Console exclusives are something that have been a constant in the world of gaming for years, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella would love to see that trend gone.
Details about Nadella’s opinion on exclusives came up during questioning in the Microsoft v. FTC case (via The Verge). It’s the fourth day of the trial. And since it’s begun, there have been a lot of revelations about Microsoft strategies for gaming going forward. As well as Sony’s reasoning for trying to block the acquisition. As part of all that the FTC started asking Nadella questions about everything from Microsoft’s gaming targets to making cloud mainstream. And whether or not cloud gaming takes away from consoles.
Following questions from the FTC, Microsoft’s own lawyer begins asking Nadella questions which led to a conversation about exclusivity of games on console platforms. Nadella states that he “would love to get rid of the entire exclusives on consoles.” But also mentions that it’s not for him to define when and where console exclusives should end.
Microsoft CEO states that Sony uses console exclusives to define market competition
Both Microsoft and Sony offer exclusives to their customers. Sony is famed for first-party titles like God Of War, The Last of Us Part 1 and 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man and the upcoming Spider-Man 2 and more. Microsoft meanwhile has games like Halo Infinite, Sunset Overdrive and others. It’s also getting the next big Bethesda title, Starfield, as an exclusive for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Nadella though, would see this sort of thing over. However, he says that it’s not for him to define. Noting that “especially as a low share player in the console market,” that Sony as the dominant player has defined market competition with exclusives. “I have no love for that world” Nadella says.
Does this mean gamers are likely to see the end of exclusives anytime soon? Probably not. The reality is that exclusives ship consoles. Despite how much people want to pretend they don’t. Even if it would be better for the majority of consumers if they were gone.
But a gamer can dream. Dream where we live in a world that doesn’t force the consumer to buy into a specific ecosystem just to get one or two games they may want to play.