Is the relevance of Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation still significant?

Microsoft has announced that it will be opening up four video games to alternative platforms for the first time. This move suggests that Microsoft is responding to the changing gaming preferences of young gamers who play games on various devices and don't have brand loyalty to a particular platform. Xbox boss, Phil Spencer, revealed that the selected games are community-driven, more than a year old, and do not include Starfield or Indiana Jones. This marks a shift in Microsoft's strategy, as they have traditionally favored exclusivity to their own Xbox platform. However, Spencer emphasized that this move does not indicate a fundamental change in their games strategy, but rather reflects the future trend of exclusive games becoming a smaller part of the industry. Sony has also expressed a desire to put more PlayStation games on other platforms, while Nintendo tends to keep its games exclusive to its own devices. The concept of turning any device with a screen into a gaming console is becoming more popular due to the widespread use of high-performance smartphones. By allowing their best-selling titles to be accessible on multiple devices, gaming companies can reach a larger audience and generate more revenue. Analysts estimate that 39 million gamers were unable to access Xbox exclusives in 2023. Microsoft's focus on a multi-platform strategy and acquiring successful game studios aligns with their goal to increase market share and revenues. While there have been rumors that Microsoft may exit the hardware market entirely, analysts believe that it is unlikely in the near future. Microsoft's Games Pass subscription service, which provides unlimited streaming access to hundreds of games, has reached 34 million subscribers. This is beneficial for game developers like No More Robots, as it increases the number of players accessing their titles. Overall, the response to Microsoft's announcement has been positive, with many Xbox owners relieved that the company is not going away or becoming third-party.