As far as console gaming is concerned, Microsoft and Sony can be thought of as rivals, and rightfully so given that both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are considered to be nearly equals, with some hardware differences and game titles set aside. But has their rivalry resulted in bitterness on either part? You might think so, given that Samsung and Apple have had a very fierce, bitter, and not to mention expensive rivalry, but as it turns out both Microsoft and Sony appear to be relatively amicable, with Microsoft Studios’ Phil Spencer admitting that there were things that Microsoft could learn from Sony, such as Sony’s commitment to franchises and developers, even if those titles might not necessarily be blockbusters.Spencer mentioned titles such as Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls as examples of Sony’s commitment to developers, and in an interview he gave with OXM, Spencer acknowledges that they did a good job with the PS4. “I think that long-term commitment to franchises is important, where it’s easy to pull off the Band-Aid and move onto the next thing [if it doesn’t sell]. I respect their ‘stick-to-it-iveness’. […] I’ll say, they’ve done a nice job with PS4 […] When I think about their announcement, their clear focus on a customer, leading with the value proposition of what they’re trying to do, staying true to a vision, I think they’ve done a nice job in how they defined the PS4.”
The friendly rivalry Sony and Microsoft have with each other is somewhat admirable and both companies are pretty sporting, with either company wishing the other well upon the launch of the PS4 and the Xbox One.