Microsoft’s Mysterious Absence at Switch 2 Direct: Xbox June Event Spoilers Ahead?

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Since Microsoft revealed its multiplatform business strategy over a year ago, there’s been much speculation about the possibility of games initially exclusive to Xbox, such as the Nintendo Switch 2, potentially making an appearance. Trustworthy sources hinted a few months back that Microsoft intended to release ports for both Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on the Switch 2 this year, and some even suggested that Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon 5 might follow suit. As a result, many critics were anticipating a significant Microsoft presence at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event.

Despite numerous leaks and whispers, the Switch 2 presentation took place last week, revealing mostly unrelated content from Microsoft. The only Xbox-exclusive game shown was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, which wasn’t unexpected since it was previously announced for various platforms, including the original Nintendo Switch. While Microsoft was noticeably absent at Nintendo’s latest presentation, there’s a chance they could be saving some multiplatform surprises for their upcoming event in June, the Xbox Showcase.

Xbox Could Announce Some Switch 2 Ports at Its Upcoming June Showcase

Microsoft is Hosting a Major Games Showcase Later this Year

On Sunday, June 8, 2025, Microsoft has announced the return of its annual Xbox Games Showcase. While specifics about the event are scarce, it has been confirmed that it will include an extensive look at Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming sci-fi RPG, “The Outer Worlds 2”. It’s worth noting that Microsoft hasn’t specified whether Xbox exclusives will be showcased, but hinted that many of the games presented may be playable on multiple platforms. This doesn’t rule out the possibility of Xbox-only titles, but it does suggest a focus on multiplatform games for this event.

Microsoft Will Likely Confirm Games for Switch 2 & PS5 During the Xbox Showcase

Back in January, I was thrilled to witness Microsoft’s Xbox Developer Direct event, where they unveiled five upcoming titles for Xbox Game Pass. What made this event particularly intriguing was the fact that most of the games showcased were multiplatform titles. However, instead of the usual practice of keeping such details under wraps, Microsoft surprised us all by openly announcing that these games would also be released on PS5.

In response to this unexpected revelation, Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, expressed his views, stating that we, as gamers, should anticipate seeing PlayStation and Nintendo logos in future Xbox showcases. According to Spencer, Microsoft aims to be more open and transparent about where games are being released from now on.

Apart from the games revealed during the Xbox Developer Direct, Microsoft has expressed its intention to make some of its games playable on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. In a conversation with Gamertag Radio, Phil expressed his eagerness to back Nintendo’s upcoming console, stating that he believes it will be as successful as the original Switch. This year’s version of Call of Duty is expected to be among the first games Microsoft supports on the Switch 2, given their 10-year agreement with Nintendo to bring the FPS franchise to both the Switch and its successor.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Will Probably Be Able to Run Most Xbox Games

Considering Phil’s perspective, it’s likely that you might notice a high number of Switch 2 and PS5 emblems during the Xbox Games Showcase, even for prominent in-house titles like Halo and Gears. Previously, Microsoft’s support for the original Switch was quite minimal due to the outdated system’s inability to run most games developed by Xbox. However, given that the Nintendo Switch 2 boasts significantly enhanced power compared to its predecessor, it’s reasonable to anticipate that it should be capable of running most, if not all, of Microsoft’s upcoming game titles.

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2025-04-10 22:20