We only just heard (unconfirmed) claims that last year’s big Xbox exclusive, Starfield, might be on its way to PS5 consoles soon after the launch of its first major expansion, but now The Verge has added onto the multiplatform rumour pile to say that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – MachineGames’ fantastic-looking new adventure based on the iconic franchise – could also find a home on PlayStation some time after its initial Xbox and PC launch.
The Verge says that its sources tell it a new multiplatform approach for certain Xbox games is emerging inside Microsoft, and that Indiana Jones looks to be one of the games in major consideration. It’s currently targeting a December 2024 launch, according to the outlet, which will be followed by a “rather short” period of exclusivity on Xbox and PC before an eventual PS5 release.
Microsoft weighs launching Indiana Jones on the PS5 https://t.co/oidaoNf6DF
— The Verge (@verge) February 4, 2024
XboxEra earlier reported that Microsoft is planning to launch Starfield on its rival platform once the upcoming Shattered Space expansion DLC has launched later in the year. The outlet also claims that Microsoft is making additional investment into PS5 development kits and that Starfield is potentially joining both HiFi Rush (which it says is due to launch in the next couple of months) and Sea of Thieves, as part of a major pivot in strategy to recoup money “left on the table” for these titles.
EXCLUSIVE | Microsoft plans Starfield release for PlayStation 5.
A change in strategy is upon us.
Read all about it here:https://t.co/kfG5UTpGnk#Xbox #Starfield #Bethesda #PlayStation5
— XboxEra (@xboxera) February 4, 2024
Naturally, these claims are unconfirmed and should be taken as rumour and nothing more until that changes, but it’s interesting to speculate that Microsoft’s stance on multiplatform releases would change so rapidly and after previously promising exclusivity for games like Starfield. That rumours like these carry so much weight also shows that Xbox fans are ready for the company to be more forthcoming about its first-party plans and the direction of its business – no less after it just shed nearly 10% of the Xbox workforce post-Activision Blizzard acquisition.
One multiplatform launch that seems a touch more realistic at this stage is HiFi Rush, after dataminers discovered actual assets in-game that point to platform-exclusive outfits clearly designed for PlayStation and Switch. One, a blue design, reads “I’m Here Baby” with main character Chai pulling a distinctly Cloud Strife-esque pose. The other, a red design, reads “Rock Out! Anywhere” which can be taken as the idea of playing Hi-Fi Rush on the go with the Nintendo Switch. Could we see a reveal at an upcoming Nintendo Direct? Time (and not “insider leaks”) will only tell.
