Why Xbox can’t afford to give up on consoles despite going multiformat
Why Xbox can’t afford to give up on consoles despite going multiformat
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Even as Xbox console sales struggle, Microsoft remains committed to making more hardware – and it’s all because of Game Pass. 2024 marked a significant turning point for Microsoft’s gaming strategy. After years of pushing its own game exclusives, to coax people into choosing Xbox over PlayStation, higher-ups admitted to themselves that they just weren’t making enough headway.
![[Xbox Game Pass promotional image with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles and two controllers surrounded by key art for multiple Xbox games]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237570872-0b27.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Xbox boss Phil Spencer himself corroborated rumours that a curated selection of Xbox exclusives would be ported to Nintendo Switch and, most shockingly of all, PlayStation 5. Since then, it’s become increasingly likely that most, if not all, future Microsoft games will be multiformat.
![[The Simpsons bars advertising knock offs of Flaming Moe]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237569322-8fa5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=576)
Almost every upcoming Microsoft published game is already slated for PlayStation 5 and/or Nintendo Switch (the latest Xbox Developer Direct only highlighting one Xbox exclusive) and frequent rumours – and Spencer himself – suggest more ports of older Xbox games, including legacy franchises like Halo, will follow suit.
![[Black Xbox Series X console and controller side by side with white Xbox Series S console and controller]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237569324-d133.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
This has, unsurprisingly, led to some Xbox fans describing the change of plan as a ‘betrayal’ as well as worrying that Microsoft will eventually quit making consoles altogether. Despite what even Microsoft’s own actions would suggest though, not only is it not dropping out of the hardware race, but it can’t afford to.
