As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with anticipation as I gaze upon the image of Obsidian’s upcoming masterpiece, Avowed. It feels like a lifetime ago since we first caught wind of this game, back when Xbox Game Studios was still a modest powerhouse in the gaming industry.
The highly-anticipated RPG by Obsidian Entertainment, titled “Avowed,” was initially unveiled in 2020, marking the beginning of the Xbox Series X/S era. Since then, the gaming landscape has undergone significant transformation. Xbox Game Studios has expanded significantly, now encompassing numerous game development companies. Obsidian Entertainment, on the other hand, has diversified its portfolio, venturing into various genres beyond its traditional realm, such as the adventure RPG “Pentiment” and the survival game “Grounded.” After a long wait, it appears that “Avowed,” the latest offering from Obsidian, is almost ready for release.
The game “Avowed” is scheduled to debut on Xbox Series X/S and Windows PCs on February 18, 2025, marking almost five years since its initial unveiling. Similar to other games from Microsoft, it will be accessible on Game Pass the moment it launches. However, those who pre-order the Premium Edition of this role-playing game can begin playing it five days earlier. Interestingly, “Avowed” is currently available for purchase on both Steam and the Xbox store, but also on Battle.net, a platform that has not previously hosted Obsidian games. Given Microsoft’s broader strategies for its gaming division, it seems logical that “Avowed” would be released on Battle.net as well.
Avowed on Battle.net Aligns With Microsoft’s Multiplatform Approach
Microsoft Aims to Make Its Games Accessible on As Many Platforms As Possible
Historically, Microsoft has primarily made its first-party video games available exclusively through its console lineup, similar to Sony and Nintendo. However, following the completion of its $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard King in October 2023, Microsoft has begun adopting a more multiplatform strategy for its games. Instead of emphasizing exclusivity and encouraging gamers to purchase their hardware, they are now aiming to distribute their games across as many platforms as feasible. This means that apart from Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, their games can also be found on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and other non-Xbox devices.
Recently, Microsoft unveiled a fresh marketing campaign titled “This Is Xbox,” which categorizes devices such as smartphones, TVs, laptops, VR headsets, handheld PCs, and other Game Pass and xCloud-compatible gadgets under the “Xbox” umbrella. The purpose of this promotional strategy, as Microsoft explained, is to highlight the transformation of Xbox into a platform that spans various devices. While it doesn’t necessarily imply that they are giving up on Xbox consoles, it does indicate a shift towards providing an all-encompassing service experience with the Xbox brand, rather than solely focusing on hardware development.
Non-ABK Games Typically Don’t Release on Battle.net, But Avowed Could be the First of Many
The heart of Microsoft’s “everything can play on Xbox” approach emphasizes user flexibility: allowing gamers to play their preferred titles across various platforms like Steam, Xbox, and Battle.net, including the upcoming game, Avowed, which will be available on Battle.net despite primarily housing Activision Blizzard games. Interestingly, Avowed is one of the initial titles on Battle.net being developed by a company outside of Activision Blizzard Kingdom (ABK). Although Obsidian Entertainment and Blizzard are both under Microsoft’s umbrella, Obsidian operates under Xbox Game Studios for publishing purposes, whereas Blizzard remains under ABK.
Microsoft’s decision to make Avowed available on Battle.net indicates that the company is not focused on merging storefronts or compelling users towards the Xbox PC app. Instead, it appears that they want players to buy games from their preferred stores. Since both Battle.net and the Xbox Store are owned by Microsoft, their primary concern seems to be player satisfaction rather than which platform they choose for purchases. If Avowed achieves success on Battle.net, Microsoft might consider offering other upcoming Xbox games on this platform as well, such as Doom: The Dark Ages, Gears of War: E-Day, and Fable.
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2024-11-16 19:13