It’s no secret that the PS4 is selling extremely well. Its launch was the best any console has ever achieved, and it has continued to remain in high demand throughout its first year.
Given its success, it’s not particularly surprising that the PS4 is gaining the attention of game developers and publishers. The result of this is a shift from Xbox as lead platform for many studios. Or at least that’s what one industry insider has observed this week.
Credible industry insider Tidux posted the following on Twitter:
rumor from Cologne, third-party exclusive titles to #PS4 is coming. developers moving to the platform where the most people are. classic.
According to Michael Pachter, several companies, including industry giant Electronic Arts, believed Xbox One would establish itself as the top console of next-gen following the Xbox 360’s dominance in North America during the last eight years. However, it became clear once the PS4 and Xbox One were officially announced that such dominance would be unlikely. Sony managed to gamble on GDDR5 memory and win with manufacturing costs cut enough to arrive at a $399 MSRP. The Xbox One’s $499 price tag at launch wouldn’t do it any favors.
Ultimately, game development is a business, and businesses are all about making money. As Ubisoft learned from backing Nintendo with its Wii U early on, the size of an install base is a huge factor that shouldn’t be ignored. The PS4 is simply outperforming both of its competitors in the United States and abroad right now, with no end in sight. Any developer who wants to make the most money possible shouldn’t ignore that.
Also See: Insomniac Explains in Detail Why Sunset Overdrive is Xbox One Exclusive
The Xbox One has some tasteful exclusives coming in the next few months, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Sunset Overdrive, and Forza Horizon 2. It’s having trouble competing right now, but things can change at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, Microsoft has to not only combat Sony’s attractive hardware at the same price, but also fight against its own reputation.
This third-party shift toward PS4 has a lot of consequences for Microsoft. Sony has been able to secure big deals like the one with Bungie for Destiny and Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky, as well as make PS4 the lead platform for the biggest games in the industry. It’s a shift that will only make things harder for Microsoft if it isn’t able to turn the tide.
