According to their outline for the upcoming E3 conference, Microsoft has geared their attention toward producing exclusive games for the Xbox console to compete with rival Sony PlayStation. The company has announced a sufficient number of Xbox exclusive games that are anticipated to release in the upcoming year and 2019, with titles such as “Halo Infinite,” “Forza Horizon 4”, and “Gears 5”. Also, to improve the gaming software of their upcoming releases, Microsoft has announced the acquisition of UK-based Playground Games. Microsoft intends to focus on first party content that will allow Microsoft’s Xbox to compete with Sony’s PlayStation in years to come.
E3 hosts the most significant gaming event of the year, and gaming companies come to the event with the goal of creating excitement for its fans and viewers with trailers of new games, consoles, or other various releases. Xbox has recently been criticized for not providing exclusive games, especially since significant hits like Halo and Gears of War. Microsoft has listened to these complaints and plans to usher an array of unique content that will only be made available on the Xbox; reports show that Xbox plans to showcase 52 games in total, with 18 of those games aiming to be exclusive to their console.
Microsoft has also expressed their interest in launching a game streaming service that would allow users to select a game to play online without having to physically purchase the disc or wait for the content to download. Sony currently has a similar streaming service called PlayStation Now that offers the same concept for $19.99 a month. Piers Harding-Rolls, head of games research at IHS Markit, provided the following statement on Microsoft’s interest in the idea:
“A number of publishers are showing renewed interest in cloud gaming and subscription business models. As the market shifts, Microsoft is strongly positioned due to its Azure capability.”
Microsoft is headed in the right direction with these moves, and it will only be a matter of time until they introduce their new console alongside Sony’s PlayStation. The two gaming giants have always had a tight battle between their brands, but it will be exciting to have new content that will be exclusive to each respective console after the upcoming E3 conference.