Concerns grow among publishers and gamers about Xbox support as sales decline. How will this affect Microsoft's console?
Recent reports reveal growing concern among publishers about supporting Xbox consoles, especially in Europe, where sales have slowed. Chris Dring of GamesIndustry.biz notes that discussions at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) point to a challenging landscape for Xbox.
Xbox Becomes Unattractive To Publishers And Retailers
Sales have been steadily declining, causing major companies to question their investment in Xbox support. Retailers in Europe are reducing Xbox inventory, while publishers are shifting their focus to the PC and PS5 markets.
Microsoft's acknowledgment that it is lagging behind PlayStation and Nintendo, along with the fact that the PS5 is outselling the Xbox Series X/S worldwide, underscores the seriousness of the situation.
In response, Microsoft plans to expand the availability of first-party titles on competing consoles, potentially including major Xbox franchises on the PS5. Microsoft has already brought some (original) exclusives to the PS5 with Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment and Grounded.
These developments raise questions about the long-term viability of Xbox as a hardware manufacturer. We will keep you updated.