Microsoft has made it clear that it plans to bring more of its first-party games to rival console platforms, bringing an end to true Xbox console exclusives. The company brought highly acclaimed titles like Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles in 2024.
Following that, the company announced that the recently released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, will be released on PS5 in spring 2025. At The Game Awards, Microsoft confirmed that its upcoming RPG The Outer Worlds 2 is also coming to PS5. The company will also publish Doom: The Dark Ages on PlayStation through Bethesda.
Going into 2025, many video game industry analysts expect Microsoft to keep bringing more Xbox titles to PlayStation, and sooner. In a new 2025 predictions feature on GamesIndustry.biz, Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games expects the same.
"I am aware that Microsoft has already become somewhat open to releasing Xbox games on other platforms, but 2025 might be the year where they go all-in," said Toto.
"The $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal, rising costs across the board, the power of forever-titles, the huge lead of Sony and other factors will likely leave Microsoft no choice but to bring all their big games to PS5 early, including blockbusters such as Gears of War: E-Day or Perfect Dark."
Microsoft is gearing up to have a big year in game publishing. In addition to releasing PC and console games, the company may launch its mobile store soon.
"Microsoft is ready to launch the Xbox app on Android but cannot until an antitrust ruling in the United States comes into force," said Emmanuel Rosier from Newzoo in the GIBiz editorial.
It looks like the day isn't far off when Xbox's best games from last year are also available on other platforms. However, the company needs to figure out how to keep developers, who are skipping the platform due to the Xbox Series S' hardware, happy before striking down even more reasons to enter rival platforms' ecosystems.
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