Microsoft’s Xbox Announces Opening Up of Four Games to Alternative Platforms
In a surprising move, Microsoft’s Xbox has announced that it will be opening up four of its video games to alternative platforms. This decision comes as the gaming giant recognizes the changing landscape of the industry and the preferences of a new generation of gamers.
The announcement was made by Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who revealed that the four games would be community-driven and more than a year old. However, he did not disclose the names of the games, leaving fans eagerly guessing. Spencer did clarify that these releases do not signify a fundamental change in Microsoft’s games strategy, but rather a response to the evolving demands of gamers.
This move is a departure from Microsoft’s long-standing practice of exclusivity to its own Xbox platform and Games Pass subscription service. The company’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard faced criticism from rival Sony, who feared that Microsoft would make popular games like Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox. To alleviate these concerns, Microsoft promised not to make any exclusives for at least 10 years.
However, Spencer’s statement suggests that exclusive games will become less significant in the future. He stated, “I have a fundamental belief that in the next five to 10 years, exclusive games, which are exclusive to one piece of hardware, are going to be a smaller and smaller part of the games industry.” This sentiment is echoed by Sony’s interim gaming president Hiroki Totoki, who expressed a desire to bring more PlayStation games to other platforms.
Nintendo, on the other hand, has been known for keeping its games exclusive to its own consoles. However, the idea of expanding to alternative platforms is gaining traction in the industry. The appeal of reaching a wider audience and capitalizing on the ubiquity of smartphones has become increasingly apparent. With millions of people carrying high-performance computers in their pockets, it seems unnecessary to limit access to games by proprietary hardware.
Analysts estimate that in 2023, only 7.6 million out of a total of around 46.5 million consoles sold were Microsoft’s Xbox. This means that nearly 39 million gamers were unable to experience Xbox exclusives. It’s clear that the traditional business model of exclusivity is becoming outdated and driven primarily by financial motives.
Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst from Ampere, explains Microsoft’s shift in strategy, stating, “The key reason Microsoft has been pursuing a more progressive multi-platform strategy with its games content and services since early in the Xbox One cycle is because it was unable to build on the relative success of the Xbox 360 era and take market share from Sony, and latterly, Nintendo post-the launch of the Switch.”
While there has been speculation that Microsoft may eventually exit the hardware market altogether, Harding-Rolls believes this is unlikely. Exiting the console platform business would leave a significant gap in Microsoft’s games-related revenues. In fact, Xbox president Sarah Bond hinted at the possibility of new hardware in a recent podcast, teasing a “largest technical leap” in a new generation of hardware.
As for the games themselves, Microsoft’s preferred method of access is through its Games Pass subscription service. For £12.99 per month, subscribers have unlimited streaming access to hundreds of titles. Although Microsoft has not disclosed current subscriber numbers, they did reveal that they have reached 34 million since launching in 2017. Their goal is to hit 100 million subscribers by 2030.
This move by Microsoft has been met with relief from Xbox owners on social media. Many were relieved that the announcement did not signal any drastic changes or the end of Xbox as a console. Instead, it represents a shift towards a more inclusive approach that caters to the preferences of gamers.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s decision to open up four games to alternative platforms marks a significant shift in the gaming industry. It reflects the changing demands of gamers and the recognition that exclusivity may no longer be a sustainable business model. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other gaming giants like Sony and Nintendo respond to this new trend.