Microsoft Focused On Launching Ori Sequel Exclusively On Xbox One And PC

My guess:
Moon Studios first need to see how successful Ori will sell on Switch and Microsoft probably need some years of exclusivity for the XBOX first.

I would love to see Nintendo and Microsoft working together in the (near) future.

I have Xbox One X too with Game Pass Ultimate, so not a big problem for me.

@Xelha This. Claiming exclusivity is typical marketing blabla.

It will come to the Switch, in a year or two.

I can only say I hope we see more Microsoft games, but I doubt it 100%. Phil Spencer is a genuine sort and if he says there are no plans, then I believe him. It would do nothing but weaken their launch of next gen to be frank. Of course there are outcomes of the next gen race that would make it totally desirable to do so, but it's a case of reacting to that. As a flat out prediction, the answer is (and we all know it really) no. Third parties definitely want to be in as many homes as possible. First party need to be selling consoles.

I realise there is so much goodwill between companies right now, but they remain competitors not opposition. I think fans tend to see the latter. Even Sakurai sign posted folk to the Xbox to play Banjo games. It's fine and heart warming to see companies support and encourage each other. It drives everyone forward. But no one is ready to commit console suicide and make their games multi platform. Exclusives sell consoles. How come folk seem to have forgotten this? Weird.

If not Switch, then Super Switch 64 Advance. The partnership precedent is there, so as long as the goodwill remains and the game walks out some of its legs over the years, why not. Especially since portability is always on the list of reasons to port and sell again, and as far as consoles go, Nintendo is back to a borderline monopoly in this regard.

"Our plans with Ori and the Will of the Wisps is to launch exclusively on Xbox One and on the PC first, so we don't shoot ourselves in the foot with initial sales.
When those initial sales on Xbox and PC die down, we'll release it on Switch for added revenue."

That's what it sounds like to me atleast. Gotta take advantage of people double-dipping for portability after all xd

I'd definitely love having it on Switch but we'll have to wait and see I guess. It will take at least a year after the game's original launch on Xbox/PC before we even catch wind of it possibly coming to Nintendo's platform. And I'm fine with that. Let them have their exclusivity first.

Hey Nintendo, maybe you can trade? We can get Ori and its sequel while they get Bayonetta 1 and 2. Not a bad deal right?

Silly question (o;

I think that after Minecraft, Banjo-Kazooie DLC, Ori and the Blind Forest, etc., Microsoft feels that they have given more to Nintendo than what they have received from them. Imagine how wonderfully Bayonetta 2 and 3 would run on Xbox One X! Even Bayonetta 1 is impressive on X. I believe that Xbox One X/Scarlett and Switch is the best combo but Nintendo is too stingy and conservative.

It would be interesting to see if Nintendo allows Xbox Cloud on Switch. That would be good for Microsoft with more subscriptions and for Nintendo because they would have games impossible to run on Switch hardware without streaming... or if they ran on Switch they would be like Wolfenstein II at its worst. LOL

@BarefootBowser Right, my bad. Bayo 2 and maybe 3 then.

@BarefootBowser Bayonetta 1 were originally Xbox 360 exclusive.
Then Sega rushed and ported it to PS3...One of the worst game ports ever.
Bayonetta 1 runs perfect on Wii U, PC, 360 and Switch.

PS3 version were never fixed as it were a mess, as it were not done by Platinum.
If you install it to HDD on PS3, it still stutters all the time.
I still completed it on PS3, but goddamn the framerate.

@BlueOcean You think Xbox didn't get as much out of their games coming to Switch as Nintendo did? Really? Huh. I think Microsoft got something from it money can't buy. They have repaired the damage from the XBox1 launch. It's practically forgotten and any mention of it these days is greeted with a hand on head rather than outrage. And us Switch owners were the real winners

Blind Forest coming to Switch is a brilliant bit of marketing for the new and improved sequel releasing on Xbox and PC. Simple as that.

@GrailUK Nah, the damage from the Xbox One launch wasn't fixed by Nintendo. It was fixed by Phil Spencer, Xbox One S and Xbox One X. Since Xbox One S launched the Xbox One games have been high on the UK best-selling lists, some weeks higher than PS4 (Assassin's Creed) and sometimes higher than PS4 or Switch exclusives (Forza Horizon 3 and 4). Of course, PS4 is the most popular console of the generation and the Switch is living now its sweet years but the huge damage done to the Xbox brand by Don Mattrick was fixed before Switch launched and Nintendo has nothing to do with that. The only change I have noticed regarding Nintendo is that many Nintendo fans like Xbox now.

To be fair i think Nintendo need to give something back to Microsoft now.

