As someone who’s been a gamer for as long as I can remember, and more specifically, an Xbox enthusiast since the early days of the original Xbox, I must say that the current state of affairs with Xbox is nothing short of exhilarating!
2024 has been a rollercoaster ride for Xbox, with its share of highs and lows, but as the year comes to an end, it’s ending on a strong note, which will provide it with considerable forward thrust into 2025.
A year ago, whispers started circulating that Xbox might release its exclusive games on the competing platform, PlayStation. These rumors sparked a lot of discussion online, but I initially dismissed them as untrue – Xbox has frequently been the subject of baseless gossip. However, it turned out these rumors were accurate. Eventually, Microsoft officially confirmed that Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, and Grounded would become available on PlayStation, with some of these games also coming to Nintendo Switch.
In light of Microsoft’s past practice of discontinuing well-loved consumer products and services, this latest announcement left a significant impact on the Xbox community, sparking questions about whether it signaled a broader retreat in favor of PlayStation or even an exit from Xbox console hardware entirely. The doubt arises because if developers find little demand for the Xbox ecosystem, why would they continue to support it? Time will tell what the ultimate consequences of Microsoft’s approach might be, but some speculate that this could simply be the impending trend in the gaming industry. Maybe Microsoft is merely anticipating the future. It’s worth noting that while Valve’s Steam Deck platform resembles a console, it offers games from both PlayStation and Xbox, making arguments for Xbox less compelling.
Despite some initial concerns, developers linked with PlayStation are showing increased support for Xbox, not less. In fact, Xbox has seen a record number of users engaging on their console almost every quarter since then. Moreover, Xbox is finally excelling in its own-brand games. With new hardware announcements imminent, we can almost say that things are back to normal for Xbox, although the gaming industry still presents Microsoft with several challenges that need careful handling – and these endeavors are never without risk.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 shuts down Xbox Game Pass critics
There had been significant debates concerning Microsoft’s approach towards a franchise, which many now consider its most crucial, aside from Minecraft.
In the course of my observation, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 stands out as a game that has undergone an extended development process, one that’s been a hallmark in the series’ storied history. The quality it exudes is evident, garnering some of the most laudable accolades the IP has received in quite some time. This latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise has set new records for Microsoft’s Activision division, marking the first indication that the multibillion-dollar Microsoft-Activision acquisition was a shrewd move indeed.
According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, last week’s debut of [Call of Duty: Black Ops 6] was the most successful launch in Call of Duty history. It broke records for both the number of players on its first day and new Game Pass subscribers on launch day. Furthermore, industry analyst Mat Piscatella from Circana reported that more than half of Xbox gamers in the U.S. have interacted with Call of Duty, and over a third on PlayStation.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has set a high standard for game quality and content, debuting with a refined finish. The amount of material it offers is impressive, making it feel like it’s about to burst at the seams. Given the massive cost associated with creating and maintaining games of this scale, some experts have pondered Microsoft’s approach in offering it on Xbox Game Pass immediately upon release. In Game Pass, players can access the game without the usual $70 purchase price. Instead, they can subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for around $20 per month or PC Game Pass for approximately $12 per month. This way, a vast number of PC and Xbox console users can enjoy it without an initial outlay.
In the upcoming months, it’s expected that Microsoft will keep a close eye on the behavior of Call of Duty players who access the game through Xbox Game Pass. This is because if every one of these users subscribes to Xbox Game Pass for a month, doesn’t spend money on in-game purchases, and then leaves the game without returning, it could potentially negatively impact Call of Duty’s financial performance within Xbox’s own platform. However, it’s not likely that this scenario will play out in reality.
By the end of this month, Microsoft will release Stalker 2 and Indiana Jones, making it more appealing for users to continue their subscription, even if they grow weary of Call of Duty as November draws to a close. It’s highly probable that Call of Duty will operate like a “free-to-play” game, where easier access might lead to greater popularity and consequently more in-game purchases. Remarks from Miles Leslie, game director at Treyarch, suggest that Game Pass has been advantageous for the game. He stated, “What we’ve observed is it’s enabled people who might have been hesitant, might have had some reservations, might have been like, ‘I haven’t played in a while,’ to actually return and give the game a try.
