Summary

• Xbox's big update on February 15 will address rumors of Xbox exclusives going multi-platform.
• The shift in Xbox's strategy could disappoint some fans but bring a wider audience for Xbox exclusives.
• Despite competition with PlayStation, Xbox's acquired studios could help maintain a strong market presence.

February 15 should be a big day for rumors and reported leaks, all centering around a purported big shift in Microsoft's approach to the gaming industry. For anyone invested in the ecosystem, the kind of uncertainty generated by widespread speculation and unconfirmed news can be a bit nerve-wracking, which is why the clarification that an official Microsoft response could be particularly welcome.

As revealed by the official Xbox X (formerly Twitter) , this update is going to come on February 15 at 12 PM PT/3 PM ET, delivered in the format of the semi-regular Official Xbox Podcast. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Xbox President Sarah Bond, and Head of Microsoft Studios Matt Booty are all set to appear, so there's no doubt that the information will be delivered from the sources who would know best.

For anyone interested in hearing things directly, the Official Xbox Podcast can be accessed through standard platforms like YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

The February 15 Podcast Will Reveal The Future Of Xbox

The big news that Microsoft is expected to address is the concept of Xbox exclusives going multi-platform, a rumor that's been corroborated enough times by now to make it seem like a confirmation is most likely on the table. Multi-platform plans have also stirred up some fear that Xbox could be bowing out of the console market entirely, as the situation seems familiar to Sega's exit from hardware after the Dreamcast. A dual console Xbox strategy seems more likely, however, and all signs currently point to a future for Xbox consoles.

UPDATE: 2024/02/12 14:52 EST BY KYLE GRATTON

Select Xbox Exclusives Reportedly Going Multi-Platform

According to The Verge, sources close to Microsoft claim that there are currently three Xbox exclusives planned for multi-platform releases: Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Sea of Thieves. There are "other first party titles also under consideration" to release on platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, per the report. The rest of Screen Rant's original piece continues below.

Exclusivity is always something of a hot-button topic in gaming, and potential confirmation that Xbox is giving it up could be disappointing for many fans. From another perspective, however, the shift could bring the increasingly strong library of Xbox exclusives to a wider audience and help fund continued development at the various studios under the Xbox Game Studios banner. It's presumably not a decision that the company would be making lightly, so Phil Spencer and associates might offer some insight as to why the pivot is being made on the podcast.

Regardless, Xbox Series X/S owners should still have plenty of games to look forward to this year, as exhibited by the roster showcased at the 2024 Xbox Developer_Direct held in January. It seems like a bright future for a console that has struggled to compete with the PlayStation 5 in overall sales, continuing a loss in momentum that kickstarted with the disastrous reveal of the originally always-online Xbox One. With an impressive array of acquired studios under its belt, Xbox could still be poised to maintain a strong market presence, it just might not be in the way that every fan would want.

Source: Xbox/X