Xbox President Says Exclusive Games Are “Antiquated”

Microsoft's Xbox unit is backing away from the once-sacred principle of exclusive games, with its president declaring the approach outdated as the company seeks to reach players across devices and platforms.

Sarah Bond, who leads the Xbox division, said in an interview with tech publication Mashable that consumers are moving beyond the notion that games should be tied to a single store or device. The comments underscore Microsoft's evolving approach as it seeks to expand its gaming business beyond traditional console boundaries.

"That's actually what's really driving community in gaming," Bond said, pointing to cross-platform titles such as "Call of Duty," "Minecraft," "Fortnite" and "Roblox" as examples. She emphasized that players want to connect with friends regardless of their hardware choice, a philosophy Microsoft is pursuing through cloud gaming, personal computers and partnerships such as the ROG Ally X handheld device.

Cross-Platform Focus Drives Microsoft Strategy

The U.S. giant has already begun releasing some Xbox games on competing platforms. Industry reports from trusted leakers suggest "Starfield," a major Xbox title, could arrive on Sony Group Corp.'s PlayStation by 2026. Other franchises, including a rumored remake of "Halo: Combat Evolved," may follow suit beyond Xbox and PC, though neither has been officially confirmed by Microsoft.

The shift represents a significant departure for an industry built on exclusivity as a competitive weapon. Sony has likewise increased its cross-platform releases, bringing several PlayStation titles to PC and, in a notable move, publishing "Helldivers 2" on Xbox Series X|S in August 2025. Nintendo Co. remains the outlier, keeping its first-party games limited to its own consoles, a strategy that has helped drive robust hardware sales.

Bond's remarks came as Microsoft discusses its next Xbox console, which she characterized as "high-end," raising questions about pricing strategy. The combination of broader game access and premium hardware suggests Microsoft is attempting to serve multiple market segments simultaneously.

The move reflects broader industry dynamics as gaming communities increasingly value shared experiences over platform allegiance. By expanding cross-platform availability, Microsoft aims to meet player expectations while remaining competitive in a market increasingly defined by connectivity and accessibility rather than hardware exclusivity.