An infographic has been released showing all of the first-party studios Microsoft has under its belt right now. Microsoft is always looking for ways to add to the value of its Xbox systems, including improving its studio portfolio. The company has found various methods of making the Xbox brand more appealing, and lately, like Sony has also done, Microsoft has been acquiring third-party studios. Now, Xbox boasts a large line-up of first-party studios developing games for the Xbox platform.
As the so-called “console wars” continue with each new generation, Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, and other console makers have to find more and more ways to convince audiences that theirs is the best console to buy. By acquiring studios as it has, Microsoft is looking to woo audiences to its side by promising experiences that can only be had on Xbox systems—literally, in the case of exclusives. With the Xbox Series X and the Playstation 5 hosting similar specs, audiences are going to look to software to decide which to buy. That’s where the number and caliber of first-party studios Xbox has under its umbrella can make all the difference.
Xbox has acquired quite a few studios in recent years, so it may be hard to remember what the company owns and what it doesn’t. Fortunately, Twitter user Klobrille has created an infographic listing all twenty-three first-party Xbox studios. It’s a pretty long list, with a wide variety of game genres and types represented. Some, like 343 Industries, are well-established Xbox brands working on mainstays like the newest entry in the Halo series. Others, such as Machine Games, have a history of releasing their games for multiple platforms, something that may change now that they are officially owned by Xbox.
In addition to console exclusives, Xbox has Game Pass, a subscription service which allows audiences access to a plethora of games for a monthly fee. Just this month, Game Pass added FF13 and Surgeon Simulator 2. While the library is already extensive, it’s possible that Xbox will choose to put some real heavy hitters on Game Pass as they release, such as the long-awaited Elder Scrolls VI. The prospect of playing these AAA titles on Xbox—and possibly PC too—on launch day with no extra cost outside of the Gamepass subscription is sure to appeal to many. By acquiring as many studios as it has, Xbox has added to its portfolio in a major way.
As the gaming industry continues to grow, console makers like Xbox will have to grow as well to keep pace and maintain their audiences. While they can achieve this through constant iteration on their hardware, the real battleground is the choice of software. Microsoft is buying up studios to bolster its software lineup, in a bid to make Xbox feel like the best choice of where to play.
Source: Klobrille/Twitter