Xbox May Be Done With Permanent Console Exclusives

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Summary

  • Xbox is shifting away from permanent console exclusivity, claims a reputable insider.
  • Every current and upcoming Xbox first-party game will supposedly launch on PlayStation platforms “over time.”
  • The insider also hinted that Xbox first-party studios are preparing for “multiplatform simultaneous development.”

As a long-time Xbox fan who has grown accustomed to the exclusive joy of playing Halo, Forza, and Gears of War, this news about Xbox potentially relinquishing permanent console exclusivity comes as a bittersweet revelation. On one hand, I’m excited at the prospect of experiencing these iconic franchises on my PlayStation for the first time. However, on the other hand, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia, like an old friend moving away without saying goodbye.

A reliable source has suggested that Xbox may be moving away from permanent console exclusivity in the future. Starting from 2024, Xbox started publishing its exclusive games on rival platforms such as PlayStation and Nintendo, signaling a shift in their strategy. This trend of multiplatform availability appears to be strengthening over time for Microsoft’s first-party games.

Initially this year, executives at Xbox revealed plans to release four of their exclusive games – Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Hi-Fi Rush – on PlayStation and Nintendo systems. This significant decision, which surprised many Xbox supporters, was allegedly instigated by internal pressure within Microsoft to recover the $68.7 billion spent on acquiring Activision Blizzard. As 2024 progresses, additional Xbox first-party games, including Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, are expected to be launched for PlayStation 5.

At the Game Awards 2024, it was announced that The Outer Worlds 2 by Obsidian would be available on PS5 from its launch date next year. This news has added to the speculation about Xbox’s commitment to console exclusivity. To clarify, a trusted Microsoft insider named Jez Corden recently expressed his views on Twitter suggesting a shift in the Xbox exclusivity policy. In essence, he stated that the “age” of permanent Xbox console exclusives is coming to an end. Games like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, South of Midnight, and others previously or planned for Xbox exclusivity will eventually be released on PS5 and other competing platforms in the future.

Every Existing and Upcoming Xbox First-Party Game is Reportedly Coming to PS5

According to Corden, Xbox hasn’t revealed its remaining console exclusives for the PS5 because they don’t want to force their first-party teams into multiplatform development if they aren’t prepared. This could mean that every Xbox exclusive studio is currently working on versions of their current and future Series X/S exclusives for the PS5 (and possibly Nintendo Switch 2). Corden’s use of “simultaneous” is significant, suggesting that from now on, every Xbox first-party game might launch on the PS5 at the same time as the Series X/S and PC.

It seems clear that Corden’s comments suggest a stronger likelihood of popular Xbox series such as Halo, Gears of War, and Forza potentially appearing on PlayStation in the coming days. Previously, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer indicated that there are no absolute boundaries for which Xbox games could be ported to PlayStation, and he didn’t exclude the possibility of the next Halo game being released on PS5. As a result, Microsoft may need to tread carefully when discussing future exclusivity for Xbox consoles.

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2024-12-15 10:13