The floodgates swung wide open following the latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast. In this revealing session, Xbox Head Phil Spencer, President Sarah Bond, and Corporate Vice President Matt Booty delved into the company’s vision and roadmap for the imminent future.
One of the biggest news stories was regarding the four mysterious Microsoft first party games that will be released from exclusivity soon to other consoles. While the hints dropped were vague, some diligent fans may have already figured out the titles that will be making the leap across platforms.
What Are the First Party Microsoft Games Coming to Other Platforms?
According to the official X Xbox account, the games that will be ported include “hidden gems that deserve to be experienced more widely,” as well as some live service games “whose communities will benefit from welcoming even more players.”
During the podcast, Spencer divulged a bit more information regarding the four titles:
We looked at games that are over a year old. So, they’ve been on Xbox and PC for a while. A couple of the games are community-driven games, new games, first iterations of a franchise that have reached their full potential on Xbox and PC. Franchises that we obviously want to continue to invest in.
Detailing the rationale behind the games that were selected, Spencer explained,
We think it’s important that these service-based games that have communities behind them, that they can have confidence that they’re going to exist in the future.
Regarding the other two games, Spencer stated that they were ”smaller games that were never meant to be built as platform exclusives.”
For the uninitiated, this information would be nowhere near enough to make a guess. However, hardcore fans began to put two-and-two together and make their guesses.
I can easly guess 3: Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves and Pentiment… What is the fourth? Halo Infinite? Grounded?
— Claudio C. (@ClaudioCorli) February 15, 2024
Prevailing speculation centers around Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Pentament, and Grounded as the likely contenders, with some optimistic guesses, or perhaps wishful thinking, for titles like Sunset Overdrive, Redfall, and Rare Replay.
Reactions Are Divided to Xbox Ending Exclusivity for Some Titles
The subject of platform exclusivity always stirs up a lively debate within gaming communities. The current fervor surrounding the decision to release some of its games on other consoles has intensified, sparking passionate discussions both in favor of and against the move.
As a big Xbox fan, I think this is a great idea. It’s good to share the wealth, and now other gamers will know what being an Xbox fan is all about.
— Mark Alvarez (@AnimeExBurst) February 15, 2024
While some argue that releasing Microsoft first party games from their exclusivity chamber could potentially diminish the console’s appeal, others view this shift as a crucial step towards a gaming future where titles are accessible across all devices.
As Spencer and his team mentioned in the broadcast, the philosophy of Xbox rests on creating a future where people can meet their friends where they are and play the same games on the devices of their choice.
With this mindset, the brand has the potential to serve as a much-needed catalyst, influencing the industry to embrace a shift where games inherently offer improved cross-play and cross-save functionality. This transformation could pave the way for a more interconnected and standardized gaming experience across various consoles.
What are your thoughts on this move? Share your opinions in the comments below!
