"Xbox Tax" is a term used by fans to describe the perceived discrimination by the Game Awards against any title associated with Xbox
. This perception originated from the lack of Xbox games nominated for the Game of the Year award in recent years, leading some to question the voting process and its reflection of the average gaming enthusiast's opinions
. Key points about the "Xbox Tax" include:
- The term is shorthand for the perceived discrimination by the Game Awards against Xbox titles
- The absence of Xbox games in the Game of the Year category can be attributed to the voting process, which aims to reflect the opinions of the average gaming enthusiast rather than sales or review scores
- Since the Spike Video Game Awards began in 2003, only five years have featured Microsoft Game Studios titles in the Game of the Year category
- Both Sony and Nintendo have won GOTY awards, while Xbox has not, despite being represented by fan-favorite Halo and Gears of War titles
The term "Xbox Tax" is not real and cannot hurt Xbox, as it is simply a perception created by fans
. However, it highlights the importance of creating games that resonate with players and the need for Xbox to focus on titles that have been successful in the past, such as Halo and Gears of War
