Its not about equating. Games like the ascent are on Xbox first because the platform is better for them than Playstation. But that still will require some money to make happen. And if Sony wanted those games they’d probably have to pay more and offer more given we know those games tend to tank on PS. Yet gamepass and Xbox promotion of these titles is beneficial all round. But to convince Disney that Xbox should make a marvel game when there is already an established relationship with Sony and one of their devs (that’s evolved over years) and they know that their IP will get more exposure on Sony’s side - its the reverse situation.
Lets face it when the PS4 launched people like you were telling Xbox not to forget indies because Sony made their indie play. Then it was all about catching up with power. Then it was about new iP. Then about 3rd person narrative games. Now its about movie IP. Anyone can see that whatever the ‘leading console seller’ does people will instantly demand Xbox copy them. But nobody has ever got anywhere just imitating the market leader. Xbox have their own path and frankly I think the’yd not exist now if they hadn’t carved that out. They can’t just go round trying to copy Sony and there is no need. They’ve sold more xbox’s at this point in a gen than ever before. Which suggests they are on the right track.
I mean that’s a jump. But when has large timed moneyhats (and Xbox has done plenty historically) actually helped them? I don’t think they are the business sense move you think. Lots of people are going to discuss KOTOR for a few days but then what? Its not making any difference in the long run.
I don’t really like moneyhatting games generally. I think its bad for the industry. And I’d rather this wasn’t a thing. I’d also say that like anything in any industry Xbox not necessarily having a business case for some things doesn’t rule it out forever. If Sony went for bigger and bigger hats then Xbox has to look at their position. But it also is to an extent what’s going to happen. Sony have to be aggressive on these because their only other option is their own version of gamepass. Xbox probably isn’t in the same space to be able to leverage those sorts of deals as easily so its offerings are different. Lets be honest gamepass and the service has saved Xbox internally at Microsoft so to start spending lots of money counter to that would likely have Satya and the board scratching their heads again.
I’m not asking for Xbox moneyhats, I’m asking for MS to try to avoid them as much as they can and the fastest way is buying another giant publisher to shred away market share from PS.
But simply Xbox have pitched that this is not the case. If we model the gaming industry as a stable group of consumers then ultimately Xbox would not be in the business anymore. They’d have left because Sony are absolutely growing or at least maintaining their hold on that consumer group. And Xbox have no growth there. This is why Xbox almost ceased to exist. PS realised this and turned the Xbox ship around via play anywhere, gamepass and xcloud. These initiatives mean there are potential new Xbox customers on PC, on old and new consoles and on phones, tablets and soon more or less anywhere. Their ability to widen the offering out is the only reason they exist, and are MS owned. And that play is a long game - they will still as you say be selling into the console core segment market and are in that regard a competitor of Sony. But Phil Spencer has said time and time again that everyone can have great games and then everyone wins. We’re literally seeing that now with all three breaking their previous sales records. All are doing better this gen than they have historically at any point, more or less. So the future can be good for all three.
As long as PS is so bombastic, Xbox will be forever harmstrung, no matter cloud, pc, etc…because general public will always see it as a second class platform. So, buying publishers is a good way to A gain IPs, devs, games, market share and concurrently B take away all this things from PS. Win win
Thinking about it some more, I do not want the combat to be changed to a completely real-time system. Doing that will make melee weapons (outside of a lightsaber - which you do not acquire until hours in) all but useless. Unless everyone has energy shields (which would completely break the story line) why would I use a vibroblade if I could simply shoot you in the head before you even get within 20 feet of me? Also, . making it completely real-time would destroy the need for the Strength and Dexterity stats.
Guys just know that at some point in the future the KOTOR remake will get a release date. And when that happens you will be playing Starfield and looking forward to Avowed, Fable, Outer Worlds 2 etc, thinking…“eh, I can wait for KOTOR”
A remake would be a smaller endeavour than a full blown new game, obviously after all their projects. Kotor remake from Aspyr will be after Avowed and TOW 2, so it won’t be a problem.
It actually uses Persuade (which can be given a bonus from Charisma but is not required). And I think Wisdom Intelligence and Charisma all can have uses still. That is why I singled out Strength & Dexterity.