This relationship thus far has been somewhat one sided with Nintendo getting stuff from Microsoft and not actually giving anything back.

Id genuinely like to see Mario and Rabbids kingdom battle get ported to the Xbox One. As a thank you for all the extra games their giving us that the PS4 doesn't have, and Banjo on Smash. Yes this would put Mario on other hardware but he's already on phones and the game is a 3rd party game anyway.

None of that would have been possible without Microsoft and one certainly cannot deny the hard work Xbox has put in to re earn gamers trust.

Stuff like this and Sakurai shilling for Xbone in the recent Direct reveal the cunning of this strategy. Microsoft sacrifices a few exclusives that it has finished making money off of anyway to help expand their base by appealing directly to the Nintendo fan community. A new console gen is coming up, so maybe even a fraction of that Nintendo community will opt for a Scarlett over PS5. When they do, they can be sure to purchase the sequel to Ori on their brand new power console.

I'm starting to wonder if Microsoft will reveal a new Banjo game or remaster in the near future to help capitalize on this newfound good will they've established with Nintendo fans. Exclusively for Xbox, obviously.

@BlueOcean i don't always agree with you but your last comment was really on the money here.

Its time Nintendo gave something back to Microsoft.

I've always liked Xbox, the 360 is my second favourite gaming console of all time, next to the Switch.

@Razer

Nintendo don't have to give anything back. Xbox One was a disaster this gen (why have Microsoft never revealed hardware sales?) and they have been trying everything to claw themselves back.

Things like backwards compatability and Gamepass wouldn't have happened if they had Sony levels of success and putting games on Switch is just another attempt to recoup money. Microsoft were desperate. Nintendo always sticks to its guns and even when they have a disaster like Wii U they never forget the importance of their first, second and third party exclusives.

Nintendo owe Microsoft nothing.

@SBandy so because Microsoft made a few mistakes at the beginning of their lifecycle, you are genuinely selfish enough to think me they dont owe Microsoft anything?

Ever wonder why Nintendo fans get so much hate because comments like yours should be more than enough reasons why.

@BlueOcean Oh I agree with everything you said. It wasn't my intention to claim Nintendo saved Microsoft. They have been going in the right direction since Phil Spencer took over. The adaptable pad is just ace. The point I was trying to make was Microsoft have really been reaching out to gamers. Honouring contracts was part of the huge change in tact. Heck, it's even made Banjo relevant again. Like we aren't seeing a new Banjo game on Xbox Next lol. To suggest Nintendo got more out of it than Microsoft is just nonsense Money cannot buy goodwill. Microsoft banked a hefty chunk of it from Switch owners.

@Razer Xbox us already getting stuff back though.

Users for Xbox Live via Minecraft.
As publisher of Ori, Minecraft, and Cuphead they get the Lions share of sales revenue as does any developer. Nintendo takes their minority cut, Xbox gets the rest as publisher. Its believed to be around 70%.
They also get the likely large lump sum for licensing of Banjo in Smash, as Nintendo will have had to pay them for that, and it could even extend to a cut of the DLC Revenue too equivalent to what Banjo is worth as a stand alone download.

Xbox is getting stuff back. They are getting a boatload of cash.

All Nintendo is getting is a little extra cash and a handful of games.

@Knuckles-Fajita More importantly, the Switch players got those handful of games.

@Razer

Grow up. I was just stating why Nintendo wouldn't release their games on Xbox not whether I want them to or not.

But just so you know I absolutley do not want them to and I don't think Microsoft should have either. Exclusives are extremely important for consoles and just look at the situation Microsoft have created because they release a few of their games on Switch. Everytime they release a new game people will ask why it isn't on Switch and will start yapping about it. Microsoft have created unneccessary confusion by using this startegy that was born out of pure desperation due to the poor performance of the Xbox One.

Again, Nintendo owe them nothing.

@GrailUK Yeah that's true.

To imply Xbox isn't getting anything from this is insane though.

They get more Xbox Live users, which they live touting

All developers on a platform get majority revenue split of game sales, so Nintendo isn't even making that much compared to Xbox on the games they port.

And remember Nintendo would have had to pay MICROSOFT for Banjo. Not the other way around.

Putting Nintendo games on Xbox would benefit Nintendo more than Microsoft, not the other way around.

surely Rare Replay is a no brainer at this point? I think if that released on switch I would sell my xbox!

We have to not take Microsoft for granted. It's great to have received what we have so far, many seem to simply expect the support to continue.... I think we may get other ports down the line, but we shouldnt expect.

