Microsoft Wants To Reach Gamers On Rival Systems, Says Xbox Chief Phil Spencer

I don’t think something like halo is in the cards but I could see Microsoft publishing games like sunset overdrive or the rare collection to other systems as digital only releases.

Rare Replay, please. I'll happily give Microsoft my money for a Switch port of that game.

They need to do what they were doing during the Xbox and Xbox 360 days and release more of their franchise for Nintendo's platform. Games like Blue Dragon, Viva Pinata, Perfect Dark, Lost Odyssey, Killer Instinct, Sudeki, Kameo, Fable, Banjo-Kazooie, Halo, Gears of War, Conker, Cuphead, and Forza would be awesome for play on Switch. If Atari is entering the market, best for Microsoft to jump out and start making games for all platforms.

Halo and Forza? No, but I’d be happy with Cuphead and Ori and the Blind Forest!

[NOTE] Check out my regular #SwitchWishlist on Twitter at @simonpotticary 🙂

OK, gimme Killer Instinct and Cuphead on Switch, then help Daniel Fornace with his Rivals of Aether Nintendo Switch porting.

Oh, and get the RARE NES, SNES and N64 games on whatever replaces the Virtual Console.

@AlexOlney hope so

Cuphead and Rare Replay are all i would want

BRING BACK BANJO!

Given the dearth of exclusives on XBox One and the general lack of enthusiasm towards that system, I have to wonder whether Microsoft is moving towards becoming a third party.

While this sounds really cool for gamers, it also sounds really... stupid(?) for microsoft. If they did this they'd be removing a LOT of incentive to buy their console at all. And why use xbox live on a windows pc when I can just use Steam? I don't know it kind of seems like they're grasping at straws. I feel like they'd be better off just trying to come up with more system sellers, but who knows, maybe this is a good idea?

Well, I am picking up an Xbox One X tonight so i guess whatever he is doing is going to plan. Cheers everyone!

Oh my gosh, heck yes! That would be amazing! I really want to play Gears of War 4, but I don't want to buy an Xbox One. If they can get it running on the switch I would probably cry tears of joy. And with the great scalability of unreal engine 4, it could happen!

Microsoft have no exclusives right now... only a nice new box.

Good luck, but honestly, a good PC is always better than a wanna-be HTPC plastic box.

I think the best approach would be keeping the big 3 (Halo, Gears of War, Forza) exclusive to Xbox/PC but putting some of the other stuff on Switch (e.g. Rare games, Ori, Cuphead). Also have nothing come to PS4 to make Sony suffer.

This is what I take it as. Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, pretty much every AAA game company has been using mobile devices as a way to put out their IP to gain interest in their products. I think Microsoft wants to use that idea but open it up, putting games on other devices that aren’t their own to gain interest in their products. No Halo 6 or Forza 7 likely won’t be on your Nintendo Switch. But what I do see is a Forza, Halo, or even a Rare game “spin off” put onto the Switch or PS4. Maybe a small arcade-sim version of Forza 7 with limited features but still has the taste of Forza. That’ll get people to want to be interested in Microsoft’s product and maybe want to buy a PC or Xbox One X as a new console rather than one from Sony.

Good! We'll take Cuphead please!

@AlexOlney Kameo please!

Killer Instinct 1 & 2 Arcade on Switch please

Doing a software arrangement for Nintendo could be quite beneficial. Especially in the Japanese market where the Xbox has pretty much no market penetration. I’d love to have that rare nostalgia collection on the switch

That doesn't mean that they will publish games for Switch but you can get an Xbox One S (cheapest) or X (most powerful) and enjoy the whole library.

@AlexOlney
Delicious thinking!
My mind just conjured up Monster Truck Madness on 3DS for some reason.

@Yorumi He is not saying to publish games on Nintendo or Sony's consoles but to reach more gamers. Besides, Spencer has recently confirmed that he believes in the console business. Not until 2020 at the earliest will the next consoles come out, according to Digital Foundry. Probably PS5 first and Xbox Two second and who knows what Nintendo is planning.

