Earlier in the year, Microsoft revealed a new initiative by bringing Xbox first-party titles to more platforms including PlayStation which caused a mixed reaction from the community. To start, Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded were the first to release as part of this new initiative. Now, a new report reveals that more Xbox first-party titles are coming as part of its new multiplatform push codenamed “Latitude” internally.
Windows Central reports that the move comes from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Previously, he said that he “has no love” for the world of console-exclusive games. Following the release of its first slate of titles, Nadella has been celebrating with investors following the success of his strategy.
“We are committed to meeting players where they are by bringing great games to more people on more devices”, he said during Microsoft’s third-quarter earnings call in April.
Now, “more upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed.” According to the report, the next slate of games will be obvious games that most would likely suspect go multiplatform. According to Windows Central, “Microsoft is pushing for no “red line” for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood’s mandate to increase every department’s margins.”
Reporter Jez Corden notes:
“Obviously, putting Halo Infinite on PlayStation will increase profit margins. Sea of Thieves enjoyed the top spot on the PlayStation Store this past week. And in a perfect world, it’s great that more people get to play these games.
But we don’t live in a perfect world where platform holders willingly collaborate for customers’ betterment while competing on pure value. Like many of Microsoft’s other recent strategies, pursuing this strategy is a short-term margin booster with long-term consequences.
Yes, the industry is struggling, and Microsoft isn’t the only hardware manufacturer that has seen declines. But destroying the foundational reason to buy an Xbox isn’t the answer you give if you do care about the long-term.”