Over the past week, there’s been a ton of chatter on the internet about Microsoft’s gaming arm, Xbox, and how it’s looking into the possibility of expanding the reach of its first-party games, including but not limited to, Sea of Thieves. If realized, this move could be the start of a noteworthy shift in Microsoft’s strategy regarding its first-party properties.
Sea of Thieves, a multiplayer pirate game developed by Rare and published by Xbox Game Studios, has been one of the cornerstone titles for Xbox and PC, especially through its inclusion in the popular subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. As the popular pirate sim celebrated its five-year anniversary in March 2023, it also attracted over 30 million players, solidifying its status as a popular multiplayer-centric game.
Now, reports suggest that Microsoft has considered the possibility of porting Sea of Thieves to its competing platforms, the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, though it remains unclear if these plans are still in progress or were shelved.
This information comes amidst broader speculation about Microsoft potentially releasing more Xbox games on the rival platforms. In the past, Microsoft has published games like Ori and the Blind Forest on Nintendo’s system, showing a precedent for such cross-platform releases.
Jeff Grubb of GameSpot’s sister site, Giant Bomb, mentioned that Sea of Thieves could be one of the games joining two more platforms. Former Kotaku editor and Axios reporter, Stephen Totilo, also cited a source, via Game File, indicating Microsoft’s contemplation of bringing Sea of Thieves to PlayStation, potentially as early as 2024.
To be fair, this lines up with recent industry trends of wanting to reach a broader audience. Today, platform boundaries have become increasingly porous, despite what others may lead you to believe.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a done deal for Sea of Thieves’ expansion to other platforms. The decision to set sail and bring an established game like Sea of Thieves, which was exclusively available on Xbox and PC, to competing platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo Switch involves multiple considerations, including contractual agreements, technical feasibility, and market strategies.
On the plus side, the potential expansion of Sea of Thieves to other consoles fits into a broader context where console manufacturers and game publishers are increasingly looking to diversify their player base and revenue streams. This is an approach that’s particularly relevant for games-as-a-service titles like Sea of Thieves, where maintaining and growing an active player base is crucial for the game’s long-term viability and profitability. It could mirror the situation with Fallout 76 last year where the game got a second wind after it was added to the January 2023 PS Plus lineup.
Industry observers have noted that Microsoft’s long-term goals may include moving beyond dedicated hardware with a significant focus on cloud gaming. However, cloud gaming has not yet led to an industry-wide shift, and there remain challenges to its widespread adoption, particularly in regions with inconsistent internet connectivity.
For now, it’s imperative to keep a close eye on further developments that might signal a broader strategic shift for Xbox in terms of its approach to game distribution and platform exclusivity.
