It’s been THE topic in the games industry lately: Rumors said that Microsoft Xbox will establish a new multiplatform strategy in the future and that previous Xbox exclusive games will also come to other platforms. Yesterday evening, Microsoft provided more clarity, but still left questions unanswered.
In a special edition of the official Xbox Podcast, several high-ranking employees from Microsoft’s Xbox division largely confirmed the reports and speculations of the past few days, without, however, completely answering all pressing questions. Two insights first: Existing Xbox exclusive titles will actually come to other platforms, i.e. there is a multiplatform strategy – and there will still be Xbox hardware.
Regarding the new direction for publishing first-party titles, it says: “To ensure the long-term success of Xbox and the industry as a whole, we must evolve. Today we announced that we are expanding the communities we reach We’re in the process of bringing four Xbox games to other platforms, titles that have been available to Xbox players for at least a year, including hidden gems that deserve to be made available to a wider audience and live service games whose communities will benefit from welcoming even more players.”
Microsoft initially left it open which four previous Xbox exclusive games were in question and which could also be released on PlayStation 5 and possibly the Nintendo Switch in the near future; The development studios should make corresponding announcements themselves. However, the description suggests that the rumor mill is right with its latest reports: in all likelihood it will Hi-Fi Rush, Repentance, Sea of Thieves and probably afterwards too Grounded be like The Verge reported that the topic was largely accurate in the run-up to the business update.
The really big (also upcoming) blockbusters are currently not mentioned by Microsoft. The company further emphasizes: “By making these games available to a larger number of players, we not only expand the reach and influence of these titles, but also can invest in future versions of these games or in other parts of our first-party portfolio. There is no fundamental change in our approach to exclusivity.”
However, no fundamental change in the exclusivity of games does not mean that upcoming first-party titles could not come for PS5 and the like. According to Microsoft’s own statement, it assumes that exclusive games will play an increasingly smaller role in the coming years. Phil Spencer said: “In five to ten years, exclusive games will be smaller and a smaller part of the video game industry.” The big Xbox blockbusters will probably continue to be available exclusively on Microsoft platforms for a while after their release; It is also conceivable that some titles will remain completely Xbox exclusive. The latter should be the case with the Bethesda title Starfield
Finally, there remains the topic of Xbox hardware: Here, too, Microsoft assured, as expected, that it will continue to bring Xbox consoles onto the market – this had also already been indicated by the leaks from internal meetings. Future consoles are promised “the best value and the greatest convenience,” the latter thanks to Xbox Game Pass. Keyword Game Pass: This will definitely continue to be available and only on Xbox platforms, which means that rumors to the contrary have been put to rest. First-party titles will continue to come into Game Pass on future consoles from the day of release.
The hardware roadmap is already designed to be “robust, innovative and multi-year”; Xbox will still be around for “decades”. For the next console, Xbox President Sarah Bond promises “the biggest technical leap you’ve ever seen in a hardware generation.” A big and full-bodied promise that will certainly stoke anticipation for the next generation!
