In a significant shift that could reshape the gaming landscape, Xbox may be moving away from permanent console exclusives. A well-known industry insider recently revealed that Microsoft is gradually expanding its approach to publishing first-party games, signaling a future where Xbox titles are no longer restricted to its own platforms. This announcement marks 2024 as a key year in Xbox’s evolving strategy, with the company already releasing its first-party games on rival platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo.
Earlier this year, Xbox surprised many by announcing that four of its first-party titles—Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Hi-Fi Rush—would be coming to PlayStation and Nintendo. This bold decision was reportedly driven by pressure within Microsoft to recoup its significant $68.7 billion investment from the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Over the course of 2024, more Xbox games followed suit, including Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and The Great Circle for PlayStation 5. These announcements shocked Xbox fans, as they signaled a departure from the company’s long-standing approach to console exclusivity.
The recent Game Awards 2024 further fueled speculation about the future of Xbox exclusives. During the event, it was revealed that The Outer Worlds 2 from Obsidian will launch on PlayStation 5 on day one in 2025, signaling that Xbox may not be as committed to keeping its first-party games exclusive to its platform. Insider Jez Corden, known for his reliability, took to Twitter to state that the era of permanent Xbox console exclusives is “over,” adding that games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, and South of Midnight would eventually be coming to PlayStation and other platforms.
Corden also pointed out that Xbox hasn't yet announced its remaining console exclusives for PlayStation because it doesn’t want to pressure its development teams into simultaneous multiplatform releases before they are ready. This suggests that going forward, all Xbox first-party games could see simultaneous launches across platforms, with PlayStation 5 and potentially the Nintendo Switch 2 being included alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC.
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This shift away from Xbox exclusivity could pave the way for major Xbox franchises such as Halo, Gears of War, and Forza to make their way to PlayStation in the near future. Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, had previously hinted that there were no “red lines” when it came to PlayStation releases, even suggesting that future Halo games might eventually appear on PlayStation.
As this strategy develops, Xbox will need to navigate the delicate balance between keeping its dedicated fanbase engaged and expanding its games across all platforms. The next few years will likely reveal whether this new multiplatform approach will succeed or alienate longtime Xbox supporters.