Despite widespread rumors, Xbox Game Pass won’t be available on other, non-Microsoft consoles. In an interview with German website GameStar, head of Xbox Phil Spencer put an end to these suggestions surrounding Game Pass. Microsoft’s gaming subscription service is going to stay exclusive to Microsoft platforms.
Xbox Game Pass gives users access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee. Microsoft’s main two competitors, Sony and Nintendo, both offer similar services for their users. Nintendo Switch Online gives gamers access to old NES and SNES titles, and PlayStation Now is effectively the Sony version of Game Pass.
Game Pass coming to these other consoles would be significant because of Xbox exclusives. Beloved exclusives like Halo and Gears of War are available on Game Pass, so availability on non-Microsoft consoles would be big news. As Spencer’s interview clarified, though, that’s not going to happen.
A Rundown of the Rumors
The rumors that Xbox could move onto other consoles aren’t unfounded. In early 2019, gaming channel Direct-Feed Games reported that Game Pass would come to Nintendo Switch along with a few Xbox exclusives. Direct-Feed’s predictions in the past have been accurate, so this crossover seemed likely.
Microsoft and Nintendo had been growing increasingly friendly in the past few years too. Since 2018, Microsoft has enabled cross-play between Nintendo Switch and Xbox, allowing gamers on these different consoles to play together. On top of that, Microsoft brought its online service, Xbox Live, to the Switch.
Game Pass on PlayStation was always unlikely, given the lack of collaboration between Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo and Microsoft’s developing relationship, on the other hand, made further cooperation seem like a possibility. At least, it seemed that way until Spencer dispelled these rumors.
Why Game Pass Won’t Come to Other Consoles
In his GameStar interview, Spencer also explained why Game Pass will remain exclusive to Microsoft. Gamers on other consoles would be able to access Xbox games, but not the full Xbox experience. Game Pass users on Switch or PlayStation wouldn’t be able to use features like Xbox Live achievements and friends.
Without all of these features, Spencer argues that the experience would be incomplete. Microsoft wants to offer Game Pass users the whole suite, not just a games library, so that’s a deal-breaker for the company. Whether or not Microsoft attempted to bring everything over to other consoles is unclear.
Collaboration Is Increasing, But Game Pass Is Sticking With Microsoft
As a whole, video game companies seem to be trending towards cooperation. The industry’s seeing more crossovers and cross-play support than ever before, but some things may not change for a while. For now, consoles are keeping their exclusive services exclusive.
Microsoft may be more comfortable working with other companies than in the past. Despite this trend, though, Game Pass like Red Dead Redemption 2 will stay on PC and Xbox for the foreseeable future.