@Jacadamia What incentive is there to buy their system right now? XB1's unique lineup isn't even comparable to Wii-U. The only reason they're not sinking as hard as Nintendo was, is that they have 3rd party support, but the majority of that is also on PS4 with a larger player base. It's no contest for people who still haven't jumped into this gen unless they're hardcore for those handful of franchises or have inexplicable brand loyalty.

I can't see this leading to Rare games on Switch to be honest, although I'd obviously love that. It seems to me more realistic that it'd be done with new IPs that focus a lot on online multiplayer or community sharing. Launching a game like that with Cross Play for all systems would be hugely lucrative. And they're absolutely correct that the benefits to having so many users would massively outweigh the hardware selling benefits of staying exclusive. That worked with 360 when all your friends had one and you wanted to play with them, it could never work now when nobody wants an X1.

My main point is, don't expect Rare Replay or Master Chief Collection on Switch. I'm imagining this to be about some entirely new things. (if it materializes at all)

The only thing I can think of is sunset overdrive and anything else I could have wanted was killed off by Microsoft. Scalebound and Obsidian's Stormlands will be missed.

It also sounds like they'll stop making consoles at some point if things don't pick up...

So right now they have the most powerful console on the market, with a reasonable price tag. I actually want one and it would be my first Xbox console, but they would need more fun unique experiences for me to pull the trigger. Right now, I’ve got more than enough to play on PS4 and switch. It really is the best time to be a gamer. I hope they do find success in the One X though.

People tend to think that Xbox One is not successful but that's true only in Japan. Overall, it has sold half as much as PS4 and that's a lot. In spite of a messy launch, Xbox One found success since the S model was released, but sales went down now because of the Xbox One X launch approaching. Xbox as a brand is healthy, software and Gold sales are high. Hopefully X sells well enough, otherwise Sony would get even more arrogant.

To me it sounds like Microsoft wants to launch a service such as XBox Live on all consoles meaning you'd be able to buy games either from eshop or Xbox live on your Switch for example. They would get some revenue from games purchased, could have exclusives on that service, connectivity with other devices (?), etc.
I don't think its what they mean tho.

I don't think a lot of people within Microsoft are happy with the XBOX brand. They'd like to see it scrapped. This could be the beginning of them getting out of the hardware market. The XB1X may be the last roll of the dice.

@NintendoFan4Lyf That is already happening with the Play Anywhere games. You can buy a PC more powerful than an Xbox One X but it will be more expensive and it won't be as optimised. It is possible to play those games on a Surface tablet, laptop or computer, but a dedicated console will always be preferred by many people.

I'd love to see them handle the networks for the other companies. Xbox Live is miles ahead of PSN and the Nintendo joke service isn't even in the same galaxy.

More games, more fun. Maybe they could remove exclusive deals from some 360 titles to port, like Lost Odyssey or Infinite Undiscovery? X^)

X mas Vs Switch mas.

I could see this leading to the billionth port of Halo 1, at least.

Would be cool to have that on an actual portable device and not a windows phone.

Halo mcc and rare replay would be awesome on switch!!!!!

Give me a Nintendo developed Banjo Kazooie for my Switch and I'll buy an Xbox One as a Thank You, even if it rots in a corner in my home.

Rare Replay, Killer Instinct, Forza!!!!, Halo Wars, and Gears please!

I would buy them all! I loved my Xbox 360 but this generation it made more sense to go with the PS4 as my second system....I kind of miss the days spent on my 360.

Rare Replay makes the most sense. It's already been out on the One for over 2 years, why not port it to the Switch and make some more money. No one is going to go out and buy the system for that game and it's no longer a selling point for the system. I would imagine it would sell at least on par with Arms.

How about the Rare classics Microsoft? That would be a good start
It really seems like Microsoft is trying to be a 3rd party hardware company, if that phrase makes any sense. But hey, if that's the business model they want, more power to them.

@Yorumi That's what I feel as well. The fact that they started branding their Windoes PC content as "Xbox" should be the writing on the wall.

I wouldn't be surprised if, after the Xbox One X, Microsoft's gaming division started working exclusively on PC titles (and/or supporting other consoles). I don't think there will be an Xbox Two.

Viva piñata switch!

