Xbox Series X vs. PlayStation 5 games: Sony’s ‘high numbers’ offer reportedly puts Microsoft behind in exclusivity deals

Later this year, all eyes in the gaming community will be likely glued to the imminent console wars as Sony and Microsoft unveil their next-generation consoles. Before that happens, a recent report says the PlayStation 5 may already have a considerable advantage over the Xbox Series X in terms of exclusive content and games.

How Sony reportedly ‘locked’ exclusivity competition for PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X

What gaming fans have heard about PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X so far does not lead to a conclusive comparison of which of the next-generation consoles is better. However, it is being reported that Sony’s more aggressive approach in reaching out to third-party game developers and publishers may have given its upcoming console an edge in one key aspect.

Gaming journalist Imran Khan claimed that the lineup of games and content that would be exclusive to PlayStation 5 might shock fans. Further explaining his report, Khan wrote in ResetEra forum, “There isn't a major third party out there Sony failed to approach asking what kind of deals they could work out.” He said Sony explored several possible deals that would give PlayStation 5 timed exclusivity on games or content or both.

Khan clarified that it does not necessarily mean Microsoft did not make any effort to get exclusive games and content for Xbox Series X. “They just didn't want to pay the asking price, because Sony approached with pretty high numbers in the first place,” the journalist added.

Xbox Series X vs. PlayStation 5 on exclusive games and content

This is the type of information that neither Sony nor Microsoft is likely to confirm in public. But earlier announcements seem to correspond to Khan’s claim. When Rockstar Games announced the “expanded and enhanced” “GTA V” last month, it only specifically mentions the game will be released on PlayStation 5 in all announcements and teasers.

The only sign that that the new “GTA V” is also arriving in Xbox Series X is Rockstar’s use of the “new generation consoles” phrase in its statements. What’s going to be clearly exclusive to PlayStation 5 is the free and standalone version of “GTA Online” for the first three months of its release in 2021.

The “Avengers” action-adventure, developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix, will be released on both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. But it was announced last week that certain cosmetics items, the Community Challenge feature, and Spider-Man are some of the contents to be exclusive on Sony’s console. There have also been rumors that the anticipate “Final Fantasy XVI” will be initially exclusive to PlayStation 5. Both consoles are slated to launch during the upcoming holiday season.