Microsoft is offering more and more of its games on competing consoles. How far can she push this strategy? Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer answers the question.
The strategy of releasing games on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch seems to be paying off. In any case, this is what Phil Spencer, the boss of Microsoft Gaming, indicates in the columns of Bloomberg.
This year, Microsoft surprised the industry by announcing the release of Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, Grounded and Hi-Fi Rush on the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 4 and 5. However, these were productions from Xbox Game Studios launched in exclusivity on Microsoft consoles.
The company has since hit the nail on the head by announcing the launch of the next Doom at the same time on PlayStation and Xbox, as well as a launch from Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle in spring 2025, just a few months after the planned launch on Xbox.
How far can Xbox push this strategy? Are the firm’s historic franchises safe? Phil Spencer provided a clear answer.
No prohibitions
In his interview with BloombergPhil Spencer explains that he has no “red line” that Xbox could not cross to port a game to PlayStation.
I don’t see any red marks in our content that would indicate “you shall not wear”
Phil Spencer
Phil Spencer is not holding back anything, and the signs are already there to imagine the next strong licenses that Microsoft could be required to market on PS5.
First of all the Gears franchise, rumors of which already evoke the idea of a release on PS5. The next episode of the franchise is a prequel, which by definition requires no prerequisites to embark on the adventure. It would even be the ideal starting point before possible remakes to launch the series on a competing console.
Same spirit for the Halo series. The developers recently announced a name change for their studio, but also and above all the abandonment of their in-house game engine Slipspace Engine, in favor of the more classic Unreal Engine 5.
By switching to this universal game engine, Microsoft makes its task much easier if the company one day wishes to launch the game on PlayStation or Nintendo console. The tools are already there.
For Phil Spencer it is still too early to discuss these specific subjects. More than ever, Xbox seems to be embracing its cross-platform strategy.
