There's no getting around it, the 360's lineup of exclusive titles this year is a bit skimpy. With only Gears of War 3 and Forza 4 heading exclusively to Microsoft's platform in 2011, many Xbox haters are poking fun at the super small list of games. However, will quality win out over quantity? Surely both Gears 3 and Forza will be fantastic games that justify the ownership of a 360, but is it enough to face off against the slew of PlayStation 3 exclusives Sony's fan-base will see later this year?
Any gamer will tell you that the success and/or failure of a system is dictated by its game library. Over the past several years we've seen a multi-platform trend that has affected both Sony and Microsoft. From the loss of exclusive franchises like Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry and several others, Microsoft has swept away many of the hallmark franchises the PlayStation is known for. On the other hand, the Mass Effect franchise has gone multi-platform, which has been a huge loss for Microsoft, as Commander Shepard stood next to Master Chief as one of the console's most beloved mascots. The reality is that games are getting more and more expensive to make, so it's only natural to expect publishers and developers to bring their game to as many platforms as possible.
So, that begs the question, will Microsoft's lack of exclusives hurt them in the long run? After all, Sony still has Resistance 3, Twisted Metal and Uncharted 3 plus downloadable titles like Journey on the way that are exclusive to the PS3. Simply put, no, I don't think that Microsoft's lack of exclusives will be an issue for them - this year at least - and here's why:
1. Multi-Platform Titles - The 360 is still king when it comes to multi-platform titles like Call of Duty. With the launch of Modern Warfare 3 in November set to break sales records... again, Microsoft can count on quite a few Xbox owners to pick this title up. The relationship that Microsoft holds with Activision has been a huge factor in the success of the platform. Even though Call of Duty titles launch on other platforms as well, Xbox 360 is without a doubt the de facto place to play the series' latest installment. With early access to DLC and a much more robust online community, Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest non-exclusive exclusive of the year.
2. Gears of War 3 - Yeah, yeah, yeah I know I already mentioned this earlier, but let's not underestimate the importance of this franchise to the Xbox platform. Alongside Halo, Gears of War has risen to become one of the few staple franchises of this generation. With an extremely popular multiplayer offering coupled with unique cover-based combat pioneered by the original title, Gears is certain to sell quite a few copies when it launches later this year.
3. Online Community/Functionality - It's practically impossible to talk about the viability of Microsoft's console without mentioning the quality of its online service. Xbox Live provides an online experience that can't be matched, making it the number one place to play multiplayer games. The PS3 has often been labeled as the console for the solo gamer, as most of its high profile titles are primarily single-player experiences. With online gaming becoming more and more popular, the 360's robust community is only growing stronger, putting it that much further ahead of its competition.
In the end, it does come down to the games, and I'll admit that I am much more excited for Sony's offerings this year. With stellar titles like Uncharted 3 and the third Resistance on the horizon, it's certainly not a bad time to be a PlayStation owner. However, I can't deny the sheer popularity of both the Gears and Modern Warfare franchises. Sales on 360 from these two titles alone will be enough to blow any competitor away.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know with your comments below.
