Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Praises Indiana Jones PS5 Port

Xbox's Phil Spencer Explains Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's PS5 Release

Xbox head Phil Spencer shed light on the decision to bring Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, initially an Xbox and PC exclusive, to PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025. The announcement, made during Gamescom 2024, surprised many.

Spencer emphasized that the move is a strategic business decision aligning with Xbox's broader goals and Microsoft's high expectations for return on investment. He highlighted Xbox's commitment to learning from past experiences, referencing the multiplatform releases of four games on PlayStation and Switch in the previous spring. He stated that this learning informed the decision to expand multiplatform releases.

Despite the multiplatform release, Spencer affirmed the strength of the Xbox platform, citing record-high player numbers and thriving franchises. He stressed Xbox's adaptability in a rapidly changing gaming landscape, emphasizing the need for change in game development and distribution. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to deliver better games accessible to a wider audience.

Rumors of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle coming to PlayStation predate the official announcement. The FTC trial regarding Microsoft's acquisition of Activision revealed that Disney initially intended the game for multiple platforms. Following Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media, in 2020, the deal was renegotiated to make it an Xbox and PC exclusive. Internal emails from 2021 show Xbox executives discussing the potential limitations of exclusivity for Bethesda's output.

The PS5 release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle follows other recent multiplatform releases from Xbox, suggesting a shift in strategy. This decision marks a significant departure from previous statements by Spencer regarding the exclusivity of major titles.