“The math of exclusivity doesn’t work anymore.” Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier foresees a similar fate for Xbox and PlayStation’s flagship titles. “Games are too expensive, the console audience isn’t growing fast enough, and skipping Steam means missing out on a massive market,” he explains.

Exclusive titles have long been a cornerstone of the console wars, boosting hardware sales and defining brand identity. However, the gaming industry has undergone significant shifts in recent years as development costs have soared, influencing players’ purchasing habits.

Xbox Embracing Multiplatform, PlayStation Following Suit

In a recent Bloomberg article, industry insider Jason Schreier shared his predictions for 2025. He believes that Microsoft is poised to embrace a fully multiplatform approach this year, making its first-party games available on other consoles like the PS5 and Switch 2. This trend could also extend to major publishers. “Last year, Square Enix launched Final Fantasy VII Rebirth exclusively for PS5. It might be one of the last third-party exclusives we’ll ever see,” Schreier notes.

Cross-Platform Strategies Gain Momentum

The company has since vowed to “aggressively pursue” a multiplatform strategy, starting with Rebirth arriving on PC this month and potentially more ports to follow. Even console makers Sony and Microsoft are increasingly releasing their titles on rival platforms: Spider-Man 2, once a PS5 exclusive, is heading to PC, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, initially for Xbox, is expected to debut on PlayStation 5 in spring 2025, Schreier claims.

“The math of exclusivity no longer adds up. Games cost too much, the console audience isn’t growing fast enough, and skipping Steam cuts off a significant revenue stream. I predict Xbox will fully embrace cross-platform this year, with PlayStation edging closer to the same model. Nintendo might remain the sole exception, but it’s uncertain how long that will last,” Schreier speculates. He also suggests that PlayStation’s exclusives will increasingly launch on other platforms, particularly PC, though cases like LEGO Horizon Adventures arriving on Nintendo Switch add an interesting twist.

Source: 3djuegos