Why the Xbox One Needs A Nickname
Playstation 4 has PS4. It’s natural and it fit. Xbox One has yet to achieve an official nickname status. With this nickname discussion, I’m not suggesting the Xbox One struggles have much to do with the chosen name. But one thing is clear. Many nickname variations have been kicked around for over a year. Nothing has really stuck though. It appears gamers are wanting to make a nickname for the console. I’m here to help push this discussion along.
So for me, this raises a question to the gamers out there. What’s the best way to abbreviate Xbox One?
Why is a nickname important? When writing Xbox One stories, my preference is to have a consistent, “go to” nickname. Using Xbox One is okay, but it’s not likely to be on the minds of games as much as something like XBO or XB1. Afterall, the PlayStation 3 is not anywhere near as popular as using PS3. As a writer, these things matter to me. In general, a short nickname for a console is how things work.
On the flip side you might suggest that the Xbox brand doesn’t need to follow the PlayStation with a nickname. Xbox 360 has always been the Xbox 360. That said, you couldn’t actually shorten Xbox 360, unless to make it XB360 which doesn’t have much of a ring to it. However Xbox Live is abbreviate to simply XBL.
Initially, XBone was pretty darn popular. So much so that Microsoft ended up buying the domain off somebody who registered it before them. Microsoft apparently aren’t fond of nicknames because it somehow short changes or cheapens the console. They were disappointed that people might start calling the Xbox One the Xbone. Odd isn’t it?
XBO is actually the best nickname at this point. It beats out XB1 because in the official name, Xbox One, there is no “1”. In this instance, XBO is actually more accurate of the official full name. Let’s not underestimate the ease of typing the letter O vs typing the number 1. This is a relevant issue especially given the number of mobile devices being used. Having to switch to the number pad on your smartphone is an inconvenience that most of us would rather not bother with. Using the “O” solves that touch typing keyboard hassle.
Can XBO be future proofed?
Future proofing a nickname is something to consider, but we shouldn’t worry about that. It’s impossible to guess what Microsoft is going to do with their next generation console. With Sony, it’s very much set in terms of the numbering system and their nicknaming scheme. The Xbox? Not so much clear. Could the next Xbox be the Xbox Two? Perhaps. In that case, XBT would frazzle the minds of the scholars out there. When we get to Xbox Three, we know what happens. There is confusion. There in controversy. There is a real head scratcher in that. The Xbox Two (XBT) would be the same of the Xbox Three (XBT). But let’s forget about what “might” happen with the next Xbox, and just concentrate on nicknaming the current console.
Summary
In one collective voice, repeat after me…. XBO…. XBO…. you’re the one for me XBO!
