There’s something hauntingly beautiful about watching a console die in real time. As I scroll through gaming forums and news sites, I can’t help but feel like I’m witnessing the slow sunset of an era. The recent chatter about Xbox exclusives feels less like a celebration of upcoming games and more like a eulogy for what console gaming used to be. When you see comments like ‘the idea of Xbox exclusive games is coming to a complete end,’ it’s hard not to feel the tectonic plates of the industry shifting beneath our feet.
What strikes me most is the sheer poetry in the numbers. ‘Current # of Avowed players: 200.’ That single statistic speaks volumes about where we’re headed. It’s not just about one game’s performance—it’s a symptom of a larger transformation. When games are available across multiple platforms simultaneously, when Game Pass makes titles essentially free for subscribers, the very concept of platform loyalty begins to dissolve. We’re watching the walls between gaming ecosystems crumble, and the dust hasn’t even settled yet.
The irony is that Microsoft might be orchestrating their own console’s obsolescence while simultaneously creating the most accessible gaming ecosystem in history. Think about it: they’re potentially killing the very hardware that defined their brand for decades, but in doing so, they’re making their games available to millions more players. It’s a fascinating business strategy—sacrificing the castle to conquer the kingdom. The comments about timed exclusives and staggered releases across platforms suggest we’re heading toward a future where the platform matters less than the play experience itself.
Looking at the upcoming titles—from the psychedelic western nightmare of Blighted to the absurd premise of playing as a walking lighthouse in Keeper—there’s no shortage of creativity in the pipeline. These games sound wonderfully bizarre and innovative, yet they may never be tied to a single piece of hardware. The High on Life sequel’s emphasis on first-person skateboarding and the return of Ninja Gaiden with deep blood powers show that gameplay innovation continues to thrive, even as the business models around distribution undergo radical transformation.
As I reflect on this moment in gaming history, I’m reminded that we’re living through one of those rare paradigm shifts that future generations will study. The concept of console exclusivity, which defined gaming for nearly four decades, is evaporating before our eyes. Microsoft’s potential move away from first-party exclusives feels less like surrender and more like evolution—a recognition that in an increasingly connected world, the value isn’t in owning the platform but in providing the best possible access to experiences. The players counting down from 200 might just be the canaries in the coal mine, signaling not an end, but a transformation into something new and potentially more inclusive for gamers everywhere.
About the Author
