Ah, I see the false narrative of "Microsoft only cares about Halo, Gears, and Forza" is still there. (It will probably never leave no matter what Microsoft does for some people).
The problem with Microsoft is that they really need to create and open more first party studios instead of almost always trying to partner with second party studios to work on first party games/IPs for them like they have been doing lately.
They have a team that works on Halo, being 343 industries.
They have a team that works on Gears of War, being the Coalition.
They have a team that works on Forza, being Turn 10 Studios. (Playground Games isn't first party studio of theirs).
The only first party team they have that is actually working on a new IP is Rare with Sea of Thieves.
The reason why Microsoft still supports and uses Halo, Gears, and Forza is because they are big franchises that are still loved by millions to this day, and consistently still sell well. It's like asking why does Sony still support Uncharted, God of War, LittleBigPlanet, etc.
The idea that they will usually go to those franchises instead of funding new IP's is not only not true, but even if it was true that's not a bad thing for Microsoft to do like most people try to imply it is when saying that. Microsoft is a business, and just like any business they are there to make money. With any new IP it is essentially a 50/50 on whether they will make their profits back. So why would it shock people if Microsoft stuck to more of their already established IPs that they KNOW will sell well and push systems? Sony does the same thing with Uncharted, God of War, etc. Sony is able to take more risks because of how much more studios they have, the giant lead they have this gen also helps too. Microsoft is trying to push consoles, and with a new IP that could be significantly harder in most cases depending on how that IP is revealed, the reaction to it, etc. Sony is in a position where they don't need to worry as much about games pushing their console, as their console is already selling well just from third party games and just in general. (Microsoft's console is too but not to as much of an extent as Sony's this gen).
If Sony was not in first place of this gen and in such a huge lead, perhaps it is possible you wouldn't be seeing nearly as many new games/IPs from them, though the PS3 did have a lot of new IPs and exclusives despite being last place so who knows. If the PS4 was failing I feel like they would be focusing on what IPs do they have that are already known and sell well and use those to push systems more so than others at least, though still giving new IPs on the side.
You look at all the other exclusives that have been released or will release on Xbox, almost all of them are just second parties being partnered with to work on Microsoft's new IP. Microsoft owns the IP but not the studio developing it.
Let's take a look at what new Microsot IPs/exclusives there have been released/will release in the future.
ReCore = New IP from Microsoft but not developed by a first party studio.
Sunset Overdrive = New exclusive from Microsoft but not developed by first party studio. (insomniac owns the rights though I think).
Ori and the Blind Forest = New exclusive for Xbox but developed by second party.
Project Spark = New exclusive developed by second party.
Killer Instinct = Though not an entirely new IP, they brought it back from the dead and is basically a new game with an IP they own. Developed by second party.
Quantum Break = New IP but developed by a second party.
Screamride = New exclusive developed by a second party for the Xbox. (360 and Xbox One).
State of Decay 1/2 = Though originally the first was a 360 game but was ported to Xbone and is getting a sequel on Xbone. (If the Last of Us 2 counts then this one can too). Once again developed by a second party for Microsoft.
and that's just me only mentioning what can be considered "new" games from them and not already established franchises. (I know Killer Instinct was established, but that was basically dead before Microsoft brought it back). I didn't even mention games like Dead Rising 3/4, Halo Wars 2, etc.
The only new IP from Microsoft that is actually being created by a first party studio they own is Sea of Thieves by Rare. There's nothing wrong with Microsoft partnering with second party studios to work on new IPs/exclusives for them, but we've seen that it doesn't work out too well each time, for example Scalebound.
People are really quick to jump on the "Microsoft must be at fault" bandwagon once a game has gotten cancelled, rather than thinking what the cause could actually be.
Microsoft just seriously needs to create more first party studios imo at least and they would be in a much better position. They already didn't have many to begin with, but then Lionhead Studios and Press Play got shut down and that made it significantly worse.
