It's common knowledge that Microsoft has been busy snapping up developers to add to its roster of first party studios. Teams like Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and Double Fine have all been acquired by the platform holder fairly recently as it bolsters its ranks heading into the next generation. All games produced by these developers going forward will be exclusive to Xbox hardware -- or so it was presumed.
As part of its weekly podcast, Game Informer held an interview with head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty, and one quote in particular is very interesting indeed. The publication asked Booty whether Microsoft would be open to studios such as Double Fine releasing multiplatform games in the future, and the answer isn't as cut and dry as you might think.
"Yeah, I think we would," he says. "I think that the question is less binary about ‘Should it be on Switch? Should it be on PlayStation?’ And more ‘Does it make sense for the franchise?’ In other words, is it a kind of game where it would benefit from the network effect of being on a bunch of different platforms? Or is it a game where we can best support it by putting resources [into it] and making sure that our platforms, things like xCloud, Game Pass, and Xbox Live are really leaning in to support the game."
It sounds like this open minded approach applies to all the studios that historically have launched games on multiple platforms. We don't expect this will mean Microsoft will launch a bunch of games on PlayStation 4 and 5, but it's clearly open to the idea that certain titles may perform better on a broader spectrum of hardware. Booty cites Minecraft as an example of a game that's been heavily supported on multiple platforms since it was made a Microsoft property.
What do you think of Microsoft's leniency on first party teams making multiplatform games? Do you want more PS4 and PS5 games from Double Fine, or Ninja Theory? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
[source gameinformer.com]
Comments 23
It dont matter as long as they release on Xbox Gamepass at launch theres no reason to buy them
I'am Pretty Sure That They Will Keep Some Games On Xbox like Halo And Gears Of War But Other Non Big AAA Games They might make Mutiplatform
head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty?!
... Who's the vp of Microsoft Game Studios? Biggus D$ckkus? 😂
Be interesting to see games from Obsidian maybe make it to playstation still. That's the only studio I really care about being snatched up
Watch Microsoft slowly turn into Sega.
100 million PS4s can't be ignored! That's a lot of potential wonga!
I think microsoft want to get out from console hardware business and become third party devs for all console and their pc store, it's more lucrative to be like steam or epic store compared to console maker.
@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy haha Matt booty. Phil Spencer strong arm. Larry herb small head.😁.funny.word upson
"What do you think of Microsoft's leniency on first party teams making multiplatform games?"
Same as I've thought for years... not really interested. Historically, 99% of their first-party content has been of little interest to me. If it were, I'd own an Xbox. Perhaps the new studios will put out something which appeals, but looking at who they bought, it's doubtful as - as far as I can recall - I've only ever bought one game from any of them.
@AFCC at least sega is way better than Microsoft.word up son
I read that as "every other platform, except PlayStation".
I won’t be surprised if some Microsoft games hit a PlayStation system. Microsoft seems like they are trying to be buddy buddies as of late. Looking at the Nintendo Switch with Cuphead, and Banjo joining Smash.
playstation1995 wrote:
...That's... complete and utter gibberish? What are you even trying to say with that?
That approach coupd bite them. This gen made MS second tier. Not saying they offer an inferior box but the perception is such with a lot of gamers. Exclusives sell systems. 3rd party keeps them playing. If MS releases what should be an exclusive on another platform then why have an Xbox at all? The buzz behind Halo and Gears just isnt what it was. They need exclusives this gen
By other platforms I'm assuming they mean Nintendo
I don't see any harm in it whatsoever. It seems as if games that were released as a multi-platform game - like Minecraft, We Happy Few or even games like Hellblade, The Outer Worlds etc that potential sequels will release as multi-platform games.
I think that's great for gamers and obviously benefits MS and those studio's too having a bigger target audience to sell games to. Not that MS will be short of an audience as Xbox is their whole gaming division which includes their consoles and Win10 PC's.
Of course it could benefit gamers to with cross-platform multiplayer now including AAA games (as CoD is doing) so it doesn't just have to be sequels to single-player franchises.
I will have the next Xbox but I am not so selfish as to wish EVERY game made by Xbox Studio's must be on Xbox platforms only. I can see Halo, Gears and Forza remaining as Xbox only as that makes sense. Gears Pop (I think its called) probably won't be just Win10 devices as I believe its a mobile game - Android and iOS then. It could be on Switch??
@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
"What's so funny about Biggus Di**uss?" 😁
@Areus
Gears 5 launches on PC day one. And that's not an Xbox. It's already happening.
Microsoft may write the Windows OS but the PC is an open platform.
@Nyne11Tyme
Seems like Spencer philosophy for a while and doubling down so to speak. Xbox gamers like him. (I think). Ps gamers are happy. Everyone is happy 🙃
Or maybe not?
I just wish they go third party completely. Instead of trying to keep their consoles going which let's face it has been eroded for years now.
let's be real MS has bought studios that needed to be bought I should think they might need other systems maybe I'm not saying it to stir.
seems like logic if Sony carries on killing it with the PS5 it could get weirder than it already has at Xbox HQ.
I’m not real sure why the Xbox exclusive reasons seem compelling here, but it’s good news for us. I mean, even if they didn’t it’s be On PC anyway so I’d be covered.
The users of the 100m PS4 units will most likely move up to a PS5 to keep their PS4 games, etc. so Microsoft must be looking at those numbers (and only they know how many X Boxes they've actually sold - not just shipped) and thinking how they can get as much revenue as they can.
Sure, Sony could make a total mess of the PS5 release for M$ to pounce on but they seem to be making the right noises at the moment.
Given the sheer number of PS4 and Switch owners out there, the X Box becomes less relevant and perhaps the M$ game studios will indeed go multi-platform, even if leading with timed exclusives on X-Box to try and turn the tide.
@wiiware Maybe they are looking too go software only.
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