Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, is shifting Microsoft’s strategy away from persuading gamers on rival platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo to switch to Xbox. In a recent interview, Spencer expressed that the focus is now on creating a strong business presence across multiple platforms, resonating with his earlier statements regarding Xbox’s commitment to a multi-platform approach.
Phil Spencer Discusses Xbox Games on Competing Platforms
In a conversation with Xbox Era, conducted prior to last month’s Developer Direct showcase, Spencer elaborated on Microsoft’s decision to bring first-party titles to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. He underscored the importance of Microsoft investing in its own gaming ecosystem, while acknowledging that many players will remain loyal to PlayStation or Nintendo due to their extensive game libraries or exclusive titles.
“I don’t want to look at the situation and think we shouldn’t aim to build a business where we can find fans of our franchises,” Spencer commented during the interview released over the weekend. “I’m no longer trying to convince them all to transition to Xbox.”
He also noted that launching Xbox first-party games on competing platforms provides a wider audience access to those titles while generating revenue that can be reinvested in game development.
Spencer highlighted the importance of transparency regarding platform availability at the Xbox Developer Direct showcase. He mentioned the intention to clearly communicate which platforms a game will be available on, whether it be Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Steam. “I want people to have access to our Xbox community and all of our offerings on every screen possible,” he added.
Moreover, Spencer reiterated Microsoft’s goal of making its games accessible across a variety of platforms, including Xbox consoles, PCs, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Cloud. He pointed out that Asia is one of the fastest-growing markets for Microsoft, largely driven by the adoption of PC and Cloud services rather than hardware sales. He acknowledged the challenge in converting players who are already committed to other consoles. “So let’s connect with them in ways that make sense, benefiting both Indiana Jones and Xbox,” he remarked, referring to the upcoming Bethesda title, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, being playable via Cloud.
Microsoft’s Multi-Platform Vision
Spencer’s remarks about Xbox’s multi-platform strategy reinforce his earlier assertion that there are no limitations on releasing any game on rival platforms.
“There’s no title that I would consider off-limits. There’s no reason to restrict any game from reaching players where it can succeed,” he stated in a January interview.
“We’ve discovered that such a strategy enables us to build a stronger business that facilitates investment in a quality game lineup, as showcased at the Xbox Developer Direct. Our plan is to make our games widely available.”
Since the decision to launch first-party games on rival platforms in 2024, Microsoft has progressively released more titles for PS5 and Nintendo Switch. This year, the company confirmed upcoming releases including Forza Horizon 5, Age of Mythology: Retold, and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for the PS5. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is also set to arrive on the PlayStation 5.
