Xbox Boss Hails Indiana Jones' PS5 Port

Xbox's Phil Spencer Explains the PlayStation 5 Port of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Xbox head Phil Spencer shed light on the surprising decision to bring Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, initially an Xbox and PC exclusive, to the PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025. This strategic move, announced at Gamescom 2024, aligns with Xbox's broader business objectives.

Spencer emphasized Xbox's commitment to meeting high internal performance expectations set by Microsoft. He highlighted the company's learning process, citing the multiplatform releases of four games last spring (two on Switch, four on PlayStation) as a key factor informing this decision. He underscored that despite this shift, Xbox’s console player base is at an all-time high, and its franchises remain robust.

The decision, Spencer stated, reflects Xbox's adaptability within a rapidly evolving gaming landscape. He stressed the importance of reaching a wider audience and delivering "better games that more people can play," prioritizing the health of the Xbox platform and its growing game portfolio.

Pre-announcement rumors and the FTC trial regarding Microsoft's acquisition of Activision provided additional context. Bethesda's Pete Hines revealed that an initial agreement with Disney envisioned a multiplatform release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Following Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, this agreement was renegotiated to secure exclusivity for Xbox and PC. However, internal emails from 2021 revealed discussions among Xbox executives about the potential limitations of exclusivity, ultimately leading to the current multiplatform strategy. This decision marks a significant shift, suggesting a potential trend of major Xbox titles making their way to PlayStation 5, following the June announcement of Doom: The Dark Ages on the platform. The release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5 signifies a strategic recalibration for Xbox, balancing exclusivity with broader market reach.