PS5 and Xbox Series X exclusives are a confusing mess — and I’m sick of it
PS5 and Xbox Series X exclusives are a confusing mess — and I'k sick of it
Last week, the Knights of the Old Republic Remake was announced during the PlayStation Showcase 2021, and there was much rejoicing. Yet at that place was also a fair amount of confusion after the game was appear every bit a PS5 exclusive.
It was originally assumed that, due to Sony'south phrasing, information technology would exist a timed sectional: essentially a game that launches beginning on PS5, but is and then free to release on competing platforms such as Xbox Series X at an agreed-upon subsequently engagement. However, a tweet from Sony'southward own Twitter account muddy the waters and led to some PlayStation fans believing the game was in fact a true exclusive, that would only ever exist playable on PS5.
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This defoliation was thankfully cleared up relatively quickly past KOTOR Remake'southward Senior Game Designer, Tully Ackland, who confirmed that information technology volition come to PS5 (and PC) get-go, but in the time to come could launch on additional platforms. That will most probable be after a menses of at least one year, as is the norm with timed exclusives.
Information technology was a relief that the debate was nixed before information technology had really begun, simply this is an all-likewise-familiar story. Information technology's not merely Sony which is guilty of being vague, intentionally or unintentionally, nigh whether a game is a timed or true exclusive. Microsoft is only as bad at blurring the lines, possibly for the sake of marketing. And I'm fed up with information technology.
Not for the first time
The confusion surrounding the sectional status of the KOTOR Remake is far from a rare occurrence. In fact, I can call back a fierce online storm when Microsoft and Square Enix repeatedly dodged questions well-nigh the exclusivity status of Rise of the Tomb Raider all the way back in 2015.
In that case, the game launched on Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, and came to PS4 exactly one year subsequently in November 2016; I'd expect the KOTOR Remake to follow a very similar timeline.
The debate effectually exclusive labeling was also stoked last year when Microsoft acquired Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax and proceeded to give vague non-answers when asked if that meant all future Bethesda titles would exist Xbox exclusives.
Even earlier this twelvemonth, gamers were still debating whether upcoming Bethesda games such as Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 would exist coming to PS5. Nosotros at least got confirmation at E3 2021 that Starfield will be a permanent Xbox console exclusive, only the fate of future installments in the popular Elder Scrolls and Fallout series haven't been antiseptic — although the smart money would suggest neither will release on PS5.
These are but a few examples of the literally hundreds of times that Sony, Microsoft and third-party partners have danced around the term sectional and been evasive when directly asked what platforms an upcoming game will ultimately come to.
There is some other manner
I see no reason why, when a game is announced by either Sony or Microsoft (or any other gaming platform holder), the exclusive status of that game cannot be instantly, and very clearly, explained.
When KOTOR Remake was announced, would information technology accept actually taken abroad from the excitement around its reveal for a message to pop up on the screen, conspicuously laying out that "KOTOR Remake is exclusive to PS5 for at least X amount of time"? It certainly wouldn't have affected my enjoyment of the trailer.
This week, I noticed that Sony has started doing only that in the Boob tube spots for recently released timed-exclusive Deathloop, conspicuously informing players that the Arkane-developed shooter will but exist exclusive to PS5/PC for a twelvemonth.
After that menstruation of time has elapsed, the game'due south publisher (rather humorously, Bethesda) will exist free to release information technology to other platforms. I want that level of candor to become the norm on both sides of the console divide.
No benefit to the players
Being aggravated past the fashion mega-corporations cull to label video game exclusives might seem like a very pocket-size thing to care most, but it serves no do good to players for companies to refuse to be upfront nigh this issue.
I'g non foolish enough to overlook the fact that Sony and Microsoft may be being intentionally vague for marketing purposes. Information technology serves the PlayStation brand well if players mistakenly assume that KOTOR Remake is only ever going to exist on PS5, and besides when Microsoft isn't clear with consumers.
It's time that both Sony and Microsoft were consistently clear and told players exactly what the situation is when it comes to exclusives.
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Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/ps5-and-xbox-series-x-exclusives-are-a-confusing-mess-and-im-sick-of-it
Posted by: houstonbeirst.blogspot.com
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