Microsoft and Xbox are not having a favorable time at the moment. With the CMA verdict choking the air out of the Activision Blizzard merger, Microsoft has yet again run into a roadblock. Xbox which was brought into the market with high hopes, is still struggling to climb up the ladder.

With these contexts in mind, let us take a look at how the journey of Microsoft’s gaming space has reached the point at which they are at today.

Is Redfall the final nail in the coffin for Xbox?

When talking about gaming consoles, there are three brands that rush to the minds of the people; PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox. Though the first two have been witnessing massive improvements through various changes, the latter is still facing a bumpy road. Where did it all begin?

For this, we need to take a look back at the initial phases of the console’s history. After the introduction of the Gen 1 of Xbox, Microsoft brought out its most revered console, Xbox 360. This was a phenomenal introduction to the history of the brand. Unlike its debut during the PlayStation 2 era, XBOX 360 was released before Sony released their PS3.

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The sleeker design coupled with online gaming is what made the console boom. The main point in regard to Xbox 360 is that it was able to bridge the gap with Sony in the console market. This was a monumental moment for Microsoft. The on-the-go Wi-Fi accessibility proved beneficial for the brand, and it went on to sell 84 million units. But the downfall happened soon after. Xbox One, which was the next product in line, did not meet the needed expectations.

Though the design was quite impressive, it fell far short compared to Sony, which used this momentum to establish itself as the top dog of the market. The latter roped in AAA titles as well for gaining a strong foot in the industry. The first-party exclusives were piling up for PlayStation and it made a strong wall between Sony and its competitors.

Nintendo was able to find a solution to this debacle with their Switch and filled the drought of exclusives with some insane titles. Xbox on the other hand was in limbo. Though there were exclusives, not many become impactful. Redfall by Arkane Studios was expected to rise to the occasion, but that too was not fruitful for the company. In a recent interview with Kinda Funny’s Xcast, Phil Spencer, CEO of Xbox game Studios, addressed the issue.

“There’s nothing that’s more difficult for me than disappointing the Xbox community, and just to watch the community lose confidence, be disappointed, I’m disappointed, I’m upset with myself,” stated Phil. The absence of impactful exclusives still hinders Xbox from coming out of its caged shell.

What is the answer to this exclusive drought?

We cannot state that Xbox and Microsoft are not trying anything to come out of these dire circumstances. The investment that they are putting into making the Activision Blizzard deal is a prime example of this. The answer to the aforementioned question is also oriented around the deal. That is, if Microsoft is able to rope in Activision Blizzard, we can without a doubt state that this drought would witness a downpour.

Titles like Call of Duty would roll out under the banner of Microsoft through Activision Blizzard. Being one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world, Call of Duty would become the ideal pillar that Microsoft and Xbox could lean on.

But yet again, the winds are not in favor of Microsoft. The CMA currently has imposed a 10-year ban on the merger. This has temporarily halted the acquisition from happening and is an outright blow to Xbox which is currently in the pursuit of a lifeline.

Read More: CMA’s Core Claim Against Microsoft X Activision Blizzard Acquisition Under Question As Nvidia Backs the Merger

With the current Redfall drama and criticisms over the $70 price point, Phil Spencer hopes that Arkane could find a solution to the problems very soon. He hopes for a better tomorrow for Xbox and its hardcore fans. In regard to the problems that Microsoft has run into regarding UK’s CMA, that too is something that the team would contest, according to Spencer.

He hopes that a favorable hearing might come regarding this $69 billion acquisition. We as a community can expect the same for the company as well. A robust competition between the top-tier organizations in the console business is necessary for the community. Especially as this is what enables more intriguing titles to come out for the audience.

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