In light of increasing speculation surrounding Xbox’s potential embrace of a multiplatform future, Microsoft has officially announced its intention to bring four formerly Xbox-exclusive first-party titles to PlayStation 5 and Switch later this year, hinting at more to follow in the future.
Rumors began circulating earlier this year suggesting that Microsoft was contemplating the release of certain first-party games on rival consoles, notably Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush.
However, it wasn’t until recent claims surfaced, suggesting high-profile exclusives such as Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle might also be going multiplatform, that Microsoft broke its silence. The company promised further details in an upcoming podcast.
As confirmed by Xbox gaming head Phil Spencer in a pre-briefing with The Verge, Microsoft has indeed decided to extend the reach of its gaming portfolio to other platforms, stating, “We’re going to take four games to the other consoles.” Although Spencer did not explicitly name the titles, he mentioned that two are community-driven projects while the other two are smaller in scale.
Additional insight provided by The Verge, citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, indicates that Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment will be the initial offerings heading to PlayStation 5 and Switch, with Sea of Thieves and Grounded to follow suit.
In a conversation with The Verge ahead of the podcast reveal, Spencer emphasized Microsoft’s focus on these four games and the learning opportunities presented by this expansion. While Starfield and Indiana Jones are not part of the initial multiplatform lineup, Spencer did not rule out their eventual arrival on PS5, stating, “I don’t think we should as an industry ever rule out a game going to any other platform.”
Regarding the possibility of more first-party Xbox titles making their way to PlayStation and Switch, Spencer suggested it is conceivable, depending on the success of the initial releases.
He noted, “We want to see what happens, because going and doing the development work to bring them to new platforms is real work. We want to make sure that the return makes sense. We want to make sure the audience that’s there has an appetite, maybe they don’t.”
The Verge also reports that Gears of War, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the upcoming Doom installment have been under consideration for multiplatform release.
Explaining the rationale behind this strategic shift, Spencer emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to the long-term health of Xbox, aiming for a growing platform and maximizing the reach of its games. He stated, “We’re always looking to learn as a leadership team and to grow, and we think this is an interesting point in time for us to use what some of the other platforms have right now to help grow our franchises.”
This marks an intriguing development for Microsoft, and observers are keen to witness how its multiplatform strategy will unfold in the future.
