio. The exclusive report will be released on Thursday, at 6 AM Pacific Time, according to the post.

In its past reports regarding the Xbox One, Digital Foundry was less than kind in its opinions, Ars Technica reports, which makes it a curious choice for Microsoft to give its newest product. It suggests either confidence on the part of the Xbox team in what they have created or it could be a sign of complete desperation. The PS4 Pro is already out, after all, and it wouldn’t do for the Scorpio to underperform.

Although Microsoft still holds a significant place in the OS, software, and even hardware market on a global scale, its position in the gaming scene is precarious. With the launch of the massively popular Nintendo Switch, the company now has another powerful competitor for its own console. If it doesn’t do something soon, the Xbox could become irrelevant.

Erik Kain over at Forbes is actually of the opinion that Microsoft has already lost the war. Citing the sheer superiority of PS4 console sales compared to the Xbox One, as well as the considerable difference in the number of exclusive video games and critically-acclaimed titles, Kain argues that this isn’t even a war anymore. It has become a slaughter, which is bad for the gaming industry.