Microsoft Needs To Do Better In 2018

2017 hasn't been the best year for Microsoft. While EA has repeatedly shot themselves in the foot Microsoft doesn't have much to show this year, with Sony and Nintendo leaving the Xbox One in the dust. The PlayStation 4's library of exclusive games continues to grow, with the recently revealed Catherine: Fully Body and Nintendo's recent success with not only the Nintendo Switch but SNES Classic has propelled the company back into the hearts of the gaming community. Microsoft did deliver steady updates for Gears of War 4 and Cuphead was an amazing success, selling over 2 million copies, but compared to Sony and Nintendo has done little this year.

The biggest accomplishment has come in the way of the Xbox One X. Marketed as the most powerful console available Microsoft hasn't provided a reason to purchase the console. 4K resolution is nice but the game's limited pool of exclusive titles gives us little reason to buy the ultra-powerful console. Especially considering that the PS4 Pro is cheaper, has more exclusive games, and has been shown to provide the same high-quality experience as the Xbox One X.

This issue is becoming increasingly bigger as Nintendo has regained much of its lost momentum after the Wii U's launch. The system was a failure and ended with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with the Nintendo Switch taking Nintendo's focus. With games such as Arms, Splatoon 2, and the recently released Super Mario Odyssey the Switch has sold considerable units, selling 10 million units before its 1-year anniversary. Nintendo's SNES Classic also made massive traction, selling over 2 million units in just 1 month.

Sony plans to provide more games for their consoles with Shadow of the Colossus PS4 coming this February and Spider-Man PS4 and God of War still garnering a lot of positive reception. Nintendo constantly adding new third-party games to Nintendo Switch library and keeping gamers enticed with news such as the development of a new Legend of Zelda. As of now, Microsoft doesn't have much for gamers to look forward too. Crackdown 3 lost a lot of its appeal since being delayed to 2018 and with many of its franchises on hiatus perhaps it's time for Microsoft to start reviving old franchises or invest into new ones.

It's clear that Microsoft is aware of the issue and is attempting to resolve it. PUBG just released and hit 1 million players in 48 hours. However, how many people purchase a new Xbox One for this game? It was unfinished, released under Xbox's Game Preview Program, and was heavily criticized despite being an early access game for a myriad of bugs and glitches. Microsoft is bundling the game with the console but one game isn't enough. Even if Microsoft releases a new Halo this year Sony and Nintendo still have a leg up on exclusives and to support those systems.

The Xbox One X is a powerful console and games like Rise of the Tomb Raider, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and The Evil Within 2 benefit greatly from the system's added power. And with backward compatibility, the Xbox One provides gamers the chance to play their old Xbox 360 games. However, Nintendo alone has some of the most acclaimed and popular franchises, with the gamers eager for any information about the upcoming Pokemon Switch game, and Sony's is growing. The Xbox One X is selling well but without a healthy selection of exclusive games, it's better harder to see the system gaining momentum when faced with Nintendo and Sony.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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