Microsoft’s Multi-Platform Approach: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5

Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Bethesda has brought about a significant shift in the company’s approach to console exclusivity. With the upcoming release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Microsoft is reportedly considering a multi-platform approach for certain Xbox games.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Bethesda’s upcoming action-adventure game, was first announced during Microsoft’s Xbox Developer Direct event in January 2024. The game was revealed as an Xbox console exclusive, with a release date set for later that year. However, a source familiar with Microsoft’s plans has revealed that Bethesda is also considering bringing the game to Sony’s PlayStation 5 (PS5) console.

Microsoft’s new multi-platform approach for Xbox games is a departure from the company’s previous stance on console exclusivity. The company has been evaluating which titles will remain exclusive and which will be released on other consoles, including the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Indiana Jones appears to be part of this new wave of multi-platform games.

While Bethesda will launch Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as an Xbox console exclusive, the game is reportedly set to have a relatively short period of exclusivity. A release for PS5 is being considered for some months later, with Bethesda tentatively targeting a December 2024 launch for the Xbox and PC versions.

The exact timing and platform availability for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle could change, particularly as Microsoft’s new multi-platform approach for Xbox games hasn’t been finalized. Microsoft has been evaluating bringing certain Xbox exclusives to PS5 and Nintendo Switch in recent months. Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush have both reportedly been under cross-platform consideration, and we understand Microsoft has also looked into bringing other Xbox games to rival consoles.

A Hi-Fi Rush announcement for non-Xbox platforms is expected in the coming weeks, with datamined game assets hinting at a release for PS5 and Nintendo Switch earlier this week. XboxEra is also reporting that Microsoft is planning to bring Starfield to PS5, following the release of the game’s “Shattered Space” expansion for Xbox and PC.

Last year, during the FTC v. Microsoft case, it was revealed that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was originally planned for multiple consoles. Pete Hines, Bethesda’s former head of global publishing, testified that Disney had a contract for multiple consoles and that the deal was amended to be an Xbox console exclusive after Microsoft acquired Bethesda. Hines attributed the change to potential delays in bringing the game to multiple consoles and the feedback from the licensor.

An Indiana Jones launch on PS5 would certainly be a surprise, but we’re told there’s still an intense debate internally at Microsoft over which Xbox games to bring to rival consoles. It now looks like Microsoft has settled on some Xbox titles making their way to PS5 and Nintendo Switch, but like last month, the devil will be in the details.

Microsoft’s multi-platform approach is a response to the changing landscape of the gaming industry. With the rise of cloud gaming and the increasing popularity of cross-platform games, console exclusivity is becoming less relevant. Microsoft’s new approach allows the company to reach a larger audience while still maintaining a strong presence on its own platform.

The multi-platform approach also benefits developers and publishers, who can reach more players and generate more revenue. It also allows for greater competition and innovation in the gaming industry, as developers and publishers are free to release their games on multiple platforms.

However, the multi-platform approach also comes with challenges. Developers and publishers must ensure that their games run smoothly and look good on multiple platforms, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. They must also navigate the complexities of licensing and distribution on multiple platforms.

Despite these challenges, Microsoft’s multi-platform approach is a bold and innovative move that is likely to reshape the gaming industry. It allows Microsoft to reach a larger audience while still maintaining a strong presence on its own platform, and it benefits developers and publishers by allowing them to reach more players and generate more revenue.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s multi-platform approach for Xbox games, as evidenced by the upcoming release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5, is a significant shift in the company’s approach to console exclusivity. It allows Microsoft to reach a larger audience while still maintaining a strong presence on its own platform, and it benefits developers and publishers by allowing them to reach more players and generate more revenue. The multi-platform approach also comes with challenges, but these challenges are outweighed by the benefits of reaching a larger audience and fostering greater competition and innovation in the gaming industry.