The Rare games are the only Microsoft exclusives I’m remotely interested in. Bring back Banjo, please.

CUP FREAKIN’ HEAD

@dkxcalibur It was pretty much the reason I bought my XB1S, though I did want the Halo and Gears collections too.

@Alber-san be hilarious if Nintendo's online service is revealed to be Xbox Live: Nintendo edition.

There's no real advantage to owning an Xbox at this stage, at least if you have a halfway capable gaming PC these days. Crossplay on paper sounds like a good idea, but it also really eliminates the need to purchase an Xbox since all of MS's first party exclusives come to W10 too.

The One X sounds like a good mid-generation upgrade compared to the PS4 Pro, but what good does all that extra horsepower do you when third parties are primarily carrying your system library right now? They canceled Scalebound earlier this year and while Cuphead has been a critical indie darling, it, Super Lucky's Tale, and Forza 7 are a pretty weak holiday line-up. Crackdown 3 and Sea of Thieves are Spring 2018 at the soonest now. Even throwing out the fact all those games can also be had on PC, Sony's own studios have been cranking out some great exclusives for PS4 this year and already has a few great games lined-up for the first part of next year. All that horsepower of the X is great, but when those third party games can be had on PS4 as well, even if they'd look better on the One X compared to the Pro, PS4 still has the better overall library and first party output to complement it's third party support.

Switch imo continues to be what the Wii U was. A great complementary system to any PS4, XBO, or PC user. You've got your power systems for online home gaming with Nintendo as a change of pace system for it's exclusives, emphasis on local multi-player, and the ability to take it on the go.

Master Chief in Smash 5?

@ParasolStars I prefer Xbox exclusive games to PS4's equivalents. What you say about PC is true but only for Play Anywhere games and not everybody wants to game on PC, for whatever reasons (price, hassle...).

One great thing about Xbox One X is that it runs games better (and quieter) than any other system and there are those exclusive games plus Xbox 360 and Xbox.

I think that they are going to release Conker Live & Reloaded anytime soon. They should have delayed Forza 7 to be "a launch game" but most new games are being upgraded for Xbox One X anyway. Crackdown 3 clearly needed more development time. Assassin's Creed Origins (best AC game in years) has the X patch available already. I can't wait to see Monster Hunter World and Sea of Thieves. The last Monster Hunter games I played were the 3DS ones so the upgrade is going to be monumental (I skipped the Wii U semi-sequel).

Sure why not? MS is always welcome to cooperate.
Sony on the other hand are not welcome after blocking crossplay for ridiculous pseudo-reasons.

Oh, yeah, totally forgot: Rare Replay! Well that would be really awesome and could be a bestseller on Nintendo devices.

@Damo "Microsoft's platform agonistic approach"

Did you mean "agnostic"?

@dkxcalibur I know how you feel. I was a massive gears fan, but I didn't want to buy an XBone because there wasn't any other games that I wanted on it.

@Alikan
Lol. That would explain why its taken them so long to release it.

BANJO CONFIRMED FOR SWITCH SMASH 4 DELUXE!!!!!!

do we really need 3 $300+ systems in 2018 and beyond?
Halo 6 loot boxes would make more money on ps4 than xbox1xyz

If Banjo Kazooie, Conkor, or any other of the rare games get revivals, the making them for the switch makes sense. Nintendo fans want those games more than Xbox fans

VIVA PINATA 3!!!

I would love to play Cuphead!

Give me Forza and some old-school Rare games and I’ll be pleased!

@NoxAeturnus yeah exactly, I have no reason at all to want to buy an xbox now, I'm just saying this approach doesn't seem like it will help them at all with this problem.

@AlexOlney I want Banjoo on Switch. Make it HD please.

MS spend too much time worrying about connecting to other services instead of making games. Stop with this crap Phil please.

HA! Calm down everyone. There is no way in Hell that the original Halo trilogy would come to Switch with Xbox1 cross-play. As if Microsoft want Nintendo fan boys schooling Xbots. They are well too scared to do it.

@AlexOlney I like the way you think.

I would like halo: spartan strike and halo: assault on switch. Those are pretty awesome two stick shooters that fit Switch perfectly.

