Helldivers 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular multiplayer game, has gained significant momentum with over a quarter million players on Steam and an even larger player base on PlayStation. However, Xbox’s Phil Spencer has raised questions about the game’s exclusivity and why it cannot reach a wider audience.
In an interview with Stephen Totilo’s Game File newsletter, Spencer expressed his admiration for Helldivers 2, acknowledging it as a great game developed by a talented team. He pondered why the game’s absence on Xbox does not benefit anyone in the industry. While he understands the legacy of console gaming and the advantages of exclusive titles, he believes that expanding the game’s availability would be beneficial for all parties involved.
The issue of multiplayer games being exclusive to specific consoles is not limited to Helldivers 2. Microsoft has recently announced its commitment to bringing some of its “community driven” games, such as Sea of Thieves and Grounded, to platforms like PS5 and Xbox. However, certain games like Halo Infinite’s multiplayer have not yet been made available on other consoles. This situation reflects the complexity of the gaming industry and the decisions made by both Sony and Microsoft.
Sony, for instance, acquired Bungie and ensured that Destiny 2 would remain multiplatform. Additionally, future Bungie games, including the upcoming shooter Marathon, will be released on Xbox. However, Helldivers 2 remains exclusive to PlayStation and PC. Sony has publicly committed to bringing its new “live” games to PlayStation and PC but has not extended this commitment to rival consoles like Xbox, except for Bungie games. The situation becomes even more intricate as both Sony and Microsoft venture further into live games.
As live games become more prevalent, owning the game being shared provides several advantages. Firstly, it expands the player population, which ultimately benefits the game itself. Secondly, it opens up opportunities for microtransactions and battle pass revenue from players on rival systems. This is a common practice in the industry for third-party live games with multiplatform releases. However, both Sony and Microsoft have only a handful of titles that fall under this category.
Helldivers 2 can be seen as a “win” for Sony, as it releases a major game that Microsoft does not have. This helps shape a narrative in favor of Sony. However, it is debatable whether this exclusivity is better for the game itself. Xbox seems to be taking a different approach with their game sharing going forward, and it remains to be seen how successful this strategy will be.
As the gaming industry evolves, the dynamics of exclusivity and multiplatform releases will continue to shape the landscape. The case of Helldivers 2 highlights the complexities faced by both Sony and Microsoft as they navigate the world of live games. Ultimately, the goal should be to provide players with the best gaming experience possible, regardless of the platform they choose.
For more gaming news and updates, follow me on Twitter, Threads, YouTube, and Instagram. And don’t forget to check out my sci-fi novels, the Herokiller series, and The Earthborn Trilogy for an immersive reading experience.