Right now, PlayStation 4 is the reigning champion of the Console Wars. Its hardware is more reliable than Microsoft’s XBOX, and it has the best exclusive games of any console. Gamers have responded to the decisions Sony has made regarding the PlayStation with millions more unit purchases. PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 were the best-selling consoles of their generations, and consumers have bought more PlayStation 4 consoles than XBOX One and Nintendo Switch consoles combined. The secret ingredient in Sony’s special sauce isn’t a secret at all; it’s the overwhelmingly greater number of PlayStation exclusive games that are not available on XBOX or Switch.
In 2020, it seems as though Microsoft has finally learned its lesson, as it has bought ZeniMax Media, the company that owns Bethesda Software, which publishes the popular Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises. For a few years, Microsoft has been purchasing more video game developers to improve its portfolio of XBOX exclusives, but the acquisition of Bethesda shows that Microsoft wants to challenge Sony’s position as console leader; it’s a much more serious business decision than Microsoft has made in a while regarding the XBOX console. Frankly, I am both surprised and impressed by Microsoft’s move. It’s impressive because Bethesda has historically been a heavyweight contender among video game developers and publishers. Few video game companies are bigger. It’s also surprising because Fallout 76 was a real turd burger. On the other hand, Todd Howard loves toadying up to Microsoft in interviews. They might have wanted someone to help bail water before anyone noticed the ship was starting to sink.
I’m divided on Microsoft acquiring Bethesda. Clearly, there weren’t enough voices in the room to have prevented Fallout 76, but Fallout 4 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim were both smash hits. There was a time that I was a huge fan of XBOX, but that was before the XBOX 360’s infamous “red circle of death”. Today, I despair at the thought of buying a PlayStation 5 for $500, only to shell out another $500 for the XBOX Series X just so that I can play one friggin’ exclusive—even if that exclusive is Elder Scrolls VI. That would be even worse than buying a Nintendo Switch just to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. No, thanks.
Hey, friends. COVID-19 is still a thing, so stay home if you can. If you have to go out, please wear a mask. Wash your hands. Stay healthy. Stay safe. One Love.
Rosliw Tor Raekül 