@NintendoFan4Lyf Not so sure about digital-only, even though I get most of my games digitally. Xbox One X has UHD Blu-ray and it's backwards compatible with Xbox One and partially with Xbox 360 and Xbox. The 360 and Xbox games are downloaded but you can use discs to get the download for free. If the future has UHD Blu-ray in store, I think that Microsoft will support it. Personally, I love consoles but I can see the appeal of Surface tablets, desktops or PCs as an alternative. The future of video game distribution depends on UHD Blu-ray success as media distribution.

I would certainly check out those games if they ever arrived on Switch and didn’t end up garbage ports.

The moment Forza and maybe Hall release in the Switch and PS4 then Xbox is dead. Their only USP will be gone.

If they bring a new Killer instinct to the switch, i would love Microsoft again.
killer instinct was the best fighting game ever!

If Halo, Gears, and Forza come to PS4 (or even the Switch), there is no point of owning an Xbox.

In other words, it won't happen.

They can start with Cuphead on the Switch.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE

I’m wondering the exact same thing. I love my Xbox One S, but I got it on sale mostly as a streaming 4K device and 4K blue ray player. I do love Forza and Gears, and it’s backward compatibility is great as I have a big library of 360 games. But they do seem to be headed to the exits and these comments support that view.

I’d love to see a combined Nintendo/Xbox Venture. I think the best of both worlds would be tough to beat.

@Jacadamia Agreed, this will not help them sell more Xbox hardware, but I'm not sure that's their primary goal anymore. I think MS recognizes the direction the industry is moving towards that they helped pave the way for: games as a service. Think Netflix, but games. That's the direction we're heading. Sony has been toying with it. Even Nintendo flirted with the idea when they first announced their VC would be game of the month style (they've since backpedaled on that). I think MS is trying to push the industry to untether software from hardware and open the gates for other hardware manufacturers that can run XBox Live cloud services, similar to how Windows runs on PCs made by Dell, HP, Acer, etc. With many developers and game engines showing far more scalability than in the past, it's not crazy to think that there could be a market for Roku-like gaming devices, of varying degrees of power, that allow access to cloud gaming services. Sony is already experimenting with it with PS4 Pro and to a certain extent PSVR, and as NintendoLife has pointed out on many occasions, the Switch has large potential for spinoff consoles. Yes, those are still largely walled gardens for now, but I don't think they will be forever with the rise of digital marketplaces, and MS seems to be moving in that direction--they don't really have the franchises right now to back that up, but game software has always been worth more than hardware. We've enjoyed a very clean cut market with clearly defined generational lines and power levels, but I think things are going to get a whole lot messier in the future.

@AlexOlney
First comment? Check.
Hilarious expression in the user profile pic? Check.
Nintendo Life staffer? Check.
On point comment summing up what we're all thinking?
You have won the thread, so hello there, lovely homonym!

Microsoft branded Switch - you`ve heard that here first

I can see it. I've said many times it's a logical move for Microsoft - especially since there's not too much overlap with Nintendo in the market (Japan is the starkest example).

Even more logical is the idea the Microsoft licenses out 'XBox' manufacture as they do with Windows. Why not a Samsung XBox and an Asus XBox? If they all play the same games and Microsoft can collect royalties on the games it's then just a marginal business like PC manufacture.

It's a business Microsoft would immediately understand as a company.

Xbox One or X are a Big Joke for me.
There are NOTHING i like from X1.

Games ? I would rather get the PS4 version. Don't care at all with xbox exclusives. Beside, Blue box of PS4 looks much better than Green box of Xbox 1.

Power ? Ahahahaha..... Ridiculuous Wasting Watt Usage !

Charming , Cuteness ? NOTHING at all !!

Backward Compatible ? Pfffft... Gwahahaha.... Still Partial Backward Compatible ?! Oh, please....

Even Indonesian peoples almost NEVER talk about xbox 1. If so, they always say xbox or xbox 360 or xbox 1 as just "xbox" , they can't differ the differences. That's the Ridiculous Reality that i found in my country. NOBODY want to sell any xbox 1 products in my country. If there is, just Only can be purchased via Online because the shop Never display them on public.

