During Sunday, Microsoft offered us a master class on how to hold a conference. Through the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase, the American company hit the table with a truly incredible batch of announcements. Not only because of the presence of Hollow Knight: SIlksong, but also because of all the great launch windows it offered us.
Although it is true that we cannot ignore that they hardly gave dates -this being the most critical aspect of the event-, they confirmed to us that each and every one of the games shown would be released within a maximum period of 12 months. What’s more, hours later they released an image in which they compiled almost all the announcements made in a kind of annual calendar divided between 2022 and 2023.
The Summer Game Fest becomes the perfect Xbox exhibitor
As is logical, during the tsunami of the Summer Game Fest -this has been a conference to remember-many remembered both Nintendo and Sony. From the first, for the memes; in each Direct, people viralized the term SIlksong. Well, in the end Microsoft has won the cat overboard. At least as far as the ad is concerned.
From Sony they remembered as many for the undeniable competition that exists between, above all, their communities. Although it is true that both companies are rivals in the sector, the crossfire has always developed between their most staunch admirers. We are speaking, in effect, of the so-called sonyers Y xboxers.
Well, during the night of Sunday and the morning of Monday, they have remembered each other, although that is not what I want to talk about on this occasion. Actually, this kind of introduction is a prelude to what is truly important: the paradigm shift between Xbox and PlayStation.
Redfall and Starfield will be late, but they will be fine
On several occasions over the last few months, Xbox has managed to overtake PlayStation in several areas, which not in all. I am not bringing you numbers because many aspects influence this type of measurement, such as stock, or simple distribution to stores; selling is not the same as distributing.
Be that as it may, little by little, the North American console has managed to turn the toast around, but towards something else. And that something else, despite the delays of Redfall and Starfield, has already arrived. At this conference, although there were doubts, Xbox managed to hit the table to say: “hey, I’m here, watch out for me” with a small legion of great video games.
There will be, at this point, those who talk about exclusives, payment services, etc. both in favor of one and the other. However, and this is my humble opinion, I think Xbox has managed to catch up in the first aspect. On the second… Well, Xbox Game Pass has been the best paid service (personal opinion) on consoles for quite some time.
Everyone, enjoy your hobby as you prefer
As a PlayStation user, everything is said, it does not hurt me that Xbox has managed to do things so well. On the contrary, I’m glad, because this has two meanings. The first is that Sony will have to consider making changes and reviving the machinery after many years resting on its laurels. That for one thing. On the other, because it is always positive that a video game company does well.
And it doesn’t hurt to say that I’m not a fan of one company or another; no one deserves me… Sorry, none deserve our devotion. After all, they are companies, and we are their clients. They are not our friends and family, so the logical thing is that we go with the one who offers us the best service.
Another thing is that we have more fun one or the other. I will never go into the discussion of which is better, because that depends on each one. I, for example, have a better time with a console than with a computer, but that does not prevent me from distinguishing the desktop PC as one of the best options when it comes to enjoying one or another game.
Xbox vs. PlayStation: the blow on the table that was needed
What I mean by all this is that, now yes, Microsoft has managed to turn the tables, as its catalog has grown exponentially. There is still a long way to go, since almost everything they have announced has yet to reach our consoles, but the future is very promising.
And why do I say that Xbox has managed to overtake PlayStation? In the first place, although he is taken with tweezers by the subject of the stockage, becausehave managed to sell more during the month of May. At least in Japan, this being a very hard blow. Next, because we have a real release schedule, heading into 2022 and 2023, loaded with great games. Not all of them are triple AAA, and they don’t have to be.
Because, to be honest, one big release a year is not enough. I prefer a triple A accompanied by several indies and several double A to only two triple A a year; quantity with quality, both hand in hand. It is not summed up only in colossi. And that is what Xbox is going to offer us. Okay, that and a very reinforced Game Pass that has managed to break the bank with the collaboration with Riot Gameswith the Redfall and Starfield samples -the FPS issue worries me, but I understand that they will fix it-.
Also for the Silksong announcement, for all the double A’s (the one from the creators of Rick and Morty can me) who have commented, for the indies that will arrive and, in general terms, for the great conference that they have given.
Is this the year of Xbox?
I say yes, and it is very possible that it will not be the last. And in case there was any doubt, which seems to exist, I clarify it. I think this is the year of Xbox because of the potential that Xbox Game Pass has been carrying, but also because of what they have just added since day one. For this reason and for everything that the hypothetical return of Blizzard implies, the collaboration with Riot Games or the very relevance of the conference.
And before you say anything, I could have accompanied this article with various numbers, statistics, etc., but I have preferred to offer you something simpler and more direct, because otherwise it could have been a particularly dense article.
Discussion about this post