A Microsoft employee in the 90s and 2000s, a founding member of the team that created the very first Xbox, Laura Fryer no longer finds herself in the current spirit of the brand, lending her name to machines that are no longer even developed internally.
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In the line of fire, the new ROG Xbox Ally, which is Xbox in name only. "There is literally no reason to buy this portable console," Fryer explains in a recent video on her YouTube channel. "Obviously, as one of the founding members of the Xbox team, I am not happy with the current situation. I don't like seeing all the value I helped create slowly eroding. I am sad because, from my perspective, it seems that Xbox no longer has the will - or literally cannot - release machines. So, I think this partnership marks a gradual exit from the hardware industry. Personally, I think Xbox consoles are dead."
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According to Fryer, Xbox is focused on the numbers on its Game Pass subscription service. "And maybe it will work," she adds. "Xbox has a very rich catalog. Oblivion Remastered was obviously a huge success, and they can continue to outsource that work to third-party companies and make a lot of money re-releasing their old games from an era when Xbox really knew how to make them. But what's the long-term plan? Where are the new hits? What will make people still care about Xbox in 25 years?"
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And to conclude with a touch of hope on this symbolic anniversary: "Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and I'm sure they'll have some big announcements and plans to celebrate this event. Maybe next year will be the one. Maybe next year the fog will clear and we will all see the beauty of these latest announcements. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...".