Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has announced his commitment to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, even before its official launch in 2025. Dive in to discover more about the promising partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo.
Xbox CEO Pledges His Support For Switch 2
Xbox Will Continue Porting Games to Nintendo Switch 2
In an insightful interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer expressed his enthusiasm for the Nintendo Switch 2, pledging to port multiple Xbox games to this new platform. Spencer's foresight into Nintendo's potential success with their upcoming hybrid console prompted this early commitment. He shared, "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."
He went on to praise Nintendo's innovation and significance in the gaming industry, saying, "Nintendo, their innovation, and what they mean in this industry… I just always applaud the moves that they make. They did a little flash video, and I know we’ll get more detail over time. I’m really looking forward to supporting them with the games that we have, and I just think they’re a really important part of this industry."
Although specific titles weren't named during the interview, it's worth noting that Microsoft has a pre-existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, announced on February 25, 2023. This agreement ensures that "Microsoft will bring Call of Duty to Nintendo Players—the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity," according to Microsoft president Brad Smith.
Currently, Xbox is broadening its reach by porting games such as Grounded and Pertinent to rival platforms like Switch and PlayStation. Given the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, it's likely that more Xbox games will find their way to Nintendo's latest console.
Xbox is Working on a New Platform
During the same interview, Spencer also discussed Xbox's ongoing efforts to develop new hardware, despite their strategy of expanding game availability across different platforms. He emphasized the importance of games that "run across so many different platforms" being the most successful, stating, "I want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen."
Spencer's vision includes creating a platform that both developers and players will favor, saying, "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."
This approach means Xbox will not restrict its games to exclusive platforms but will instead make them accessible to a broader audience while continuing to innovate with new consoles and 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," which reflects Xbox's commitment to expanding its presence across multiple devices.
McNary explained, "This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens." The campaign aims to highlight Xbox's evolution into a versatile platform with vibrant, iconic, and playful visuals and a light-hearted tone. The campaign, which launched on that date, is set to engage audiences in various innovative ways.
A humorous promotional video showcased various objects, including a remote control, laptop, cat box, and bento box, playfully illustrating what Xbox is or isn’t. Despite the light-hearted approach, the core message is clear: many devices are now connected to Xbox or Microsoft in some capacity. To amplify this message, Xbox has partnered with companies like Samsung, Crocs™, and Porsche to bring the campaign to life in unexpected and entertaining ways.
Xbox's strategy diverges from its competitors by focusing on making its games widely available across rival consoles, ensuring that more players can enjoy their titles.
