Valve President Gabe Newell Says Xbox Series X Better Than PlayStation 5

Asked to choose during a television interview which next-gen gaming console he would prefer, Valve president Gabe Newell threw his support behind Microsoft’s Xbox Series X.

With both the Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5 set to drop sometime during the holiday season, gamers worldwide are carefully weighing their options on which console they will bring home or give as gifts to loved ones.

Neither Microsoft nor Sony has released definitive information regarding a definitive release date, but fans are already debating the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms, and Newell's comments are likely to pour more fuel on discussions between players.

During a segment on the New Zealand show “The Project,” Newell was asked by the hosts which of the two consoles was better. Newell replied “the Xbox” with no hesitation, ScreenRant notes.

When asked to explain why he believed this, the developer was again uncompromising in his response, stating that it was just the better console. After seemingly recognizing the shock from the presenters, Newell went on to clarify that "of the two, I would definitely go with the Xbox."

The co-founder and president of Valve have previously expressed his distaste for consoles like the PlayStation 3, stating his disdain for developing for the closed systems. Since Valve develops almost exclusively for the PC and doesn’t focus on other platforms, it was therefore jarring to hear this from Newell.

After getting caught in New Zealand when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Gabe Newell has decided to stay in the country for the past several weeks but has somehow found a way to make news over there.

During last week’s Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft displayed many first-party titles on the new console while also allowing fans to catch a glimpse of what games might look like running on the Xbox Series X.

As happy as Xbox Series X fans might be to hear this from Newell, ScreenRant notes that it doesn’t really mean much. From his interview, it appears as if he is simply giving his opinion based on the released specifications for both consoles.

Newell didn’t discuss games exclusive to each console or other factors that gamers will likely consider before choosing between the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5.

Knowing Sony, they likely shrugged this off even as they focus instead on marketing the strengths of the PS5 and prepare for the actual battle ahead.