Tech titan Microsoft -- which has struggled to keep pace with Sony and its PlayStation 4 -- is pinning its hopes on a new action video game, ironically named "Titanfall."
The highly anticipated game for the new generation Xbox One console lands this week in a major global release, with Microsoft is betting it will keep the company in the forefront of the battle for the living room and home entertainment.
"The challenge is finding the 'killer game,'" says Avi Greengart of research firm Current Analysis.
"Titanfall appears to be the first must-have, first-person mutliplayer game that takes real advantage of the Xbox One's additional horsepower."
Technology analyst Rob Enderle at Enderle Group said the new game -- featuring elite assault pilots and heavily-armored, 24-foot (six-metre) titans -- will be a critical test for Microsoft.
"Titanfall is really the big title for Xbox One," he said. "Game consoles live and die on blockbusters, so it is really important that the audience likes this game."
The game is produced by Respawn Entertainment, using designers of the "Call of Duty" blockbuster series, and distributed by Electronic Arts exclusively for Microsoft's Xbox and PC platforms. It carries a US price tag of USD 60.
Greengart said Microsoft is trying to show Xbox One has momentum, and Titanfall may help.
"It's not available on Sony, so this gives Microsoft a much-needed shot in the arm just as Sony has announced a nice spike in sales after PS4 went on sale in Japan," Greengart told AFP.
Microsoft doesn't want to be seen as left behind, he explained. "If consumers think one platform that has legs, sometimes it becomes so. Right now it looks like Sony has pulled ahead."
Titanfall is being released tomorrow in the Americas, Russia and parts of Asia, and on Thursday in India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most of Europe. The release will be on Friday in Britain, Ireland and Portugal.
