Shocking Revelation: Microsoft CEO Spills Secrets on Console Exclusivity!

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed his desire to eliminate console exclusives entirely, including those on Xbox. Both Microsoft and Sony have benefited from having games exclusively released on their respective platforms. The company's recent efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard for $69 billion have intensified, with Microsoft executives presenting their case to the United States Federal Trade Commission. The hearing has provided intriguing insights, including the revelation that Microsoft contemplated purchasing Square Enix to bolster the Xbox division.

The quotes from the Xbox FTC hearing were reported by Video Games Chronicle. Nadella expressed his lack of enthusiasm for exclusives, stating that he has "no love" for them. While he believes console exclusives would no longer exist if it were up to him, he acknowledges that it is not his decision. Nadella also pointed out that Sony has utilized exclusives to define market competition, which implies that Xbox cannot currently afford to abandon this practice. Microsoft admits that Xbox lost the console wars, and this could explain its ongoing release of exclusives in recent years.

Microsoft might face a tough battle regarding the exclusivity argument at the moment. During the FTC hearing, Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation, criticized the Xbox exclusivity of Starfield, calling it "anti-competitive." Both sides of the argument have valid points, but there's no denying that Starfield, which is set to release in 2023, will be one of the biggest games of the year. This means that many gamers won't have the opportunity to play Bethesda's first new IP in almost thirty years. As there is no conclusion in sight, it will be interesting to see how this situation develops in the coming months.

Many questions about the Activision acquisition revolve around one major franchise: Call of Duty. If Microsoft were to make this powerhouse franchise exclusive to Xbox, it would be a game-changer for the industry. Throughout the acquisition process, Microsoft has repeatedly stated its commitment to keeping Call of Duty available on PlayStation. Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, even made this claim under oath. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain, but regardless, Call of Duty will undoubtedly have a significant impact.

Source: Video Games Chronicle