Yes, they are. I do not see how anyone can think otherwise. When a game is exclusive you are forced to buy another console that you had no intention of buying. These companies force you to also pay to play online on their platform.
Why shackle a game to one platform when it can go to multiple platforms to have a bigger audience, gaining more attention, gaining more sales, and everyone can enjoy it on their preferred platform?
I've read some comments saying that it's good for 1st Party, but not 3rd Party. No, it's still anti-consumer regardless of who is making/publishing the game. Would it be nice to play Horizon ZD and God of War on PC without coughing up $300 to play them? Yes. Same goes for other platforms.
Other comments I read said that it is anti-consumer, but it's pro-gamer. Yeah pro-gamer. Try telling Xbox One and PC gamers that Nier Automata should of remained a PS4 exclusive cause it would of been better for them. Try convincing PS4 gamers that it would of been better if Rise of Tomb Raider remained only on Xbox/PC. Try convincing PC/PS/Xbox gamers that Phoenix Wright should of remained Nintendo exclusive. I think you get my point.
Also every time a game that is an exclusive gets announced for other platforms, what is the general response from gamers? Praise and excitement, or disgust and rage?
Every time a game gets announced as an exclusive, what is the general response? Frustration, or disappointment?
