After Microsoft’s blockbuster acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, along with its vast array of development teams, the company, and by extension Xbox, has ascended to become the largest third-party game publisher the world has ever seen. Recently, Xbox chief Phil Spencer shed some light on future plans in a chat with Gamertag Radio, revealing that upcoming Xbox titles will find their way onto other platforms, including Nintendo and PlayStation. This revelation might have stirred the waters, but it’s a move that aligns well with their strategy.
In a conversation hosted by Danny Peña and featuring Parris from Gamertag Radio on YouTube, Phil Spencer expressed his desire for broader accessibility, saying, “I want people to be able to experience the games that we build, the services that we offer on as many devices as we can.” He also reinforced Xbox’s commitment to its own ecosystem: “We obviously love the native experience that we have on our own platform and our own hardware, and that’s something that will continue for us.” The interview runs for a concise twenty-six minutes, packed with insightful observations and a walk down memory lane, touching on legendary moments from Xbox’s history, like the days of the original Xbox and the 360.
For those scratching their heads about the controversy, here’s a bit of background: Do you remember Sonic The Hedgehog? Not just the movie character, but the blue blur from video games that once ruled Sega’s consoles? Back in the day, those games were exclusively tied to Sega until Sonic Adventure 2 made its way to GameCube, marking a significant shift. Sega’s last console, the Dreamcast, didn’t stand a chance against Sony’s powerhouse, the PlayStation 2, which led Sega to retreat into the role of a third-party developer—a space that Microsoft’s Xbox swiftly filled.
During the early development of what would become the Xbox, Microsoft had aspirations for backward compatibility with Dreamcast games, leveraging the Dreamcast’s compatibility with Windows CE. Although this feature was ultimately shelved, titles originating from that era, like Jet Set Radio Future, found a new home exclusively on Xbox.
Spencer’s remarks might initially seem reminiscent of a struggling console maker’s last-ditch efforts, but Microsoft is anything but that. With its massive influence as the leading third-party game publisher, the strategy now seems to be about reaching as many players as possible rather than corralling them onto Xbox systems alone.
Phil Spencer elaborates, “We want everybody to be able to play on Xbox, and it does mean more of our games shipping on more platforms, not just PlayStation. We love the work that we do with Nintendo, we love what we do with Valve on Steam, and that’s going to continue.”
Is Xbox about to travel the same path as Sega? Certainly not. Microsoft’s deep pockets ensure a different narrative. However, the forthcoming Xbox generation will need to offer compelling reasons for gamers to choose their hardware over competitors like Nintendo’s anticipated “Switch 3” and the inevitably stronger PlayStation 6, both of which are likely to entice buyers with exclusive games—as has always been the case.
Nevertheless, Microsoft must navigate carefully with the notion that Xbox is more of a gaming service empire than just a console if it’s not going to lose its distinct identity. After all, if everyone ends up on Xbox, it might feel like no one truly is.
