The exclusiveness It’s one of the most controversial topics in the gaming industry, and the conversation certainly gained traction in 2024 due to Xbox’s recent multiplatform approach. Now, Blizzard’s former president has questioned the scope of that strategy.
We talk about Mike Ybarrawho was an Xbox executive and later served as president of Blizzard Entertainment. He has previously been a supporter of Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy, saying that approach will allow it to become the world’s largest publisher.
However, the executive returned to the subject and was now much more skeptical. He thus made a dig at Microsoft and stated that, in his opinion, the approach of PlayStation and Sony betting on exclusives is the right way to boost the success of their platforms.
Blizzard’s ex-president takes a dig at Xbox, questions its cross-platform approach
Recently, a report indicated that the popular Black Myth: Wukong did not reach Microsoft due to an exclusivity agreement with PlayStation. For the moment, Game Science He simply says that the delay of the port for Microsoft’s next-gen consoles is due to technical issues and other inconveniences.
In any case, the rumors gave much to talk about and put the issue of exclusivity back on the table.
In this regard, Mike Ybarra, who left Blizzard Entertainment in the midst of a massive wave of layoffs that affected almost 2,000 Microsoft employees, said that Sony should redouble its efforts to obtain more exclusives. The reason? Today more than ever, the environment is very competitive.
“If your strategy is to win in the rooms, you need successful exclusives because winning is a matter of platforms and jgames. Sony knows how to make hits and choose other people’s hits to be exclusives. If I were them, I would double my bet right now because the blood in the water is everywhere,” said the executive.
Much has been said about the possibility of consoles disappearing and the gaming industry pivoting on the streaming and the weight of the intellectual properties; However, Mike Ybarra believes that platforms will still be very important and used that argument to take a dig at Microsoft.
“I think that the losers push the narrative that suits them. In my opinion, the consoles will never die“, highlighted the former executive of Blizzard and Xbox.
Of course, not everything is rosy on the PlayStation side. One user recalled the resounding failure of ConcordSony’s latest exclusive, was unable to surpass 700 simultaneous players on Steam at launch. In this regard, Mike Ybarra believes that the company should move away from that type of game.
“Yes, I would stop betting on all that. The players are tired of the Battle Pass and the $18 USD skins“, commented the creative.
The next Microsoft video game to lose exclusivity is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Although its release for Xbox and PC is scheduled for December 2024PlayStation 5 owners will be able to enjoy it in spring 2025.
But tell us, what do you think about Mike Ybarra’s words? Let us read your thoughts in the comments.
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Related video: Goodbye exclusives: Xbox will bring its games to PlayStation and Nintendo
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