Microsoft to Expand Availability of Xbox Exclusive Games Beyond Its Console Ecosystem

According to reports, Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment are likely the first two titles losing their exclusivity, followed by Sea of Thieves and Grounded.

Microsoft is planning to extend the availability of selected Xbox-exclusive video game titles to other gaming consoles and platforms. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed that at least four games would be accessible on alternative consoles, including the Sony PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. In a special edition of the official Xbox podcast on February 15, Spencer stated, "We've made the decision that we're going to take four games to the other consoles."

While the company has not disclosed the specific titles being expanded to other platforms, it has acknowledged that two of them are community-driven games, and the rest are smaller titles. According to reports, Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment are likely the first two titles losing their exclusivity, followed by Sea of Thieves and Grounded.

In the podcast, Microsoft Gaming CEO expressed his belief that console-exclusive games would become a diminishing aspect of the game industry over the next five or ten years. He said, "I do have a fundamental belief that over the next five or ten years, exclusive games, games that are exclusive to one piece of hardware, are going to be a smaller and smaller part of the game industry."

Which Games Will Be Arriving On Other Platforms

While Microsoft has officially announced the transition of four exclusive games to other platforms, there are speculations in the media that the company may extend this list to include popular titles such as Starfield. The recently revealed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle video game, initially announced for Xbox consoles and Windows PC, could also potentially become available on other gaming consoles.

In an interview with The Verge, Phil Spencer confirmed that Starfield and Indiana Jones are not part of the initial expansion plans. However, he left room for the possibility of other titles following suit. Spencer stated, "We don't have work going on on other franchises. But for anybody to stand up and say something's never going to happen, I think it feels like creating more certainty in a world of gaming where you really want to respond to what customers want and what our players and creators are looking for."

Expanding Xbox titles to other gaming consoles could provide Microsoft with a broader audience for its video games, offering an opportunity to increase revenue within its gaming division.