'I Know It's Not What Everybody Else Is Doing' — Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Will Keep on Putting PlayStation and Nintendo Logos in Microsoft Showcases

Microsoft's recent game showcases have notably included PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox, PC, and Game Pass, marking a significant shift in their multiplatform strategy. This contrasts with their June 2024 showcase, where PS5 announcements were handled separately, and titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, and Assassin's Creed Shadows omitted PS5 from their initial reveals.

In contrast, Sony and Nintendo's showcases maintain a focus on their own platforms. Recent State of Play events, for example, highlighted Monster Hunter Wilds, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword with PlayStation branding only, despite their availability on other platforms. This underscores Sony's consistent emphasis on its own console ecosystem.

Xbox head Phil Spencer clarified this change in strategy, stating that the goal is transparency about game availability. He explained that the June 2024 showcase's inconsistent inclusion of PS5 logos stemmed from logistical challenges. Spencer emphasized a focus on making games accessible across platforms, acknowledging limitations on "closed platforms" while prioritizing game reach.

He stated: "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."

This indicates future Xbox showcases will likely feature PS5 and potentially Nintendo Switch 2 logos alongside Xbox. Games like Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, and the next Call of Duty could see PS5 branding in future Microsoft events. However, it’s unlikely Sony and Nintendo will reciprocate this approach.