Microsoft is changing its Xbox exclusive strategy under new boss Asha Sharma: What COO Matt Booty said
Microsoft is changing its approach to video game exclusivity under its newly appointed Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma. Following the company’s recent Xbox Games Showcase, high-ranking executives are opening up about how Microsoft plans to balance keeping its biggest games on Xbox while still launching titles on competing consoles like the PlayStation 5.
Xbox Chief Content Officer (CCO) Matt Booty has clarified exactly what that means for players going forward. Speaking with Gamertag Radio, Booty said, “Our big multiplayer games [and] live-service games are going to continue to be multiplatform.”
His comments came soon after the high-stakes event which marked the first major showcase under Sharma, who took the helm with a pledge to “reset” the struggling gaming division. Sharma has explicitly stated that Microsoft “must” have exclusive content to revitalize the Xbox brand and boost lagging console sales.
Multiplayer stays everywhere but exclusives are back
Booty emphasized that Microsoft has not forgotten its core fanbase.
“We want people to have a reason to get on board with Xbox. We want them to have a reason to buy an Xbox... At the same time, we want to reward all of our players who have been with us for a long time... we know that exclusives are important,” he added.
Following the showcase, Microsoft published a blog post explicitly touting a “return to exclusives”. The company confirmed that highly anticipated upcoming titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are permanent Xbox console exclusives, rather than “timed exclusives” that eventually migrate to PlayStation.
Despite the aggressive pivot back to traditional exclusives, Booty admitted that Microsoft’s strategy is still fluid and will be handled on a game-by-game basis.
“We’re going to keep thinking about this going forward," Booty said, explaining that Microsoft wants to make the “right decision, not the fast decision” for each individual release.
“If we promised something to players, we’re going to honor that promise,” he said, noting that when a game's release date is officially announced, the platforms will be locked in so players “know what the choice will be.” Any games previously promised for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan.
Xbox Chief Content Officer (CCO) Matt Booty has clarified exactly what that means for players going forward. Speaking with Gamertag Radio, Booty said, “Our big multiplayer games [and] live-service games are going to continue to be multiplatform.”
His comments came soon after the high-stakes event which marked the first major showcase under Sharma, who took the helm with a pledge to “reset” the struggling gaming division. Sharma has explicitly stated that Microsoft “must” have exclusive content to revitalize the Xbox brand and boost lagging console sales.
Multiplayer stays everywhere but exclusives are back
Booty emphasized that Microsoft has not forgotten its core fanbase.
“We want people to have a reason to get on board with Xbox. We want them to have a reason to buy an Xbox... At the same time, we want to reward all of our players who have been with us for a long time... we know that exclusives are important,” he added.
Following the showcase, Microsoft published a blog post explicitly touting a “return to exclusives”. The company confirmed that highly anticipated upcoming titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are permanent Xbox console exclusives, rather than “timed exclusives” that eventually migrate to PlayStation.
Despite the aggressive pivot back to traditional exclusives, Booty admitted that Microsoft’s strategy is still fluid and will be handled on a game-by-game basis.
“We’re going to keep thinking about this going forward," Booty said, explaining that Microsoft wants to make the “right decision, not the fast decision” for each individual release.
“If we promised something to players, we’re going to honor that promise,” he said, noting that when a game's release date is officially announced, the platforms will be locked in so players “know what the choice will be.” Any games previously promised for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan.
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