In this podcast, the hosts discuss updates at Xbox, including game exclusivity and the impact of the Activision Blizzard acquisition on Game Pass. They also mention the importance of hardware and growing the Xbox platform.

Highlights of Xbox Podcast:

– Phil explains the decision to bring four games to other consoles and the long-term health of Xbox.
– The team discusses the criteria for selecting the four titles and the goal of reaching more players.
– Matt emphasizes the importance of cross-play and cross-save for delivering on the promise of Xbox.
– Sarah announces that Activision and Blizzard games will be coming to Game Pass starting with Diablo IV.
– Phil reiterates that the strategy is not changing and emphasizes the importance of growth for Xbox’s long-term success.
– The hosts discuss the need to adapt to player behavior and the success of Xbox on multiple platforms.

Key Insights:

💡 The decision to bring four games to other consoles is driven by the long-term health of Xbox. The goal is to grow the platform, reach more players, and build the best platform for creators. This decision allows Xbox to utilize other platforms to help grow its franchises and invest in future iterations or new games.
💡 The strategy has always been focused on reaching more players and making games as widely available as possible. They believe that exclusive games will become a smaller part of the industry in the future, and their goal is to be a great platform for creators. Xbox Play Anywhere, cross-play, and cross-save are key features that enable players to play with their friends wherever they are and on the devices they prefer.
💡 Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and other major publishers demonstrates their commitment to bringing more games to more players. They are one of the largest publishers on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms. This strategy aligns with the industry trend where games like Roblox and Fortnite can be bigger than any one platform.
💡 Game Pass has been a key focus for Xbox, and all first-party games will be available on the platform from day one. The addition of Activision and Blizzard games to Game Pass further expands the experience and makes their games more accessible to a wider audience. Xbox sees cross-play and cross-save as fundamental to delivering on the promise and enabling players to play with their friends and access their saves across multiple devices.