Key Takeaways
1. Microsoft is focusing on cross-platform game publishing as Xbox Series X sales plateau, with more games moving to the PS5.
2. Significant Xbox exclusives are launching on the PS5, contributing to high pre-order rankings on the PlayStation Store.
3. Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft is leading to multi-platform releases, such as Doom: The Dark Ages, which will be available on both Xbox and PlayStation.
4. Console exclusivity is declining in importance, highlighted by the competition between Microsoft and PlayStation for pre-order sales.
5. Microsoft is likely to rely on digital subscriptions and game publishing for revenue, as its hardware situation remains challenging until new consoles are released.
As the sales of the Xbox Series X have hit a plateau, Microsoft is shifting its attention towards cross-platform game publishing. With more games that were once exclusive to Xbox now making their way to the PS5, gamers on Sony’s platform are welcoming this change. Pure Xbox has reported that at least three Microsoft titles have made it into the top 12 pre-orders on the PlayStation Store in the U.S. A similar trend is observed in both European and Japanese markets.
Timing and Popularity
It’s worth noting that the timing plays a crucial role in the strong presence of Xbox games on the PlayStation Store. Several significant Xbox exclusives are expected to launch on the PS5 in the upcoming month. On the U.S. PlayStation Store, two versions of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are currently holding the first and second positions. Forza Horizon 5 is particularly noteworthy, as it’s not linked to Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda. MachineGames’ action-adventure game is set to release on April 17th, while Playground Games’ racer will hit the shelves on April 29th.
Bethesda’s Impact
Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda is also yielding results with Doom: The Dark Ages. This new installment in the beloved shooter series has managed to secure the 12th spot. Unlike other Bethesda titles, this new Doom game will be available simultaneously on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
Despite these developments, gamers are still eagerly pre-ordering PlayStation exclusives at a fast pace. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Days Gone Remastered are competing with Microsoft games in the pre-order rankings. However, the significance of console exclusivity seems to be diminishing, at least until Nintendo announces its first-party titles for the Switch 2.
Cross-Platform Dynamics
While Sony is embracing cross-platform gaming, it has not extended this to Microsoft’s consoles. Meanwhile, Microsoft may look to benefit from PlayStation games being ported to PC. There are rumors about a Microsoft-backed Asus handheld device that operates on Windows OS. It is expected that Steam will be compatible with Project Kennan, but some insiders speculate that Sony might try to prevent PlayStation titles from appearing on any Xbox consoles.
Until a new console is launched, the current situation for Xbox hardware remains challenging. The company will likely depend on digital subscriptions and game publishing for the majority of its gaming revenue moving forward.
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