Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»News»Opinion»Xbox’s Phil Spencer Assures Intent to Keep Games Multi-Platform
    Phil Spencer, Xbox anniversary special
    Opinion

    Xbox’s Phil Spencer Assures Intent to Keep Games Multi-Platform

    Heath AndrewsBy Heath AndrewsJanuary 20, 20224 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    To say that Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard sent shockwaves through the gaming industry is a profound understatement. There are a number of questions about what other moves Microsoft might make. Also, what Sony and Nintendo are going to do in response to this, and what’s going to happen to the number of controversies the current management of Activision Blizzard find themselves in. There’s also the question of what’s going to happen to series that Activision Blizzard normally release on multiple consoles. The latter of these questions has an answer, and it comes from the highest possible source on it.

    Xbox head Phil Spencer, photo by eVRydayVR

    Phil Spencer is the head of Microsoft’s Xbox division. On January 20th, Spencer took to Twitter account to settle the question of whether or not Activision Blizzard games are going to remain multi-platform.

    Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony. I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship.

    — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 20, 2022

    If we break down what Spencer says- and his track record for working with other companies- then there’s a lot of good news to be taken from this. The fact that Spencer says Microsoft will “honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard” is a very big deal.

    Spencer directly references “Call of Duty,” but this is also the company that owns “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “World of Warcraft,” “Crash Bandicoot,” “Spyro,” the Tony Hawk franchise, “StarCraft,” “Hearthstone,” and more. Even if we were just talking about “Call of Duty,” this would be a huge deal.

    Microsoft could easily take these franchises and make them strictly available on PC and Xbox to draw people to their products and consoles. After all, you don’t see Nintendo making Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, Fire Emblem, Kirby, and Metroid games available on other systems. If you want to play them, you have to buy a Nintendo console. Or take Bayonetta for example- the first title was released on Xbox 360 and PS3. But the sequel that Nintendo helped to fund was released solely for the Wii U, and later, the Switch.

    Pixabay

    So Microsoft has to ask themselves whether or not they would make more money with these newly acquired franchise as exclusives to Xbox consoles and PC, or keeping them multi-platform. Would enough people buy an Xbox to offset the cost of lost game sales on Sony or Nintendo platforms? Not to mention, what would be the backlash from the gaming community if these longstanding, multi-platform games, were suddenly “taken” from them and made console exclusive?

    Even before Phil’s statement, the Xbox division of Microsoft had shown a great deal of cooperation with other studios and companies. After Microsoft bought the developers of Minecraft Mojang, they kept the game multi-platform. The game continues to see regular updates on Switch and PlayStation consoles.

    We also got to see Microsoft work with Nintendo to give gamers access to formerly Xbox exclusive titles like Ori and the Blind Forest, as well as and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The two companies even worked out agreements to let Banjo & Kazooie into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, in a manner that was so easy, Spencer himself said it wouldn’t even be interesting enough to talk about.

    On the other hand, there are still some things that this tweet doesn’t mention.

    For starters, Spencer may have talked with Sony leaders, but what about Nintendo management? Even though “Call of Duty” isn’t on the Switch, other titles like “Overwatch” and “Diablo” are. Are future games going to be included on that console? Additionally, Spencer says they intend to honor “all existing agreements,” but what exactly does that mean? What are these agreements, and are they time sensitive? What about timed exclusivity? Could “Call of Duty” games (and DLC) appear first on Xbox and PC, and then later on PlayStation?

    From the way Spencer talked about gaming (and conducted himself in interviews), he seems to be a pretty cool guy. He has a good level of respect for the gaming community. That being said, money is money, and if Microsoft senses there’s more capital to be gained in exclusivity, then future plans could quickly be called into question.

    Guess we’ll just have to see how everything plays out. And yes, that pun is fully intended.

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleApple TV+ Godzilla MonsterVerse Series from Matt Fraction, Chris Black Coming!
    Next Article Long Awaited “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” Trailer Hits!
    Heath Andrews

    Heath Andrews has been a student of pop culture ever since he found himself to be the only student in 3rd grade who regularly watched "Get Smart" on Nick-At-Nite. Ever since then he's been engrossed in way too much media with a growing collection of music, books, comics, TV on DVD box sets, and a video game collection that could rival a brick and mortar store. Prior to writing for Nerdbot he's written for Review You, MyAnimeList, and various advertising companies. Since 2016 he's run his own YouTube channel under the moniker of The Critical Android where he livestreams video games and uploads podcasts about pop culture and Frasier.

    Related Posts

    The Daily Jaws Announces 50th Anniversary Interview Series

    June 20, 2025

    Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Leaving Estate to His 100+ Kids

    June 20, 2025

    Your Ultimate Destination for All Things Sims: Discover Sims4Life

    June 20, 2025

    Stay Ahead of the Game with FortniteInsider

    June 20, 2025

    Your Ultimate Source for Overwatch 2 News – OverwatchCentral

    June 20, 2025

    The Ultimate Destination for Genshin Impact Tier Lists

    June 20, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    원활한 배팅을 위한 최고의 고속 토토 사이트토토사이트 출금 빠른 곳

    June 21, 2025

    Dubai Property Moves: Why Timing, Trust, and Trends Matter

    June 21, 2025

    Keeping the Whole Family Healthy: A Guide for Parents in Dubai

    June 21, 2025

    Identity Verification That Helps You Onboard Faster and Stay Compliant

    June 21, 2025

    The Daily Jaws Announces 50th Anniversary Interview Series

    June 20, 2025

    Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Leaving Estate to His 100+ Kids

    June 20, 2025

    High-Tech Diagnostic Imaging Solutions at Adventist Health

    June 18, 2025

    10 Tips for Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney

    June 18, 2025

    Russell Crowe to Co-Star With Henry Cavill “Highlander”

    June 20, 2025
    Billy the puppet "Saw"

    Blumhouse Nabs “Saw” Franchise Rights

    June 18, 2025
    "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," 1974

    “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” Returns to Theaters for One Night Only

    June 18, 2025

    “Death Stranding” is ALSO Getting an Animated Film?!

    June 18, 2025

    Netflix, Legendary Want to Remake “Land of the Lost”

    June 17, 2025

    “King of the Hill” Revival Gets Father’s Day Clip

    June 15, 2025

    What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)? An Interview With My Kid

    June 15, 2025

    Temuera Morrison Wants to Play Live-Action Captain Rex

    June 14, 2025

    Official My Little Pony Coffee UNICORN POWERS Will Have You Feeling Magical!

    June 16, 2025

    Halfway Through 2025: These Are The Best Films (So Far)

    June 15, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025

    APPLEJACK’S Caramel Apple by JOYGROUND COFFEE is a Sweet Treat All Year-Round

    June 12, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts
    • Sony is Reportedly Purchasing Bungie for $3.6 Billion
    • It's Happening: Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard for $68.7 Billion
    • Blizzard Reveals What Classes Are Playable in "Diablo IV"
    • Blizzard Announces BlizzCon 2021 Live Event Cancelled
    • Activision Blizzard Stock is the Highest It's Been Since 1984
    • Blizzard Delays "World of Warcraft: Shadowlands" Expansion
    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.