Insider Reveals New Insights on Microsoft’s Strategy for Upcoming Xbox Exclusives

An industry insider suggests that Xbox exclusives are likely to become rare exceptions in the future. This insight sheds light on Microsoft’s evolving strategy regarding which titles they may choose to keep solely on Xbox.

In February 2024, Microsoft expanded its reach by announcing the porting of four Xbox games to other platforms: Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves. This shift towards a multi-platform approach was anticipated even earlier, as Microsoft had indicated to regulators that they would decide on exclusivity for future games on an individual basis—a stance reiterated during the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Jez Corden, a respected industry insider, gave further insights during a recent episode of The Xbox Two Podcast. He mentioned that exclusives will become “the exception” for Xbox, as decisions will hinge on various factors, including situations where developers lack the necessary resources for a multi-platform release. Corden explained that decisions to keep a game exclusive will depend on “a catalog of incidentals,” potentially including instances where an Xbox developer doesn’t have enough support for broader distribution.

Looking ahead, Microsoft doesn’t intend to keep games exclusive just to cater to Xbox fans, a perspective that aligns with Corden’s reports suggesting an end to permanent Xbox exclusives.

While the timeline for Microsoft’s transition to porting first-party games to other platforms remains unclear, the recent release of Black Ops 6 as a day-one PlayStation title—thanks to a special agreement with PlayStation—is a noteworthy exception. Perhaps a clearer example of Microsoft’s strategy will be seen with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The game, launched for Xbox Series X/S and PC in December 2024, is set to release on PS5 in spring 2025, illustrating a shift in Microsoft’s approach. There are also speculations of a major Xbox showcase in January 2025, where Microsoft might unveil its next batch of multi-platform games.

The landscape is definitely changing, and it seems permanent exclusivity for Xbox might become a rarity as Microsoft redefines its gaming strategy.