“Jason Schreier Slams Microsoft’s Confusing Xbox Exclusives Strategy: Insights on Gaming Industry Impact”[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_o61DN93ik[/embed]

Three games from the same label (Bethesda), three different strategies:
Starfield – Unreleased PlayStation
Indiana Jones – timed exclusive
Doom – same day PlayStation release

It’s a mess, and the people who run Xbox are confused and angry even their most die-hard fans

– Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) August 23, 2024

The author reminds that exclusive titles have traditionally been the main factor influencing the choice of players on a particular platform. It also recalls the difficult beginnings of Xbox One under the leadership of Don Mattrick, which allowed PlayStation to gain a dominant position in the market. According to estimates, the sales ratio of PS5 to Xbox Series X | S currently around 5:1 for Sony.

In recent years, Microsoft has focused on the development of the Xbox Game Pass service and a series of acquisitions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. The moves were widely expected to be aimed at strengthening Xbox’s unique gaming offerings. However, Microsoft’s recent decisions seem to contradict this reasoning.

Schreier gives examples of inconsistent policy:

• Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle – announced as an Xbox exclusive, which will also appear on PS5.
• DOOM: The Dark Age – debuts simultaneously on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X | S.
• Starfield – Exclusive to PC and Xbox for now.

A similar inconsistency applies to Obsidian studios. “Pentiment” and “Grounded” will hit PlayStation, while “Avowed” will be exclusive to PC and Xbox.

Schreier argues that this approach is misleading not only for competitors and analysts, but above all for Xbox users themselves. The lack of a clear exclusivity strategy could undermine players’ trust in the brand and make purchasing decisions more difficult.

Schreier’s article emphasizes that Microsoft needs to develop a more coherent and understandable strategy regarding exclusive games if it wants to compete effectively with PlayStation and build a loyal user base.