Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty has stated that first-party releases from Microsoft will be console exclusives on an individual basis. Booty's statement came following confirmation that two major Xbox releases arriving later in 2026 and 2027 would not be ported to other consoles, such as the PS5.
During the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, Microsoft pulled back the curtain on games coming to Xbox Series X/S and Windows PCs throughout 2026 and beyond. Along with providing more details on upcoming releases like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Fable, the showcase also saw the reveals of third-party games, such as the highly-anticipated Persona 6 and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. Each title that appeared in the Xbox Games Showcase also clarified which platforms it would be released for, including PS5 and Switch 2.
Major New Xbox Game Pass Game Confirmed for August 27
The Xbox Games Showcase for 2026 revealed the release date of a major sequel to an award-winning franchise, which will hit Game Pass on August 27.
Xbox Console Exclusives Will be Clearly Stated From the Start
Although Gears of War: E-Day will be an Xbox console-exclusive title once it arrives on October 6, that will not necessarily apply to some of Microsoft's upcoming releases. Matt Booty stated in an interview with GamerTag Radio that Xbox console exclusivity for its first-party titles will be decided on a 'case-by-case' basis. Booty confirmed that this strategy will be in place for both Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution. However, Booty stated that Xbox's exclusivity strategy will not affect games with multiplayer and live-service functionality, as those will continue to be released and supported on various platforms. Ergo, games such as Sea of Thieves, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Fallout 76 will still receive updates on all platforms.
Once the release date information on a game is decided, Booty said that Microsoft will continue to list all the platforms on which an Xbox game will be available. Booty said that, at the core of Microsoft's exclusivity strategy, the company wants to reward longtime fans who have been with Xbox for years, along with offering consumers a reason to pick up an Xbox console to begin with. Booty echoed the words of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and said that the company must "make the right decision, not the fast decision" when it comes to picking which Xbox games will receive console exclusivity.
Given that Xbox has been receptive to fan feedback concerning exclusives, it remains to be seen how the sales of Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be affected by Microsoft's choices. Additionally, Booty said that any Xbox titles that were previously confirmed to be multiplatform launches will still be honored. Ergo, games such as Fable and Halo: Campaign Evolved will still be released on PS5 alongside Xbox and Windows PCs. Given that Halo: Campaign Evolved will not have multiplayer support, it is unclear if future Halo titles will be released on PS5, with or without multiplayer functionality.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
However, as Xbox pivots back to console exclusivity after releasing titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5, PlayStation fans may be compelled to purchase an Xbox to continue playing some of Microsoft's IPs. With Xbox also developing the next-gen Project Helix console, time will tell what exclusive games will be offered as a way to draw new players into Microsoft's gaming ecosystem.