PlayStation has been one of the stronger platforms in the gaming industry and has grown throughout each console generation. The former head of the company, Shawn Layden, questioned when this console war would end with the competition, and shared the same opinion with the head of a rival platform, Phil Spencer.
There is nothing wrong with some friendly competition, but many believe this petty rivalry between two gaming communities has gone on for too long. Each platform has its strong suits and Spencer wants to remove all boundaries for one ultimate gaming ecosystem.
Former Playstation Boss Wants to End the Console Wars
With years of experience under his belt, Layden’s opinions should be taken with high credibility on the subject matter. The former PlayStation head realized the positive impact of exclusivity when Sony released Helldivers 2 on PC and its flagship console, bringing two platforms together to experience one great live service game.
Exclusivity used to be an asset in the early days of gaming, but Layden’s stance has changed as he noticed that almost every platform is on par with one another. He concluded that there should be nothing to divide the players.
Layden’s sentiments are somewhat related to Spencer’s recent statements and how he sees the future of Microsoft in gaming. Initially, Spencer promised only a handful of first-party titles to be ported to rival platforms until it gradually escalated and fans were calling him out for lying about his plans.
These two heads became realistic and it could have some harrowing consequences. Competition forces the hands of others to do better and to offer people better options. If Microsoft and Sony were to wave white flags, the quality of games and hardware could be drastically affected.
The Future of Gaming Was Foreseen by the Former PlayStation Head
Not everyone is on board with the idea of permanently abolishing exclusivity. Although there were some valid points, it would end decades of tradition and some are still stuck in the old ways.
Change can be terrifying but it is necessary and inevitable. Spencer and Layden are both realists and have years of experience in this industry. They are not afraid to make the tough decision and admit the old ways are holding it back.
Layden’s logic appears sound and if what different platforms have to offer are similar, then there is no need to divide the gaming community. This idea could feel threatening to Sony and Microsoft but it would likely be the best decision for both companies to maximize profits.
There are advantages and disadvantages in this scenario, competition makes things interesting and encourages gaming companies to try harder to appeal to the community. If all of the boundaries were removed and the best assets were brought under one platform, it would take getting used to and it may not work out the way gamers would hope.
Do you think PlayStation and Xbox should start working together and end exclusivity? Let us know in the comments section below!
