Xbox and PC platform exclusivity from first-party studios under Microsoft may soon come to an end. According to a report from The Verge, Microsoft is planning to take a multiplatform approach going forward.
The report claims that at the moment, Microsoft is “weighing up which titles will remain exclusive and other that will appear on Switch or PS5 in the future.” In particular, the Gears of War franchise was said to be on the list being considered for release on a PlayStation console.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, an action-adventure game in development by MachineGames and published by Bethesda, a company owned by Microsoft, is also being considered for a PS5 launch. However, this is only after having a rather short period of exclusivity on Microsoft platforms, with a potential launch in December 2024.
XboxEra claims that Starfield may also be released on additional platforms, while titles such as Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves were in the headlines for cross-platform release as well.
This new strategy has been a great matter of debate for Microsoft’s senior leadership. XboxEra report also claimed that “not everyone is necessarily happy” with the decision. Of course, plans could always change, but nothing is set in stone.
Some speculators are optimistic about the move. Daniel Ahmad, director of research and insights for Niko Partners, added that this new direction could be positive for Microsoft, as “the incentive for Xbox console purchases will still be driven by Game Pass vs. $70 purchase on PS5. It’s a win-win situation.”