Ever since Microsoft scooped up Activision-Blizzard along with its vast array of development studios, it’s positioned itself as the largest third-party game publisher ever—transforming the landscape for Xbox and beyond. So, when Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, recently mentioned on the Gamertag Radio podcast that upcoming Xbox titles may also find their way to platforms like Nintendo and PlayStation, it ruffled some feathers, but, truthfully, it makes perfect sense.
During this interview with Danny Peña on his YouTube channel, Spencer shared that he wants everyone to enjoy the games and services Microsoft builds on as many devices as possible. While they absolutely cherish the experiences unique to their own platforms, collaborating with other platforms is something they’ll continue to explore. The conversation unfolded over a twenty-six-minute interview, rich with industry wisdom and nostalgia, featuring reflections on the golden days of Xbox like the original Xbox and the 360 eras.
A little history lesson reveals why these remarks might stir controversy. Remember Sonic the Hedgehog? Before he hit the big screen, he gained fame through a series of games that were exclusive to Sega consoles until titles like Sonic Adventure 2 made their way to the GameCube. Sega’s Dreamcast was the last console they ever produced, bowing out to the powerhouse that was Sony’s PlayStation 2. That’s when Sega transitioned into a third-party developer, leaving a gap that Microsoft’s Xbox moved to fill.
In the early conceptual stages of the Xbox, it could run Sega Dreamcast games, presumably because of the Dreamcast’s compatibility with Windows CE. Although this feature didn’t make it to the final release, the Xbox did see exclusive sequels of Dreamcast hits, such as Jet Set Radio Future.
Spencer’s comments might seem akin to a distressed console company’s last gasp, but Microsoft is no small player in this arena. As the leading third-party publisher, Xbox’s aim is now to sell as many games as possible across various platforms, rather than locking players into its ecosystem.
According to Spencer, “We want everyone to be able to play on Xbox, and this means expanding our games across different platforms, not just PlayStation. We’re proud of our collaborations with Nintendo and Valve on Steam, and those partnerships are set to continue.”
So, is Xbox heading down Sega’s path? Not at all—thanks to Microsoft’s deep pockets. However, the upcoming generations of Xbox consoles will need to bring something special to compete with the likes of a potential “Switch 3” hybrid and the likely more powerful PlayStation 6, each driven by exclusive games.
Still, if Microsoft loses sight of Xbox’s identity as a platform and becomes solely about its games and services, they might just face a situation where, paradoxically, if everyone’s on Xbox, then no one truly is.
