Microsoft is reprioritizing Xbox console exclusives starting with Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution to encourage consumers to purchase console hardware.
As noted on Xbox Wire, the company confirmed the move during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 and emphasized exclusivity will be permanent.
“As part of our focus on the return of Xbox, we also announced that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusives,” reads the post. “These are not timed exclusives. Games already announced for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan—we’re committed to investing in and growing Xbox both on console and beyond.”
It’s another notable pivot under the leadership of newly-minted Xbox president Asha Sharma, who has lowered the price of Xbox Game Pass, announced next-generation hardware, and introduced a litany of more superficial changes—such as rebranding ‘Xbox’ as ‘XBOX’—since taking charge of the gaming division in February.
Former Xbox leaders Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond previously chose to bring notable first-party Xbox titles such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Starfield, Forza Horizon 6, and Grounded, to rival console platforms including Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
In January 2025, Spencer said there was no reason to put a “ring fence” around Xbox Game Studios titles and said the company’s multiplatform strategy was about finding players.
Now, just over a year later, that philosophy is seemingly being kicked to the curb.
Elaborating on the rationale for the u-turn during an interview with Gamertag Radio, Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty said exclusivity will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will ensure players have a reason to purchase Xbox console hardware.
“We want people to have a reason to get onboard with Xbox. We want them to have a reason to buy an Xbox—a reason to be an Xbox fan,” he explained.
Booty noted that large multiplayer games and live service titles will continue to be multiplatform, and said that if Xbox has already promised something to players it is committed to honoring that promise.
“It’s going to be case-by-case, but we’re going to be clear that when it’s got a date, it’s got a platform and you’ll know what the choice is going to be,” he continued.
At the time of writing, that seems to indicate that Halo: Campaign Evolved will still launch on PlayStation 5 in 2026—given the remake has already been handed a July 28 release date. Fable has also been handed a February 23, 2027, launch date on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X | S.
Game Developer has reached out to Microsoft for comment.