The battle for dominance in the console market is coming to a close. Xbox, owned by Microsoft, recently made several announcements that have been eagerly awaited by the community and fans of digital entertainment. Most notably, Xbox revealed that it will publish four of its exclusive games on the platform of its main rival, PlayStation 5, marking a significant milestone in the industry.
Three of Xbox’s top managers – Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Matt Booty – shared this news in an official Xbox podcast focused on the future of the business. This announcement dispelled rumors that Xbox would cease to have exclusive games.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer reassured Xbox fans that Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will not be released on PlayStation 5. These games are being developed by Bethesda, a publisher that Microsoft acquired in 2021.
Recently, there have been rumors suggesting that several major video games developed by official Xbox studios were going to be confirmed for release on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch in the coming weeks. Many saw this as signifying “the end of the console war”.
Several gaming media outlets, including The Verge and Video Game Chronicles, reported that Microsoft was considering bringing its iconic franchises like Gears of War and Halo to PlayStation platforms.
In response to these rumors, Phil Spencer reassured fans that only four of Xbox’s exclusive games will be released on PlayStation and/or Nintendo Switch.
Conflicts arose with PlayStation over whether to maintain the exclusivity of games within Xbox Game Studios, which often influence which console future users will choose.
The game Deathloop was caught in the crossfire of this acquisition, with Sony PlayStation fighting for the game to be released on PlayStation 5 based on a previous agreement with Bethesda. Microsoft, however, put aside hostilities and maintained exclusivity for its rivals’ consoles.
Reports suggesting that games previously marketed as Xbox exclusives may be available on other platforms have caused quite a stir within the Xbox community, with notable Xbox influencers expressing their dissatisfaction.
Influencers Threaten to Stop Supporting Microsoft
While waiting for an official decision on the future of Xbox’s exclusive games, prominent Xbox influencers on social media took the initiative and threatened to stop supporting the brand if Xbox’s “surrender” to PlayStation came to pass.
Klobrille, a well-known Xbox community member, was one of the first to voice his concerns. His fan base of over 158,000 includes Microsoft’s gaming chief, Phil Spencer, Xbox President Sarah Bond, and many members of their marketing and PR teams.
Another influencer, Timdog, declared, “I’m not an Xbox fan anymore.” He criticized Xbox’s decision to remove exclusive games and put them on PS5, stating that he would no longer support Xbox as he had in the past.
Gamer influencer KidSmoove also didn’t hold back in his criticism: “Xbox is doomed to failure… If they expect PlayStation and Nintendo to buy Xbox games, they’re in for a rude awakening.”
The Four Xbox Games That Will Come to PlayStation 5
Despite these controversies, Phil Spencer emphasized that Xbox’s strategy will remain the same: they are committed to having their own console, Game Pass, and exclusive games. In fact, Xbox plans to release 10 major first-party games between 2024 and 2025, including Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
In addition, Microsoft Gaming confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S will have a successor, as they are currently developing their next console. Their “Netflix of video games”, Game Pass, continues to grow, boasting 34 million users.
New Activision Blizzard games – including Call of Duty – will be published on the Game Pass subscription service on their launch day. Furthermore, Diablo 4 will be added to the Game Pass catalog on March 28.
With all these developments, Phil Spencer encouraged Xbox fans to keep an eye on their event in July, to be broadcast during the Summer Game Fest.
