This week started with lots of high-profile rumors suggesting that Microsoft would soon switch its strategy on exclusive games. Following the previous rumors of titles like Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush, we heard from various journalists, leakers, and insiders that big games like Bethesda’s Starfield, MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and possibly even The Coalition’s Gears of War could be landing on other consoles like Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Switch.
Leaker Nate the Hate was among those who reported to have heard about Starfield. However, he clarified some things in a series of tweets posted a few hours ago.
I do want to emphasize that though I heard similar, one should still treat this as a rumor.
As noted above, I didn’t want to report on it until a release window was finalized — meaning plans remain open to change.
Microsoft will bring select games multiplat. That I have confidence in.
People are making wild assumptions that EVERY game is going multiplat — which is not the case.
Nor is Microsoft going to exit the hardware industry.
The multiplat strategy is a slight shift in strategy, in which SOME titles go multiplat. MS will keep high profile games exclusive.
If that’s truly the case, then one has to wonder if this strategy shift will bring any tangible results for Microsoft. It is doubtful that releasing games like Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush years later on PlayStation or Switch could make a meaningful impact in either direction.
Anyway, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said fans can expect a ‘business update event’ at some point next week. That he did not outright refute the rumors probably means there is indeed at least some truth to them. While we wait for the official announcement, we’ll continue reporting on noteworthy rumors on the subject.
