"No plans to bring Game Pass to PS or Nintendo" Phil Spencer on hardware, future of ABK & more

In our exclusive interview with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, we got a glimpse of the future of Xbox, and Microsoft's evolving strategy going forward.

[maniacmayhem]

"But, but wait, MS wants to be a third party publisher and then at the same time MS is a monopoly!!"

Which one will it be this month folks?

[PrinceOfAnger]

Lol they made a party days ago..

[Obscure_Observer]

"Lol they made a party days ago.."

LOL

That was fast! XD

[Eonjay]

MS is already a third party publisher on both PlayStation and Nintendo. The question I think was whether or not they would exit the console industry and whether they would exit the gaming industry. Here Spencer is saying that he thinks putting GamePass on PS5 and Switch would make the people who bought just Xbox feel like they were getting a bad deal. Which is easy to understand.

First there is no reason for them to exit gaming regardless of what they do. Even if they decide that GamePass wasn't lucrative enough, they have enough content to sell an make tons of revenue off of.

Will they exit the console industry. Maybe in the deep future but why would they exit it when the MAJORITY of their GamePass subscribers are on Xbox and that is their main income stream?

To understand what the CFO was saying...all he meant was that they would take advantage of the huge PS and Nintendo player bases and sell games on those platforms JUST like they do on PC. Just by doing that alone opens them up to massive amounts of potential revenue.

[PrinceOfAnger]

@Eonjay
Even sony is already a third party.. isn't MLB on Xbox and they release many games on windows PC?

[DarkZane]

@Eonjay "Here Spencer is saying that he thinks putting GamePass on PS5 and Switch would make the people who bought just Xbox feel like they were getting a bad deal. Which is easy to understand."

But the people who bought Xbox are already getting a bad deal.

[Magic_Spatula]

@PrinceOfAnger
"Even sony is already a third party.. isn't MLB on Xbox and they release many games on windows PC?"

Sony putting out MLB games on other platforms is because of the MLB. They wanted more money and going mulitplatform was their choice. If Sony didn't agree then the MLB wouldn't renew their deal. Also, releasing games on PC just makes sense. More money and people playing their games.

[Jin_Sakai]

Yet the CFO said the opposite. So much confusion within this company.

[crazyCoconuts]

I think the CFO was talking about MS content and services generally. Generally, content is already there with Minecraft and now COD. He was implying that will increase. Not necessarily via GamePass, but potentially through traditional selling via the native storefronts.

[Jin_Sakai]

For the disagrees.

“Xbox CFO Tim Stuart recently told attendees at the 2023 Wells Fargo TMT Summit that he wants to see Xbox Game Pass games on “every screen” possible, including rival consoles like the PS5“

[maniacmayhem]

There's a difference between what someone might want to see, like the CFO stated and then what is actually happening from the CEO, like Phil.

Until Phil Spencer says GP is coming to PS and Switch I would take what any other execs wishes as exactly that, wishes.

[Obscure_Observer]

"Yet the CFO said the opposite. So much confusion within this company."

The only "confusion" lies in the mind of delusional people expecting Xbox to leave the console market and become a third party developer for Playstation and Nintendo!

Phil just made sure and slapped it in their faces!

[Eonjay]

@crazyCoconuts

Exactly. The CFO never said GP was coming to different consoles even if I people like me still believe that just rom a business standpoint that would be the fastest way to build their numbers.

[Hofstaderman]

@Obscure its all unraveling rather spectacularly hey?

[DarkZane]

@Obscure_Observer this actually confirms they are exiting the console business and become a third party because the only thing that comes out of Phil Spencer's mouth is lies and bullshits. It's literally all he can say, he can't help himself.

I surely hope they do exit, Microsoft have always been a cancer to the industry. You say Sony won't have competition if they exit? Sorry, Nintendo fils that role perfectly.

[Lightning77]

I even pointed it out here. https://n4g.com/comments/re...

The CFO said he wanted BZ (Bethesda Zenimax) to "play better" or "first" on Xbox. Suggesting a PS version coming later. That idea obviously got shut down. I even said a few days ago he Doesn't call the shots. Tim Stuart wants to go Multiplat clearly. Phil doesn't, at least not the way Tim Stuart is suggesting anyway.

[Abriael]

The CFO didn't say the oposite. Crap journalists that apparently aren't capable of reporting something properly simply took what he said out of its context and distorted it quite badly.

He never said Microsoft wanted Game Pass on PS or Nintendo. he was making a broader discourse about Activision's games.

[VenomUK]

There IS a contradiction between what the CFO and Phil Spencer have said about Game Pass appearing on different platforms. It’s silly for us as industry enthusiasts to decide who is right.

The CFO didn’t misspeak, he didn’t go rogue, he consciously spoke on a matter that was reflective of conversations he had behind closed doors.

Phil Spencer is likely right too.

So what is going on? I suspect that they are both looking at different time frames, the CFO is looking at when Microsoft exits the hardware business.

[S2Killinit]

As if PlayStation and Nintendo would allow MS to place their own service on their system while they are both able to do their own service.

