Former PlayStation Boss Thinks Xbox Multiplatform Plan Can Succeed

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Summary

  • Layden highlights multiplatform as a strategy against high development costs for Xbox.
  • Xbox’s move could hinder creating FOMO by making exclusives accessible to all platforms.
  • Layden compares Xbox’s strategy to SEGA’s shift to software after Dreamcast failed against PS2.

A week ago, whispers emerged suggesting that Microsoft might unveil numerous Xbox-exclusive games on rival systems. These speculations gained momentum following the news that Forza Horizon 5 would be available on PlayStation 5 come the spring season.

Although Xbox enthusiasts may find themselves displeased with Microsoft’s current strategy, a former Sony executive envisions a path for success in this transition, likening it to the journey SEGA took in the past.

Xbox’s Multiplatform Move Is A Strategy Against The Rising Cost Of Game Development

On the Kiwi Talkz YouTube channel (through VGC), the ex-CEO of PlayStation and previous chairman of Sony Interactive America shared his thoughts about Microsoft’s cross-platform strategies for the Xbox brand.

In a world where development costs are skyrocketing, Layden emphasizes that a multi-platform approach is a key strategy.

Layden remarks, “Does this impact their brand? It complicates the effort to generate FOMO (fear of missing out) by inviting everyone onto your platform with ‘you’re missing out if you’re not here.’ However, if it’s accessible across multiple platforms, one of your marketing strategies – emphasizing exclusivity – becomes less effective.

As a gamer reminiscing about the past, I recall the shift I witnessed when SEGA, once a console powerhouse, transitioned to focusing solely on software after their Dreamcast didn’t measure up against the PS2. I remember Sega bringing their Dreamcast games to the PS2, and now looking back, it’s fascinating to see how they’ve undergone a remarkable transformation in that regard. History seems to be repeating itself here, as Microsoft is following a similar path, which does have its precedence.

As a passionate fan looking back, it’s hard to forget the intense rivalry between SEGA and Nintendo for home console supremacy. Regrettably, some questionable decisions like the SEGA CD, 32X, and others led SEGA to step away from the market when their Dreamcast couldn’t compete with the PS2’s success. Since then, they’ve evolved into one of the world’s leading software development companies.

Is it debatable whether the Xbox brand is experiencing similar events? While that’s up for discussion, it’s clear that the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, has consistently emphasized that there are no strict boundaries when it comes to Xbox games being made available across multiple platforms.

It appears that Xbox has verified the arrival of Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5 in the current year. However, it seems that additional Xbox series could also be coming to Sony’s PlayStation 5, as well as Nintendo’s forthcoming Switch 2.

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2025-02-03 18:10