Xbox Game Exclusivity Has No Hard Rules, Decided on a 'Case-by-Case' Basis

Xbox exec Matt Booty has attempted to clarify Microsoft’s new position on game exclusivity, following the reveal that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will never come to PlayStation.

Last night’s Xbox Showcase featured the return of games specifically earmarked as exclusives for Xbox consoles (though, of course, they’ll still also be coming to PC). But why just Gears and Clockwork Revolution? And how will this policy be enforced in future? Microsoft’s announcement left numerous questions unanswered.

Now, chief content officer Booty has stepped forward to shed more light on what will — and won’t — be an Xbox exclusive in future. Speaking to Gamertag Radio, Booty said that future decisions would be made on a “case-by-case basis,” though all “big multiplayer games and live-service games” will remain multiplatform — as will anything previously confirmed for PlayStation to date.

“We want a reason for people to get on board with Xbox, we want them to have a reason to buy an Xbox, we want them to have a reason to be an Xbox fan,” Booty said. “At the same time, we want to reward all our players that have been with us for a long time — we know that exclusives are important, and that’s why we’ve got Gears coming in 2026 and Clockwork [Revolution] coming in 2027.”

“We also want to be clear that our big multiplayer games and live-service games are going to continue to be multiplatform,” he continued. “If we’ve promised something to players already, we’re going to honor that promise. And then — I think Asha said it — we’re going to make the right decision and not the fast decision.

“We’re going to keep thinking about this going forward,” Booty continued, “and, I think you guys know already, our principle is when we announce the date, we announce the platforms. So, it’s going to be case-by-case, but we’re going to be clear, that when it’s got a date, it’s got a platform and you’ll know what the choice is going to be.”

Beyond those games already confirmed for PlayStation (such as the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved, and the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 6 due later this year), last night saw Microsoft make the call that other upcoming titles would still be coming to PS5 as well. While it had been assumed that State of Decay 3 would get a PS5 version, yesterday saw it made official. Hellblade threequel Senua was unveiled, and is getting a PS5 version. And, unsurprisingly, Spyro: A Realm Beyond is coming to Xbox, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

What does this all mean for the next full Halo game? Or Elder Scrolls 6, whenever that finally emerges? It’s hard to imagine Microsoft giving up the enormous revenue it would see from making its Skyrim sequel a console exclusive, though perhaps it might see value in the next Halo chapter being locked to Xbox, in order to please the brand’s legion of fans on social media. As Booty said, fans will just have to wait and see.

For all of Microsoft’s announcements, be sure to catch up with everything announced at the Xbox Showcase 2026, including our best look yet at Fable and more.