[gold_drake]

i agree with you

but heres the thing. all of these people say something different. the CFO said something very different not that long ago.

either Phil is a very bad boss in managing his team, or they just dont rly care whats being said.

[Hofstaderman]

Or this is the first signs of a revolt against Phil from the rest of the Board. The CFO is primarily responsible for the oversight of financial strategy in a division or entity. Financial strategy is not left to the CEO by his or her lonesome but deliberated by the entirety of the division board and established in a service delivery plan. The CFO making that statement is very telling and Philly boy is doing damage control which, by the way, is the only thing he has ever done since coming in after Don.

[-Foxtrot]

Honestly this seems like a PR response to the CFO saying that

I mean Phil was asked

“I asked Phil Spencer about Xbox CFO Tim Stuart's recent comments regarding Xbox Game Pass. Stuart, in a presentation with Wells Fargo, said that Microsoft's aim was to bring Xbox Game Pass to any screen that can play games, including Nintendo and PlayStation.

Then Phil also knows Xbox fans, his own fanbase, we’re then speculating

“Many Xbox fans took that to indicate that Microsoft is preparing for an industry where Xbox hardware no longer exists,”

So yeah, seems standard “every just calm down there” PR talk to me

[wiz7191]

@gold_drake MS tried and already failed at trying to get GP on PS and Nintendo .. they both rejected the idea because they have their own subscription services , so no matter what the CFO says it won’t happen.

[derek]

@maniac, tell that to that dopey Microsoft CFO, COO(?) he's the one who said they wanted gamepass on Nintendo/playstation. I guess multiple personalities Phil Spencer has contradicted himself as well, who knows what his position will be next week. Guy never shut up, lol.

[S2Killinit]

MS is still shit. That is what its been and that is what it will be this month, and next month, and the month after that, so on and so forth.

Hope that answers your question.

[TheEroica]

I came here to say exactly that... The flip flopping hypocracy from the Sony Defense Force is deafening.... All those salty downvotes are delicious though.

[Godmars290]

MS is a monopoly. One barely held in check by a largely apathetic, corrupt government.

[Profchaos]

They don't want to obviously and it'd be silly to say we want gamepass on ps5 and switch so don't buy a Xbox. In the modern world we live in is day most gamers have access to a device capable of streaming already and that's their strategy of your a PS or Nintendo gamer play or games via your smart tv phone or PC

Same thing as Nintendo denying all the switch 2 rumours as fake and dismissing koticks under oath statement as false they have a holiday season coming up it would hurt them to say faint buy little Billy a switch a switch 2 will be here soon.

They don't want to exit the hardware business obviously Sega didn't want to exit but unless Xbox brings in more money they may do was a statement he made and now everyone's taken that as it's going to happen

[purple101]

"Banjo fans, we hear you"

Is that a hint banjo kazooie is in development?

[Charlieboy333]

No, they are making a 'Deliverance' game... 😆

[OtterX]

😂😂😂

"We'll bend you over for free, and squealin' like a pig DLC will cost you only $5 extra!" -Microsoft

https://media.tenor.com/_Uo...

[crazyCoconuts]

Not much new here. Of course there's no plans for GamePass to come to these platforms. It would be planning to fail.
I will say that he's not projecting any changes in terms of console support near term.

[Obscure_Observer]

"I will say that he's not projecting any changes in terms of console support near term."

Of course not! Only delusional people were expecting Xbox to leave the console market even knowing that a next gen hybrid Xbox console is already in development as we speak.

They did nothing but set themselves up to major disappointment! XD

[Crows90]

Not major no. Xbox is just an after thought for the majority.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Crows90

"Not major no. Xbox is just an after thought for the majority."

Not for you, because since you got nothing to play on Playstation you have been all over Xbox first party games like there´s no tomorrow.

Now at least you know that port begging is useless. Stick to whatever Playstation has to offer you and happy gaming!

[derek]

@obscure, we don't want that crummy service on the ps store there's already enough shovelware as it is, xbox's first party games will triple that. Lol

[crazyCoconuts]

@oo why do you have to be so confrontational and call people delusional? Why not take the high road?

[Charlieboy333]

@Obscure "you have been all over Xbox first party games" Just like Phil's jizz which is a delicacy for you..

[jwillj2k4]

He already tried to put gp on Sony and Nintendo and got turned down. This is him spinning that narrative he would love for it to be on their consoles.

[Petebloodyonion]

I'll say the same thing I said last time!
I want a date with Scarlett Johansson! Doesn't mean she wants a date with me.
So yeah MS can say they wish Gamepass could be on Playstation and Switch
That doesn't mean that Sony and Nintendo want Game Pass.

[Hofstaderman]

True

[VersusDMC]

That is true. And even if playstation or Nintendo agreed Microsoft doesn't want to pay the 30% cut to be on eshop or psn so it will never happen.

That's the reason xcloud isn't on the app store as apple wants 30% of every purchase made(subscription and microtransactions) and people have to use the web browser workaround. Probably why the web browser is hidden on switch and PS5 now that i think about it...

