Yeah I think if you straight look at the Bethesda/Zenimax revenue on their publishing model of putting stuff on PS/Xbox/Switch/PC - you wouldn’t spend anything like $7.5Bn to continue that model. Not close. They weren’t making enough money to be worth that. So you spend that to drive people towards gamepass. And you do that primarily by making these games, gamepass exclusives…
[quote=“KageMaru, post:114, topic:3947”] However she presented her view well with good intentions. So I cannot stress it enough that we are not to attack people in the media for having a different opinion than you.[/quote]
She had an ignorant take that’s exactly what people have pointed out for years about the media. She is no different than some random YouTuber who spews nonsense, like Boogie recently did. It’s fair to call her out.
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Gaming journos when Deathloop and Ghostwire Tokyo were announced as (Timed) Exclusives on PS5
Gaming journos when Microsoft buys Bethesda Zenimax and make their next games Xbox Exclusives
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The fact that Microsoft even bothered to get a timed exclusive deal on Yakuza 7 leads me to believe they will be incredibly aggresive with their Bethesda games.
Not with the way she explains it, no. There is truth to the freedom and resources Sony has historically offered their first party studios. This has been expressed by a number of developers in the past, including Ted Price, which is why they were likely fine with the acquisition even though they have expressed no interest in the past. Regardless of anyone’s opinion of Sony’s games, few can deny that they are some of the most polished, beautiful, and high budget titles in the industry. Again, people can think what they want about their genre of games or the gameplay itself, but Sony does give their developers the freedom, time, and resources to do what they think is best. Over the last two generations, Sony has rightfully earned that reputation and trust from gamers.
On top of that, 1st party titles do generally see a rise in quality over their 3rd party counter parts. Resources are usually more focused, there are fewer platforms to work on, and developers are usually able to put time into the strengths of the key platforms. True, we’ve seen this with Xbox titles as well. Their fork of UE4 is mostly unmatched in the industry for example.
However we have not seen them consistently hit the level of polish and production values seen in Sony or Nintendo titles…yet. On top of the lack of polish or content this gen, MS also has had a reputation where creative freedom hasn’t been supported as much as it has under Sony. You can see this reputation touched upon in the Ninja Theory joining Microsoft video where they thought the conversation was going to end the moment they asked for full creative independence. Thankfully this looks to have changed at Xbox Studios and they now seem to be following Sony’s playbook in regards to how they support and provide freedom to their studios. I know they have been specifically saying “creative independence” over the last couple of years but it’s good to see confidence in the developers that this is actually being supported.
Understandably, it will take some time for MS to prove that things have improved on their end. I think MS is in the right direction and they just need to stay the course. As long as their games match the polish and quality of Nintendo and Sony 1st party titles, I think people like Alanah will apply the same logic for MS as they do for Sony.
To be fair, Alanah has iterated on how she didn’t agree with things like the Spider-Man exclusivity in Avengers.
I don’t agree that it’s ignorant and explain that above. Due to multiple factors, this deal is quite different than anything else we’ve recently seen in the game industry. While I think their games will be exclusive, and MS have every right to make them exclusive, I do understand why some would question or wish that they remain multiplatform and there is nothing wrong with that. Unlike studios like Playground Games, Undead Labs, or Insomniac, Bethesda titles have a history of being multiplatform for the last two generations. Add on MS’ willingness to allow some 1st party titles to be ported to other platforms, their reluctance to confirm whether or not all games will be exclusive, and it’s very understandable why some may express the questions they are asking.
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My biggest issue is that Alannah mentioned Deathloop loads in her videos and on Xcast yet didn’t once say ‘it sucks for Xbox players that Sony took it away’. Now perhaps across those multiple instances she forgot or just didn’t think it worth mentioning but there were times she clearly wanted to introduce balance and that for me was quite glaring. If she’d said ‘I’m super pumped for the game but its bad that Sony have paid to keep it off Xbox for a period’ - then I think much of the debate would be different.
I also don’t really buy the quality argument - or that Sony give their studios real creative freedom. If ND rocked up and said ‘we wanna make an MMO’ I don’t for one second believe Sony would just say ‘fine’. Whatever anyone says or however many statements we hear. Its a carefully crafted narrative but if you look at Sony they buy devs that fit their own profile - there is absolutely nothing wrong with that but devs that do not have NOT been treated well by them historically or even relatively recently. Only need to look at evolution for an example…
But regardless - without going down that rabbit hole - people say Xbox need more studios and more games. They get them then they are told ‘ohh don’t make exclusive games’ - I find that a very hard position to square off but I respect other opinions.
