Xbox Boss Phil Spencer to Continue Featuring PlayStation, Nintendo Logos at Microsoft Events

Microsoft has recently adopted a new approach in its Xbox showcases, openly acknowledging that its games are also coming to rival platforms. This shift in strategy has been evident over the past few months as part of the company's broader push towards multiplatform gaming. For instance, during the Xbox Developer Direct, games like Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were shown with logos for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Game Pass.

However, this wasn't the case as recently as Microsoft's June 2024 showcase. Doom: The Dark Ages was announced for PlayStation 5 right after the Xbox event, though subsequent trailers did include the PS5 logo. On the other hand, BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the Diablo 4 expansion Vessel of Hatred, and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows were listed for Xbox Series X and S and PC, omitting the PS5 version.

Sony and Nintendo, however, continue to adhere to a different strategy. Their recent State of Play showcase did not mention Xbox at all, even for multiplatform games. For example, the Monster Hunter Wilds segment concluded with only the release date and PS5 logo, with no mention of PC, Steam, or Xbox. Similarly, Sega's Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was shown as coming to PS4 and PS5, despite also being available on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Onimusha: Way of the Sword followed the same pattern.

Sony's approach remains focused on reinforcing its consoles as the primary platform for PlayStation games, a strategy that has served them well for decades. In contrast, Microsoft's change in strategy has led to a corresponding shift in its marketing tactics.

In an interview with XboxEra, Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer addressed the inclusion of PlayStation logos in Xbox showcases. When asked about this new era of transparency, Spencer explained:

"I think it’s just being honest and transparent about where the games are showing, and we actually even had this discussion last year for the June showcase, and by the time we kind of made our decision, we couldn’t get all of the assets done and it felt weird to have some of them in and some of them out.

But I just want to be transparent with people — for shipping on Nintendo Switch, we’re gonna put that. For shipping on PlayStation, on Steam... People should know the storefronts where they can get our games, but I want people to be able to experience our Xbox community in our games and everything we have to offer, on every screen we can.

And obviously not every screen is equal. Yeah, like there’s certain things we can’t do on the other closed platforms that we can do on open platforms, cloud — it’s different. But games should be the thing that we’re focused on. And the strategy that we have allows us to do big games, while also supporting our native platform from hardware to the platform and services that we have and that’s going to be our approach.

And I know it’s not what everybody else is doing, but I just believe games should be the thing that’s at the forefront. Maybe it’s because of how I’ve grown up in this industry. I came from building games. But I think the games are the things that I see growing in their strength in what we’re doing and it’s because more people can play. So yeah, I’m just trying to be open and transparent with people."

Given this perspective, it's likely that future Xbox showcases, such as the anticipated June 2025 event, will feature logos for PS5 and potentially Nintendo Switch 2 alongside Xbox for games like Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, and the upcoming Call of Duty title. However, don't expect Nintendo and Sony to adopt a similar approach anytime soon.