Rumors have swirled recently suggesting Microsoft explored bringing its pirate adventure game, Sea of Thieves, to PlayStation consoles. Sources familiar with the situation claim Microsoft internally discussed the possibility of porting the title, marking a potential turning point in the company’s strategy regarding platform exclusivity.
Sea of Thieves has been a cornerstone of Microsoft’s first-party lineup since its 2018 debut, available solely on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. The live-service game, boasting over 30 million players according to Microsoft, has received consistent post-launch support with new content updates.
According to Gamefile’s sources, PlayStation’s sizable audience presents an attractive opportunity to expand Sea of Thieves’ reach and potentially drive further in-game spending. A move onto PlayStation with a marquee Xbox title would represent a significant shift for Microsoft. The company has traditionally kept its flagship franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza confined to its own platforms. The porting of a major internal studio game like Sea of Thieves would signal a move toward platform neutrality.
Adding intrigue to the situation is the ongoing tension between Microsoft and Sony regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Sony vehemently opposed the deal, fearing Microsoft would withhold Call of Duty, a critical PlayStation franchise, from future iterations. Microsoft ultimately entered a 10-year agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation to assuage these concerns.
The potential PlayStation release of Sea of Thieves could be another bridge that leads the two console giants to a peaceful coexistence. While Microsoft already enjoys success on PlayStation through Minecraft, integrating Sea of Thieves into the PlayStation ecosystem raises questions about potential ties to Microsoft’s own gaming services.
It’s crucial to note that Microsoft has not officially confirmed any plans to release Sea of Thieves on PlayStation. The reported discussions are supposedly internal, and their current status or ultimate outcome is unclear. Still, even considering such a move underscores the changing nature of platform exclusivity in the gaming industry, potentially paving the way for more cross-platform play and greater accessibility.
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