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Xbox head Phil Spencer has shared further details regarding the company’s strategic decision to bring Indiana Jones and the Great Circle—a major title initially announced as an Xbox and PC exclusive—to Sony’s PlayStation 5 platform.
Multiplatform Release Aligns With Xbox’s Strategic Vision
At the Gamescom 2024 showcase, Bethesda made a notable announcement: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, previously confirmed as an Xbox and PC-exclusive title, will also launch on PlayStation 5 in spring 2025. During a follow-up press briefing, Xbox boss Phil Spencer elaborated on the reasoning behind this multiplatform approach, stating that it supports Xbox’s broader business strategy and long-term growth objectives.
In a recent interview, Spencer emphasized that Xbox operates as a business within Microsoft, and the expectations for performance are high. “Inside Microsoft, the bar is high for us in terms of the delivery we have to give back to the company because we receive incredible levels of support,” he explained. He also noted that Xbox has been actively learning from past experiences to refine its approach moving forward.
Spencer reflected on previous multiplatform releases: “Last spring, we launched four games—two on Switch, all four on PlayStation—and we said we’d learn from that experience. At Showcase, I mentioned that based on what we’ve learned, we’re going to do more.” Despite expanding Indiana Jones and the Great Circle beyond Xbox platforms, Spencer stressed that the Xbox ecosystem remains strong, with console player numbers hitting record highs and key franchises continuing to grow.
He added, “What I see is our franchises getting stronger. Xbox console players are at their highest point this year. Our platform continues to grow, and we run a business. The health of Xbox and the expansion of our game portfolio remain top priorities.”
Spencer also highlighted the importance of flexibility in the evolving gaming landscape. “There’s immense pressure across the industry, which has been growing steadily for years. Now, companies are exploring new ways to scale. As gamers and fans, we should expect change—especially in how games are developed and distributed,” he stated. He concluded by reinforcing Xbox’s core mission: “Our goal must always be better games that more people can enjoy. If we’re not focused on that, then we’re focusing on the wrong things.”
FTC Disclosures Suggest Original Multiplatform Intentions
Rumors surrounding a potential PlayStation release for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle circulated well before the official announcement. Earlier in the year, there were also murmurs about other Xbox first-party titles shifting toward multiplatform availability. However, this marks the first concrete confirmation involving a major franchise like Indiana Jones making such a move.
Interestingly, prior to Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media in 2020, Disney had originally agreed with ZeniMax to develop the Indiana Jones title for multiple platforms. After the acquisition, the deal was renegotiated to make the game exclusive to Xbox and PC. The latest decision to bring the title to PS5 signals a shift in Xbox’s exclusivity strategy.
Internal emails from 2021 revealed discussions between Spencer and other Xbox executives about the impact of making Indiana Jones an exclusive. Spencer reportedly acknowledged that while exclusivity could benefit Xbox hardware sales, it might also limit the reach and success of Bethesda’s development efforts.
