Don't call it a comeback: Xbox One's first year

[Administrator]

Xbox One launched one year ago today, after nine months of ignominy for Microsoft's gaming division. It had been, without exaggeration, a disaster, from the misjudged unveiling with its focus on "TV TV TV" to the mangled messaging of some suspect and frequently revised policies on privacy, indie development and game ownership. The gamers who had adopted Xbox in ever increasing numbers over the previous two generations felt condescended to. At launch, the box was overpriced and overweight, bundled with a Kinect peripheral many had no interest in. Microsoft had proven to be a surprisingly spirited underdog in the console market, but now hubris and arrogance had set in.
Could the Redmond giant turn it around? Today's anniversary provides a good excuse to take stock of the console's first twelve months - just as I did for PlayStation 4 last week.
It would be tempting to tell a contrasting tale, for symmetry's sake: Sony roared out of the gates with stellar sales and a raw technical advantage, but has struggled to capitalise on its success through a lack of must-have games; Microsoft has shown humility and hard work in righting its wrongs, rebuilding its reputation and setting about catching its rival. It would be half-true, too. But let's not kid ourselves.
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