Opinion: Microsoft is at it's best when it's not trying to copy Sony

[Daniel]

@LifeForms

I guess its better to sell servers to sony rather them buy from others or make there own.

This and because PS is very popular it is a big boon for some side cash and to pump up their Azure stats. They get to brag about Xbox and Playstation hits using Xcloud/PSNow on Azure.

[KageMaru]

@Daniel

Yup once they release 1-2 AAA 3rd person narrative focused games it will probably change the mindset of people who think MS can’t make games like that or that Game Pass can’t allow those games to exist. I agree with you about Hellblade 2, if this game is really good I think it will start to change the narrative. I absolutely think MS will make will make some banger narrative games but the really nice thing about MS is you will also get weird different games from a lot of indie devs or even their own 1st party passion projects.

I’m a very happy GP subscriber and I seriously think that subscription alone will cover most of my gaming, obviously some 3rd party games I will still buy like COD/BF/CP2077 but other than that I’m set.

Exactly. To sell systems and Game Pass subs, they need to include a huge variety of genres, including those that Sony targets. The awesome thing here is we might get the most diverse lineup from a console manufacturer since Sega and the Dreamcast.

[LucasTaves]

While I agree, I’m not sure I recall Ms ever trying to copy Sony tbh. That was one of the reasons I was drawn to the brand.

The closest we got was xbone post plan changes and kinect death for a while it become just an weaker ps4, but they rectified it sooner rather than later.

And I’m also very happy that despite pretty much the whole industry pushing them to just copy the Sony games they never caved and always tried to put their own take into the games they make.

[OneBadMutha]

@Sikamikanico

A mixture of both. Microsoft consistently seems to set expectations sky high and then not rise to meet them. They need to be releasing titles that are super niche but desired by the vocal minority - Banjo, MechAssault etc as examples - surprise and delight the audience is all I’m saying. Buying 3rd party games as exclusives, not so much. Funding new and interesting titles via XGSGP - all for it.

Agree with this. Sony’s had their E3 of dreams where they won over fans with Shenmue 3 and Last Guardian. Those are 2 games meant more on paper as announcements than they meant at release. I remember Seamus Blackley talking about that after the conference saying that Microsoft still hadn’t learned that (which to be fair was when Myerson was still pulling strings). There’s something about fan service games where the impact of pleasing a vocal minority helps shape the mindshare around the brand. Can’t measure the value of those games in a vacum based on their sales alone.

If Microsoft announced Banjo, Mech Assult and Killer Intinct at their next live conference, I believe the pop they’d get would be one of the highest in years. Game Pass makes all of it more viable so hopefully it’s just a matter of time.

[Medusa (Natalie)]

The best thing that’s happened in the last 2-3 years have been all 3 of the major platform holders differentiating themselves like never before. Even as an “enthusiast” who have gotten all systems the past few gens, It’s much better and way easier to justify being part of all ecosystems when this is the case (at least when it’s meaningful differentiation). It also makes up for the fact gaming has seen consolidations and contractions in platforms over the last decade (sony bowing out of handhelds, nintendo merging their handheld and home console business, PC and console gaming becoming more and more similar)

[insane_cobra]

@OneBadMutha

…his. Sony’s had their E3 of dreams where they won over fans with Shenmue 3 and Last Guardian. Those are 2 games meant more on paper as announcements than they meant at release. I remember Seamus Blackley talking about that after the conference saying that Microsoft still hadn’t learned that (which to be fair was when Myerson was still pulling strings). There’s something about fan service games where the impact of pleasing a vocal minority helps shape the mindshare around the brand. Can’t measure the value of those games in a vacum based on their sales alone. If Microsoft announced Banjo, Mech Assult and Killer Intinct at their next live conference, I believe the pop they’d get would be one of the highest in years. Game Pass makes all of it more viable so hopefully it’s just a matter of time.

Mech Assault? Alan Wake 2, my dude, Alan Wake 2.

By the way, that Killer Instinct announcement of dreams happened at E3 2013, after years and years of KI3 teases. It didn’t really move the needle all that much. Crackdown 3, same thing. Phantom Dust… Well, we all know how that went down. Fable is another one of those announcements. Battletoads. Age of Empires. Flight Simulator. Halo Infinite going back to the series’ roots. It can’t be said that MS hasn’t tried catering to fans. But announcements alone are not enough, they need to be followed by well executed games.

[clashfan]

@Sikamikanico

A mixture of both. Microsoft consistently seems to set expectations sky high and then not rise to meet them. They need to be releasing titles that are super niche but desired by the vocal minority - Banjo, MechAssault etc as examples - surprise and delight the audience is all I’m saying. Buying 3rd party games as exclusives, not so much. Funding new and interesting titles via XGSGP - all for it.

Yes, MS needs to throw a bone to it’s hardest core fans. A Banjo, Crimson Sky, Lost Odyssey or Blinx games would be something the fans can rally around. Those games probably will not make big profit but it would be great fan service.