Console exclusivity didn't just breed toxic communities, it was actively costing both Microsoft and Sony money. The Alinea Insight newsletter reports that the PS5 port of Forza Horizon 5 has sold more than 3 million copies, putting it ahead of Monster Hunter World and long awaited sequel Death Stranding 2.
A recent 25 percent off sale helped spur interest in the hit racer. It just makes sense for these companies to keep doing this. Sony has established a huge lead in console sales over Microsoft, perhaps by a margin as big as five to one. At that point, Microsoft should take the sales available for some of its biggest franchises, even if they're on Sony's console.
Also, despite the significant gap in consoles moved, Sony still needs better games in its library. Anyway you look at it, a four-year old game being your console's biggest seller is an indictment of the titles you put out in 2025. I've heard nothing but good things about Death Stranding 2, but it's the definition of a game that's not for everybody. Its sales indicate that.
Microsoft also dropped former exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle earlier this year. On August 25, we'll see Helldivers 2 release on Xbox, while Gears of War: Reloaded launches on PS5, the debut for the beloved shooter on PlayStation. Both will have full crossplay.
This world would have seemed even more fantastic than GoW's chainsaw guns and orbital lasers just a few years ago, but it just makes good business sense.