Microsoft Heavily Promoting Windows 11 Gaming In India While Leaving Xbox Out

Microsoft is by far the strongest company involved in the gaming world. Even though its pedigree is the lowest of the big 3, Microsoft has the biggest financial muscle due to investment in the tech field. We have seen the tech behemoth flex this muscle through the $69 billion Microsoft-Activision deal this year. 

One other advantage Microsoft has is its ownership of Windows, which is a necessity for any PC gamer on Earth. Hence, the company has a hold of the PC market in addition to its Xbox console brand with global popularity. And, the company has been promoting the Windows 11 gaming setup over Xbox at the Indian Comic Con.

Major Takeaways 

• Microsoft has been promoting Windows 11 gaming over Xbox at Indian Comic-con.
• Although there has been Xbox display’s in Indian cities, they have either been bland or overshadowed by Windows PC.
• No one knows whether this change in approach is specific to India or a sign for the future.

Indian version of the 2022 Comic Con is currently underway and major players in the tech industry are there. Gaming is a big part of tech and Microsoft had a whole area dedicated to it but with only Windows 11 branding. No Xbox Series X banners were visible to anyone and the PC client had the headline spot at the Delhi Comic Con.

Shayon on Twitter reported this first up as he went to the Delhi Comic Con held from 9th to 11th December. He also showed surprise at the fact that Microsoft had a gaming showcase without its flagship product. Windows 11 branding covered the entire section with taglines going “Play it your way” and “The perfect setup exists on Windows 11.”

Microsoft had an area dedicated to gaming in Comic-Con but there was zero Xbox branding… pic.twitter.com/qidWFR5IQK

— Shayon (@oshayon) December 11, 2022

Such a promotion without Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S on display is extremely weird to see. Xbox is Microsoft’s main advancement in the gaming world so not seeing it at expos is troubling. Maybe the tech giant is focusing on promoting PC gaming in India, but who knows? 

One user replied by saying that they did see an Xbox booth at IGDC Hyderabad. But, as you can see in the Tweet below, this booth was nothing to write home about. Such a bland and uninteresting booth can only mean that Microsoft has a different gaming strategy in India.

This was their IGDC booth btw
I wish I was joking pic.twitter.com/LoLA6bxK6M

— Ayush Singh Chauhan (@AyushSinghC) December 11, 2022

However, one user did present some evidence of a huge Xbox display. At Comic-Con Bengaluru, Microsoft had a huge display up for Xbox with banners showcasing its best game and Xbox Game Pass. That is the showing you would expect from one of the biggest tech products in the world.

This was comic con bangalore. pic.twitter.com/jR8WRGAc9a

— Piyush_pandey (@piyush693) December 11, 2022

But, according to the website Neowin, Windows 11 was present here too, and kind of outshined Xbox. The banners for the PC client read “Gaming never looked so good” and “Nothing rivals gaming on Windows 11.” Considering Microsoft literally owns one of the rivals, it shows where the focus of the company lies.

PCs do have a high demand in gaming now and there is no doubt Windows 11 gives the best experience. So, this focus on PC gaming might be an India-specific thing from Microsoft after noting some trends. We haven’t seen this anywhere else, but it might signal a future where Microsoft recommends gaming on PC and not on Xbox.