Microsoft's Phil Spencer Denies Plans to Bring Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation and Nintendo
Microsoft's Phil Spencer clarifies that Xbox Game Pass will not be available on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, debunking previous claims made by another Xbox executive
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has clarified that the company has no intention of bringing Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo, despite the previous statement from Xbox CFO Tim Stuart about the mission to bring Game Pass to every gaming platform. The apparent discrepancy lies in the difference between having a "mission" and having a "plan." While the company's mission may be to expand Game Pass to all screens, it does not currently have a concrete plan in place to bring it to competing platforms, as stated by Spencer.
"We currently have no intention of making Game Pass available on PlayStation or Nintendo. It's not something we're considering," Spencer stated in an interview with Windows Central. "I'm more interested in finding ways to innovate for our loyal hardware platform users and ensuring they are satisfied with the investment they've made in our products."
Spencer also expressed confidence in Game Pass's continued growth, mentioning its significance to the Xbox console identity and its potential on PC and cloud platforms.
"We are committed to exploring innovative opportunities for growth within our game portfolio and platform," Spencer stated.
Spencer has long expressed his desire to expand Game Pass to multiple platforms. In 2018, he mentioned Microsoft's intention to eventually make Game Pass available on "every device." It is worth noting that even at that time, Spencer avoided using the word "plan," opting for a more general statement.
Game Pass is a game-changer for Xbox. Every Microsoft-made game is available on Game Pass from day one, including major releases like Starfield and possibly Call of Duty in 2024 after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. With a Game Pass Ultimate membership, you also get access to cloud streaming, allowing you to play games like Starfield on your phone. Microsoft recently reported 25 million subscribers for Game Pass, but this number has since grown. The automatic conversion of all Xbox Live Gold members to Game Pass Core in September undoubtedly contributed to this surge in subscribers.
The Game Pass catalog adds a dozen titles in the first half of December, while Core subscribers are getting new games as well.
Editor's P/S
Microsoft's Phil Spencer has recently clarified that Xbox Game Pass will not be coming to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, despite previous claims made by Xbox CFO Tim Stuart. Spencer stated that while Microsoft's mission is to bring Game Pass to every gaming platform, they currently have no plans to do so. This clarification has sparked discussions among gamers and industry analysts, with some expressing disappointment and others understanding Microsoft's decision.
As a passionate gamer, I have mixed feelings about this news. On one hand, I understand Microsoft's desire to focus on its loyal hardware platform users and ensure they are satisfied with their investment. It makes sense for the company to prioritize its own platforms, especially considering the success of Xbox Game Pass on Xbox consoles and PC. On the other hand, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed as a PlayStation and Nintendo user. I would love to have access to Xbox Game Pass's impressive library of games on my preferred platforms, and I believe it would benefit both Microsoft and the gaming community as a whole.
