In an update that could either be something very significant or nothing at all, Microsoft has removed the Xbox and Xbox Game Pass logos from pages for exclusive games on their official website.
The update, which has affected pages for games like Fable, Avowed, and Starfield, has removed the logos from the section that lists available platforms. Now, all that remains is ambiguous wording that reads, “Console, PC”.
Whether this move indicates that games which were previously exclusive to Microsoft’s Xbox family of consoles will now be available on Sony’s PlayStation or Nintendo’s Switch is anyone’s guess. However, the surprising update follows weeks of rampant rumours about the future of Xbox’s exclusive titles.
Earlier this week, Xbox Era reported that Bethesda’s Starfield, arguably one of Xbox’s biggest exclusive titles, will be made available for PlayStation 5 later this year alongside its planned Shattered Space expansion.
The same report also mentioned that both Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves will be making the jump to Xbox’s rival platform.
The report noted that cross-platform releases were a hotly debated topic among Microsoft’s top brass; however, the argument for “recouping the potential money ‘left on the table’ by releasing elsewhere has arguably won out.”
The removal of Xbox logos from high-profile exclusive games certainly indicates that those titles will be launching on other platforms. That said, until we hear otherwise, it could be nothing more than a simple design change.
Back in November, Gamespot reported that Xbox CFO Tim Stuart said the goal was to make first-party games and Game Pass available on “every screen that can play games,” strongly hinting at a move towards working with the company’s historic rivals in Sony and Nintendo.
The following month, Xbox boss Phil Spencer seemingly confirmed that there were “no plans to bring Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo.”
After weeks of rumours, Spencer has now said that a “business update event” is scheduled for next week where they will address “the future of Xbox.”
Could Xbox’s biggest titles be about to make the jump to PlayStation? At this point, it seems inevitable.
Do you want to see Game Pass and Xbox exclusive titles come to PlayStation and Nintendo? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
