“Peter Moore Reflects on the PlayStation vs Xbox Rivalry: A Healthy Battle That Has Lost Its Edge” | VGC

Former Xbox leader Peter Moore recently shared his thoughts on the old Xbox vs. PlayStation rivalry, calling it “healthy for the industry.” However, he believes times have changed.

In a chat on Danny Peña’s YouTube channel, Moore was asked about Xbox’s current strategy to release first-party games on other platforms, especially on PlayStation 5.

Moore, who joined Xbox in 2003 to help it compete with the PS2 and GameCube, reminisced about how the console wars back then kept the gaming industry relevant. He pointed out that the media often criticized video games, labeling them as harmful or a waste of time. In the early 2000s, this rivalry helped shift that narrative and gain attention for gaming as a legitimate form of entertainment.

He was known for making bold appearances at events like E3, sporting tattoos related to major game releases, such as his Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV tattoos. Moore believed these publicity stunts were essential for the industry’s growth at the time.

“We had to do a lot of work to change perceptions, and we were young enough to make it fun,” he said. He feels the competition between Xbox and PlayStation created excitement that benefited all console makers.

Today, however, he sees things differently. While Microsoft still produces Xbox consoles, he thinks they’d prefer focusing solely on games if possible. He pointed out that many people still enjoy buying gaming hardware, which is why they continue to make consoles.

“Would Microsoft choose to make hardware if they didn’t have to? Probably not,” he explained. “They’d love to be a giant company delivering games directly to your screen, just like Netflix. Imagine playing instantly without a console getting in the way.”

Moore also noted that the recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard has shifted Microsoft’s approach. He feels the intensity of the console wars has faded as the focus has shifted to larger economic goals rather than just stealing market share.

“It’s not like the old days of competing head-to-head. Things have become bigger than that,” he said. He lamented that the industry may have lost some of the competitive spirit that once drove it forward.