Xbox Trades Exclusivity for Infinity With Multiplatform Releases in 2025

According to Xbox executive Matt Booty, Microsoft is sending its former exclusives to other platforms because those consoles are not actually its primary rivals. Due to this strategic shift, major Xbox titles are now appearing on PlayStation and Nintendo systems. Why exactly is Microsoft sending its games to these other consoles?

The Console War is Officially Over

While Xbox has already made the leap with popular games like Grounded and Sea of Thieves, iconic franchises such as Gears of War and Halo are joining them. Particularly, it seems that Microsoft is suddenly playing so nicely with its former opponents for a reason. Booty stated that the company is simply trying to meet players wherever they are.

Not only that, but he expressed that Xbox’s biggest competition is not another piece of gaming hardware. Conversely, Microsoft finds that TikTok and Blockbuster movies have been competing for attention against them. In a world saturated with digital entertainment, this perspective makes sense, as Master Chief may struggle to compete with a viral dance trend.

Microsoft’s Pressure Cooker Strategy

Other industry leaders have shared similar sentiments. For instance, Netflix once identified Fortnite as a bigger threat than HBO. Given that everyone’s vying for a slice of the consumer’s limited free time, is this multiplatform approach purely about player reach? Or are there other factors at play to explain this cross-platform decision?

Looking at recent reports, Microsoft’s gaming division may be under significant pressure to deliver impressive profit margins. Furthermore, the company’s massive $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is largely responsible for this pressure. Specifically, other recent moves, like game cancellations, studio closures, and increases in subscription prices, could’ve been made due to these companies’ partnership.

Xbox Games Go on a World Tour

Given these factors, one big question remains: could Xbox’s most formidable competitor actually be its own corporate parent? Ultimately, the definition of competition has clearly expanded, with Microsoft’s fight no longer just about console sales. That said, can a new Halo game truly hold its own against a new album, a must-watch film, or an endless social media feed? With the gaming landscape changing, Xbox is adapting in surprising ways by sharing its biggest stars with the competition.