January 8th 2024.
Will 2024 be a milestone year for Xbox? It's hard to tell at this point, but GameCentral tries to predict what the new year holds in store for the platform. While Sony has said very little, and has few games publicly announced, it's difficult to read their plans. Likewise, even Nintendo has never been this needlessly secretive and Xbox is not much better.
It appears that Xbox's plans revolve mainly around software and subscriptions. The biggest news this year won't be a new game reveal or release date announcement, but when Activision Blizzard games, including Call Of Duty, will be available free on Game Pass. It's unclear when that will be, but it's likely that Microsoft's marketing will make sure it's big and noticeable when it happens.
At the end of last year, speculation was growing that Microsoft wanted to get its software, including Game Pass, onto PlayStation and Nintendo formats. Phil Spencer then stepped in to clarify that this won't be happening in the short term. However, there have been talks of some previously exclusive Xbox games appearing on the PS5 and/or Switch.
Microsoft's long-term goal for Xbox appears to be a more service-based and hardware-independent platform. This may be necessary, considering the poor sales of Xbox in Europe and Japan. It's unclear how much Call Of Duty on Game Pass will change the landscape, but it's unlikely to make a substantial difference in 2024.
This year will be a priority for Microsoft after the disappointment of Starfield. There will be talk of additions and changes, including fan-made mods and the first paid-for DLC. Avowed and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 don't have release dates yet, but they are meant to be out this year. Microsoft will also want to build on the success of its summer showcase, in terms of both its content and the skill with which it was put together.
The hope is that one of the new games this year will change the narrative for Xbox One's underwhelming exclusives. Both quantity and quality are important for Xbox right now, and Call Of Duty may be enough to attract new customers. But Microsoft will need more than just that to succeed in the long-term.
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