Xbox Restores Game Exclusivity for 20-Plus Franchises as It Tries to Revive Console Growth
Updated
Updated · GamesIndustry.biz · Jul 20
Xbox Restores Game Exclusivity for 20-Plus Franchises as It Tries to Revive Console Growth
3 articles · Updated · GamesIndustry.biz · Jul 20
Summary
Xbox leaders said the shift back to platform exclusives was decided early and will stay in place for the foreseeable future after last month’s strategy reset.
Matthew Ball and Matt Booty said exclusive games are needed to give players a reason to buy Xbox hardware, arguing the 2024 move to PlayStation and Switch failed to sustain platform growth.
Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are the first confirmed exclusives, while titles such as Forza Horizon 6 and Fable will still launch on multiple platforms.
Booty said Xbox must balance how each title serves its portfolio, which includes more than 20 franchises that have generated $1 billion over their lifetimes.
The reversal marks a bid to rebuild trust with Xbox players after a two-year multiplatform experiment that an internal studio lead said "wasn't working."