Microsoft are resilient, if nothing else. The original Xbox took a beating in the market o the hands of the PS2, the Xbox 360 did great, but its success was marred by the Red Ring of Death hardware failure debacle, and the Xbox One has been thoroughly trounced by the PS4. And yet, Microsoft keep trudging on, committed to the gaming market, committed to making gaming consoles, pushing the envelope all the time.
That’s because the gaming industry needs Microsoft- it needs Nintendo and Sony as well, and it needs Microsoft. And in an interview with IGN, former Sony boss Jack Tretton admitted just that, adding that Microsoft’s recovery since 2013 was good for the entire industry.
“The thing that I’ve always believed is that it’s very difficult for one platform to carry a generation and you need healthy business,” Tretton said. “Ultimately, it’s good for gamers, it’s good for the industry and quite frankly it’s probably even good for Sony that Microsoft have recovered well and both platforms are innovating. It’ll be interesting to see what Nintendo’s new foray into the market does, but you know, ultimately if you don’t deliver a lot of choices and a lot of innovations gamers will find something else to do with their time.”
Tretton also admitted that Microsoft as a competitor was more than worthy- and that their ‘power’ was to be respected. “I think, you know, unless you’re massively ignorant you have to respect Microsoft’s power. I mean, more money than God, very much like Sony a heritage of success in other industries. If Microsoft puts their mind to anything and they put enough money behind it, they’re going to learn.”
Ultimately, he is right, of course- Microsoft as a company are important to gaming as an industry and medium, and they should be respected for that. Only fanboys would refuse to accede to a fact as glaringly self evident as that. In the end, all fans of gaming must hope that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all do well- that is in the best interests of gaming as a medium.