In my own opinion, I seem to align quite well with that group, as do many of my peers – individuals who belong to a specific age bracket and have experienced numerous underwhelming versions of Call of Duty might hesitate to spend $70 to discover if it’s just more of the same. However, Black Ops 6 has brought back the original charm, and its accessibility has been enhanced significantly due to Xbox Game Pass. So far, there appears to be no basis for the pessimistic Call of Duty Game Pass predictions – beyond some heated discussions on social media. In fact, according to my sources, the Call of Duty Black Ops 6 community is thriving more on Xbox than any other platform, despite also witnessing substantial growth on PlayStation and Steam.
Game publishers flock to Xbox, despite years of uncertainty
Developers continue to back Xbox, despite ongoing queries about its strategy, as demonstrated by an influx of new third-party support during the summer and well into autumn.
I wrote an article decrying Capcom for opting against bringing its classic fighting game collections to Xbox, despite the fact many of them launched on the OG Xbox or Xbox 360. The discourse immediately shifted to questions over whether or not developers were arbitrarily skipping Xbox, due to a perceived lack of engagement or users. After doing some digging, I discovered some of the ports were being held back by technical reasons, a fact Capcom itself confirmed when it revealed that it is bringing their classic games to Xbox.
Microsoft seems to be putting in great effort to make sure Xbox users aren’t overlooked by major third-party developers, and it appears their efforts are bearing fruit. Just after I published an article criticizing Microsoft for not securing Genshin Impact, it was announced for Xbox. Previously, I expressed my disappointment over Square Enix neglecting the Xbox platform with its popular Final Fantasy series, but now we’re seeing the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters on Xbox consoles, and there’s even confirmation that Final Fantasy 16 is coming to Xbox as well.
In a recent interview, producers Naoki Yoshida of Final Fantasy and Hironobu Sakaguchi from Mistwalker discussed their strategy for the upcoming RPG, Fantasian Neo Dimension. They explained that they’ve chosen a multi-platform approach, which includes Xbox, to ensure the game can reach a wider range of players.
Perhaps the biggest coup of recent times, though, has been Death Stranding. Death Stranding was published by PlayStation when it launched originally five years ago, and the Hideo Kojima-made title was the first his studio penned after leaving Konami and the famed Metal Gear franchise behind. Xbox fans had lamented that Hideo Kojima’s titles might forever eschew Xbox, but despite everything, Death Stranding hit Xbox just last week. The game immediately hit #2 on the best-sellers list behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 itself.
As an analyst, I find myself observing a shift in the gaming landscape, with signs pointing towards a potential decline in platform exclusivity. Sega’s recent statements highlight their emphasis on a multiplatform approach and global simultaneous release strategy, which they attribute to the success of games such as Metaphor Re: Fantazio and the Yakuza series. This strategy seems to be catching on, with Square Enix expressing a desire to follow suit, moving away from the PlayStation-centric development cycles that have historically resulted in significant delays for PC versions of their games, often released long after the initial marketing and hype waves have dissipated.
Modern game discovery now heavily relies on making games available across multiple platforms, aiming to spark conversations with a wide range of people. In recent years, PlayStation has followed Xbox by releasing its games on PC, and it’s likely that they will soon synchronize their releases with the PC version as well, enhancing the impact of their marketing efforts.
Regardless of the fluctuations in the gaming industry and shifting user preferences, Xbox continues to attract more backing from prominent game developers. There are whispers that Zenless Zone Zero, a title currently exclusive to PlayStation consoles, may debut on Xbox as early as December. Insiders close to Xbox’s internal operations have shared with me that third-party sales are seeing an annual increase. The remarks from both Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella suggest that Xbox consoles are witnessing unprecedented user engagement, suggesting a robust and flourishing environment for game creators. However, I believe there’s still room for improvement in terms of securing popular games like Black Myth Wukong and Silent Hill 2, which were instrumental in boosting PlayStation’s profits according to their quarterly earnings report.
In the competitive arena between platforms like Sony and Microsoft, it’s crucial to offer timed exclusive games, at minimum. If Sony is doing so, then Microsoft should as well, or risk appearing to devalue their Xbox customers. Fortunately, Microsoft seems to be improving in creating unique Xbox games for its platform.
STALKER 2 and Indiana Jones deliver a one-two holiday punch for Xbox
It’s generally agreed that Xbox lags behind its rivals, Nintendo and PlayStation, in terms of exclusive high-quality games. However, this hasn’t prevented Xbox from experiencing “record” levels of user engagement, even though fewer new players are choosing to join the platform, opting instead for PCs and mobile devices. Interestingly, both PlayStation and Nintendo have reported a drop in console hardware sales year over year. It appears that the traditional console market has reached its limit, with a gradual transition expected as we approach the likely staggered release of the next generation, starting potentially with the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025. There are also rumors of an Xbox handheld device on the horizon.