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I find some individuals in the gaming media are just not well informed and they bring across a certain double standard when it comes to how Xbox is viewed in comparison to other platforms. I do like Alanah Pearce though, I think in general she speaks more down the line than others and provides some good well thought out opinions. But, on this particular topic I feel she took a real backwards step and has really missed the big picture, which is a shame.
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^
It’s been a few days since I’ve watched it, but I don’t remember her opening the discussion to acknowledging Microsoft’s more recent, Sony-like approach to allowing devs the time and resources they need to make something even better. And while she defends that lower income Playstation gamers could miss out on these games, she doesn’t even acknowledge that programs like All Access and Game Pass would be far more friendly to lower income gamers.
Focusing on fewer platforms, with a single SDK might actually benefit all of Xbox first-party studios the same way it benefits Playstation studios. Remains to be seen.
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I apologize, the part about MS offering more creative freedom was coming from me, not Alanah. I’m assuming that people will apply the same logic for Xbox as they do for Playstation when they see the quality of games go up. You’re also right that there’s a good chance quality will also go up due to them focusing on fewer systems.
I agree that she could have mentioned options like all access but the sad truth is that just may not be an option for many people and I think that’s why it’s not mentioned. I grew up in a very poor family where my parent had to save to get whatever system we wanted as kids on the random year we were lucky to have one. Same goes for when I moved out on my own, an additional expense of even $25 just wasn’t an option. I’m sure there are plenty who are in similar situations, especially now with COVID.
I’m not saying, and I’m sure Alanah isn’t saying, that MS are bad guys for not putting games on every platform. However I can empathize with those who may not have the luxury to afford both systems.
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This is the main thing to remember. Let’s keep in mind that not everybody is going with Xbox by default so it feels to them like something is being taken away, and that they might be misinformed into thinking that they need to buy a full console upfront. Let’s remember the current ethos of Xbox and focus more on players than sides 
I know it’s frustrating to see the double-standards, but I think that the perception will correct itself over time as Microsoft keep making pro-consumer moves. Please remember that not all bias is intentional or malicious, folks! We’re only human 
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Well my intention is certainly NOT to attack anyone. I hope my comments weren’t taken that way. Cheers.
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Same here but you said the keyword, “luxury” Gaming is a luxury. It definitely feels there’s much less focus on MS making gaming as accessible as possible with Game Pass, PC, xCloud, All Access, the Adaptive Controller and instead are getting demonized for the Bethesda acquisition.
In fact it feels like there’s more emphasis on Bethesda being exclusive then there is on Sony increasing the price of their games by 10 bucks and charging for a Spider-man remaster. Even Bethesda gave the Skyrim remaster free to everyone on Steam that owned the original.
There’s only so much MS can do and as a consumer, people have to make choices with their money. If they’re cash strapped and want a PS5 and will still spend money on $70 games then they’re going to have to make cuts elsewhere.
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I’m REALLY tired of these types of discussions just cause it may impact Sony users. MS gives you tons of cheap ways to play Xbox first party games it’s not going to kill you to log into Xcloud or buy a Series S if you want to play these games.
Either join the Xbox eco system or miss out. The world only seems to cry foul when precious Sony gamers are impacted, tough crap, Sony has been ruthless over the decades with exclusives, they pissed off a company that can eat them for lunch, time for Sony to deal with it. Sony fans troll for years that Xbox has no games and now they piss and moan cause Xbox is gonna have the most exclusives. Cry me a river.
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Where does this idea come from that Bethesda has some long history with Sony? They’ve been producing games since 1986, didn’t come to console until 2001, began releasing their heavy hitters on Xbox in 2002 and didn’t start releasing those same heavy hitters for PlayStation until 2007.
They have a less then 20 year history with PlayStation and didn’t start bringing their flagship titles to the console until 13 years ago, where they remained clear afterthoughts in terms of marketing and optimization… well forever. Until Bethesda was bought.
Bethesda becoming Xbox/PC exclusive is no more eyebrow raising, on the face of it anyway, then Square Enix or a myriad of other publishers making PlayStation exclusive games. Square Enix has been releasing major titles, starting with Final Fantasy XI since 2006… a year before Bethesda began releasing major titles on PlayStation. But no one bats an eye over aggressive timed deals with Sony even in 2020 despite having a 14 year history with Xbox. Even when it impacts franchises that have been releasing on Xbox for over a decade now.
