Xbox Chief content officer Matt Booty said first-party releases from Microsoft will be console exclusives on an individual basis. Booty's statement comes after it was confirmed that the two major Xbox releases coming later in 2026 and 2027 will not be ported to other consoles such as the PS5.
During the Xbox Game Showcase on June 7, Microsoft pulled back the curtain on games coming to Xbox Series X/S and Windows PCs in 2026 and beyond. As well as providing more details in upcoming releases Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and fableThe showcase also saw third-party games, such as the highly-anticipated Personality 6 and Castlevania: Curse of Belmont. Each title that appeared at the Xbox Game Showcase also made it clear which platforms it would be released for, including the PS5 and Switch 2.
Major new Xbox Game Pass games confirmed for August 27
The Xbox Game Showcase for 2026 revealed the release date for the major sequel to the award-winning franchise, which will hit Game Pass on August 27.
Xbox Console Exclusives will be clearly stated from the start
However Gears of War: E-Day It will be an Xbox console-exclusive title when it arrives on October 6, which will not apply to some of Microsoft's upcoming releases. Matt Booty said in an interview with GamerTag Radio that Xbox console exclusivity for its first-party titles will be decided on a 'case-by-case' basis. Booty confirmed that this strategy will be for both Gears of War: E-Day and Revolution of the clock. However, Booty said that Xbox's exclusivity strategy will not affect games with multiplayer and live-service functionality, as they will be released and supported on different platforms. So, like games Sea of Thieves, The Elder Scrolls Onlineand Fallout 76 Will still receive updates on all platforms.
Once the game's release date information is decided, Booty said Microsoft will continue to list all the platforms the Xbox game will be available on. Booty said that, at the core of Microsoft's exclusivity strategy, the company wants to reward longtime fans who have been with Xbox for years, while also giving consumers a reason to pick up an Xbox console. Booty echoed the words of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and said the company needs to “make the right decision, not a quick decision” when it comes to choosing which Xbox games will get console exclusivity.
While Xbox has been receptive to fan feedback about the exclusive, it remains to be seen how it will sell. Gears of War: E-Day and Revolution of the clock will be affected by Microsoft's choices. Additionally, Booty said that any Xbox titles that were previously confirmed to have a multiplatform launch will still be honored. So, like games fable and Hello: Campaign Evolved It will still be released on PS5 along with Xbox and Windows PC. Given that Hello: Campaign Evolved There won't be multiplayer support, it's unclear if future Halo titles will be released on PS5, with or without multiplayer functionality.
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However, after releasing titles such as Xbox pivot back to console exclusivity Indiana Jones and the Great Circle On the PS5, PlayStation fans may be forced to buy an Xbox to continue playing some of Microsoft's IP. While Xbox is also developing a next-gen Project Helix console, time will tell which specific games will be offered as a way to attract new players to Microsoft's gaming ecosystem.