[Plague-Doctor27]

Interestingly enough, in that big Xbox leak in September there was an email where they discussed trying to use the PS5 web browser to offer their games only to realize it was extremely bare bones

https://gameranx.com/update...

[FGHFGHFGH]

Well they pay 30% to steam to sell games on pc, since no one uses the xbox store or whatever its called.

[blackblades]

Why would they want it when they have there own. Didn't something come out already about MS trying to have it on PS and NiN and they said no. The obvious thing would be having there games on there hardware while GP on every other device.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Technically Sony/Nintendo have a vested interest not allowing Game Pass on their hardware, they have their own subscription services and want to sell their games, as you said, it's wishful thinking on their part. I can't see Sony/Nintendo ever wanting to share the revenue or sacrifice software sales.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Press F doubt when I hear contradictory statements. But when 2027 hits tunes might change idk tho.

[Hofstaderman]

Phil says no, CFO says thats where they going. Phil needs to get his lies straight.

[Wikkid666]

Tim never said anything of the sort.

"It's a bit of a change of strategy. Not announcing anything broadly here, but our mission is to bring our first-party experiences [and] our subscription services to every screen that can play games," Stuart said (via GameSpot). "That means smart TVs, that means mobile devices, that means what we would have thought of as competitors in the past like PlayStation and Nintendo."

He used them as examples of competitors. The deals with all the cloud companies during the ABK trials is what he's really referring too. Like Gforce now.

[purple101]

https://gamerant.com/micros...

They already tried. Sony blocked it.

[ChasterMies]

As a 3rd party publisher, would Microsoft sell a game to Sony to include on PS+ Extra? That would be ok with me.

[Wikkid666]

Sell, no. License, yes. It's actually part of the ABK deal.

[ChasterMies]

You know what I mean. Like any other 3rd party publisher, would Microsoft take lump sum payment form Sony to add a game like Starfield to PS+? Microsoft’s CFO seems to say yes.

[anast]

They have plans, but they can't openly admit to ripping off all of the console buyers.

[-Foxtrot]

Imagine if Xbox fans heard that news and went with it. Microsoft probably doesn’t want people hearing that and having an excuse to go to the competition.

[anast]

True, Did you see Phil's suit? That thing is at least $7000.

[Godmars290]

Isn't that the real we're dealing with this stupid story: either Xbox - or Sony - fans believe MS just has to say something, be rumored to have said something, and its suppose to happen? Multiple instances of face-falling aside.

[Einhander1972]

It's almost impressive how Microsoft can say the opposite thing one day apart and it feels like a lie both times.

But of course we know Phil Spencer is incapable of telling the truth. We all know what Microsoft wants.

They just revealed their plans to try to sue their way onto Google and Apple devices with their own store and we remember how they wanted to shoehorn game pass onto the phones through the browsers.

[Chuckb1125]

Now it will happen for sure!

[jznrpg]

They can keep their budget rental gaming.

[Barlos]

Well, why would they?

[Chocoburger]

That's because Sony and Nintendo won't let them. Obviously.

[shadowT]

“When everybody plays, we all win.” - Phil Spencer

[repsahj]

No thank you. PlayStation and Nintendo are good without them.

[Charlieboy333]

More like "no plans for Sony to allow that shit on their console". They already have PS+ with 4 times more games ( including PS first party bangers ) for cheaper. What the hell would gamepass even offer?

Xbox first party day one? Yeah, day one crap like redfall, starfield and forza. Nice try Phil. You are the loser rejected by the hot chick going around telling your friends "well I wasn't into her anyway guys".

[PassNextquestion]

I'm pretty sure Microsoft already announced they are brining Banjo to the Nintendo store.

[Gravity_DoGG]

ywah bcs they denied your offer lol

[Games1st]

Not happening.

[RAFTECH26]

Lord Spencer!

Can’t wait for the Xbox announcement at the Game awards.

[Kekewei]

I don't think Sony would accept any deal to launch Gamepass on playstation even if MS wanted to... it would do serious damage to their own service business if that happen. Maybe MS will go 3rd party mode , but only launch their first party games on ps store and that's it

[GamingSinceForever]

I’m not so sure GamePass would do well on PS or Switch. Unless they make every acquisition exclusive and the only way to lay those games would be through GamePass.

[Zenzuu]

"We have no plans to bring Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo."

Well good. It wouldn't be good for the gaming industry if they do.

[fan_of_gaming]

I don't want Gamepass on my Series X, and I won't want it on my PS5 or Switch either

[ironmonkey]

Meh not really interested in Google Play games.

[StarcrossedBits]

There's no plans to bring Game Pass to those consoles because Nintendo and Sony both turned MSFT down. MSFT approached them about it already during the early days but nobody was willing to let them put GP on it.

Remember that Spencer said Starfield/Bethesda games would come to any system with Gamepass on it. This was his initial pushback when people got mad that he lied about the Bethesda acquistion taking games away from people. He said 'no no, it will still be everywhere Gamepass is.' This was implicitly saying that they'd bring Starfield to PS5 if Sony would allow Gamepass.

[Knightofelemia]

I don't think Game Pass will ever come to Playstation since Sony has their own service.