People need to get over it. Pretending that Sony has some long special relationship with Bethesda is just showcasing very obviously who is a gaming fan versus who is a Sony fan.
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The term “monopoly” has been thrown around a bit.
When you look at the sales of the X1 vs the PS4, it’s not even close.
When you look at social media and search metrics for the new machines, the PlayStation had a 5:1 to 10:1 lead over the Xbox.
By all indications, the PS5 would have had another fantastic start and MS would need to climb a doubly monstrous hill considering that Halo was delayed into next year, Forza into next Fall possibly, and no word on Hellblade 2.
We could have seen 25 million PS5’s sold by next September with only 10 million Series consoles sold (with Halo & Forza giving a major boost after their release).
And if one of those games were average, there would be only 1 traditional console for most people to care about. Waiting for the next Halo or Forza and hoping it’s the best thing ever, isn’t an option for prospective owners. There wouldn’t be much for competition and Sony would essentially control the console market unimpeded.
This purchase changes everything.
Now Microsoft has a brand that rivals the brand recognition of Halo: Doom. The Elder Scrolls are a brand that is almost as recognizable as Final Fantasy. Fallout, Wolfenstein, and Dishonored are critically acclaimed games that often hit “Game of the Year” lists.
We all know that Wasteland 3 and Flight Sim are fantastic games. And that Battletoads and Tell Me Why are great experiences. But the mass audience pays attention to a certain set of high profile games to inform their console purchases. And with that in mind I propose that the Xbox was a Halo game away from being irrelevant if it didn’t blow the minds off everyone, a tall ask for the 6th entry of a series.
So I’d argue that this purchase, and the acquisition of these exclusives, saved the industry from a Sony monopoly.
If these Bethesda games appear on the PS5, there isn’t much reason for casual gamers (again, who don’t care about how great Gears Tactics is, but do care about the next Halo) to consider the Xbox. It’s a game of brand recognition and monster IPs and Halo + Forza wasn’t going to save them again.
So really these gaming journalists should be thanking Microsoft for doing this. We were about to hit a Dreamcast vs PS2 situation but instead we’re looking at the Genesis vs the SNES all over again.
As far as I’m concerned, there’s only three things we as Xbox consumers should really care about regarding the Zenimax acquisition:
- We get more games with our subs
- The studios are more likely to put out higher-quality products with the financial security afforded by Microsoft
- This is an indication that Microsoft are committed to the market and our investment into their ecosystem isn’t about to be invalidated
I don’t care one iota for what journalists or fanboys or personalities or influencers have to say about any of it. Discussions in good faith about the future of the industry is one thing, but negativity for negativity’s sake should just be avoided. Who cares about the media’s or enthusiast’s perception of Xbox? Microsoft aren’t gonna pack it all in because of unfair coverage. It’s not fun to hear but try not to let it get to you too much, life’s too short.
I do think that the perception will shift but even if it doesn’t, I have no stake in this and neither should you
Edit: I’m sorry if this comes off as preachy. You do you of course, I’m just saying that this isn’t worth getting too heated about to me. Lord knows there’s enough to worry about in the world.
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No one is demonizing Microsoft here, at least not in the media. I wouldn’t let the warriors on Twitter speak for those with legit questions or curiosities.
Also, there were articles on how Sony is handling Spider-Man remaster. It’s just a company asking to pay for a remaster or a $70 price tag are FAR less surprising than a Zenimax acquisition. So of course that will receive the bulk of the coverage.
I agree that as a consumer, people will have to make choices with their money. In this respect I wouldn’t pin spending $70 on games over just the PS5 since there will also be $70 games on the Series X/S. Many people will need to make cuts, regardless of what console they end up with. Viewing this topic as some competition between the PS5 and Series X/S isn’t the best route to seeing it with an open mind. Let’s not get carried away over the characterization of what’s being discussed here. Some are questioning whether or not future Bethesda games are going to be exclusive while also illustrating why this acquisition is different than any other before. There is nothing wrong with that as I explained above.
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Are people actually acting like Sony has extensive relationship with Bethesda? I mean everything you said is correct.
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Who pushed Bethesda to put Morrowind on Xbox…? Oblivion…?