Rumor: Another ‘big’ Xbox game is heading to PS5, to be announced next week

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What you need to know

  • Microsoft is working on porting Xbox games to PlayStation, per a strategy outlined earlier in the year. 
  • Microsoft hasn’t been clear on what games would be ported, leading to a ton of speculation. So far, Pentiment, Grounded, Hi-Fi Rush, and Sea of Thieves have moved across. 
  • Now, noted insider Shinobi602 has implied that another “big” Xbox game is slated to be announced for PlayStation next week, where Gamescom 2024 is set to take place. 

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of console wars, platform exclusives, and the relentless pursuit of growth by tech giants. The latest rumor about another Xbox game being ported to PlayStation next week has me scratching my head, but not because it’s unexpected – no, in this era of cross-platform everything, it feels almost inevitable.

It’s being rumored that another Xbox game might be released for PlayStation as well.

Previously, Microsoft had pledged to create exclusive games for the Xbox platform permanently. However, they later changed course by bringing games such as Pentiment, Grounded, Sea of Thieves, and Hi-Fi Rush to the PlayStation console instead, causing uncertainty among Xbox users about the company’s dedication to its platform. Contrary to these doubts, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella continues to assure investors that there are more Xbox console users than ever before, and they are also planning to develop a new generation of next-gen hardware, which they claim will mark a significant advancement for the Xbox technology.

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Some Xbox enthusiasts are worried that as Microsoft shifts its exclusive games outside the platform, there might be a decrease in the number of gamers wanting to buy Xbox consoles, which could discourage game developers from creating games specifically for Xbox. This potential decline in the number of games available for Xbox could cause the platform to struggle and raise questions about how important Xbox is to developers overall, given that popular titles like Black Myth Wukong and Capcom’s back catalog are choosing not to release on the platform. So far, four games have been ported over, but their impact hasn’t been substantial enough to spark a significant shift in user numbers.

For users with these concerns, the latest raft of rumors won’t be comforting reading. 

Known industry insider Shinobi602, who’s quite amiable, reportedly disclosed through a forum (specifically, XboxEra) that Microsoft’s Xbox team might unveil another significant game for PlayStation as early as next week—the same week that Gamescom 2024 is happening.

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In response to a user inquiry about the announcement of upcoming games on PlayStation, Shinobi asked, “Will you be here next week?” and added that while he is unsure about multiple ports, there will definitely be a significant or large release coming up.

Some users began speculating that it would be Forza Horizon 5, Microsoft’s flagship racing sim which has served tens of millions of users across Xbox and PC. My sources indicate that Forza will not be announced for PlayStation next week. Although I can’t yet confirm what game, if any, will be announced as a port next week. Shinobi602 is a rock solid source, so I suspect it’s only a matter of time until he’s proven correct. 

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer mentioned in a June interview that you’ll find even more of their games available on systems such as PlayStation. He views this expansion as advantageous for the franchises they’re creating and also pleasing to gamers, who appreciate the chance to play these titles.

So, if not Forza, what could Xbox be porting to PS5 next?

At Gamescom 2024, Microsoft is expected to make a massive appearance, offering a plethora of playable first and third-party games such as Age of Mythology, Stalker 2, Towerborne, and many others. However, these recent whispers could pose ongoing challenges for Xbox’s communication with its dedicated user base, even though there’s been a broad promise that more games will eventually be transferred to the platform.

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Microsoft’s Xbox gaming platform is seeing record earnings due to its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, with popular service games such as Candy Crush, World of Warcraft, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 significantly contributing to this growth. Interestingly, while the sales of the actual Xbox consoles have decreased annually since the end of the pandemic, it’s the digital services that are driving the platform’s expansion.

As an analyst, I’ve noticed that other platforms are seeing a decrease in hardware sales due to the extended life span of the previous generation, thanks to popular games like FIFA, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and others being consistently updated for PlayStation 4, Xbox One X, and Xbox One S consoles. This ongoing update trend has diminished the allure of current-generation consoles and reduced the urge to upgrade. However, major new-gen exclusive releases such as Grand Theft Auto 6 could potentially reshape the landscape in the future.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast, I have witnessed the evolution of the console industry over the years and observed the challenges faced by platform holders like Xbox. Given my personal budget constraints, I can relate to the dilemma they face in finding growth as costs continue to rise. The fact that the overall install base of console users has remained stagnant for several years now, with a predicted decline of 1% according to Newzoo, is concerning. However, it’s interesting to see companies like Xbox and even PlayStation adapt and embrace PC gaming more aggressively. For instance, God of War: Ragnarok, a former PS5 exclusive, will launch on Steam in September 2024, which I believe speaks volumes about the changing landscape of gaming.

Even though transferring games to a competitor’s direct, closed platform might be tempting, it’s wise to proceed with caution. Consequently, I believe that numerous Xbox games will continue to be timed exclusives on Xbox and Windows platforms in the near to mid-term future, as Microsoft investigates its collection of older games for potential porting.

It’s unlikely that the game being announced next week is Forza Horizon 5, but it doesn’t mean we’ll never see Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation. In fact, given its potential earnings, I’m confident Microsoft has considered Forza Horizon 5 for a port.

When discussing the upcoming week, it’s speculative, but I would venture a guess that classic games such as Killer Instinct, State of Decay 2, or Halo: Master Chief Collection might be released earlier rather than later. These titles have likely achieved their maximum potential in terms of user base and sales on Xbox and PC, similar to Sea of Thieves and Grounded prior to them.

Regardless, at this point, it’s just conjecture on our end. I promise to keep you informed as soon as my inquiries yield results.

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2024-08-15 05:14