Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has expressed his commitment to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, even before its official launch in 2025. This move underscores the evolving relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo, promising exciting developments for gamers. Dive in to discover what this means for the future of gaming across these two giants.
Xbox CEO Pledges His Support For Switch 2
During an insightful interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer announced Microsoft's dedication to supporting the Nintendo Switch 2 by porting a variety of games to the new platform. Spencer's early endorsement reflects his confidence in Nintendo’s continued innovation and success with their upcoming hybrid console.
Spencer shared that he's been in direct communication with Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, congratulating him on the Switch 2 and expressing his appreciation for its larger screen. "Nintendo, their innovation, and what they mean in this industry… I just always applaud the moves that they make," Spencer remarked. He's eager to bring Xbox games to the Switch 2, highlighting Nintendo's importance in the gaming industry.
While specific titles weren't mentioned in the interview, it's worth noting that Microsoft has a pre-existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, announced on February 25, 2023. This deal ensures that "Call of Duty will be available to Nintendo players on the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity," as stated by Microsoft president Brad Smith.
Currently, Xbox is already expanding its reach by bringing games like Grounded and Pertinent to rival platforms, including the existing Switch and PlayStation. Given the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, it's likely that more Xbox titles will find their way to Nintendo's new hybrid console, enhancing the gaming experience for players across different platforms.
Xbox is Working on a New Platform
In the same interview, Spencer also touched on Xbox's ongoing efforts to develop new hardware. Despite Xbox's strategy to distribute its games across various platforms, the company remains committed to innovating its own hardware offerings.
Spencer emphasized the importance of games that "run across so many different platforms," noting that these are the most successful. He expressed his vision for Xbox to build a platform that supports creators aiming to reach players on every screen. "I want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen," Spencer stated.
Furthermore, Spencer stressed the goal of creating innovative hardware that players and developers would love to use across different contexts—whether in their hands, on a television, or other 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 focuses on expanding Xbox's presence across a multitude of devices.
McNary explained, "This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens." This campaign highlights Xbox's evolution as a versatile platform, using bold, iconic, and fun visuals with a light-hearted tone. The campaign, which launched on the same day, will manifest in various engaging ways.
The announcement playfully showcased various items like a remote control, laptop, cat box, and bento box, humorously labeling them as what Xbox is or isn’t. Despite the playful nature, the underlying message is clear: Xbox is connected to a wide array of devices through Microsoft's ecosystem. To bring this vision to life, Xbox has partnered with companies like Samsung, Crocs™, and Porsche, aiming to engage players in unexpected and entertaining ways.
Xbox's strategy diverges from its competitors by prioritizing the accessibility of its games across rival consoles, ensuring that more players can enjoy their titles regardless of the platform they choose.
