Microsoft to make more Xbox single‑player games exclusive, keep multiplayer multi‑platform

Microsoft, led by Xbox chief Asha Sharma, is revising its Game Pass strategy by making a larger share of its first‑party single‑player titles exclusive to Xbox consoles (and PC), while multiplayer and live‑service games will continue to launch on all major platforms.

The shift follows weaker‑than‑expected Game Pass subscriber numbers – roughly 30 million at the end of fiscal 2026, well short of the 77 million target – and is aimed at driving sales of Xbox Series X|S hardware and the forthcoming Project Helix hybrid console.

Announced exclusives include Gears of War: E‑Day (Oct 6) and InXile’s Clockwork Revolution (2027). Other tentpole releases such as Halo, Forza Horizon 6 and Fable are expected to remain on PlayStation for now. The strategy comes as Microsoft recently cut about 3,200 jobs across its studios.