Don’t want to make this a console warz bait thread, but I think there is merit to it from a marketing discussion pov (which has been allowed and even promoted here in the past).
Both next gen platforms are complex and nuanced. Until now, Sony’s messaging had been focused entirely on PS5 being a next gen showcase for next gen-only titles and ya should buy one to play Sony’s next gen only exclusives. Today Sony announced (admitted?) several of their higher profile early gen titles are actually cross gen. Suddenly the swathes of fans and press out there talking up how great Sony’s “approach” to dedicated next gen experiences end up looking real dumb. That narrative is evaporating now.
Further, Sony made the leap to $70 games, so the value proposition each console offers is back in the limelight too and there is some confusion about if there will be enhancements for BC on PS5 at all, as well as lingering confusion over what games their BC solution will cover on day 1.
So, what should Xbox do to reinforce their own message in light of this?
They need to emphasize on Xbox All Access, have another showcase showing their remaining games in development (especially the one from The Initiative), and of course drop Xbox Live Gold
If they do that, they’re going to take all the thunder considering Sony has nothing left to show.
I feel all the cards are on the table now and mostly for a while what happens happens, however xbox can only benefit from leaning in on gamepass especially if game prices stuff becomes a big deal, they also have the cheapest console and it’s seeming increasingly clear “better graphics” isn’t landing this time. But at this point both have problems that aren’t easy or possible to turn around quickly or to capitalize on. Xbox isn’t suddenly gonna have big first party games before mid to late 2021, Sony cant undo their hardware boondoggling and still has a ways to go to catch up in the services battle.
BC enhancements focus, give a clear list of what will be in the library and the enhancements
officially reveal their launch lineup and be super crystal clear what’s coming when and on which platforms
show legit gameplay demos of every single launch title lasting 5 mins or more
highlight every single launch game with blog posts containing new info and what is next gen about it
showcase gameplay demos of Fable, Hellblade 2, Forza, AC: Valhalla, FlightSim on XSX
showcase Cyberpunk gameplay running on XSX
find a way to have Minecraft path traced @ launch
really hammer on All Access as the primary method for buying XSS/XSX
run side by side demos to show XSS/XSX play games identically on a 1080p TV (this implies PS5 will run them the same as XSS)
run Game Pass ads talking up $70 next gen games and drawing stark comparisons to GP
announce 1P XGS titles will be $60 and all existing XGS X1 games are getting free next gen upgrades
make an ad focused on how complex it is knowing what you’re getting on a competing console but showcasing how All Access is cheap, simple and gets ya more of the best experiences
Microsoft slogan at this point should be: “it’s only bad when we do it”
Even Ign’s Ryan Mccafrey has back pedalled on what he said about TROTTR exclusivity, and given sony praise for their Ff16 deal. (he gave Microsoft flak for their deal)
It shouldn’t annoy me as much as it does, but the double standards is beyond annoying.
DOH! Should have known! Yeah I don’t think it was a bad show just kind of unremarkable. Didn’t think Sony would give MS any openings after series S|X prices leaked. But man that was bewildering how important details were handled.
