At Gamescom, Xbox Chief Executive Officer Phil Spencer revealed the reason why Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be released on PlayStation 5 next spring despite being an Xbox first-party game. Spencer explained that it reflects the changing landscape of the industry and Microsoft’s need for growth.
Earlier this year, Xbox surprised gamers by announcing that four exclusive games would also be available on PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Spencer, on the Xbox Official Podcast, mentioned that this decision was part of a new strategy to reach a wider player base. While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was not initially included in the multiplatform releases, Spencer clarified on the podcast that it was not one of the four games going multiplatform at that time.
Xbox chief Phil Spencer responds to a Q about how Indiana Jones on PS5 connects back to how / when this happens to other Xbox titles:
"We have to anticipate there’s going to be more change in some of the traditional ways that games are built and distributed. That’s going to… pic.twitter.com/Kd9xF9I8VM
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 21, 2024
During an Xbox livestream at Gamescom, Spencer elaborated on the decision to bring Indiana Jones to PS5. He emphasized that following the initial wave of multiplatform releases, such as Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush, it was a strategic move to meet Microsoft’s business objectives.
Spencer stated, “We run a business. It’s essential, within Microsoft, to meet high expectations in terms of delivering results and receiving incredible support to achieve our goals. I see this as a way to strengthen our games across different platforms and continue our growth strategy for console, PC, and cloud gaming. It’s a strategy that aligns with our goals.”
This discussion reflects the industry’s need for growth, particularly in 2024 marked by studio closures and layoffs. Spencer acknowledged the pressure on the industry and anticipated changes in the traditional methods of game development and distribution to drive better gaming experiences for a wider audience.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to launch on PS5 next spring, with an earlier release on Xbox Series X/S and PC on December 9.
