Microsoft admits PlayStation exclusives are much better than X ones

In this incredible showdown between Sony and Microsoft for the takeover of Activision-Blizzard and the loss of the Call of Duty franchise from PlayStation platforms, each party uses strategies and declarations to tip the scales in its favor. In order to convince the various regulatory authorities, Microsoft released a very long document to the CMA (Structure of the Competition and Markets Authority) to explain that its Japanese competitor clearly has the advantage when it comes to exclusivities. Microsoft explains that Sony has been the market leader for two decades and that it has the biggest exclusives on the market, and of better quality. If the American giant sings the praises of PlayStation, it’s not just to make its competitor’s shoes shine, it’s also to remind you that the loss of a license like Call of Duty will not have such a significant impact. Sony wants you to believe.

Sony has more exclusives than Microsoft, and most are of higher quality. Not only are Sony exclusive games more successful than Microsoft’s, they also receive higher ratings from industry experts: the average Metacritic score for Sony’s top 20 exclusive games of 2021 was 87/100, against 80/100 for Xbox.

By placing itself as a simple challenger, Microsoft obviously hopes to obtain the favors of the members of the authority of the markets and to recall that with the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, Xbox will then be able to play on equal terms with Sony Interactive Entertainment. A technique that Microsoft has already used by revealing the sales figures of its Xbox, until now kept secret, while demonstrating that here again, Sony has a large advantage. With such a firepower, Microsoft estimates that Sony will not be able to pass to lose its status of leader with a situation which would prevent it from being competitive.