Summary
The first wave of the widely rumoredXboxmulti-platform lineup will compriseHi-Fi RushandPentiment, a credible insider has said. The expansion of these titles beyond theXboxecosystem is expected to be officially confirmed at Microsoft’s “business update” event scheduled for February 15.
The first indications that some Xbox games are going multi-platform have emerged online over the first weekend of February, stirring quite a lot of controversy among the owners of Microsoft’s consoles. The most vocal section of that demographic argued that such a move would significantly undermine the value of owning an Xbox console. The list of games alleged to be going multi-platform by a variety of sources grew so quickly that it even raised questions about the very future of Xbox hardware, which hasreportedly prompted Microsoft to assure employees it won’t pull a Sega.
Microsoft today revealed that the previously promised event meant to clarify the ongoing drama will be aspecial episode of theOfficial Xbox Podcast, which is to take place on Thursday, February 15, at 3pm ET. In the hours following that announcement, The Verge’s Tom WarrenreportedthatHi-Fi RushandPentimentwill be the first two Xbox games to appear on non-Microsoft consoles, citing sources familiar with the matter. The insider stated thatSea of Thieveshas also been greenlit for a multi-platform release, which is to happen later in 2024 and after the aforementioned duo reaches both the PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
Rumored Xbox Multi-Platform Games List
Xbox Multi-Platform Push May Not Include Last-Gen PS4
It is currently unclear whetherSea of Thievesis also planned to reach the Switch, or if its wider release plans are limited to the PS5. As for Sony’s last-generation console, Microsoft’s multi-platform push seems likely to skip it, partially or entirely. Although all three of the aforementioned titles could ostensibly be made to run on the PS4, even Microsoft’s last-gen console missed out onHi-Fi Rush, so a scenario in which the PS4 doesn’t would likely cause an outcry among Xbox fans.
Even More Xbox Games May Go Multi-Platform
The newly leaked lineup is consistent with Warren’s past claims about the shift in Microsoft’s gaming platform strategy. While even some well-known insiders have recently startedwalking back their Xbox multi-platform claims, Warren has maintained thatHi-Fi Rushand a few other titles from Microsoft’s first-party studios would reach its rivals' consoles throughout the February drama. The insider’s latest report reiterated that even more Xbox console exclusives are currently under consideration for a multi-platform release.
The motivation behind Microsoft’s widely reported foray into multi-platform game publishing is said to center on an attempt to improve its margins in the sector. Regardless of whether that strategy pans out,not everyone is convinced that Xbox games going multi-platform would be a big dealfor the industry as a whole.
Hi-Fi Rush
WHERE TO PLAY
Feel the beat as wannabe rockstar Chai and his ragtag team of allies rebel against an evil robotics enhancement megacorp with raucous rhythm combat! From Tango Gameworks, the studio that brought you The Evil Within® and Ghostwire®: Tokyo (no, really) comes Hi-Fi RUSH, an all-new action game where the characters, world and combat stylishly sync to the music!CHAI VERSUS THE WORLD: Labeled ‘defective’ after a shady corporate experiment mistakenly fuses a music player to his heart, Chai must now fight for his freedom in a slick animated world where everything – platforming puzzles, enemy attacks and even the colorful gags & banter - are synced to the beat.OPEN UP THE MOSH PIT!: Take on armies of corporate drones (read: actual robots) in satisfying, rhythm-amplified combat. Time your moves to pull off flashy Beat Hits, hard-hitting special abilities and even combination attacks with your allies! Want to show off? Go further and tap into the beat to amp up your skills and earn those covetous S-rank scores.ROWDY REBELS VS. BADASS BOSSES: Lead a squad of colorful teammates and take the fight to the heart of an, er, heartless corporation. Square off with each department’s boss, from Production to Marketing to Finance, each more ready to protect the company’s bottom line than the last in over-the-top battle sequences accompanied by their own music tracks!GRAB YOUR HEADPHONES: Tap your toes to a killer mixtape of original music, as well as songs by Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, The Joy Formidable and more! Want to show off your skills to a live streaming audience? Fret not: Hi-Fi RUSH includes a streamer-friendly alternate audio mode which replaces those licensed songs with original tracks made especially for streaming Hi-Fi RUSH.
