Is Xbox Going Multi-Platform The Right Decision For The Console Market?

Xbox’s recent decision to go multi-platform is still a hot topic in the gaming industry and for good reasons. Releasing first-party titles to other devices may seem like a good move at first, but it is not without major consequences that could completely shift the console market. We can expect a series of drastic changes in the industry if Xbox and other console makers decide to ramp up this strategy to new heights.

One of my biggest pet peeves with this strategy is how it affects the console and gaming exclusivity. Now, I am personally not too keen on exclusivity, but many in the community do not appreciate a first-party console game appearing on another ecosystem—especially if they are rivals. However, the consequences of this strategy, both good and bad, go much deeper than this.

We can speculate about the future all we want; both optimistic and pessimistic views exist, after all. However, let’s take a look at how going multi-platform has worked out for Xbox and other console makers in the industry so far.

It Has Worked Out So Far, For Xbox At Least

Soon after the first four major Xbox exclusives were announced to go multi-platform, it did not take long for the community to notice just how successful the whole endeavor turned out to be. That was also the moment when I put my initial feelings aside and eased a little bit into the new idea. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, multiple Xbox ports dominated the PlayStation Store’s top ten pre-orders charts soon after the reveal. 

The success confirmed that many PlayStation owners were also excited to get their hands on the Xbox exclusives. However, another way to look at it is that Xbox could slowly invade other consoles by bringing popular titles to increase its influence. Better leverage would mean that PlayStation’s sense of self may become damaged after a bundle of Xbox games is mixed into its store.

Another perk for Xbox is the increased revenue. The giant conglomerate will enjoy another revenue stream from its portfolio going multi-platform on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. However, many Xbox players are unsatisfied with this decision because exclusivity will no longer matter as much with this strategy. 

More Xbox Titles Could Come To Other Consoles

I’ve also looked at this strategy as a huge line of dominoes. If the first couple of Microsoft exclusives are a success on other devices, then who’s to say that Xbox will not double down on bringing its AAA first-party entries next? These concerns have existed in the form of rampant speculations even before executives officially acknowledged and announced the new strategy. However, these rumors are not unfounded at all actually.

NateTheHate: 6 more “significant, major IP” Xbox first party games will be going multiplatform
byu/passmethegrease inGamingLeaksAndRumours

Some of the rumored Xbox exclusives headed to PlayStation include Halo: Combat Evolved, Starfield, Hellblade 2, and many other unnamed AAA titles. Regardless, it is always best to take these rumors with a grain of salt. From what I’ve seen, multiple insiders have often reported that the first four games to arrive on other devices are just the beginning, and Xbox plans to stick with this strategy for the foreseeable future.

We will likely see confirmations about more Xbox exclusives going multi-platform in the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase 2024 on June 9.

More Xbox games are coming to PlayStation, says Windows Central

The PlayStation ports are internally referred to as codename “Latitude”

“Potentially obvious [Xbox] games you’d most likely expect” are in development now for PS5

See more: https://t.co/XJcaV1HzFc pic.twitter.com/HDZ5fCayGC

— Hunter 🎮 (@NextGenPlayer) May 15, 2024

Sony And Nintendo May Also Have To Adapt

What worries me about the console market is the uncertainty caused by the new Xbox strategy. We do not know how Sony and Nintendo will adapt to the shifting landscape in the future. For now, at least, neither of them have plans to launch their games on other devices. Some rumors have suggested Sony was also preparing to go multi-platform, but they were mostly caused by misunderstanding certain translated quotes in earnings reports.

https://twitter.com/WilliamRAguilar/status/1757979757940281777

Sony’s new business segment meeting two weeks ago clarified its plans for the future. Hideaki Nishino, the new CEO of SIE’s Platform Business Group, said that PlayStation will continue to grow its existing franchises, increase its live-service capabilities, and bring games to more devices. New devices here likely only mean various PC stores and other PlayStation consoles—at least that is what many have assumed due to no elaboration.

Additionally, the conglomerate will bring its tentpole IPs to consoles first and may release them on PC after a year or so. However, Sony plans to launch its live-service games simultaneously on PC and PlayStation consoles.

The Console Market Is Evolving Rapidly

The conservative nature of the Xbox and Sony ecosystems will likely continue to shift slowly in the future. Xbox going multi-platform has pros and cons, depending on who you ask. But one thing is for sure: these decisions are only made for the longevity of the console market. Some argue that the significance of consoles has continued to diminish, but the new strategy could reverse that notion for Xbox in the future.

All in all, whether it’s the right decision or not for Xbox to go multi-platform, I’ve come to terms with it somewhat. We have to remember that the console—including the overall gaming space—will keep evolving, whether we like it or not. Let’s hope this change will not negatively impact the industry, especially other console manufacturers like Sony and Nintendo.