@quinnyboy58 Precisely why it's a no brainer it's not coming. Man, we get a couple of contractual obligations and Sakurai pleasing Smash fans and folk start drinking the Kool Aid. (I think I used that expression right lol) Don't get me wrong. I would be the happiest Switch owner getting Rare Replay or (as some on the internet might have you believe lol) Halo Collection. I can't see it irrespective of all the talk of Microsoft seeing themselves as a platform rather than a console. I would be happy to be wrong and my jaw would be on the floor with that Direct! But I can't see Gamepass on Nintendo consoles. Subscription services are fine on pcs, phones, tablets. Y'know, open platforms (and even then I kind of object to them trying to form closed platforms within an open one!). But to suggest a sub service on Nintendo's console has the overwhelming hurdle of Nintendo being so prolific and successful at the moment.

Xbox allowing Banjo in Smash, as well as Cuphead/Ori/Lucky’s Tale etc give Microsoft a huge “in” with the Japanese Market. I firmly believe that drives a great deal of their cooperation.

As recently as 2017 I remember reading the XBONX was selling like 200 units in Japan a week. Maybe these games find a few new fans overseas? I think I read Cuphead in Particular did well

Chances are really good we will see this on Switch, I think. Probably not til 2021, though.

@BlueOcean I’m a big advocate for game pass coming to Switch but the more I get to thinking about it is it possible? Some of those games- Gears, Wolfenstein, etc are huge downloads. Wouldn’t there be a lot of work to make them run on Switch? If we do get game pass would it just be a limited version of it? I think without streaming games it may not be a full experience.

@Ralizah Oh yes. X019 is in London this year... and Banjo is finally relevant again... let's just that these two things are NOT a coincidence.

@PiXeLSteF Pretty much this, yeah.

Also Microsoft doesn't know when Nintendo will end the Switch, so maybe the sequel could release for the Switch 2 already.

Phil Spencer's 7-Step-Plan for Dominating the Ninth Gen:

1. Be good to Nintendo fans by porting over beloved exclusives.
2. Make sequels to beloved exclusives MS-exclusives of the same quality.
3. Nintendo Fans buy into Xbox Scarlett and/or snag our copy on Steam.
4. Profit.
5. Nintendo fans are thus introduced to more MS exclusives on Xbox/PC.
6. MORE profit.
7. Repeat until PlayStation is dead.

@GrailUK It's always good reading a good guy. This generation is very atypical. Nintendo had three consoles while Sony and Microsoft released mid-generation consoles. I'm sure that Xbox would have tied with PS this generation if it wasn't for Don Mattrick because that is what happened last generation. The damage done by him is inconceivable and he almost killed the Xbox brand.

Honouring contracts was very nice of Microsoft, Sony asked and was surprised with the answer because Sony wouldn't have done that. Phil Spencer has been friendly and understanding with gamers all this time and I'm sure that this will continue next generation (next year) because it's just the way he understands this business that happens to be also one of his hobbies and well, he's really a friendly guy and that affects everything a guy does.

For Microsoft, gaming business is now on Xbox consoles and Windows so now they are focused on Xbox/Windows games and subscriptions but also they fully support cross-play and respect the competition.

Xbox Cloud will reach devices not running Windows and stream games, that will launch on Android and iOS for sure but I'm curious to see if we'll see it on Switch that depends on Nintendo. This means that every year software sales and subscriptions are more important than hardware sales for Microsoft.

Next generation will be interesting to see...

@quinnyboy58 But therein lies the problem for Microsoft. They still have a box to sell you at the end of the day... and Switch ports, nice as they are, don't make sense from a business standpoint.

@GrailUK Oh well, I'm a Banjo-Kazooie fan since 1998. I didn't say that Microsoft didn't get anything but less, I am aware that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has benefited Banjo and Kazooie and I'm happy about it. I hope that a new game is coming. Heck, we even got a few Bubsy games this generation. :S

@BlueOcean Hahah, I know right? Bubsy? That cat must be on to his 7th life by now lol.

@Mamabear Game Pass is a subscription for downloading and running games but I talked about Xbox Cloud which is a streaming subscription (like Netflix). If Nintendo allowed Xbox Cloud on Switch you could play Forza Horizon 4, Rare Replay, Halo Infinite or Gears 5 on Switch like Japanese play Resident Evil VII and Assassin's Creed Odyssey on Switch.

@GrailUK I imagine a Banjo-Kazooie game (new or remake) with Sea of Thieves' visuals and I start drooling.

@Bensei Nintendo has two logical options: becoming a third-party developer for all platforms and making even more money with Mario and Zelda or making a Switch successor because they are more successful with hybrid/portable consoles.

