Microsoft's Xbox has been struggling to keep pace with Sony's PlayStation 4 this generation, after a dismal reveal of the original Xbox One back in 2013. Since launching a weaker system back then, Microsoft has reclaimed the power argument with the Xbox One X, which is the most powerful video game console ever made. Xbox Live continues to lead the way for speed and reliability too, and the Xbox One OS has a wealth of features, apps, and services, that arguably beat Redmond's rivals. Where Xbox continues to struggle, however, pertains to games.
Sony has been absolutely crushing it with their in-house lineup, producing a vast amount of high-quality, often photo-realistic games that launch to critical acclaim. Microsoft on the other hand has focused primarily on less flashy experiences more recently, with indie games like Cuphead, "AA" titles like ReCore, and titles like Sea of Thieves, which rely on multiplayer mayhem over raw content.
Speaking on Twitter, Xbox head Phil Spencer acknowledged the criticisms of Xbox's game line-up, vowing to provide Xbox fans with high-quality and diverse experiences that "customers deserve."
Our hardware took time, our service/platform/BC took time and continuing to grow our 1P will take time. A high quality and diverse 1P (yes, with SP) built the right way is our goal and what our customers deserve. We can have similar results to what we've seen in hw and platform.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) April 13, 2018
Eyes will be on Microsoft at this year's E3 to see if we can catch a glimpse at what future Xbox games will look like. However, like Spencer notes, getting to Sony or Nintendo's level could take quite a long time.
Since being elevated to a senior leadership position, Spencer has renewed authority to fund and build a truly great first-party game lineup. The speed at which we could get said games is anyone's guess, but hopefully we'll start to see the fruits of those labors sooner rather than later.
