Xbox is Far From Dead as Multiplatform Plans Offer Promising New Start

Contrary to what some might think, the console war continues, despite the fact that it may seem like it’s come to an end. This is not because Microsoft has withdrawn from the competition and handed over the crown to Sony, or vice versa.

On occasion, the leadership in monthly top-selling console has shifted between Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo, as both have taken turns to claim this position. At the same time, Xbox hardware sales are declining, a trend that Microsoft acknowledges openly. However, none of these gaming giants have slowed down their endeavors; they continue to push boundaries in console production, creating first-party video games, and offering exclusive perks for their customers.

It appears there’s some exciting news in the gaming world! “Forza Horizon 5”, developed by Playground Games, is set to hit PS5 this Spring. However, whispers have arisen suggesting that multiple Microsoft games might be transitioning too, such as the forthcoming “Fable”, “Halo: The Master Chief Collection”, “Starfield”, and even a rumored trilogy collection of “Gears of War”. Interestingly, these same titles are also said to potentially release on the Nintendo Switch 2. A job listing for The Initiative’s “Perfect Dark” that mentions “multi-platform” optimization could hint at a non-Xbox console launch as well.

It seems like Microsoft has moved forward with their plan, and we’re now witnessing the second phase of it, which started a year ago with significant launches such as “Hi-Fi Rush” and “Sea of Thieves”. Initially, there were whispers about numerous properties including “Hellblade 2”, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle”, etc. However, Microsoft confirmed that only these specific titles would be released. In other words, they’re dipping their toes in the water first.

Beyond Sea of Thieves, we’re unsure about the sales performance of other games, but it was sufficient to greenlight multi-platform releases such as The Outer Worlds 2 and Indiana Jones. However, what makes Forza Horizon 5 stand out?

Other than Sea of Thieves, we don’t know how well other games have sold, but they did well enough to release versions for multiple platforms like The Outer Worlds 2 and Indiana Jones. So, why is Forza Horizon 5 unique or exceptional?

Initially kept exclusive, Game Pass saw immense success, even boasting its best first week ever. Now, this key selling point is expected to expand onto a competing platform. With past whispers of no limits, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Microsoft’s exclusives will appear on PS5 (and potentially Switch 2). The question then becomes not if or why, but rather when this transition occurs.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t hide my feelings – it would be quite a shift to see titles like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza appearing on rival platforms. Back in the day, there was this intense rivalry between Microsoft and Sony, each trying to outdo the other. Remember the infamous Halo Killers or that ad criticizing the Xbox One’s initial digital games policy? Those were times when gaming was as much about competition as it was about fun.

It’s worth mentioning that games like “Horizon,” “God of War,” “The Legend of Zelda,” and even “Mario” may not appear on Microsoft’s consoles, which is significant for some. For many, this might suggest that Microsoft has conceded – acknowledging that despite the quality of its Xbox Series X/S games, people would rather opt for a PS5 or even a Switch over an Xbox.

However, that perspective contradicts Microsoft’s actions. Despite a decline in hardware sales, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has affirmed the company’s intention to carry on producing Xbox consoles. Contrary to this viewpoint, they are still heavily investing in Game Pass, a service exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC, but they have also been expanding into other platforms for quite some time.

Cloud gaming remains strong in its performance, and interestingly, it’s accessible on LG Smart TVs. Given that Amazon Fire TV devices along with Samsung Smart TVs from 2020 and earlier have been compatible, this isn’t entirely unexpected. Surprisingly enough, starting from December 2023, gaming titles can be played on the Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro headsets as well.

With these developments, an Xbox might become less indispensable than previously thought, and that appears to be the intention. As Spencer explained to Gamertag Radio, “In my role, I view hardware as a vital aspect of our business, but we’re not seeking to restrict games from other platforms for its own sake. Instead, let’s create groundbreaking hardware that people desire to use for gaming, whether it’s in their hands, on a TV, or even elsewhere.

The increase in PC Game Pass subscriptions by 30% during Q2 of 2025, outside of Xbox Cloud Gaming, can be attributed to a successful strategy. While Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 might have played a significant role in Microsoft’s status as the top publisher in December, Indiana Jones didn’t lag behind, amassing over four million players. Whether the success of these titles is due to Game Pass or strategic planning by the company, it seems to be their aim.

From a passionate gaming enthusiast’s perspective, Microsoft’s current strategy is quite intriguing. Unlike Sega during its tough times when it switched to multi-platform due to the poor performance of Saturn and Dreamcast to survive, Microsoft’s Xbox brand is transcending beyond the original hardware (without completely abandoning the console). Instead, they are making money by competing on other platforms, all while maintaining what many consider to be the most outstanding game catalog service in the present market.

There are certainly potential issues that could arise in the future. For instance, Microsoft’s top executives might determine that the console business is no longer profitable and choose to discontinue it. Alternatively, their all-out investment in Game Pass may not be yielding the expected profits, yet they might be stuck with this strategy. Even as Microsoft shifts strategies, layoffs have been happening across different sectors of the company.

It’s quite possible that the brand will expand and venture into different areas, like the portable computer gaming market, where Game Pass is already thriving. There have been hints suggesting the company might enter this niche, offering something distinctive compared to other console manufacturers.

At the moment, Xbox remains vibrant and dynamic, expanding the concept of what a console signifies in today’s environment. Sony is still selling consoles but is producing fewer top-tier exclusive games compared to last year. Nintendo is expected to make billions from the Switch 2, even though it doesn’t rival the PS5 or Xbox Series X in terms of graphics power (with rumors suggesting it’s more akin to a PS4). Microsoft’s strategy remains experimental, and changes could occur swiftly, as we saw last year when they opted for multi-platform gaming.

It’s clear that the heyday of console rivalry, often referred to as the “console wars,” has long passed. Whether or not Microsoft’s strategy is economically sound in the long term, it certainly benefits the gaming industry overall. At present, there’s an unprecedented variety of games available, irrespective of which camp you align with.

This article reflects the personal opinions of its author. These perspectives may not align with or be endorsed by GamingBolt as a whole.

2025-02-04 18:12

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