My option isn't there: Undecided. Still need more info on the consoles and games coming. But Microsoft definitely has a big opportunity to sway me over to Xbox Series X, even though I've been a Playstation console and Playstation handheld owner since the original Playstation. It's honestly all Sony's own fault as well. PS3 was peak Sony, even though the console cost a lot. At least my launch PS3 allowed me to play most of my old games and it even supported games being usable across both Sony handheld and home console, like the Playstation Classics and other titles.
Playstation 4 was great feature wise with a lot of modern technology, expanding remote play, adding streaming and recording capabilities, shareplay, PSVR and overall being a beast of a machine at launch. However, in return it gave away the idea of one machine (though to be fair, that happened during the PS3 era, but my investment into PS3 happened before that step backwards), PS Classics/crossplatform games and limited online usage.
If Microsoft under Don Mattrick had delivered a good vision for the Xbox One, I might've bought that instead of PS4. However, with only bad option for a "one machine", I obviously ended up with a PS4. I was honestly completely ready to buy whichever of the consoles were the best back in 2013 and bought the PS4. Playstation generally having a wider library also helped much, having a bigger genre production and a Japan presence. Sony generally also let more unique and niche projects live, which is something I appreciate. Also I had the Vita, so that made it much easier to buy the PS4, because I imagined I'd use remote play a lot (though it's still too unstable to be of much use).
Honestly, had they done as with Xbox 360 (
having a great varied list of exclusives in the pre-Kinect era) and follow the mindset they have had under Phil Spencer with Xbox One X and now Series X, while coming up with great features for the console to make it the best "one machine" I can get. Then I'd be an Xbox owner easily.
Regarding IPs Microsoft has a lot of potential draw power in terms of exclusives. Microsoft Flight Simulator, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Battletoads, Age of Empires, Conker, Black & White, Lost Odyssey, Monster Truck Madness, Forza and Halo. Those are all interesting IPs I believe Microsoft owns and could take advantage of. However, establishing new IPs is also important, which is why there needs to be a balance there, otherwise sequels will often dry things up.
If Microsoft released Banjo-Threeie I'd have a hard time not buying the Xbox Series X. Only thing stronger from the Sony side would be Demon's Souls 2 or Bloodborne 2. Possibly also a new and ambitious Wild Arms. Of course, both have other IPs that have some pull, but generally a lot of their exclusives are "good, but I don't need to play it". Historically Sony has depended on japanese publishers to fill up their catalogue, along with first party production of a wide range of genres. Since most games from third party publishers tend to be released on multiple consoles nowadays, first party has become more important. Though I'd say that there's very few IPs from the console manufacturers that have a hard draw for me, outside of those mentioned.
My advice for Microsoft is get some RPG exclusives (both western style and japanese style), a third person action/adventure game, make a good Halo game and a platformer. Probably should've made a deal for a game with FromSoftware for a sci-fi horror souls game. Other than that, just trying to make deals with various developers or publishers for promising titles that would have the promise to sell consoles.
thats a weird fetish you got there
