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Forums - Microsoft Discussion - The History of Xbox Exclusives. Do consoles really need exclusives?

 

Do consoles need exclusives?

Yes, they need permanent exclusives 198 84.98%
 
Yes, they need games that... 8 3.43%
 
No, but the only platform... 11 4.72%
 
No, only multiplatform ga... 16 6.87%
 
Total:233
DEAD_ORIGINAL on 08 March 2016

Here's the thing i have a PS4 & Xbox one my xbox is more exclusive machine and PS4 1st & 3rd party, I'm also keeping a close eye on Nintendo NX, first party matters if it didn't i would only have one console, and i would few boxes to open, and i like opening new console boxes.



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SvennoJ on 08 March 2016
Ruler said:
foodfather said:
Fact is NO but certain people won't admit that because thats one less thing about the Xbox that they can bitch about.

If you look at the PS4's success, this is proof. Yes, certain exclusives help, but its the 3rd party and 3rd party marketing rights/ exclusivity deals that gets the sales rolling.

The 360 would never have gained any ground if it wasn't for the many marketing deals with the various companies that once were in bed with Sony.

most of these people who buy Call of Duty, GTA and Fifa dont buy anything else per year, they are worthless in total spending and they flip flop. Too sad Sony isnt realizing it yet

Sony already realized this, hence no big loss on hardware and charging for online.

Exclusives matter to the early adopters, who get the ball rolling. Sure the CoD / Fifa crowd don't care much about exclusives, but they do like to buy the 'in' console, following the vocal early adopters. To keep the hardcore you need exclusives and support the whole generation or they will flip flop.



tiffac on 08 March 2016

Exclusives is a sign a company caring for its console. Once that stops, you know they are moving on. Just look at what Sony did to the Vita. lol!



Guitarguy on 08 March 2016

Original Xbox would have been a fart in the wind if not for Halo being a full exclusive(for 22 months anyway). That game was a huge system seller much like Super Mario 64 sold Nintendo 64s. Exclusives are needed to entice gamers over.



Mike_L on 08 March 2016
Guitarguy said:
Original Xbox would have been a fart in the wind if not for Halo being a full exclusive(for 22 months anyway). That game was a huge system seller much like Super Mario 64 sold Nintendo 64s. Exclusives are needed to entice gamers over.

I agree. And 2 years of exclusivity may be the sweet spot. That way Microsoft shows their commitment to the Xbox brand and at the same time supports their Windows platform with highly optimized ports (2 years of optimization). Additionally, they should create original PC exclusives of course like they did with Age of Empires (Ensemble Studios), Black & White (Lionhead Studios), Zoo Tycoon (Blue Fang Games/Frontier Developments) and Flight Simulator (Aces Studio).



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Frogger on 08 March 2016
Mike_L said:

Bolded: I do. But maybe you're right that it's a small group.

If Dead Rising 3, Plants vs Zombies and Rise of the Tomb Raider didn't end up on my PC, I would be an XB1 owner at this time.

I mean I think a rule of thumb is that anyone speaking in absolutes is also speaking in hyperbole. Obviously I didn't literally mean nobody at all.



Farsala on 08 March 2016
walsufnir said:
Farsala said:

Lets say I bought a PS4 today for Uncharted 4.  Uncharted 4 isn't out so 0 sales for Uncharted 4 compared to 36m+ PS4s. However the PS4 is bought without a doubt for Uncharted 4...

 

The PS4 bought today came with CoD for free. No intention to play it whatsoever but that is one sale for CoD. 10m CoD sales or w/e and 36m+ PS4s. However clearly the PS4 was not bought for CoD.

Adjust numbers as necessary. Lots of people might buy the console for an exclusive but buy random 3rd party games too.... Attach rate doesn't tell the whole story.

Again:

"There are way more reasons to go for a console than just exclusives, as indicated by several points in this post."

Buying a console is never a single argument decision. How much exclusives and other points matter in the decision to buy a console differs from person to person, of course.

In reverse. I don't mean exclusives are the only reason. But it could be the major reason for most people. Thing is we cannot prove either way.



Jigsawx1 on 08 March 2016

I think they need exclusives because of soul of the console like mario and link for Nintendo and the Masterchief or forza races on Xbox. This guarantees a fanbase of 12 to 20. But Sometimes a console dont need good exclusives or many of them like on ps4 and wii. There the hype is selling consoles at casuals and kids.



Frogger on 10 March 2016
CaptainExplosion said:

I'm sorry, are you implying that the games I mentioned are not GOOD games?

No, I'm implying that people would have cared because there were have been plenty of other games on Nintendo platforms that made people want them. 



gabzjmm23 on 10 March 2016

If you are a multi-platform owner, yes exclusives matter. especially PC, PS4 and X1 has same games in the market.
To bring new customers to your brand, you need to differentiate your brand with exclusive games.