Microsoft’s Xbox is set to expand its reach by releasing four video game titles on external platforms, as announced by gaming CEO Phil Spencer during a podcast on Thursday.
This move comes in the wake of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, aiming to tap into a broader audience of gamers.
While Spencer did not provide specific details about the titles to be released, he mentioned that these games have been available to Xbox players for at least a year. However, exclusivity will be retained for major titles like “Starfield” and the upcoming “Indiana Jones.”
According to Spencer, the gaming industry is likely to witness a decrease in exclusive titles for specific hardware over the next five to ten years.
The acquisition of Activision was a strategic move for Microsoft to enhance its position in the video game market and better compete with Sony, which recently revised its sales forecast for PlayStation 5.
One of the first Activision Blizzard games to be released post-acquisition is “Diablo IV,” slated to be accessible to Xbox Game Pass subscribers starting March 28. Despite the industry’s shift, research firm NewZoo predicts a slowdown in the growth of multi-game subscription services this year, encompassing Sony’s PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass.
Spencer’s comment on game exclusivity aligns with recent statements from Sony’s chief financial officer, who expressed interest in improving operating profit by making first-party games available on other platforms.
