Xbox
Phil Spencer is disappointed that Helldivers 2 didn’t release on Xbox Series X|S
The head of Xbox continues to bet on multiplatform releases for games as a service, lamenting the fact that Helldivers 2 isn’t on Xbox.
One of the biggest games of the first stages of what we have in 2024 is undoubtedly Helldivers 2, which has benefited from its simultaneous launch on PlayStation 5 and PC. At Sony it is clear that this is the strategy to follow for all console exclusives that are games as a service since it helps to achieve a larger community, but Phil Spencer would have liked it to have gone further, and also come out on Xbox Series X/S.
“I will say, when I look at a game like Helldivers 2 - and it’s a great game, kudos to the team shipping on PC and PlayStation - I’m not exactly sure who it helps in the industry by not being on Xbox,”said Spencer in conversation with Game File. “If you try to twist yourself to say, like, somehow that benefited somebody somewhere. But I get it. There’s a legacy in console gaming that we’re going to benefit by shipping games and not putting them on other places. We do the same thing.”
These words are in line with those of Hiroki Totoki, CEO of PlayStation, who spoke of launching games of PlayStation Studios on more platforms such as PC or mobile phones, although he did not mention other consoles specifically. “I would say releasing more games in more places, and making them more accessible to more people is a good part of the video game business.”
PlayStation bets on multiplatform, but leaves out the competition
Totoki’s words seem to have been misinterpreted in recent days, since when the head of PlayStation spoke of “multiplatform”, many interpreted that it was also about Xbox and even Nintendo Switch. Nothing further from the truth.
“if you have strong first party content, not only with our console but also other platforms like computers, 1st party can be grown with multiplatform and that can help operating profit to improve. So that is another one we want to proactively work on,” Totoki said. This indicates that, like Helldivers 2, games as a service are likely to enjoy a simultaneous release, something that will hardly happen with single-player titles.