Xbox's Phil Spencer to Continue Featuring PlayStation, Nintendo Logos at Microsoft Events

Microsoft has recently adopted a new approach in its Xbox showcases, explicitly mentioning that its games are coming to rival platforms like the PlayStation 5. This shift in strategy has been evident in recent months as part of the company's broader push towards multiplatform gaming. For instance, during the Xbox Developer Direct, PlayStation 5 was prominently featured alongside Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Game Pass at the end of segments for games like Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

However, this was not the case during Microsoft's June 2024 showcase. At that event, Doom: The Dark Ages was announced for PlayStation 5 only after the Xbox event concluded, with subsequent trailers featuring the PS5 logo. Similarly, BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard was listed for Xbox Series X and S and PC, omitting the PS5 version. The same applied to the Diablo 4 expansion Vessel of Hatred and Ubisoft's Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

In contrast, Sony and Nintendo maintain a different approach. Sony's recent State of Play showcase did not mention Xbox at all, even though it featured multiplatform games. For example, the Monster Hunter Wilds segment concluded with only the release date and PS5 logo, with no mention of PC, Steam, or Xbox. Sega’s Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was shown coming to PS4 and PS5, despite also being available on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch. Similarly, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Onimusha: Way of the Sword followed suit.

Sony continues to focus on reinforcing its consoles as the primary gaming platform, sticking to a strategy that has served its business well for decades. Microsoft, however, has shifted its marketing strategy to reflect its new multiplatform approach.

In an interview with XboxEra, Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer addressed the inclusion of the PlayStation logo in Xbox showcases. When asked about this change, Spencer emphasized transparency and honesty about where games are available:

"I think it’s just being honest and transparent about where the games are showing, and we actually even had this discussion last year for the June showcase, and by the time we kind of made our decision, we couldn’t get all of the assets done and it felt weird to have some of them in and some of them out.

But 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.

And obviously not every screen is equal. Yeah, like there’s certain things we can’t do on the other closed platforms that we can do on open platforms, cloud — it’s different. But games should be the thing that we’re focused on. And the strategy that we have allows us to do big games, while also supporting our native platform from hardware to the platform and services that we have and that’s going to be our approach.

And I know it’s not what everybody else is doing, but I just believe games should be the thing that’s at the forefront. Maybe it’s because of how I’ve grown up in this industry. I came from building games. But I think the games are the things that I see growing in their strength in what we’re doing and it’s because more people can play. So yeah, I’m just trying to be open and transparent with people."

Given this approach, it's likely that future Xbox showcases, such as the anticipated June 2025 event, will feature logos for PS5 and possibly the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside Xbox branding for games like Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, and the upcoming Call of Duty title. However, don't expect Nintendo and Sony to adopt similar practices anytime soon.