Xbox’s Renewed Focus
It is no small secret that the Xbox brand has faced an uphill climb this generation. From the disastrous reveal of the Xbox One to the questionable quality of their first-party output, they’ve struggled to sway the perception of a large portion of the hardcore gaming community. Despite all of that, this hardcore Playstation fan is excited by the moves Xbox is making. In recent years, I’ve watched Xbox claw their way back with a renewed sense of vigor. A vigor that has shifted the focus back to gaming. Through consumer-friendly practices, Japanese support, and a commitment to first-party, the future seems bright, perhaps brighter than its ever been. This focus has resonated with the very segment of gamers, (myself included) that have met them with cynicism. How have they accomplished this gradual change?
Pro Consumer Moves
In E3 2015 Microsoft announced the start of its backwards compatibility initiative. Now, the list spans over four generations of games and it’s a consumer-friendly move that PlayStation has yet to match. Game Pass allows access to a large catalog of games all for an affordable price. It’s arguably the best deal in gaming and has opened up the door for people to try out all kinds of games that they would never risk buying in the first place. I’ve even had a friend just recently try out the Yakuza games for the first time, thanks to this service. I can only imagine how many more titles are getting exposure due to Game Pass. Those two points will resonate with some more so than others. However, one point that has me more excited in the Xbox brand than I’ve ever been in the last several years, has been their recommitment to their first-party staple.A Convincing & Impressive First Party Portfolio
As I’ve grown older and have discovered creative writing as a passion, my tastes in gaming have changed. Now, I find myself craving anything that’s narratively focused. Some of my favorite games this generation include, Persona 5, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Last of Us Part II, Yakuza 0, Nier Automata, and Horizon Zero Dawn. All of which are games ripe for discussions pertaining to their respective stories. Sharing the moments that brought about tears or moments that dropped our jaws, are the reasons why I love gaming. When I look over to the games Microsoft has provided throughout the generation, I see games such as Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, Bleeding Edge, Crackdown 3, Grounded, Forza Horizon, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, these are titles that just don’t scratch the itch of what I am personally looking to invest myself into. Starting E3 2018, however, Xbox piqued my interest with its bevy of studio acquisitions. As I looked forward, something clicked in my head. Although Xbox may not currently have what speaks to me, there does exist a variety of games at Xbox Game Studios that cover a wide range of tastes. And it’s precisely because of that variety, that I can find a few titles to latch on to now.




Securing Japanese Support For Xbox
These five studios, just scratch the surface but they’re without question responsible for my piqued interest in the first place. Also, take into account Phil Spencer’s commitment to bring over more Japanese titles that have missed Xbox in the past. It’s been a glaring issue for years and has resulted in many gamers skipping the platform altogether. Gradually, the team at Xbox has taken strides to make sure this is no longer an issue. The effort is noticeable and a nice contrast to the Xbox of the past. The Yakuza series, a personal favorite of mine, is on the Xbox platform for the first time ever. Something I truly did not think would ever happen but the franchise is now gaining the attention it deserves. Both Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts are on the platform, not to mention Dragon Quest XI as well. Although they’re not the most popular games, Xbox needs these titles to help diversify its catalog. As a fan of the classic Japanese titles that were so abundant on Playstation 1 & 2, I’m excited to see Xbox start to prioritize those games as well.




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