GZ Roundtable: Is Microsoft’s effort to bring Xbox One exclusives to PC an ‘Xbox Killer’?

Microsoft has been talking about creating a unified gaming experience between the PC and Xbox One since admitting to have 'lost their way' with the PC gaming community. With the release of Windows 10 on PC Microsoft has stepped up their efforts to branch out to the PC, using a method that has unsettled some of the Xbox community.

Microsoft has taken Xbox One exclusive games and made them accessible on the PC. A clear example of this is the highly anticipated previously exclusive Xbox One game Quantum Break heading to PC. In addition to that, Gears of War 4 might be another game jumping to the PC.

According to Xbox Head Phil Spencer, the move PC is a good thing, some fans disagree. Let's discuss it.

Tatiana Morris

Stance: Dont Care

With most of my time spent moseying about the web, I've seen both sides of the argument. However, Microsoft's expansion to PC doesn't really mean much for the gamers that own an Xbox One over a PC. The fact that Xbox One fans are upset make it seem as though they are throwing a fit over someone else being invited to the 'Xbox Only' party (and that kind of makes them look spoiled).

Xbox One owners won't be jumping off of their sofas and building a PC, they will continue on playing their Xbox One and enjoying the games that are exclusive to Microsoft, you know, the company that makes the Xbox One. Exclusives being available on both platforms will not alter the Xbox gamer's environment – they more than likely weren't playing on the PC anyway.

The true benefit of Microsoft's pursuit of the PC gaming demographic is that PC players have the option of playing even more games now. In any case, it's not like these Microsoft Exclusives (that's what they really are – not Xbox exclusives) will be heading to the PlayStation 4 or Wii U.

David Purcell

Stance: Dont Care

The idea is good if you’re playing on a PC, because obviously you’re getting a few more games that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Some Xbox gamers might want to keep hold of some exclusives too, which is understandable, but as an owner of an Xbox One console, I can’t see myself losing any sleep over it.

That being said, the decision is bound to annoy somebody on the internet…

Mike Boccher

Stance: Gamezone's biggest Xbox One fan

You ever read an idea that sounds so good on paper initially, that when you read it you just think "YES, THAT'S GREAT!"?  Then a few minutes or days or whatever go by and you then begin to think "Wait a minute. This is actually pretty stupid"? That's how it was for me when Microsoft initially released Windows 10. It was obvious that Xbox One and Windows 10 were going to be integrated with the release of Windows 10 and their Universal Windows Programs last Summer. I mean, Microsoft basically told you this was going to happen. All you had to do was read the tea leaves. It's a good idea in principle and theory, but functionality wise it is a technical nightmare. This doesn't come from the base concept, but rather the execution Microsoft is putting in place to do so.

I love Xbox One. I use Kinect. I understand that there is no difference with the naked eye of 900 vs.1080P as well as 30 v 60 FPS for the most part. As far as the concept of Xbox One exclusives now being Microsoft exclusives and available on Windows 10 as well I couldn't care less. It's a Microsoft owned platform, allows more people to play and more people to play with due to cross play functionality. The concept is great, but the execution….not so much. Business wise their set up is not smart. Windows 10 Universal Windows Programs are locked down. You can only get them from the Windows Store, and developers/publisher can't sell direct to consumer like on Steam. Nearly every major title on console is also on Steam as the platform has over 100 million players currently. On the flipside, as of January 4th, Microsoft reported that Windows 10 is on over 200 million devices and the Windows store is still absent of any major AAA gaming title other than Microsoft's own IP. I mean we are over 8 months in and there is no FIFA, Madden, Call of Duty, etc. Why is that? It's because of the setup.

Windows 10 is a closed platform. Since you can only get the tools needed from the Microsoft store and are required to accept these terms, it greatly hinders developer/publishers abilities to make games that can both survive and be profitable. Conceptually, I have no problem at all with Microsoft expanding games to other platforms like Windows 10. After all, consoles are still cheaper so it's not like this is an "Xbox One killer". What I do have an issue with is how Microsoft is pigeon holing themselves by making the Windows 10 store a closed platform. I've always wanted Microsoft to expand to their own program rather than simply supporting Steam. On the other hand, you can't just lock it down from the gate and alienate developers/publishers that are needed to make games for you. Hopefully, Microsoft continues on this path and opens up the platform to developers/publishers or I feel we'll be walking down the whole DRM path of 2013 again. In fact, that's already started. People just haven't realized it yet.

