Microsoft Studios: We Remain Committed to Xbox, Open to Other Platforms

Microsoft is investing deeply in gaming as a whole, but that doesn’t mean it’s abandoning its Xbox consoles, just evolving its approach to supporting them and other platforms.

[generic-user-name]

"but that doesn’t mean it’s abandoning its Xbox consoles, just evolving its approach to supporting them and other platforms."

Oh, so that means Halo is coming to PS4 then? Or are we all talk?

[Christopher]

And other platforms doesn't mean and all platforms. Nor does it mean all games go everywhere.

Gears Tactics is PC only. Gears Pop! is mobile only. Minecraft is everywhere.

I think it's pretty clear it won't be everything but they'll utilize other platforms to draw attention to their IPs or capture gameplay they can do well on consoles. That doesn't mean "publish everywhere ".

I think you reading into it what you did is unhealthy and setting a mindset that they said something they obviously didn't say.

[gangsta_red]

Gears Tactics is PC only!!?? Makes no sense especially when Xcom 2 is on consoles

[Christopher]

Yeah, currently PC only. I'm hoping they change their minds.

[TheColbertinator]

@gangsta

XCOM 2 is so barebones on console.

[UltraNova]

Chris,

Common man you know with MS it can mean anything...

[dreue]

Obhh dude if other plata does not mean ps4 or nintendo... Than it is all trash talk... Sincd pc is part of ms as a family...

[generic-user-name]

Phil is very quick to talk about PlayStation preventing us all from playing together and living in peace and harmony and all that kumbaya stuff. But if he really believes in that message then he'd be pushing for Halo to go everywhere right? So that halo players on Xbox could play with halo players on PS4. Or maybe he only pushes that angle to make Sony look the villain.

"I think you reading into it what you did is unhealthy and setting a mindset that they said something they obviously didn't say"

I was very obviously being sarcastic, calling him out for the above.

[Christopher]

***But if he really believes in that message then he'd be pushing for Halo to go everywhere right?***

No. There's a difference between cross-play on third-party games and losing your exclusive identity so your competition can claim to be the only one with exclusives.

This is a freaking ridiculous argument to be having here. Just bad. C'mon, do you seriously think them saying to allow cross-play with third-party games also means they need to not have games as a reason to buy their hardware during a time when people are screaming for them to make new IPs and new games? C'mon.

[starchild]

It's obvious their games wouldn't go to their direct competitors platforms. So stop being disingenuous. It's clear what they meant.

[Inzo]

"It's clear what they meant."

Actually its not. Seeing that almost all MS exclusives are on PC anyway and then saying that they are open to other platforms can mean anything and if you read the article there is no definitive argument that says that their exclusives would not go to a competitor. Because in the end its all about business and making a profit.

[Anon1974]

"Does that mean Microsoft could, as it has with “Minecraft,” one day release some of its other owned titles on platforms like the Nintendo Switch?

“I think we would keep those options open,” Booty said."
Seems that they haven't closed the door on this possibility.

[milohighclub]

They own Minecraft...

[MuddyWaters]

It means they are open, unlike their main competitor who wants to slam the door shut on things like console crossplay. It also means supporting games like Minecraft but again their main competitor doesn't want Xbox Live servers to be handling the game. Nintendo doesn't seem to have a problem with any of this.

They are also branching out on mobile.

Microsoft is also going to release its own streaming service, which can be played on any device.

[PhoenixUp]

So does that mean Microsoft owns the IP to We Happy Few or does Gearbox retain them?

And what about Hellblade? Does Microsoft own that now too?

[Christopher]

Gearbox. They are using them for publishing since the contract with MS would stipulate they couldn't develop for certain platforms that We Happy Few are heading to. I don't think there's any chance for sequel let alone much content post release, though.

[techsquisite]

Hellblade I'm thinking so, but not sure of We Happy Few. Here's hoping we can get a revival of Enslaved and Heavenly Sword, or at the very least, remasters.

@BehindTheRows My gut told me I was allowed to dream.

[BehindTheRows]

Heavenly Sword is owned by Sony and Enslaved is owned by Bandai Namco.

[maybelovehate]

Since those studio's own the rights and MS owns those studios. MS owns the rights.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

So basically Halo, Gears, and Forza for PS4? Or the title is too vague?

[Christopher]

Other platforms doesn't mean all platforms nor does it mean all games.

Gears Tactics - PC only
Gears Pop! - Mobile only
Minecraft - everywhere

That's what they're talking about, not about just putting everything everywhere.

[Anon1974]

At the end of the piece they're using games on the Switch as an example and MS certainly left the door open to the possibility.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

They didn't clarify is halo isn't coming to PS4 or not.

[Father__Merrin]

They still don't get it they need compelling reason for people to buy Xbox one. Buy putting now all your games on PC it's less reason to get one.

Halo should only be on Xbox one, same with Forza etc I think they say PS4 pull ahead and thought it an idea to expand on pc but even with expanding on pc Xbox one console sales including the X are very low indeed, so now there stuck imo

[Bobafret]

If Ps4 exclusives came to PC, wouldn't you still play them on your Ps4? I actually have a gaming PC and prefer my X1. Come to think of it, I think Sony exclusives would sell great on PC and they would still sell lots of consoles.

[Codewow]

So release 1vs100 already!

[milohighclub]

I think the best thing for Microsoft would be to bring the Xbox game pass to ps4 or release its first parties as multiplatform.

How many units does ps4 have over Xbox?
They should capitalise on that. That been said, who'd buy the nextbox?

[Bobafret]

They need the hardware, trust me.