Goodbye XBOX

Since early 2025 I've been reducing my reliance on "Big Tech". Unsurprisingly Microsoft is one of those firms I've been working on moving away from. Like with Google it is very difficult to truly leave, but it is very possible to greatly reduce how much you use their services.

Because my work place continues its reliance on Microsoft services, it is down to my personal use that I have any real say. My main laptop does still use Windows 11 largely because of compatibility with writing software. Word being a big one, but also Mendeley. Yes, there are alternatives, and I am already using those, but I've got a couple of projects I'm currently working on where I can't afford to be troubleshooting within Linux. Plus, I don't want to rely on work laptop for these tasks.

On the whole I have done a good job at moving away from Microsoft. My other laptops are running Linux including my Surface Go (you know, the one made by Microsoft) and that runs very well on Zorin OS 18, so much so that it will be my travel tablet/laptop. Plus, my Outlook email address is pretty much pure legacy now.

Xbox, sorry XBOX, was this weird hold out for me. Over the past year or so I had naturally been using my Series X far less. Partly because of the Switch 2 and also gradually finding myself using my PS5 (now Pro) more. But, in addition to Microsoft's overarching problems, its treatment of those within its gaming division was getting worse. Studio closures and mass layoffs are not only terrible for those directly affected, it's also not a sign that things are going well. Perversely the stock market responds well to mass layoffs because it's a quick way of reducing expenditure, but it is disastrous long term due to removal of institutional knowledge.

The recent round of layoffs has particularly hit those that were taken on via the Zenimax (Bethesda) acquisition. Both core Bethesda studios and id Software were deeply impacted by this, including many staff who had been there decades. Meanwhile, you have Capcom and Nintendo praising their long-running staff who have been essential in training and assisting new talent, who combined create something that is both fresh and also competent; literally the best of both worlds.

Now, the only time I had turned on my Series X this year was to transfer my save files for The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 so that they could be used on other platforms. Otherwise, it was sat there gathering dust. I had kept it around just in case, but the recent layoffs really got to me. This is a company that despite all the claims from its new leadership really doesn't know what it's doing. Yes, it's doing something, but it has grown far too big and it will be a long time if something even remotely positive emerges. By then, any worthwhile XBOX game that hasn't made its way to another console will at least be on Steam.

This weekend I finally got round to creating an eBay and Vinted listing for my Series X. With the recent price increase for the Series X here in the UK it was a good time to put it on the market. For those who actually do want an XBOX, likely for GTA VI then they can get one for a bargain. Interestingly, when my TV was dropped off after being repaired, one of the people said they went with the Series X instead of PS5 purely because they preferred the look of the former. I admit, the Series X does look better than the PS5, but both consoles as pieces of technology have differing technical idiosyncrasies. Yet, hearing this visual preference first hand again again - I had heard this a couple of years ago from another "non-gamer" - gave me confidence that I would likely offload the XBOX fairly quickly.

Well, this was correct as after a couple of days - and one stupidly low vinted offer - I was able to sell it for a good price. It's now packed up and ready to be dropped off to the delivery company. I have already eyed up what will replace it. No, not a PC, I'm in no rush for that whilst we are in the midst of what is hopefully the worst of the rampocalypse. Gaming wise I'm good. Instead, I'm looking at 4k Blu-ray players to actually get the most out of my 4k Blu-rays. The PS5 is not a bad player, but it doesn't have Dolby Vision support, plus it's disc drive is not the quietest.

Reflecting on this, it is the first time I have ever sold a gaming system that has not been directly replaced. I've sold Nintendo handhelds in the past, but only because I had its direct successor already in hand. Yes, I have my PS5 Pro and Switch 2 to play games from this generation. But, my only other Xbox that is not in a box is an ageing Xbox One S. I'm keeping that because not only will I not get much for it, if I do have some backwards compatibility desires at least I have something where some of those Xbox 360 games will run on. Though, I have been gradually rebuilding my Xbox 360 library via PC versions across Steam and GOG.

It will be a bit weird not having systems from the big three anymore, but moving forwards this is what it needs to be.