As a researcher examining the trends in hardware sales, I anticipate that the market will remain volatile and unpredictable over the coming period. This is primarily due to video game consoles adopting a more flexible, smartphone-like generation model moving forward. The continued updates of major games and service titles for PS4 and Xbox One have lessened the urgency for many users to upgrade, and this trend will likely persist with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Even for those who choose not to update, a captivating selection of games will be crucial to prevent customer attrition. Microsoft, in particular, has an impressive lineup of games planned.
As a tech enthusiast, I’m thrilled about my Xbox Game Pass subscription renewal come November 20, 2024. Not only am I looking forward to diving into STALKER 2, but also the integration of Genshin Impact! If you’ve already run through the current library, these additions will make it hard to let go.
In a span of a few weeks following the release of STALKER 2, we encounter Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a highly anticipated title developed by the acclaimed Machine Games, known for Wolfenstein: The New Order. Indiana Jones is proving to be exceptionally well-crafted, showcasing a genuine authenticity and an intriguing blend of adventuring that feels immersive and engaging.
In simpler terms, I’d usually be cautious about being overly optimistic about Xbox due to its past inconsistency in game releases. There have been standout titles like Forza Horizon 3, 4, and 5, but also disappointments such as Redfall, niche games like Pentiment, and games like Hellblade 2 and Minecraft Legends that didn’t meet expectations. However, it appears that Xbox Game Studios is improving, evidenced by the acquisition of STALKER 2 for timed exclusivity and deals for games like Genshin Impact and Clair Obscur. Acquired studios from the past seem poised to deliver as well, with Compulsion’s South of Midnight, Obsidian’s Avowed, and Undead Labs’ State of Decay 3. During the Xbox Showcase 2024 in June, Microsoft unveiled its lineup for 2025, but our sources suggest there may be more surprises in store for next year to maintain the current momentum of content release.
It’s time to put Xbox fears to bed, and new hardware reveals next year could do it
The apprehension and bewilderment surrounding Xbox’s platform often stems from concerns about its hardware lineup’s appeal. While some criticisms might seem rooted in tribal loyalties, there is a rational argument that if fewer people find the hardware attractive, fewer developers will create games for it, leading to less demand for the hardware – a potentially self-destructive cycle, as we saw with Windows Phone in the past. However, so far, there’s no data indicating this scenario is unfolding. In contrast, Xbox console platforms are experiencing unprecedented user engagement, growing transactions for third-party games year over year, and increased interest from major publishers who once preferred PlayStation and rival platforms. If Xbox wasn’t competing, we wouldn’t be witnessing the arrival of games like Genshin Impact, Final Fantasy, and Death Stranding on its platform.
Without Xbox as a part of it, there’s no doubt that games like Genshin Impact, Final Fantasy, and Death Stranding would not have been released on that platform.
Despite the constant stream of tasks, I believe Microsoft could enhance their communication strategies at times. For instance, labeling Indiana Jones as an exclusive Xbox title only to announce its availability on PlayStation in 2025 at Gamescom with extra fanfare might not seem fair to fans and customers. The Xbox console platform has experienced less frequent major software updates compared to the past, mostly focusing on minor fixes and adjustments. It seems that a significant portion of the investment is being directed towards PC and mobile platforms, which may not appeal to every core Xbox console user, but this could soon shift.
Microsoft has been planning to make it possible to play bring-your-own Xbox games on Xbox Cloud Gaming platforms for some time now, and it appears that this feature will finally become a reality this month. Additionally, there are solid rumors suggesting that Xbox is developing a portable gaming device. If true, this could enable players to enjoy their Xbox games in locations beyond what was previously possible, while also potentially attracting new users.
Over the past year, the video game industry has faced significant upheavals. Job cuts have been widespread, player spending patterns have been unpredictable, and there’s a noticeable shift towards long-term service-based games such as Fortnite. There are doubts about the cost of consoles and gaming equipment in the coming times, given the incoming U.S. president’s plans to levy tariffs on Chinese imports. Additionally, there’s apprehension regarding how AI platforms like OpenAI could shape the future of gaming.
Microsoft, with its long-standing exclusive games such as Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush, along with substantial investments in hardware development, artificial intelligence, and global data centers, seems poised to weather the challenges ahead. I can only hope that there will still be space on this ship for its original users who played a crucial role in shaping Xbox into the platform it is today.
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2024-11-12 23:40