Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Highlights Cross-Platform Strategy, Hinting at Game Pass on Rival Consoles
Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard has opened up new possibilities for the company to extend its reach beyond Xbox and PC, including publishing games on Sony and Nintendo platforms. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed enthusiasm about this prospect, emphasizing the company’s goal of becoming a “good publisher” across a variety of gaming ecosystems.
In a conversation with Bloomberg, Nadella shared his excitement about the acquisition, stating, “We love gaming. In fact, Flight Simulator was created before even Windows. But, we were number three, number four. And now with Activision, I think we have a chance of being a good publisher — quite frankly — on Sony and Nintendo and PCs and Xbox. We’re excited about that acquisition closing, and I’m glad we’ve got it through.”
Nadella’s vision aligns with Microsoft’s previous statements about releasing games across all platforms, extending beyond Xbox and PC to include Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s consoles. This move could potentially lead to the release of some of Microsoft’s exclusive titles, such as Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush and Rare’s Sea of Thieves, on rival platforms following exclusivity periods on Xbox consoles and PC.
While Microsoft has not officially confirmed plans to release Game Pass on rival consoles, there have been indications of a shift in strategy. Xbox Chief Financial Officer Tim Stuart previously suggested Microsoft’s mission was to bring first-party experiences and subscription services to various gaming screens, including smart TVs, mobile devices, and even competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo.
Despite Microsoft’s commitment to releasing Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles through a decade-long deal, questions linger about other Activision Blizzard games making their way to non-Microsoft platforms. As Microsoft gears up for the Xbox Developer_Direct event in January 2024, fans anticipate insights into upcoming releases, including a first look at MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game and Obsidian’s Avowed. The platform availability for the recently announced Marvel’s Blade, developed by Arkane Lyon, remains unconfirmed.