Microsoft announces porting of Xbox exclusives to PS5 and Nintendo Switch, including Hi-Fi RUSH, Pentiment, and Sea of Thieves

Microsoft plans to expand the availability of its Xbox exclusives by starting with the porting of Hi-Fi RUSH from the creators of The Evil Within and Pentiment from the creator of Fallout: New Vegas to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. This move marks a significant shift in the company's strategy, aiming to increase its user base and revenues by making its games available on competing platforms. In 2024, Sea of Thieves will also join the list, with several other titles currently under consideration.

This decision by Microsoft is driven by the slowdown in the growth of Xbox Game Pass subscribers, which has increased from 25 million users at the beginning of 2022 to 33 million, below the expected growth rate. In response, the company is looking for new ways to increase the revenues of its gaming division, which continues to offer all new internal studio games on subscription from their release day.

Ahead of the official announcement, Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Matt Booty are preparing to discuss the future of Xbox and answer key questions in a dedicated podcast scheduled for February 15. This dialogue is intended as a platform to explain the strategic shift and its potential impact on the gaming industry.

Expanding Xbox game availability on other platforms raises questions about multiplayer prospects and the need to purchase an Xbox console, especially if games will be available on PC, cloud, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. This strategy represents the company's attempt to adapt to the changing video game market, where the boundaries between platforms are blurring, and creates new opportunities for players to enjoy their favorite titles on various devices.