Starfield's Impact on Xbox: A Pivotal Moment

Politics, News Sept. 10, 2023, 2:14 p.m.

Starfields successful launch has revitalized Xbox, highlighting the need for consistency. While not a groundbreaking RPG, its garnered positive attention, setting the stage for a promising future game lineup.

Starfield's Impact on Xbox and the Path to Consistency

The launch of Starfield marked a pivotal moment for Xbox, a gaming ecosystem that had experienced its fair share of ups and downs in recent years. After a promising fall 2021 game lineup, 2022 saw a noticeable scarcity of first-party Xbox releases, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next big title. The year got off to a strong start with the surprise launch of Hi-Fi Rush but took a disappointing turn with the disastrous release of Redfall, Bethesda's heavily marketed AAA game under Microsoft's ownership. Starfield, with its ambitious scope, loomed as a make-or-break moment for Microsoft.

Back in May, I expressed my belief that Starfield was "the most crucial game for the future of the Xbox brand since Halo: Combat Evolved" due to the potential consequences of its failure. Now that Starfield has launched, it's clear that it's not the groundbreaking, industry-shaping mega-RPG that some fans had hoped for before its release. Nevertheless, it has proven to be an enjoyable sci-fi adventure that is receiving positive attention, despite a few drawbacks. With over 1 million concurrent players across all platforms and a three-and-a-half-star review from Digital Trends, which noted that "though it can't fully deliver on Bethesda's intergalactic ambitions, Starfield is an impressive space RPG filled with impactful decisions," the game is off to a promising start. Steam users have also given it a "Very Positive" consensus based on over 24,000 reviews.

While Starfield hasn't been a total game-changer, it hasn't derailed Xbox either or caused the public to lose faith in its first-party games. In fact, it has rejuvenated confidence among Xbox enthusiasts. As we reassess Xbox's future post-Starfield, it becomes evident that the key challenge it faces is consistency—a hurdle it has grappled with throughout this console generation. Microsoft has seen success with Xbox Game Pass and released some excellent first-party games like Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush. Still, it has struggled to establish consistency in messaging, game release schedules, and game quality. This inconsistency has been a drawback, as it often felt like Xbox overpromised and underdelivered, despite numerous game company acquisitions and exciting announcements. Meanwhile, competitors like Sony and Nintendo have excelled in these areas, further highlighting Xbox's shortcomings.

This lack of consistency placed immense pressure on Redfall and Starfield. These titles needed to justify the hefty Bethesda acquisition and set the stage for a steady stream of new Xbox games. This is why the disappointing quality of Redfall felt like such a blow to Xbox fans. Instead of solidifying a consistent first-party output, it accentuated the platform's problems. This made Xbox's position leading up to Starfield's launch seem dire, even though, in reality, it was just one branch of the vast Microsoft corporation.

However, with the successful launch of Starfield, Xbox's situation has taken a positive turn. Starfield's reception, despite its flaws, has not only avoided becoming a Redfall-level critical flop but has also exceeded expectations. It has become an engaging RPG that Xbox players can immerse themselves in, fostering a sense of console pride. The overall sentiment within the Xbox community is largely positive, and Microsoft must maintain this momentum.

Following a weak first-party lineup in 2022 and the troubled launch of Redfall, there were concerns that Xbox's consistency was limited to disappointing its fan base. However, since Redfall, Microsoft-owned studios have shown signs of getting back on track. They have delivered a significant Monkey Island-themed update for Sea of Thieves, an excellent remaster of Quake II, a solid Xbox Series X/S port of Age of Empires IV, and, of course, Starfield. It now falls on the Xbox team to sustain this momentum following the launch of Forza Motorsport and the impending conclusion of the Activision Blizzard acquisition in October.

Looking ahead to the 2024 game lineup, things appear promising. The Xbox Games Showcase in June showcased a healthy roster of titles, including Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Beyond that, there are titles like South of Midnight, Clockwork Revolution, Fable, State of Decay 3, and The Outer Worlds 2, along with expansions for Starfield and other projects. If Xbox can establish a steady game release cadence and maintain or even surpass the quality of Starfield, the future looks bright for Microsoft in the gaming industry.

Microsoft's gaming efforts have experienced significant peaks and valleys over the years, resembling a wild roller-coaster ride. However, it is evident that Xbox is currently on an upswing following the successful launch of Starfield. All the necessary pieces are in place for Microsoft to capitalize on the positive feedback from this pivotal Starfield launch and its upcoming game lineup. The future of Xbox will not hinge on a single game but rather on the platform's ability to consistently deliver high-quality games over the next several years.