Xbox Boss Phil Spencer to Continue Featuring PlayStation, Nintendo Logos at Microsoft Events

In recent developments, Microsoft has started to include logos of rival platforms like PlayStation 5 during its Xbox showcases. This shift in strategy is part of the company's broader push towards multiplatform gaming. For instance, during the Xbox Developer Direct, titles such as Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were shown with PS5 logos alongside Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Game Pass mentions. This approach marks a significant change from Microsoft's previous showcases.

Contrastingly, at the June 2024 Xbox showcase, Doom: The Dark Ages was announced for PS5 right after the event, though later individual trailers did include the PS5 logo. Titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion, and Assassin's Creed Shadows were listed for Xbox Series X and S and PC, omitting PS5 from their initial announcements.

Sony and Nintendo, however, stick to their traditional marketing strategies. Sony's State of Play showcase, for instance, did not mention Xbox for multiplatform games such as Monster Hunter Wilds, which only displayed the PS5 logo and release date. Similarly, Sega's Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was announced for PS4 and PS5 without referencing its availability on PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Onimusha: Way of the Sword followed the same pattern.

Sony's steadfast focus on reinforcing its console as the centerpiece of its gaming ecosystem continues to drive its marketing strategy. Meanwhile, Microsoft's shift in approach has been reflected in its marketing, as evidenced by the January 2025 showcase where PS5 logos were prominently displayed.

In an interview with XboxEra, Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer addressed the inclusion of PlayStation logos in Xbox showcases. When asked about the change, Spencer emphasized transparency and honesty about game availability across different platforms:

"I think it’s just being honest and transparent about where the games are showing, and we actually even had this discussion last year for the June showcase, and by the time we kind of made our decision, we couldn’t get all of the assets done and it felt weird to have some of them in and some of them out.

But I just want to be transparent with people — for shipping on Nintendo Switch, we’re gonna put that. For shipping on PlayStation, on Steam... People should know the storefronts where they can get our games, but I want people to be able to experience our Xbox community in our games and everything we have to offer, on every screen we can.

And obviously not every screen is equal. Yeah, like there’s certain things we can’t do on the other closed platforms that we can do on open platforms, cloud — it’s different. But games should be the thing that we’re focused on. And the strategy that we have allows us to do big games, while also supporting our native platform from hardware to the platform and services that we have and that’s going to be our approach.

And I know it’s not what everybody else is doing, but I just believe games should be the thing that’s at the forefront. Maybe it’s because of how I’ve grown up in this industry. I came from building games. But I think the games are the things that I see growing in their strength in what we’re doing and it’s because more people can play. So yeah, I’m just trying to be open and transparent with people."

Given this perspective, it's likely that future Xbox showcases, such as the anticipated June 2025 event, will continue to feature logos for PS5 and potentially Nintendo Switch 2. Titles like Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, and the upcoming Call of Duty may well be showcased with PS5 logos alongside Xbox branding.

However, don't expect Sony and Nintendo to adopt a similar approach anytime soon. Their marketing strategies remain focused on their respective consoles, maintaining a clear distinction from Microsoft's multiplatform initiatives.