November 13th 2024.
It's no secret that the highly anticipated new installment of Halo will likely make its way to the PS5. According to Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, there are no "red lines" preventing first-party games from being released on other platforms. This opens up the possibility of games like Fable and Blinx being available on non-Xbox consoles.
The recent release of Lego Horizon Adventures, which is also coming to the Nintendo Switch, has reignited the question of Sony's stance on cross-platform publishing. However, their comments on the matter have been vague and open to interpretation. In contrast, Microsoft has been more vocal about their plans, although their words have not always aligned with their actions. For example, they previously denied that Indiana Jones And The Great Circle would be available on the PlayStation 5, but it was eventually released on the console. Despite this, it seems that Microsoft is paving the way for their first-party games to be released on other platforms.
In a recent interview, Phil Spencer made it clear that there are no limitations in terms of individual games being released on multiple platforms. While he did not mention any specific franchises, he did state that it's too early to say what would happen with the next version of Halo. This is likely because the game is still in its early stages, with the developer only just starting work on it. There have been rumors that the shift to Unreal Engine 5 will make it easier to port the game to the PlayStation 5.
The success of Avowed, set to be released in February, will likely be a crucial factor in Microsoft's cross-platform plans. It's a bit surprising that the game was not originally planned for the PlayStation 5, given its lower profile compared to other titles. However, if Microsoft follows a pattern of a six-month exclusivity period for Xbox games before releasing them on other platforms, we can expect to see similar releases for games like South Of Midnight and Fable.
It's worth noting that the inclusion of the Switch 2 in Microsoft's plans is still uncertain. The new console's power and capabilities are still unknown, making it difficult to predict which games will be available on it. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was partly justified by the potential to release games like Call of Duty on the Switch. However, it remains to be seen if the Switch 2 can handle high-end titles.
In his interview with Bloomberg, Phil Spencer hinted that Microsoft is still interested in acquiring other companies, especially in the mobile gaming market and possibly in Asia. Despite the recent closure of Tango Gameworks, he remains confident in the health and future of the Xbox business. He also expressed the need to reach new players through innovative business models and accessible devices, rather than relying solely on expensive consoles.
Speaking of consoles, Phil Spencer once again hinted at the possibility of a handheld Xbox in the future. While the company has technically announced their next-gen console, it is still a few years away and may not be released in 2026 as previously rumored.
In conclusion, it's safe to say that Halo remains the crown jewel of Xbox's first-party lineup. As always, readers can email, leave comments, follow on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on all the latest gaming news. And for an easier way to submit letters and features, they can use the "Submit Stuff" page on the site. By signing up, readers can also gain access to exclusive gaming content and be among the first to know about new releases.
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