One of the most talked about ‘problems’ during antitrust hearings on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard was exclusivity of the games. At that time, company CEO Satya Nadella said that keeping games, especially Call of Duty, exclusive “makes no economic or strategic sense” for
Microsoft
and that it wants to get games “on more
platforms
.” As per a report, the Windows maker is preparing to bring those plans to fruition.
Citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, The Verge reported that the company is getting ready to launch a select number of
Xbox
games on Sony’s PS5 and Nintendo Switch – two of its biggest rivals. The development comes as rumours suggested that Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves and Bethesda titles like Starfield and Indiana Jones may be coming to non-Xbox platforms.
With the company’s Xbox Series S and X sales lagging behind Sony’s
PlayStation
5, and Microsoft
Gaming
CEO Phil Spencer admitting a slow down in Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, this seems to be the most viable plan for the company to make the Xbox business bigger.
These games may come to non-Xbox platforms
The report said that the first two games that may come to rival consoles are Hi-Fi Rush and Pentimen. It also said that Microsoft is also planning to launch Sea of Thieves on non-Xbox platforms later this year and considering other first-party titles for the same.
Launching Xbox games on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch will provide Microsoft more reach for its first-party games and a gateway to generate more gaming revenue, the report highlighted.
Meanwhile, Spencer has also told the staff that the company is not exiting the console business and will continue to make hardware alongside its broader gaming strategy. Microsoft is also set to share more about its “vision for the future of Xbox” during an upcoming Official Xbox Podcast on February 15.
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