Xbox's Strategic Approach to Game Exclusivity: The Case of Avowed

In a rapidly evolving gaming landscape, Xbox has consistently reiterated its openness to bringing its exclusive titles to competing platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo. This policy is particularly intriguing as the company prepares for the launch of one of its most anticipated games this year, Avowed, an RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment. While some titles have found their way to other consoles through various strategies, the future of Avowed on platforms outside Xbox remains uncertain. The company’s approach to exclusivity appears to be guided by a combination of market dynamics, player expectations, and strategic business decisions.

Microsoft employs several methods to distribute its exclusive games across different platforms. One common strategy is simultaneous release, where games debut on both Xbox and other platforms on the same day. This approach often leverages Microsoft's Game Pass subscription service to attract players. Another method involves delayed releases, allowing games to appear on competing consoles after an initial period of exclusivity. Titles like Indiana Jones have recently followed this path, while older games such as Grounded and Sea of Thieves have also made their way to platforms like PS5 and Switch. Lastly, some games remain exclusively tied to Xbox, at least for the foreseeable future. High-profile titles like Halo Infinite and Starfield fall into this category, with no immediate plans for cross-platform availability.

The decision-making process behind these strategies is complex and multifaceted. When Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, it faced scrutiny over the potential exclusivity of franchises like Call of Duty. In response, the company presented a chart categorizing games based on their likelihood of remaining exclusive. Established multi-platform games were positioned as less likely to become exclusive, while new first-party IPs like Starfield and Avowed were seen as more likely to stay within the Xbox ecosystem. Despite shifts in Microsoft’s stance on exclusivity, games like Avowed have not been officially announced for PlayStation. If Avowed does eventually make its way to other platforms, it would likely be after a significant delay, similar to the trajectory of Starfield, which has remained Xbox-exclusive since its September 2023 release.

The internal deliberations at Microsoft regarding the exclusivity of new IPs like Avowed are influenced by factors such as the game's origin as a single-player experience, its lack of cross-media ties, and the absence of a multiplayer component that necessitates a larger player base. These considerations suggest that while Avowed might eventually appear on other platforms, any such move is unlikely to happen soon. The cautious approach taken with Starfield serves as a precedent, indicating that Microsoft may prioritize maintaining exclusivity for its newer, high-profile titles for an extended period before considering broader distribution.