According to PCWorld, Microsoft and Crocs have teamed up again for another intentionally ridiculous footwear collaboration, this time with Xbox-themed clogs. The “Xbox Classic Clog” features toes covered in Xbox controller buttons and even joysticks, though they don’t actually play games. Priced at $80, these shoes are available in US sizes from 6 to 12 for women and 4 to 13 for men. Unlike the previous Windows XP Crocs that caused an online sensation, these Xbox editions don’t appear to be limited edition. At the time of writing, most sizes remain in stock on the Crocs website, suggesting either better production planning or less immediate hype than the XP version.
Microsoft’s Brand Strategy
Here’s the thing about Microsoft’s recent moves – they’re clearly leaning hard into brand extensions that don’t involve actually selling Xbox consoles. The “This Is An Xbox” campaign positions Game Pass as the real product, available on everything from phones to cars. Then there’s the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld, which isn’t an Xbox but gets Xbox features. And now we have shoes that literally say “This Croc Is (Not) An Xbox” right on them. It’s almost like Microsoft is acknowledging that the physical console might not be their future cash cow. But is turning your premium gaming brand into a fashion accessory really the right move when you’re already struggling against PlayStation and Nintendo?
The Bigger Picture
Meanwhile, the actual gaming hardware landscape is getting more interesting. Valve is reviving the Steam Machine concept, building on Steam Deck’s success to create console-style mini PCs. And PC gaming continues to eat into traditional console territory. Microsoft’s response? Crocs. Look, I get that brand collaborations can be profitable and generate buzz, but it feels like they’re playing in the shallow end while competitors are making serious hardware moves. The timing is particularly awkward when Xbox console sales have never been weaker relative to the competition. Basically, they’re selling shoes while Sony and Nintendo are selling millions of consoles and Valve is reinventing the PC gaming experience.
The Crocs Perspective
From Crocs’ side, this makes perfect sense. They’ve built their entire brand on being divisive and ironically ugly, so partnering with tech companies for limited runs is pure marketing gold. The Windows XP Crocs sold out instantly and became collector’s items. Now they’re following up with Xbox, probably testing whether they can make these collaborations more regular rather than one-off sensations. At $80, they’re priced exactly where Crocs wants to be for their special editions. And let’s be real – people will buy these. Gamers love merch, and these are conversation starters. But the question remains: does this help or hurt the Xbox brand’s credibility in the long run?
