Both companies have exhibited a very different approach to the ninth console generation. Sony and the PS5 is taking the traditional exclusive-heavy approach with premium games at a typical price point. Microsoft and the Xbox Series X has exclusives as well, but is more focused on improving and expanding its services and ecosystem with Game Pass. Both presentations emphasize the strengths and flaws of both approaches, further differentiating the two companies from the traditional “console wars” of years prior.
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The “Future of Gaming” on PS5
Part of what defined the PS4’s massive success was its focus on creating definitive exclusive experiences in its first-party games. Granted the games-first approach was especially potent compared to the Xbox One’s rocky debut, nowadays this focus has become PlayStation’s strong suit. Games like The Last of Us 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, all exemplify PlayStation’s desire to make a unique and exciting gameplay experience for PlayStation fans. This strategy certainly paid off for Sony considering the PS4 sold more than twice as many Xbox One consoles in the last seven years. Based on this reveal event, Sony will be implementing a very similar approach moving into the PS5.
While fans finally got a glimpse of the final design of the PS5, the system itself was not the focus of the show. Despite the bombastic and whimsical design of the PS5 hardware, the games still took center stage of the conference. Heavy hitters of the PlayStation brand like Gran Turismo, Ratchet and Clank, and now Spider-Man all headlined the show’s offerings, along with several indie games and third-party surprises like Resident Evil Village. Ratchet and Clank in particular was a smart reveal because the game contextualized the new SSD technology and the capabilities of high speed rendering. PS5 is almost certainly following in the footsteps of Sony’s second-most successful console release of all time, focusing on the games that will make owning a PS5 the right choice.
Expanding the Xbox Family
As for Microsoft and Xbox, the company appears to be truly switching gears with the Xbox Series X. Based on the innovations of Game Pass and the implementation of the Play Anywhere initiative, it’s clear Microsoft is selling Xbox as an ecosystem rather than just strictly a console platform. It’s almost as if Xbox is taking inspiration from the Windows approach with its software suite; promoting the Xbox Series X platform as the definitive and budget-friendly way to play, but also giving options to others who would normally opt-out of Xbox-related products like PC players or mobile users with xCloud. Not to mention the many games offered on Game Pass are some of the best experiences to come out of the last decade.
Based on what the latest Xbox Games Showcase showed fans, Xbox has now delved fully into investing in the potential of Game Pass. Xbox touted all 22 games shown during the conference as games available for individual purchase, as well as fully available on Game Pass. While most fans were excited, and in some results disappointed, by Halo Infinite’s reveal, the truth is that Xbox Game Pass was the real winner from the showcase. Even if fans weren’t theoretically enthused by any of the games shown off during, the value proposition of Game Pass for now and the future is becoming far more valuable. Microsoft clearly recognizes that with Xbox, which is a huge reason why both the games and the Game Pass service were the spotlights of the show.
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PlayStation and Xbox’s Different Perspectives
It’s never been more clear that Xbox and PlayStation are now taking two very different approaches to the next-generation of consoles. Like Sony did with the PS4, the PS5 will sell based on its ability to deliver premium games on a premium hardware. PlayStation exclusives are going to be the console-mover for Sony, but that’s not going to be as detrimental to the Xbox brand anymore. Xbox has plenty of exclusives on the horizon like Fable that are exciting for fans, but their first-party titles (as powerful as they truly are) won’t be Microsoft’s bottom line anymore.
As much as the industry likes to harp on the potential benefits (and downsides) of Game Pass, the reality is that video games are tackling its first big “Netflix” moment. Game Pass won’t be as drastic as moving from physical DVD media to internet streaming, but the convenience factor is a big drive for consumers. Whether players are enthusiasts or casual gaming fans, Game Pass is often a good deal for both. PlayStation still follows the traditional model of one purchase equals one game, and that method will still succeed because of the critical and commercial hits retained in the PlayStation first-party library. Xbox’s exclusives, regardless of how well they perform, won’t as heavily influence these franchises because Game Pass remains a consistent success.
Both presentations reflect these two different perspectives wholeheartedly. While at the end of the day this competition is good for gaming fans, it does make the decision harder for console-agnostic fans later this year. PlayStation’s exclusive games are mostly critical and commercial hits, while Xbox Game Pass still gets players all sorts of amazing games at a much friendlier price point.
PS5 and Xbox Series X launches this fall.
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