Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, is considering bringing more Xbox games to other consoles like PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
In a chat with Bloomberg, Phil said there are no strict rules stopping them from doing this. He mentioned it’s too soon to decide about the next Halo game, though. Recently, Microsoft shared that they’re working on new Halo games using Unreal Engine 5, but they haven’t officially announced them yet. Some parts from the Project Foundry demo might appear in future Halo games. Tech experts think using Unreal Engine 5 could make it easier for Halo to come to PS5, which wouldn’t be too shocking since Microsoft has thought about this before.
Microsoft has shared some of its games with other platforms, like Sea of Thieves and Grounded. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is another game starting on Xbox and PC in December, and then it will come to PS5 in 2025.
We think it’s fun when companies try new things with their games.
During the Bloomberg interview, Phil also talked about the possibility of Microsoft making a handheld gaming device. They’re already testing some prototypes, and Phil believes the team can do something special with it. Microsoft has been considering this idea for quite some time. There are whispers that the next Xbox console might connect with a new handheld device. Moreover, Phil touched on the idea of buying more companies, especially to have more presence around the world, like in Asia. But right now, there are no plans for immediate deals.
Microsoft used to own a Japanese game developer called Tango Gameworks, which they shut down, but it was later revived by Krafton. Over the past year, Phil has managed a large number of layoffs at Xbox, saying it was needed for business reasons. He believes that the Xbox brand is still doing well despite these changes.
Phil wrapped up his conversation by commenting on Sony’s pricey PS5 Pro. He thinks expensive consoles aren’t the way to grow the gaming market. “I feel pretty good about where this industry is going,” he said. “To reach new players, we need to be creative and adaptive of new business models, new devices, new ways of access. We’re not going to grow the market with $1,000 consoles.”
