According to The Verge, Microsoft is planning to release previously exclusive games such as Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. There are also rumors of more games being considered for release on other platforms.
Tom Warren from The Verge reported that both the 2023 rhythm-based action game and the 2022 Obsidian Entertainment-developed RPG will soon be available on rival platforms.
Additionally, Microsoft is looking to launch Sea of Thieves on non-Xbox platforms later this year. There is speculation that other first-party titles are also being considered for release on non-Microsoft platforms.
Microsoft’s Lack of Game Pass Growth
Microsoft’s decision to release former exclusives on PlayStation and Nintendo comes at a time when the company is re-evaluating its business plan. The move will be discussed further on an upcoming episode of the Xbox podcast. The lack of growth in Xbox Game Pass subscriptions is cited as a driving factor in the decision.
Originally aiming for 100 million subscribers by 2030, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass has experienced slow growth in recent years. Factors such as the delay of Starfield and a lukewarm response to Redfall have contributed to the stagnation. Analyst estimates place Game Pass subscribers at around 33 million, indicating only a 33% growth over two years.
Reports from The Verge also hint at Microsoft’s potential expansion into hardware, with rumors swirling about a handheld device and a new console. However, Microsoft has not confirmed these speculations.