Pulling Minecraft From PlayStation and Nintendo: Xbox’s Biggest Gamble Yet
A reversal in platform strategy
Microsoft bought Mojang in 2014 and kept Minecraft available across major platforms, including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. An Xbox Research survey now raises the possibility of a sharp change: removing the game from those consoles and ending their content updates.
Such a move would contrast with Xbox’s recent decision to release several major franchises on rival systems. The article says that strategy frustrated longtime fans and weakened the reasons for buying an Xbox console.
Ports brought mixed results
In February 2024, Phil Spencer announced ports of games including Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush. More Xbox titles later arrived on PlayStation, among them Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Forza Horizon 5, Gears of War: Reloaded and Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Some ports performed strongly, but others sold less well. Alinea Analytics estimated Gears of War: Reloaded sold about 572,000 PS5 copies and Halo: Campaign Evolved about 351,000 there in July. The article also reports Xbox hardware revenue fell 33%.
Sharma calls for exclusives
Asha Sharma became Xbox CEO after Phil Spencer retired in February 2026. She acknowledged the company was not in a healthy position, dropped a 30% margin target and ended the “This Is an Xbox” campaign.
Sharma has said Xbox consoles need exclusive content and services to succeed. At the June 2026 Xbox Games Showcase, she announced Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution as Xbox console exclusives, not timed exclusives.
Survey outlines a wider shift
Windows Central verified an October 2026 Xbox Research questionnaire asking select Xbox Insiders to consider future releases from Xbox franchises becoming console exclusive, with Call of Duty excluded. The survey named Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Diablo and Hideo Kojima’s Physint.
For Minecraft, the scenario went further: existing versions would no longer be sold on PlayStation or Nintendo consoles, and those versions would stop receiving content updates. The article ends before giving the remaining details of what respondents were asked about using or buying an Xbox.
Key points
- Minecraft has sold more than 425 million copies, according to the article.
- An Xbox Research survey raised the possibility of ending Minecraft sales and updates on PlayStation and Nintendo.
- Sharma has said exclusive content and services are needed for Xbox consoles to succeed.
- The survey also explored console exclusivity for several Xbox franchises, excluding Call of Duty.