Microsoft is venturing into a multi-platform approach for some of its Xbox games, similar to what Sega did in the past. According to Shawn Layden, a former PlayStation executive, if managed effectively, this move could be beneficial for Microsoft, as it opens up a larger market for their games. However, there’s a potential drawback: it might become challenging to attract more users to its platform due to the broader focus.
In today’s world where the development costs are skyrocketing, multiplatform is a strategic approach, as stated by Layden in the YouTube channel Kiwi Talks. Essentially, going multiplatform means expanding your potential audience, as marketing experts put it. The idea is to create a sense of urgency or “fear of missing out” by inviting everyone to your platform. However, if your content is accessible across all platforms, using exclusivity as a marketing tactic becomes challenging since you can’t claim it’s exclusive if it’s everywhere. Therefore, it’s a delicate balance – expanding your reach (which is beneficial) while making it harder to sell solely on your platform.
Previously, similar changes occurred in the business world, such as after the release and low sales of the Dreamcast, Sega chose to exit the console hardware market and concentrate on creating and distributing video games instead. As I was part of the industry during the transition of Sega’s Dreamcast titles to PlayStation 2, I remember how they eventually transformed into a software-focused company, which proved to be quite successful in that shift.
This year, two major games from Microsoft are expected to debut on PlayStation 5 consoles. Earlier it was announced that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would be available for the platform a few months following its release on Xbox and PC platforms. Recently, Microsoft unveiled that Forza Horizon 5 will likewise make its way to PS5 in the springtime.
From a hardware sales perspective, it seems that, at similar stages in their lifetimes, Xbox Series X|S is trailing behind the Xbox One, while Sony’s PS5 is surpassing the PS4. However, the silver lining for Microsoft is that their multiplatform strategy appears to be successful, as they claimed the top spot among video game publishers in December 2024, partially due to the popularity of their Call of Duty series.
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2025-02-03 17:41