The big maneuvers are starting at Microsoft. For several days, persistent rumors have been appearing on the Internet about a significant change in its strategy regarding its Xbox division.
We owe it to two journalists who know behind the scenes of the Redmond giant, Jeff Grubb and Tom Warren, who initially explained that several Xbox exclusives were likely to be found on competing platforms.
Two Xbox franchises on PS5 and Switch?
The first game is none other than Hifi fever, an action-adventure game that uses rhythm in its gameplay. It launched as a surprise in early 2022 and is now reportedly on its way to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Small production signed by Tango Gameworks (to whom we owe the license The evil within), had integrated Game Pass – a catalog of subscription games – since its launch.
The other title that would have the right to a port on Sony and Nintendo consoles would be sea of thieves, a game in which you play as a pirate who must sail the seas to find treasure alone or accompanied. It would be a return to the basics for the Rare studio, origin of the title, since it belonged to Nintendo until 2002… before being bought by Microsoft. The ports could be announced after a live-streamed event: the Developer_Direct that will take place on January 18.
Other Xbox exclusives in question
This information, which for the moment remains at the level of rumors, nevertheless has the merit of going in the direction of what Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox division, said a few months ago. The Microsoft strongman explained that the franchises belonging to his latest acquisition, Activision-Blizzard-King, which he bought for $70 billion, would see their exclusivity status “resolved on a case-by-case basis.”
At a time when service games, these productions designed to be sustained over time, can become the main sources of income for both publishers and manufacturers, the move made by Xbox, if confirmed, could well act as a school case.
Towards a future “hybrid” Xbox?
The other item that is the subject of rumors remains the next Microsoft console. What is certain is that there is no doubt that the company will abandon the home console department. But the future Xbox, not expected before 2028, could take advantage of this to create a really fun video.
Therefore, its architecture could be hybrid, both x86, the one used by Xbox Series X and S, and ARM, which is especially found on mobile platforms and servers. However, this would not impact the graphics part, still in the hands of the Taiwanese giant AMD.
Source: BFM TV