Jordan Biazzo

Stance: NO.

I bought a Xbox when it launched. I was there for the DRM fiasco, I stuck around with the crappy interface, and I even dealt with the Kinect camera staring back at me. However, the recent news about  Phil Spencer creating this multi-platform between Xbox and Windows has me sitting a little unsettled. I am a fan of the Xbox don't get me wrong, I love their franchises: Halo, Forza, and  Gears of War they're all phenomenal, but what you start making them not so 'exclusive' anymore, it becomes a problem.

Before you start, I'm a not an entitled brat that can't stand to share my games, because in the long run I really don't care; I want more people to play Halo and Gears of War, but I also think exclusivity is something that makes a product stand out. Why own a Xbox if I can invest into a power rig PC and have the best of both worlds, Steam and Xbox Exclusives; and each time I say that, Xbox starts to lose it's meaning to me.

I love Phil Spencer, he's a great new boss for the Xbox division, he drastically changed the way Xbox One was going and I thank him for that. BUT, I feel like Xbox is selling out once again. They should've stuck with the DRM & Kinect if that's what they believed that was best for business. Obviously, this will end up being great for Microsoft as they will potentially double or even triple their sales, just take a look how  Rise of the Tomb Raider doubled their profits in a shorter amount of time on PC rather than Xbox One.

This stunt feels like Microsoft has lost hope in the Xbox and in the end that's really the saddest part.

James Wynne

Stance: F*ck Yeah.

Out of all the console makers, Microsoft is the closest to PC gaming, seeing as they're owned by Microsoft and all. It makes the most sense for Microsoft as a company to turn their Xbox One exclusives to “Microsoft exclusives,” they already have their own digital distribution platform up and running, with a massive install base in PC gamers. I always thought it was strange that they weren't doing this from the beginning.

This is also a great move for gamers as well. I have absolutely lusted after Scalebound, but I was never going to play it because I couldn't justify an Xbox One purchase when I already had a PS4, Wii U, and PC. Especially when I barely care for any Xbox One exclusives outside of Platinum's game. Thanks to them releasing exclusives to PC as well, I'll probably buy more than just Scalebound out of whimsy purchases.

Most of the people who are against this are console warriors that are a little too taken with the brand. Sure some people may feel cheated by being lured into purchasing the Xbox One for the exclusives, since that's the only reason to own the console, but they'll have to realize the Xbox One is taking a pounding and Microsoft is doing what's best for business. It's best for Microsoft, best for the developers that work with them, and best for fans.

Daniel Miller

Stance: Yes

As someone who has access to both Xbox One and PC Gaming, I feel like my Xbox One is gradually becoming a tad irrelevant with this. But I can't align myself with the "ermagherd exclusivity or riot" crowd, because that would mean ignoring the business aspect of it as well as good old fashioned common sense. Including PC players equals a bigger and more unified player base for Microsoft, which in turn equals bigger returns. It's like asking, would you rather have $100 in your bank account or $1,000? $1,000, duh. They aren't devious villains for making this call, just practical when it comes to business.

Also, two major aspects of Microsoft's design philosophy since the launch of the Xbox One have been convenience and unity. All along, Microsoft has been pushing unity between all of its platforms especially as it pertains to Windows 10, and this is simply a part of that vision. You want an example of this philosophy? Just look at the Xbox One.

The Xbox One unifies gaming, television, SPORTS (j/k), video streaming, and call waiting in ways no other console platform does. Despite the fact that changing input to your TV is only a few button clicks away, or that Skype can be installed on your phone, there's no arguing the added convenience of all these things in one place. Your PC is just an addition to all of the things that Microsoft is trying to bring together, and frankly, it was only a matter of time.