Microsoft is reportedly considering a major shift in strategy for Xbox, moving towards a more platform-agnostic approach. This could mean first-party Xbox titles appearing on competing platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, and the next-generation Xbox console potentially running Windows and supporting third-party game stores.
Xbox Going Multiplatform?
While exclusive titles have traditionally been key to console success, both Sony and Microsoft seem to be moving away from platform-locked games. Microsoft has already announced several first-party titles for PlayStation, mirroring Sony's continued release of exclusives on PC. This trend could see Xbox taking a back seat in favor of a more software-driven ecosystem.
Market research firm DFC Intelligence suggests that the console market may only sustain two major players, with Nintendo dominating alongside either Sony or Microsoft. The analyst firm believes that Microsoft's future lies more in its software and service offerings rather than console exclusivity.
The "Windowsification" of Xbox
The next Xbox console could potentially be running a version of Windows, which would allow players to access alternate game stores like Epic, GOG, and even Steam. This move has been hinted at by Xbox chief Phil Spencer and is further suggested by recent executive appointments at Microsoft. Jason Ronald, now VP of Next Gen Xbox, and Roanne Sones, former Windows OEM lead, both point towards a closer integration of Windows and Xbox. This change would allow Microsoft to expand the Xbox ecosystem beyond console hardware alone.
Xbox Exclusives: A Thing of the Past?
This shift in strategy suggests that Xbox will no longer rely on platform exclusives. All first-party games could eventually be released on competing platforms as Microsoft prioritizes building a broader gaming ecosystem, regardless of the hardware used. Recent comments from industry insiders, like Jez Corden, suggest that any remaining exclusives will likely be timed exclusives at most. Microsoft is also pushing the idea that any device that can run the Xbox app and access Game Pass can effectively act as an Xbox console. Microsoft has already released titles like Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, while Doom: The Dark Ages will also come to PS5, apart from Xbox and PC. Even the highly anticipated Fable reboot is expected to launch on other platforms after a period of Xbox exclusivity.
While these changes might be concerning for some long-time fans, they also indicate that Microsoft is adapting its approach to the evolving console landscape.
