As always when a new generation of consoles is upon us, there is a lot of excitement surrounding every aspect of the next-gen platforms. Everything from hardware specs and controller, to online service and apps, factor into our decision of which console to support. However, being gamers, what will always matter most are the games. System exclusives are one of the biggest selling points for any new console, so let’s take a look at how Sony and Microsoft measure up in regards to first party development studios.Sony is hot off their big PlayStation meeting last week where the first details of the upcoming PlayStation 4 were officially revealed. Some of the Sony exclusive franchises like Killzone and InFamous made an appearance, and we caught a glimpse of some new IP’s such as Knack, and DriveClub. Aside from first party studios, developers from second and third party studios shared their excitement for the possibilities that the PlayStation 4 offers.
With high quality developers Naughty Dog, Guerilla Games, Media Molecule, Sucker Punch and the various SCE houses, Sony are looking strong heading into the next generation. It’s fair to say that Sony definitively had a stronger line up of exclusives this generation, with games like Killzone 2/3, the Uncharted trilogy, Heavy Rain, and the God of War series delivering on the PS3, with titles like The Last of Us, and The Last Guardian (if it ever gets released) still ahead.
Microsoft on the other hand has been lagging behind when it comes to exclusive core titles, rather focusing on XBLA and Kinect games. Popular franchises such as Halo and Gears of War have done well on the 360, but need to reinvent themselves for the next generation. Multiplatform games have also performed well on the Xbox 360, and Microsoft have been doing a good job at moving units with effective ad campaigns and exclusive dlc deals. However, Microsoft needs to turn some heads and bring out fresh big guns when they reveal their next console.
When it comes to Microsoft’s first party studios, they are not looking as strong as Sony for the time being. Many of them are focusing on Kinect titles and XBLA games, which is certainly not a bad thing, but they clearly need to step up their game when it comes to exclusive core titles in order to keep the Xbox fanbase from migrating. 343 industries did a formidable job with Halo 4, and Lionhead and Turn 10 studios are fine assets, but that’s not going to cut it for the next generation. Some promise may lie in the next-gen projects that are in development by the various Microsoft game studios, and games being co-developed in conjunction with third party studios, time will tell if their next-gen exploits will cut it, and I surely hope so for Microsoft’s sake.
As details about Microsoft’s next console effort are still either scarce, or purely speculative at this point, it’s hard to predict how things will look a few months down the road. One thing is for sure though; Sony is already looking good and building high hopes, and has firmly secured a leading position in the race for next-gen supremacy. Microsoft is going to have to work hard to achieve the same kind of success as they’ve had this generation. The race is on, it’s going to be a good one!
