Xbox Bosses Double Down On The Belief That Platforms Don’t Need Exclusive Games

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Xbox has changed its strategy in recent years. Previously, games like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza were only available on Xbox consoles, but now they’re also being released on PlayStation and Nintendo.

Just ten years ago, the idea of a major console company releasing its biggest games on a competitor’s system would have seemed crazy. But Xbox leaders now believe the gaming world has changed, and that focusing on exclusive games isn’t as important anymore.

According to Microsoft president Sarah Bond, gamers are moving beyond platform exclusivity. Popular games like Call of Duty, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox are widely available, and these are the games that truly build gaming communities. People connect and share experiences within these titles, regardless of where they play.

Bond is right – some of the biggest gaming communities are built around Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Roblox. Microsoft owns two of these, and they wouldn’t want to divide those player bases.

We’re focused on letting you play with your friends no matter what device they’re using or where you are. This new experience expands how you can connect and play – whether it’s on phones, computers, consoles, or through cloud gaming.

The new game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, originally made for Xbox, is now also available on PlayStation 5 and will be released on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Gears of War: Reloaded, an updated version of a popular Xbox 360 game, launched on Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC at the same time. This shift in strategy from Xbox raises the question: is the rest of the gaming industry following suit?

As Xbox Pushes Non-Exclusive Games, Their Biggest Competitors Are Thriving

Ever since the PlayStation 5 came out in 2020, Sony has consistently outsold Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S.

A lot of people now prefer to play games across different consoles on PlayStation. It feels like most streams and videos of these games feature either a PS5 console or a DualSense controller. This is happening even with games made by Microsoft themselves – I’ve been surprised by how many videos of Ninja Gaiden 4 are played using a DualSense controller.

One of the biggest reasons the PS5 has done so well is its strong collection of games you can’t play anywhere else. We’ve seen exciting previews of games like Marvel’s Wolverine, and Ghost of Yotei looks like a great follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima. These and many other PS5 exclusives make the console a smart purchase.

The continued popularity of the Nintendo Switch, and the anticipated success of its successor, clearly demonstrates the power of exclusive games in driving console sales. Most people who buy a Nintendo console are doing so to experience games like Mario and Zelda that aren’t available on any other platform. While the Nintendo eShop offers independent games, the main draw is usually Nintendo’s first-party titles, and that’s still true with newer games like Donkey Kong Bananza. Fans also have upcoming exclusives like Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond to look forward to.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is off to an incredible start, selling 2.45 million units in the US within its first three months. This beats the previous record set by the PlayStation 4, which sold 2.2 million units in the same timeframe. Nintendo is aiming to sell a total of 25 million Switch 2 consoles by March 2026, and they expect to reach that goal with the help of exclusive games only available on their system.

With top Xbox games now available on PlayStation 5, PC, and potentially the upcoming Switch 2, many are wondering what the point of owning an Xbox even is. Microsoft needs to address this, particularly as they begin discussing the next generation of Xbox consoles.

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2025-10-23 18:39