Launch Halo and other major franchises on PS5 and Switch? Microsoft does not rule out the idea

Microsoft surprised the gaming market by announcing that it is open to the possibility of launching major Xbox franchises, such as Halo and Gears of War, on rival platforms, such as the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.

The news has generated mixed reactions among gamers and industry experts, with many praising Microsoft’s openness in expanding its ecosystem, while others question how this might affect the competitiveness of Xbox consoles.

The information was given by Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, in a recent interview, where he stated that the company is interested in continuing to expand the presence of its franchises on other companies’ consoles.

Microsoft’s movement has already started this year, with titles like Penment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves e Grounded coming to PS5 and Switch. According to Spencer, the success of these releases opened the doors to new opportunities, including the possibility of seeing games like Halo and Gears of War available to audiences who previously did not have access to these franchises. For example, Hi-Fi Rush reached more than 2 million players in less than a month after its multiplatform launch, demonstrating the positive reception from the public.

Phil Spencer explained that there is no fixed limit that prevents Xbox games from being released on other platforms. He highlighted that Microsoft is committed to bringing more titles to players around the world, regardless of the platform they use.

However, Spencer acknowledged that it is too early to know whether the next version of Halo will be made available outside the Xbox ecosystem, but he did not rule out the possibility. Microsoft’s hesitation in releasing Halo for other platforms is mainly due to the strategic importance of the franchise. Halo is one of the pillars of Xbox’s identity and a great attraction to keep players loyal to the Microsoft ecosystem, functioning as a crucial competitive advantage in the fight for market share with PlayStation and Nintendo.

In addition to the games already mentioned, Microsoft also announced that titles such as Doom: The Dark Ages and the new game Indiana Jones will be released for PlayStation soon. The multiplatform strategy appears to be aligned with the objective of winning over more players and expanding the fan base of Microsoft’s most important franchises. This approach could represent a shift in the company’s long-term view on game exclusivity, indicating a greater focus on reach and market share than the exclusive retention of titles on its consoles.

With this change, Microsoft shows that it is willing to break traditional industry barriers and that, for it, the focus is on the player experience and not just the exclusivity of its consoles. However, it remains to be seen whether this new stance will make some players question the need to continue investing in Xbox consoles, as their games can also be found on other platforms. Industry analysts suggest that in the long term, this could reduce Xbox console sales, especially if gamers realize that exclusivity is no longer a driving factor. However, other experts believe Microsoft’s focus on services like Game Pass could offset any lost hardware sales, strengthening its ecosystem as a whole.