My Halo 5 installation probably exceeded 100GB some time ago ... so no, even accounting for lower res assets and some optimization, I don't feel like it would be a great fit for the Switch. That is of course, assuming it could run on the system and Microsoft were looking to port it (or titles like it).

Forza Horizon, again if technically feasible, would be a neat fit on the Switch though, as it's basically the most compelling Microsoft exclusive these days anyways. Problem is that it looses some of it's luster without a proper wheel, pedals and a shifter (less than Forza but still) ... so it would probably be too compromised for me personally to bother, but for a great many other folks, who don't have access to the game otherwise, it would still be rather awesome.

Nintendo and Microsoft seem to be pretty good buddies with each other as of late. I welcome any game Microsoft can bring to the table (as long as it's good, of course!)

I'd be down for Rare Replay, Ori and Cuphead.

@retro_player_22 most of those would work but not fable or lost odyssey seen as they shut down lions gate and lost odyssey is made by square enix

Unsure to be honest. Figure if they do this they are likely going to port to switch over ps4. However figure their best bet would be rare ips over their mascot

2012: "Nintendo needs to go third party!"
2013: "Nintendo needs to go third party!"
2014: "Nintendo needs to go third party!"
2015: "Nintendo needs to go third party!"
2016: "Nintendo needs to go third party!"
2017: (Microsoft) "Yeah, soo.....we're prolly gonna go third party now....."

So... Perhaps we'll see some Microsoft games on the switch before we see EA games, wouldn't THAT be something?!🤣

@Yorumi Bingo. Microsoft isn't seeing the results they want with Xbone, and the writing is on the wall for dedicated home consoles. That's what happened with Nintendo after the Wii U- they took the hint and went the portable route, which was the right choice. Xbox games are already being integrated into PC. Funny how there have been people predicting the end of the stationary PC/PC gaming market since the '90's, and they just keep growing instead.

Microsoft doesn't really have a lot of IPs that anyone would really want. Especially not Nintendo fans, they'd probably just get old Rare games and pretty much nothing else.

Microsoft is realizing their hardware is failing. Because even their big bad Xbone X is just a 4K Xbox 360 with no other new features.

Classic Rare games would be nice, and honestly I would not mind replaying the old Halo titles again on a portable. lol But beyond that what else does Microsoft even have? Forza? Whatever.

@subpopz Console gaming isn't going away. It's simply that Microsoft backed itself into a corner by releasing a product that does nothing different than their rival and yet the rival product also has VR and greater global support. Microsoft consoles aren't a thing in Japan, rarely hitting even selling 100 in a week.

Unless it's Conker on Switch I don't care 😜

This is pretty hilarious, considering Xbox and Sony fans alike all jumped on the "NintenDoomed" bandwagon. Now we have Microsoft as the one wanting to move laterally.

Meh. I just want Microsoft to wither and die. They are a stain on the industry.

I'll see their Halo and raise them Metroid.

I'm not holding my breath

@BlueOcean
"One great thing about Xbox One X is that it runs games better (and quieter) than any other system and there are those exclusive games plus Xbox 360 and Xbox."

Not really correct.
1. XBOX 1 / X consumes so many Watt usage, almost 300 Watts. Not a good Eco-Friendly unlike Nintendo machines.
2. Xbox and Xbox 360 Backward compatibles are just only PARTIAL Backward. Useless in my opinion, unlike Wii U with ALL Wii Backward compatible or Wii with ALL Gamecube Backward compatible.
3. The price of Xbox 1 / X are Ridiculous Expensive. I would rather buy Switch with its Pirtability and versatility.

Overall, I don't care at all with xbox 1. Pure ridiculous jokes in my opinion.

@Yorumi Reminds me of SEGA.

@DefenderOfFire Lost Odyssey is made by Mistwalker, not Square Enix and Microsoft own both Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. Also they can simply just reboot Fable, who cares what happen to Lionsgate, the franchise could start a new beginning without them.

maybe Halo remastered, while keeping the latest on xbox

@CorvoRevo that new box is the best place to play multiplatform games, which is 99% of gaming libraries.

