Since Microsoft picked up Activision-Blizzard along with its numerous development studios, Xbox has claimed the title of the biggest third-party game publisher ever. So, it’s no wonder that Xbox head Phil Spencer’s recent remarks have stirred up quite the conversation. In an interview with Gamertag Radio, Spencer hinted that upcoming Xbox games might land on other platforms like Nintendo and PlayStation. It’s a statement that raised eyebrows but actually carries a ton of sense.
In the discussion with Danny Peña on his YouTube channel, Phil Spencer laid out his vision for Xbox’s future. He said, “I want people to be able to experience the games that we build, the services that we offer on as many devices as we can.” While he appreciates what’s unique about the Xbox ecosystem, he’s keen to share the experience with a wider audience. The interview, which runs just over 25 minutes, is a goldmine for anyone interested in gaming industry news and also touches on nostalgic eras like the original Xbox and the Xbox 360.
Now, to understand why Spencer’s comments might be controversial, a bit of console history could be helpful. Remember Sonic The Hedgehog? That speedster began life exclusively on Sega consoles, long before making his way to other platforms. Sega’s consoles were once the home for these popular games until the Dreamcast, their final console, got outpaced by Sony’s powerhouse, the PlayStation 2. Sega then shifted from being a console maker to focusing solely on game development, leaving a space that Microsoft soon filled with the Xbox.
In the early days of what was called the “DirectX Box,” intended to become the first Xbox, it was close to playing Sega Dreamcast games owing to shared software. Although this feature never made it to the final product, several Dreamcast-era games found a home on the Xbox, with Jet Set Radio Future being one notable example.
Spencer’s comments might sound, at first, like desperation from a struggling console company, but Microsoft’s vast resources tell a very different story. Now that Xbox holds the largest third-party publisher title, their strategy emphasizes reaching more players with their games beyond just the Xbox platform.
“We want everybody to be able to play on Xbox,” Spencer notes. “And it does mean more of our games shipping on more platforms, not just PlayStation. We love the work we do with Nintendo and Valve on Steam, and that’s going to continue.” It’s clear that Xbox isn’t following Sega into hardware obscurity; Microsoft’s deep pockets are ensuring that isn’t the case.
However, the upcoming Xbox generation has its work cut out for it. It needs to compete with potential hybrid consoles like a “Switch 3” and an inevitably more powerful PlayStation 6 that will stick to exclusive games as part of their sales tactics—a long-standing tradition in the console world.
The challenge for Microsoft will be maintaining the identity of Xbox beyond hardware, focusing on its vast portfolio of games and services. But, let’s hope they remember: if Xbox becomes everything to everyone, it might end up being nothing special to anyone.
