The latest data from the PlayStation store indicates that Xbox may not need to fret about dominating the console market. In a recent Xbox podcast on February 15, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Xbox President Sarah Bond, and Head of Microsoft Studios Matt Booty revealed that some Xbox exclusive titles will be available on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. This decision was met with mixed reactions initially, but players on other platforms, such as PlayStation, have embraced it, with games like Sea of Thieves performing exceptionally well on PlayStation.
According to TweakTown, this strategic move seems to be paying off, as Microsoft currently holds more spots than Sony in the top 25 best-selling games on the PlayStation Store. Titles like Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Call of Duty, Overwatch 2, Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded are dominating the list. On the other hand, Sony’s offerings include Helldivers 2, MLB The Show 24, Destiny, Rise of the Ronin, and Stellar Blade. This puts Microsoft at 7 titles against Sony’s 5, with the remaining spots taken by popular third-party games like EA’s sports titles and GTA V.
When Microsoft announced its multi-platform strategy, Spencer highlighted that the company was already a major player on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch before expanding to release games like Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Grounded on other platforms. This expansion was largely fueled by Microsoft’s acquisitions of prominent studios over the years.
In a significant move last year, Microsoft acquired Activision-Blizzard-King after a legal battle, gaining control over franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Crash Bandicoot, and Overwatch. Prior to this, Microsoft acquired Zenimax, the parent company of Bethesda, known for titles like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. This acquisition led to the release of Starfield as an Xbox exclusive.
The Activision-Blizzard-King deal sparked debates about potential Xbox exclusivity for titles like Call of Duty. However, a separate agreement ensured that the franchise would remain available on PlayStation. While some Xbox players may have initially been concerned about losing exclusivity, Microsoft’s decision to go multi-platform has proven to be a smart business move, expanding its gaming audience and likely paving the way for more Microsoft-owned franchises to follow suit.
2024-04-20 04:00:03
Originally published on screenrant.com