I Don’t Blame Phantom Blade Zero For Neglecting Xbox, I Blame Microsoft

In this world, competition is everywhere, and the gaming industry is no exception. Since time immemorial, platforms have fought a vicious war of supremacy. Some offered significantly better hardware and technologies to best their rivals, while some opted for a stronger game library as the weapon of choice. Regardless, it’s this tough contest that has kept things versatile, and to be honest, all the more fun for us gamers.

However, what would happen if this battle suddenly became extremely one-sided? If not for this healthy competition, would we witness an evergrowing evolution stemming from the desire to best one’s rival, or would the automatic winner stagnate over time, feeling no need to grow owing to no competition? At the rate things are going, with Microsoft shifting focus away from the Xbox, I don’t think this scenario’s that far.

Phantom Blade Zero’s Controversial “Xbox” Statement

Of course, this devaluation of the Xbox platform started quite some time ago, but the reason I’m discussing it today is probably something you might’ve already heard. Yes, I’m talking about the “controversial” statement issued by the Phantom Blade Zero’s devs.

Phantom Blade 0 Developer On Xbox Version: "Nobody Needs Xbox"
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Phantom Blade Zero, the new, exciting-looking Souls-like with a slightly different approach to the genre is something many gamers are looking forward to. However, it’s only releasing for the PS5 and PC. That’s right, there is no Xbox release. When asked to comment on this, the devs simply replied, “No one cares about the Xbox,” in a rather bold statement.

Now, this particular response has sparked some outrage amongst the Xbox player base. It’s not like I can’t understand their feelings and even think this was uncalled for, but it isn’t necessarily false.

Unfortunately, I See Nothing But The Truth

It may be an unpleasant statement, but honestly, I don’t even blame Phantom Blade Zero for thinking this. In terms of platform choices in current times, Xbox is certainly the last option anyone opts for. Don’t get me wrong, I respect the platform and have treasured memories with its past devices, but the current state of Xbox is not exactly choice-worthy.

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First, let’s look at the most important factor in a console war, the game quality. Xbox’s first-party and exclusive games have been pretty lackluster. I have my qualms with the current Sony’s blockbuster-only approach, but at least it’s something. Xbox hasn’t had a game-changing hit in a long time now. We all expected Starfield to be the one, but that didn’t pan out so well now, did it?

Still, I’m hopeful that good times may be coming in terms of game quality, as some of Xbox’s upcoming titles look straight-up bangers, and I can’t wait to get my hands on them. Unfortunately, this brings me to the next point. Even if Xbox’s first-party games make an extreme jump in quality, it’s not going to make Xbox as a platform shine as much. 

Why’s that, you ask? It’s because those titles will be available on other platforms as well, like PC. And since you can get more overall value from those platforms, choosing Xbox seems redundant, doesn’t it?

Do you still use your xbox even if you have a good pc?
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Microsoft Is To Blame

If you ask the Xbox fan in me, seeing the platform in this state is nothing but heartbreaking. However, when someone insultingly points it out, I can’t even get mad at them, since I know deep inside that it’s the truth. Besides, if there’s someone I want to be mad at, it’s Microsoft. The tech giant is slowly but surely abandoning the platform.

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Take a look at the console’s legendary history. Past Xbox devices were in a class of their own, especially Xbox 360. The revolutionary piece of hardware gave the PS3 a run for its money in the initial days thanks to some of its pros like the vastly better online system. Couple that with a must-play library, and the 360 was a true fighter. However, that’s no longer the case.

Xbox As A Platform May Not Be For Long

Microsoft has practically given up winning the “console war,” and instead is opting for whatever makes more money. Abandoning exclusivity, putting everything on Game Pass, and going multi-platform, why on Earth would someone choose an Xbox if all its games and then some more are available on something like the PC?

Microsoft doesn't want to be in the game console business anymore than…
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At the end of the day, it’s exclusive games and features that uphold a console’s value. Look at Sony, having the best of both worlds. It keeps its games exclusives for a year or more to give the PlayStation players the early-bird advantage, then releases them on PC to gather multi-platform profits. On the contrary, losing exclusivity will mean the death of Xbox, and trust me it’s the last thing I want to see.

I genuinely believe things shouldn’t have been like this, but people insulting Xbox and the platform losing its value is entirely on Microsoft.