In the world of gaming, the highly anticipated Helldivers 2 is gaining momentum, attracting a quarter million players on Steam and many more on PlayStation. However, there seems to be a lingering question posed by Xbox's Phil Spencer: why hasn't Helldivers 2 made its way to Xbox?
Microsoft has recently shown a commitment to bringing their 'community driven' games to platforms like PS5 and Xbox soon. Reports suggest that games such as Sea of Thieves and Grounded will be part of this effort. In an interview for Stephen Totilo's Game File newsletter, Spencer openly wondered about the absence of Helldivers 2 on Xbox, despite acknowledging its greatness.
Spencer remarked, 'When I look at a game like Helldivers 2, and it's a great game, kudos to the team shipping on PC and PlayStation, I'm not exactly sure who it helps in the industry by not being on Xbox. If you try to twist yourself to say, like, somehow that benefited somebody somewhere… but I get it. There's a legacy in console gaming that we're going to benefit by shipping games and not putting them on other places. We do the same thing.'
While some multiplayer games have made their way across both consoles, the situation remains mixed. Microsoft's decision to bring Sea of Thieves and Grounded to PlayStation indicates a willingness to bridge the gap. However, titles like Halo Infinite's multiplayer have yet to follow suit. It's important to note that this could change in the future, as the first four games Microsoft is bringing to other platforms are likely just the beginning. As Spencer mentioned, both companies engage in this practice to some extent.
Sony, too, demonstrates a varied approach to multiplayer games. When Sony acquired Bungie, it was agreed that Destiny 2 would remain available on multiple platforms, and future Bungie games would also be multiplatform. This explains why the upcoming shooter Marathon will see a release on Xbox. However, Helldivers 2 remains exclusive to PC and PlayStation. Sony has publicly committed to bringing their new 'live' games to PlayStation and PC, but not to their rival, Xbox. The situation becomes further complicated when considering Bungie games.
As the industry shifts towards live games, it is expected that instances of sharing games between consoles will become more frequent. There are two key advantages to this arrangement. First, the wider player population benefits the game itself, increasing its popularity and longevity. Second, the ability to generate revenue through microtransactions and battle passes from players on rival systems presents a significant opportunity. This is the current dynamic for third-party live games with multiplatform releases. While both Sony and Microsoft have only a few titles in this category, it seems Sony can claim a 'win' with Helldivers 2, offering a prominent game that Microsoft does not have. This contributes to crafting a favorable narrative for Sony. However, one has to question whether this exclusivity truly benefits the game itself. It's a challenging case to make.
It remains to be seen how Xbox's new game-sharing approach will work out for them. As both Sony and Microsoft delve deeper into the realm of live games, it is likely that more instances of cross-platform availability will arise. The gaming industry is evolving, and players eagerly anticipate the future developments and the potential for a more interconnected gaming experience.
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