The idea of exclusive games selling consoles is becoming increasingly outdated. Especially when it comes to the Xbox and PlayStation ecosystems. In an era where cloud gaming, PC support, and subscription services dominate the conversation, the notion of locking a game to a single piece of hardware feels more like a nostalgic business model than a sustainable one.
Xbox has spent years building a multi-platform identity. From the introduction of Xbox Play Anywhere to the expansion of Xbox Cloud Gaming, the message has been clear: play anywhere, with anyone, on any device. When Xbox exclusives are available day one on Game Pass and fully playable through the cloud, sometimes even on a smartphone, it makes little sense to pretend that hardware boundaries still matter.
I’m not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore. We’re all so invested in where our games are, let’s just allow more people to play. And yes, the 70% that we make on games on other platforms is helpful to us being able to build great portfolios.
Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox (Source)
What’s more, PS5 players clearly want to play these games. The recent appearance of titles like Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 5, and Oblivion Remastered on the PlayStation Store’s top charts shows real demand. These aren’t isolated cases. They’re signs that gamers on PlayStation are ready and willing to embrace Xbox-published experiences.
Holding these titles back just to preserve a shrinking concept of exclusivity no longer serves players nor the developers. Instead, it limits growth, stifles potential sales, and undermines Xbox’s own efforts to be a service-first platform. Bringing these games to PlayStation isn’t about giving in, it’s about moving forward.
Microsoft has made its vision for gaming clear: reach players where they are. And unsurprisingly, players are everywhere.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Should exclusives still be locked behind certain consoles, or do you embrace the “game where you want” mentality?
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Totally agree with this take. When you can already play Xbox games everywhere (including car infotainment centers and smart fridges!) it would be just petty to hold them back from PlayStation.