Former Xbox Exec Suggests Microsoft Would Stop Making Hardware Given the Choice

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During the height of the Xbox brand, Peter Moore was arguably the face of the company.

From his memorable Halo 2 ink to his notorious statement urging folks to opt for an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii over a PS3, Moore is undeniably a gaming icon associated with the Xbox franchise.

In 2007, I transitioned from my previous company to spearhead Electronic Arts’ sports division. My departure paved the way for Dom Mattrick, who famously advised folks to opt for an Xbox 360 over an Xbox One.

Instead, let me deviate a bit; Peter Moore recently appeared on Danny Pena’s podcast to mark the 20th anniversary of the Xbox 360. In their conversation, the focus shifted towards Microsoft‘s current business strategy. Moore contends that if given an option, Microsoft would not be involved in hardware manufacturing today.

choose a game, dive in instantly without delays or lags. The barrier between your controller and the TV screen is minimal, if not non-existent. Yet, it’s clear that console enthusiasts, such as Nintendo fans, have a strong attachment to their gaming hardware.

Microsoft Has Long Wanted to Establish the Xbox Brand Beyond Selling Consoles

During the peak period of the Xbox 360’s fame, Peter Moore parted ways with Microsoft. This console was home to some of the most exceptional video games in the industry, such as Call of Duty, BioShock, Halo, and many others. These games were primarily played on the Xbox 360.

Currently, it seems that the top-tier video games are often accessible across various platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and personal computers. This includes even games produced by Xbox’s first-party developers, which means enthusiasts who wish to experience the best Xbox games can do so on alternative systems as well.

Microsoft’s approach with Xbox, as exemplified by slogans like “This is an Xbox” and “Play Anywhere,” has always been about enabling Xbox gamers to play games wherever they choose. Phil Spencer, in particular, has advocated for this flexibility. Moore, on the other hand, acknowledges that the console wars have reached their conclusion, suggesting that, from an economic perspective, it’s more than just a battle of consoles.

Microsoft initially attempted to position the Xbox not just as a gaming console, but as an entire ecosystem starting from the Xbox One era, aiming to establish their presence as a software service provider. Regrettably, this strategy flopped significantly, but today they are making strides towards achieving it with services like Xbox Game Pass and even releasing games such as Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5.

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2025-03-07 22:03