Microsoft’s focus on the ability to play games on any device has been a major talking point when it comes to the company’s focus this upcoming generation. Though Sony is pushing next-gen exclusives for the PlayStation 5, Phil Spencer, Executive Vice President of Gaming at Microsoft feels differently.
Speaking with GI.biz, Spencer sees playing games likeHalo Infiniteeverywhere as a viable option regardless of where you play. “Frankly,held back is a meme that gets created by people who are too caught up in device competition. I just look at Windows. It’s almost certain if the developer is building a Windows version of their game, then the most powerful and highest fidelity version is the PC version.” says Spencer
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Though the Xbox Series X will be a major leap in power compared to the Xbox One, since the console’s unveiling Microsoft has pushed the Smart Delivery feature of the console. Players have the option to play upcoming games likeHalo Infiniteon the Series X if purchased on theXbox One at no additional cost. This would provide the players with all the benefits the Series X version of the game as if it was originally purchased on the new console.
The company’s approach is drastically different from Sony’s with its PlayStation 5. Sony has focused on a hard cut from its previous console, with PlayStation 5 games only being able to be played on the upcoming console. While there are patentsthat suggest cloud gaming will be a part of its backwards compatibilityapproach, players wont be able to play the upcomingHorizon: Forbidden Weston the PlayStation 4.
“The work will be in making sure we put controls into the hands of the players. So if you’re running this game on an Xbox One, is frame rate important to you? Is visual fidelity important to you? Let’s give you those options. And I think we are going to see more of that, where we will be able to bring some of our experience of developing for PC to bear.” Microsoft has promised all first part titles will support Smart Delivery and alsosuggested other developers follow suit. In addition to Smart Delivery, Microsoft has also been hard at work on the companies cloud gaming push with Project xCloud. Focusing on being able to play on any streaming device in the near future.
In addition to the play anywhere focus, Microsoft continues to push Game Pass, promising that console exclusives likeHalo InfiniteandMicrosoft Flight Simulatorwill be available day and date on the service as the games release. Though the price and release date of the Xbox Series X are unknown,details on bothHalo Infiniteand the new console are expectedto be at the Xbox Games Showcase.
