Xbox's Phil Spencer Explains the PlayStation 5 Port of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Xbox head Phil Spencer shed light on the decision to bring Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, initially an Xbox and PC exclusive, to the PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025. This multiplatform release, announced at Gamescom 2024, is a strategic move aligning with Xbox's broader business objectives.

Spencer emphasized Xbox's commitment to meeting high internal performance expectations set by Microsoft. He highlighted the company's focus on learning and adapting, referencing the successful multiplatform launches of four games across PlayStation and Switch earlier this year. This experience informed the decision to expand Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's reach. Despite this move, Spencer reassured fans that Xbox's console player base is at an all-time high, and its franchises remain strong. The company's core focus, he stressed, remains on the health of the Xbox platform and the growth of its games.

Spencer also addressed the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, noting the increasing pressure for growth and the need for adaptation in game development and distribution. He reiterated the importance of reaching a wider audience with high-quality games, asserting that this is paramount to Xbox's success.

The decision to bring Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to PS5 has been speculated upon for some time. Rumors of other first-party Xbox titles going multiplatform have circulated, but this marks a significant confirmation for a major franchise. This contrasts with Spencer's previous statements ruling out major titles like Indiana Jones and Starfield from appearing on PlayStation. The game is now expected to be among several Xbox titles heading to the PS5.

The origins of this multiplatform shift can be traced back to Microsoft's 2020 acquisition of ZeniMax Media. Testimony from Bethesda's Pete Hines during last year's FTC trial revealed an initial agreement between Disney and ZeniMax for a multi-console release. Following the acquisition, this agreement was renegotiated to secure exclusivity for Xbox and PC. However, internal emails from 2021 reveal that Spencer and other executives discussed the potential drawbacks of exclusivity, acknowledging that while it offered certain advantages, it could also limit the overall impact of Bethesda's output. The PS5 port represents a significant strategic shift for Xbox, prioritizing broader reach over platform exclusivity.