Enlarge / The World's Most Expensive Domino.Aurich Lawson There have been a lot of rumors and speculation concerning Xbox recently. Last week, it was reported that Microsoft was considering releasing Bethesda's upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle version on the PlayStation 5, and there were also plans to make last year's Hi-Fi Rush available on other consoles. In addition, there was an unverified rumor stating that the Xbox exclusive Starfield could potentially get a PS5 port. Although Microsoft has not officially addressed these reports, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer indicated on social media that Microsoft will be “planning an event next week, where we look forward to telling you more about our vision for the future of Xbox.” These rumors have caused concern among Xbox’s major players, developers, and influencers, who fear that Microsoft may be moving away from exclusivity. “It’s difficult to convince people to opt for an Xbox instead of a PS5,” expressed XboxYoda. “I feel like I’ve let her down…” “I have standards, that’s all. Cross them and, well, I’m accountable,” added TV user XcloudTimdog. These reactions may seem exaggerated, but they do raise a valid point. Exclusive games are the primary way console manufacturers entice gamers to choose their platform over others. If Microsoft does change this dynamic, it could disappoint Xbox owners. A world without Xbox exclusives To understand the impact, consider a scenario where Microsoft announces in early 2020 that it’s doing away with the concept of consoles altogether. Future Xbox Game Studios titles such as Halo Infinite and Starfield would still be released on the upcoming Xbox Series X/S, but they would also launch similar versions on the PS5 (and occasionally the Switch) on the same day. Sony, however, keeps major franchises like God of War and Spider-Man exclusive to PS5. In this alternate reality, convincing someone to buy an Xbox would be challenging. On one hand, you have the PlayStation, which can play a wide range of games from both Microsoft and Sony. On the other, you have the Xbox, which lacks access to Sony’s lineup. There could still be other reasons to opt for Xbox, such as the lower price of the Xbox Series S, the appeal of the Xbox controller, or the Xbox’s system-level OS. Additionally, gamers may expect platform games to look or play well on Microsoft systems. However, in the console market, these reasons often pale in comparison to the allure of unique games and franchises. Major titles are considered “system sellers” for a reason – they prompt many gamers to invest in hardware just to access the must-have software. In this context, Microsoft would essentially be selling the Xbox without exclusive titles.
An Xbox Without Console Exclusives: A Possible Reality?
