Microsoft will setup or buy studios dedicated to cranking out exclusive games for the Xbox One and powerhouse Xbox One X.
At least that’s according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer in an interview with Bloomberg, who outlined ambitions to broaden the number of exclusive franchises in the Xbox ecosystem.
“Our ability to go create content has to be one of our strengths,” he said. “We haven’t always invested at the same level. We’ve gone through ups and downs in the investment.”
Since the launch of the Xbox One in 2014, Microsoft has always lagged behind Sony in terms of exclusive games, with only the likes of Halo, Gears of War and Forza series really making much of an impact.
During its competition with Sony, Microsoft closed down internal game studios such as Lionhead and cancelled games, all while having a console that was less powerful than the PlayStation 4. But now Microsoft looks to be pulling a 180 degree turn, and not just by offering the world’s most powerful games console in the form of the Xbox One X.
If Spencer’s ambitions hold merit, then we could see more Xbox One exclusive games pop up in 2018 and beyond, giving Microsoft more scope to attract people to its games console over the PS4 and PS4 Pro.
And if Redmond ensures that new games offer enhanced performance and visuals for people using the Xbox One X, then it could really deal a blow to Sony, which so far has yet to get developers to make the most out of the extra power the PS4 Pro has.
Given the multiplayer heritage of Halo and the multiplayer-only upcoming Xbox One exclusive Sea of Thieves, it’s likely that any games developed by internal or Microsoft-owned studios will have a heavy multiplayer focus.
Related: Xbox One X Enhanced Games List
Are there any lost Microsoft franchises you’d like to see return? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
