That is the most recent in a collection of visitor columns from Pure Xbox, a loyal group devoted to all issues Staff Inexperienced. We deliver you all the largest information from the world of Xbox, in addition to options, polls, speaking factors, critiques and a lot extra!
Many Xbox followers have been questioning whether or not one of many ‘massive three’ Xbox franchises – Halo, Gears or Forza – would ultimately make their manner over to PS5. It seems Forza Horizon 5 is the primary to make the bounce, having been formally revealed for Sony’s current-gen system with a Spring 2025 launch window. Unsurprisingly, followers have been very opinionated concerning the announcement ever because it dropped.
There’s even heartbreak over the choice to maneuver such a treasured Xbox unique over to its rival console, however honestly it is one thing we have been anticipating for some time now. In case you learn between the traces, Phil Spencer and the group at Xbox have subtly tried to tell us concerning the “no pink traces” rule with regards to exclusives lately, which most probably implies that Halo, Gears, Starfield and plenty of different Xbox franchises will likely be heading to PS5 and presumably even Nintendo Change 2 in the end.
However why do that? Why danger alienating loyal followers who’ve aligned themselves with the Xbox model as a result of of its exclusives? The reply nearly actually lies within the numbers. We have seen again and again how {hardware} income has declined for Microsoft, whereas revenue from Xbox content material and companies has elevated. It is no surprise the corporate’s priorities have shifted. This modification in technique means Xbox can focus extra on changing into a publishing behemoth whereas additionally making its video games accessible to extra gamers on all platforms.
Earlier this 12 months Spencer talked about Xbox having “advanced” its identification with a purpose to proceed thriving amidst difficult occasions for the trade. Moreover, he believes Xbox’s new strategy could be greatest adopted by the lots, to permit main builders and publishers to maintain making high-budget AAA video games. Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler lately agreed with this concept, suggesting that, because of rising sport growth prices, the trade can solely develop if it begins decreasing its reliance on exclusives.
After all, it helps when these former Xbox exclusives really promote in massive numbers. Again in February 2024, Xbox introduced that Hello-Fi RUSH, Sea Of Thieves, Pentiment and Grounded could be heading to different programs, and we rapidly found PlayStation and Nintendo homeowners had an urge for food for video games they beforehand could not play. Sea of Thieves, particularly, has change into an enormous success on PS5, and Microsoft hasn’t been shy in highlighting that reality. That stated, there was additionally criticism for suggesting solely 4 titles would make the bounce, which inevitably was by no means going to be the case as soon as PlayStation homeowners began flocking to them in droves.
And that’s the largest challenge I’ve with Xbox’s new technique at this level. Xbox has launched into a significant advertising and marketing marketing campaign claiming each system “is an Xbox”, and everybody appears to have understood that message by now. Nevertheless, it is by no means actually defined what’s occurring with video games going to PS5 and Change. Initially it was 4 video games, adopted by a pair extra, and ultimately it would (okay, in all probability will) be Xbox’s whole catalogue. Xbox followers nonetheless do not have a actually clear image of what to anticipate, apart from rumours and the occasional trace from Phil Spencer.
Forza Horizon 5’s debut on PS5 might really feel like a brand new period and even the start of the tip for some Xbox followers, however actually it is simply the evolution of a method that is been underway for a while – a method that is set to be very worthwhile in 2025. The multiplatform push is in full swing, and though Microsoft clearly does not wish to give us a lot of a roadmap, we’re sure to see extra Xbox first-party titles on PS5, Nintendo Change 2 and different platforms earlier than the tip of the 12 months. It’s going to be improbable from a enterprise and trade perspective, however clearly unhappy for individuals who’d favor Xbox to retains its video games down as exclusives.
There’s additionally no telling the way it’ll fare in the long term. What occurs when the subsequent Xbox console rolls round? What concerning the Xbox handheld? Will Microsoft be capable of promote {hardware} with out main exclusives as a sweetener, and might Xbox Recreation Go shift sufficient programs by itself? I’ve little doubt Phil Spencer has thought of these questions and extra and, hopefully, has solutions to them. However there is a feeling of unease all through the Xbox group proper now, and Xbox should work more durable than ever to maintain its loyal followers coming again sooner or later. I simply hope that is sufficient as a result of Xbox is altering, perpetually.
Fraser Gilbert is the Editor of Pure Xbox.
