Xbox is About to Get Serious

Whatever your platform preference, know this. This industry benefits highly from a competitive Microsoft which is investing in the Xbox platform. After Starfield, that’s exactly what the Redmond firm continues to do with its software slate. Sony needs that competition because it has been anti-consumer arguably recently. That software will come and it’s going to transform the platform’s reputation over the next few years.

Everyone still sees Xbox as a brand for their infamous Xbox One launch and policies back in the day. The fact of the matter is many of those features whether we like it or not are implemented in platform generations today whether it be online games only or whatever. The only difference was Microsoft was ahead of the curb with it and Sony was able to naturally take advantage as being a white knight. Fast forward to now and they’re anything but that based on how they’re now running things. People are saying, the Activision court case has hindered Sony’s ability to reveal things. I don’t actually believe that’s true.

PlayStation needs this competition from Xbox because it benefits our industry and because of the direction PlayStation is heading in. No matter what you think of each platform’s way of doing things. Modern gaming has been on a bit of a downward trend in terms of innovation for a long time.

I mean, a focus on live service games, really? The jury is out on that one. Most of the highest-selling games are Call of Duty, GTA, or FIFA. The innovation that has transpired has been in the indie space. It’s gotten to the point where sequels are the bread and butter of gaming. You’re probably thinking, well it depends on what games you play. But let’s not pretend that games are better these days than they ever were. If that was the case, everyone wouldn’t be selling us remakes of other remakes with many getting on that bandwagon lately. It’s also been pretty disappointing with sequels of existing franchises as well.

So you’re probably wondering where Microsoft fits into this. I actually think the line-up that Microsoft has coming is more varied than it has ever been. From a game-play point of view as well as for the amount of genres they’re covering. It’s with that belief that I feel that Microsoft has really set up Xbox to do incredibly well over the next few years. Now I don’t proclaim to say that Microsoft is going to be the saviour of the gaming industry. Not by a long shot. But what I am saying is that an industry where we have a strong Xbox and Nintendo gives consumers real choice. Whether it’s from a platform point of view or otherwise.

But as always, players everywhere when it comes to Xbox will believe it when they see it. This is what Microsoft has to do now and that’s continue to invest in the brand and push gaming to audiences with that increased investment. Studio acquisitions are one way of doing that but also focusing on standing out from the crowd could with innovative games set them on that right upward trajectory. The full story is yet to be written on this. It’s going to be an interesting few years ahead.