“Fable Launches on PS5 from Day One to Reach More Players, While Xbox Game Studios Aims for Flexible Multiplatform Releases”

Microsoft is increasingly embracing a multiplatform approach for its games, though the execution has had its ups and downs. The recent Xbox Developer Direct showcased this with Fable launching on PS5 simultaneously with its Xbox version, while Forza Horizon 6 will see a staggered release across platforms. What’s the reasoning behind this?

Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, shared his perspective in an exclusive interview. “Our goal is straightforward: we want our games to reach as many players as possible.” Having previously led Rare and overseen the transition of Sea of Thieves to Steam and PS5, Duncan noted that each port expanded the game’s community.

“For our developers,” he elaborates, “the Fable team wants to connect with as many fans as possible who appreciate their hard work. That’s always our aim. It’s really about figuring out how to get this game into the hands of as many players as we can.”

While Xbox has outlined this strategy, Duncan acknowledges that “sometimes we are inconsistent,” as seen with Forza Horizon 6, which will debut on PS5 after the Xbox and PC versions launch in May. “You’ll notice some games are exclusive to one platform, while others are available on multiple,” he explains. “Just know that we’re working on improving this consistency.”

However, Duncan is cautious about committing to simultaneous launches across Xbox and PlayStation. He believes it’s crucial to “maintain optionality” to ensure every player enjoys the best experience possible, which means leveraging the unique features of each platform.

“If we can’t deliver a game that performs well on a platform, then we wouldn’t proceed with that release,” Duncan states. “We’d have an internal discussion and consider delaying it to ensure we do right by those players. Resources are finite, and we want to deliver the best experience for each platform and each game.”