There's really no games on Xbox that I can't just buy on my PC so I don't see any reason to buy an Xbox at all. I have an Xbox controller for my PC so you can't use the it has the best controller reason and I have a Blu-Ray DVD player already hooked up to my TV.

@subpopz there's really no incentive, unless you're an xbox fan exclusively, that's microsoft's problem and by the looks of it they don't really want to fix it.

Rare Replay, Halo Master Chief Collection, Killer Instinct, Cup Head, Blue Dragon, and Crimson Sky's for Nintendo Switch. Please Microsoft make it happen 😊

@EternalDragonX naaaaah, my gaming pc is still much better.

halo 6 on switch confirmed

@AlexOlney Oh lord, I hope you're right Alex!

@The_Pixel_King those types of games would be perfect for the Switch. What’s interesting about the timing of this is that I’ve been wondering for a while now what up with Microsoft. Everything seems so quite with them in recent times. I know they have the upgraded Xbox coming out, but they don’t seem to be grabbing headlines like they used to. What also interesting is that I only own an Xbox One! 😄

This sounds like Microsoft is planning to pull out of the console business.... I mean, it wouldn’t be much of a difference for me since I don’t care for much of Microsoft’s first party offerings, but less competition is never good.

@The_Pixel_King Very farfetched but it would be lovely if they could relinquish their hold on the rights of Scalebound, so the developer could finish the game for Switch.

@subpopz A PS4, Xbone, and Switch - and their older counterparts - are self contained devices. You just buy it, and a game, plug it into your TV and you are good to go. For a PC you need a key board and mouse, a monitor, a modern and or router of some sort... Then you need to do a lot more set up and preparation and installation. The ease of use of consoles still has some real appeal. And even considering the high cost of the Xbox and PS4 a top of the line gaming PC is still far more money.

That said, my PS4 is a blue ray player at this point and I play games on Switch and PC.

@AlexOlney You also know what this also potentially means? GoldenEye. Multiplayer. Switch. There's a dream worth realizing!

Rare Replay would sell a lot on the Switch, that would be some easy money for MS.

Anyway, i'm glad Microsoft is taking preparations to get out of the console business without losing their face. They had a very negative influence on the video game industry.

I think a lot of us have seen this coming. Minecraft being the obvious example, but their desire to allow crossplay with PCs, the Switch (both happening), and the PS4 (Sony isn't letting this happen), coupled with the move that all their new exclusive Xbone titles all also being available on PC makes it quite clear that Microsoft is done focusing on growing their own market while trying to deter that market from the competition, and instead are interested in sharing. Nintendo seems to be ok with it overall, in fact based on all that and Microsoft's own desire to get Banjo & Kazooie in Smash Wii U when the Smash Ballots were going around (mark my words they'll be a playable character in Smash Switch). I think that Sony will be a tougher team to get on board, because Microsoft will almost definitely dictate that should they release more game on other systems beyond their own that those games must also be able to crossplay with their system. And if Sony continues to be stubborn, then Microsoft likely wont bring more games to the PS4 beyond Minecraft.

Wow, that's pretty gutsy and could easily backfire. However, since video games are only a secondary business to Microsoft, they can afford to take that kind of risk, while Nintendo could never attempt it unless they gave up the console business altogether like Sega did. Even Sony would find it risky to try such a strategy, since while they do have other business areas in the electronics market, their video game market is still more important to them than it is for Microsoft.

@Yorumi Well, Microsoft's systems have always sold poorly in Asia, and now that Nintendo has once again recaptured a significant portion of the console market, Microsoft very well could be heading in that direction. The dedicated video game market was always a secondary market compared to their PC business, anyway.

@Anti-Matter 300W? LOL That's a lie. Xbox One X consumes between 50W and 175W Check this:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2017-microsoft-xbox-one-x-review

Yes, not all 360 games are backwards compatible but they run better on Xbox One X and you don't have to buy them again like on Nintendo or Sony platforms.

It is quieter and more powerful than any other console.

Yes, X costs $€499 but that's a good price for what you get. Switch costs $€399 with the pro controller (a must-buy accessory for most gamers).

I get your hate but don't lie.