I would really like for you to expound on this comment.
I assume we both know what exclusive means, but what do you think it infers when utilized in the discussion of games now?
You have pure exclusives, only on one platform no where else. Then you have platform exclusives, available across a family of platforms (such as PS consoles or Xbox consoles). After that you have console exclusives, it’s on PC and/or mobile and on a single console system. Then we have timed exclusives, those fall in one of the above but are limited in how long they will last as such.
Understanding that, why do you think the author doesn’t understand the word “exclusive”? Do you think it’s because everyone should know that games going to Xbox and PC on Day One is what we mean by exclusive now in industry related terms? Do you just ignore that there exist actual exclusives, especially on PC and Nintendo Switch?
Then let’s go further in the article where the author said:
“Xbox hardware, and its attitude to console exclusivity for Microsoft-owned games remains ambivalent at best.”
Is this the bit you are referencing? Is it a wrong statement? I feel that’s up to opinion. But obviously they understand the discussion is about games going only to Xbox and PC. Do they not understand that games like CoD Back Ops 6, Sea of Thieves, DOOM, Fallout 76 being Microsoft developed titles going ‘everywhere’ they would have if owned by a third-party?
I think they do. And I think this is the crux of their opinion. I feel they are looking at all of this potential power Microsoft is wielding and how they are wielding it. They aren’t taking those massive games and making them a foundation to sell their hardware. They’re making them a foundation for selling their subscription service and leaving hardware to flounder with no similar titles that would sell the hardware. Sure, there are a few exclusives, but they are going to PC. And that’s always going to hurt them in the discussion of ‘hardware support’. And now with these latest games, with more games going to more places than just PC, is it not an accurate statement to say that Microsoft’s focus is on Games first, subscription second, hardware somewhere down the line in third?
Would like to hear your response. Thank you.
