Summary
Highlights
Phil Spencer announces that four Xbox games will be released on other consoles, emphasizing this is not a fundamental shift but a strategic move to grow franchises and reach more players. These initial four games are over a year old and will not include Starfield or Indiana Jones. The decision aims to leverage other platforms to generate more business value, allowing for further investment in these titles and future iterations.
Phil emphasizes that all decisions are made with the long-term health of Xbox in mind, focusing on growing the platform and ensuring games succeed by reaching as many players as possible. He believes that hardware-exclusive games will become a smaller part of the industry, advocating for games to be available across multiple platforms, including PC, mobile, and various consoles.
Matt Booty highlights Xbox's core principles: all first-party games are on Xbox, all games launch on Game Pass day one, and Game Pass is exclusive to Xbox. He stresses the importance of cross-play and cross-save functionality, noting that these features allow players to enjoy games with friends and on desired devices, making the Xbox experience more flexible and player-centric.
Sarah Bond announces that Activision and Blizzard games will be coming to Game Pass, starting with Diablo IV on March 28. This move aims to make Xbox games and the overall experience as widely available as possible, allowing 34 million Game Pass members to enjoy these titles.
Phil reiterates that the current strategy is not a change but a continuation of Xbox's long-standing focus on being a platform for creators to reach the most players possible. Concepts like Xbox Play Anywhere, which allows players to buy a game once and play across Xbox and Windows, exemplify this commitment to player choice and accessibility.
Phil discusses the gaming industry's lack of growth in 2023, leading to job eliminations even at Xbox. He highlights two growth strategies: monetizing existing players more or attracting new players. Xbox has chosen the latter, focusing on expanding its player base to ensure long-term health and empower creators.
Sarah Bond discusses the critical role of hardware in delivering the flagship Xbox experience and serving as a stable developer target. She reveals new hardware coming this holiday and mentions investments in the next-generation roadmap, aiming for the largest technical leap in hardware generation to benefit both players and creators. She also cites Palworld as an example of how Xbox's platform options help developers achieve massive success.
Phil emphasizes Xbox's commitment to game preservation, drawing parallels to Windows' long-standing software compatibility. He assures players that investments made in their game libraries are respected, with features like cloud saves and cross-device entitlements, ensuring long-term access and playability across future hardware generations.
Tina Amini summarizes Xbox's core promise: a platform where the biggest games are always available, Game Pass offers day-one access to first-party titles, and player-first features like cross-play, cross-save, and backward compatibility are prioritized. Xbox aims to be a dedicated space where player investments carry forward and creators are empowered to deliver even better experiences.
Matt Booty concludes by highlighting Xbox's position as one of the largest development organizations in the industry, promising over 10 major releases in 2024, including Hellblade 2, Diablo expansion, Avowed, Ara, and Indiana Jones. More announcements are expected at the June showcase.