Xbox CEO Pledges Switch 2 Support for Upcoming Game Releases

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has voiced his support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, even before the hybrid console's official release in 2025. Dive into the details to understand the evolving relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo.

Xbox CEO Pledges His Support For Switch 2

Xbox Will Continue Porting Games to Nintendo Switch 2

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer announced his support for the Nintendo Switch 2 and plans to port multiple games to this upcoming platform during an interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025.

Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for the Switch 2 before its release this year, anticipating Nintendo’s continued success with its new hybrid console. In the interview, Spencer mentioned his communications with Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, stating, "I was exchanging emails with Furukawa-san, the CEO of Nintendo. I gave him a big congrats and said my old eyes appreciate the larger screen."

"Nintendo, with their innovation and significance in the gaming industry, always deserves applause for their bold moves. They released a brief teaser video, and I'm eager to learn more details as time progresses. I’m truly excited to support them by bringing our games to the Switch 2. Nintendo is a vital part of this industry."

Although specific titles weren't named in the interview, Microsoft has an existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, officially announced on February 25, 2023. This agreement ensures that Microsoft will "bring Call of Duty to Nintendo players on the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity," according to Microsoft president Brad Smith.

Currently, Xbox is expanding its reach by porting games like Grounded and Pentiment to rival platforms such as the Switch and PlayStation. Given Xbox's business strategy and the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, it's likely that more Xbox titles will be available on Nintendo's upcoming hybrid console.

Xbox is Working on a New Platform

During the same interview, Spencer reaffirmed that Xbox is diligently developing its latest hardware, even as it ports games to competitors' systems.

Spencer believes that games that "run across so many different platforms" are the most successful, and Xbox aims to leverage this trend. "I want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen," he stated.

While Xbox will support game creators who aim to reach multiple platforms, Spencer highlighted the importance of creating a platform that both developers and players will favor. "Let’s go build innovative hardware that people want to use to play, whether that’s in their hands, whether it’s on the television, or even other places."

In this context, Xbox will not restrict its games but will instead enhance their accessibility to a broader audience while continuing to develop new consoles or handheld devices.

Xbox Plans to Reach More Players on Various Devices

On November 14, 2024, Xbox Marketing senior director Craig McNary unveiled the new slogan, "This is an Xbox." This slogan emphasizes Xbox's commitment to extending its reach to a variety of devices.

"This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens," McNary explained. It highlights the evolution of Xbox as a platform that spans across devices, featuring bold, iconic, and playful visuals with a light-hearted tone. Launched on the same day, the campaign will engage audiences in various innovative ways.

The campaign humorously depicted various items such as a remote control, laptop, cat box, bento box, and more, playfully questioning what Xbox is or isn’t. Despite the playful comparisons, the underlying message is clear: many devices are connected to Xbox or Microsoft in some capacity. To further this initiative, Xbox has collaborated with brands like Samsung, Crocs™, Porsche, and others to "bring the campaign to life in unexpected and entertaining ways."

Xbox is taking a different approach from its competitors by openly porting its games to rival consoles, making them accessible to a wider audience.