A future of cross-compatibility may be in the works, as CEO Phil Spencer revealed that as part of its new "brand pivot," the gaming division is considering bringing games to other platforms.
These other platforms, a.k.a. console rivals, include the Nintendo Switch and the Sony PlayStation 5, with Microsoft being in a significant position to effect this change thanks to its massive ownership.
Recently, Xbox revealed several of its upcoming titles to be also making their way to the PS5, one of its biggest rivals in the industry, something that may see more in the future.
Xbox Games Coming to Switch, PS5? Phil Spencer Reveals
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It was revealed by the CEO that it already started with this by porting four games to the other consoles, something that is possible to still happen in the future.
This notion that Xbox can only be this one device that plugs into a television isn't something we see in the Gen Z research. Because nothing else is like that for them. Some of them will have an iPhone, some will have an Android, but all the games and everything is the same.
Phil Spencer
The Xbox executive added that as part of its "brand pivot," it aims to attract a "younger audience," with its services appealing to Gen Z to access various experiences across the industry, with Xbox right in the middle of it.
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Xbox Games Cross-Compatibility: Distributing Soon?
With this, Microsoft is now in a unique position to leverage massive titles for cross-compatibility, particularly with partners in game development and its ownership of two gaming companies, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard King.
Exclusivity is not something in Microsoft, Xbox, and Spencer's mind in the long-term goals of the platform, with the company already beginning this year for the changes in its distribution.
Xbox Games Availability
Earlier this year, the multiplatform rumors for Xbox games' availability across other platforms came to light, and this significantly made the Microsoft gaming division the talk of the town because of massive possibilities.
This centers on Microsoft's massive position now, owning Bethesda Softworks and its recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with the company promising not to make several titles Xbox exclusives.
The upcoming Bethesda game, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle was initially thought to be also making its way to the PS5, with Starfield also speculated for it.
However, it was previously revealed by Spencer that these games are not it, with speculations centering on four games including Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Grounded.
Xbox's ownership of ABK would have made it possible to turn Call of Duty into an exclusive for the company, but it decided not to do so and still give Sony access to it.
Microsoft's current position in the gaming industry may now turn it into a game distribution platform, one that would possibly offer cross-compatibility to appeal more to the Gen Z audience, with some exclusives still in place.
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