Xbox confirms multi-platform games and new hardware

Microsoft is looking to try a new strategy when it comes to its Xbox gaming business, teasing new hardware and the porting of once-exclusive releases to rival platforms.

The news comes off the back of a week of feverish speculation by fans, with Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and a handful of other executives making an appearance on the official Xbox podcast to talk through the strategy shift in more detail.

The long and short of it is that Xbox is looking to put a selection of games that were previously exclusive to other platforms. At this stage, the company hasn't specified what those games will be.

However, it has said that its initial foray into multi-platform publishing will consist of four games. Rumours and speculation have suggested this list will include smaller releases like Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves and Grounded rather than marquee Xbox titles like Starfield or Halo Infinite.

In addition to the gear shift when it comes to game releases, Xbox president Sarah Bond teased the arrival of new hardware later this year.

"We’ve got more to come. There’s some exciting stuff coming out in hardware that we’re going to share this holiday," she said.

Back in September 2023, leaked documents gave the world an early look at both a refreshed Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Controller. No news on either product has been heard since, so it seems likely that they'll fit into this holiday season hardware drop.

Bond was also keen to assuage fears that Microsoft might look to pull out of the console business entirely, gesturing at an internal roadmap that goes far beyond a refresh of what it has in the market today.

Then there's the matter of the long-rumored Xbox Streaming stick and more recent speculation that Microsoft might be looking to get into handheld gaming with a competitor to the Valve Steam Deck.

Asked directly about the latter by The Verge, Spencer acknowledged the possibility but held back on any firm answers.