Microsoft with Xbox has always had a problem in the video game industry, and that problem is called Windows. You can’t give Xbox exclusives while neglecting your operating system. Interestingly, when they did do this—during the Xbox 360 era—the console was a success. But since they started releasing everything on PC, Xbox lost value and appeal, and this was already evident with the Xbox One. Why would I want an Xbox if I can also have everything on PC? At this point, with Microsoft having already devalued the Xbox brand so much, they no longer cared about broadening access and began releasing their titles on PlayStation to monetize them a bit more. Personally, I believe what killed Xbox was starting to release titles on PC, and the rest followed naturally.
PlayStation is now also releasing games on PC, and I’d say the brand’s value has already been affected. If they continue to open up, they might end up like Xbox—unless they’re thinking far ahead and are convinced that selling hardware will no longer be profitable.
In any case, I think playing around with a brand’s value like this isn’t smart. Maybe opening up brings in more short-term profit, but it could end up killing your business in the medium term.
No, Microsoft and Xbox went 3rd party in 2017 and haven't had an exclusive since 2015. If you look at their output since all of their first party games have had a drastic decline in quality, Microsoft has laid off thousands, and nobody is buying. Exclusives are highly pro-consumer, build value for both the brand and consumer, and create competition in the industry. Xbox is just the new SEGA, that's it.
Microsoft with Xbox has always had a problem in the video game industry, and that problem is called Windows. You can’t give Xbox exclusives while neglecting your operating system. Interestingly, when they did do this—during the Xbox 360 era—the console was a success. But since they started releasing everything on PC, Xbox lost value and appeal, and this was already evident with the Xbox One. Why would I want an Xbox if I can also have everything on PC? At this point, with Microsoft having already devalued the Xbox brand so much, they no longer cared about broadening access and began releasing their titles on PlayStation to monetize them a bit more. Personally, I believe what killed Xbox was starting to release titles on PC, and the rest followed naturally.
PlayStation is now also releasing games on PC, and I’d say the brand’s value has already been affected. If they continue to open up, they might end up like Xbox—unless they’re thinking far ahead and are convinced that selling hardware will no longer be profitable.
In any case, I think playing around with a brand’s value like this isn’t smart. Maybe opening up brings in more short-term profit, but it could end up killing your business in the medium term.
No, Microsoft and Xbox went 3rd party in 2017 and haven't had an exclusive since 2015. If you look at their output since all of their first party games have had a drastic decline in quality, Microsoft has laid off thousands, and nobody is buying. Exclusives are highly pro-consumer, build value for both the brand and consumer, and create competition in the industry. Xbox is just the new SEGA, that's it.