Former Xbox boss Peter Moore has admitted that Microsoft "encouraged console wars" with PlayStation in the past in order to challenge each other and eventually make gaming a much more diverse place.
Peter Moore, who worked as the president of Sega of America, corporate vice-president of Microsoft, and chief operating officer of Electronic Arts, definitely has a thing or two to say about the gaming industry and his time in it. Speaking to the Front Office Sports podcast recently, Moore touched upon the topic of the console wars, the term used for two rival consoles competing with one another, in this case referring to the Xbox 360 and PS3. According to the former chairman, the idea was never about creating division among the players.
"We built and encouraged the console wars not to create division, but to challenge each other. When I say each other I mean Microsoft and Sony," Moore explained. "If Microsoft hadn't stuck the course after the Xbox, after the Red Ring of Death, gaming would be a poorer place for you. You really wouldn't have the competition you have today."
The former executive added that investing billions of dollars "is great for gamers," while the so-called console wars were only adding entertainment to people's conversations. In Moore's words, it's that simple. He is also delighted to see how Nintendo is offering a slightly different experience with Switch on the market today, and each of the major players occupies its own place. "The industry has never been healthier," he said.
Despite being a thing of the past, console wars are something still regularly discussed among top executives. For example, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime earlier said that "it's a very small industry," therefore no matter who wins, all executives would meet a lot to discuss what's good and bad for the entire industry. Today's Xbox chief Phil Spencer also has something to say, sharing the idea that survival of the fittest "doesn't help gaming reach the potential it should."