@MarioFan02 LOL I bought Xbox One for Rare Replay and then started liking more games so you never know. Even Sakurai said it, get an Xbox.

It's possible that the game will get ported over eventually, but I can't see Microsoft giving up the exclusivity for some time.

MS desperately need exclusives so this isn’t too surprising.

Reckon it’ll come to switch eventually though, especially if the first Ori sells well on it...

@BlueOcean That's the main reason I would buy an Xbox One for, Rare Replay. (Along with Sunset Overdrive and for Gears 5). I have restrained myself so far but might give in soon I think

@BANJO I don't regret it and I think you won't. Gears 5 is better than I expected and Sunset Overdrive is old-school and fun like a Dreamcast game. You'd probably like Forza Horizon 3 and 4 as well.

Rare Replay is like a video games museum with games and more. Backwards compatibility is so good on Xbox One. I have the Banjo-Kazooie games on N64 but on Xbox One they play and look much better and you get Nuts & Bolts too. The older Rare Replay games have a rewind feature and I have fun with them too even though I had never played Spectrum games before. Jetpac is surprisingly fun (the Spectrum and the 360 version).

@BlueOcean I think you have sold it to me. I plan to get an Xbox One S this Black Friday. Gears looks great, I also enjoy Forza and Halo, so the opportunity by then to pick the games up relatively cheap will seal it.

I've played Banjo Kazzoie/Tooie on the 360 along with Perfect Dark but the other games such as Jet Force Gemini and Conkers Bad Fur Day and even Blast Corps make Rare Replay a must.....

@BANJO
If you can hold out until November/December? Plenty of crazy deals around this time.

@Vriess Thanks, easily done the Switch backlog is great.... I can wait

Let’s play the first one before rattling sabers shall we? It will likely go to Switch after a year or so.

I can't see Xbox Game Pass on the Switch but Xcloud on Switch CAN happen if Xbox and Nintendo are that determined to beat Stadia. I'm not saying it's 100% of a possibility, but it COULD benefit for BOTH COMPANIES and they'd have a higher chance beating Stadia that way. [And I can see it on Xbox without a doubt, but PS4 and Next-Gen Consoles aren't unlikely either] You Never Really know until it happens. 🤷

@Ryu_Niiyama Shhhh you'll jinx it lol.

We’re not entitled to Microsoft exclusives, so in no way do I expect it.

But I do think it’ll come to Switch, after a year+ so Microsoft has a chance to capitalize first, not to mention Switch owners who may buy it (or even an X1) after being turned on to the first.

@BlueOcean Thanks for clarifying that! That sounds much more feasible for Switch.

I’ll probably end up getting an Xbox around Black Friday since there’s bound to be some great deals and there’s just some games I’m itching to get into. I can’t be too mad about the second Ori being an exclusive - Nintendo has great exclusives.

Well, you know how many exclusives turn out to not be exclusive

For PC is then. I will love to get this eventually on the switch though.

So that's their angle. Microsoft wanted us Nintendo fans to get hooked on the first Ori so they can tempt us away from our Switches to play its sequel.

@Elvie
Yeah because they’re idiots, people wanted to act like this was cool new Microsoft with their “nice” CEO and not about idiotically thinking they can trick Nintendo fans to buying Xbone and Xbonetwo rather than being satisfied making more money as a publisher on Switch than they’d ever make with these Nintendo audience friendly games on Xbox.

@GrailUK
“It's fine and heart warming to see companies support and encourage each other. It drives everyone forward”
2013 says hell no, MS and their industry buddies wanted Sony to collude with them so the industry would have total control over physical copies of games on the next generation of consoles, Sony said no this publicly rather than working together to “push” us “forward” . If MS actually sincerely cared in this case with Banjo they would have brought those games to Switch otherwise they’re snakes.

Ori, Lucky and Banjo are never going to push Xbox sales in any significant way and there is data that says these sorts of games would make MS bucketloads more cash for them on Switch so that needs to be a continued focus.

I imagine Microsoft's partnership with Nintendo has (and will result in) increased brand recognition in Jppan for some of Microsoft's smaller brands such as Cuphead and Ori, while also reinvigorating the dormant Banjo Kazooie brand.

I imagine if Microsoft plays their cards right, they may have the most successful Xbox (with the Scarlet) in Japan since the Xbox 360.

It's not surprising. They don't know how well the first game will do, and as an original exclusive it seems fair to have the sequel on their platforms before shifting.

I am willing to wait, but I'll be heartbroken if the sequel doesn't make it to Switch.

