Normally, a person wouldn't expect a console manufacturer to come right out and admit it offers fewer exclusive games for its hardware than the competition does, but a Microsoft executive did precisely that when comparing the Xbox software lineup to that offered by Sony's PlayStation. The Microsoft executive who made the unexpected comparison did have his reasons, however.
Microsoft and Sony have competed fiercely ever since Microsoft released the original Xbox on November 15, 2001, and entered a race dominated by Nintendo and Sony. Sega ended support for the Dreamcast a few months prior, and Microsoft jumped into the void that company left before it had a chance to disappear. From that point on, the console race has remained a three-way affair, with Microsoft enjoying its greatest success while challenging the PlayStation 3 with the Xbox 360.
Microsoft's most recent comments on the disparity between console software libraries came during the annual Microsoft shareholders meeting, wherein Microsoft President Brad Smith discussed ongoing developments related to Microsoft's attempt to acquire third-party developer Activision. The FTC has taken a dim view of the proposed acquisition due to concerns it might stifle competition, and Microsoft has hastened to present itself as the underdog still scrambling to catch up to its competition. Phil Spencer claimed PlayStation plans to continue growing by making Xbox smaller, and Smith noted in the meeting that PlayStation currently has 286 exclusive games compared to only 59 exclusives available for Xbox hardware.
Software exclusives remain a primary selling point as manufacturers market their consoles to gamers, so it makes sense that Microsoft would downplay any strengths in that regard. This is not the first time it has done so, either. Last month, pushing for approval in Europe, Microsoft stated PlayStation has many exclusives of better quality. The claim seems to match a common perception among consumers, who frequently point to recent hits such as God of War Ragnarok that will not appear on Xbox hardware, or express their irritation with PlayStation's timed exclusivity deals.
Exclusives Microsoft might someday bring to the table are currently in development and have been for years. Some analysts have expressed concerns Microsoft might quickly make games such as Call of Duty exclusive to Microsoft hardware, but in fact, Microsoft has offered Sony the option to make Call of Duty available on PlayStation Plus. Such offers seem to be part of an attempt to placate the FTC, which plans to file a suit to block the deal, rather than an effort to appease Sony. However, it remains unclear whether concessions of that sort will sway the regulatory agency and prevent legal opposition. For now, Xbox gamers will have to make do with whatever exclusives Microsoft already can provide.
Source: Bloomberg