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Xbox May Be Done With Permanent Console Exclusives

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Xbox May Be Done With Permanent Console Exclusives

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.”



A credible insider has claimed that Xbox might be relinquishing permanent console exclusivity going forward. 2024 marked a dramatic change in Xbox’s exclusivity strategy as Microsoft began publishing its first-party games on rival platforms PlayStation and Nintendo, and it seems the company’s multiplatform efforts will only deepen as time goes on.

Earlier this year, Xbox’s top brass announced that four of the platform holder’s first-party games, namely Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Hi-Fi Rush, will head to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. This major strategic shift came as a huge shock to Xbox fans, and was reportedly driven by internal pressure from Microsoft to recoup the $68.7 billion investment to acquire Activision Blizzard. Over the course of 2024, more Xbox first-party games were announced for PS5, such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and The Great Circle.


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The recent Game Awards 2024 show revealed that Obsidian’s upcoming The Outer Worlds 2 will launch on PS5 day one next year, further casting doubt on Xbox’s plans for console exclusivity. To shed some light on the matter, reliable Microsoft insider Jez Corden recently took to Twitter to claim an unfortunate future for Xbox fans. According to Corden, the “era” of permanent Xbox console exclusives is “over,” and previous and upcoming Xbox console exclusives like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, South of Midnight, etc. will make their way to PS5 and other competing platforms “over time.”


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


As for why Xbox has yet to announce its remaining console exclusives for PS5, Corden said that the platform holder doesn’t want to levy a “mandate” on first-party teams that aren’t ready for “multiplatform simultaneous development.” This likely means that every Xbox first-party studio is in the process of developing PS5 (and potentially Nintendo Switch 2) versions of its current and upcoming Series X/S console exclusives. Corden’s specific inclusion of “simultaneous” is also noteworthy, as it implies that every Xbox first-party game going forward might launch on PS5 day and date alongside Series X/S and PC.

Corden’s remarks certainly hint at a more resolute possibility of iconic Xbox franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza showing up on PlayStation in the near future. Moreover, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer remarked some time ago that the company has no “red lines” for which Xbox titles head to PlayStation, and didn’t even rule out a PS5 release for the next Halo game. Microsoft will likely have to be quite delicate with future messaging surrounding Xbox console exclusivity.


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