Xbox will bring four of its exclusives to PS5 and Switch, but Game Pass will remain on its own platforms

Microsoft has confirmed that it will be bringing four of its current exclusives to rival platforms, but that Xbox platforms will remain the “only” place for Game Pass.

The details:

• The recent Xbox Podcast and accompanying blog post confirmed that Grounded, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Sea of Thieves will be going multi-platform. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer says the decision to bring its exclusives to PlayStation and Nintendo systems was made to ensure the "long-term health of Xbox."

• According to Spencer, Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will not be released on non-Xbox platforms following reports that they were being considered as multi-platform candidates. Despite this, he stated in an interview with The Verge that the industry should never "rule out a game going to any other platform," implying that plans could change in the future.

• It was also stated that the decision to go multi-platform with the selected titles does not represent "a change to our fundamental exclusivity strategy" and that there is "no promise" of any future releases.

• Microsoft also confirmed that Game Pass "will continue to be only available on Xbox platforms," putting an end to rumors about the subscription service coming to PS5 and Switch.

More gaming news:

• Embracer Group has confirmed that its restructuring program has resulted in approximately 1,400 job cuts since last year, with the possibility of more to come.

• Sony has announced that it will not release any new "major" titles in its existing PlayStation franchises in 2024.