The long-awaited move from Microsoft to shift their exclusive titles to rival platforms is officially coming into play, with the Xbox maker starting with four exclusive games. There are hints that Microsoft will let go of more games' exclusivity in the future, judging from the current move. Microsoft is bringing these Xbox-exclusive games to the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. According to The Verge's report on the matter, this move is a part of a 'broader strategy shift' within Microsoft's gaming business, as it will aid the company in growing games beyond the Xbox consoles.
Also Read: Xbox And PC Titles Hi-Fi Rush And Pentiment Reportedly Coming To Rival Platforms
Xbox Pivots From Exclusivity Strategy Deep into the Xbox Series X/S and Game Pass Generation
In an official Xbox podcast, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stated that they have decided to take four games to the other consoles. That said, the company refuses to name the four games at the moment. However, they also claim that two are community-driven games and the other two are smaller titles compared to the first two. Before Xbox landed its official statement to the public, various rumors on the web already claimed the games to include Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Sea of Thieves. While the business update does not specify much about the arrival of the Xbox-exclusive titles, gamers are counting on the rumors to be true.
According to the same The Verge report, the final Xbox-exclusive game to come to the rival platforms is Grounded, another co-op survival indie title. Spencer has also claimed that the company is not done with making Xbox-exclusive games; however, the CEO also thinks that the industry will see much fewer console exclusives in the coming decade.
To close the rivalry and make games more accessible to a larger audience, Spencer believes it's the best move to end the exclusivity. During the Xbox podcast regarding the exclusivity matter, Spencer mentioned:
"I do have a fundamental belief that over the next five or ten years exclusive games, games that are exclusive to one piece of hardware, are going to be a smaller and smaller part of the game industry."
Gamers are currently assuming Microsoft to "test" the waters before putting out more games to the rival platforms, as the developers who made the Xbox-exclusive titles are still learning the requirements for more console users in the gaming space. The four titles that are coming to the rival consoles reportedly feature a more user-friendly control layout and a casual experience for most gamers to enjoy. However, to know the official names, gamers will have to wait for further announcements from Microsoft.