Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Matt Booty share updates on the Xbox business, discussing exclusivity, the inclusion of Activision Blizzard games in Xbox Game Pass, the importance of gaming communities, the evolution of the gaming industry, and Xbox hardware and game preservation.
Xbox aims to expand its reach and grow its platform by bringing select games to other platforms while maintaining its overall exclusive strategy.
Xbox is committed to making its games widely accessible by adding Activision Blizzard games to Xbox Game Pass, ensuring that all Xbox first-party games will be available on the platform on day one.
Deep dives
Xbox's Strategy with Game Exclusivity
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss Xbox's approach to game exclusivity. They reveal that Xbox will be bringing four games to other platforms, emphasizing that this does not change their overall exclusive strategy. The decision is driven by the long-term health of Xbox, aiming for a growing platform, reaching more players, and building the best platform for creators. They believe that in the future, exclusive games will be a smaller part of the industry, and they want Xbox to be a great platform for creators across multiple platforms.
Game Pass and the Addition of Activision Blizzard
Another topic covered in the episode is the impact of adding Activision Blizzard games to Xbox Game Pass. The hosts announce that starting with Diablo 4, Activision and Blizzard games will be available on Game Pass. This move is part of Xbox's commitment to make their experience and games widely accessible. They highlight the value of Game Pass, stating that all Xbox first-party games will be available on the platform on day one.
The Role of Hardware and Xbox's Future Plans
The discussion also delves into the role of hardware for Xbox and their future plans. The hosts emphasize that hardware is vital for delivering flagship experiences and represents a developer target. They mention upcoming hardware advancements that will provide the largest technical leap seen in a hardware generation. Additionally, they touch on the importance of game preservation and compatibility, highlighting Xbox's commitment to respecting player investments and ensuring games can be enjoyed across multiple devices.