Xbox and PlayStation have been competing with each other ever since the sixth and possibly the golden generation of console gaming began. This was when Microsoft decided to enter the growing gaming console market with the original Xbox.
There have been rumors of various Xbox exclusives on other platforms, like PlayStation. There has been no official confirmation that this is true, but Xbox Chief Phil Spencer promised to make clarifications in the coming week. There is an entire discussion around the topic because it might not be the absolute bane gamers expect it to be or a generous blessing they don’t see yet. If anything, it is likely a mix of both. Here are two reasons for the former’s case and two for the latter’s.
Good: Gamers Will Not Need to Worry About Xbox or PlayStation and Will Be Able to Enjoy More Titles
It is a pain for the other community when some of the best titles only come for specific platforms. For example, racing fans will agree that there is nothing else like Forza Horizon for the PlayStation console lineup. On the other hand, gamers who are more interested in story-driven, top-of-the-line superhero games will nod when it is said there is nothing quite like Marvel’s Spider-Man series for the Xbox.
There are some parallels at both ends, like Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo, but there aren’t many. Eventually, one has to decide to join Team Xbox or Team PlayStation unless one doesn’t mind going all in and spending on both consoles; one will either miss out on amazing exclusives available on the PlayStation or the Game Pass offering by its arch nemesis.
Bad: Without Xbox, There Will Only Be One, Which Is Far From Good
Much like any other product that thrives on consumerism, competition among the most prominent players in one of the fastest-growing industries is essential so that no one abuses its market share. While some gamers may argue that Microsoft’s console offering doesn’t threaten Sony much, the players will be the only real losers if the former suddenly disappears from the market.
For example, the marketplace and game key prices for Sony are always higher, and that is precisely why, in the longer run, it is suggested to get the Disk edition of the PlayStation 5. Hypothetically speaking, if Xbox were to vanish from the market or its exclusive offering would be rendered moot, anyone wouldn’t be keeping PlayStation in check. It could commence and decommission its most prized services without threat. It could play with its marketplace prices and skyrocket them at will.
Good: This Will Let Xbox Do What It Does Best
One can criticize Microsoft’s gaming brand, but it is a pioneer in offering the most value-for-money gaming subscription in the current gaming marketplace, the Game Pass. This allows users to go all in on the more than 300 titles on Game Pass and also get access to day-one releases.
The console wars have compelled Microsoft to produce better exclusives, but barring a few like Halo or Gears of War, Microsoft isn’t known for the best exclusives. That isn’t what the company is a master of. But offering an enormous game library for a nominal subscription fee and a console that would allow entry-level gamers to enjoy the latest generation of games is something that only Microsoft has been able to do.
Perhaps if the console wars were forfeited from its end, it would divert all its resources towards what it does best.
Bad: This Will Be an Abomination for Existing Xbox Users and Microsoft’s Brand Image
Most AAA console gamers prefer PlayStation over Xbox. Regardless, the ones who prefer Xbox prefer it because of Game Pass and because they can play their favorite franchises and earn bragging rights about the same. This happened when Xbox Developer Direct and titles like Indiana Jones and Hellblade 2 were revealed. Similarly, there was a similar reaction from PlayStation gamers when the recent State of Play event happened.
If one were to imagine that Microsoft’s titles would go multiplatform, Xbox would virtually forsake all the players stuck with the console since the original Xbox or the 360 days. Microsoft is already demonized for being a company that has stated its desire to “buy” its way to the top, especially after the Activision deal.
If it were to go multiplatform, the fans would lose, but Xbox might also lose the confidence of its stakeholders, and the brand would only be a mere shadow, a mirage of what it once was.
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