Microsoft has no plans to launch any more first party exclusives to other consoles because it factually hasn't launched any first party exclusives to other consoles at all, how is this so difficult to understand? Also, Ori 2 cannot launch exclusively on 2 different platforms.... That alone nullifies the definition of exclusive.

The media should be smarter than this. You know what? I can't wait to play the Switch Exclusive Ori & the Blind Forest. It's only on the Switch if we ignore facts to push our narrative.

Didnt they say something like no more games on other platforms not too long ago?

I love the art style for Ori. It is gorgeous.

Downloaded Ori as soon as a I got PC Game Pass. Great game and fine playing the 2nd one there also.

@Razer Not Kingdom battle. Diddy Kong Racing remasted on Xbone and switch. That would be the best reality.

@Razer I'm generally agreeing with what you're saying, but lets not sweep what sunk the XB1 under the rug. No used games and horrible DRM.

What's funny is how people this gen have done this to themselves by buying digital.

@Razer you have a very strange perception of this Nintendo & Microsoft relationship. Microsoft is a publisher who likes to make money. They see the switch as a platform that they can sell selective software. That's the relationship plain and simple. Both parties didn't sit at secret meetings arguing witch software can and cannot be released on each others systems. The idea that MS release software in switch so now Nintendo should release software on Xbox is laughable. Going by you're own argument Sony now have to release a game on Xbox as MS are kind enough to release Minecraft on PS4.

Do Apple and Google now owe Nintendo something as Nintendo give both platforms Nintendo software?

The gaming world doesn't work like this. Publishers want to make money plain and simple. MS will be more than happy with the cash they are making.

They will bring it on Switch, after a year or two...

@BANJO Halo games are special indeed. Yep, Rare Replay is a superb collection of games and all of them run nicely. Conker's Bad Fur Day in particular doesn't look like it's a N64 game at all. Perfect Dark at 60 fps is great. I enjoy most of the games, even controversial Grabbed by the Ghoulies, it's quite challenging but now it runs at 60 fps and 1080p and has charming environments, I did 100% on it. There's also a lot of extras on top of the 30 games.

@Mamabear No problem. Switch has great exclusive games indeed and those that are made by Nintendo are usually optimised for the Switch hardware. Xbox is great for multiplatform games and whatever Microsoft exclusives you like and there are a number of ways of getting games on Xbox One, not just subscriptions but you can buy games quite cheap on the digital and physical sales, too.

@Galarian_Lassie I agree with your comment but seeing how Japanese love their mobile devices (phones, tablets, Vita, 3DS, Switch...) Xbox Cloud on mobile devices could be the way that Japanese play Xbox games, perhaps.

@alexybubble Yep since Microsoft and Nintendo share the Diddy Kong Racing content that awesome game should be remade and published for Xbox and Switch.

@Trajan That bad digital policy designed by Don Mattrick was cancelled before Xbox One launched and he was fired. Right now Xbox is the only platform where you can buy digital games, play them on any console and some of them on both console and PC with the same licence and also get free backwards compatibility and free remasters on top of that. Digital is not bad on Xbox.

I played Blind Forest on my Xbox One the week it launched and I'll now buy it again on Switch - I've fancied playing it again for a while now.

I won't buy Will of the Wisps on Xbox One though. I'll just wait for a possible Switch release in the future - it's a game I'm happy to wait to play, especially when the first one is being made available.

The potential ability to play the game anywhere at anytime far outweighs being able to play it a year, 18 months or even 2 years in advance. Especially on a game that you know will still look great on Switch.

I just want a physical of the switch version.
I have also given myself the task of everytime they tweet about Ori I am going to reply asking, them if a physical for switch is being released until they actually say yes or no.

Microsoft has been a firm believer in the "timed exclusive" thing for quite a while, and I suspect this is no different. Short of tentpole franchises like Halo and Gears, they seem more interested in maximizing their software reach more than hardware platform lock.

It's almost like Microsoft is predominantly a software company or something....

@BlueOcean Thank you for the detailed response. I really will have to get a Xbox One now... I basically only play Nintendo systems but got a 360 when the Xbox One came out on the cheap. I think I will do the same again..... Grabbed by the Ghoulies is another game I wish to play, wow 100% you got on it... It looks like a great game, I will watch some You Tube videos on it. There is just so many games on the Xbox One I wish to play to not get one.... Black Friday can't come soon enough...

@BANJO It sounds cool! I'm sure you'll find a good deal and enjoy the games.

@BlueOcean Nintendo won't do that until they're desperate, as they believe in knowing their hardware to make great games. They only reluctantly entered the smartphone market because the Wii U bombed.

If Ori and the blind forest sells enough (of course it will), you can bet the sequel will also come to Switch. Its just a matter of time.