During 2015 Microsoft spent a majority of their time trying to win back customers after the first reveal of the Xbox One. Over the course of 2015 Microsoft started to reinvigorate hope within their console by providing new exclusive games and promoting new console bundles for those who still don’t own an Xbox One.

Now let’s see if Microsoft was successful in redeeming themselves in the eyes of the gaming community.

The Kinect Becomes Optional

Many criticized the Kinect for being the primary reason that the Xbox One was priced at $500 at launch. After multiple attempts to push the device into homes Microsoft finally gave up and released an Xbox One without the Kinect for $100 less. Now Microsoft is doing their best to leave the device in the past, with Xbox One bundles all omitting the inclusion of the powerful camera.

Games with Gold Improves

Microsoft’s answer to PlayStation Plus has greatly improved from when it first launched. Instead of giving gamers decade old titles Microsoft has shifted their promotional giveaways to incredible recent titles like Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition and Child of Light.

Xbox One Elite Controller Succeeds

One huge surprise was Microsoft’s Xbox One Elite Controller. Teaming up with Scuf Gaming the company released a very expensive version of the Xbox One controller for $150, which has been in high demand such it released.

This is especially interesting because of the success of this premium accessory could mean Microsoft may invest in future ultra-high quality products this year.

Microsoft Leaves E3 2015 Strong

While the Kinect was absent at the convention Microsoft left a lasting impact. With games such as Gears of War 4, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Halo 5 Microsoft went on to show that games are now their primary focus. 

Microsoft Accepts Their Faults

During an interview Xbox head Phil Spencer stated that they “fundamentally lost” the trust of many of the company’s loyal customers. Despite this Spencer fully intends to focus on improving the Xbox One and keeping customers happy, and a lot of Xbox One customers are happy now. 

Free Backwards Compatibility

In one of the most shocking announcements this year Microsoft revealed that backwards compatibility would come to the Xbox One for free in November. As long as the player had a copy of the game, disc or digitally, and the game was supported by the console you could play it. Microsoft has continually added more games to the list of backwards compatibility supported games.

Developers and publishers have began using this feature for special promotions to support sales of future games. Fallout 4 included a copy of Fallout 4, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition allow access to all previous Gears of War games, and Rainbow Six: Vegas was included in copies of Rainbow Six Siege.

Lots of Bundles

Microsoft hit last season hard, releasing a plethora of bundles that tailored to almost every other gamer. Some included with to three games with purchase and others release releases of acclaimed titles such as Rise of the Tomb Raider. 

Halo 5 Stumbles

Halo 5 release in October with mostly favorable reviews, bringing over $400 million during its first week of sales. It was then reported that the game made over $1 million in microtransaction by December.

While many supported 343’s refinements to the gameplay many criticized the game for it’s poor story, lack of split-screen multiplayer and focus luck instead of skill to unlock new armor pieces. Many as heralded Halo 5 as one of the poorest core Halo games to release today.

Microsoft Stops Reporting Consoles Shipped

Last October Microsoft revealed that they would no longer report on how many consoles had shipped during each quarter and instead focus on Xbox Live usership instead. A strange choice but considering Phil Spencer’s statement about not focusing on competition with Sony or Nintendo this was perhaps a prudent choice.

2016 Looking Great

Xbox one has some great exclusives on the way with ReCore, Cupped, Quantum Break and Crackdown 3 on the horizon. While ReCore was delayed until late 2016 and Scalebound to 2017 Microsoft has a strong incentive to ensure customers purchase an Xbox One, releasing new bundles and focusing on what Xbox One owners want. 

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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