So many of us grew up with the idea of the console wars. The Sonic vs Mario debate, in some circles, was an all-consuming matter—one that could make or break potential lifelong friendships. A decade or so later, of course, the two rivals would collaborate on 2008’s *Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games*.
As the years went on, Xbox did its part to strike a blow against console exclusivity. The arrival of the beloved *Cuphead* on the Nintendo Switch, for instance, was a welcome surprise for many gamers.
Now, amid the news that the *Halo* series is making its way to PS5, Xbox has announced that it’s more concerned about competing with a broader range of entertainment options than just other consoles.
“We are competing more and more with everything from TikTok to movies,” said Matt Booty, highlighting that millions of people now have an abundance of entertainment choices beyond video games — from streaming services and social media to many other distractions.
The goalposts have certainly shifted since the days when the question of SNES versus Sega Genesis was at the forefront of a generation’s mind. Booty explained that this way of thinking is derived from the concept of “seeking to meet people where they are.”
Of course, where they are a lot of the time is scrolling through Instagram reels in the bathroom or on the couch, rewatching their favorite comfort shows on Netflix yet again. That’s potential gaming time that’s being lost.
### Furthering Xbox’s Strategy
Perhaps it would be nice to imagine a world where the gaming industry is more united and committed to trying to claim as much of that time as possible. Pooling resources and ensuring that the best games are accessible on as many systems as possible.
Naturally, a lot of the world’s biggest games are multiplatform, and not being confined to a single system is an enormous advantage in that regard. This isn’t the first time Xbox leadership has spoken publicly on the benefits of making big properties available on other systems, and it’s clearly a common sentiment among the company’s leaders.
The extent to which it’s practical, plausible, and advantageous to do so, however, is a matter of opinion.
Seeing *Gears of War: Reloaded* also come to PS5 was surely a pleasant surprise for those who haven’t invested in an Xbox system of late. The same is surely true of the new *Halo* title, though it has also attracted some controversy for certain changes made.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the console wars—if they still exist—shape the future of gaming.
https://www.dualshockers.com/xbox-boss-claims-biggest-competition-is-not-other-consoles/