Will there be a Microsoft-less world?

All this doom and gloom talk registered with a story posted on Forbes.  Per an analyst, MS has some serious issues.  These issues begin with the decline of the PC.  Analysts suggests that (overall) PC's are every shrinking, and they don't see a turnaround anywhere in the future.  Add to the situation poor mobile sales - Windows phone sales have been a disaster, and the Surface seems to be following the same path.  What about games? 

Per an analyst, he believes that MS is also struggling on the games front.  He believes that MS is spending so much just to keep gaming division going, that they are not making profit, and are actually losing money on this front.  Apparently, MS spends much more keeping on-line up, than they actually make.   http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/11/26/is-microsoft-on-the-verge-of-a-sudden-collapse-predicted-by-catastrophe-theory/ 


http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/121610-Forbes-Analyst-Calls-Game-Over-For-Microsoft



Now, I personally don't believe this analyst is on the money here.  I don't think MS on-line division is sucking so much cash.  But it's an interesting point.  Gaming isn't the main profit area for MS.  What happens if their other divisions fall behind? 


Microsoft's bread and butter is Windows.  But all indicators seem to point that this is failing  them.  For several months, people have been wondering how long can MS sustain itself with struggling windows http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/11/26/is-microsoft-on-the-verge-of-a-sudden-collapse-predicted-by-catastrophe-theory/ 


I cannot find the article now, but I remember reading last summer how MS was moving more into hardware to force feed people windows.  Then came surface.  And now rumors on a xbox with windows.  If windows adoption rates start faltering, is Microsoft doomed?  No flame wars.  This isn't just about consoles.  But can MS survive if pc's are pushed further and further to the side? I personally use pc's.  When given the chance, I prefer windows to other alternatives (namely apple).  Will we see a day without the pc?  A day without MS?   

MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE

Too early to tell. I think it depends on what happens with Windows 9, 10, etc. Either way, let's assume they fall - I think it's a lot safer to say it would be a "long, slow decline" and not a sudden Everyone-Now-Uses-Linux/Mac/Tablet bang as the last article you linked debates

Yeah too early, they can easily come up with something new as well;/

Satanas


Too early to tell. I think it depends on what happens with Windows 9, 10, etc. Either way, let's assume they fall - I think it's a lot safer to say it would be a "long, slow decline" and not a sudden Everyone-Now-Uses-Linux/Mac/Tablet bang as the last article you linked debates

Well, I'm not really suggesting it'll be quick end.  I'm just curious as to where they'll end up if technology keeps going in the direction it's been heading.  5-6 years ago, pc's were completely dominant.  Smartphones started to pop up and you saw the huge swing that went from pc's to smartphones.  Now with tablets, and tablet hybrids, there is even more of a % being pulled away from pc's.  I never thought it would happen so fast, but i see more and more people using these devices in the way pc's used to be used.  


MS main feature is windows.  They don't make much on other products.  Zune failed them, windows phones seem to be following the same path, and the surface hasn't started any better.  I think MS is in a much more vulnerable position than many people think, or at least thought early on.  

MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE

 i think ubisoft should buy saint's row and darksiders  

Solid_Snake

Per an analyst, he believes that MS is also struggling on the games front.  He believes that MS is spending so much just to keep gaming division going, that they are not making profit, and are actually losing money on this front.  Apparently, MS spends much more keeping on-line up, than they actually make.   http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/11/26/is-microsoft-on-the-verge-of-a-sudden-collapse-predicted-by-catastrophe-theory/  

 
By this logic Sony would've gotten out of business years ago.

N4G Adventure Part 1 - screw it

Kon

Solid_Snake

Per an analyst, he believes that MS is also struggling on the games front.  He believes that MS is spending so much just to keep gaming division going, that they are not making profit, and are actually losing money on this front.  Apparently, MS spends much more keeping on-line up, than they actually make.   http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/11/26/is-microsoft-on-the-verge-of-a-sudden-collapse-predicted-by-catastrophe-theory/  

 
By this logic Sony would've gotten out of business years ago.

Well, it's  interesting that you point that out.  Most people don't equate it as the same situation.  As a whole, SONY lost money.  But, if worst comes to worst, and SONY had to get rid of certain divisions, they would still be able to operate others.  If sony music failed, they'd still have all their electronic divisions (they are separate), sony pictures, etc.  Or if they decided to completely close tv division (which lost them the most money), they can still run phones, gaming, sony pictures, etc.  The authors of the article are pointing out that MS makes their money (most of it at least) from one part - windows.  What happens if windows continues to fail?  


I don't agree with the one guy who says that their gaming division is essentially not making any money and is actually taking money and resources from other divisions.  So let's assume they are actually making some money, and then we'll accept that some of that money is spent on covering gaming costs.  Can they afford windows to collapse?  Before scrapping other projects to save it?

MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE

Not any time in the near future. But if they keep making bombs like Windows 8 the end will be coming.

All MS needs to do is make Windows 9 and they'll be perfectly fine if they're in any danger. Well at least if they don't make it that terrible Metro UI which most people dislike.

Linux will never take over for Windows. Apple OS is too expensive and closed off, plus a myriad of other negatives towards it. Windows has its issues but it rules gaming, and not only that but it's the second most open and most used OS. As I said, if they were to make Windows 9 a direct upgrade for 7, they're fine.

http://www.hollywoodrepor...softs-quarterly-283385
(This was a year ago)

Thanks to the innumerable number of internet analysts, it's easy to find articles supporting any position you want.

TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

wishingW3L


TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

Yeah it should just be PC and Nintendo
the two doesn't effect the others quality

Tatsumaki

wishingW3L


TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

Yeah it should just be PC and Nintendo
the two doesn't effect the others quality

gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

Take this guy away from here.

N4G Adventure Part 1 - screw it

wishingW3L

Tatsumaki

wishingW3L


TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

Yeah it should just be PC and Nintendo
the two doesn't effect the others quality

gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

Hard to believe gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony if buying said games of theirs is the last thing anyone seems to be doing.

wishingW3L



gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

Gaming wouldn't be gaming without Nintendo.


Without them, you wouldn't be playing anything after the crash of 1983.

wishingW3L

Tatsumaki

wishingW3L


TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

Yeah it should just be PC and Nintendo
the two doesn't effect the others quality

gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

This is no less than ironic. But I guess when you can't come up with any real argument you just repeat what the internet has told you over and over. If that's the case than PS3 GOT NO GAEMZ

Satanas

wishingW3L



gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

Gaming wouldn't be gaming without Nintendo.


Without them, you wouldn't be playing anything after the crash of 1983.

Including  PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, then again not like anyone even bought it anyway. 

Eiffel

wishingW3L

Tatsumaki

wishingW3L


TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

Yeah it should just be PC and Nintendo
the two doesn't effect the others quality

gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

Hard to believe gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony if buying said games of theirs is the last thing anyone seems to be doing.

Sony completely changed the perception from gaming being a kiddie thing to something everyone can do. That's pretty important.

thebudgetgamer

Eiffel

wishingW3L

Tatsumaki

wishingW3L


TL;DR  but it'd be good if M$ dropped out the console race, they are not needed here. 

Yeah it should just be PC and Nintendo
the two doesn't effect the others quality

gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony. If it weren't for them  I still would be playing Nintendo's rehashes on over-priced but under-powered hardware.

Hard to believe gaming wouldn't be gaming without Sony if buying said games of theirs is the last thing anyone seems to be doing.

Sony completely changed the perception from gaming being a kiddie thing to something everyone can do. That's pretty important.

Funny because Nintendo games were pretty hardcore back in the day. And you know this is completely false, everyone still views it as a kiddie thing.