Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, recently voiced his enthusiasm for bringing Xbox’s first-party games to other platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo. Spencer believes that developers at Xbox should have the flexibility to reach gamers on all kinds of platforms.
Exciting prospects are on the horizon as games such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Doom: The Dark Ages, and The Outer Worlds 2 are slated for a 2025 release on PS5. There are also whispers that iconic franchises like Halo and Gears might be branching out to other systems this year as well.
Spencer recently discussed Xbox’s evolving approach to game exclusivity during an interview with Gamertag Radio. He emphasized the company’s commitment to breaking down barriers for players who wish to enjoy Xbox games on different platforms. Xbox had already taken a significant step last year by opening up its library to competitors, and this strategy is expected to gain further traction in the coming year.
In recent months, a number of Xbox titles including Grounded, Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Hi-Fi Rush have made their way to rival consoles. Among them, Sea of Thieves achieved notable success on the PS5, reportedly reaching one million in sales. Now, with new titles bound for PS5 in 2025, including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Doom: The Dark Ages, it seems this trend is only expanding.
The anticipation around games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as well as The Outer Worlds 2 continues to build, especially with the latter set to launch day and date on these platforms. And while fans of Xbox might feel conflicted about the shift to multiplatform, Spencer is optimistic, advocating for the benefits of such a move.
When asked about the future, Spencer shared his perspective that game developers aspire to connect with as wide an audience as possible. In contrast to PlayStation and Nintendo, which traditionally favor exclusivity, Spencer aims to pioneer a different path with Xbox, making games available across a variety of formats, from cloud-based services to handheld devices and mobile phones.
Putting his vision into words, Spencer confirmed that Xbox is set to bring more first-party titles to platforms like PlayStation, Nintendo, and Steam in the times ahead. His remarks undeniably add weight to the idea that Xbox is committed to moving beyond exclusive boundaries.
The recent Developer Direct 2025 presentation also underscored this direction, featuring only one exclusive for the Series X/S—South of Midnight. Other games announced, such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Ninja Gaiden 4, list PS5 among their platforms, highlighting this growing trend. With Xbox moving towards a multiplatform future, one can only speculate on how it will shape the landscape for its next-gen consoles.
