Microsoft has confirmed that four of its first-party titles will be available on both Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch, a decision that follows weeks of speculation regarding the availability of exclusive titles on competing platforms. The announcement was made by Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, during an episode of the Official Xbox Podcast. He also provided insight into the motivations behind Xbox’s decision and revealed that the next generation of Xbox consoles is currently in development.
While the specific titles were not officially announced, a report from Technology News suggests that the games expected to appear on PS5 and Nintendo Switch include Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded. Spencer addressed the rumors regarding the future of Xbox exclusives and clarified that major Bethesda releases, particularly Starfield and the upcoming Indiana Jones game, will remain exclusive to Xbox and PC. “We’ve made the decision that we’re going to take four games to the other consoles, just four games,” he stated during the podcast.
Spencer explained that the decision to port these titles to rival consoles is part of a strategy to leverage other platforms to enhance Xbox’s franchises. “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,” he noted.
Although Spencer did not identify the four titles for PS5 and Nintendo Switch, Technology News’s sources suggest that these games will indeed be Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded. These titles have previously been rumored to be making their way to Sony and Nintendo platforms. No specific release dates or timelines have been provided, but Spencer mentioned that announcements from the respective developers are expected to occur soon.
Hi-Fi Rush has been rumored to come to PS5 and Nintendo Switch
Photo Credit: Bethesda
Spencer further detailed the selection process for the titles transitioning to multi-platform status, indicating that the games in question have been available on Xbox and PC for over a year. He noted that two of the chosen games are community-driven while the other two are smaller titles that were not initially designed as platform exclusives. “As they’ve realised their potential on Xbox and PC, we see an opportunity to utilise the other platforms as a place to just drive more business value out of those games,” he said. Spencer emphasized that this strategy would not harm Xbox while allowing the company to generate additional revenue for potential future projects.
He also advised players on competing consoles that this shift in strategy does not indicate a broader rollout of Xbox exclusives on other platforms, stressing that no additional games are currently under consideration for such a release.
In the podcast, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, reiterated that the Game Pass service would continue to be exclusive to Xbox and PC. Additionally, Xbox president Sarah Bond announced that games from Activision-Blizzard, including Diablo IV, would be added to Xbox Game Pass starting March 28. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, completed for $69 billion, followed a lengthy regulatory dispute in the United States and the UK, and Bond confirmed that Xbox Game Pass now boasts 34 million subscribers.
Earlier reports regarding Microsoft’s first-party games transitioning to PS5 and Nintendo Switch sparked considerable concern within the Xbox community, prompting questions about the future of the platform. Major exclusives like Bethesda’s Starfield and the new Indiana Jones title were reportedly under review for a potential launch on PS5.
