In the Xbox One vs PS4 battle, it is largely believed that third-party titles offering temporary exclusive content is a big reason for Sony’s console enjoying an edge over Microsoft’s. However, according to Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, this may not be true.
Xbox One vs PS4: watch for Battlegrounds
During a recent interview with GamingBolt, Pachter talked about the role that exclusive titles and temporarily exclusive content play in deciding the console a buyer will buy. Pachter doubts whether the marketing deals that Sony has with major multi-platform games such as Destiny 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, Star Wars Battlefront 2 and so on, have worked much in favor of the PS4. With such deals, the PS4 either receives the exclusive for these titles or gets it faster than Xbox One.
Though the analyst terms them a “good marketing gimmick,” he notes, “I think it’s kind of like, let’s say the first DLC pack for Call of Duty comes out 30 days early for PS4, well, if you don’t have a PS4, if you have an Xbox, and your friends have Xbox, it doesn’t matter. Because you’re not playing with PS4 people. So you’re all getting it the same day, even if it is 30 days later.”
Pachter, however, believes that timed exclusive games matter much more to buyers. This could work in favor of the Xbox One X, the analyst says, referring to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, which was announced for the Xbox One X at E3 this year.
“…. I think that will outsell most of those Japanese games on PS4, and that’s Xbox exclusive for a while- probably through the Holiday, and then it gets announced for PS4 next year, but that game will help sell systems.”
Can the Xbox One X best the PS4?
According to the latest figures from NPD Group, when it comes to the Xbox One vs PS4, Sony’s console outperformed both the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in the United States last month. If Microsoft is going to take the lead, the Xbox One X has to be liked by gamers.
It must be noted that earlier this month, Pachter said he believes that the sales of the Xbox One X will not be extraordinary. The price of the Xbox One X ($499) could be a dampening feature, as the analyst thinks that for this much, one can buy both an Xbox One S and PlayStation 4. Pachter believes that both these consoles offer more value for the money.
Further, referring to the 4K gaming experience on the Xbox One X, Pachter says that it does not make sense if the gamer does not have a 4K TV. Since the majority of televisions currently come with 1080p resolution, having an Xbox One S or a PlayStation 4 would make more sense.
Xbox One X pre-orders to go live soon
Meanwhile, Microsoft is all set to go live with the pre-order session for the Xbox One X.
According to Xbox head Phil Spencer, “All approvals are done so now just landing the announce with all the info, won’t be too much longer.”
Spencer also revealed information about the title Crackdown 3, for which a new trailer has been launched with gameplay over the weekend. Spencer tweeted that the action-adventure title from Reagent games will be available at Gamescom next month with a “good demo.”
