Microsoft's gaming division has been in transition for some time. And above all, the takeover of Activison Blizzard represents a turning point. Microsoft is one of the largest publishers on the market and is sometimes on top of that Most active players on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
But what does this mean for Redmond’s hardware strategy? And how important will the cloud be from now on? Xbox President Sarah Bond fielded a series of questions at the Bloomberg Technology Summit.
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Are there more games coming to PS5?
One of the first topics was the release of previously exclusive games on Sony and Nintendo consoles. Bond remained quite vague here, pointing out that the response to Xbox games on external platforms so far has been “encouraging”.
She couldn't say anything specific, but pointed out that these are by no means the first games from Microsoft on the PlayStation and Nintendo hardware. The company is also represented with “Minecraft” as well as games from Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
“It is a decision we make on a game-by-game basis as we move forward and continue to implement our strategy,” continued Bond. This leaves many possibilities open.
What hardware plans is Microsoft pursuing?
Another exciting point in the interview is the future hardware direction that Microsoft is pursuing in the gaming division. Back in February, Bond announced that the new generation would biggest technological leap want to lay down. But what does that mean?
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After the interviewee emphasized in her question that the Xbox's legacy is the console itself and that “many of the long-time hardcore consumers” fear a shift in priorities, Bond became a little more specific.
Specifically for core gamers, she has “focused on developing and building next-generation hardware that truly meets their needs.”
Bond continued: “I spoke publicly a few months ago about our focus on making the biggest jump ever. And that means we really think through every aspect of the hardware and gaming experience with the core player in mind. And it’s about strength and performance, that’s absolutely part of it.”
It is not entirely clear what Bond means by this. But it sounds like at least core gamers can expect hardware with more power.
Microsoft continues to rely on the cloud
Microsoft seems to have a different strategy in mind for the overall market. It’s about “being able to play all the games”. And since many people “have been playing on Xbox for decades and have invested thousands and thousands of dollars and hours with us,” they want to give them the opportunity to take their games with them into the hardware of the future. Of that This isn't the first time we've heard it.
“One of the decisions I made when I became president of Xbox was to create a team dedicated to preserving games and making sure that future generations, future iterations, can take these things with them,” Bond said further. This again leaves room for interpretation. From another perspective, it could also be preparation for a post-Xbox console era.
The other words sound similar: “The next part of this is to say: Okay, I can take these games with me. I've invested in these games, I get an incredible high performance experience on my console. But we remain committed to ensuring players can take their games wherever they want to play.”
The Xbox library is something that should accompany players and that they can enjoy with other people. “So our long-term commitment to cross-play is part of that, as is our commitment to cross-progression and cloud storage,” Bond continued.
According to the Xbox president, there is continued investment in cloud gaming. Many people who use cloud gaming would also own a console. However, they would like to “just play on another device” and “go somewhere else”.
Bond further explains that cloud gaming is something that is growing faster than the overall market: “Demand is outstripping supply in this area and we will expand more capacity and introduce more options for users to play in the cloud. […] So it’s an area we’re investing more in and excited about.”
Every new Xbox game comes to Game Pass
Finally, Game Pass was discussed and Bond once again pointed out that subscribers will have “every single game we develop in Game Pass from day one.” “Some really big games” will follow later in the year.
But This also applies to the next “Call of Duty”? After it was questioned whether this meant games from Activision, Bond gave a clear “yes”: “Across the entire range. You will see some truly amazing things. And keeping that as something truly special for Xbox gamers is key for us.”
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