Xbox has recently come under fire for making some strategic moves that have left fans and industry insiders puzzled. Two particular decisions have caught the attention of the gaming community after today’s Gamescom announcement.
One is the timing of the announcement that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle will be coming to PlayStation 5, and the other is the release of Towerborne on Steam before it even hits Xbox. These choices have sparked debate among fans, with many questioning the publisher’s long-term strategy.
The Indiana Jones Xbox Dilemma
One of the biggest surprises came with the announcement that The Great Circle will be released on PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025, just a few months after its December 9, 2024, debut on Xbox Series X/S.
This decision is puzzling to many, as the game could have been a strong exclusive for the company, driving console sales and boosting Game Pass subscriptions, as highlighted by user Klobrille on X.
By announcing the PS5 release so early, the publisher has seemingly given away its advantage, leading some to question the wisdom of this move. Fans believe that it could have held off on this announcement until after the release of the game, allowing it to be an exclusive for at least a little while, which might have helped solidify the console’s position in a competitive market.
This decision also goes against earlier statements from Phil Spencer, where he indicated that The Great Circle would remain exclusive to the platform.
This shift in strategy has left some feeling that the publisher may be losing its competitive edge, as it appears more willing to prematurely announce that its big exclusives are coming to rival platforms, potentially weakening its own brand.
Towerborne Is Another Missed Opportunity
As mentioned by Klobrille and a lot of other users, Towerborne is also causing a debate. Initially marketed as an Xbox game, it was expected to be a significant release for the console.
However, it was recently revealed that the game will be launching on Steam first, with no platform parity for its early access launch. This decision has left fans of the console feeling neglected, as they see a first-party title being given priority on another platform.
The choice to release the game on Steam first, rather than Xbox, is seen by many as a missed opportunity to strengthen the platform and keep its core audience engaged.
While the Xbox’s lineup of upcoming games looks promising, with titles like Starfield’s Shattered Space and Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred looking promising, these recent decisions have raised concerns about the company’s strategy.
Fans are left wondering if the company is losing its focus on exclusivity and whether these moves will ultimately hurt the brand in the long run. A few months ago, it was also announced that Doom: The Dark Ages would be coming to Playstation on the same day and date as Xbox.
How do you feel about these valid concerns? Let us know in the comments below.
