"The age of Xbox Console Exclusives is over"

In recent times, we have seen Xbox games making the jump to multiple platforms, and stronger indicators of this mission statement being in Xbox Game Studios' future are becoming more apparent. Following the 2024 Game Awards, Xbox Games Studios appear to have a strong line-up for the following year. But these games may not remain locked onto Xbox hardware, as the shift appears to be focused on "timed exclusives".

A stronger indicator of this can be seen during the announcement of The Outer Worlds 2, developed by Obsidian, which was revealed to also see a release on the PlayStation 5, as well as Xbox Series X|S and PC. On social media, Windows Central editor and gaming insider Jez Corden replied to a comment on whether more titles like Fable, Avowed, Sons of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages will come to PlayStation. Corden replies "Xbox won't have exclusives going forward. Everything is timed exclusive at most." 

Xbox won't have exclusives going forward. Everything is timed exclusive at most.

— Jez (@JezCorden) December 13, 2024

Xbox's reasoning for not being more forward with the information of timed console exclusives seemed unclear, when asked why the publisher/rights holder won't be more forward. Corden speculates as to not hinder developers prematurely to prepare their games for multiplatform production, ending the post with stating that "the age of Xbox console exclusives is over".

It's cuz they don't want to just mandate it on teams that aren't set up yet for multiplatform simultaneous development.

But the era of Xbox having permanent console exclusives is over.

— Jez (@JezCorden) December 13, 2024

This is a move that shouldn't be seen as a surprise to many, as the days of the traditional console wars are rendered obsolete by the shift in today's market. Prior to selling off Tango Gameworks to PUBG rights holder Krafton, Xbox had released the award winning and critically acclaimed rhythm action game Hi-Fi Rush to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

Whereas this move may seem like there's a bleak future for Xbox hardware, putting it into perspective, this is a wise decision for the platform aiming for convenience and accessibility. When it was reported that strongly revered games like Alan Wake II has sold well, but has not met its development costs, and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II's sales numbers rather ambiguous, broader exposure as multi-platform releases will pay stronger financial dividends for Xbox Game Studios. And could save talented studios from seeing closures or sell-offs, which 2024 has been littered with. 

Avowed is set to release in February of 2025 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is targeted for a Spring 2025 release date. No word on if South of Midnight will see a multiplatform rollout. What does this mean for long-time Xbox staples like Halo, Forza, and Fable? Time will tell.

SOURCE : Jez Corden