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Ever since the Xbox 360's launch, their never seemed to be a shortage of games to play. Through 2006-2007, there were games like PGR 3, Gears of War, and Bioshock. In 2008 there was Mass Effect and Gears of War 2. As 2009 is passing, it seems like the number of exclusives are running thin. I have not played on my Xbox 360 for a while other to play some arcade titles or older games. Each year we had a blockbuster game or even two in one year. Now im wondering what happened this year and force to look on the other side of the lawn (Playstation 3).
it’s a new experience since each year the Xbox 360 always got a new blockbuster exclusive to play. Unfortunately the only console exclusive we have this holiday is Forza Motorsport 3 and Left 4 Dead 2. Even though Forza Motorsport 3 and Left 4 Dead 2 are great games, they don’t reach the level of a Gears of War or Mass Effect series. What happened this year that it nearly became baron of blockbuster exclusives we are use too?
Change in Direction:
Microsoft has decided to put their resources into Project Natal and making the Xbox 360 approachable to non gamers. The problem I have with this it's just a knee jerk reaction to the Wii success and is taking up resources that could have been used on gaming purposes. Project Natal is essentially a gamble to broaden the Xbox 360 userbase but it’s already looking bad.
Back around E3 of this year, we reported that there was a noticeable lag between the user and camera interface. Even though there is time possibly to reduce the lag, reports from IGN still confirm it. I am sure companies will implement the natal feature in their games but gamers are not going to deal with the lag. This alone will hinder any chance that the mainstream audience will replace it for their controller. Natal will be catering to its own small arcade games and determinant any purpose of buying it.
The End Game:
So the result of all this is that blockbuster titles we see each year are dwindling. Next year will have Mass Effect 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction but their status of exclusivity is in question. The position Microsoft has taken is that we are at the mercy of third party publishers to not port to the competitor. As previously stated, you’re forced to look on the other side of the lawn to the Playstation 3. Not only are they getting our a.k.a exclusives but also building upon that with first party titles. The loss of Bioware, Bizarre Creations, etc.. and the move to Natal/Natal centric games is disturbing.
I do not think will feel the affect of this now but it seems like we are headed down this road. The result of mimicking the Wii success will have a severe backlash. In following the same road it will be confronted with the same problems. Some may not want to believe it or recognize the growing elephant in the room but will have to say it.
Has Microsoft abandoned the hardcore?
Feel free to discuss on the forums if you feel the same way.
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