Xbox has focused on multi-platform releases over the last several years, but that could change under its new leadership.
According to Windows Central‘s Jez Corden on the Xbox Two podcast, Xbox is thinking about returning to console-exclusive games. These aren’t small discussions, either – Corden claims that “there are very, very big discussions internally” on the matter.
Xbox’ current leadership, including new CEO Asha Sharma, is reportedly looking at the emphasis placed on the Xbox ecosystem during the Xbox 360 days. At that time, the console succeeded because the PlayStation 3 was way too expensive and the Wii focused intently on the casual crowd.
As a result, Corden said the current identity crisis is over whether Xbox wants to be known as a publisher or as a company that emphasizes an ecosystem.
“It’s just about what kind of company you want to be at the end of the day,” said Corden.
“Do you want a company that’s like… an ecosystem company first or do you want to be a publishing company first? Either the hardware operation will shrink to basically what Surface is now, which is like a shadow of its fullness… and for better or worse, Surface is on its deathbed.”
The shift back to console-exclusives would line up with where Microsoft’s competitors are at. Sony is reportedly dialing back its PC releases, while Nintendo has emphasized console-exclusives since the days of the NES.
Corden estimates it will take Microsoft years of a concerted effort to make this shift. Not impossible, but it won’t happen overnight.
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