Xbox boss hopes that platform exclusive games will become "less and less common" in the future

Microsoft's gaming chief believes that multiplatform products are more beneficial for the industry.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer predicts that the number of platform-exclusive games will decrease in the coming years.

According to Spencer in an interview with Bloomberg, games that are made available across multiple platforms are better for the industry's long-term health than those that are only compatible with one.

Console exclusivity is "something we're just going to see less and less of," according to the head of Microsoft's gaming division.

When our kids want to play together, they can't because we bought the wrong piece of plastic to plug into our television, Spencer said, "Maybe you happen to buy an Xbox and I happen to buy a PlayStation in your household.

"We really love being able to bring more players in while reducing friction, making players feel safe and secure while playing, allowing them to find and play with their friends regardless of the device — I think in the long run that is good for this industry.

And perhaps in the near future, some employees in some companies won't love it. But I believe it will prove to be true as we get past this hurdle and see where this industry can expand.

Spencer was commenting on Microsoft's proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard, which is being closely examined by regulators concerned about possible antitrust issues at a time of increasing consolidation in the gaming industry.

Sony, the maker of the PlayStation, stated that it anticipates Call of Duty games to remain multiplatform due to "contractual agreements" in its initial response to Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which was published in January.

In the event that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is successful, Spencer subsequently reaffirmed his intention to keep Call of Duty available on PlayStation platforms.

Later, it was asserted that Activision Blizzard was legally bound to release only the upcoming Call of Duty titles Modern Warfare 2 and the following three for PlayStation consoles.

Microsoft recently reiterated its viewpoint that, should it be successful in acquiring Activision Blizzard, it has no plans to make Call of Duty an Xbox exclusive.

It was claimed that any worries that Call of Duty would no longer be available on PlayStation following the takeover are unfounded in a document sent to Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense discussing the proposed acquisition.

The reality is that Microsoft's plan to keep Activision Blizzard's games exclusive by not selling them in rival console stores would not be profitable, the company said. "Regardless of how predictable Sony's criticism of content exclusivity is - given that PlayStation's entire strategy has been focused on exclusivity over the years," the company said.

The popularity of Call of Duty on Xbox and PlayStation consoles, though, may make it the most popular video game ever.

ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda, was purchased by Microsoft last year for $7.5 billion. Delivering exclusive games for platforms that support Xbox Game Pass was the main motivation for pursuing the acquisition, according to Spencer after the takeover was finished.

In the first half of 2023, the Bethesda games Starfield and Redfall will be released exclusively for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and Elder Scrolls 6 won't be released at all for PlayStation consoles either.

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