Sony vs. Microsoft vs. Nintendo: Which Company Was Best to Gamers in 2018?
Who Wins?
Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo each treated gamers in different ways throughout 2018. Although the game lineup was huge and featured some highlights, Nintendo’s year was more about consolidation after its launch, being let down slightly by the underwhelming online service.
Sony and Microsoft, however, generally treated gamers well in 2018, albeit in different ways.
Sony’s year was focused on games, offering more impressive exclusives that the competition. They gave gamers what they wanted elsewhere, though. By softening their stance on cross-play, they dispelled the idea that they were scared of losing the ground they have.
Cross-play is something that Microsoft already offered, making them more attractive to some gamers, but Sony realized that it will only become more important to gamers as more and more online and social experiences release.
Services have been Microsoft’s focus, though, showing that they’re putting gamers first as they build their studio force to offer in the future what Sony do.
By pleasing Xbox fans with the excellent Game Pass service, the expanding backwards compatible catalogue, and their openness to things like cross-play, they’re putting themselves in pole position for the coming years.
Having ways to play a huge selection of games at the touch of a few buttons, including all the system’s exclusives, for a low price is something that cannot be overlooked, and it’s not surprise that Microsoft continues to push it as one of the Xbox One’s coolest features.
