The upcoming generation of consoles brings a real head-to-head race again.

The message has caused a bang: from now on the Bethesda Game Studios, ID software, arcanes, machines and more are part of the first party contingent of the Xbox Game Studios. With this aggressive acquisition (the purchase price is $ 7.5 billion), Microsoft finally closes the already shrinking gap between Xbox and PlayStation, which has opened up in the current generation of consoles. The times when Xbox “simply has no games” seems to be finally over.

Like the phoenix from the ashes

But even if the Bethesda deal is certainly exceptional and, above all, surprising, this positive trend has been emerging for a long time. After the successes with the Xbox 360, Microsoft initially relied on a “multimedia console” at the Xbox One announcement, which made it difficult to exchange users, and in general video games in favor of TV integration. That was less well received by players and Sony benefited with the PS4 gaming focus.

However, Microsoft has been limiting damage and reparation-and with good luck since these Current gene beginnings. The restrictions of the Xbox One were quickly returned, the topic of downward compatibility (up to the original Xbox library) became a dream for usage dealers. With the Game Pass, an attractive subscription service was also introduced, which is now considered the largest draft horse in the Xbox ecosystem.

Last but not least, it is clear communication with your own and future fans that Microsoft has improved. Where Sony wrapped in silence for a long time and only revealed details about the PS5, we knew very early on how the Xbox Series X and its skills and features were. The fact that Microsoft, unlike Sony, announced the pre-order start for Series X/S at an early stage, is only the latest example.

When it comes to the mysterious Starfield, we will probably find out on Xbox page much earlier.

When the weakness becomes a strength

The Xbox brand has therefore had an immense image change that is only the strongest in terms of exclusive content and has now found its preliminary climax with the Elder Scrolls/Fallout deal. From now on, and that should be emphasized, Microsoft has significantly more first party studios (currently 23) than the celebrated lineup of the PlayStation Studios (15 developer teams):

However, the (naturally subjective) quality of first party content is much more important than the quantity. And even if Microsoft with studios like Obsidian Entertainment (The Outer Worlds), Inxile Entertainment (Wasteland 3) or Ninja Theory (Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2) has already brought a few top -class teams on board – Sony still felt a bit better. Title like God of War 2, The Last of Us: Part 2, Spider-Man Miles Morales or Horizon 2: Forbidden West then radiate more mainstream blockbuster character.

Even before the Bethesda deal, Microsoft provided new additions-like the Hellblade makers from Ninja Theory.

Microsoft has now also gained this mainstream blockbuster. Both the Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Starfield, but also Doom, Wolfenstein or Dishonored are now Xbox brands. Even temporary exclusivity can make the difference here and make fans switch to the Xbox – simply because their favorite games are now appearing a little earlier. Where the Exclusive Lineup was considered Xbox’s largest weakness a few years ago, it is now a sales argument.

Only the icing on the Xbox cake

However, it is not just the in-house game offer that Microsoft put on a small turnaround. The Xbox brand has been reinvented for years and attaches great importance to attractive service models and general user-friendliness. And here too there have been further progress in the past few weeks and months. The Game Pass Ultimate will not only offer all upcoming Bethesda titles directly to the launch, but also comes with EA Play membership.

In general, the Game Pass has now become an unbeatable offer that Microsoft, according to its own statements, is also much more important than the mere sale of Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. it will probably take some time for the numerous studio purchases from Microsoft to be reflected in exclusive games – but it only has to be produced more – but that the game pass is only more attractive Ask.

The game pass contains almost all large Microsoft titles directly to the launch.

Microsoft is also much more approaching the players with regard to the next-gene consoles than Sony is currently doing. The downward compatibility of Series X/S is hard to exceed, long-serving controllers can continue to be used and with the Xbox Series S there is a powerful next gene console for less than 300 euros. At the same time, the PS5 “only” offers downward compatibility with the PS4 library, the purchase of new dualsense controllers becomes a duty and supposed PS5 Exclusives is suddenly also available for the PS4.

Finally head back to head

Of course, Sony is still very good with the PlayStation brand. However, the former unexpection has long since evaporated. Should Sony continue to rest on his own laurels, Microsoft will continue to win ashore. The economic effort that is behind the Bethesda acquisition signals that they are willing to do so. The investment of $ 7.5 billion also shows that where that comes from, there is more. Who knows whether Microsoft hasn’t been working on the next surprise deal for a long time?

Sony himself has already indicated that you are interested in buying more studios and strengthening the first party portfolio. Insomniac Games was already a valuable addition, but even then I thought that it might not be enough. But which studio would fit Sony at all? Which new addition would have a comparable added value, as the Bethesda Game Studios offer, for example? Some fans already show how wild with their fingers On the IP treasure box from Konami.

Here, too, the following applies: Game offers are important, but by no means everything. Microsoft goes other ways than Sony and if it stays that players like these paths better, Sony will more and more move away from the base. In the PS4 era it was often called “for the players” – but at the moment Microsoft seems to follow this motto better.