So, assuming the rumor is true and HFR is indeed coming to Switch (2?), I figured I would lay out some possible scenarios as to why MS might be doing this.
MS sees potential transmedia properties in HFR and releasing it on the most dominant console in Japan could give it more visibility. Being that it’s a very anime-inspired game, that could then lead to a potential anime and other merch, etc.
MS is making a relatively big but not super important exclusive multiplatform as ammo for future acquisitions. It’s another game they can point to and say “See! We can be trusted when we say not everything will be exclusive”.
MS is trying to be as close as they can to Nintendo in an effort to get Gamepass onto the Switch/2 and/or in an effort to maybe work on a colab project similar to Mario vs Rabbids. Imagine Mario and Master Chief at the Olympics, or Mario and Crash Bash, or insert any other equally unlikely combo.
I know that last one is probably the least likely, but it would be fun. Outside of the typical doom and gloom responses, what do you guys think the actual reason is?
When I sit down and play a game the first thing I think of is “man, you know what makes this game great/would make this game great…that someone else can’t play it.”
IMO the frustration comes from two things: Sony moneyhats (which seem like they’ve slowed down?) and “PS/Switch/PC” game launches (mainly comes from indies or Asia devs)
I think people build a type of, idk, “inferiority complex” in their head with things like that and convince themselves that a game like HFR going to a competitor = the above will keep happening.
Again, not my POV, I’m excited for HFR on Switch (2) if it’s that.
If this is true it is very frustrating. I own 500 digital games as i bought all games on xbox rather then playstation. I have a gaming pc but prefer playing on a console because of ease of use and the interface.
If this is going to other consoles im seriously going to question where i purchase my 3rd party games going forward. To me this is one step for the console to go away and i don’t want to risk my future purchases going away if they don’t continue consoles. Them making the game 3rd party is one small step in that direction.
Worse thing yet, they’re letting anyone and everyone buy the Hi-Fi Rush merchandise like 808 Plushies. They’re not even requiring an Xbox Gamertag account to purchase…
The issue here is that people are ignoring Xbox can exist without it’s sales being it’s only justification. It should have been accepted when Xbox started releasing their games day and date on PC… and yet made another generation of consoles.
This right here for me. I would be a lot less frustrated on these kinds of moves ( assuming it true) if not for that fact. There are still a bunch of great looking games that ship on everything but xbox , but if I get annoyed about it it’s simply “buy that platform if you want that game”. Also Sony isn’t going to slow down on moneyhats anytime soon if ever. It is what it is I guess…
Add in the massive narrative-destroying element that is the Sony-sourced documents* proving that Sony is also going to be doing the same exact thing… all while still remaining a first-party platform holder.
So weird that we haven’t seen the media, online denizen fear-mongers mention any of that in this tirade…
I’m so disappointed in a lot of you. Letting a rumor spiral into a full blown meltdown on here is sad. If HFR shows up on switch Xbox will be fine. Stop letting little things get you so worked up.
Getting so worked up over some games going to other platforms to the point where you can’t enjoy your platform as is… this is weird behavior and you really should reconsider your priorities…
However,
It can and should be discussed and questioned the ways that MS/Xbox do some of their business and how they set expectations and meet or not meet them. Hi-Fi Rush or any other game of value to the brand going to another platform is questionable and middles with expectations and the messaging they laid out. It does not hurt me whatsoever, and I would personally love for all games to be on all platforms, but we’re talking about another reality, the reality we’re still living in it’s important to keep valuable exclusive titles, and even if it doesn’t affect me directly, it kinda makes me feel the console platform I like might not grow much as I like.
What document shows that Sony is going to start releasing their games on competitor’s platforms? I somehow have very high doubts about that.
And I think mentioning PC is disingenuous as PC is a completely different beast. Console sales canibalize each other, PC is somewhat its own bubble. The less MS sells consoles, the less accessories they sell, and the lower their profit margins become, which is the completely opposite of what the Xbox division is trying to achieve right now.
The documents are just a continuation of Sony’s strategy which is games never coming to Xbox or Switch they will come to PC after a duration of time once they have benefited the PS5 console and this works in Sony’s favour
I don’t mind HFR coming to Switch, but it will make the discussions around any non-blockbuster smaller-scope games a bit weird and probably very annoying to a lot of people here (including those who aren’t mad about this rumor). I can see this conversation spilling over onto the likes of South by Midnight (especially if it is at the upcoming DD). Non-Xbox folks might goof around a bit and say that they will just wait to play it when it comes to their platform. The case-by-case thing might be best for Xbox as a whole and individual games, but the online discourse will likely worsen (whether that matters is up to you).
Personally, I think very few games will go to multiple platforms this gen.
I’m also curious if MS is more willing to put the odd Bethesda game elsewhere than an Xbox Games Studio game. Do they view XGS as more core/important to their brand identity than Bethesda? Of course, Minecraft is an exception that proves the case by case thing also applies to XGS, but I still wonder whether they hold onto XGS games more closely.
but at the same time, it’s time to move on so…… when is the Developer Direct lol